Maven POV
Evangeline requested that she speaks with Mare as soon as possible. I suppose once someone attempts to kill your brother, you'd want to terrorize them in short time.
Or maybe not.
Perhaps, you'd never wish upon seeing your sibling's strived murderer, in fear of them. But, Evangeline is a particularly special case. She is not afraid of Mare Barrow. Never has been, never will be. Mare is simply an obstacle. A Red. A traitor. Not someone to be frightened of. At least that's what my Mother tells me.
Reason Mare, and then forget. She is not worth pondering over. And certainly not of value to been seen as dangerous.
I try to remind myself of those words every time I feel a slight twinge of dread when my intelligence informs me of the Scarlet Guard's newest attacks. How can numpty, irrelevant Reds be such a remarkable nuisance? Probably because us Silvers didn't exterminate them when we had the chance. We've let them run wild like blind sheep. Silvers positively are mindless and yet full of arrogance.
As I straighten my suit, attempting to look presentable, I study myself in the mirror. I hate looking at my reflection. It reminds me of how anguished I am. How much sanity I've truly lost. It's displayed all over my face, for everyone to see. My eyes are bloodshot with dark, disturbing circles outlining just below my bottom lashes to illustrate my lack of sleep. My cheekbones are more potent than ever before, giving a sickening hollow appearance, to represent my un-eating habits. I look...lifeless, to say the least. Never ending days of tormenting whispers from my dead Mother, and constant stress of ruling a country has definitely taken its toll on me. But, I am not the only one who has fallen to madness. Mare wears it plainly, openly. It pains me to see her so broken, like a once free bird that no longer has the ability to fly. Wings that have been plucked viciously for whoever pleases. I accept that I am the one who has done this to her. I am a monster. A malicious beast more than an obscene human. But, I make no apologies. They should have locked me up when they had the chance. Now, they will burn in their mistakes. Death by my own flame.
When I am contempt with my appearance, I haste out of my chamber, eager to watch the conversation between Mare and Evangeline in my own private observatory. Certainly, Evangeline must know that she will not actually be alone with Mare, that eyes are always surveying, even mine. But, I don't think she cares, either. She's used to the constant spying.
The floors of the palace are made of black swirled marble with tiny glints of silver specs incrusted. The hall echoes as I walk, empty and uninviting. Pictures of the Calore colors as well as myself, hold tight in frames of iron among the walls. I did rid of the previous King's images when I was declared as the new King of Norta, Flame of the North. No point in seeing a vivid reminder of the father who never loved me as much as he did Cal. The father who only ever saw me as a shadow, second-best to my brother's flame. What a wretched man he was. Unable to see my worth, and how much of a threat I truly am.
But, I know he does now.
He saw it with his own eyes when I forced Cal to stab a sword through his heart.
When I enter the observatory, techies from the slum sector to which I personally ordered, stand vigilant and wide-eyed as I open the door. As Reds servants, they are not kept informed of what work they will be expected to complete or to whom for, so I imagine the sight of the Nortan King in their presence without warning, is quite shocking.
"Show me, Mare Barrow," I command to no one in particular.
They obey, without thought. The first one to act is a somewhat of a small man, with short brown hair. He runs through camera sectors, stationed at each corner and room of the palace with quick fingers. When he finds the right one, he clicks his tongue in approval.
"Your Majesty." He gestures his hand towards me, indicating for me to come over.
I smile fakely and stride to the cameras, anxious to see Mare.
"Now leave." I bark.
At first, the servants don't move, fueling my annoyance even more. "I said leave!"
The Red rats run faster than actual rats would, swarming from water. The action amuses me. When everyone has left, I make myself comfortable and sit in my chair. Then, I look up at the camera that fixates on Mare's cell. There, she sits quietly, boredom and fatigue make up her face today. She doesn't know that Evangeline is coming. This will surely be an interesting sight to see, indeed.
I wait for a few minutes, scanning the cameras from all different angles, but mostly watching Mare. That is until I see a slight shift in Mare's posture, and a snarl forms on her face. The visitor has arrived. Quickly, I look to the camera that shows the entrance to Mare's cell, and sure enough, Evangeline stands at the door. I can tell she is speaking from the movement of her lips, so I turn the speakers up to a respectable volume.
"Well, what do we have here?" Evangeline mocks.
Mare stands up swiftly, with her hands tightly folded into fists at her sides.
"I have to say, I never thought I would see you this low. Captured by the one enemy you truly hate."
Mare shares a petty smile, even showing some teeth. "Awe that's not true Evangeline. I hate you."
Evangeline laughs, strikingly, then moves closer to where Mare stands in her cell. "So tell me, little lightning girl, how does it feel to be imprisoned by a King?"
"Maven is no King."
"Good. You and I both agree on something." Evangeline smirks.
Sparks of flame ignite from my bracelet, threatening to be let loose.
"What are you doing here, Evangeline?"
"I just wanted to thank you for sparing my brother's life."
I'm surprised Evangeline even took the risk of bringing up Ptolemus at all, let alone set a reminder that Mare let her brother's killer slip away.
Mare scoffs, angrily. "I shouldn't have."
"We made a deal, Barrow." Evangeline hisses.
"And look where it's led me."
"If you put one finger on him, I swear-"
"You swear what, Evangeline? It's not like I have the chance to do anything anytime soon."
Mare's eyes travel to the window I had installed. The meaning is clear enough.
"We'll see about that," Evangeline says almost too quick.
"What do you mean?"
For a brief moment, hope dances throughout Mare's dark, brown eyes.
Evangeline doesn't respond, but instead, puts her index finger on her lips, playfully while smirking.
"If you know something, tell me." Mare pleads.
Evangeline points the camera hanging above Mare's cell. Right at me.
"Not here," is all Evangeline manages to spit out.
What are you hiding?
Mare follows Evangeline's stare, and nods, approvingly.
Before Evangeline leaves, she moves closer to the cell, inches away from Mare's face.
"Oh-and, just because I've negotiated with you, doesn't mean I still won't kill you."
Mare laughs, almost jokingly. "I'm already dead."
She looks straight up at the camera, glaring at me as if she were trying to electrocute me. She knows I'm watching.
I grin, knowing the effect I have on her. The leash remains tight, even if she isn't wearing it.
"Goodbye, Mare."
Then, Evangeline exits, out of sight from the camera.
Anger and curiosity run throughout my mind. Evangeline has no right to be speaking of me so disrespectfully. And what is she planning? To save Mare? No, not possible. No child of Volo Samos will think of doing such a thing. Not unless she gets something in return.
The Samos house may be an alliance I need in order to rule successfully, but that doesn't mean Evangeline is free to do whatever she pleases. I am still the King. She must obey and respect me. To which none she is doing.
That will change very shortly. No matter what I have to do.
