I have never found my world as beautiful as I do now, and that breaks my heart. For I will die tomorrow.

I am in the unlikely situation of knowing the exact circumstances of my demise. I know the how, the where, the who and the why. I know that I will die at the blade of my Father’s sword in the most beautiful place in the world. In my world.

But I won’t spoil it for you. The surprise has already been ruined for me and besides, you wouldn’t understand the half of it.

It’s fair to say I’ve got a bit of explaining to do…

I.

My name is Tabitha. L. Tabitha, I’m Forty-one, black, shorter than most and starting to bald. I am the ruler of the planet Mellyora, due to a crash and a loop, and would like to keep it that way. I mentioned before, it’s beautiful.

I don’t want to die. Forty-one is hardly the start of life and I’ve got so much to do. Mellyora only has one city, it needs more; the mountains are dissolving, they need fixing; I am balding, I need to grow my hair back.

If I die, none of these things will happen. Someone else will take control of Mellyora and I know who that someone is and I know what will happen if they take over.

I am the best woman for the job. That’s not egotistical or showing off. It’s true.

Besides if I die I’ve no hope of growing my hair back.

***

Part 2 of For I Will Die Tomorrow