Chapter 28
Raven’s POV
My eyes fluttered open while the pain from the roughly tied rope radiated up my arms, my skin flaming red from its burns.
My body was swaying and the pressure that was placed on my stomach made my anxiety spike while my brain recalled the previous events.
Elijah!
I pushed myself up off of his back only to find glowing solid blue eyes rushing towards me. The dark colored hair was all too familiar but those eyes.. they were nothing I’ve ever seen.
A loud crack sounded from underneath us and Elijah’s running stopped completely. The ground shifted under his feet and our bodies collapsed into the the crack that was forming.
A hand clasped my arm and pulled me from Elijah’s grasp with ease.
“I’ve never seen someone wish death upon themselves so badly before.” Rhyland spoke but his voice was toned with what sounded like multiple other voices. His expression was something I’ve never seen but oddly.. I wasn’t scared.
Rhyland pushed me behind his muscular figure while Elijah stood trapped in the cracked stones.
“I don’t care to die.” Elijah spat and a humorless chuckle escaped Rhyland. I felt another pair of hands against me and I snapped my head towards them to find Cassius.
He took a knife to try and slice through the searing ropes wrapped around my wrists but to no avail.
“Who planned this little.... failed attempt? After your blood paints these stones I’ll be sure to go for them next.”
The tone Rhyland used was something out of a horror movie, holding not threats but promises in its wake.
“Is that so? Then let’s pay them a visit.” I knew the voice, Queen Fara stood there and in a split second, everything around us went black. Cassius was no longer in front of me and I couldn’t find Rhyland anywhere. I tried to choke up a shout but recieved a scratchy groan.
Just as quick as the darkness came, it disappeared and was replaced with the throne room. The king sat upon it with a damning smile on his face but when his eyes fell on all of us, his lips slid into a frown.
“I said her you imbeciles!” His voice was a low growl but it was nothing compared to the lethal tone Rhyland held. The King’s gaze narrowed into me and he snarled as he stood, my view quickly ended when Rhyland stepped in front of me.
“You’ve overstepped once again, maybe this time you’ll learn your lesson.”
The king laughed at Rhyland’s words but Rhyland just stepped forward with such grace that it didn’t even seem as if his feet were touching the ground. With one swift movement and absolutely no physical contact, Elijah’s heart was ripped from his chest.
A gasp escaped me and my eyes shot towards my brother, only to find a cold expression.
“ELIJAH!” Queen Fara collapsed by his side while a puddle of red liquid began to seap from his body.
“Ah, who’s next?” Rhyland asked, ticking his finger from Queen Fara to his father who’s face couldn’t hold anymore shock even if he wished.
“No volunteers? Tsk, no fun.. I guess I’ll just choose.” He laughed and pointed towards Queen Fara with a sinister smile. His feet tapped gently against the ground as he marched towards her holding so much power I could practically feel it.
My eyes stayed glued to his decending body until a shout caught me off guard. One gigantic arm wrapped around my throat and tightened in one swift motion, cutting off the airflow to my throat.
With the burning rope still on my arms it made it impossible to defend myself.
“Let her go!” Cassius shouted before a a guard ran up behind him and yanked a rope around his entire body. Steam rose from the contact of the rope on his skin and his teeth gritted together at the pain. He let out a subtle grunt as the guard pulled tighter.
“Son, I’d advise you to rethink this whole hero trait you’ve managed to pick up. It’s a rather disappointing look on you.”
“Opposed to what? The monster you’ve turned out to be? Look at me father, you should be proud! I’m the ruthless killer you always wanted!” Rhyland shouted as water rushed out of Queen Fara’s mouth and onto the floor.
Her eyes were wide and the gurgles of her clear struggle were the only sound existing around us.
After a few moments, her body collapsed beside her son’s surrounded by water. The divider between the two never mixed while the water and blood touched.
“Proud? I wanted one thing from you! One thing you failed to give me!” His hand lifted up and ran down the side of my face. My stomach flipped as panic settled in, my eyes met Rhyland’s which only seemed to fuel his fire.
“Let her go, and I’ll let you live.”
“You’d kill you’re own father? The man that gave you life?” His voice was directly behind my ear and with each word, the warmth of his breath felt disgusting on my skin.
“When it comes to her, I’d kill anyone.” Rhyland said smoothly before stalking towards us. The grip of the king tightened and a sharp poke entered my side, directly at my ribs.
“I’ve got the upper hand here, boy.” The king spat but the smirk on Rhyland’s face never faltered.
“Do you?”
With those words, Rhyland’s mother stepped through the door along with one of his sister and his younger brother.
“You dare betray me!? This kingdom would be in ruins if it weren’t for my ruling!”
I felt a trickle of blood run down my side as he slid the dagger further into my flesh.
“This kingdom is in ruins because of you. We’ve been silent, we’ve listened to everything you’ve said but now, now it’s time we put an end to this disaster you created.” The Queen’s voice sounded strong and true, something I hadn’t realized was possible until now. Her head was held high and so was her daughter’s.
Her son stood beside them with his head down but his figure stood firm.
“Step away from Raven, father. I won’t ask again.” Rhyland snapped and in a split second, the sharp stick became more prominent and a strong push I felt the entire blade enter my side.
With speed unknown to man, the king was thrown from behind me and up against the wall.
The trickle of blood I had felt earlier was now coating my side with a newly fresh wound. I collapsed at the pain, still unable to reach it to apply pressure and stop the bleeding.
The Princess and Queen moved towards Rhyland and the King and slowly but surely my vision bega to blur. The shouts of the King erupted through the room and one very familiar voice spoke out also.
My eyes fluttered open to find Eladia... in tears. Her body collapsed beside Queen Fara as her shaky hands rose to her mouth.
“No..no no.. mother!?” She pushes Queen Fara’s limp body but got no answer in return..
Wait.. mother?
Without a second thought, darkness consumed me and unconsciousness took over.