Solitary

My heart pounded as I stood there, stunned by what I was seeing. My mother, the Queen, with a stake in her hand, about to strike down the young actor we had used as bait. She froze, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and fear as the room was suddenly illuminated. Her hand wavered in the air as she looked at me.

"Mother, what in the goddess's name are you doing here?" I exclaimed, my voice trembling with a mixture of anger and disbelief.

Luke moved swiftly, disarming her before she could react. Haruna was still out cold.

"You have a lot to explain, your Majesty," Luke said sternly. I raised a hand to stop him from saying anything else. The matter was between my mother and I.

"Magnus, I can explain, calm down," she said, backing off as I advanced towards her.

"There's nothing to explain so close your lying mouth, you were caught red-handed in the act. I defended you before the council!," I said, hurt by her betrayal. She wore a loose black overall and a black shawl over her head to hi