Phuong Nguyen | Books, Stories, and More

Heavy Is the Crown

Shrouded in darkness Nura only had the mice that picked at her feet to call her friends. Sores had formed under the steel cuffs that had rubbed her skin raw. She lost feeling in her lower body weeks ago. At least what she believed to be weeks ago- in total darkness it was hard to say how much time passed. Occasionally a guard would throw a plate of slop her way which they called food. If they were feeding her everyday, which was doubtful, she would have been here for a month. Like a cruel taunt, the last plate of food fell just outside the reach of her chains. If she was to inch forward the chains would tighten again and likely pull her arms from their sockets. The weight of the chains was already straining her muscles. A simple, but tortuous spell. Likely Qayin’s doing. A cruel being like him would have reveled in the pure brutality of a punishment such as this one.

A desert had formed in Nura’s mouth that a thousand rains could not satisfy. Her sand paper tongue dragged across her earthen lips. A deep gnawing hunger echoed within her. What she wouldn’t do to satisfy it. Bile rose in her throat, but she quickly stifled it. Resentment was difficult to hold onto in an eternity of nothingness. Nura’s fists tightened into balls, in response the chains stiffened but did not pull. Maybe she should just end it now, suffering like this was surely no way to exist for an eternity. Her fists loosened. Unfortunately, that would be what they wanted from her. To see a celestial with as high standing as her to have fallen so far as to take her own life. She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. If for no other reason besides spite she would remain here, teeth bared, to wait for the madness to settle in or for them to claim her head. 

A blisteringly bright light illuminated the room. Nura winced. Moments later the familiar click of heels echoed around this empty cylinder called her cell. At first she didn’t recognize the woman standing in front of her, then her face registered- Amaris. Had she come to see Nura at her lowest, the same way the other celestials had at the beginning of her imprisonment? Amaris wore her usual get up, a tailored suit as dark as midnight. Her ink black hair spilled over her shoulders in a long cascade, and her dark eyes looked at Nura with something like pity. Her olive skin was paler than normal, had she missed her enough to miss her walks? She was thinner than usual too. The curves Nura had once traced were muted. Nura met her gaze and mustered as much strength as she could to smile like she had before.

“Have you come to tell me I told you so?” Nura asked. Her voice was weaker and more brittle than she expected. “Or have you come for entertainment? To see how far the great morning star has fallen. To be caged like a beast, left to roll around in its own excrement for all eternity.” Silver glinted in Amaris’ eyes. Her lips parted but she choked on whatever words she was going to say. Nura looked away, feeling tears well in her own eyes. “Don’t look at me like that, like they do. You’re better than them.”

“Stop.” Amaris demanded. Tears now streaming down her face. “I look at you in this way because I am saddened to see you in such a state.” Amaris’ soft hand caressed Nura’s face. “My love, my darling, my beautiful star- what have they done to you?”

Nura shied away from her touch, letting her greasy and tangled hair fall into her eyes to stop Amaris from seeing her weakness. “If the look of me pains you so, please leave. Run- far away from this place so that it cannot sink its teeth into you like it has me. Please- please just go.”

Amaris collapsed to her knees in front of Nura. Careful not to move her- to tighten the chains. “I did that once, and never again will I leave your side when you need me.”

Nura couldn’t hold back the tears from streaming down her face. Her gaze met Amaris’. She smiled the same warm smile. Never again did Nura think she would be blessed by this beautiful celestial. It almost hurt. It did hurt. Her chest tied itself into knots. Amaris didn’t belong here, in a place as cruel as this. “You-” Nura’s voice shook. “You should just forget about me.” Her head slumped in defeat. “I can only bring you pain, and you deserve far better than that- than me.”

Amaris picked her head up, and their lips met. The same lightning as before surged through Nura. Amaris pulled back. A look washing over her, Nura could not place. Amaris held her hand out. A flash of light and the chains clanked to the ground. Amaris smiled weakly and held out her hands. 

Nura looked at her wrists in shock. “No- no- no. Are you mad? What have you done?” 

“What I should have done a long time ago.” Nura tried to stand but her legs gave out. The chains racked again, seizing Amaris’ wrists. Tears now streamed down both of their faces.

“Why?” Nura pleaded.

“I love you.” Amaris stood tall. “They called what we did a sin and if that is true then I have tasted nothing sweeter than our gentle sin.” Amaris’ hand traced Nura’s jaw once again- their eyes meeting. “You have to go now, my star. The Archcelestials will be here any minute.” 

“What- Mars- No-” Nura stuttered. 

“Please listen as we do not have time.” Amaris spoke lightly, just above a whisper. “I wrote an inscription along the platform. It will trigger any second taking you to Helena’s prairie. There’s a building there with tools. I know you will know what to do.”

Nura was trying to make sense of everything but it was all happening too quickly. A thousand questions raced across her mind, but the only one that she could say was, “Why me? Why would you risk your soul for mine?” 

Amaris smiled. “I’m afraid I’m far too damaged to do what is needed, but you’re not. All those nights laid out under the cosmos have proven that to me. I know you will find a way to make things better. I’m sure of it. Maybe then-” something caught in her throat. “Maybe then we can be together in a world that will not shame us.”

“Mars please-” Nura pleaded.

“Please stand back or we shall both be trapped here and my sacrifice will have been for nothing.” Amaris was putting on a brave face, holding back her tears. 

Nura stepped back and wiped the tears from her eyes. “I won’t leave you here. I promise. I will come back and take you far from this place. Please-  just wait for me.”

Amaris nodded. 

Another flash of light and Nura was standing in a field of slowly swaying wheat, utterly alone in all of Edel.

Thank you all for reading this little snippet! One day it will become a full story, but for now I am happy with it being here. I have recently become fascinated by biblical stories, and Greek mythology, and both heavily influenced this story. I can’t wait to share more of Nura and Amaris’ story with you all. Until next time!

-Phuong Nguyen