Chapter 18
Rhyland’s POV
I stood infront of my father, the golden crown slightly tilted on his head as his full grey hair lifted it.
“You think you’re smart, boy?” He growled and by the way his eyes glossed and his cheeks burned red I could tell he had been drinking.
“You’re drunk father, and I will not stand around and talk to a man that can’t even sit up straight.”
“Shut it!” He growled, his voice booming through the room.
I’ll admit, he had quite the nerve to yell at me in this state of mind.
“What is it that you wish from me, or was my presence just for mere amusement.” I evened out and looked into his cold eyes that held the color of the oceans depth in them.
“You, the only mind manipulater within millions of miles from this kingdom, thought I wouldn’t be able to tell from the gleam in Princess Jasmine’s eyes that you had a part in her leaving?”
A hearty laugh left his throat and I felt my stomach drop to the floor.
Stay calm, Rhyland.
“She was entirely too clingy and her attitude was intolerable.” It wasn’t a lie, the girl was so stuck up that I just knew she thought the planets orbit around her.
He looked down at his glass and tilted it up to his lips, downing the last bit of contents left.
“You didn’t seem to have an issue when the two of you stayed cooped up in your room.”
I simply shrugged, she knew I wasn’t going to marry her from the start. She just hoped she could persuade me which never happened.
My father lifted his hand to his beard and shook his head lightly.
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with that little Blueblood, would it?”
His eyes narrowed at me and I just stood completely still, not allowing him to receive anything off of my body language.
“You asked me to get closer to her, that’s what I’m doing. I can’t do that with a nagging spoiled little brat following my every move. In reality, you should be thanking me.” I throw a smirk his way before shrugging my shoulders.
“Yes, I asked you to get close to her but do not forget. She is the devil in disguise and will do anything for her people.”
I felt my breath pick up as I recalled Raven’s words.
You can be better.
When the kingdom falls into your hands, you can make it better.
Was she saying that for my benefit or for her people?
“I can assure you I know where I stand and what I have to do. You, on the other hand, are a king and a king shouldn’t be drunk sitting amongst a throne.”
“When you sit upon this chair I will allow you to speak to me in such a manner, but while I’m occupying it I suggest you watch your tongue.”
A snarl made its way on his mouth and I didn’t have the energy to argue with the man. He was a one way street, it was his way or no way and that’s how it’s always been.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll get back to my task at hand. Have a good day.” I sent a right smile his way and turned on my heels towards the door.
I didn’t want to be in the lions den any longer than I had to be.
“Wait.”
I halted my steps and waited for his words.
“Don’t make me doubt you. You’re the next heir to the throne and if you mess up a simple task such as this I’ll be sure to have you and that little Blueblood hanging in the town square.”
This made me turn to face him, I felt my blood begin to boil and my cheeks flamed red.
“Don’t shoot empty threats my way, you know who would come out on top.” I smirked at his facial expression which darkened at my words.
With those last words, I exited the room and made sure to slam the door behind me. The guards standing beside the door didn’t even budge or jump at the loud sound.
I raked my hand through my hair and took a deep breath.
I needed some air.
__________________________________
Raven’s POV
Cassius and I sat at the glass table sporting an umbrella over the top for the scorching sun. We were requested to have lunch with Queen Fara to talk about.... well I’m not quite sure what, she just said it was important.
“Do you need your refreshments refilled?”
A young man came around to Cassius’ side of the table with a bright cheeky smile.
“Um maybe just a little bit more for me please.” I say as he pours some more champagne into my glass.
“What do you think she needs to speak to us about?” Cassius asks when the guy walks away from the table.
“That’s a good question, but I think the both of you know the answer.”
A voice spoke up from behind us and our heads turned to find Queen Fara walking towards us, the click of her heels sounding loudly against the stone walk way.
“Thank you for inviting us to lunch today.” I smiled up at her and my eyes dropped to the necklace I so clearly remember from our mother.
“Oh absolutely dear, I wouldn’t want to wine and dine with any one of these royal asses around here.” She whispered as she smiled down at me.
The chair was moved out from under the table and she took her seat, then was pushed back in by the same gentleman that asked us about our drinks earlier.
“I know millions of questions are swarming in those beautiful minds of yours, so let’s start from the beginning, shall we?”
She took a sip of her bubbling champagne and dabbed her mouth with a napkin.
“Do you remember where you’re from?” She asked and Cassius scoffed beside me.
“What kind of question is that? Of course we do.”
“I wasn’t asking you dear, I was asking her.” She pointed her manicured finger towards me.
“Uh I-I... well I was really young when everything happened but I know we resided in Zanatra.”
She smiled and nodded her head, pleased by my answer.
“That’s correct, but do you remember where you from? Not the name, the culture, the people that worshipped your parents and for good reason, do you remember details such as those?”
Cassius even looked confused by the question and he was ten when everything happened. I was a mere five or six.
Cassius cleared his throat before straightening in his seat.
“I remember the streets use to be full of color and life.” He answered and Queen Fara nodded.
“The streets of Zanatra were always lively and beautiful. They seemed to have a certain glow that you couldn’t find anywhere else in the world. The residents were like family to your parents, they ruled with a gentle hand and people respected them for it.”
She smiled softly at the memory before it slowly ceased from her face into nothing.
“Other countries were jealous of its beauty, of its loyalty. They wanted it for themselves and when ruthless Kings have their eyes set on something, it’s absolutely impossible to steer them away.”
She went silent as the same bright blonde headed man from earlier came and sat some food down infront of us.
“Thank you dear, you deserve a break from all the running around you’ve done this afternoon.”
He beamed happiness down at her but it quickly faded and his head dropped.
“I-I can’t ma’am.”
“Oh nonsense, go on and if someone says anything tell them it was an order from me.” She smiled up at him and he nodded before rustling along.
I knew she had done it so that he wouldn’t come back for a while.
“I can distinctly recall your mother’s fear as the bounties were sent out for all of our heads. Your father, on the other hand, was ready to defend his family and his kingdom.”
“He was strong willed I’ll admit that. The entire world would be crumbling around him and he would still try to see the bright side of it.” Cassius admitted and I felt the tightness in my chest.
I wish I could remember what the two were like..
“That he was, but... I think he knew it was more deadly than he was putting on. He sent everyone into hiding along with your mother and the two of you. Word spread that a King from the west had made a move and that itself was an understatement.”
Something flashed before her eyes and I seen tears swelling up against the seal of her eye.
“That night.. that night was bigger than anyone ever could have imagined. Your mother was placed into your father’s hiding spot and not even I knew where it was, for the safely of the Queen.”
I heard Cassius sniffle and my eyes shot over to him, his head was dangling down and his eyes were cast to the ground.
“I remember that night.. I still remember the screams and shouts of everyone. I can remember thinking you and Elijah were dead, I can remember them finding us and snatching mother out, leaving us behind..”
My heart dropped at what he probably endured that night..
“W-why didn’t you tell me, Cassius? How come I don’t remember any of it?” I asked and his eyes lifted slowly towards me.
“Zanatra.. is the land that held the very first Blueblood. It’s soil and surrounding water held properties that made BlueBloods flourish on the land itself, or at least those were the rumors I had heard and the center of all mother’s stories she told us at night.”
My eyebrows furrowed slightly at his explaination but at the same time I found myself in awe at the sheer image of the Kingdom I was receiving.
“That night you tried to run after the man who took mom.. you were trying to run up the ladder to reach them and slipped.”
A single tear rolled down his cheek as my heart pounded against my ribs.
“Your head hit the side of the ladder and you came crashing down towards a broken piece of glass mother had broken in her fight for freedom.”
My eyes widened and I felt like I couldn’t breath, while a soft sniffle came from Cassius.
“It stabbed straight through your chest.. there was blood everywhere and I had no clue what to do. I held you to my chest, trying to rock you and sang to you like mother did when things were going wrong.. I thought you were going to die in my arms that night..”
The wind blew gently and revealed my wet cheeks along with Cassius’.
“When I heard everything calm down inside the castle, I-I lifted you up and carried you down to the shore. T-there was a trail of blood behind me, the warm substance had soaked my clothes and dropped past my fingertips as I made it to the waves. You lost so much blood.. you lost so much..” He cried and Queen Fara placed a hand on his shoulder.
“I eased you into the water, praying to what ever god I had to pray to to just heal you and keep you on this world with me. I couldnt lose you.. I would’ve lost myself.”
I stood up and clasped him into a harsh hug, pulling him tightly into me. If I wasn’t thankful enough for my brother, I definitely was now.
“The land healed you, Raven..”
He pulled away and wiped his tears away and Queen Fara replied with a knowing smile.
“The land is meant for your kind, Raven. Your mother held Blueblood in her and you carry that with you.”
I nodded, listening carefully to what she was about to say next.
“I want to offer the two of you something, on your mother’s behalf.”
__________________________________
What do you think she’s going to ask??
Rhyland got sassy with his dusty old father, FINALLY.
We stan Cassius for being a damn good older brother.