"You do. Did you never think of joining the dark lord?" She asked. "I overhead them trying to recruit you. The serpent mentioned his assignment to me just before he disappeared." I thought about the serpent.
"Work for a supposedly dead king. A king that killed 'hundreds of thousands. A king of dark magic. I rather die."
"Please tell me...you aren't entertaining yourself with the idea that he is not real."
"Where has he been all these years then? The king himself killed him. The dark lord was killed in the Great war. He is not alive." I argued. She just cackled at my argument.
"You can pretend all you want. But he is gathering his forces and he will return." She smirked. Evil kings coming back from the dead...great! That made my day so much better.
"You know that they are watching you." she paused. "They are tracking your every move."
"Who is they?"
"Oh I don't know, the dark lord and the other destined one. Not to mention all their followers."
"Is that a threat?" I snapped.
"No that's a fact." She answered bluffly. "You see there are many rumours about the chosen one's. Some say gold runs through your veins. Others that you can transform into frightening beasts." She stares at me intrigued, I wonder whether she believes those rumours are true. "The dark lord wants you to join our cause. He is powerful and he always gets what he wants. Why not help him? Why doom yourself?"
"Because I will never be like you." I stared. "I don't just think about myself. Rumore can still be saved whether it is against you, the dark lord or the king of Infernum."
"Rumore, all those goodie two shoes kingdoms are finished and whoever says otherwise is fooling themselves. The king of Infernum and the dark lord have already won."
"You're wrong." I paused.
"Many people have stood against the dark lord and one by one, they paid with their lives." She sighed. "All the powerful magic users know it."
"Not all believe it." I argued. "Some still have hope."
"Sorcerers like you?" She cackled, if Eris had lived at the castle, she should have known who Ethel was.
"Like Ethel." I knew instantly that I had struck a nerve.
"A piece of advice," She stood up from her throne. "Ethel is dead and unless you intend on joining her, don't trust her judgement and forget any tasks she sent you on."
That is when there is a bang and that is when I spot Theo, he is standing there with a bow in hand, Cam standing tall and beside him is Leonardo.
"This is when the fun begins." Eris smirks at Leonardo sinnersterly. "Welcome Prince Leonardo." She takes a long look at him, ignoring his dark look. "I was expecting someone much older from your reputation."
"You're uglier than I expected." He fired right back.
"Royal Scum!”
Chapter Thirty- Losing you
Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. I see blood, red like a rose. Drop, drop, drop. Screaming, running and stumbling. Foot after foot. A distant pounding echoes like a drum through dark tunnels. I can hear the heavy footsteps following the girl in the dark. That is when I see the fear spread across her face. Josephine. I see the picture repeatedly. There goes the alarm and sirens.
"Such a pretty thing, too bad I have to run a dagger through her heart." Eris smirked. I am brought out of my trance by the cold metal that kisses my naked throat.
"Eris." He looked at her with opaque eyes.
"Leonardo." She retorted. "So this is the defiant son." She smirked. "This is the greatest warrior in all Rumore." She chuckled to herself.
"The one and only." He responded emotionlessly. It was Leonardo, standing there his blade drew and his eyes on his prey. He stood there in all his perfection and imperfection. "Don't stare too long," he mocked. "Oh, are we going to have a staring competition? Because, just warning you, I always win."
She rolls her eyes and ignores his comment. "I heard you are normally quite charming..." Leonardo glares at her. "Perhaps not right now." She amended. "So you have come to stop me, to kill me, save the kingdom and live happily ever after?" She said sarcastically.
"Something like that." He shrugged. "Now that you have worked out the big picture, let Leila go."
"Or what?" Eris tested.
"Trust me, you don't want to find out." Leonardo threatened. Eris smirked.
"Did I miss anything?" Frederick stepped out from the shadows with a devious smirk. His arms were folded and I watched as his smile widened at the sight of me.
"FREDERICK?!" Leonardo starred in between him and Eris, confused. Oh no. He did not know.
"Oh, she didn't tell you..." Eris sighed maliciously turning to me.
"Tell me what?" Leonardo turned his look to me.
"Well, go on Sweetie...tell him." she sniggered and released me from the binding curse. I could move again. I scrambled to my feet.
"Your cousin-he-he." I could not find the right words. But to be honest there are never the right words to talk about betrayal. I should have told Leonardo before. "Frederick betrayed us all. He helped Eris. He is after your kingdom. He helped her teleport in and out of the grounds." I watched Leonardo's eyes widened and then turned hard like stone.
"Is it true?" Leonardo said in a venom filled tone, when Frederick smirked at him Leonardo's tone became even more dangerous. "TRAITOR!" Leonardo snarled. His dark look shifted from me to Frederick. Frederick just beamed.
"It feels so good to get that in the open. I was beginning to feel a little bit guilty with the lies. But I feel so much better now." Frederick beamed.
Leonardo's eyes flickered to me and I felt a lump in my throat. I should have told him. I should have told him. I should not have kept it from him. I am sorry, I made a mistake. Please just look at me and tell me everything's okay. He is your cousin, he is a royal...I couldn't just accuse him without proof. Who would have believed me? "Leo-" I began hastily but was cut off.
You see, when I was younger I used to fear ghosts and monsters. But as I grew up I realised humans can be far more terrifying. Leonardo lived in a bubble and even though he had seen his fair share of greed and injustice. He did not know the cruelty that I did. He did not know how people could betray you, when you least expect it.
"Wow, this is a big day for the family." Frederick smirked. "Frederick will be the one true king. Let us face it cousin...I am the better choice."
"I looked up to you!" Leonardo scowled.
"Of course you did." he rolled his eyes sarcastically.
"You betrayed us. My father, your uncle! Your own family!" Leonardo was now shouting. His veins were bursting out of his neck and he was staring at Frederick with pure hatred. "You are working for ERIS!"
There was barely a perceptible pause, then "spare me your judgement, cousin." Frederick sighed, pretending to be exhausted.
"There is no way I am going to let you do this, even if I have to kill you myself." Leonardo said in a dangerous tone.
"Is that a threat?" Frederick laughed. "I could fight you blindfolded."
Leonardo reached out his hand and curled his fingers towards himself. "Come and get me."
"I have a better idea." Frederick smirked. "I believe you have all forgotten something." He pulled out from behind the curtain a tied up Josephine. She struggled on the ropes but his grip around her tightened. "Put down your weapons or I will finish her." He insisted. Eris watched curiously.
"You want to be careful, Frederick." Leonardo warned, his voice as steady as a heartbeat. "Very careful."
"Let go of me!" Josephine whined.
"Be quiet." He dug his dagger further into her neck. She squeals.
"That was low, for even a swine like you." I insult him. I notice the fear in Josephine's brown eyes and for once in my life, I really do pity her.
I cannot use magic, not powerful magic anyway. Not when Leonardo is here. Otherwise my secret will be out and I will never go home. "I will deal with you lat-" He never gets to finish his sentence because Eris casts him a dark look.
Eris feared what he might say to me, why?
<
br /> "Drop your weapons." Frederick argued. If we did as he said, we would all die. Theo was surprisingly the first to surrender. Cam followed, then finally Leo and I. "Good." That is when it happened.
Cam snapped his fingers, teleporting himself to the other side of the room and he appeared beside Frederick. They began to wrestle and Josephine was let loose. Frederick managed to free himself quick enough and grab hold of Josephine. But this time he did not wait or threaten. He simply struck her and I watched as the blood oozed out. NO. NO. NO.
Josephine whimpered in pain and fell to the floor. "I always keep my word." Frederick laughed twistedly. "What a waste. Oh well." He sighs looking down at the girl. Leonardo pounced into action and I watched as metal clashed upon metal. Cam, Theo, and I wasted no time on attacking Eris.
Eris sent Cam a blazing fire that rose around him which sent him stumbling backwards with its surging heat. I aimed an arrow and she burnt it to ash before it reached her. Theo shot the second but it was destroyed in seconds. Whilst she was distracted, I managed to fight her charm on Cam with my own discreetly. The flames were silenced. I rolled over to avoid the deadly charm she sent my way. Theo took cover as well. Cam managed to land a small charm that caught her off guard but she barely had a scratch.
"Fools! Neandertals! Befoons!" She insulted them and I watched a mighty wave of power throw both Cam and Theo flying backwards. They went full force into a wall and with a thud they landed on the floor. They were knocked out cold.
I looked around to see Leonardo. We were the only one's left standing. That is when I saw Josephine crumpled and a puddle of blood was slowly making its way down the steps. I made my way over to her.
"L-leila..." She cried. "He tricked me into a prison cell..." Her lower lip was trembling and she was in a state of trance.
"How did he trick you?" I whispered. That is why Eris wanted Frederick out of the room and that was what he was doing this whole time, hunting down my friends. Anger flashed through me.
"H-he said go into the prison cell." She paused. "And I fell for it!" She winced in pain. How was that even a trick? I have met blocks of wood that are smarter than her.
"DON'T MOVE." I break a strand of her dress off and wrap the strand of cloth around her wound. "Apply pressure to stop the bleeding." I instructed her. She looked nauseous, her face changed to a shade of vile green.
"I can't." She squealed, looking down at the blood.
"You will!" I say with far more strength and anger than I had intended. "GOD DAMN IT! Stop being such a damsel in distress and save yourself for once!" I argue and leave her with no other options.
"I was always better at footwork." Frederick gloated. Leonardo was close to the back wall now. Leonardo attempted to advance but Eris sent a fire his way. I used my own charm to counter the vicious fire Eris had sent. Leonardo strikes Frederick's shoulder but Frederick blocks the sword from going any deeper. A howl of pain is let loose. I send two arrows in Eris direction, the arrows do not even get close.
Eri's eyes darkened and she cast a spell that sent Leonardo flying back. He falls hard on the floor but he is still conscious. He rubs his head to clear the grogginess. I sent an arrow in Fredericks direction and then shortly after to Eris. Both deflect them. I need to use my powers.
Frederick pushes his foot up from the pavement and kicks Leonardo in the face. My heart is pounding, like a drum of war. I had enough, I went straight for Frederick. I sent him a terrible torturing spell. "I bet you can feel it, can't you? The agony? The pain." I say as calmly as possible. He shouts out. "I bet you can feel your blood boiling and your flesh burning..." I sigh.
"Please, please." Frederick rolls over and whines in pain. All his arrogance has vanished. He is no longer laughing. He is in agony. For a second I thought I lost control and that I would not stop. Frederick did not deserve to die at my hands, somebody else deserved the honour of dealing with this traitor. I snapped my fingers and his body slumped to the ground unconscious.
There was nothing but silence. I stared around to find Eris staring at me. Slow claps filled the room and it echoed her and there. "I am impressed, even with the extra strength and protection I bestowed on Frederick, you destroyed him without a struggle. Truly impressive." I ignored her praise. No wonder Leonardo did not defeat Frederick, he had been cheating. He had been given special supernatural combat powers by Eris.
"Leonardo." I whispered. The voice brought him back to consciousness.
"Leila?" He stared at me and then behind me to Eris. I help him to his feet. "What happened to Frederick?" Before I can produce some explanation Eris speaks.
"Hmm...The plan was good, threaten you with a loved one. Frederick had a good idea however he made one fatal mistake. You are not in love with Josephine. You love her." She glances at me.
Every muscle in my entire body tensed. I felt like I was about to explode.I felt the tension in the room. I could not move. I could not even breathe. Eris mutters a jumble of words, from a foreign tongue and I before I can stop the charm, it is already cast.
A shimmering veil, an invisible wall between her side and ours.The only reason I could see it was from the way the light kissed the wall. She could not reach us and we could not reach her. "Don't be ridiculous." Leonardo spat. It was like a dagger going into my heart.
"Don't deny what is plain for me to see," She threatened. Anger cracked across Eris's face like lightning. "You love her.." Leonardo strode towards her with a fierce anger and once he hit the barrier, he was sent backwards.
Eris ignores his attempt to make it through the barrier. "But Leila never trusted wealthy or beautiful boys and that is why she hated you when she met you." Eris smiled amused.
"Whereas you had never been addressed in the way she addressed you. She was stubborn and she was not afraid to say what she thought and it caught you off guard. You were sick of normal girls. But she is different. You are both different. There is nothing to be ashamed of. " She gazed upon me. "Tell me, was it love at first sight?" She questioned. "Was there always a feeling beneath the fights?"
"ENOUGH." I attempt to silence her. I watch as Leonardo throws her a look, a 'Stop. Now that you have had your fun.' look.
"This is absurd. She is a servant." It was like a punch to my abdomen. Leonardo would not look at me, his eyes were focused on Eris. "She is not even an option."
"You think that her position or social caste has anything to do with it?" She chuckles. "Love is not controllable. It's a mess. It is chaos because you can not pick who you fall for. It is unpredictable and deeper than any ocean. You lose the ability to see clearly, you lose any defense that you once had in your heart and you cannot think of anything or anyone, then them. You can't imagine life without them. The single thought of them in someone else's arms kills you."
"It's surprising how obsessed you are with mortals emotions, when you don't have any of your own." Leonardo mutters. Eris simply scowls at him.
"It must be the worst feeling...looking into each other's eyes and knowing you both love each other...but you can't ever be together." She sighs smugly. "It must feel like there's a million miles between you two even though you stand beside one another. It must feel like hell."
"I don't feel anything for her." Leonardo repeats the same sentence again. But it feels more like he is trying to convince himself than Eris.
"I dare for you too look at her, stare at her right in the eyes and tell her you feel nothing." Eris challenged.
"No. What does that prove?" He complained and I could feel the agitation in his voice.
"Do it. Or let your dear fiance bleed to death." I look to find Josephine passed out on the steps and the bleeding has gotten far worse. She must have fainted from the pain. Frederick has finally gained consciousness, he is standing above her body, smiling. My vision. Josephine was the body.
I cursed under my breath. "Afterall forbidden love is the one that never dies, does the deepest damage and is the most powerful." Frederick adds.
Leonardo finally t
urns towards me. His big blue eyes bore into mine. He seems different, distant. He is looking at me and I cannot even feel my pulse. I don't just feel butterflies...I feel the entire forest and the creatures that lurk in it.
I had hated this boy. I had hated him. He was a noble, a prince. None of this was okay...I could not be in love with a prince. I hated myself but I hated my heart. I could not control who I love or don't. Eris was right. I just didn't understand- how did we get here?
"I feel nothing." He said and like that connection broke. He constantly stares back at Eris. She just flashes us both a wild grin and turns to Josephine. I watch as the blood from the steps begins to go back, traveling up her arm, down her chest back to the wound. Other droplets, hover their way back to the stab wound and watch as she heals.
The Golden Year and the Sorceress Page 28
