Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
T he passageway seemed eerily silent, and I had a sinking feeling in my gut. There should be more people roaming about, but we’d only had to dodge two servants, neither of whom I recognized.
I lead Ruhan through the castle to Berengar’s rooms, passing nearby the kitchen as I did so, but I didn’t even see my Mutti. I tried remaining hopeful, but as we got nearer to Berengar’s rooms, the emptiness began to weigh on me.
Ruhan pulled me into an empty room to avoid a servant, and I almost sagged in relief, until I noticed the room I was in. We were in one of the rooms overlooking the courtyard. I walked over to the window, remembering the times I would sneak out to expel some of my pent up magic, roaming through the moonlit plants as the rest of the castle slumbered. I wished I could have said a word of encouragement to the younger me, let her know that no matter how hard the night might be, the sun would always rise again. We would be okay in the end. I rested my head against the window.
“We have to keep moving,” Ruhan muttered gently as he walked up behind me and rubbed my back.
I sighed into the movement. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He kissed my cheek. “But we still have to keep moving.”
I swiped at him as I smirked, and he playfully dodged the half-hearted blow.
Bang!
Ruhan and I turned at the sound, Ruhan reaching for his hidden Morganstern as I reached for my magic.
“Berengar!” I cried his name as I rushed towards him, wrapping my arms around his soaked shirt. Wait, why was he wet? I pulled back and looked at him as he stood, stiffly, covered in sweat.
I looked up at his face, and the eyes that looked back at me didn’t belong to my friend. I let my arms fall loosely to my side as I took a step back. “Berengar?” I resist the temptation to shake him, half afraid of how this stranger in front of me might retaliate.
Ruhan steps up to my back and wraps his arm around my waist, protectively. Claiming.
Berengar’s eyes clicked towards the familiar gesture, and I thought I saw a flicker of my friend for a moment, until a familiar voice filled my ears.
“So you’ve returned at last. I’m half surprised you’re still alive.”
Cold horror filled me as the King stepped into view behind Berengar. I simply stood there, numb, until Ruhan grabbed my waist with one hand and pushed me behind him, his other holding his trusty Morganstern in front of us.
“That won’t do you any good here.” The king laughed, the sound grating against my raw nerves. Then I realized what he ment, as assassins began pouring into the room, surrounding us. The king turned to one of them and motioned towards Ruhan’s weapon. “Take it away.”
Ruhan sank into a fighting stance, daring the assassin to come and take it. The assassin didn’t take a single step. He simply raised his hands and used magic to take Ruhan’s Morgenstern away. I gaped at him, and even Ruhan seemed taken back.
The King, who forbade magic and banished me for using magic to save his son’s life, was allowing magic? Utilizing it for his own purposes? The duplicity had me seeing red. I turned to Berengar, my once friend, but his eyes were blank, nothing of my friend seemed to shine out of them. I tried anyway.
“Berengar, you know me. I was your friend, why are y-”
“Ignore them.” King Almains interrupted, and I watched a slight shudder barely shake my friend’s sturdy frame. Berengar still didn’t utter a single word.
I turned to the King, furious. “What have you done? You must have done something!” I took a step toward the King in my anger, and Ruhan grabbed a hold of my waist, stopping me.
The full weight of the King’s ire fell on my shoulders, and I almost bowed at the weight. “What have I done? You dare to ask that of me? What right do you have to question me, to question my rule? You, who were banished from this castle, this castle that fed you, clothed you, allowed you to stay under this roof, allowed you to stay in my presence, and yet you defy orders and return once more? I have been more than merciful, and yet you persist in being a thorn in my side. I have done nothing but be merciful for my son’s sake, and yet you attack me.
“What have I done? I have made my son strong so that he may rule when his time comes. I have made sure my kingdom is safe from the likes of your companion, the hexblood who seek to poison our very land. I have secured my people, only to be faced with usurpers and traitors like yourself. How dare you ask me what I have done? I should kill you where you stand, remind you that you are in the presence of your King.” He seethed, and I could see the mania creeping into his eyes, the hint of insanity that I had forgotten about.
Spittle flew from his mouth as he continued to spew his propaganda. “I am the reason this kingdom still exists! I am the reason the very land is whole, that Verlen has not been invaded. It is because of my sacrifices that we have not been overrun, that we are still in control, and not the Fae. Me! I am the law. I am the rule! This kingdom bows to me, and to me alone! How dare you question me?”
I stood, staring at the king as he continued his word vomit. I turned my attention once again to Berengar, unable to correlate my friend with the man who stood in front of me. I had saved his life, and he had saved mine, yet it seemed as if he was trying to pretend none of that had happened. I felt my heart crack under the weight of his betrayal, all my hopes for a better future shattered.
I had been so sure that my friend would never change. I wiped a tear from my face as it trickled down my cheek.
“Your tears will not save you, hexblood lover!” The King roared, having completely worked himself up with his tirade. “Seize them!”
I felt an oily substance as it cascaded over my head, coating both my and my magic so I could barely breathe. I reached for my magic, but it felt gummy, as if it too was bound and unable to move. I could see Ruhan struggling out of the corner of my eye, faring no better than I was.
Panic grabbed me by the throat with her icy fingers and squeezed.
The assassins had yet to move, and yet we were completely immoble, save for our feet. I found out why a moment later, as Prince Berengar grabbed both of us by the arms, one on either side of him, and moved us through the door. As we passed King Almains, victory coated his face, and the sight made me sick.
We were well and truly caught.
I stumbled at Prince Berengar’s side, trying to keep up as he ushered us to the Great Hall, depositing us in a heap at the foot of King Almain’s throne.
With a jaunty, malicious step, King Almains walked past us to sit on his throne, his seat of power. I sneered at his actions and he noted the look on my face.
“Ah, Katharina.” He sighed and I grit my teeth at the sound. “You never could just do what was expected of you, could you?”
I tried to retort, but the oily feeling entered my mouth at the attempt, and I choked.
The King tutted, and I could see Ruhan trying to get my attention, but I ignored him. I couldn't bear to see his reproach. I had been so certain, so certain, that Berengar would be the answer. And now, yet again, the lives of the people I loved were at stake because I chose poorly.
No, I couldn’t bear to look at my soul mate right now. Even if he forgave me, I’m not sure I could forgive myself.
“I should have just killed you when you saved Berengar and ruined all my careful planning. I had spent months, months! Trying to find the perfect spell that would suit my needs, and then you show up with your magic, a servant! And spoil all my hardwon plans.
Still, I was able to turn it around. Now I have my son under my control and at my side. Not half bad, if you ask me.”
I looked between Prince Berengar and King Almains, shocked. He had tried to kill his own son? And yet Prince Berengar and the assassins surrounding us didn’t even flinch at the revelation. As if they already knew and were okay with the knowledge.
The king sighed in satisfaction. “How does it feel, Katharina? How does it feel to know that the boy you once knew is now under my control? Yes, you saved his life, but he has no autonomy, no will. If I tell him to strangle you -” the King snapped his fingers, and Berengar woodenly picked me up by the throat, feet dangling, “he will.”
I choked, eyes filling with tears as I struggled to draw air into my lungs. I looked into Prince Berengar’s eyes, hoping to see him deep inside, but it’s as if the man before me is a soulless shell. Filled only with King Almains wishes. I kicked harder, panic setting in as my brain was deprived of oxygen.
Dimly, I heard Ruhan roar behind me, and the sound filled me with heartache. This couldn’t be how I die, could it?
The king snapped his fingers again, and I fell to the ground, coughing as I desperately drew gasping lungfuls of air.
“You are insignificant. You thought you could defy me, allow others to die in your stead? I admit I was rather impressed when you allowed your lover to be killed in your stead.” He chuckled sadistically, and I whipped my head towards Ruhan, lungs frozen. The king roared with laughter. “Another lover so soon? My my, Katharina, you are full of surprises.”
Waren. My Waren.
My heart squeezed at the thought of him suffering at the hands of the King's assassins. I clenched my fists, fighting against the oily hold on my body. Waren was innocent - his only crime had been loving me. King Almains was pure evil. He needed to be stopped.
I raised my eyes to glare at the king, and the sigh that greeted me had me freezing in place. There, peeking through the window behind the throne, was the serious face of Arend. He’d never looked more delightful than he did that very moment. I averted my eyes quickly before I gave his position away. I hoped Matteo was with him.
Focusing back on the king, I spat at him to get his attention. My spittle splashed against his shoes, and his glittering rage almost made me wish I hadn’t.
Almost.
“You dare spit at your king? You dare remain defiant in the face of all I have taken from you?” His features turned cunning at the emotions he spied across my face. “You still think there is hope for you, don’t you? You don’t realize how completely I have prepared for this moment to ensure you have nothing left to thwart my plans. Look at your Fae lover.” He jerked his head towards Ruhan and I grasped desperately for my bound magic. No! “You have signed his death warrant by bringing him here.”
Ruhan’s eyes turned to me, and the love I saw shining out of them filled my veins with fire.
“My son, who was once your friend, is now under my control. Your friends who had once cared for you, sheltered you, they have all turned against you. Your human lover and your Mutti are both dead, by my hand, and neither of their sacrifices can save you now. You can spit at me all you want, but Katharina? You have already lost.”
He leaned forward, looking down at me, and my fury knew no bounds. So that is why I couldn’t find my Mutti in the castle. That is why she never came to me, even after she promised she would. I had waited for her, both hoping and dreading that she would come. But she couldn’t, for King Almains had killed her. Because of me.
My magic roared inside me. I would never again allow my love to be turned against me, I decided in that moment. Instead, I would wield it like the power that it was. I let my love, my fierce desire to protect all those I loved fill me. Slowly, it began to eat away at the oily substance binding me, and I stoked it, letting my passion grow.
“You lost the moment you saved my son, the moment you thought you could stand against me. You are nothing, and I’m going to enjoy destroying you.”
The king snapped his fingers again, this time pointing toward Ruhan. I closed my eyes, knowing if I let myself be distracted it would be too late to save him.
The steps of an assassin drew near, but I focus on the oily feeling coating my magic. It was almost gone, I just needed another moment - Ruhan began gagging, and the sound filled my ears like thunder. I couldn't’ get away from the sound, it filled me, called to my magic and demanded that it respond.
Several things happened all at once at that moment.
Matteo and Arend appeared at Ruhan’s side, a portal behind them.
An explosion outside rocked the castle, shaking the very foundation, as loose stones fell around us.
And a breath later, my magic burned through the oily substance and detonated .