Chapter 14: Whispers in the Wind
By Joy Daud
The moon hung heavy that night, casting silver shadows through the high windows of the palace. The halls were quiet, but not empty. Not to him.
Prince Kimo moved silently, trailing behind Oki's distant footsteps.
He didn't know why he was following her.
Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe suspicion.
Or maybe... it was something deeper he couldn't name.
She slipped out of the servant's wing, heading toward the forest paths behind the palace — the place no one dared go after nightfall.
And yet, she walked with purpose.
Kimo followed.
Until the wind rose.
At first, a soft breeze. Then a howl. Then—
A wall of air slammed between him and the trees, fierce as a hurricane. He covered his face as leaves and dust swirled with unnatural force.
The storm... obeyed her.
"Oki!" he shouted, but his voice was swallowed.
She didn't turn.
She was already gone.
---
Deep within the forest, Oki stood before the Spirit Tree, roots coiled like ancient serpents, its bark pulsing faintly with light.
She dropped to her knees.
"The palace," she said to the whispering spirit, "should be uprooted. Torn from the earth and swallowed by the sky."
The wind answered with a mournful cry.
"But not all of them," she continued, eyes glowing green. "Not the righteous."
Her hand gripped the soil.
"The king... thinks himself wise. Proud. Strong. So stupid. He rules with force, not love. His throne deserves to crumble."
The forest moaned around her, wind twisting with fury.
---
Back in the palace, the queen stood by her enchanted mirror, watching.
"She's breaking," the queen whispered.
But when she turned around — she found Oki standing right behind her.
Unbothered. Alive with power.
"You think spying makes you stronger?" Oki asked, voice quiet.
The queen raised a hand to strike with magic — black flames danced in her palm.
Oki didn't even flinch.
With a single clenched finger, Oki summoned a surge of green light. The queen gasped, flung backward, crashing into the mirror.
Oki walked forward slowly, leaned in, and whispered in her ear:
"Don't try me, Queen."
Then smiled, turned, and walked away.
The queen screamed — not from pain, but from humiliation.
---
Kimo sat on the edge of his balcony, staring into the forest.
What was she?
Why did she make his heart burn like a flame beneath snow?
Why did it hurt when she smiled at others, when she kept secrets, when her eyes glowed with a power he couldn't understand?
She wasn't his.
But he wanted her to be.
He hated himself for that.
---
The next morning, Oki passed Kimo in the garden. He looked away, stiff.
"You weren't in your room last night," he said.
"Neither were you," she replied.
His gaze snapped to hers.
"Stay out of the forest."
She leaned close, too close. "Are you jealous, Prince?"
His eyes burned.
"Maybe."
---
To be continued.....