Decided to give you guys a break and gave you a short one.

Song Suggestion: Heart of Darkness by Sam Tinnesz

Cal

I look toward him. He sucks in his breath and his mother holds her's. Both seem afraid of what father might say next.

Maven kneels beside Mare, how could they do this?

Then a strong hand on my shoulder. I shake my head dreading the words that come next, "A boy or not, Maven has killed. Together with this-this snake-he has committed grave crimes against his own. Against me, and against you. Against our throne."

"Father-," I protest. "He is your son. There must be another way."

But father's face only hardens, "When you wear my crown you will understand."

No, I think to myself. I can't live without them.

Elara answers my thoughts with a chilling calmness, "Fortunately, that will never happen."

Her words should bring me comfort but something about them only makes my stomach drop.

"What?" father asks, taken back. Suddenly his body stiffens. I don't understand what's going on. "Elara, what are you doing?"

Then father yells, "No!" and he falls to his knees. A moment too late do I realize what's going on. I call to the flames, they flare in my palm but Elara holds a hand in my direction before I make a move.

Not yet, she whispers in my head.

I hear father yell for Arven, a fragment of hope builds in my chest but is quickly extinguished. Arven makes no effort to stop this. For a moment I think Elara has him too. But the way he looks to the queen makes my heart sink.

A horrible realization sets in, "Julian tried to warn me. I thought he was lying about you, about my mother, about what you did to her."

A sickening sound escapes father, "Coriane. Julian knew, Sara knew. You punished her for the truth."

"Elara, you have to get Maven out of here," I hear Mare say. I had almost forgotten she was there. A gleam of worry glass over her eyes but not for herself. "Don't worry about me, just keep him safe," she pleads.

A part of my heart breaks. This whole time she's loved Maven, everything she's done was for him. Every kiss was lie. But then what Elara says brings these thoughts to a standstill.

"Oh, don't fret, little lightening girl. I don't think about you at all. Though your loyalty to my son is quite inspiring. Isn't Maven?"

He responds by whipping his arms from behind his back, the shackles melting from his wrists. Mare catches my eyes and I see something that I don't understand. She then focuses her gaze on my brother.

"Maven?" He turns to look at her.. Mare, still kneeling, looks up to him. "Maven, help me up."

Maven's back is to me so I can't see his face or what he may be thinking. And just when I think he might turn away and walk to his mother's side. To turn his back on all of us. He bends down to take Mare by her elbow and lifts her to her feet. He puts his hand around her shackles and melt the space between her hands so she is not burned.

Relief spreads across Mare's face she smiles and embraces him. He returns the gesture as his mother sneers at his action.

Mare then turns to face me. For a moment I think I see a glint of guilt in her eyes but it dissolves as quick as it appears.

"You never would choose me." It sounds like an realization and a justification. "But Maven always will. Because he is a man of his word. Where as you made me a promise and broke it as you broke my heart. And now no one can save you. Not your grandmother, not your supporters, not your fire. Not even the crown you chose over me."

She then walks with Maven to Elara's side as she forces me to take my father's sword and separate his head from his shoulders. And the last part me dies into a flicker of nothing.

I wake with a start. And quickly move to wipe the tears from my face. Only after do I realize there is no need to. Mare is no longer by my side and I no longer need to attempt to hide the horrors of my nightmares.

It's been a week since Corvium and a week since Mare and I have spoken. She makes every effort to avoid me, there is nothing left to say. On the way back to Piedmont she even elected to take a different plane. Now that Corvium is secure the Scarlet Guard is moving to take Delphi which shouldn't be difficult because Nanabel's House, Lerolan, is the governing seat.

Part of me is still angry with her for making her alliance without consulting me. But what choice do I have? Mare could have chosen me too. This is what I tell myself everyday.

Why must I lose everyone I love?

I look out the narrow window of my room. It's early morning the sun will be up in over an hour. Unable to sleep anymore I get up and decide to go for a run. I still continue running without Mare and I run the same path but it doesn't feel the same.

I make my way to Officer's Row where Mare's house is. The house is dark, no one is up yet. And just before I move on, the front door opens. I quickly manoeuvre behind another house before anyone can spot me.

It's dark enough for me hide in the shadows, but the street lamps allow me to see Mare emerge from the front door. I hold my breath hoping she doesn't see me. The last thing I need is for her think I'm stalking her. As she walks further down the walkway she looks back and I see Kilorn appear from the dark house. With him he carries a backpack. He then turns around and carefully closes the door without a sound.

But why would they be so careful as to not be heard or seen? Why are they up so early before sunrise? Unless they're keeping something from the rest of the family. Not even Farley is with them.

Together they walk down the street and around the corner without a word. Before I lose my nerve, I follow. I'm careful keep my heat from giving me way.

They make their way down to the training area. They make their way into the building, but I hesitate to follow. I often make every effort to avoid this particular building. But eventually my curiosity wins out.

I wait for a solid minute before I approach the door. I take a deep breath before I move to quietly open the door. As I step across the threshold, taking a look back outside to the slowly lightening of the night, I allow the door to close and let the darkness of the building swallow me whole.

Once again if anyone has a song suggestion don't be afraid to review or PM me. Thanks!

I don't own any of the characters and other Red Queen stuff, Victoria Aveyard does.

Next Chapter should be interesting. *winks*

Thank you guys, for even bothering to click on this story.

Stay tuned and Stay Awesome!

Love ya!