Chapter 34 Leila
Leila
White blanketed the thicket of leafless trees.
Leila had never seen snow before Her arrival in Kovahr, and though it was beautiful to look at, She didn’t particularly care for it.
Everything was cold and wet, and it didn’t help that Her light melted the powder beneath Her feet, leaving puddles and slush in Her wake.
She pulled Her furs tighter across Her chest, fighting for warmth while ignoring the prying eyes pointed Her way.
The trial was about to begin, and though She’d begged him to reconsider, Enzo hadn’t changed his mind.
He sat atop his steed alongside the other challengers, ready and waiting in front of the Queen’s Forest.
The crowd parted as Prisca arrived, her cape dragging behind her and snowflakes glittering in her braided hair.
She stopped in front of each challenger one at a time, and the men and woman took turns relinquishing their weapons to her.
Enzo did the same, pulling his sword and scabbard from his hip, then unsheathing two hooked blades from his thigh.
“Wait,” Leila whispered, nerves skittering beneath Her flesh. “What is he doing?”
Magnus stood at Her side, locs hanging freely down his shoulders. “What he must.”
“Can you just answer My—?”
“All challengers must complete the task unarmed,” Magnus said.
A muffled laugh broke through the quiet. One of the ten shackled criminals smiled, exposing a mouthful of crooked teeth, an axe firmly in his grip. In fact, all the prisoners were armed, and though their blades were dirtied and rusted, they appeared viable.
Leila’s throat went tight. “But the prisoners have weapons.”
Magnus nodded. “Indeed.”
“How is that fair?”
“The trial isn’t about fairness.” His dark eyes met Hers. “It’s about greatness.”
A horn blew in the distance, and Enzo bolted into the Queen’s Forest alongside the other challengers, swiftly disappearing from view.
Minutes passed before the prisoners were unshackled, and they too sprinted into the forest like starved beasts hunting their prey.
Leila’s stomach clenched, and She wasn’t sure if the shudder crawling down Her spine was from the cold or Her fear.
“I fucking hate this place.”
She turned on Her heel, abandoning the crowd as She festered in Her own frustration.
Coming to Kovahr was a mistake. The realm was heinous, but then again so was Trogolia, and even Her own beloved Thessen had disappointed Her.
Perhaps there wasn’t a single place in existence that Leila didn’t loathe.
Guards lowered the citadel gate, and Leila stormed inside.
If only there was a door to slam or a window to smash, some helpless object to absorb the brunt of Her anger.
How She ached for something to hit, to inflict pain rather than feel it.
Her chamber appeared ahead, and She quickened Her stride, a furious scream building in Her throat, begging for release.
She threw open Her door, then staggered to a halt. A handful of guards stood at Her bedside with Raphael and Hylas waiting beside them, and She forced Her ire inward.
“Leila.” Raphael’s voice was flat, but something nervous flitted in his eyes. “It’s time.”
Leila sighed. She’d met with Delphi the night prior to orchestrate Her staff’s arrival to the citadel, and unlike their first extraction, the planning had been smooth, even easy.
Even so, dread pooled in Her gut, slowing Her steps.
Begrudgingly, She tossed Her fur mantle onto the bed, then Her wool coat.
She’d only be in Thessen for a short while, but the climate was considerably warmer, and She had to be prepared.
How She wished the shift in weather were the only obstacle waiting for Her.
“Are You ready?” Raphael said.
Leila’s jaw flexed, and She eyed the guards sidelong. “Not particularly, but it must be done.”
“Do You know what You’re going to say?”
She ground Her teeth. She’d met with Delphi several times since Her departure from the brothel, but it would be Her first time seeing Naomi and Yucana. How would they react? Tobias was imprisoned, and Leila was to blame.
“I’ve practiced a thousand times and still feel lost.”
“We’ll be here.” Raphael took a soldierly stance as if to lend Her his strength. “Whatever You need.”
Leila nodded. “Thank you.”
Hylas remained uncharacteristically silent, eyes flitting between Leila and the window.
The Queen’s Forest loomed beyond the thick glass panel, and though it was impossible to see through the dense trees, She knew exactly who Hylas was searching for.
No doubt he would’ve preferred to have seen Enzo off, but he was tasked with organizing Her staff’s arrival.
The fear in his gaze stirred Her already overwrought insides, and She resisted the urge to curse aloud.
The day had only just begun, and it was already too much to bear.
Holding Her breath, Leila summoned Her light, swiftly dissolving amid the flames of Her power.
The torturous heat disappeared too quickly, and She soon stood within a familiar, cozy chamber. The air was warm, thick, and scented with honey and citrus, an inviting atmosphere that failed to soothe Her piqued nerves.
“Sister.”
Two arms looped around Her, pulling Her from Her thoughts. She stiffened in Delphi’s embrace, then started when Her sister released Her and took Her cheeks in her palms. Delphi frowned. “Took You long enough.”
“I had matters to tend to.”
“Matters more important than this?”
Enzo flashed through Leila’s mind. “You’d be surprised.” A second pair of eyes met Hers, familiar in their blackness, and bile rose up Leila’s throat. “Hello, you.”
Naomi sat beside Delphi in her usual cart, her wavy hair braided and legs neatly tucked under a blanket. Leila braced Herself, prepared for an onslaught of tears, or vitriol, or some other brand of grief.
“It’s so good to see You.” Naomi chuckled, looking to Delphi. “I understand why You love Your sister so much. She’s been such a gem.”
Leila’s lips parted, but She didn’t speak. Laughter wasn’t what She had expected at all. She shook Herself, wrangling composure. “That’s strange. She’s usually a pain in the ass to Me.”
Naomi laughed while Delphi swatted Leila’s arm, the two women carefree in ways Leila couldn’t comprehend.
“I can’t wait to see Tobias,” Naomi said. “Is he well?”
The air around Leila became starkly cold, as if the winds of Kovahr had traveled with Her.
Naomi didn’t know. Leila cleared Her throat, hoping Her shock wasn’t clear on Her face.
“Time is of the essence. We’ll discuss everything once we’re safely in the citadel.
” She looked to Delphi. “Where is everyone?”
Delphi held up a finger, then pounded on the adjacent wall. “Ladies!” she called out.
The chamber door burst open, and a flood of mostly women hurried into the space, taking up what little room remained.
Some bowed to Leila while others offered Her hugs She could barely feel.
Her eyes went straight to Yucana, who entered amid the servants without a word, and though her expression wasn’t particularly soft, it lacked the rancor Leila had anticipated. None of it made sense.
Delphi nudged Leila in the ribs, ending Her trance. She straightened and raised Her chin. “Everyone, hold tight to your belongings, and take one another’s hands. We all must be connected. No one can be left behind.”
Everyone did as they were instructed, save for one woman and man. Sabine stood in the doorway, her arms folded and a smile in her eyes, and Ladon waited at her side, offering Leila a small wave.
“Thank you for taking care of them,” Leila said.
Sabine nodded. “Good luck, Your Holiness. And to hell with the sovereign.”
“But wait,” Ladon added. “Have You met many Kovahrian soldiers?” He waggled his eyebrows. “What do they smell like?”
“No.” A small body plowed between them—Isa, a familiar scowl plastered across their face. They pointed a finger Leila’s way. “You’re leaving now.” They gestured at the swarm of servants. “And take them with You.”
Leila resisted the urge to roll Her eyes. She took Delphi’s and Naomi’s hands, and Her vision flashed white, Her body overtaken by holy light.
A chill wafted across Her flesh, marking Her arrival.
She and the others stood in Her citadel chamber, the space larger and far more accommodating for their numbers.
Hylas, Raphael, and the line of guards stood near the doorway, making room for their advent.
If the Kovahrian soldiers were surprised by Her magic, they didn’t show it.
“Welcome to the Kovahrian citadel. The queen is aware of your arrival and invites you into her home with open arms.” Leila spoke with intention, but Her hands shook when She gestured toward the doorway. “If you follow these men, they will show you to your chambers.”
The servants bowed before taking leave, marveling at the foreign sights around them while Delphi nestled up beside Leila, linking their arms. Leila could barely feel her touch. She was fixated on Naomi and Yucana, still turning over their reactions.
“You’ve done well, Leila.” Delphi bumped Her hip. “Your people are safe because of You.”
Leila’s gut churned. “Not all of them.” Tobias lingered in the forefront of Her mind, an ever-present misery. Naomi and Yucana spoke amongst one another, curiously eyeing the fur pelts covering Leila’s bed, unburdened in ways She envied. “Do they not—?”
“Heralds came to town and announced Tobias’s capture,” Delphi said. “But Your staff couldn’t bear to tell them. Not when they’d endured so much already.”
Leila bit back a flood of vulgarities. Their ignorance was both the best and the worst news. They’d been spared the hell She’d withstood for weeks, yet it was Her obligation to break their hearts.
“I can stay with You if You’d like.” Delphi lowered Her voice to a whisper. “We can tell them together.”
“Go.” Leila’s voice came out harsher than She’d intended. “I’ll be fine.”