by Zizi Cole
We had successfully made it inside and I headed straight toward the queen’s chambers. I had to see for myself that Malina was alright. I had been worried about her since I found her gone. Before I made it to the hallway that her chamber was located in, Raynor stopped me.
“Do you think it’s a good idea to make our presence known right away. What if Satan is watching? He will know, and we will lose our edge.”
Raynor was right. If I stormed in, they would know I was here. It was best if we stayed in the shadows and kept an eye from the distance. We wouldn’t be able to blend in like I did before, since there were fewer people now. We were going to have to stay in stalk mode, staying within the shadows.
Keeping to the shadows, I followed Malina around as much as possible. I felt a little better, knowing there was a guard with her, every waking moment and watching outside her door at night. I would sit in the passageways at night and guard her from the invisible threats of the assassins. I wanted her to know I was there, but I was afraid to let my guard down. If I did, then she would become vulnerable and I couldn’t afford to let that happen.
After being her shadow for a few days, there was an announcement that a duke was at the gates, claiming he was there on the queen’s request. I met with Raynor to find out if this was valid or not.
“What do you think, Raynor?” I paced in a short clip, trying to burn some nervous energy. It had been too quiet and that put me on edge.
“I think you need to stand still, son. I also think that the Duke of Windsor wouldn’t come calling saying it was at Malina’s request, unless he is truly per her request.”
Raynor’s reasoning made sense, but I wasn’t able to settle my mind. I had to see her, talk to her. I shook my head at Raynor. “It doesn’t matter. I need to see her. I’m going to her now.”
He grabbed my shoulder and turned me to face him. “Son, I’m telling you now that you need to stay back and listen to me. I know what I am doing. You know better than this. You aren’t usually this irrational.”
“The woman I love isn’t usually the one involved either.”
“I will stop you if you attempt to go to her. I can’t let you do it.”
“You can try to stop me, but you will fail.”
Raynor threw the first punch, but I had expected it. I blocked it, but didn’t see his other fist coming hard and low. It connected with my stomach, causing me to double over in pain. I recovered quickly, though and threw a few punches, connecting to his jaw.
Before I knew it, we were rolling around on the ground, trading punches like a couple of boys. After we had beat each other thoroughly, the fight ended. We sat on the ground, trying to catch our breath.
“Are you still determined to blow our cover and risk her life by seeing her?” He panted.
“I can’t explain it, but yes. I have to see her.”
“Then go, but I think you are fucking up big time.”
I stood up and made my way to the throne room, where Malina would be sitting with the Duke of Windsor. When I peeked through the curtains of the throne room, it was empty. I frowned. That seemed odd. I thought that was where the meeting was taking place.
I slipped back out the way I came, so no one would see me. When I did see Malina, I followed her and the duke to the king’s old meeting room. I knew there was no way in there. He had blocked off all passages to that that room besides the door, to keep it secure for his planning. He had made several plans that he didn’t want others to know.
I sat, watching, wondering why she didn’t go back into the throne room. I also couldn’t help but wonder where her new guard was. He was supposed to be watching her, but I hadn’t seen him since before the duke was announced. I was determined to figure it out.
Chapter 3- Malina
I was sitting on the throne watching as the Duke of Windsor entered and approached. The castle had been quiet since I had reorganized the guards. I felt like I was being watched, but nothing had come to pass, so I just let it go.
“Jacob, thank you for coming. We have matters that need to be discussed.” I held my hand out and he kissed it.
“Of course, Your Majesty. Anything for you.”
“Please, call me Malina.” I stood. Our conversation would be best had in private, where I knew there were no prying eyes. I led the way to the one room that I knew Luquin would have made sure there was no way for people to spy on the conversations.
We entered the king’s office. I motioned for him to sit and went around the desk to sit across from him. “I want you to know, that everything said in this room, stays in this room. For now.”
He frowned. “Malina, what is going on?”
“I know about your affair with Amelia. I also know that she was with child from it.”
The color drained from his face. “You weren’t even here then, how could you know this?”
I handed him the letter and let him read it. While he was reading, I walked to the window and looked out. I thought I saw a familiar shadow crossing the courtyard. Why would Raynor be here? If Raynor was here, did that mean that Tobias was, too?
“Why didn’t she tell me?” Jacob’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
I turned back to face him. “To protect you. To protect the baby. That was all she wanted.”
“What happened to the child?”
I smiled and walked over to the desk. Leaning against it, I looked down at him. “She’s okay.”
“Where is she?”
“Jacob, listen. She’s safe for now. You have known her all her life, but you wouldn’t have known. Amelia hid her as a servant. The little girl Scarlet.”
His eyes widened, face turning red. “Scarlet? The little girl that Luquin cut the tongue out of?”
I nodded.
“That’s my daughter?” His face went pale. “Luquin was planning on passing her around. There was a lot of interest in her, even without a tongue.”
I nodded again. I hadn’t known about that, but I wasn’t surprised either. Luquin was a sick son of a bitch. “Now, here’s the important part. She’s the real heir to the throne. I am setting things up for her to take my place.”
“What are you saying, Malina?”
“I am not the true queen. Scarlet is. She is the only blood left to take the throne. I am setting things up, so they will be ready for her and I want you to be here to help her out.”
“Okay, I will do everything I can to help. I will call some of my staff over to help rebuild.”
“Thank you, Jacob.”
We walked out of the office, then headed back toward the throne room. I stopped when a chill ran down my back and I turned around. I didn’t see anything, but didn’t think going back to the throne room was a good idea, so I led Jacob to the parlor instead.
As I turned to shut the door, I noticed a shadow move through the hall. I smiled, knowing it was Tobias. He stopped and turned toward me. He walked past me and into the room.
“Are you okay?” He asked softly, obviously ignoring the duke.
“I’m fine, Tobias. We need to talk, but now isn’t the time.”
He nodded.
“First, I’m glad you’re here. I need your help planning on how to get Scarlet back here safely.”
We sat down and began to make plans.
I was finally alone in the parlor with Tobias, I studied him. He looked tired. I approached him and knelt in front of him, my hands on his thighs. Guilt was eating me alive for taking off in the middle of the night.
“I am so sorry, that I took off in the middle of the night. I knew you wouldn’t let me come back.” I prayed he understood.
“You’re right. I wouldn’t have. It was a stupid move. I don’t know what you were thinking.”
“I was thinking of my people. The villagers, Scarlet. I have to do the right thing. It’s part of me. I have been queen here for five years. I can’t let them down now. I have to do my duty and make sure everyone is safe.”
“Did you even once think about the ass
assin that is after you?”
I nodded. I had considered that. “Yes, but Greyson has been standing watch over me. I am safe in his capable hands.”
“No. You will no longer be guarded by just a guard. You are under my protection.”
“I’m sure I will be fine, Tobias.”
He grabbed my face with both hands and slid off the couch, so he was also kneeling. “You don’t get it, do you? It isn’t about someone just watching you. You mean more than that. Someone is trying to kill you and they won’t stop until it’s done. I know who the assassin is. Well, I’ve heard of him, anyway. I have never seen him. He’s elusive. Declan doesn’t even know who he is. I can’t stand the thought of something happening to you.”
“Okay, Tobias. If you want to be my guard, you can. I’m sorry.”
His hands slid off my face and he gently wrapped his arms around my waist and held me tightly. He put his head down near my shoulder and inhaled. My arms snaked around his neck. It felt wonderful to be in his arms, but the feeling was short lived.
The door opened, then Greyson slipped into the room. He froze as he took in Tobias. I pulled out of Tobias’s grip and stood up slowly. I knew it had to look interesting since we had both been kneeling. I honestly didn’t care though. I was tired of caring what people thought of me.
“Greyson, this is my personal bodyguard, Tobias.” I said, staring into Tobias’s eyes. I hoped he wouldn’t be mad that I gave his real name, but I was tired of lying, too.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea, milady? How do you know he will really protect you?” Greyson asked.
“I know he would lay down his life for me. He is the most loyal person I have ever met.”
“If you insist.”
“She does.” Tobias said. “The queen will not go anywhere alone. I will be with her, at all hours of the day and night. The threat against the queen is not something that should be taken lightly.”
“Agreed,” Greyson stepped closer. “How do you know about the threat? Do you know something I don’t?”
“I’m sure I know a lot that you don’t.” Tobias quipped.
I lightly slapped Tobias on the chest to keep him from provoking Greyson further. I wasn’t in the mood for macho games. “Come, we have work to do.”
A crash and rumbling in the castle woke me up. I jumped out of bed and slipped my robe on. I followed the noise and commotion. When I made it downstairs, there was a crowd standing around the doors to the throne room.
Smoke billowed out of the doors. Pushing through the crowd of staff and nobility, I got to the front of the group to see a maid lying on the floor, burned. Glancing around, it looked like a bomb had gone off in the throne room.
Tobias put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed gently. I rested mine on his for a moment, before he pulled his hand away. He knelt beside the maid and checked her pulse. He shook his head. Standing, he stepped over the body and entered the room.
When he came back out, he grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the crowd. When we were alone, he lowered his voice. “There was a tripwire. An explosive was attached to it so if you would have gone in there, you would have been blown to pieces. Why didn’t you go back to the throne room today?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Just didn’t seem like a smart move.”
“Good. You are trusting your instincts. My next question. Where is your guard? And where was he when you had your meeting today?”
“I don’t remember what I had him doing today. I wanted the conversation to be private. I haven’t seen him yet tonight, but it’s a bit crazy.”
He nodded and looked over my shoulders. “As a royal guard, your first duty is to the royal you are protecting. You must be ready at the drop of a hat. You can’t do that if you aren’t around.”
I smiled. “You were my guard.”
“I know,” His eyes clouded over. “I want you to go back to your rooms. I will be there in a minute. I’m going to look around and make sure everything is secure.”
“Okay.”
I began to head back upstairs when one of the guards burst through the door. “Milady, the Pope is demanding entrance.”
“Refuse it, I will be there in a minute.” I rushed upstairs to dress. I didn’t need to have a run in with the Pope in my sleepwear.
Tobias walked in behind me and stared at me in the mirror. I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail. He reached out and carefully wrapped it around until it made a bun. He held it while I put pins in to keep it up.
“Never leave your hair loose or hanging, if there is an impending fight. It can be used as a weapon against you.”
I nodded. Sounded like good advice. I picked up my armor and attempted to put it on. Tobias helped me, fastening it for me. He kissed me gently on the neck once I was ready.
“You look magnificent. I am going to suggest, if we are doing a power play, you need to wear your crown. Not the little thing; the one that shows power.” Picking up my crown, he gently placed it on my head. “Perfect, now let’s go show the Pope who’s in charge here. You won’t see me, I’m going to stay in the shadows, but I’ll be watching everything going on. You will be completely safe. You will also have your guard with you. He should be waiting outside the door. I had him brought to your door.”
We walked out, and I had to calm my nerves before we made it back up to the wall walk. When I looked out at the party the Pope brought with him, it made my stomach drop. Hundreds of guards and soldiers were out there. We were surrounded and outnumbered.
I glanced back at the one of the guards. “Go make sure all entrances are secured. All of them. I don’t want anyone or anything getting in or out, without my knowledge.”
“Aye, milady.”
I looked down as the Pope climbed out of the carriage that he had ridden in. He looked up at me. “Open the doors and let us enter, Malina.”
I clicked my tongue. “Can’t do. Sorry, Your Holiness.”
“I said, open the door. You do not have any authority to keep me out.”
I crossed my arms. “Last I knew, I was coronated as the Queen of Tiven, so I do indeed have the authority.”
“According to our laws, once the blood heir passes, the next of the blood line takes the throne. If there is no heir, then the Pope or the country with most power may take it over. Looks like I am both, Pope and the one with the most power, so open the gates and let me in.”
“Nope. Can’t do it. I am not giving up my position as queen. I suffered for five years with that bastard, now I get my just rewards. I am queen and will remain so, until I say otherwise.”
“You are giving us no other choice, then to wait you out. We have more arms, more force than you. You are surrounded. How long do you think that you can survive without outside resources?”
“Longer than you will out there, with the soldiers heading in this direction.”
He turned and spoke to someone who was still in the carriage. I frowned as I watched the interaction. It seemed peculiar. I recognized the woman that climbed out of the carriage. Pippa.
“Malina, you need to give up and let us in. We know that you are low on resources.” She called up to me.
“Pippa, what are you doing with the Pope?” I frowned.
“You are daft. You never knew I was the one telling Luquin everything. I was pulling all the strings. Luquin was my puppet and did everything I asked. Then once he was killed, which thank you by the way, I needed to report back to John.”
I had suspected her of telling Luquin what was going on, but I hadn’t expected her to be the psycho that was helping them try to kill us. I leaned against the stone wall and tried to look bored.
“You know what they say about karma, don’t you, Pippa? It’s a bitch.” I smiled at her, feeling amusement when her eyes widened.
Then she smiled. “Yeah, I’m not worried about it. I am with the stronger force here. What do you have? A couple guards.”
“Oh honey, you are confused. I meant that it is I that
you should be worried about. Not my guards. And I don’t care how many people you are with. You will get what’s coming to you. I’ll be honest when I say, I’m looking forward to it.” I fingered my blade, which was at my hip. I really wanted to take it out and throw it at her now, but it wouldn’t do me any good.
She climbed back into the carriage and the Pope stared up at me. “May God have mercy on your soul.”
Chapter 4- Tobias
A fter the encounter with the Pope, I knew the situation had gone from bad to worse. I didn’t trust her guard. He seemed to be conveniently not around when shit hit the fan. When I asked about him, he said that Malina had given him the evening off. Last I knew, guards didn’t get time off during crisis, and if this wasn’t a crisis, I didn’t know what was.
Once we were back in Malina’s room, I watched her pace. She had excess energy she needed to burn. I could see the nerves coming off her in waves. This was a difficult situation and she had handled it admirably. I didn’t know any other royal, or human for that matter, that could have stood up to the Pope like she did.
The Pope was a man to be feared. He had power and his God on his side. He wielded that power however he saw fit. That power was rarely used to benefit the people, just to benefit the church and himself.
Suddenly Malina turned and stared at me. “Am I doing the right thing, Tobias?”
“Yes. You are doing what’s best for the people of your kingdom. Remember that. You did wonderful. You made him nervous and he’s second guessing himself.”
“I don’t think he is. He’s going to starve us out. He wants us to suffer, then he will take over and pick up the pieces. We can’t let that happen. What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know, Malina. But we will figure this out. We just have to stay calm and rational. Did you tell me the duke sent for his guards?”
She nodded. “He sent the messenger out after our meeting.”
“Then we just need to wait.”
