Haley Thistle
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The Sandman: Part One (special preview)
🕑 Added 2021-10-09 21:01:00 +0000 UTCPleasance had given birth to a boy. The news spread like wildfire all across Miror. When it reached me, I was already aware. I knew it in my bones, so once Dee and Dum delivered it to me, I was not surprised.
“This changes nothing,” I told them. “We keep moving forward.”
“This will make it harder to claim your legitimacy, Alice.” Dee was trying to be the voice of reason. “There are those who will say because he’s-”
I turned sharply and glared him down. “Because what?”
“Because he has a penis,” Dum spoke in a soft tone.
I sighed heavily and dropped my shoulders. I rubbed my face between my palms. “Yes, Dum. That’s the crux of the problem.”
Dee narrowed his eyes upon his brother who just stared back. “It’s ridiculous, yes,” Dum continued. “But you surviving death is also....” He hesitated and made a face. “A tad bit ridiculous. So they sort of even out to be the same, you know? People will follow you for being a goddess, others will go along with what exists because of your brother.”
That struck me hard through the heart and my gut began to churn. I had never thought of the creature that Pleasance would give birth to as a sibling. It never even crossed my mind. He would be my father’s son though, and as such, also my brother.
“What’s wrong?” Dee came close.
“I just had a bad thought,” I murmured. “I need to talk to Somnus. Excuse me.” I left their side and went out. Somnus never lingered long with the camp. He always drifted away somewhere else. I never knew where to find him, yet I always did find him.
I climbed a hill and I could smell him in the breeze. Standing next to a tree, I looked out over the countryside that expanded before us. Tea Country was beautiful and full of nature and life. It was becoming the epicenter of all the tea in the world.
“Your kingdom is much more than people, but it’s a kingdom because of people.” Somnus lay stretched out in the tree above me. He was combing his fingers through his long, shimmering hair, and his eyes focused far beyond the horizon I could see.
“I have a brother.” It sounded so simple, but it was also difficult to comprehend.
Somnus’ eyes shut and his long, pale lashes lay against his glistening cheeks. “Yes. I know. His name is Pepper.”
I frowned at what a stupid name that was. “Pepper?”
“Yes, Pepper.” Somnus’ eyes opened again and he looked down upon me. “What is the problem, Alice?”
“He’s my brother,” I stated again. “He’s family and I-”
Somnus came down from the tree, stretching out his legs that seemed too long for his body. He landed before me and stood, gazing out upon the land as I fretted over this detail. He moved with such elegance and ease it made me jealous.
“He’s your main obstacle in taking back what is yours. What is there to be concerned over.” His pale eyes fell upon me.
I pressed my lips into a firm line. “Will I have to hurt him?” I asked.
Somnus placed his hand upon my head and stroked down my hair. “You’re worried about blood that is shared and spilled.”
This filled my heart with dread. “He’s my brother. Isn’t there some way I could spare him? It’s Pleasance I despise.”
Somnus knew something I didn’t. He would never tell though, that I knew already. “If he lives, he will always be used to question your legitimacy.”
I had been so ready to hate this child as much as their mother. Now I felt sorry for him. “I will have to hurt him then?”
