Chapter 5 GLIMPSE OF DESTINY

Before Amby could ask the question, Jessica's hands enveloped hers.

"Tell me what you saw," Jessica urged.

Her voice was a gentle coaxing, a promise of safety and trust. Amby took a deep breath, steeling herself to reveal the secrets she'd uncovered. The memories, though not her own, felt etched into her soul. With Jessica's guidance, Amby began to unravel the mystery of her visions.

Jessica's eyes overflowed with tears, her voice cracking as she spoke.

"I've never told anyone," she whispered, her words barely audible.

Amby's heart swelled with compassion, and she pulled Jessica into a warm embrace. The scent of lavender wafted from Jessica's hair, mingling with the faint tang of tears.

"You're not alone, Jessica," Amby whispered, her breath a gentle caress against Jessica's ear.

As they held each other, Amby felt their connection deepen, a sense of unity that transcended words. Jessica's tears soaked into Amby's shoulder, her body shaking with sobs. But Amby held fast, her grip a lifeline, her heart a refuge. The world around them melted away, leaving only the gentle pressure of their embrace. Time stood still. Pain and sorrow dissolved, leaving only the transformative magic of human connection. Amby knew their bond would weather any storm.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Amby felt a sense of belonging she'd never known before, a sense of home. And in Jessica's eyes, she saw the same, a reflection of their entwined hearts.

The next morning, Amby pushed open the kitchen door, enveloped by the warm aroma of freshly baked bread and the gentle clatter of pots. She had hoped to find additional solace in the bustling atmosphere, where the soft murmur of conversations and the sizzle of cooking meat typically soothed her frazzled nerves.

However, tension hung in the air like a storm cloud, heavy with unspoken words. The kitchen staff moved with hushed urgency, their faces pinched with worry. Nyma, the kitchen maid, fumbled with a tray of pastries, her hands shaking. Amby's instincts prickled, sensing the unease.

Catalina's presence seemed to linger, even before she appeared. The queen's voice, cold and sharp as ice, cut through the silence.

"Who ruined my breakfast?" she demanded, her words echoing off the stone walls. She was complaining about the breakfast served to her in bed.

The kitchen fell silent, the only sound the crackle of the fireplace. Nyma's eyes darted to Amby, her face pale. Amby's heart sank, anticipating the storm to come. Catalina burst into the kitchen, her heels clicking on the stone floor like a crack of thunder. The doors swung wide, admitting a chill that seemed to seep from her very presence. Her face was a thunderhead, dark and foreboding, her eyes flashing with lightning.

"I ask, who ruined my breakfast?" she repeated, her voice low and menacing, like the rumble of an approaching storm.

Nyma, the kitchen maid, shrank back, her eyes wide with fear. She trembled, her hands clasped together as if in prayer.

"I-I didn't mean to, Your Majesty," Nyma stammered, her voice barely audible over the creaking of the old wooden beams.

Catalina's gaze narrowed, her eyes slicing through Nyma like a cold wind. Her lips curled into a sneer.

"You're useless," she spat, her words dripping with venom. Nyma flinched, as if struck.

Catalina's attention shifted, her gaze sweeping the kitchen like a searchlight.

"But I know it wasn't just your fault," she continued, her tone dripping with malice. Her eyes locked onto Amby, and the air seemed to thicken, heavy with accusation. Nyma's eyes darted to Amby, a desperate plea for rescue mingling with guilt.

"Amby was supposed to oversee the preparation, Your Majesty," Nyma stammered, her voice trembling.

Amby stepped forward, her voice steady and clear as a bell.

"That's not true, Your Majesty. I wasn't even involved in-"

Catalina's eyes flashed with anger, sparks flying like embers.

"How dare you contradict me?" Catalina's voice thundered, echoing off the kitchen walls.

Amby stood firm, her feet rooted to the spot, her heart pounding.

"I'm telling the truth, Your Majesty," Amby declared, her words unwavering.

Catalina's face twisted in rage, her cheeks flushing crimson.

"You insolent wretch!" Catalina spat, her breath hot with fury. With a swift motion, Catalina's hand shot out, palm flat. The slap cracked through the air, leaving Amby's cheek stinging.

Amby's head jerked back, her eyes watering from the shock. The kitchen fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the queen. Jessica's eyes widened in horror, her gasp was audible, a faint whisper of horror, but she dared not intervene.

Amby's fingers instinctively rose to her throbbing cheek.

Catalina's chest heaved, her anger still simmering. Her voice dripped venom.

"You'll learn to respect me."

Amby curtsied hastily. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Leave us," Catalina commanded Jessica.

Jessica fled the kitchen, casting a helpless glance at Amby.

Amby stood alone, tears pricking at her eyes.

Catalina's cold voice cut through the silence. "You're confined to your quarters. Guards will ensure your obedience."

Amby nodded her heart heavy. She knew her life in the palace would be as terrible as it was in her uncle's cottage, only it had become worse.

As Catalina swept out, Nyma scurried after her, leaving Amby to face her punishment.

Amby's fingers fluttered like wounded birds as she reached up to touch the stinging cheek. Her skin felt aflame, a burning brand of Catalina's displeasure. Her fingertips made contact, and she winced, the tenderness radiating outward like ripples on a pond. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the wave of emotion. The kitchen's sounds faded into the background. The warmth of impending tears spread through her eyelids, a gentle pressure building. Amby's breath hitched, her chest trembling with suppressed sobs.

As she exhaled, her body began to shudder, Amby's eyelids fluttered closed, releasing the pent-up anguish. Just as the first tears broke free, a vision seized her.

Catalina sat regally on her throne, gold accents glinting in the flickering candlelight. Her slender fingers danced across parchment, signing documents with precision. The scent of old leather and ink wafted through the air, familiar and oppressive.

Suddenly, Catalina's form began to shimmer, like ripples on a summer lake. Her figure dissolved, leaving only the throne, vacant and waiting.

Amby's vision shifted.

She saw herself standing in Catalina's place. The throne room transformed around her. Tapestries depicting Catalina's ancestors were replaced by vibrant scenes of blooming gardens and sunrise skies. Furniture rearranged itself, reflecting Amby's own elegant simplicity.

Jessica stood beside her, a warm smile spreading across her face. Amby felt a surge of confidence, her shoulders squaring.

The vision shifted again.

A crown rested upon Amby's head, its weight solid and reassuring. King Liam sat on his throne beside hers, a smile of love and assurance on his face. Her eyes shone with authority, like stars in a midnight sky. The palace guards, once Catalina's loyal sentinels, bowed their heads in unison.

Their armor creaked, a soft symphony of respect. Their eyes met Amby's, filled with devotion and allegiance. The air vibrated with the promise of a new era. Amby's heart swelled, her soul expanding to fill the throne.

Amby's mind reeled, her thoughts swirling like a maelstrom. The vision's intensity left her breathless, her lungs burning. The image of herself on the throne dissolved, leaving a hazy blur.

Her legs trembled beneath her, weakness spreading like ice. She stumbled, her feet tangling in an invisible snare.

The stone floor rushed up, its cool surface a stark contrast to the warmth of her vision. Amby's palms slapped against the ground, skin scraping on rough stone. Her head spun, a dizzying vortex. Colors blurred, sounds muffled. Her vision narrowed to a pinpoint. Darkness enveloped her, soft and suffocating. Amby's world went black. Her last thought was of the throne, waiting.