Chapter Seven #6
“As I should!” Tears welled in my eyes, and I was glad it was dark enough that Eddie couldn’t see it.
“I shouldn’t have to force people to stay at my side.
I’m not going to keep you here, because you clearly don’t want to be around anymore.
I’m not going to hold you to this bond like I tried to hold on to Ava.
You wanted this connection before, but it’s clear you don’t want it now, and it’s not doing either of us any favors. ”
Eddie began to sob. “Then break it, Charlie! Break it, like you break everything! If you wanted to destroy our bond, you should’ve done this before you ruined everyone’s life!”
“I’m not the only one to blame for this.” I was responsible for so much, but why did everyone insist on putting the worst of our downfall on my shoulders?
“You’re the catalyst. I lost my eye for you! Chancey lost his wing, and Ava lost her magic. How much more are you going to ask people to sacrifice for you?”
“I never asked for any of this! I don’t want it! So take your freedom, and leave me alone!”
“You’re setting me free to try and earn my favor back, but it’s not going to work, because it’s not genuine. You’ve abused our bond before, so this act of kindness means nothing. We aren’t friends, and we never will be. So just do it already and be done with it, because I am utterly tired of you.”
I’d already tangled my magic within our bond and tugged on the magical tether. Our bond was ripped beneath the weight of our strained friendship, so it took no effort at all to sever it.
It was easier to shatter than any bond I’d ever broken before, but that didn’t make the agony bearable. It was only so simple to crush because it had already wasted away, and that in itself was a poison I had to swallow.
Eddie must’ve felt the ache of it too, because he dropped to his knees. He drew a breath between clenched teeth. “Fuck. You. Charlie.”
“I think you’ve fucked us over enough,” I replied. “Why don’t you go find Alistair? I’m sure he’ll love your help escaping.”
I left Eddie alone in the dark.
As I made my way through the passage, I worried that Eddie was right and I was going to keep breaking bonds until I was left alone in a solitary, miserable existence. Perhaps I’d been too harsh, and I’d learned nothing from the mistakes of my past.
I thought I’d done the right thing releasing Eddie from my service. I knew he didn’t want to work for me anyway, and I couldn’t give a fuck less if my father would be mad that I’d done it.
But I didn’t want to continue being the cruel prince who had to make someone pay every time I found myself grieving. Hemlock was dead. I had to try and turn this bad thing into something good.
The palace was in an uproar when I made it out of the secret passageway. By now, everyone had heard there was a murderer running loose. My friends were still gathered around the passage entrance, speaking in low whispers about where to go next.
Ava’s voice bit through all the rest. “I need a map. There has to be one of the secret passageways. You can’t tell me Cassiel didn’t have one made. Somebody find me one, so I can root out this rat!”
I was surprised she was still here, though I supposed she couldn’t start looking without more information. I wanted to do whatever I could to help her, and was determined to locate someone who could find us that map before someone was calling my name. “Charlie!”
Professor Takahashi ran up to us. “There you all are! I’m so glad to see you’re all safe. All of you are wanted in the throne room right away. I think the Emperor wants your help bringing the culprit in.”
Cameron was actually taking action? That was a shock.
“Wow, he’s actually doing something?” Ava snarled bitterly. “I figured he’d be too busy partying to bother trying to locate a murderer.”
Takahashi’s response was meant to soothe, as it always was.
“I understand you are grieving Professor Hemlock’s passing, my dear.
She was a close friend to me as well, but we must do what we can to find her killer.
The best thing we can do now is gather together, to plan how to catch Alistair before he escapes completely. ”
“Then let’s hurry up and go,” Ava demanded, shoving her way to the head of the group.
Takahashi escorted us to the throne room.
When we arrived, Cameron was waiting with his Associates.
I heard several other voices, including Ava’s parents, standing nearby.
They were still well-respected authority figures here in the palace, and Cameron would be an idiot to not consult with them on a matter like this.
“I hear you have found yourself tangled in another mess,” Cameron said nonchalantly, like news of a murder didn’t surprise him in the slightest. “Tell me everything.”
Kallie was the one to step forward and explain.
She’d managed to keep a level head while I’d gone on a rampage and Ava was breaking at the loss of her mentor.
Kallie explained how we’d found Hemlock in her quarters, and how we’d traced the evidence back to Alistair.
She even told Cameron that Alistair had escaped through the secret passageways.
“Good,” Cameron said. “At least we are free of this traitor.”
“That’s it?” I demanded. “Alistair flees the palace, and now he’s not your problem? You’re just going to let him go free?”
“It’s not like he killed someone important,” Cameron said. “Professor Hemlock wasn’t an Elf, just one of the refugees who lived here.”
Murmurs of protest spread throughout the room. Even a few of the guards seemed shocked to hear him say that. I was stunned, but Ava was pissed.
“Fuck you, and everything you stand for,” Ava hissed. “How dare you reduce her life and legacy as if she didn’t matter!”
A couple of the Associates gasped when Ava spoke to the Emperor that way, but I heard the smirk in Cameron’s voice as he responded.
“I suggest you watch your tone before I have you escorted out of my presence, girl. Regardless of the deceased’s status, the murderer is no longer within the palace walls, so he is no longer my responsibility to find. ”
“He can’t get out of Ilamanthe, because he can’t get through my shield. He’s still in the city,” Ava insisted. “We need to move quickly so we find him! I’ll do it myself if I have to!”
“This matter is none of the princess’s business,” Cameron said airily. “I will send my guards after Alistair, and when found, he’ll be put on trial.”
“We can help,” I insisted. “We know how Alistair thinks.”
“And let you leave the palace!?” Cameron bellowed.
“I think not! For all I know, you let your friend escape. I have obtained your witness statement, and that is all I need from you. Do not forget that you are guests in my castle, and you hold no power to be making any demands! None of you will be leaving these grounds.”
Ah, yes. We were guests… who weren’t allowed to leave. More like prisoners if you asked me. How many jail cells were me and my friends going to find ourselves in, time and again?
Danny stepped forward. “Your Majesty, if I may. The situation in the palace has impacted us all. We simply want to help. We are demigods. All we want is to use our powers for good.”
“The best thing any of you can possibly do is stay out of my way,” Cameron sneered.
I scoffed. That was rich, coming from a weak thing like him.
“Something you wish to say, Charlie?” Cameron asked, hissing like a snake.
“Sure,” I stated coolly. “Cassiel would think we’re capable, and he’d want us to help because we’re adults, but you’re standing there treating us like incapable children.”
“You are incapable children!” Cameron screamed, his voice echoing off the marble.
Ava pushed her chair past me. “That’s the last thing we are, and Hemlock knew it!
She was a great professor, an accomplished fae, and one of the kindest people to ever grace this planet.
She did more in our fight against Ophio Taurus than you ever will.
You don’t get to insult her memory like this! ”
I reached for Ava’s shoulder on instinct, like I often did to help calm her down, but she shrugged me off and kept going.
“It was Hemlock who found the spy in the palace, and you’re going to refuse any aid bringing her killer to justice because you’re too insecure to accept help from a bunch of incompetent children! ”
“I will not be spoken to this way!” Cameron yelled. “Bite your tongue, before I throw you in the dungeon!”
“And throw away your best chance at making any progress?” Ava bellowed. “Go ahead. I’ll get farther along locked in a dungeon than you will sitting on that useless chair ordering people around all day.”
Cameron scoffed. “If you had any value, you’d have defeated Doctor Taurus a long time ago, and he’s still running rampant.
The only reason you’re a princess is because my son made you one, so don’t forget your place here.
You have no power, no magic, and you can’t even walk.
So don’t act like you’re useful to me, because you’re clearly of no use to anyone. ”
I couldn’t think when he said that to her. All I heard was a static buzzing, the sound of my own rage. I didn’t care that Ava and I were divorcing, that she wasn’t mine anymore. Nobody spoke to her like that when I was still breathing. Not the gods, kings, or my own fucking father.
A chorus of protests rang throughout the group, but my voice could be heard above all the others. “One day of Ava’s existence is worth ten lifetimes of yours, you insolent, worthless fuck!”
“Guards!” Cameron shouted. “Arrest both of these snotty brats, and throw them in the dungeon!”
Armor clanked as soldiers started forward, but Liam got to Ava first. “Emperor Cameron, you will not harm my daughter.” Liam’s bold voice echoed throughout the throne room, taking a stand.
“I’m in charge here. This is my palace, my empire, my throne!” Cameron bellowed.