CHAPTER 14
“The Deskyiara bloodline must continue to stay strong. They must continue to be hunters. When blinded by love, the strength and connection from the Gods are weakened. Which will cause the Realms' protection to eventually fall.” - Book of Azure
AS I WALK THROUGH THE empty streets, my boots leave a trail of mud and sounds of splashes in the puddles left by a recent rainstorm.
I tiptoe, trying to avoid any sounds that could alert the guards.
But as I nervously scan the pathways of the castle walls, I can’t help but take note of the ash that coats every surface.
A dreadful reminder of Florian's transformation and the destruction he caused to the land over the river.
I feel as if I can still smell the burning grass.
Everywhere I look, buildings and trees are dusted with an ashy powder.
My stomach hardens, aching that I must leave him here, knowing we were supposed to do this together.
But he needs to heal, and I cannot let him go through that torture ever again. He must stay here. He cannot leave ever again.
My back glides against the ridges of the pearlescent cobblestone wall now that night has fallen.
I blend into the shadows, sliding along the wall so no one can see me.
I flex and curl my fingers repeatedly before sliding my sweaty hands across my thighs.
My leg bounces as I check the main pathway of the Kingdom, knowing the gate is right there in reach but I have yet to see Koen.
This is the pathway. I remember the guards taking me this way after the bridge incident. He has to come.
And I swear to that indigo moon up above, if he doesn’t show, I am going to strangle him in his sleep.
But that's when I see him. He's in the dimly lit alleyway nestled between two towering, pearly pillars, the tallest I've ever seen in my life.
Each pillar is crowned with two golden patios that encircle their tops, the perfect vantage point to gaze upon the vast expanse of the lands and rolling hills that stretch endlessly across this Realm.
The urge to race up there and attempt to brush the stars with my fingertips is almost overwhelming.
As if the stars above are calling me to do so.
But I don’t.
I need to find the archives. I need answers.
His silhouette is backlit by the faint glow of the blue moon, casting a soft azure hue around his defined stocky shape, especially his broad arm as his hand rests against the stone wall.
I can't make out his face in the darkness, but I can feel his intense gaze on me and I know it's him.
As he takes a step from the shadows, I notice his brown curls are now pulled up in a bun, his braids are perfectly redone with a few loose strands framing his face.
His lips form a tight smile as he nods his head for me to come.
I take a step, peeking around the corner of the cobblestone wall and deeply exhale. Don’t get caught.
The streets of the Kingdom lie in an eerie silence.
The stillness of the castle walls creates a shiver down my spine.
No guards are visible. Yet, at this moment I trust him and sprint toward him.
But deep down, I should have expected this.
Suddenly, eight guards appear from nowhere, their dark red spears glinting in the moonlight and aimed with deadly precision straight at me.
They charge towards me, closing in like predators encircling their prey.
My eyes flicker desperately from one guard to another, meeting their narrowed, ruthless gazes.
My legs wobble, almost giving out on me as my chest heaves violently, each breath a sharp gasp.
I am so screwed. I squeeze my sweaty hands tightly together into fists, almost as if I am ready to charge at these men, but I know I can’t. They would kill me. I know it.
I spin on my heel, the gravel echoing in the street as I search the alleyways to find Koen, but he vanishes. Gone.
He did this.
This was part of his plan all along.
The spears come closer, some jabbing at my skin, but one slices against my arm and I wince in pain. My hand grabs the wound, the material of my suit ripped into shreds as blood trickles down my arm. I bite my lip, holding in my cry.
Don’t let him hear you weep.
“Down!” one guard shouts, pointing the spear in my face. “Now!”
I fall to my knees, the corners of my eyes burning. Why did I trust him?
I hear heels clicking against the gravel, and through the legs of the men I catch the emerald dress gracefully brushing against the rocks.
The guards step aside to allow the Queen to pass, her hands elegantly clasped in front of her as she gently shakes her head.
“Well, well…” She drags out her words. “You were planning on leaving already?”
My teeth clench together, my nostrils flaring with rage. “Are you going to take my head now?”
She snickers. “I’m not that wicked.”
“Yet you make the Prince, the future King of the Realms, shift every time he needs to enter or leave this Kingdom. Sounds pretty messed up if you ask me,” I hiss, leaning forward on my knees. The gravel digs into my skin, but I could care less.
“But I didn’t ask you?” Her thin brow lifts then she nods her head to the guards for them to take me by the arms. Their metal armor digs into my flesh as they pick me off of the ground.
“You will be thrown into battle games. For the crime against Azure.” She gestures for them to take me.
“You can’t be serious!” I hiss vigorously at her as I stumble, my feet tangling while the guards pull at my arms.
“We take treason very seriously here in the Realm of Eekatia. The archives are forbidden. As if Koen knew you wanted to go…” her eyes narrow, walking up to me as the men halt for her to do so, “to find your sister?”
Oh. He is dead. I am going to kill him.
“You have no idea what you are talking about!” I growl, spitting at her feet. “I will not participate in your stupid games.”
She leans closer, her icy eyes flashing with pure rage.
“Let me tell you something.” She drops her voice to a wicked whisper.
“No woman has ever joined the games. Never. Everything I do is for a reason… which means, if the games don’t kill you, the men will.
You will die either way as your punishment.
But to watch the first woman ever to participate in the games, that will be a sight to see. ”
She pulls away, grinning from ear to ear. What is it with these people and their damn punishments?
“I didn’t even go!” I choke out the words. “What the hell is your deal! What did I do!”
“You have done everything. All your actions have led to this moment. This isn’t the only reason we are throwing you into the games. The oracles couldn’t see you, we don’t know if you are a threat to our Kingdom which means, we need you gone.”
“Who did you see!” I screech, yanking my body with all my might. “Did you see my sister!”
“We’ll find her, don’t you worry…” She begins to walk away, looking over her shoulder once more. “But you will be long dead when we do.”
My eyes widen, burning with rage as I glare into her wicked eyes. “Are you saying Tilly is here?”
“You mean, Tileatha?” She raises her chin, looking down on me as if I am nothing more than a filthy stray. “She is here. However, she doesn’t want to be found. You do understand that?”
How the hell does she know her name?
Tears threaten to fall from my eyes, but I force them back. The knot in my throat tightens. The Queen has to be wrong. She must be wrong.
“I don’t believe you!” My voice trembles as I spit the words out. My chest hardens as my stomach twists into knots.
“She knows you are here. The oracles saw that…” She leans closer, an amusing smile tugging on her lips as if she is enjoying the torment she is putting me through. “She is perfectly fine in the Darklands.”
I yank and twist against the firm grip of the guards, my throat raw from screaming with every ounce of strength I have as I desperately attempt to break free. How could he? How the hell did I let my guard down?
But the world abruptly vanishes into a suffocating darkness as a rough, leather bag is thrusted over my eyes.
The scent of aged leather fills my nostrils as I gag, and panic surges through me as I feel the men begin to drag me away, their hands tightening around my arms. My wound burns with each tug.
But I won't stop screaming. Not even for a second with the hopes of Prince Florian hearing me. Maybe, just maybe, he will come for me.
Unless he is in on this as well.
I’m going to take the Queen's head. After I take Koen’s.
A BOOT KICKS INTO MY back, and I fall to the solid ground as I catch my breath. I moan and groan with agony, rolling my body on the ground as I hear a loud, metal door slam shut.
“I swear…” I grunt out. “I’m going to kill them… damn it, I hate this place.”
I’ve never taken a soul before and I promised myself Koen would be my first. I should have done it when I had the chance.
But as they said, I am no killer. I have never been a killer.
But now that I am on my own, I suppose I must fight anyone or anything that comes in my way to leave this place.
Tilly must be trapped in the Darklands. There is no way she would be there willingly.
I rip the rough leather bag off my head, and my fists slam into the hard ground, sending up a cloud of dust particles that swirl around me. I cough as the gritty air fills my lungs, raising my arm to shield my face from the dirt.
As I glance through my arm, the sight of polished onyx boots and leather laces fills my vision, gleaming darkly under the dim light.
I reluctantly let my gaze travel upward, my chest heaving.
If it's Koen, I plan to attack. But as I trace him, from his midnight-black pants that hug his legs up to his belt where four silver daggers are attached at his hip, I catch his bare arms with his sleeves rolled to his elbows.
It isn’t Koen.