Author's Note
Whoohoo! Getting hyped! Enjoy the chapter!
Three days.
That's how long I've been given to make my decision, and that's how long has passed. The days have been as routinely as ever- nothing has changed. I'm woken up by the guards as they noisily change posts, only entering to see for themselves that I'm still alive. Breakfast comes with them- usually a hot meal- and them I'm left alone, as soon as they take away the trays and forks and spoons- anything that could be used as a weapon. I pass time by staring out the thin window above my bed, having to stand on my tips of my toes to see the impressive courtyard below. Lunch, then dinner, then sleep. A boring day, but at least I'm alive. and I keep from thinking about his offer, childish as that might seem, and instead try to piece together an alternative, trying to find some way out.
Manipulation is the first to cross my mind, so I run possible conversations through my head, thinking of phrases that'll hurt him- make him change his mind. The more confidence I build, the more paranoia I feel. What if something doesn't go according to plan?
I have no doubt that he would extend my time to think- whatever the reason I only have three days, it must be important.
I meditate on it, for the short time I could stay still, but my brain just draws blanks, leaving me more frustrated then before.
Cal or the Scarlet Guard?
Cal or the Newbloods?
Guilt washes through me as I think for a split second that I would let all my friends die to keep Cal from Maven, subject to whatever punishment the king sees fit. No doubt they'd interrogate him first- a ruthless Merandus whisper that would pry apart his mind. With him being the crutch and the coleader of many of the operations I've been a part of, he certainly knows some things that will damage the rebellion to the point where it's too weak to fit.
The irritation makes me throw my cup as hard as I can with a disgruntled roar. The water splashes onto the floor as the cup makes content with the door. I throw myself onto my cot- the anger made me lose my appetite- and squinch my eyes shut, hoping that when I wake up, I'll be next to Cal back in the Notch where everything was okay. Well, as okay as it could be.
But when I open my eyes, I'm still in the castle cell, surrounded by gray. A ruckus starts outside, or at least what I've come to think as one. On very few occasions do I hear voices outside the door, muffled by the thick door, and I always desperately try to make out what they're saying.
Not once has it been about anything useful- usually just the occasional small talk or, in some cases, heated arguments as my guards get cranky from being in the dungeon for so long.
So, I don't expect for the door to open, but it does anyway. I expect it to be Maven, although I assumed he would come back as late as he did before, and I muster the meanest glare I can. But, Maven isn't who's waiting on me outside the door, but instead Evangeline.
Beside her is a Silver woman with hair so light it's close to Evangeline's silver, just barely retaining blonde color. But, in no way does she look old, with flawless pale skin and sharp green eyes. She stays as far away from Evangeline as possible, her eyes carefully skirting back to her. For a moment, I think it's out of fear, but then I recognize it as disgust. She probably hates Evangeline more than I, for whatever, but is smart enough to hide it under a mask of respect.
Two of the guards rush in, both of House Iral, yanking me to my feet, keeping me within their firm grip. Evangeline smirks at my appearance, stepping out the way so the guards can hold me at the threshold.
"What do you want?" I snarl, but she doesn't answer, only looking at me with those piercing eyes. Instead, she turns to her companion, who tries to hide a flinch.
"Lady Ivana." Evangeline says, tone sharp and commanding, although it doesn't need to be. Anyone would follow her orders, no matter how soft spoken, because she has the power to punish those who don't.
Ivana nods, her eyes turning to me with an intensity only an Arven can hold. I was hoping that Evangeline would think that Strongarms would be enough to keep me in check, but I should've known better. Evangeline is smug, but not stupid. If given the opportunity, I would fry my captors to bits.
When the silencer gives Evangeline a firm nod, Evangeline waves her hand, dismissing the strongarms, who are more than eager to get their hands off me. In their place, Ivana clamps her hand on my wrists, shuddering at the contact. I have only showered once since arriving here- I can't force myself to suffer in the cold water again.
Evangeline walks ahead of us, her black cape trailing behind her. Unable to resist the urge, I lunge forward, taking Ivana in surprise, and land my foot on the cape's end. Evangeline falls with as much grace as any person could, stumbling over her heels trying to keep her balance. She fails. I stifle a laugh as she falls on the floor with a thud, but is immediately back on her feet. Her gaze is as piercing as the metal shards that make her outfit shine, and suddenly, twenty of them swarm around her.
"Evangeline!" Ivana barks, not flinching when Evangeline's gaze turns on her. All the respect she had for the future queen has completely disappears. The metal shards drop onto the floor, clattering around our feet as the Ivana aims her ability at Evangeline, stopping the attack before it starts.
"The king has requested her alive." She finishes, and Evangeline turns her gaze back to me. I smirk as she fumes, and Ivana watches with quiet annoyance.
"I apologize, Lady Ivana." Evangeline growls through gritted teeth. "But if you dare to cancel my ability again, you'll be her roommate." She gestures towards me, then spins around. I notice with pride that the back of her dress is caked with dirt.
I am lead out dungeon, finding myself in an unfamiliar part of the castle. I was unconscious on my way here, given no chance to get my bearings. Like the rest of the castle, polished white marble cool my bare feet, a trail of dust left in my wake. I'm silent as I take in my bearings, mapping out the area. I don't have time to look at the intriguing handiwork of the walkways we go through. Occasionally, I would look ahead, reveling in Evangeline's shortcoming.
The happiness doesn't last long.
It occurs to me that wherever I'm going, Maven's going to be there. It can't be a coincidence that Evangeline decided to drop by on my deadline. Besides, if she were here on her own accord, it would probably to kill me. The thought makes me slow down, and a drag my feet, stalling as much as possible.
Evangeline notices us lagging behind. "Hurry up!" She snaps at Ivana, who frowns and yanks me forward. She's strong, or maybe I'm just weak.
I'm forced to keep up now, lest I want to trip. At our hurried pace, we arrive way sooner than I would have liked. Sentinels line a large wooden door, each of them wielding the colors of House Calore, indication enough that we've arrived. They make way for Evangeline, who pushes the door open loudly, clearly announcing her presence.
Rows of bookshelves line the walls, the marble turning into soft carpet. Near the back of the room, Maven sits at a desk, focused on a piece of parchment in front of him. He only acknowledges our presence with a curt nod, before waving his hand dismissively, signifying for everyone to leave. Everyone except me.
Evangeline, obviously furious at being dismissed as if she were a servant, stays put, motioning for Ivana to do the same. She pulls out four black metal bracelets each adorned with four pieces of stone with gleaming rubies, out of a well-hidden pocket in the side of her dress, an angry blush settling on her cheeks.
"If I may suggest something," she hisses, her words dripping with hatred," I would advise you to use these."
Maven looks up at her, eyeing the bracelets, before letting out an annoyed sigh. "Go ahead and put them on, then."
Evangeline widens the bracelet, willing it to slip onto my wrist. The moment it's there, it tightens until it's almost uncomfortable. After my arms, she opens the two other braces, floating it to my ankle from a distance, clamping it shut. She doesn't want to be close to me. Smart. As soon as all of the bracelets are on, I feel the sickening feeling I was hoping to relieve.
Under the gemstones, Silent Stone pulses its silence towards me.
Maven watches her until she's turning to go out the door, quickly so she may not be embarrassed by the King of her unsightly dress. It's too late, though. The moment Ivana closes the door behind them, Maven's eyes move to me.
"You did that?" He asks, though it sounds more like a statement. There's no need for me to answer. He motions for me to sit down in front of him, and for a moment, I don't move. Then, as if by an invisible force, I cautiously walk towards him.
The chestnut bookshelves loom over me, the dark paneled walls adorned with paintings. Looking behind me, I see two large paintings on either side of the door.
One of Elara, one of Tiberias (the seven millionth for all I care). Both of their faces are darkened by a thin black cloth draped over the canvas- a sign of mourning.
I stiffly sit down in the plush chair facing his desk. The moment I do, he sets down his pen, giving me his full attention.
He looks me up and down, frowning. "You haven't showered."
I shake my head as a response. His frown deepens, before he reaches into a drawer, pulling out a new book. He slides it in my direction, but I don't move to touch it.
"From Julian." He explains. "He dedicated it to you- don't know when he had the time to do it."
He watches me as I open the book cover, and, sure enough, my name is written in Julian's handwriting.
To Mare Barrow, friend and student both
I hug the book to my chest, before looking back at Maven. "Why'd you keep it?" I ask- what is this? Something to make me like him better so I'll comply to his demands?
"I found it yesterday. I was going to burn it." He says with a casual shrug. "But, I figured you would want it. I don't want you being driven insane- lots of inmates meet that fate. You're more high maintenance than I would like."
"I'd stop being a burden if you let me walk out this castle alive."
"The benefits you give far outweigh what you cost." He replies, resting his chin in the palm of his hand. "Which reminds me, have you finished thinking yet?"
Stall him with questions, Mare. Stall him.
"Why so soon? Why not come again during the middle of the night?" I ask. His eyebrow quirks, but he doesn't push the question.
"Nothing dramatic that I suppose you're thinking of- or hoping for. I have a council meeting that I almost forgot about. My whole schedule was pushed forward. Your hearing's been moved to tomorrow."
"Hearing?" I question. "I'm going on trial?"
"It's more of a formality than anything that would affect my plans. The way you're presented depends on what your decision is."
My decision. I hope I don't have to make one.
"What do you want with him?" I ask, my tone as desperate as feel. I need him to empathize with me- to see the old me and falter.
"You want me to tell you?" He scoffs. "And let you use up one of your miracles to get out of it?"
He looks at my face, and his scowl turns into a smirk. "But, if you must know, I'll tell you. I'm thinking of subjecting him to intense torture, before I burn him alive before every single Silver in the country, recording it and handing it to your Scarlet Guard. I'm going to collect the bones that are left and give them to you in a bag. I'm sure you'd want his remains since you love him so, so much."
"You're messing with me." I snarl, and he shrugs.
"More or less. So, what'd you say? Death for everyone or the unknown for Cal?"
"I'll help you find him." I say, making sure to seem near tears as I stutter on every word. While he was letting his jealously get ahold of him, I weighed the situation, something I didn't think to do until then.
If I find Cal, I can warn him.
Author's Note
The bracelets are another thing from King's Cage. Again, many similarities will be found if you look close enough. 'Til next time!