Chapter Text
She still recalls his laughter, the way he would lift her fragile body high into the air just to tease her, to provoke a reaction. It had been a long time since she had experienced such a feeling.
Now, she sits on a throne that is neither hers nor rightfully hers, one that will never truly belong to her.
Star Anise Cookie occupies the enormous seat that is far too large for her. Since the disappearance of the Herald of Change, it has become her duty to tend to the land’s spices, listen to their grievances, and assist them with their problems. Occasionally, she gazes at the grand door facing that royal seat, hoping and praying that he will walk through it with open arms, eager to share all about his day, good or bad. She could sit for hours, listening to his troubles and healing his wounds.
Currently, she sits on that old throne, watching dust settle on objects once polished and cherished, things that once belonged to him.
Every so often, someone enters the temple with an injury or ailment, pleading for healing. She takes joy in healing others; it gives her a sense of peace to know she can bring relief to those in pain.
Her fragile body aches every time she heals someone; her strength is held together by the power of the soul jam. Each day she remains alive is another day he is still out there. Sometimes, she wishes she could simply crumble, rather than endure an eternity of longing and loss.
She still remembers the screams of that day, the day he changed, turning into something different, something evil. She recalls rushing out of her room into the chaos of their temple. There he stood, in the center, surrounded by destruction. Everything was so shattered that she couldn’t tell if what she saw was the remains of their temple or just cookie crumbs. On that same day, he was gone, taken from her by some divine judgment.
She can pray for his return all she wants, but she knows it will never happen. Their paths may have crossed once, but they were never destined to cross again.