Alex’s hurt and anger poured off of her as she whipped back around to face Rivka.
“Do not call me that. Not anymore.”
Rivka didn’t move. Alex could see how her words eviscerated her completely.
“I was never meant to love you, but the fall happened anyway, and now I pay the price of a fool. I was deceived into believing I meant anything to you. I can’t stay here anymore. I can’t be near you right now.”
Alex continued, standing up straighter, locking her arms at her sides. “I’m putting in for a transfer to the recovery battalions. I will stay until I can secure a proper replacement and tie up any tasks that I have. Don’t worry, I won’t neglect my oath-bound duties.”
The words resounded through the room, hollow and empty. The finality in them ripping them apart. Rivka took a step toward her.
“Alex, please, don’t do this.”
Alex took a step away, holding up her hands.
“It has to be this way, Rivka. It was always going to end this way.”
“Why? Why can’t we just work this out? I swear I.. I didn’t mean…I can’t live without you, Alex.” Rivka sobbed, dropping to the floor.
Alex watched her for a moment, holding back the tears that threatened to fall at the sight of Rivka begging her.Her. She was begging for her. It wasn’t real. It couldn’t be; this is just one more facade in her game.
“You should have thought of that before you decided to sleep with Tristan. There is no forgiveness for this.” Alex hated the words she spoke, hated to see her queen on her knees, but she would not be someone's tool, someone’s doormat, not even a queen’s.
Taking in the face of the woman she loved, the woman who kept her world moving, she could only take a deep breath and turn before she lost the ability to do even that. Alex strode away, back into the corridor, not even daring to look at Andrew, as he had undoubtedly heard everything. She kept going, passing door after door, until she was finally outside.
Taking a huge gulp of air, she leaned back against the stone of the palace, staring straight, unseeing. Letting her eyes fall closed, she breathed deep, trying to calm her racing heart. Gods this hurt like hell. Was there a way to recover from this? A single tear traced its way down her cheek. Alex hastily swiped it away, refusing to give in to the looming darkness and pain that threatened. Straightening, she pulled her shoulders back and started walking toward the stables to ensure that their horses were ready for their departure. She would make a point to have Andrew ride with their queen. Alex would ride with the supply wagons and would no longer accompany Rivka on her travels. That assignment would be someone else's now. She was no longer the queen's guard.
Ellis
Ellis hurried back to their bedchamber. Hopefully Rivka was ready to go. They couldn’t stay any longer. She wasn’t safe here, none of them were. Vivian and Luther, spells, it was all too much to comprehend. One moment at a time, he had to focus on the next move and ensuring the safety and security of his family. Racing past Captain Wright, he didn’t even stop to knock. He wasn’t prepared for the ruined face of his queen,leaning against the side of her bed, still in her robe, her unbrushed hair knotted and forgotten.
Ellis knew they had to move but in her state, there was no way they could leave just yet. Approaching her slowly, as you would a wounded animal, Ellis gently knelt before her. His fingers lifted to her cheek, feeling the skin still damp from her tears.
“My dear, what has happened?”
Rivka could barely utter the words. “She’s gone. My Ria, she left me.”
Realization hit Ellis like a bomb. While he was interrogating Tristan, Alex must’ve come back to talk to Rivka.But wait, how could she know?
Enveloping her in his arms, he pulled her into his lap on the floor, as she continued to weep. He would deal with Alex and how she managed to find out later. For now, he needed to tell Rivka about Vivian. They needed to leave this snake pit and get back to their home province.
“Shhhhh, darling. It’ll be alright.” He cooed, stroking her hair.
“No, it won’t.” Rivka hiccuped. “You didn’t see her, El. She was stoic. She said she couldn’t do this anymore. She doesn’t want me anymore.” She murmured the last part, barely a whisper.
Ellis sat quietly rocking her, letting her cry it out. When her sobs subsided again, he brushed the hair back from her face. “Rivka, darling. There is much I need to explain, but not enough time, so you must trust me that my words are true and that I will explain further as soon as we are home.” Rivka looked up at his words and nodded. He knew that she trusted him with her life, with more than her life. He had never and would never let her down, or … leave.
With that, Ellis began speaking, telling her of his pursuit ofTristan, which she tensed at, probably in fear that Ellis would be arrested for murdering the man. She’s really not wrong to think that way; he did have increasingly murderous thoughts when he left their bedchambers this morning. He told her of how he had unexpectedly eavesdropped on a conversation between Tristan and Vivian and his confusion at Tristan’s anger. He spoke of the spell Vivian had berated Luther about, and finally, his oddly illuminating and honest talk with Tristan. There was more he needed to say, more that he left out but the important parts were there. He simply needed her to see the danger they were in and the imminent need to depart.
The look she gave him when he finished was enough of a confirmation. No more tears. Not now. Later, after they were home, more would surface. For now, she needed to be Queen Rivka Varon, not a lover or a friend. Silently, they stood, and Ellis went to her armoire and pulled out her riding clothes. She took them without a word and left to change, while Ellis filled their trunks. They were going home.
Chapter Thirteen
Going Home
Rivka
Leaving the palace was a lot harder than Rivka had anticipated. It seemed like every dignitary was posted along the many corridors and each one demanded a moment of her time. Captain Wright and Captain McConnell did their best to hurry things along but there was only so much that could be done. They were finally able to break free, exiting through the doors that opened to the main carriage area. Their carriages were loaded and waiting for them, just as she knew they would be. Alex may not physically be with them but she would ensure her job was done. Unfortunately for them, they were just in time to be met by Queen Vivian and Luther, who were crossing the courtyard towards them.
