Chapter 48 #2
Time seemed to stop with Sawyer's guttural growl as he took charge and brutalized the soldier responsible.
“Get him out of here. Go to the tunnel. I'll finish this and meet you there,” I urged Sebastian, whose skin had lightened to the color of snow.
He started to shake his head, but I interjected with another plea. “Sebastian, I'm begging you. Please just trust me.”
His eyes stayed on mine as he put his sword in one hand—surprisingly steady for only having one arm for support—and stabbed it into an incoming Draemornian.
Sebastian pulled it free, then moved his eyes from me, truly taking in our surroundings.
His gaze dipped to Kohen, who was hanging on, but hardly.
Blood pooled on the stone beneath him, and his eyes had fallen dark.
Sawyer fought off any soldiers who tried to get at Pia while she attempted to heal him, but soon enough they would exceed his capabilities.
When Sebastian looked back at me, his expression had changed, and I knew he'd realized that I was right.
“There's no way we can win this. There's too many of them, and now only four of us are able to fight. I'm the only chance we have at making it out of here alive, and Kohen needs help or he is going to die,” I said, my voice hushed. For a moment it felt like it was just him and I.
He chewed the inside of his cheek. “Maeve, if you die, I—”
“I won't,” I promised. “Besides, you said it yourself, that no veil of life or death will keep us apart. So even if I do…” I forced a smile, which he did not reciprocate.
Another excruciating wail came from Pia. Her body draped over Kohen, blocking anyone from reaching him. I could still see the rise and fall of his chest, but if Pia couldn't heal him in time—
My soul ached at the thought.
“Go. Please. I’ll be there soon,” I instructed Sebastian to leave me, and though I knew it absolutely killed him to do so, he rose, pulling Pia off of Kohen's limp body, keeping his sword drawn as she fought him, still screaming.
Sawyer lifted Kohen off the ground, throwing him over his shoulder, and the four of them started to back out of the courtyard, fighting off the enemies that tried to stop them.
I turned, unable to give them another second of attention. There were more pressing matters in front of me.
“Call your soldiers off so we can talk,” I shouted my demand to Beaumont, who stood all too casual, unfazed by the bloodbath unfolding in front of him.
His eyes glossed over mine, and a smirk enveloped his face. “Stand down,” he demanded of his army.
They obeyed, retreating to take up residence behind their ruler.
I took a moment before approaching him to solidify my course of action and catch my breath.
My vision scanned over the patio covered in dead Draemornians. I had to admit, their army may have outnumbered ours, but my friends were some kickass soldiers.
I blew out a heavy breath, then forced my legs to move, striding towards the man who had no clue that I was about to destroy him.
“Fine,” I panted. “I will go with you, but only if you stop all of this.” I gestured vaguely to the turmoil of the war amongst us.
Cyprian chuckled, shaking his head. “That was not part of the deal.” He stepped towards me, putting only a few feet between us. “I never said I would retreat. I still have every intention of claiming the eastern and Caelestis’ territory,” he sneered.
“Screw it then. Take over Caelestis,” I huffed. He pretty much already had, anyway. “Just give my friends a few minutes to get out safely, then I will go with you.” I tried to bargain with the man, simply to gain some time for them to reach the dungeon.
“Do you not remember, Maeve?” The king cocked his head to the side, tapping a finger to his chin. “I do recall saying something about executing your loved ones if you denied me for a final time. Did I not?” He circled me, trying to be intimidating as he threatened my friends.
I clenched my jaw. “You did. But—”
He waved a finger. “No buts. You already denied my last offer.”
“Well I have an offer of my own for you to consider.” I approached him, gripping my dagger tightly in my palm.
“If you let my friends go, then I will go with you. If you don’t, I will kill myself before you get a chance to cut my jewels from my skin. They will be useless if they are removed after I’m dead.”
“You don't have the guts,” Beaumont snarled.
I put the tip of my dagger into my flesh, right under my chin, angled up. “I didn't want this life. Removing myself from it would be a blessing.” The peak of the blade entered my flesh, cutting my throat just enough for blood to dribble down my blade.
“Maeve, stop it!” Sebastian screamed, his voice sounding completely horrified. I turned my head over so slightly to see Sawyer holding him back—he must have caught on to my plan.
Beaumont cocked his head in consideration. “I don't believe you.”
Digging the blade in deeper, I winced at the sting. “Is that a gamble you're willing to take?” I gargled.
Beaumont briefly looked over his shoulder at his army before turning back to me, an insidious grin painted his face. “Very well.” He gestured to Sebastian and the others. “Go, before I change my mind.”
I pulled my dagger from my flesh and didn't watch as they left me.
At the release of his command, Beaumont’s soldiers moved out from behind him. They advanced on me, and I let them, needing them close to do what I had planned.
My skin pulled as two Draemornians gripped my arms, holding me tightly in place. My muscles burned from the strength of their grip, but I displaced the pain, putting the energy elsewhere.
A few soldiers took their position behind me in case I tried to escape. The rest stayed behind Cyprian. No matter which direction I looked, there was a soldier waiting.
I tilted my head up towards the twilight sky. Despite the haze of smoke creating a film over the air, the stars were vibrant. My cheek twitched at the sight of them, the markings on my arm doing the same as I reveled in the power of the cosmos that now circulated within my soul.
For once in my life, I was free of fear.
My gaze fell, locking my eyes with the king. I bared my teeth as his soldiers held me down. I didn't struggle to get out of their grasp. I let them think they had me in their control.
And then I fucking exploded.