Frowning K hesitated, “Can they hear through the barrier?”
“A little when you are this close,” Marko confessed. Raising his arm he pushed it through the barrier causing it to crackle and pop. “But the electricity muffles sound, so you would have to be yelling very loudly over there for them be able to hear what was said.” Grinning once again he looked down at K. “So it looks like you won’t need to kill anyone today.”
“Don’t count on it,” K mumbled, without returning his gaze.
Choosing to ignore that statement, Marko pushed the rest of his body through the barrier, then stuck his hand back inside to help K. Looking unsure, K took his hand and reluctantly allowed him to guide her through, appearing somewhat relieved when she made it through to the other side unscathed. Releasing Marko’s hand, she then turned back to look at the room that had served as her prison for these last few weeks. She stood silent for a few moments, her gaze distant, then suddenly without warning, turned and headed down the hall. Marko let her lead the way, knowing she knew how to navigate her way around the castle just as well as, if not better than him, and together they wove their way silently through the empty halls, with the guards following a safe distance behind.
“Tell me something,” she said suddenly as they rounded a corner, “You have the rare gift that allows you to manipulate electricity, am I correct?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Then why didn’t you attempt to use your power against me back there?”
Marko shrugged. “I didn’t see the point. It wasn’t like it was going to do anything other than piss you off. Besides, I never really felt my life was in danger.” Pausing he looked her direction. “Or was I wrong in my assumption?”
“No.” K replied casually. Smirking she met his gaze, “But I will admit your blood has quiet an intriguing taste and would have done wonders to take the edge off my hunger.”
“Uhhh… good to know.” Marko remarked, smiling back nervously.
They continued on in silence and a few sharp turns later found themselves at the foot of a curving staircase. Together they all ascended the wide steps. Exiting on the third floor, they came face to face with the massive wooden doors of the throne room. Upon site of her destination, K’s emotionless mask immediately descended, locking her into that stoic expression she was so well known for. Marko paused, giving her a moment to mentally prepare herself for what awaited her on the other side and it wasn’t until she signaled him that she was ready, that he motioned for the guards on either side of the doors to open them.
Idle chatter spilled from the room, disrupting the stark silence of the hallway and causing K to grimace. Stepping back, she turned her head to the side and closed her eyes, attempting to adapt to the abrupt change after weeks of solitude.
“Are you all right?” Marko asked, while allowing her the space and time she needed. Shaking her head slightly, K remained silent, breathing through the tightness that had formed in her chest. Finally after a few moments, she released a ragged breath and stepped forward over the threshold. Marko fell into step beside her, and side by side, they strolled into the room, leaving the others waiting outside. They continued in silence, until half-way into the room, the loud boom of the gigantic doors closing and the distinct click of the lock engaging behind them, captured the attention of the chattering crowd and put an end to their conversations.
“This room reeks of fear and hatred.” K mumbled, ignoring sideways glances and hushed whispers, she passed through the narrow entryway and into the towering circular room. She continued past the massive golden columns that encased the main section of the room, and halted in the center of the ruby and gold encrusted star that embedded the floor beneath her feet. Each of the seven points of the star aligned perfectly with one of the massive columns, each one adorned with a banner representing one of the seven races. Overhead a domed skylight lit the entire room, its mid-morning rays reflecting off the stones and gold flakes of the star, creating the illusion of a fire burning below her bare feet. Behind them, the now hushed occupants of the room took their respective positions beneath their assigned columns while K silently glowered at the members of the Council who would serve as her judges and executioners. She took her time, studying each of them closely. However, when her gaze fell lastly upon Cato, K narrowed her eyes. “Control is definitely going to be an issue.”
Marko frowned, watching as the elderly Seer smirked confidently in K’s direction. As much as he wanted to utter words of reassurance to K, telling her that everything would be all right and the trial would be fair and just, he chose instead to keep quiet. Because as much as he would love to believe his king had the control to keep this trial honorable, looking at the faces of several members of the Council now, he knew deep down in his soul that any words of comfort he could offer her, would most likely be just that, empty words. Instead he turned his attention to the members of various races that now surrounded them on all sides. Their presence, although meant to assure the one on trial that the process would be just, only added to the impending doom that hung heavily in the air around them. There was two of each race, each hand chosen by their Immortal ruler for their loyalty and dedication to their ruler, to bear witness to the events that would unfold within the closed confines of this room. It was their job to take in all the information offered, listen open mindedly to both sides of the accusation, and then, at the end of the trial, cast their vote on whether K was innocent or guilty of the charges she had been accused.
“There is only one Elemental.” K’s words broke into Marko’s thoughts snapping him back to reality. Glancing over his shoulder to the column bearing the Elemental banner, he spotted Hilda, the water Elemental in charge of managing the country’s resources. The blond haired beauty stood proudly, dressed in her modest work attire, with her hands clasped tightly together in front of her, eagerly ready to do her civic duty and make her king proud.
“Is it safe for me to assume you are to be the second?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Marko watched as K’s brow furrowed almost inconceivably as she ran her tongue over her teeth beneath closed lips. Swallowing hard, Marko turned his attention back to the front, and once the last of the witnesses had taken their place, he then stepped forward and dropped into a low bow. “My lords, and my ladies, I Marko, Commander of Lanoria’s armed forces and advisor to his majesty Lord Mallok, humbly present to you K, Immortal ruler of Vanteria.”
Steady gazes and flat expressions fell upon the pair of them as Marko rose from his bow. Beside him, K stood proud and tall, maintaining an air of dignity as the room around them pulsated with a mixture of fear and anger.
“Thank you, Marko.” Mallok acknowledged. “Were there any issues?”
“No, my lord.” Marko lied.
Mallok narrowed his gaze, studying his expression intensely while Marko silently waited. Finally after a few moments, Mallok dismissed him, “Then once again I thank you for your service and ask that you take your place by Hilda.”
“Yes your majesty.” He recited, bowing slightly. Turning his back to K, he left her side and was half way to his place, when K’s monotone voice infiltrated his mind. Remember your promise to me, Marko. And know I will not hesitate to kill you in front of all these witnesses should you choose to betray me.
Taken aback by the clarity of the voice, Marko spun around certain K would be standing behind him, whispering in his ear. However, he was shocked to find K still standing where he had left her, eyes still trained on the table of Immortals before her. And my revenge will not stop with you dear boy. Marko flinched as her voice filled his mind once again. For once I have finished draining you of every last drop of blood in your body, take comfort in knowing you will not be alone. Because once I am free of this sham of a trial, know your father will swiftly join you for his own betrayal. The cool laid back manner in which she had delivered her threat and invaded the privacy of his mind, left him at a loss. Then, as if her threats hadn’t been enough to
reinforce her will, suddenly K filled his mind with images of his and his father’s deaths. He watched terrified as K sunk her teeth deep into each of their necks and helpless to stop her as she pulled every last drop of their life from their bodies before tossing them to the ground like discarded scraps. Drenched in a cold sweat, Marko suddenly became light headed.
“Marko, are you all right?” Mallok’s voice called, breaking through the nightmare. And though he heard the words spoken by his king and could hear the concern in his tone, Marko once again found himself unable to move or respond. Instead he stared mute, with widened eyes locked on K, as she continued to ignore his terrified stare.
“Marko!” Mallok shouted. His voice echoed off the stone walls, snapping him from his trance. With languid movement, he turned to face his king as he repeated his question. “Marko, is something wrong? You look… unsettled.”
Two seats down from Mallok, Brink’s laughter cracked through the silence of the room. “Did you honestly expect to send a mouse into a viper’s den and expect it to come out any way other than ‘unsettled’?” He emphasized the final word by making air quotes with his fingers as he flopped back into his chair. “Just be happy he’s functional at all.”
Mallok glared at the boisterous Jumper. But Marko could not bring himself to confront the prodding. Instead he returned his gaze to K’s serene form and shook his head, and with a trembling voice answered, “N-no my lord, everything is f-fine.”
Concern etched his features as Mallok softened his tone, “Be honest with me son. If she has said or done something threatening toward you, now is the time to speak up.” Then narrowing his gaze he addressed K, “Surely you aren’t foolish enough to dish out empty threats while standing before the Council charged with treason and attempted murder.”
Cocking an eyebrow, K returned Mallok’s glare with smirk. “Now, now Mallok. You know me well enough to know that if I threaten someone, it is with the full intention of following through. I do not dish out empty threats.”
“So, you did threaten him?”
“I never said that.” Crossing her arms, K’s cocky smirk spread as she relaxed her stance. “All I said was that ‘if” I did threaten him, it wouldn’t be empty.”
With a frustrated grunt, Mallok ran his hand down his face before turning his attention back to Marko. “This is your last chance, Marko. Is there anything you need to tell me?”
“No sir.”
“Fine. Take your place and let us get this started, because if this trial goes anything like this conversation just went, we could be here for a while.”
With a weak nod, Marko joined Hilda, who eyed him suspiciously as he fell into place beside her. Luckily she didn’t say anything as they, along with the other ten witnesses, turned to face the Council. However, there was one banner, far across the room, that remained barren. Daring a glance in the direction of the empty column, Marko stared up at the silver banner baring the crimson drop meant for the representatives of Vanteria. His brows knitted as he pondered the morality of holding a trial for the ruler of Vanteria without the presence of Vanterian witnesses, but before he could allow his mind to delve too deep into the matter, Elymas’s booming voice snapped him back to the events unfolding in the room before him.
“Witnesses listen up,” he bellowed, raising from his chair, “I am going to go over what will be expected of all of you during the course of this trial, so I suggest you pay attention.” Marko did his best to listen, and while he did get the overall gist of what was going to happen over the next few days or weeks, his mind mainly wandered over the visions K had showed him of his and his father’s deaths, and before he knew it Elymas’s speech was over and he was resuming his seat.
Praying his lack of attention didn’t come back to haunt him later, Marko cleared his mind and watched as Cato rose from his seat next. Smirking down at K from his pointy nose, he addressed her. “Now, as per the laws of this Council, I demand you drop your mask and stand before us in your true form.”
K’s relaxed stance immediately tensed. “No,” she growled, glowering at Cato.
Cato, seemingly expecting her refusal, grinned wide, “Do it voluntarily, or we will do it forcefully.”
“Try. It.” K challenged, smirking back at Cato.
“K, it’s just a mask, what is the big deal?” Mallok sighed.
“No, Mallok, it’s much more than that and you know it.” Glaring she faced the six of them, standing tall in her defiance, “So no, I repeat. No, I will not remove my mask and stand here before you stripped down, so you can stare at my true form and my scars with pity in your eyes while you convince yourselves you are doing me a favor by putting me out of my misery.”
“Why you insolate…” Cato stammered, angered by her defiance. Turning bright red, he slammed his hand on the table. “Shall we add dereliction to your list of grievances then?”
“You might as well, I don’t suppose it will worsen the sentence the lot of you have already decided upon.”
“And what is that supposed to mean?” Elymas challenged.
Turning to face him, K’s expression became very serious, “It means that this whole trial is nothing more than a farce. That my fate was decided decades ago, and that this…” She paused, spanning her arms wide, “Is nothing more than a spectacle, meant to make you all feel better about what you are about to do.”
“And what is it you think we are going to do to you?” Mallok interrupted, pausing as her angst filled glare fell upon him. “If you don’t mind me asking.”
“What this Council has wanted to do to me for centuries, but never could find a means to justify.” Pausing, she closed her eyes, trying to breathe through her building anger and the pain radiating back to her from Citera. Once she had regained control and locked down her emotions, K straightened her shoulders.
Watching her struggle, Mallok spoke up again, “K, I can guess what it is you are thinking and can assure you no decisions have been made regarding…”
“Are you certain you want to finish that statement and ruin your reputation for being the honest one?” K challenged, her voice straining under her effort to maintain her tight control. “Maybe you should leave the lying to Cato, Mallok… at least it won’t tarnish his name.”
“K, please let us…” Lady Kirsten’s soft voice intervened.
“Please what, Kirsten? Hold my tongue and deny the truth?” K glared. “Look me in the eye right now and tell me that there isn’t already a tomb somewhere in this castle with my name engraved upon it. Face me and tell me that the minute Mallok awoke thirty years ago and contacted each of you, that the plans for my imprisonment weren’t already begun to be put into place.” Silence fell over the room as K was once again paused, gritting her teeth as she breathed through her pain. “I am the embodiment of your fears, a stark reminder that your Immortality is anything but secure and won’t be until I am permanently ‘dealt with.’ ” Shaking her head, K half-laughed, “And after all these years of walking the line, I have finally given you the excuse you have all been waiting for to secure me away forever.”
“Ah-ha,” Cato screeched, jumping to his feet, “So you admit it! You admit that you tried to kill Mallok.”
Narrowing her eyes at the gangly Seer, K smirked, “Have you not been listening to anything I have said?”
Cato furrowed his brow, meeting her intensity with his own, “Yes, and you just said you have finally given us the excuse we were looking for. Now to me that sounded an awful lot like a confession of attempted murder to me.”
“Wrong.” K laughed, “It’s quite the opposite.”
“K, quit talking in riddles and give us a straight answer.” Elymas chided, “Did you or did you not stab Mallok.”
“I did.” She answered casually.
Hushed murmurs filled the room as the witnesses took in this new piece of information.
“So you admit to trying to kill him?” Brink joined in.
“No.” K continued. “If I wanted Mallok dead
, he would be dead and no one here can deny that.” Gesturing at his scowling figure, K continued, “Instead he is sitting before me presiding over a trial that will determine whether or not I ever again see the light of another day.”
“And yet you just admitted to stabbing him.” Cato retorted.
“Yes, I did.” K groaned, with a disgusted sigh, aggravated that she once again needed to reiterate the point the Council seemed determined to play ignorant to. “I readily admit to the stabbing, I mean it is pointless to deny it when he remembers me doing it. But the fact that I chose to stab him with the Hypnos blade is proof enough that I did not intend to kill him...”
“Then what was your intention, K?” Mallok interrupted, as his hardened gaze tried to pry the answer from her. “Why do it, when you knew what would happen? Why ruin an alliance that has lasted centuries?”
Why betray my love for you? Though he didn’t say the words aloud, the unspoken question hung over the room like an ominous cloud between them.
She could sense his determination to understand why she had turned on him. She could feel his desperation to make sense of what had happened. He wanted so badly for her to give him an excuse to forgive her and move past what had transpired. And he was desperate to understand how, after all the centuries of having each other’s back and battling side by side united against the other Council members, she could look him in the eye and ram a knife into his chest. Because for him, that was truly what this trial was about, answers. And he was so desperate to get them, he was using the Council and the threat of eternal entombment to try and pry them from her.
And though it pained K to know he would never know the truth of how she had sacrificed their love to save them both. She also knew that it was the only way to keep him safe. To tell him what had really happened, would not only undo the spell she had cast and place both their lives back in danger. But it could also have catastrophic results for their people as well. War, famine, and plague were just a few of the risks associated with crossing the stars, and her people had already suffered enough thanks to her decision to change fate.
Forsaken (The Shadow Chronicles Book 3) Page 15
