51
I managed to get Cole down to the transporter and we returned home to find Mannuel and get him healed. I’ve been waiting for Cole in my office since.
Raylin told me Maeve is in Hidale, back at the Agency.
I’ve tried hard not to think about what they could be doing to her but I know Hidale and I know the scars she has on her back from her years at the Agency.
That combination alone terrifies me.
The thought brings a shudder down my spine, that quickly turns to anger.
I clench my fingers around the glass in my hand before reaching back to throw the drink at the fire.
The glass smashes violently against the stone wall of the fireplace and the flames erupt upwards. Smothering the glass remnants and sending heat towards my face.
The small explosion is nothing compared to how I feel.
“Are you okay Xan?”
I turn and see Cole at the door, he must have just finished with the healer.
I don’t answer my commander, unable to find words right now, my jaw locked and unmoving.
Cole limps slowly towards me.
“We will find her.” He says certainly, like there’s no possible alternative.
“I know.” I reply looking away from his piercing gaze before continuing.
“It’s not a matter of finding her, it's what they’ll do to her until we do.”
I look back across to him and watch as he clenches his jaw and looks down, I know he’s worried about her too.
“The soldiers are ready to go.” Cole says suddenly and looks up at me.
“Let's go get our girl.” He adds softly with a sad smile.
I nod and grab the swords from my desk before following him out the door.
I haven’t visited Hidale’s city in a while. Not just because I don’t like the place but mainly because of my ongoing feud with the King of Hidale. I haven’t been welcome here in decades so my visits have always been war or conflict related.
Not unlike tonight.
We reach the edge of the so-called city and dismount from our horses, tying them off at the stable at the entrance.
It’s almost dusk when we arrive and yet the city looks covered in darkness already.
We start our walk along the broken cobblestone that leads through the main street of Hidale.
There’s a variety of different stores on either side of the walkway, with small lanterns on their walls, illuminating the entrance.
I look in the windows as I walk past every one.
Each store looks dimly lit, an utter mess inside and pretty much empty.
There’s only a few adult fae and children that we walk past as we stroll through. A stark difference to when Maeve and I walked through Faystra all those days ago.
One of the children slams straight into me, taking me out of my memories.
This kid was obviously not looking where he was going or in so much of a rush that he didn’t care.
I look down at the child who looks back up at me with terror tracing his eyes.
I can’t tell if it’s because he’s recognised me as the King of Erador or if he’s just scared of what an adult fae would do to someone like him.
“Run along.” Is all I say, trying to keep the usual command in my voice lower, so as not to scare the kid more.
I look over at Cole and he just shrugs, he’s been here a few times with me and has never thought much of this place either.
I try not to think about what Aressor would look like if Hidale is successful. If it would be like this city, or worse.
We keep walking along the path for a little while before Hidale’s citizens start to note who we are.
Some quickly dart into the shops or their homes and others turn down dark alleyways, which could very well be their homes.
They leave the street feeling more deserted than it did before.
Which I hadn’t even thought was possible.
We continue to walk in the direction of the Agency, a deep stone mansion at the end of the main street. I’ve been outside of it before but have never dared to go in.
Partially because I didn’t want any trouble with the owner, but also because I was too much of a coward to see what truly goes on in there.
Especially without any way to put an end to it.
Hidale’s castle extends just beyond the Agency, up on the hill looking down over the small city.
An ominous energy crosses over us as both buildings come into full view.
Hidale’s castle is covered in shadows, made up of slate and other dark stones.
It almost seems ironic that someone who lives in such a dark home and city, will one day be destroyed by a Nytherin powered by shadows.
I look up ahead and can see Hidale soldiers, in their maroon uniforms charging towards us.
Finally.
I slip my hands into my pockets and we all come to a stop.
“Took you lot long enough.” I taunt, tilting my head to the side. “We’ve been roaming your streets for the last half an hour.”
I watch as the head soldier’s face turns rigid, clearly taking my taunts personally. The thought brings a small smile to my face.
“Get him.” The soldier commands and motions to his men who start to move towards us, swords raised.
I slip one hand out of my pocket and hold it up to them. “Ah, you see, I will in fact accompany you to the castle but I will not be arrested.”
The soldiers balk at my words, not knowing what to do, waiting for more orders.
“Just lead the way.” I direct with a motion of my hand towards the castle. The head soldier looks at me menacingly but I know all too well that Hidale wants me alive and knows that I’m coming for Maeve.
I know this is a trap, that’s surely meant more for me than it was for Maeve. He might be pissed at her for running from the army or killing his men in Bretton. But I know it goes beyond that.
Whatever they’ve done to her, is my fault.
I should have told Maeve more of Hidale’s true intentions, of our past. But I didn’t and now it doesn’t matter, they already have her.
I’m too late.
I won’t make that mistake again.
When I found out where she was, I made a promise to myself to be more forthcoming with her.
And I will, as soon as I have her again.
“Give your weapons to us.” The soldier orders and I motion for my men to hand them over.
“Whatever helps you feel more comfortable.” I mock and smile as the soldier’s face flashes with rage.
Hidale’s men collect our weapons before walking around behind us and nudging our backs to lead the way.
I feel a pang in my chest as we walk past the Agency, where I know she is. I would have gone straight there and tore the place apart but this plan is the best way to get her out and save Aressor, as Cole reminded me before we arrived.
I have no idea if Maeve even knows we’re coming for her. I hope by now she knows that Cole and I would do anything for her. But I know she has a hard time believing anything of the sort.
“She’s tough, she’ll be fine.” Cole says quietly, noticing where my gaze is directed. I nod my agreement and look away.
The sun is now starting to set but it does nothing to make the castle look more inviting.
We’re led through the gates and up the castle's main stairs. The dark stone walls make it hard to see much inside, the only light being the torches along the wall. Even they don’t do much in the way of illuminating the halls.
The people that live here would surely have no other options. As I cannot fathom choosing this place as my home.
We’re standing outside the throne room when the large double doors creak as the guards open them and reveal the King of Hidale sitting at his throne.
The room is dressed in the same colours as his soldiers, with a carpet runner down the middle and velvet cushions on the throne.
They’re the only pieces of colour in this room, save for the portraits on the wall of the Kings that all came before.
I never had the pleasure of meeting any, Hidale has been King for longer than I’ve been alive. But from the stories I’ve heard, they were not much better.
“Hello Xander.” Hidale calls out from where he sits at a distance away. I almost smirk at the guards as they hold their swords in front of us, to stop us getting any closer to their King.
“Still scared of me?” I mock.
“Precautions.” Hidale says with a wave of his hand.
“Well you can relax, I’m only here for the girl.” I say sliding my hands into my pockets casually.
Hidale laughs but the gesture is anything but humorous. “You stole her from me first, why should I return her?”
I smile a cold smile and look towards Cole.
“Shall we tell him commander?”
Cole plays the part and shrugs casually.
“If you must.”
“Well.” I start and stalk towards Hidale, ignoring the soldiers who try and fail to stop me as Cole shields my body. “My soldiers, by now will have gained access to your records, the very ones that tell you exactly who the hybrids are.”
I smile up at him on the throne, a mocking smile.
One that I only bear to him as I know how much he hates it. As much as he hates the memories that would surely follow.
Hidale stares down at me as I stalk closer, eyes livid and dripping with rage.
“Impossible!” He shouts out at me, his anger filling me with satisfaction.
“And one of those soldiers.” I continue, “has a special talent for fire.” I look up at him, still bearing the toothless smile that doesn’t meet my eyes.
“And I suppose, I don’t have to tell you the rest of my plan.”
Hidale looks behind me and his eyes light up, just a little.
“They can’t have gone up there, we watched as you walked through the city, you only arrived with six of your men and there’s still six behind you.”
I sneer at him. “Look again.”
His gaze jumps to behind me and his eyes go wild as he notes that there’s now only four of my soldiers waiting there.
“Guards! Get to the chamber!” He shouts and I turn around to watch as four guards run out of the room, perfect.
“So you can give me back Maeve, or I’ll take away the very thing you need to continue your plans.”
Hidale bares his teeth at me. “You think you're so clever.”
“Naturally.” I say as I shrug.
“But you’re giving up the very thing you need to save everyone, for one girl.”
I stare up at him, gaze unflinching.
“She’s worth it.”
Hidale’s nostrils flare as he stares down at me, a promise of revenge in his eyes before he looks behind me and motions to his guards.
“Bring me Maeve.”
I turn and watch as another two guards leave to get her. My heart starts racing and I have to remind myself to count my breaths.
I’ll see her soon.
I turn my direction back to Hidale, ready to ask the
question I'm certain I know the answer to, yet I want to hear it from his mouth.
"What did you want with Maeve?”
Hidale’s brows furrow, the fury in his eyes igniting.
“The assassin was conscripted to my army, then she ran away with you, need I go on and list all the other ways she’s gone against me?” He spits out at me.
I consider him for a moment, before shaking my head.
“No, you see, I think there’s more to it.”
Hidale looks down at me, bearing his classic sinister smile.
“I guess you will have to wait and see.”
I mask my face to look unbothered by his answer.
Just as I’m about to ask him what he means, I hear loud hurried footsteps behind me and turn to see Hidale’s soldiers have joined us again.
“Your highness.” The first one says, before drawing his breath in. Clearly having not been on any duties that require running in a period of time. But I guess that’s what happens when you conscript your soldiers.
The soldier catches his breath and continues. “There was no one in there but the records are safe.”
I smile slightly at that and can see Hidale looking down at me in my peripheral vision.
“Where are they?” He demands and I turn around slowly but casually to look at him and shrug.
“They should be coming along any second now.”
Hidale’s face turns red with rage as he grips his throne so hard that his knuckles turn white. I make a pointed look at them.
“Relax, your men just said the records are fine.”
The door swings open behind me as I say this. “Matter of fact, here they are now.”
I turn around to greet my soldiers.
But it’s not their eyes I’m met with.