Chapter 114 -Rhydon-

Chapter 114 -Rhydon-
\-Rhydon-

The chamber doors burst open. Captain Varis strides inside, breathing harder than I've ever seen.

He drops immediately to one knee.

"My King."

The title still sounds perfect.

"What is it?"

"The intruder escaped."

I already knew that. "What else?"

"He disappeared into the eastern passages beneath the palace."

My hands curl into fists. The trap had been perfect. The kingdom believed King Erik was dead. Every guard had been told that if a man claiming to be Erik appeared, he was an imposter trying to steal the throne. They'd have cut him down before he ever reached the palace.

It should have been Erik. He should have come for his wife.

Instead...

Caylix.

I stare at the map without really seeing it. Why? Why would he leave Avianna? For thirteen years he'd never left her side unless duty forced him to. Not willingly.

A thought strikes me. The visions. Avianna must have seen something. She sent him, of course she did. She had found another way to interfere.

I let out a slow breath.

That would prove to be his greatest mistake. I look up.

"Captain Varis."

"Yes, my King."

"Lock down the city."

He nods immediately.

"No one enters, no one leaves. I want every gate closed, every mountain pass watched and double the guards at the docks. If anyone reports seeing the Caeltharian shadow guard..."

I don't hesitate.

"Kill him on sight."

Varis doesn't flinch.

"It will be done."

"And spread the word." I step around the table. "The traitorous shadow guard from Caelthar infiltrated the palace and attempted to assassinate the Queen."

The lie leaves my mouth as easily as breathing.

"He is armed, dangerous, and anyone aiding him will answer to their King."

Varis bows again.

"Yes, my King."

He turns to leave.

"One more thing."

He stops.

"Send riders to Caelthar."

He waits.

"Princess Charlotte."

His brow furrows only slightly.

"My King?"

"King Alexander's daughter."

My gaze settles on the western kingdom marked across the map.

"If Caelthar is to become part of my kingdom..."

A slow smile spreads across my face.

"...she may yet prove useful."

Varis inclines his head.

"As you command."

The doors close behind him. The chamber falls silent once more. I exhale slowly. The city is closing around Caylix. He won't escape Veylan.

Behind me...

Elise suddenly goes completely still.

"There you are."

I turn. She's no longer looking at me. She's smiling into empty space.

"So..."

She laughs softly.

"...the little Queen has finally stopped following the boy."

A chill crawls across the back of my neck.

"Avianna."

Elise's smile widens.

"She's listening."

I instinctively scan the room. There’s nothing, only stone walls and empty air. Yet Elise watches someone as clearly as if they stood directly in front of her.

"Can she hear us?" I ask.

"Oh, yes."

Her voice is almost delighted.

"Every word."

I let out a slow breath. Interesting… Very interesting.

"So she knows Caylix escaped."

"She does."

"And she knows the city is sealed."

Another small nod.

A cruel smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. "Good."

I take a step closer.

"Then tell her this."

I know Avianna can't answer. But if she's truly listening… I want her to hear every word.

"The Caeltharian shadow guard won't leave Veylan alive."

Elise laughs quietly.

"Oh… She heard."

For several long seconds, she simply watches the empty space before her. Then her expression shifts. Curious… Amused...

"Trying to leave already?"

Silence. Her smile grows.

"No, little Queen. You came to me this time."

I narrow my eyes.

"What do you mean?"

She ignores me completely.

Another slow step.

"You don't get to run anymore."

She raises one hand, reaching toward empty air.

Then… Her fingers close around something. Her hand tightens.

A slow, satisfied sigh escapes her lips.

"I've got you now little Queen."

A strange unease settles in my chest.

There's nothing there, I know there isn't. Yet Elise's fingers remain wrapped around something only she can feel.

Even Seena straightens.

"What are you doing?" she asks quietly.

Elise never looks away.

"I'm teaching our guest that spying has consequences."

The temperature in the room seems to drop as the candles flicker. Shadows creep unnaturally along the walls.

Elise smiles with almost frightening tenderness.

"I wondered which fear I'd find first."

She closes her eyes briefly, then laughs.

"Oh… There it is. You are so predictable."

Her fingers tighten.

"The life you wanted."

A pause.

"Look. He's happy."

Silence.

"And it isn't with you."

She laughs softly to herself.

"No… Don't look away. Watch."

I stare at her, unable to see whatever she sees. Yet every word sends another shiver down my spine.

"The house, the gardens, the children, the future you dreamed about."

A slow smile spreads across her face.

"His wife is beautiful, don’t you think?"

Another pause.

"And pregnant."

The smile becomes cruel.

"His hand protecting her pregnant stomach..."

She tilts her head, listening.

"Oh… That one hurt."

Her laugh echoes through the chamber.

"You thought those children would be yours. They aren't, they never will be."

Silence. Then… Another smile fades across her lips.

"Let's try something else."

She grows still once more.

"Your father." Another pause. "He trusted you."

Silence.

"He believed in you, Avianna. And you failed.'"

She smiles.

"I thought that might break you."

The candles flare violently. Darkness ripples across the walls. Neither Seena nor I interrupt. Then… Elise freezes. Completely.

Her expression changes. Not amusement… Not satisfaction… Just pure delight.

"There you are..."

She whispers the words with almost childlike excitement.

"I knew this was the one."

Elise's smile slowly softens. She studies the unseen space before her for several long moments.

"I knew I'd find it eventually."

She tilts her head.

"You've always been so brave."

A quiet laugh.

"So willing to throw yourself into danger, so willing to sacrifice everything."

She takes another slow step forward.

"But underneath all of that, you're still just a girl who loves one man."

Her fingers tighten almost imperceptibly.

"I know you, Avianna."

Her voice drops to little more than a whisper.

"I know every fear you've buried, every insecurity, every doubt, every terrible little thought you've convinced yourself no one else could ever see. I’m in your mind now.”

She smiles.

"You know what I find fascinating?"

She traces an invisible finger through the air.

"You aren't truly afraid I'll kill him… No… You already know he'd die for you."

She smiles.

"And you'd gladly die for him."

Another step.

"So death..." She shrugs. "...is almost merciful."

Her expression darkens.

"But forgetting..."

She lets the word linger.

"Now that, is cruel."

She laughs softly.

"I wonder… Would he fall in love with you again if I took away his memories again?"

Her smile widens. 

"I've already taken his memories once, I know exactly how to do it again."

She watches the invisible space, enjoying whatever she is seeing that Seena and I can’t.

"I wonder what would happen if I left everything else intact… The tether… The prophecy… The mark..."

She smiles with genuine curiosity.

"But took every memory of you."