Chapter 32 #3
“Lili. Dae and I have a plan. I’m supposed to meet him at the castle,” I said, bending down to pick up the dagger I’d dropped and placing it in my harness.
Her expression soured. “What about Verena’s plan?”
“It won’t work. I have to break the spell,” I explained, grabbing her shoulders. “Come with me.”
She considered it for a moment, her wide blue eyes searching mine. “No.” No. My heart hammered stronger than when I was about to die from Kenric’s hands.
“What do you mean ‘no’?”
“No. I want to fight.” Her eyes narrowed. “And you can’t stop me. I just saved your life because you couldn’t even protect yourself. Stop worrying about me.”
I winced. My gut twisted; her words were more painful than the hottest blow from Boaz’s whip. Before I could respond, she turned around and ran straight for the thick of the battle.
“Prue!” Dae sprinted towards me, grabbing my shoulders. “Are you alright?” His eyes searched my face and body for injuries as I nodded.
“It’s… I’m fine.” Lili was barely visible anymore. I could hardly spot her in the streets.
“Come on, Prue,” Dae urged, watching with a saddened expression. I took his hand, clutching it tightly, fearing that my blurry vision would have me tripping all the way up the cobbled street. My feet felt heavy. Reluctant.
“Prue, look at me.”
Dae’s hands wrapped around my shoulders, squeezing gently. My gaze met his, and I felt some of my pent-up anxiety melt away.
“Your sister is stronger than anybody I’ve met. She’ll be fine. You have to let her do what she wants.”
I nodded, letting his soft-spoken words sink in. He was asking for a lot, perhaps more than I could give him. But for now, I had to focus on our mission.
We took off, running towards the castle. Dae’s hand was warm in mine, the pain from my sister’s words settling into a dull ache in my chest.
“Why is nobody trying to stop us?” I panted as we rounded the last corner and reached the castle. “There should be dozens of Defenders here to protect the king.”
“Maybe he isn’t in there,” Dae said, a slight hope in his voice. If the king weren’t in the castle, it would definitely be easier to infiltrate.
We had to go to the tallest western tower. The one overlooking the Kingdom, not the seas.
The wooden doors towered over us as we neared the castle.
“Let me,” Dae said, pushing me aside. He rolled up his sleeve to reveal the Defender tattoo on his arm.
As he mumbled something I couldn’t make out, the inky outlines started to glow.
Then, he was able to push open the doors.
Sharing a last, determined look, we entered the castle.
Even in my unnerved state, I couldn’t help but admire the interior.
Tall golden walls rose high, and from the tallest point sprouted a huge chandelier embedded with the same golden crystal as the one in the dagger at my thigh that Dae had given me.
A staircase, as golden as the walls, split into two in front of us.
“Take your shoes off,” I whispered, getting rid of my own with shaky fingers. Dae hurried to kick his off, too.
Without exchanging another word, we sprinted for the staircase to the left, more silent in just our socks. But we still didn’t meet a single Defender. The place was eerily quiet, as if the King had yet to realize the battle being fought in his Kingdom.
The staircase divided into different corridors, but we continued upwards. As the steps smoothed into solid golden floor, we slowed our steps. My lungs burned, and my heart raced from adrenaline and anticipation.
The room was almost perfectly round, with a few sparse sofas and low tables crowding the edges. A smaller staircase led further up the tower.
Faint voices came from above us. I thanked the Goddess we’d gotten rid of our boots as we silently snuck up the next flight of stairs that led to yet another room.
Dae took hold of my arm, stopping me from walking into the room. Only two voices could be heard, one of which was slightly familiar. We could handle two people, especially if we took them by surprise.
I flickered my eyes from Dae to the room, trying to convey my plan to him silently.
He dipped his head, catching my lips with his. The gesture was sudden, but I let myself melt into him for a moment. When we parted, he gave me a long look. Then, he stepped into the room, a hand on his sword, though it remained solidly in the sheath.
“Dae,” I scrambled to keep up with him. We’d entered the throne room, which was empty except for the dais with a huge, golden throne perched atop. But it was another sight that left my mouth hanging open.
The king sat on his throne, lips parted as if he had been speaking.
Elio Boaz stood with his back to us, his golden sword buried deeply in the King’s heaving chest. The King struggled to take his last breaths. Blood ran from his lips, staining his royal coat. The crown perched on his head sat askew as he slowly drifted into death.
This was why we hadn’t met any Defenders. Boaz had wanted them all gone so that he could kill his king in peace.
Dae stepped forward, letting his steps be heard. Boaz turned around, leaving his sword protruding from the King’s heart.
Dae’s stony expression turned into a hateful, sneering smile as he studied Boaz’s shocked expression.
“Hello, father.”