Chapter 12 Leila #2
Leila met Her sister’s smile, but it waned soon after. “I haven’t forgotten what today is.”
“Don’t think of it. It’ll only sour Your happiness.”
Leila couldn’t fight Her scowl. Flynn, Cosima, the Krios Woods—She was buried beneath it all, struggling to sift through the convoluted mess. “God, I have so much to tell you.” She shook Her head, fighting to clear Her mind. “There just isn’t the time. I’m so sorry.”
“I know, Leila. I am too.”
“Do you have news for Me?”
Delphi’s frown extinguished any hope before it could fully take shape. “Increased military surveillance.”
“Again?”
“Substantially.”
Pacing the tower, Leila massaged Her temples. “Fuck.”
“I suppose it’s a good thing You’ve taken refuge at Flynn’s estate.”
“We left.”
“But—?”
“Another time,” Leila said.
Delphi let out a cross sigh. “Well, the guard is canvasing the entire realm, patrolling all borders. And Your little exploits haven’t exactly helped the matter.
” Her frown returned, though it had become condemning.
“Four full units of the royal guard, slaughtered. I understand You need to protect Yourself, but You’re leaving a trail of bodies, and it’s only drawing greater attention. ”
“Wait.” Leila stopped short. “Did you say four?”
“Yes, Leila. I told You, You need to be more careful.”
“We’ve only killed one unit.”
“Well, according to Your father—”
“He’s lying.” Leila’s voice climbed higher. “To demonize Me, or Tobias. Whatever the reason, it isn’t true.”
“This isn’t some tale he’s sharing with the masses. He’s speaking it in close quarters among his allies. What purpose does it serve for him to lie?”
None whatsoever, which didn’t make any sense at all. Leila folded Her arms. “Well, someone else is to blame, but it isn’t Me.”
“Have You kept a close eye on Tobias?”
“You think he’s sneaking off into the night to go on murderous rampages? God, Delphi. Be reasonable.”
Frustration nipped at Her, polluting Her already dark thoughts. This wasn’t how their meeting was supposed to go. Four units were dead, and She hadn’t a single explanation.
Delphi’s gaze softened. “I wish I had something good to share with You. Something besides . . . all this.”
Leila sighed. “I know. I’m just glad you’re here. I’ve missed you so much.” She pulled Delphi into another hug.
The scent of hot grime grew stronger, overpowering even, particularly with Her nose hovering right next to Delphi.
“The smell . . . it’s you.” Leila sniffed Her sister and recoiled at the thick stench of sweat and dirt. “You stink!”
“You’re one to talk,” Delphi scoffed, gesturing at Leila’s ensemble. “Looks as though You’ve brought half the woods with You.”
Undeterred, Leila examined Delphi’s palms—rough and blackened. “Your hands are filthy.” She eyed Her sister’s statuesque figure, her tight braids, her pale blue dress. “This dress . . . you wore it the last time I saw you, and the time before that.”
“So, now I can’t wear a dress more than once?”
“What’s going on?”
“You’re a snobbish bitch, that’s what.”
“Tell Me,” Leila barked. “Now.”
The severity in Leila’s tone sent Delphi to silence, and something foreign swept her gaze.
Fear.
A chill skittered across Leila’s flesh. She hadn’t seen that look since their mother passed.
“I’ve had to make myself scarce. Avoid Brontes’s sight.” Delphi stood strong and proud, though her eyes betrayed her. “It’s the best way to protect myself. To aid in Your endeavors. Our endeavors.”
“What are you saying?”
Delphi froze for a beat before finding her voice. “I’ve been living in the tunnels.”
The words were a battering ram to Leila’s gut. Brontes’s wretched tunnels—nothing but dirt and darkness—were a sanctuary, a home for Her sister.
“It keeps me hidden,” Delphi continued. “Brontes is none the wiser—”
“This whole time?”
“I’ve been able to travel them. Learn their paths. And when Brontes shows, I simply keep my distance. Shadow walk away if need be.” Delphi came in close. “I follow him when I can, eavesdrop on his meetings. Hylas acts as my eyes and ears within the palace.”
Shame burrowed into Leila’s stomach. Growling, She marched toward the tower portal and knocked four times.
“What are You doing?” Delphi said. Leila knocked again, pounding this time, and Her sister scowled. “Stop that!”
The pitter-patter of footsteps echoed up the stairwell, and Hylas emerged, sweat dampening his brow. “Is everything—?”
“When were you planning to tell Me My sister has been living underground for the past few weeks?” Leila spat.
Hylas’s face dropped, eyes flitting between the two women. “She swore me to secrecy. I didn’t want—”
“God, this is madness.” Leila flung Her hands into the air, then spun toward Delphi. “How do you sleep? How do you eat?”
“Hylas has been a great confidant.” Delphi flashed him a glare. “Until now.”
Leila ground Her teeth. Her heart and lungs surged far too quickly, overpowered and ignited, but Her mind, for once, was clear.
“I’m getting you out of here.”
Delphi sighed. “Leila—”
“I don’t care about Brontes, or his meetings, or his fucking guard. It isn’t safe for you here. You need to leave.”
“I can’t—”
“You will.” Leila’s voice boomed. “I’ve lost both My mothers, a father, and a sister. I’m not losing anyone else.”
Hylas and Delphi stood side-by-side, glancing at one another sheepishly. “What about the others?” Delphi turned to Leila. “Your loyal staff?”
“How are they faring?”
Their silence spoke for them. Hylas cleared his throat. “Everyone is under close watch. Some dissenters have already been . . .”
His voice trailed off, but the implication was blatant. “Oh My God.” Leila’s eyes shot wide. “Pippa? Oh God, is she—?”
“She’s fine,” Delphi said.
“Is she living in the tunnels with you?”
Delphi sighed. “Leila, no.”
“Then who is looking out for her?”
“She’s perfectly safe, same as Your favored four. You’re distressed for little reason—”
“You just told Me dissenters are being killed.” The word killed caught in Leila’s throat. “How am I to react to that?” She turned to Hylas. “You. Tell Me the truth.”
“The palace is flooded with soldiers. Little goes unnoticed.” Hylas wasn’t as easily contained, disquiet alive in his wide eyes and shifting feet. “The sovereign goes nowhere without personal guards. He questions everyone’s loyalty, including mine. I fear in time he’ll learn of these meetings.”
Hopelessness slinked through the air, floating in green wisps from Hylas’s trembling form and tasting sour on Leila’s tongue. The meeting was supposed to bring promise, yet here She stood grappling another impossibility, a weight pinning down both Her command and Her heart.
Taking a deep breath, She squared Her shoulders. My realm. My burden. She’d been right about that, if nothing else. And perhaps if being a queen hadn’t come innately, She’d have to adapt.
“You’re leaving,” She said. “All of you.”
“There are too many of us,” Delphi cooed as if placating a child. “If we take to the tunnels, Brontes will easily track us—”
“You’re not taking the tunnels,” Leila said. “I’m getting you out of here.”
Delphi went still, as if Leila’s words had stunned her. “You are?” Delphi balked. “No, Leila. Absolutely not.”
“I’ve made up My mind.”
“You’ve got a war to fight. You put Yourself at risk—”
“Fuck the risk. You’re My sister. Do you understand? None of this matters without you. Both of you.” Leila scooped up Delphi’s hands. “You’ve helped Me so much. It’s My turn now. Let Me do this.”
Her tone was neither desperate nor pleading.
She was issuing an order, a decision made and written in blood.
Perhaps Delphi and Hylas knew this, or perhaps they knew She was right—that despite their efforts, they were doomed to die in the palace, mere casualties of war.
The reality nearly sent a shudder rolling through Leila, but She forced Herself still.
Delphi and Hylas shared one last glance, their resolve crumbling before Her.
“All right,” Delphi said.
Victory swelled in Leila’s chest. “I’ll discuss this with Tobias. We’ll formulate a plan.” She turned to Hylas. “Tell the staff to hold tight and be on guard. Escape is coming soon.”
“To where?” Delphi said. “You can’t have dozens of servants on the run with You.”
“Leave that up to Me.”
“But—”
“I’ll take care of it. Trust Me.”
Another strained silence lingered, then Delphi nodded.
“We’ll meet at our usual time to finalize the details,” Leila said. “Until then—”
“Stay safe. We know.” Delphi raised an eyebrow. “You had better be listening to Your own advice.”
The grey hem of Delphi’s dress and the dirt speckling her cloak screamed at Leila, along with every other blatant sign of neglect. Had they always been there? Had She been too distracted to notice?
“God, living in the tunnels.” Leila pinched the bridge of Her nose. “No more of this stupidity, do you hear Me?”
“Yes, Mummy.”
Delphi’s smirk snuffed a small part of Leila’s guilt, and they shared one final hug for the evening, a lingering embrace that ended far too quickly.
After blessing both Her sister and Hylas, Her light cut through Her, a million hot blades plunging through Her flesh, cooled only by the night air of the Krios Woods.
Their new campsite was settled. A fire was dying beneath blackened wood, and blankets wrapped overworked bodies. Naomi, Yucana, and Raphael were tucked away, either asleep or attempting as much. Tobias was perched atop a moss-covered boulder, eyes scanning the tree line before locking onto Leila.
“Well?” He headed Her way. “What did she say?”
His gaze was riddled with hope and fantasy—with everything She’d promised yet couldn’t provide. She tasted the words in Her mouth, getting a feel for them. My realm. My burden.
“We have a problem.”