46
I look around the crowd, all too aware of Cole still tugging me, trying to get me to move on.
My gaze finds its way to the balcony above and I see Raylin, looking around like he’s lost something or maybe even someone. He’s scanning the room, his eyes wandering close to where Cole and I are standing.
I look up at him curiously, knowing it doesn’t matter because he can’t see me.
My gaze is sharply drawn away from the balcony when a lady bumps into me and stumbles over. She’s looking around frantically, not understanding what happened, when her partner quickly grabs her and helps her stand.
It’s not much of a commotion but enough for Raylin to get suspicious. My body tenses as he narrows his eyes on me and for a second I think he can actually see me.
He gives a nod in a direction behind me and I turn to see the guard dressed in white heading our way.
My stomach twists and I finally let Cole tug us away.
We're so close to the ballroom door now, pushing past people, being much less careful now that the guards know the direction we’re heading anyway.
My stomach churns as we make our way to the door. But not from nerves, there’s something off about all of this.
Raylin's face was calculated, like he not only knew I would run but was waiting for it. I had been anticipating Hidale soldiers when Cole came over but Raylin had sent his own towards me and it didn’t feel like protection.
Maybe he found out I was planning on running before we made it official tonight, maybe he knew all along.
We just make it to the doors when they fly open.
Cole pushes me against the wall in an instant, blocking me from the sea of red and getting me out of their path. I look over his shoulder and see Hidale’s men storming in, King Castor leading the way.
“What the fuck?” I whisper.
Cole puts his hand over my mouth to quiet me. But not before slapping me in the eyes as he tries to actually find my mouth. I’m almost tempted to blow our cover and shove him off for that alone.
I look around at all the soldiers pouring in. This can’t just be about my plan to run, he’s with Hidale’s men.
I wonder if that’s what Cole had found out before he came and got me.
“Relax everyone.” King Castor says in a quiet and cold voice. “These men are just looking for the traitor and then they’ll be on their way.”
The King steps forward and Hidale’s soldiers draw their swords. Castor’s smile doesn’t meet his eyes as he gestures in front of him.
“Maeve, come out of hiding and let’s get this over with.”
Gasps echo around the room, clearly the audience wasn’t expecting the traitor to be part of the main event, or betrothed to a prince.
Neither was I.
Raylin’s apology from before flashes in my mind. The bastard knew about this and had helped his father sell me out.
My stomach drops so violently I almost have to grab it. He had never intended to marry me, this was a ploy all along.
My shoulders grow tense and I stare out around the room, searching for the man who has now betrayed me twice.
Raylin is nowhere to be seen. He must have ran off as soon as Hidale walked in.
Lucky him.
“There’s no use running Maeve, even if we can’t see you, the exits are blocked, you won’t make it far.”
He’s right, I definitely can’t make it through the door behind him and I’m guessing the entrance by the balcony above us is blocked too.
I look around towards the windows, we’re on the second floor but I’m a very good climber and could escape that way.
The only problem is Cole but I guess once I’ve smashed the window, it wouldn’t matter to keep him invisible anyway, he can climb on his own.
I attempt to move and Cole pushes me back against the wall. I want to tell him my plan or say something so he knows what I’m doing but the room is so deathly quiet now, they would surely hear me.
“Come on Maeve, let’s get this over with.” King Castor says, getting more and more impatient.
As am I.
I lean forward and whisper gently in Cole’s ear, making my voice so soft that it’s barely a breath. “Window.”
Understanding kicks in and he loosens his hold on me, while still keeping hold of my hand to keep us invisible.
For now.
Slowly, we start making our way through the crowd. Careful not to make a sound, keeping our feet quiet and making sure we don’t touch anyone. It’s incredibly difficult in a crowd like this but as soon as we get far enough, we’ll be able to just make a break for it anyway.
I can see the crowd start to get uneasy with the prolonged silence, waiting for something to happen. Some are even looking towards King Castor like he’s gone mad.
I look back at him as well and see him looking around, scanning the room. I redirect my gaze towards the window again to keep moving when all of the sudden a man steps in front of me, trying to get to his kid that I didn’t see cross in front of me while I was looking at Castor.
I halt but it’s too late, I brush his arm and he looks at me. I know he can’t see me but I know he felt me. His realisation hits him like a blow and he almost stumbles, looking towards Castor and the empty space in front of him. Like he doesn’t know what to choose.
I hold my breath, hoping he’ll choose to ignore it, to let me go. He grabs his child before quickly stepping away from me. My stomach drops as I know what he’s chosen. The man looks at Castor as he shouts.
“She's here!”
Cole swears under his breath and we take off running, pushing everyone out of the way as the soldiers start to chase us, swords at the ready and unforgiving expressions on their faces. I don’t stop to wonder if their mission to take me back to Hidale involves me being alive or dead.
“STOP!”
I hear a voice below out, the sound verberating through my skull.
I look towards the balcony, where I know it came from.
And am met with a menacing stare from deep blue eyes.
Xander’s standing there, leaning against the sandstone balcony, looking almost bored.
If I hadn’t known his voice, I wouldn’t have even guessed it was him who had just shouted at everyone.
“I’m not interested in a war with you Xander.” Castor says, clearly upset at the distraction.
Cole and I quickly move out of path in case the soldiers decide to start their attack again.
Xander doesn’t reply immediately as he prowls down the stairs, carefully and slowly. Radiating power in each step, his emotions flicking between boredom and venom when his gaze cuts to the King of Faystra.
“Too late Castor, you started it when you turned Maeve in.” Xander says with a calmness in his voice. It’s somehow more menacing than when he yelled. Unpredictable in a way that makes most men balk.
“It doesn’t have to be like this Xander, she’s not worth it. Help me take her to Hidale and we can end this.”
Xander has made it down the stairs and now walks towards Castor. The crowd splits in front of him as the King of Erador stalks towards his current enemy. Not wanting to get in his way.
I don’t blame them.
“She’s worth it to me.” Xander replies, slipping his hands into his pockets. The casual move he does all too often.
He tilts his head to the side, measuring up Castor and effectively taunting him in the process.
“What are you going to do, read my mind?” Castor mocks.
Xander doesn’t take the bait or appear to let the taunt bother him.
“I’m giving you one more chance to stop this.” Xander finally says, lethal command in his voice. Most lesser men would bow to that tone, or crumble.
But Castor won’t falter, he can’t look weak in front of his people. He stands his ground and does not call off Hidale’s men.
“Very well then.” Xander says and removes his hands from his pockets, preparing to fight.
Castor raises his own hands and I watch as Xander buckles down, clutching at his chest.
A gasp slips from my mouth and I go to run forward to help him but Cole stops me.
I hate that I can’t see his expression, that I can’t demand him to tell me what’s going on.
I turn my attention away from the empty space that would be Cole’s body.
I watch as Castor looks all too pleased with himself and Xander looks like he’s in immense pain. Dropping to the ground, kneeling on one knee. One hand still clutching at his chest, the other supporting himself on the stone floor.
Castor pushes more, his face starting to strain as he curls his hands in front of him, calling for more power.
I hold my breath, expecting this to be the end.
I pull on Cole’s hand harder, desperation taking over. But it’s no use. He’s holding me firmly in position.
Why isn’t he helping his friend?
Xander suddenly perks up, a smile tracing his lips, as he drops his hand from his chest and rises to his feet.
Castor looks at Xander, his expression showing he’s just as confused as I am.
“What is this?” He demands.
Xander just shrugs. “It’s quite handy having a shielder as your commander.”
Oh my gods, he was faking it. I hadn’t even realised that Cole’s power extends to shield even non physical blows.
Why hadn't they told me sooner?
Xander smiles at Castor. “Guess we’ll have to do this the old fashioned way.”
Castor sends the soldiers from behind him onto Xander. I sneer at him even though he can’t see me.
He’s a fucking coward.
Xander dodges their blades and kicks at one soldier while yanking the sword from his hand. Not having come prepared with his own.
Now with a weapon, he’s taking them on but there’s too many of them. Despite how skilled he is, they’ll smother him.
I use all the strength I can muster and break free off Cole, grabbing my dagger from my thigh as I run over to help Xander.
I know Cole will be visible now but it doesn’t matter, the plan for us to escape out the window is long gone.
Xander won’t be able to make it back with the soldiers holding him down, we’d be stranded anyway without a way back through the transporter.
Xander is currently battling three soldiers as more run forward. He stabs one in the chest and I launch forward and stab another in the neck. Allowing him to now have an even fight.