My once beloved queen is at the window, her pale heart-shaped face reflected in the glass. Her posture is perfect, as always, her diminutive figure austere. Poised. From this distance I cannot see her eyes, but I envision the pain swimming in the black pools of her irises. She gives no outward sign of the poison that is at this very moment eating away at her. I wonder if she knows that she is dying. &quot;Night blooming mushroom,&quot; the imperial doctor told me as he drew the black bulb out of his bag and placed it in my hand. &quot;Very poisonous.&quot; It crouched on my open palm like a deadly spider, ready to pounce and deliver its venom. &quot;The intended victim should drink tea distilled with its essence every six hours, and within 72 hours he will suffer irreparable heart damage and fall into a coma.&quot; &quot;Can she -- I mean, he awaken from the coma?&quot; &quot;No, the effect is terminal. Once the poison reaches the heart, he will surely die.&quot; &quot;Good.&quot; A fitting end for a traitorous wife. For one who gave her heart away so freely. 2007-10-20T15:39:35Z http://ficlets.com/feed/story/11723 <p>I like the change in point of view&#8230;this is amazing. But like Kiarra said&#8230;how can people do things like that?</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/11723?basename=18775 2007-10-20T15:39:35Z someday_93 http://ficlets.com/authors/someday_93 <p>dang&#8230;I dont see how people can do things like that</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/11723?basename=18383 2007-10-18T23:37:57Z Kiarra http://ficlets.com/authors/born2write <p>Ha! Thanks. ;)</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/11723?basename=18382 2007-10-18T23:18:45Z Ana Cristina http://ficlets.com/authors/asimon78 <p>And people wonder why I don&#8217;t want to get married. Again, I like your descriptions and turn of phrase.</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/11723?basename=18381 2007-10-18T23:17:41Z Batak Beatrix http://ficlets.com/authors/batakbeatrix