13. Amanita
THIRTEEN
AMANITA
Despite the cold beauty of Morel's kingdom, I had found myself disgusted by it as I had spent days locked away, my wounds reopened and poked at, denied any food or drink aside from water, which must've been drugged, as I experienced intense hot flashes and cold sweats, my brain throbbing at all times as seconds felt like years and the madness of my condition driving me into what felt like insanity. I was an innocent pawn, suffering for Agaric as Morel used me to bait him. I was stuck between the battle of two brothers suffocating in their hatred of one another. I had no strength, no drive, and no desire to continue if this were to be my fate. Death could stand at my side and welcome me into his eternal darkness and I would accept without thought. The only comfort I was afforded was the small glimpses of the night sky that visited me in my lucid dreams. Sadly, those were quickly interrupted with the overwhelming urge to vomit, my stomach aching as nothing would come out, leaving me gagging on the cold air.
The door to my plain room opened as the same man from before stepped inside. He sighed, as if upset with my frail appearance. Aside from my ghastly scars and the wounds that painted my skin, I had been redressed in the plainest nightgown, the beige material scratching my skin adding the final touch to my never-ending discomfort. I rolled away from him, facing the plain weathered wall of my prison.
"How are you feeling today, my lady?" He sounded kind, but truthfully, in the midst of my torture, I had caught myself struggling to grasp reality. It seemed as though, despite my current state, I had no feelings of hatred towards those who forced me to suffer. I had simply existed. "Shall I fetch you some more water?" he asked, seeming to want to comfort me.
"No," I whispered, my voice weakened by my current state. "You needn't worry about me, sir, at least not for much longer."
"Pardon?" I rolled to face him, using what little energy I had.
"I have decided that when the time comes and death knocks upon my door, I shall welcome in with embracing arms." His eyes widened at my response, as if it was the most unexpected thing to hear.
"But, my q—" he stopped. "Lady Amanita, the king is—"
"I couldn't care less what your illegitimate king commands!" I rose halfway from the bed, a strange temper flooding my veins. "I do not wish to endure this torture, and, therefore, I will not! Morel may be holding my body prisoner, keeping it hidden in his shadows, but he cannot entomb my soul. If I wish to die, then I fully intend to do so. And your bastard king cannot stop me."
I returned to the bed, facing away as he remained shocked by my words. He simply bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him.