Ajo: Chapter Sixteen

When Ajo appeared before her, the Queen wept.

The castle had fallen into more gloom, and everyone moved like aimless spirits.

But when Ajo returned, hope returned with him. The Queen wrapped her arms around her son and placed a dozen kisses on his face. For the briefest of moments, a sense of peace stirred within him.

The familiarity of his old life.

He pushed it aside.

They moved to the Queen's chambers and sat at the small table as they had countless times in the past.

"Where did you go?" his mother asked.

"Don't you know?" he bit back.

"There was a rumor that you had begun a quest to find a queen."

"You believed it?"

The Queen grew visibly ashamed. "It was peculiar, that you left without a word and didn't take Fallow with you. But when Galeia and her husband settled in the woods and you did not follow after...I went to her. She repeated the same rumor, she promised you had found peace between each other and she had convinced you to find another love. What could I do but conclude she was telling the truth?"

"You never tried, not even once, to find me?"

"Of course I did! I searched the woods, I asked every ruler in every kingdom—"

"And when they said they had not seen me, you never pressed the matter?"

"I believed you wanted time to yourself. You had been taking so much of it—remaining away for days and nights. And you always had a talent for hiding. I assumed you wanted solitude, so I gave it to you. You are not a child, and it wasn't my place to intervene."

Ajo scoffed. "How could you believe Galeia? How could you believe a traitor?"

"Because she was my child once, Ajo. When you did not seek to make good on your threats, I hoped it was a sign of change."

"You were willing to overlook what was right under your nose. At the cost of me. You and your excuses are weak. It's a danger to this kingdom."

The Queen's eyes narrowed at the insult but she did not argue. Ajo decided to keep the truth from his mother, for he knew she would try to change what he had become.

She would take away the power he had learned at so great a cost.

"Did you find a queen?" she asked, her tone balanced between civility and desperation.

Ajo released a mean laugh. "I was unsuccessful in the task."

"There's still time. There's still hope."

"Is there? You made me devote my life to her. There is nothing left for anyone else."

A thread of fear ran through the Queen. There was a dangerous energy surrounding her son, an unpredictability that seemed ready to strike at any second. He plucked a grape from a bowl and squeezed it. He did not eat it, but set it on the table, where it sat like a squashed bug.

"You never once asked the same devotion of Galeia, did you? Did you ever consider that I might need to be chased in return? That I deserved to be courted, too? No. You made me a servant to her whims while filling my head with foolish notions of romance. And Galeia answered with spite." His gaze lowered to the grape in front of him. "I shouldn't have left for the trial. I know that's when Galeia set her eyes on someone else."

"A King's Trial is necessary. You had to endure it, or you would not have been allowed to take the throne."

"But I wouldn't have lost her." He mashed his thumb into the grape, driving it further into the table. "But you gave a command and we must live with the consequences. Your failures as queen cost—"

In an instant the Queen was at his side, and she struck a blow across his face. The sharp echo of it bounced loudly through the room.

"I let you take your jabs because I know the pain you feel," she snapped, "but you will not call me a failure, not when I did everything in my power to ensure your happiness."

Ajo touched his cheek. "It will take more than a hand to subdue me, mother."

His tone was sharp and low. Powerful in its nonchalance.

"What happened to you?" the Queen asked, though it was less a question and more a grim realization.

She knew the truth, Ajo saw it in her eyes. She knew that wherever he had gone something horrific had befallen him, and because of it, what stared at her now was a stranger.

"Did you worry?" he asked.

"Yes, endlessly. I feared—"

"That your fool had died?"

"I feared my son had fallen into a danger he could not break free from."

He shrugged. "But it was easier to believe a rumor, and allow me my solitude." He plucked another grape from the tray. "I got what I deserved."

"That's not true, Ajo. You've been hurt, let me—"

"I'm stronger for these scars. The lessons learned from them serve me better than your counsel ever did." He mashed the grape and set it next to its sibling on the table. "Did you enjoy my absence?"

"Not a second of it."

"I think you enjoyed it just as much as you enjoyed watching me struggle to win Galeia. Did you snicker with her behind my back?"

The Queen shook her head, horrified. "Let me help you—"

"I don't want your help. The rumor was half-right. I'm back from another quest, and I've learned something valuable during it." He chose a third grape and held it up. "I will take what I want, for that is true power. That is the power of a king."

He squashed the grape and joined it with the other two.

"That's not the power of a king," the Queen admonished, "but a tyrant."

"Kings, tyrants, it's all one."

"You were taught differently."

"Where in the woods have Galeia and her human settled?"

When she did not reply, Ajo stood and struck the table with his fist.

"WHERE ARE THEY?!"

The Queen's glare was withering, and anyone else under it would have stumbled.

"Where is my son," she countered. "Where is that kind, wonderful prince?"

Ajo waved his hand dismissively.

"Three souls have conspired against me," he said. "Three souls must answer for it."

He pointed to the first squashed grape.

"The human thief." He pointed to the second. "Galeia."

When he came to the third he did not speak, but pushed it towards his mother.

"Have you forgotten that I lost everything, too?" the Queen asked. "I lost an heir—"

"Your heir is right here. And I'll have what is owed me, starting with justice upon the two traitors who defied their king."

"You are not king."

"You're right. Not yet. But we don't need a grand ceremony. We'll celebrate my second return home with my immediate coronation." He conjured a crown. "I declare myself, Ajo, the true King of the Wood, by birth and by victory in trial." He extended the crown towards his mother. "Will you grant me my birthright?"

The Queen hesitated.

"Or will it be war, mother?"

She stood from her chair, fury painted on her countenance. She took the crown and Ajo bent on his knee. He saw the Queen's hand twitch at her side, and anticipation rose within him.

He almost wanted her to attempt a strike.

She did not attack, but placed the crown on his head and bestowed an emotionless kiss after it.

"Long may you reign," she said with a dishonest tone.

Ajo looked up at her.

"I mean to. And lest you interfere with my plans, my first edict involves you."

***

It took Ajo little time to find the house in the woods.

He had thought to confront his enemies immediately but kept his distance, choosing to watch from the shadows. They had built a home and garden and were in the process of finishing a barn. For several days Ajo observed as the woods tested their patience—and was enraged to find that Galeia and her husband were flourishing.

No matter what crossed their path, they were happy.

And they surprised the King of the Woods.

On one occasion, Ajo watched in disgusted shock as the human mutilated Galeia. He pushed hot ink into the tender flesh of her thigh with a needle, and Galeia whimpered under his touch.

"You protect me from your kind," the human said as he caressed her leg. "Now I'll protect you from mine."

"It's not magic," Galeia said.

"But it holds sway over people, like a shield."

"Symbols in ink...what strange beings you are to think writing is so powerful."

"It's the threat the symbol carries." The human kissed her. "It'll help ease my mind when I'm gone to know you have it. Does it hurt?"

"Not as much. But there is a lingering sting to it."

"Now you can use yours as a guide for mine."

The human did not make a sound as Galeia carved the same symbol above his knee.

"It's pretty, in an odd sort of way," Galeia remarked as she studied the ink on her thigh.

Ajo was repulsed. Galeia's perfect skin, marred forever. There was nothing beautiful about such blasphemy.

***

There was a pattern to their lives, and they clung to it fiercely. The human sometimes left the home for many days, and after following him Ajo found he was returning to the towns. He had little curiosity about what the human did there, but with Galeia alone, a wonderful opportunity presented itself.

Ajo watched with keen interest how she spent her solitude. For the most part she carried on as usual, though there was a drag in her movements. Some nights, when the moon was fat and bright, she left the home to dance in the yard, casting her clothes aside and relishing in the freedom of being completely unencumbered.

These were the moments Ajo used utmost restraint, though he often sent a breeze to cool her skin. It felt like Galeia was taunting him, by exposing herself so brazenly to the night in his kingdom.

He wasn't sure if he wanted to attack or join her.

Lilith warned that his resolve might weaken when he saw Galeia. The witch was right, so Ajo kept his distance, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Before the moment came, he decided to test the lovers.

Galeia and her husband were confident they could handle anything the woods presented, until a nefarious pattern emerged. Misfortune piled around them, and more creatures found their way to the home, wreaking havoc on their peaceful routine.

They cleaned more than their fair share of dead animals and rotten crops.

They became vigilant and careful of everything around them.

They learned to fear the unknown, for it became clear that any moment could bring destruction upon them.

The human ceased his ventures to the towns.

Both of them stopped leaving the house after dusk.

Ajo reveled in each angry sigh and miserable look.

But there were blissful moments stolen amid the chaos. Gentle kisses and laughter. The euphoria of newlyweds embarking on a life together.

Even during their intimate moments Ajo did not look away, but watched with hate while mourning their love.

It was Galeia who first suspected there was more to their troubles than a spot of bad luck. Something was purposefully sending obstacles to their home, and though she used magic to hold them at bay, it became difficult to keep up with the crowd of beasts that relentlessly poured in. She cast a shield over their home and the surrounding yard. It was not impenetrable, but sturdy enough to keep most of the terrors outside.

Now Ajo had to wait for them to venture into the woods before striking.

One evening the human returned in a poor state, with his clothing torn beyond saving and his body covered in bruises and cuts. Galeia healed him, but fretted over his misadventure.

"I wasn't paying attention," the man said. "It's a lesson on being vigilant."

"No. You were hunted. Something sought you out."

"The woods are untamed."

"But rarely so overwhelmingly dangerous. The woods have changed."

"What should we do? We cannot stay locked in our home."

"We must find a way to survive." She paused. "Because it will no longer be two facing the woods, but three."

Her meaning dawned on him and the human fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"We must protect it," he said as he pressed his ear against her stomach. "We'll teach our child to be resilient."

"There's more than a few goblins and bears to protect it from. We're being attacked. I fear Ajo has found his way back to the woods."

"How? Didn't you—"

"Lilith must have broken her promise. I should have expected it."

"Will you speak to the Queen?"

"I have tried, but she keeps herself from me. Now her son threatens us." She looked at the bloodied shirt in her hands. "He'll grow more bold. How much time before he decides these little games are no longer fun and he finishes them?"

"What do you suggest?"

"We could find a home in the towns."

"Never. Our child will not grow up in that horror."

"Then we are left with no other choice. I must speak with Ajo."

"No, Galeia."

"He will put an end to his hate. For the sake of our child, I will make him."

"I should speak with him, too."

Galeia shook her head. "He'd kill you the moment you stood before him. This is not your fight."

"Of course it is."

"I must go alone. It will serve us better to keep Ajo calm, and your face would only rouse his anger and close his ears."

"So I'm to stay here and hope you return?"

"Trust your wife. I am stronger than you think."

The human chuckled. "I've never questioned your strength, my love."

"Then believe that I will make things right."

Ajo listened to their conversation, having followed the wounded human to see what Galeia would make of him. The news of her motherhood shocked him, but his surprise quickly twisted into bitter jealousy.

Galeia was a fool to think she'd find peace.

And he would not give her time to strategize.

The next morning Galeia left her bed and stood alone in the yard. As the final moments of night faded she looked at the woods, searching for something.

"Ajo?" she called softly. "Are you here?"

Silence answered her.

"Leave my family in peace. Or I will make you."

A whisper rose from the trees.

"Is that a threat, Galeia?"

"It's a promise."

When her husband did not return home at dusk, Galeia went in search of him.

Night descended quickly, but Galeia was not afraid. She found comfort in it, and it had been so long since she ventured into its embrace.

But this was not the time to frolic.

She had not traveled far when she met a familiar face. The Gretch stood before her, but Galeia knew it was not her sister, only a vision made from Ajo's magic.

"Where have you taken him?" Galeia demanded.

The vision could not speak, so when the Gretch began to walk away, Galeia followed. She guessed their destination and was not surprised when they stopped before the Queen's castle.

"I thought I would feel indifferent when I saw it," Galeia whispered to herself. "Home. Or what's left of it."

The Gretch moved to the gate and stood at attention, watching Galeia expectantly.

"If you've hurt him," Galeia warned, knowing Ajo could hear her, "I will—"

The Gretch raised a finger to her lips and Galeia snorted. She brushed past the vision and headed toward the castle.

It was not a welcoming sight. The walls, which were usually bright and warm, had turned a dull gray. There were no servants or courtiers.

No signs of life anywhere.

Except an old friend who guarded the door to the throne room.

"Wha' a treasure for these eyes," the Knight of the Wood greeted, though his spirit held little joy. "Wish it were better times."

"Do you blame me for it?" Galeia blushed at the unnecessary forcefulness of her tone.

The Knight shook his head. "Always held a heart o' fire, ye did, but wishin' it weren't there would be like wishin' the tree didn't grow with green. It's what ye are, Galeia. Wouldn't have it any way else." He gave a forced smile. "Good to see ye home."

"I doubt my return will be celebrated."

The Knight reached out and took her hand. "It is, by some."

"Why aren't you protecting the woods?"

"The pri—the King—commanded me to stand post here. Said it were a waste o' talent to keep me under the trees."

"Do you agree?" The Knight's eyes gave her the answer his mouth could not. "Where is mother? Why hasn't she stopped this?"

"The Queen has...taken to Her rooms for a time."

"I'll see her first."

"By order o' the King, no one will enter or leave Her chambers."

"Ajo's locked her away?"

"Giving Her time to reflect, he called it."

"Or he doesn't want her to interfere and stop this nonsense."

"He wanted to see ye alone."

"Was I wrong?" Galeia asked, unexpectedly gripped with doubt. "Was I wrong to follow my heart? If I had just accepted Ajo—"

"Start throwin' water on fire and it's likely to drown," the Knight interrupted. "Tha's not who ye are, little princess."

Galeia laughed faintly.

"I'm not little," she said in mock indignation. "Nor am I a princess."

"Ye will be to me, for all time."

The Knight removed himself from the door.

"Go on. The King is waiting."