The Lost Hero: Chapter 14

By: Anna Schroeder

Juen woke in her room in Athus.

She stared at the beamed ceiling, the wood dark with age. She recognized the knots and whirls, the brighter patch where it must have been repaired.

This was impossible.

She sat up and her head swirled. The room was the same. The scent of the beeswax candles and clean linen, the quiet hum of the city, the sunlight streaming through the window.

She started as the door opened. Firn came in carrying a tray. The woman smiled.

“You are awake!”

Juen scrambled back. “Get away from me!”

Firn set her load on a small table. “Your majesty—?”

“Where am I? What is this?”

“You are safe, Juen.”

She wanted to believe the old woman, but cringed back, cornered like an animal as Firn approached.

“You are safe,” she repeated. She grasped Juen’s outstretched hand and held it gently. “I will not hurt you.”

The woman’s power was weak, but steadfast. She gave willingly what she had. It could not fill the void, but it soothed the pain.

Juen sobbed into her chest.

“I couldn’t stop him! He’s gone!”

Firn stroked her head. “It is not your fault.”

“I am weak, useless. He is right, I am nothing.”

Firn shook her. “You are a queen.”

“He’s gone and I am alone!” All her fears came tumbling out, the guilt eating her alive. “His death is on my head. I should have— if I could have— if I was stronger—”

“No. Maiek did this.”

Juen thought she would never stop. Even when her voice was gone and her eyes swollen and dry, she mourned.

Firn sat by her through the soft afternoon. Face to the window, her age weakened eyes were steady and bright.

“There is always hope,” she said. “Even if you must make it for yourself.”

Juen couldn’t cry forever, even if she wanted to. She lay on the bed, weak and exhausted. She wanted to close her eyes, stay hidden in this little room, will herself into nothingness.

What was the point? How could she ever hope to regain her country now? How could she stand against someone so powerful?

His voice, his lips, speaking her greatest fears: You are weak. Pathetic. Useless.