Chapter 32

I pressed a hand against my chest to keep the panic at bay. The betrayal I felt was making me lose my grip on reality. How dare he do this? He should not be going in to battle. The Bloody Idiot. We had just been crowned, what was he thinking?

"Your majesty, I profusely apologize but I had direct orders from the king." The valet was wringing his hands and looking at me nervously.

I gave him a scathing look but I knew better than to take my anger out on him.

I took a very deep breath and began to move away from the entrance. I could not stand there and simmer on the fact that I had no idea what Newt was doing or where he was.

The tunnel was lit with torches along the wall. It was bright enough to see but not enough for details. It was colder in the tunnel than it had been outside.

After the stairs, there was a long room with stone benches protruding from the side of the walls. The women of the court had filled them up. As I walked through them, I realized the room branched out into two different halls. The halls were lit as well.

"Your majesty"

It took me a while to realize that someone was attempting to speak to me.

I turned to see Antonietta

"I see you made it and I assume my son is out playing heroics. That dreaded Andros, I knew" Antonietta wrung her hands together "I knew he would do something like this."

"How did you guys make it in here?" I asked. I looked around the shelter; the halls must lead to other tunnels.

"A tunnel under the servants quarters connects to this vault," Antonietta motioned around us "It is much larger than one would think. It was added to the grounds after Galia attempted to overrun us about a hundred years ago."

Our conversation was cut short when we heard someone start to sing.

It was Rosemary.

I had not seen her in what felt like ages. Something seemed different about her but I could not place my finger on what it was.

She was signing in the old tongue. It was probably a good idea to distract and calm the crowd of terrified women and servants.

If I sat down, I would look like a poor ruler and sitting would allow me to think about Newt.

I noticed an older woman was shivering. She wore a cotton nightgown and a fading shawl. Her slippers were thin and stained with more than dirt from the mud outside. She must have been a servant of some sort.

The cape to my dirt stained dress could easily be unfastened. It would be wrong to leave the woman to suffer from the cold at her age.

When I approached her, I noticed that her hazel eyes were almost a mustard color, I had never seen eyes like that.

She looked up at me and smiled. Her aged skin looked strong despite the wrinkling that gave definition to her features.

As I handed her my cape, she caught my hand in hers. I didn't expect the strength of her grip when I tried pulling it back. I looked around frantically for a valet.

"Do not fret your majesty. I want to show you something," I watched her release her hair by taking out a long pin in that was holding her hair, "Make sure you are still your majesty."

She grabbed my cape and laid it flat across her lap. She then turned my hand.

I watched with uneven breathing as she ran her pin up and down the back of my forearm.

"Right there, this is the one,"

In absolute horror, I watched her press the pin into my vein, I hissed in pain as the skin was ripped and blood started to bubble up and drip.

I attempted to pull my hand away. Once again, I looked around but nearly everyone was concentrating on Rosemary's performance.

"Look your majesty, you must watch"

Despite the beating of my heart, I could not help but wonder what she wanted to show me.

Time seemed to slow as the old woman bent her head and sunk her weak teeth into my arm. I felt her suck on the blood as I let out a high-pitched shriek. I pulled my arm as strong as I could, but her grip only tightened.

It was only seconds before valets were able to pull the woman off me. However, those seconds felt like an eternity. I pressed my uninjured hand against my bleeding arm.

I watched as valets dragged the woman toward one of the darker hallways in the vault.

"You taste fresh your majesty! Your blood is clean! You don't taste like the rest of the family! Fresh blood! Fresh!" The old woman shouted as she was taken away, her feet kicking the dirt up and around her.

Burning tears came to my eyes and the deep breaths I was taking did not do much to help me.

I turned away from the silent crowd of women; I could feel their transfixed eyes on my back.

Looking down on my arm, I saw the imprint of the woman's teeth. Blood was still pouring; I pressed my other hand down on it again.

I inhaled deep once again and gritted my teeth. I needed to keep myself together; I needed to be the Queen.

After grimacing to myself, I forcefully turned my body.

"I apologize for the events. Please do not let this add to the stressors of the evening. I assure you, the King will make sure we are all safe. Come morning we will all be able to return to our quarters and the peace we have enjoyed," I faked a reassuring smile, one I doubted they believed "Rosemary, please continue your beautiful signing. We were all certainly enjoying it."

Rosemary, who was still standing in the same spot, gave a hesitant nod and began to sign again, her voice started shaky at first but after a couple of words she was able to regain her composure.

I started to feel lightheaded and I looked for the furthest part of the vault to sit at. I wanted some moments to catch my breath.

At the far of the end of the vault, where it was nearly empty, I found a place and turned my back.

I finally let some tears slip. My arm was still bleeding and the blood had begun to drip through my fingers.

When I felt a hand on my shoulder, I jumped and yelped.

"No need to fear my darling. Its just me."

I recognized Antonietta's voice and turned my head to face her.

"I must say, you handled that rather well, considering they tried to eat you."

I turned my body to face her.

"I simply wanted to give her my cape, I saw she was cold and…I-I was so stupid…I don't know why I let it get that far."

Antonietta took a seat next to me "You're young; you're still trying to win them over. Here give me your arm."

Slowly, I released my forearm and showed her the bleeding member.

"Does it hurt?" She asked, turning my arm to face her.

I shook my head.

"You're still in shock, it will hurt tomorrow. Make sure you don't move."

I watched Antonietta reach and take some of the moss that was growing on the vaults wall. She pressed it tightly on my arm.

"Hold it in place," She said. I did as she asked while Antonietta took out a handkerchief.

Antonietta wrapped it tightly to keep the moss in place. "You see Roan; we decided to grow a special type of moss down here. It helps wounds to close. We figured some of us might come down here injured during an attack. We, however, did not figure that someone might need the moss from an injury caused on the inside"

Antonietta patted my arm and then placed it back in my lap.

"Where did they take the woman?" I asked. I wanted to know what part of the vault to avoid.

"There is a room that was built for….well in case someone died down here…the valets locked her in there. I'll deal with her once we get out of here."

The detail that had gone into the vault verged on the morbid.

"I wouldn't worry too much about what's going outside. Andros does not have enough forces and besides all he is doing is throwing a tantrum. He'll tire soon enough."

I furrowed my brow "How can you be so sure?'

"A queen does not get to my age without knowing their opponents well. Your time will come soon enough. I chose you because I respect your mother and her abilities."

Was that really the reason?

"What do you think she meant that my blood was fresh?"

Antonietta threw her hands in the air "Who knows my dear? It's obviously just the ramblings of a lunatic. I would not pay it more attention."

Antonietta patted my arm one more time before standing. "Why don't you rest here for a bit? I'll come get you and we can entertain the ladies together."

I nodded my head and Antonietta waked away.

Once I was alone once again, I leaned my head against the stone wall. I knew I should have been concentrating on the matters at hand but all I wanted was for Newt to sit by my side and tell me all would be well. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine his voice in my head.

The bloody idiot, why did he have leave me here?

I did not sleep the entire night. Many had finally allowed their eyes to close so when the vault finally opened and allowed dim sun light to stream in, I heard them jolt in fear.

I however had kept my eyes glued to the stairwell. Ready to be freed and ready for the worst.

A knight wearing Brittanicas royal colors came down the stairs.

"Your majesty, King Andros has called a truce, he is at the moment apprehended and it city is secure."

The women behind me exclaimed in joy and clapped their hands in relief.

"I welcome the news and I appreciate what you have done for the kingdom this night. Do you know where I could find my husband?" I asked, taking the steps two at a time eager to leave and chase Newt down.

"I believe he is in the palace entrance. He was speaking with some of the generals"

I quickly thanked the knight and rushed out of the vault. The desperation to find Newt was beginning to cloud my judgement.

It must have rained hard, my steps were being slowed by the heavy mud. My dancing shoes were sucked to the ground with every step I took but I did not care.

I paid little attention to my surroundings as I rushed through the gardens. The air was blowing hard enough to stir up the blooming tree branches and press my skirts against my legs. It did not matter.

It wasn't until I left the gardens and walked the full flank of the west wing before I found movement. Soldiers were shuffling around and moving things into carts. I did not care to look too closely. It would only waste time. And besides everything in sight was soaked.

The smell of morning dew hung heavily in the air. It was barely sunrise but there was more than enough light to get around.

Thankfully, the knights were too busy doing who knows what to notice me. I would have dutifully been escorted back into the palace.

I passed an overturned wagon before I found my target

He had his hands on his hips and was talking to Prince Winston and Minho. Prince Winston was kicking around some gravel and Minho was crouched on the ground. They looked awful. Their clothes were covered in mud and soggy.

I felt a deep anger arise from my stomach. He looked so calm and relaxed, the audacity.

Minho noticed me first.

"Newt someone is here to see you."

Newt spun and I felt like hitting him. Instead, I shoved him.

"How could you do that to me!"

" Roan-"

I shoved him again "No! You don't get to do that! You don't get to push me into a vault and leave! You are king. Other people are supposed to do this! Can you imagine what would happen to me if you died? I'd be all alone and I refuse to be alone! I swear if you scare me like that again-"

I tried shoving Newt again but he caught my wrists and trapped them.

I stared at him with my mouth open and the burning sensation of tears in my eyes.

His hair was wet and there was a smudge of mud on his jaw.

He pulled me closer and I was ready to shout at him again when he...

He kissed me for the first time.

In front of all the soldiers, in front of Minho. Surrounded by mud and drenched from head to toe.

His lips were so soft and I felt a sweet, melting sensation spread from my mouth down to the rest of my body and up again. My knees buckled and I would have collapsed if Newt hadn't been holding on to me. He pulled away to look at me and the need for his lips made reach for his jaw. My fingers tentatively rested on his jaw and I could not build up the courage to kiss him back but when he started to pull away, I lunged forward without hesitation. Newt wrapped his hands around my waist and I spread my hand so I could cradle his face. I kissed him harder than he had kissed me. It felt like my skin was being pulled into him and so many things were bubbling in my chest that I forgot where we were until Prince Winston cleared his throat.

We pulled apart immediately.

The crimson red of embarrassment started to color my neck and face.

I wanted to crawl back and underneath the vault.

I heard Minho snicker but I did not want to see his face. I would die from the mortification.

I couldn't meet Newts eyes, it would be too much.

Why did I do that?! I wanted to die.

"I hate to interrupt your majesties but now that you are both here. I would like to discuss the matter at hand." Prince Winston was fighting to hide a smirk.

I did my best to compose myself, however, I could feel Newt looking at me and the urge to hide was hard to fight.

"My father was acting under some very poor influences and I apologize on his behalf. I did speak with him and he is willing to issue an apology and make reparations. Under one condition."

I bit my lip and narrowed my eyes. Of course, there was always a condition.

"To ensure no retaliation is carried out he would like to create a peace treaty based on…what he deems Britannica respects the most…a marriage bond…between your sister, Princess Rosemary, and…well between the Princess and I."

I finally allowed myself to look at Newt.

"What are your thoughts, your majesty?" Newt asked.

My heart skipped a beat at the notion that Newt valued my opinion.

"I believe it's a reasonable request, however, we would need to speak with your mother. She is entitled to a voice in the matter."

Newt turned to Prince Winston.

"I think we can agree to that arrangement. My mother had mentioned previous interest to me about such a match."

Prince Winston nodded "I will notify my father. We will also leave an emissary to manage the marriage contract. I believe we have definitely overstayed our welcome and its best we take our leave."

"What about your father's man?" I asked, "What is to happen to him? After all that's why we are in this mess."

Prince Winston paused for a moment "My father wanted me to negotiate for his release but I decided he should deal with the consequences of his actions, he will simply have to stay where he is."

"Very well indeed. We thank you Prince Winston for facilitating." I said and bowing my head.

"A pleasure and besides I am used to picking up my father's messes. Now you must excuse me, I bid you a farewell and good fortune."

A part of me did not want the prince to leave. He was a very helpful distraction.

It was not long before Minho acted on his impulses.

"I always knew, I always knew it would be a matter of time before you two shacked up. See dear Roan, since Bohemia, Newt-"

"Minho shouldn't you be helping General Gally with the count of soldiers?" Newt said through gritted teeth.

Minho glared at Newt in aggravation. "You never let me have any fun."

With a loud and exaggerated sigh, the maze guard picked up his sword and walked off.

Leaving Newt and I, alone. Completely alone.

I stared at Newts dirty forehead as I spoke.

"You need to get cleaned up your majesty. You have subjects to reassure."

Newt rolled his eyes "That can wait, come here."

I gasped as Newt pulled me close once again.

He leaned his forehead against mine.

"Have I ever told you I enjoy when you yell at me?" He asked, his lips mere centimeters from mine.

I shook my head.

"I like it because I know I'm the only thing on your mind."

I shuddered at his words and I watched him smirk at me. Happy with my reaction.

Impatience was beginning to make me irritated. I was becoming feverous with want of his lips on mine again.

"Will you stop talking and kiss me again?" I said.

Newt smiled and finally pressed his lips to mine.

I had never in my life kissed anyone so I really did not know what I was doing but I was enjoying myself too much to question if it was being done right or not.

Newt pressed me closer this time, pulling me by my waist, and flush against him.

The feeling of his body against mine made me whimper. It felt so sublime that I started to feel delirious with the want of more.

I entangled my fingers in Newts wet hair as we kissed. I felt him run his tongue on my lower lip and a sound I had never made before escaped my mouth.

Startled, I pulled away and covered my mouth with my blood stained hand.

A confused Newt blinked at me.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what that was."

Newt shook his head "Roan, that's normal. Don't fret..."

Newt trailed off when he saw the dried blood on my hand. His eyes scanned me until he landed on the moss wrapped around my arm.

"What happened?" He looked back up at me.

Concern mixing with anger was starting to shine though his eyes.

"I have quite the story to tell you."

It was not until very late in evening that I was finally able to bathe. Janson said it would be good publicity to look battle worn before the subjects.

Newt gave a censored and diplomatic summary of the events. One to the courtiers and another to the civilians outside the castle walls. I quietly stood next to him. It's not like I had contributed much to the battle so I did not feel I had a right to speak.

After that, the servants struggled to get the Palace back into a running order, there had not been any damage but they had essentially dropped everything and ran. Their routine was bent out of shape.

Once my bath water finally came, I dismissed Sonya. I wanted a moment of quiet and peace. I could manage bathing myself.

The warm water had relaxed my muscles and the tension that had plagued them all day had dissipated.

I tried not to think much about what had transpired between Newt and I. I would combust if I did.

My lips had missed the contact for the rest of the day. However, the day had not allowed any opportunities for a repeat of the morning. Newt was already sleeping so I doubted there would be any more chances.

I couldn't help but wonder what Newt was thinking. Did he….did he now expect…I wanted to know what he expected? If he expected things, things I had never done before…things we should have done but never did….things that scared me out of my sanity.

I submerged myself under the bath water to clear the thoughts from my head.

I needed to be thinking about the kingdom, about the insane woman who had bit and sucked my blood, or how we would break the news to Rosemary.

But instead I was thinking about ways to kiss Newt again.

Full of frustration, I stood from my bath and violently sloshed my way out.

Forcefully, I dried myself off and threw on my night gown. I stomped out of the bathroom as I brushed my hair.

All I needed, was some sleep. After that I would regain my senses.

I blew out the candles in the room and then threw the brush on one of the settees.

As quiet as I could, I climbed in to bed. I did not want to disturb Newt. He needed the sleep more than I did.

However, I failed. In the dark, I felt and heard Newt stir.

The anger I felt towards myself only increased. I had woken Newt up with all my moving about.

"Roan, is that you?"

Who else could it have been?

"Sorry I'll be more quiet." I said, pulling the covers over myself. I had turned my back to Newt. I was too scared to face him.

"I need to tell you something." Newt said, I heard him sit up.

I turned my head towards him. I gripped the sheets and pressed my lips together.

Newt took a deep breath and averted his gaze "The day after the fake crank attack…I… was feeling rather tired ...during the soiree…I came back here to sleep,"

That must have been when I couldn't find him. I'd forgotten to ask him where he was.

"Well, once I got here I think I…fell asleep on the settee and well… I"

I sat up, confused at what Newt was trying to tell me.

"I woke up when I felt…Isabelle had come into the room."

I leaned away from Newt, where was he going with this?

I bit my lip, anger starting to swell in my stomach. I couldn't stand the fact that, that woman had been in my room.

"She came to tell me that, that she knew that Thomas had broken the health code before…"

I felt my blood drain and my body run cold.

"And what else Newt?"

"She…she said that it wasn't fair that…essentially she made an offer to me and when I turned her down she grew irate and threatened to…

Why couldn't he spit it out?

"She threatened to expose Thomas to the health council."

I couldn't stand to sit any longer. I threw the sheets off and stood. I put my hands in my hair, pacing in no particular direction.

"Janson said that he had handled the matter but it seems she cant seem to get it through her thick skull. What did she offer to you?" I asked.

Newt stayed silent for a while.

"Well Newt?" I asked again.

"She offered to take the place…of the royal mistress."

My entire life, I had never really been a jealous person but there was something about Newt that brought it out of me. In an almost feral way.

I let out a frustrated groan "I knew it. I knew she would do something like this. Her engagement is a sham." I threw the covers over and got in bed once again.

"I'll speak to Janson tomorrow. I cannot believe she was in my quarters." I stared angrily at the roof of the canopy bed.

I almost got out of bed again had Newt not pulled me back.

"Love, lets just leave it for the morning we both need to rest."

I let out a sigh and complied. We truly had not slept much.

"Fine but I don't plan on letting it go"

I woke to an empty bed and the sunrays of noon.

I looked at my bitten arm. The teeth marks had faded but the skin that had been pierced was still an angry red.

I put my hand on my forehead, longing for the tranquility of a chicken farm.

It wasn't long before thoughts of Newt began to plague my mind. I ran my fingers over my lips. I attempted to recreate the moment where we had kissed in my mind.

This was unfamiliar territory for me and the sensations pushed my blood pressure to a breaking point. I grabbed the pillow next to me and smothered my teenage like scream into it.

Eventually after wallowing in my own torment. I forced myself out of bed and called for Sonya. Things needed to be done and people needed to be dealt with.

Sonya was making mindless chatter as she dressed me. She told me all about how the capital citizens berated the Aurubians on their way out of the city. How the castle staff did not get any sleep until after midnight.

I was not in the mood to be a great conversationalist.

Once she finished, I headed to the throne room. I figured that's where I could find Janson.

However, I never did make it there.

As I passed through a window, I noticed a carriage arrive.

A particular carriage, with particular colors.

It was the carriage I had arrived in.

He wouldn't have dared.

I swiveled on my heel and almost ran through the halls, only slowing down when I passed courtiers. The staff already thought me odd; it didn't matter if they saw me running.

Once I reached the main hall, I saw the back of Newt. He turned when he saw me and shook his head.

Before the valets could open the doors, I shoved them open.

And there on the bottoms of the steps was my one and only cousin.

Before he could say anything, I was already down the steps.

"What are you doing here Thomas?" I said, grabbing his arm forcefully.

I couldn't help but want to hurt him.

"We received a missive from Janson about the crank attack and decided I was needed here and then we got news on the road about the Aurubians."

Thomas attempted to sound firm but he didn't fool me.

"That's a lie, it takes at least a week to get here." I said, squeezing his arm tighter.

Thomas flinched and pulled his arm from my hand.

"Not through the maze. Its unfrosted now." He said rubbing his arm.

"What about Teresa? Where is she?" I asked, staring my insipid cousin down.

Thomas looked towards the carriage to the deflated form of Teresa. Agnes was staring at me fearfully through the carriage window.

I couldn't help but shove him "Are you an idiot? You have no idea what you've just done."

Thomas flared in anger "I married her didn't I? I did my duty. And besides she didn't want to stay back there either."

Before I could berate my cousin again, I felt Newt pull me back and away. He wrapped his hand around my hips and held me against his side.

Through a smile he chastised me "Love, there are courtiers watching from the windows. You better welcome them before they have more to talk about."

I couldn't help but glare at Thomas one last time.

"This conversation isn't over. I expect a full explanation on how you got here so fast."

Thomas sneered at me "We rode through the night. Now if you excuse me, I better help my wife out of the carriage. At least I know how to play the part."

His thinly veiled insult didn't escape me. I tried to lunge after him but Newt tightened his grip.

I looked up at him resentfully but Newt simply smiled at me and kissed the top of my head.

"We'll sort it out. You'll see" He said against the crown of my head.

"For everyone's sake, I hope you're right."

I am so proud of myself for not taking forever.

I was so surprised by all the reviews! It definitely motivates me to know there are people waiting on me lololol. Thank you so much for the reviews and the support!