Hours had dwindled by as the Queen had declared to allow the kings of the Five Empires to carry their scheme through, even though Dragana trusted the Queen with every fibre of her being she still tread carefully towards her.

"Mother...I mean no offence but I am confused. Why are you allowing the kings to enter our sanctuary?"

The Queen waved her hand, the fire that had gently flickered and given a soft glow was now raging, almost reaching out to dance with their gowns. The softness that had shined on the Queen was now a bright blaze that illuminated the crown upon her head, her eyes narrowing into the fire.

"You think myself and to an extension, my power is immortal, for nor do I know of the fate that will behold of me."

Dragana felt as if the skin of a snake brushed against her skin all over at the thought of the Queen perishing, every soul would be condemned to the hands of death. The words nibbled at the back of her mind, the sounds of clinking metal breaking the silence as the Queen's hand tucked back the strands of starless-sky hair behind Dragana's ear.

"Let them come into their belief of Hell, you will stoke the fire to feast on their flesh should they lay a fingerprint upon any within."

Not a second flew by as Dragana bowed her head and left the hall, the women behind the door all stepping back and began to relax. The only one left behind in the hall by the Queen was the silent advisor, her eyes staring into Queen Thorn's back.
"Do you think me a fool?"

"Of course not your majesty, I believe this is the best course of action. Remove the kings from their strongholds and weaken their command while in your domain...though I do feel obligated to mention how the ladies will react to the kings and I worry for their mental states..."

A hand raised silencing the advisor as the Queen turned to her side, a sharp iciness within her eyes but it wasn't anger nor resentment.

"Do not fret Amelie, for as I told Dragana, no harm shall bestow upon any under my rule. They are protected even now, unaware."
Waves of fatigue washed over the Queen's face as she stood back from the fire, yet, her beauty did not waver.
"Assemble a minor group of women, while the kings enter my empire and I keep them here to let them carry out their plans, you and those under your little command will free as many of the rest of women in those 'Empires' as you can. Bring them Sanctuary."

The Silent Advisor had seconds of shock pass over her face before nodding, not only had she been allowed to take her training to the frontlines as a commander for her Queen but realised just another example of the Queen's intuitions.
Once the advisor had rushed out the door after bowing in gratitude, the Queen allowed herself a moment of solitude.

Flashes of scarlet blood scattered around everywhere she looked tormented her mind, the smell of decaying flesh burning the back of her nose. A sense of dread filled the Queen's chest that after a minute she managed to push down, her eyes stinging.
The Queen's eyes drifted back to the throne, a feeling starting to rise within the depths of her chest that swirled in an uncontrollable storm.

Each step felt powerful, the air stirring with power that breathed through her skin.

The clinking of the metal claws on her hand echoed as she reached for the concealed right shoulder, pulling a claw deep across it. Not even a sound left her lips as little droplets of blood floated from the wound, there was nine and one by one they flew by;

One landed by her feet onto a cracked skull.

One danced to the bright flames.

One dropped onto the coolness of soil.

One shot up into the sky followed closely.

One rushed to a thunder cloud nearby.

One glided to the water of the fountain.

One rose to the sun above.

One slinked into the shadows.

One slid out the door and landed on Dragana.

The Queen's face relaxed as soon as the last droplet of warm blood touched Dragana, in an instant, she felt rejuvenated.
A tingle like pins and needles radiated from the wound that stitched itself back together, a light scar being left in its place permanently.

Knocking filled the room, one of the maids entering and bowing.
"The kings have departed your highness, shall I inform the kitchen to prepare a feast?"

For a moment there was a silence before a sly grin covered the Queen's face, her eyes gleaming.

"Yes. Prepare a feast then summon an assembly of everyone within the kingdom, let us revel in the kings' distaste of our culture."

"As you wish your majesty."