Thatcher let out a menacing laugh. “Don’t you get it? I already have your kingdom.”
I moved towards the two of them, but the knife was back in Thatcher’s hand.
“Ah ah,” he warned me. “Not a step closer.”
“Don’t worry, Cai, I’m fine,” my mother said. Thatcher yanked at her hair, and she let out a cry of pain.
“What do you want from me?” I asked in defeat, my eyes never leaving my mother’s pale face.
“Well, let’s see.” He played with the knife in his hands. “Why don’t we start with you admitting that I make a better king than you?”
My breathing was heavy. I felt caught between a rock and a hard place. How could I say out loud the one thing I never wanted to believe but perhaps always secretly did?
“Or how about the Evernean queen who’s probably going to leave you anyway. Do you think you deserve her?” I had once believed I could live up to the man she needed me to be. Now I wasn’t so sure.
“Please just let her go. Do you want me to beg?”
Thatcher toyed with the idea for a quick moment. “Though it might have been fun to see you on your knees, I believe I’m going to enjoy this a lot more.” Before I could move, Thatcher slit my mother’s throat.
I screamed myself awake, my voice raspy.
It wasn’t real. My eyes took in the surroundings of my bedroom.
Except it was.
Thatcher had murdered my family and taken my kingdom from me. And I couldn’t stop him. Sweat coated the skin on my back despite the fact it was winter. I brushed the sheets away from my legs. The room was pitch-black, so I assumed it was still the middle of the night.
I got up from the bed, feeling disoriented. The floor was cold beneath my feet and my stomach twisted with nausea. I’d woken up every night this past week with the exact same dream. And every time I had to watch as Thatcher killed my mother.
I tried to push the image from my mind. I would never see her face again. Never get to hear her laugh or see her smile at me.
My body shook and I was unsure if it was from the cold or the nightmare. Knowing better than to believe I was going to fall back asleep, I decided to put on some clothes.
There was a guard outside my chambers, but he pretended not to see me, and I gave him a grateful smile. I wondered if he’d heard my screaming.
The palace was dark, with only a few lamps here and there to illuminate the hallways. I wasn’t sure exactly where I was going, but it was better than rolling around in my bed. With everyone asleep, it was deathly quiet, and my steps created an annoying pitter-patter on the tiled floor, though I doubted I would wake anyone. I passed a few more guards, standing quietly at their posts as they attempted to remain awake.
I made my way down the main flight of stairs. It was almost eerie to be walking in this place at night. The moonlight shone through the windows of the hallway to the right, illuminating the way. I ventured past the portraits, stopping occasionally to inspect one. After what felt like an hour, I made my way back towards my chambers.
When I passed the study close to Elara’s rooms, light creeping under the door caught my attention.
I listened for who could be inside, but it was quiet.
Who would be in the study at this hour?
I pushed the door open, and Elara looked up with surprise.
“You scared me.” She placed a hand on her chest. “I didn’t think anyone was awake.”
“Nor did I,” I admitted, somewhat sheepishly.
I closed the door behind me and stepped into the room. Elara stood behind a large, dark oak desk with papers strewn from edge to edge.
The entire room was lit with candles, a few of them already burnt out. How long had she been here?
“What are you still doing up?”
“I couldn’t sleep.” She shrugged. “I figured I might as well get some work done.” I watched as Elara tucked a strand of hairbehind her ear. I could almost smell the sweet scent of her hair, remembering kissing her on that sensitive spot beneath her ear.
