Chapter 20 Sir Marcus's True Purpose
Elara's POV
"Two dozen assassins?" My voice barely works. "Hidden in the kingdom?"
"Disguised as merchants, travelers, servants." Sir Marcus rolls up his maps. "They've been infiltrating for weeks. Waiting for the signal to strike."
"You're insane. Drakon will stop you"
"Will he?" Sir Marcus laughs. "How? He doesn't even know they're here. By the time he realizes what's happening, it'll be too late. Everyone he cares about will be dead."
I back toward the door. I need to warn Drakon. Now.
"Going somewhere?" Sir Marcus moves faster than I expect. He blocks my path. "We're not finished talking."
"Let me pass."
"Not until you understand your role in this." He grabs my arm, grip painful. "In two nights, during the council meeting, you will do exactly as I tell you. No arguments. No hesitation."
"I won't help you murder innocent people!"
"Yes, you will." His smile is pure evil. "Because if you don't, I'll send a message to my contact in the Southern Kingdom. He'll go to your sister's cell and start cutting. Slowly. While you're far away, unable to stop it."
Tears blur my vision. "Why are you doing this? What did these people ever do to you?"
"Nothing. I don't care about them." Sir Marcus releases my arm. "I care about gold. Queen Morgana is paying me a fortune to help her conquer Drakenmoor. That's all that matters."
"You're a monster."
"I'm a businessman." He picks up his maps. "Now, here's what you'll do during the council meeting. First, you'll convince Drakon to dismiss half the guards. Say you feel unsafe with so many armed men around. Make him think it's about the wedding incident. Make him want to comfort you."
"He won't believe me."
"He will. Because you're his wife. Because he wants to trust you. Because love makes people stupid." Sir Marcus hands me a piece of paper. "Memorize this. Guard positions. Times. Routes. You need to know exactly where each guard will be."
I stare at the paper. Numbers and names swim before my eyes.
"Second," Sir Marcus continues, "you'll make sure the council chamber doors stay unlocked. My men need easy access."
"And third?"
"Third, when the attack begins, you do nothing. You don't warn anyone. You don't try to help. You just sit there and let it happen." His eyes bore into mine. "Can you do that, Princess? Can you watch your husband die and do nothing to stop it?"
The question hangs in the air. Can I? Could I really sit by while Drakon is murdered?
"I need an answer." Sir Marcus steps closer. "Will you help me? Or will I send that message about your sister?"
Before I can answer, a sound echoes through the hallway. Footsteps. Someone's coming.
Sir Marcus's expression changes instantly. The cruel mask disappears. The friendly knight returns. "Ah, Your Majesty, what a pleasant surprise! I was just reviewing security measures for the upcoming council meeting."
A guard appears in the doorway. "Sir Marcus? Is everything all right? I heard voices."
"Perfectly fine. The queen couldn't sleep and went for a walk. We happened to meet here." Sir Marcus bows to me politely. "I was just escorting her back to her chambers. These old corridors can be confusing at night."
The guard looks suspicious but nods. "Very well."
Sir Marcus takes my arm gently, playing the protective escort. He walks me through the hallways, his grip tight enough to hurt but hidden beneath his sleeve.
When we reach my chambers, he leans close and whispers, "You have until tomorrow night to decide. Help me, or Lily suffers. Think carefully, Princess."
He leaves. I stumble into my room and lock the door.
My mind races. I have to tell Drakon. Have to warn him about the assassins, the attack, everything.
But if I do, Sir Marcus will hurt Lily.
Unless the rescue mission succeeds. Unless Thorne brings Lily back tonight.
I pace until dawn, watching the sky. Waiting for three dragons to appear on the horizon.
They don't come.
As morning light fills my chambers, I face the terrible truth. The rescue failed. Lily is still a prisoner. And I'm still trapped.
A knock makes me jump. Faye enters with breakfast.
"Good morning! Did you" She stops, seeing my face. "Elara, what's wrong? You look like you haven't slept at all."
"I haven't." My voice is hollow.
"The argument with Drakon is really bothering you." Faye sets down the tray. "Maybe you should talk to him. Work things out."
"Maybe." But my mind is elsewhere. If the rescue failed, why? Did they get caught? Is Thorne hurt? Dead?
"Actually, King Drakon sent me with a message." Faye hands me a sealed note. "He wants you to attend the council meeting this afternoon. Your first official duty as queen."
My blood turns to ice. The council meeting. Where nobles and advisors gather. Where Sir Marcus plans to kill everyone.
But that's supposed to be in two nights. Why is there a meeting today?
I break the seal and read Drakon's note:
"Emergency council meeting this afternoon. Border patrol spotted unusual activity near the Southern Kingdom. We need to discuss defensive strategies. Your presence is required. D"
Unusual activity. That must be the rescue team. They were spotted. That's why they didn't return.
I write back quickly: "I'll be there."
Faye takes the note. After she leaves, I sit on my bed, thinking hard.
If Drakon is calling an emergency meeting about border activity, he might mention the rescue mission. He might reveal that he sent dragons south. And if Sir Marcus hears about that, he'll know Drakon and I are working together. He'll know I confessed everything. He'll send the message to hurt Lily.
I have to stop Drakon from saying anything. But how? We're supposed to be fighting. If I suddenly act close to him, everyone will be suspicious.
The afternoon comes too quickly. Servants help me dress in formal clothes. I look like a proper queen. But inside, I'm falling apart.
Guards escort me to the council chamber. It's a large room with a long table. Nobles are already gathering. Humans and magical creatures mixing together. Dragons in human form. Elves with pointed ears. Even a few faeries.
They all bow when I enter. "Your Majesty."
I take my seat at the table, right next to Drakon's empty chair. Thorne sits across from me, his face grim. He looks exhausted. Injured, maybe.
He catches my eye and gives a tiny shake of his head. The rescue failed.
My heart sinks.
Sir Marcus enters and takes a seat near the door. He smiles at me pleasantly. A reminder of his threat.
Drakon arrives last. He sits beside me without looking directly at me. Playing his part.
"Thank you all for coming on short notice," he begins. "We have a serious situation. Last night, our border patrol encountered"
"Your Majesty," I interrupt loudly. "Before you continue, may I speak?"
Everyone turns to look at me. Drakon's expression shows surprise.
"Of course," he says carefully.
I stand, hands shaking. I need to stop him from talking about the rescue. Need to distract everyone.
"I know there's been tension between the king and myself since the wedding," I say, projecting my voice. "And I think it's affecting kingdom business. Before we discuss border issues, I'd like to address our personal problems publicly. So everyone can see we're united."
The nobles murmur. This is incredibly inappropriate. Queens don't air personal issues in council meetings.
But it's working. Drakon can't talk about the border situation now without looking heartless.
"Your Majesty," an elderly dragon noble speaks up. She has silver hair and ancient eyes. "While we appreciate your honesty, this is highly unusual. A queen typically maintains dignity and privacy in such matters."
"I know." I meet her eyes. "But I'm not a typical queen."
The dragon noble studies me intently. Too intently. "No. You're certainly not. You carry yourself like a commoner trying to be noble, not like nobility. It's... refreshing. But also very unusual for a princess."
The room goes silent. Everyone stares at me.
Sir Marcus leans forward, suddenly interested.