Fight for the Crown

by Emilie MacCauley

  “No,” Pepper whispers.

  “She didn’t make it,” Rowan whispers.

  Pepper collapses into Solana’s arms sobbing hysterically as the surrounding crowd in the tent stares at her and goes silent. It’s almost as though the entire tent can feel her sorrow, they all bow their heads, frowning.

  It is a solemn day for everyone at Cirvka.

  Rowan continues to look around the room at the low bloods crying with each other, mourning with each other, and reassuring each other. All her life she has been sheltered and safe and made to believe the world is black and white. As she stands here and looks at all the low bloods who call this place a home, she understands that so long as there is a king not willing to promote peace and prosperity, these low bloods—her kind—will never be free. Everyone in this room has lost something and Rowan is finally ready to take a stand and take her rightful place on the throne.

  “May I have everyone’s attention!” A deep voice booms.

  The sound of whispers fill the tent as everyone looks around to see the source of the voice. A tall male stands on a table in the middle of the room. He’s wearing a dark top hat that matches an expensive dark cloak. When he turns in their direction, Rowan automatically recognizes him as The Overseer. Below him standing on the ground are Blade and Knot looking extremely disheveled and bruised.

  “Today has been a great tragedy for Cirvka. It seems we have someone to blame for this,” the whispering turns more frantic and louder. “Shevka are behind this attack.” Rowan and Lola give each other a confused glance. “Shevka have ruined the sanction of Cirvka and for that we must make them pay! For that we must take a stand! I have taken you in, my children, I have given you a home when Shevka destroyed yours. I have given you a family when Shevka murdered yours. Now we must rise as one! We will no longer stand for this!”

  The crowd cheers loudly hanging on to every word that comes out of The Overseer’s mouth. He gets them chanting and motivated but it’s Rowan who watches carefully as The Overseer sneaks away. She heads for the exit not letting him leave before she can ask questions.

  Catching up to him, she grabs his arm. He whirls around almost ready to strike her with the back of his palm before his eyes widen with realization that it’s her. He pulls her into a tight hug. “Rowan, I’m so glad that you’re okay.”

  “What is going on? Did Shevka really attack?”

  The Overseer pulls out of their hug and sighs. He puts his hand on the small of her back and guides her away from the dining tent and to somewhere more private. “I think you know by now my son isn’t who he seems. I never told you this, but Shadow has a sister. She is a very dangerous girl with powerful, dark magic. He somehow broke her free of her prison,” he takes a deep breath as if this pains him to say. “My two children are the ones that caused this destruction.”

  “Then why didn’t you tell them that?!”

  “If I would have told them the truth, they would have panicked. We’re all a family here, we would never hurt each other. Shevka would. The Shevka have always hurt our people and have taken way too much from us. Like your parents. They needed someone to blame, it’s better they understand who the real enemies are.” Rowan frowns. “My son and daughter have been taken to the royal prison. They will be tried for their crimes against the Shevka girl.”

  “How did you know about her?” She gulps.

  “Prince Arlo informed me that there was a murder.”

  “Oh.”

  He pats her back. “My darling, I know you loved him. He has never been right in the head, nor has his sister. They have always valued power above all.”

  “Why keep him free if that’s what he is capable of?” Her throat tightens.

  “Between the two of them, they can link their powers into something dangerous. Without the other...no threat. Melani was locked away when she murdered her mother—my wife. After that I tried to shape Shadow into being someone who could make a difference. I thought I really saw a change in him. He was an obedient son. I should have realized but when you came to Cirvka, he became obsessive. I saw what you did, Rowan, you pushed him to open up and have a real relationship. He just couldn’t handle that. He snapped and because you are my goddaughter and knew you could get close to me, he manipulated you. He used your innocence to take the key that was in my office.” Rowan opens her mouth but he holds his palm up to stop her. “It’s okay. I don’t blame you.”

  “I just can’t believe it,” she shakes her head fighting back the sting of tears in her eyes.

  “I know,” he says softly. “He deceived many.”

  She makes a vow that from this day forth, she will never be deceived again.

  * * *

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Rowan carries Lottie’s body out of the tent. She is wrapped in a thick wool blanket and Rowan can feel the small girls blood soaking through it. Lottie’s body is limp in her arms as her limbs dangle. Limbs that were not too long ago clapping, running, and enjoying freedom from those who abused her. Now she is lifeless and lost to this world forever.

  Pepper hasn’t stopped crying. Her eyes are bloodshot and swollen and the sobbing has left her body weak with no energy. Since they found out, Lola has been trying to force her to eat, but every time Lola tries she goes either catatonic or hysterical. Solana has been begging her to get some sleep, but Pepper refuses to do anything until Lottie is put to rest.

  The sun has set and the only light outside is from the lanterns Lola and Solana are holding. Rowan had picked the place for Lottie to be buried. She chose a corner, far away from any tents or booths, and decided to have her grave against the gate. She picked it not only for its privacy but because right outside the gates is a bush with blooming yellow flowers.

  Earlier while Lola and Solana were trying to force Pepper to eat, bathe, and rest, she asked Knot and Blade to dig a grave big enough for a child. They simply nodded.

  When they reach the corner, the hole is dug just wide enough to fit her shoulders and long enough so the ground kisses the top of her head and the bottom of her feet. Solana and Lola set the lanterns down and help her lower Lottie into the six-feet deep hole. Pepper starts to sob uncontrollably again, Rowan and Solana nod to Lola to comfort Pepper, while they take care of the body.

  As the body is laid in the dirt bed, Rowan pulls back to stare down, feeling empty and despondent. After they push the dirt to fill the hole and walk away, she will truly be gone. No more seeing her smiling face. No more waking up to her laughter. Her spirit may wander on into another life, but this life feels infinitely more empty without her presence.

  When her grave is covered, Pepper kneels down placing her palm to the dirt and whispers, “I love you.”

  “She’ll be missed,” Lola nods.

  “I know my mate is with her. She’ll never be alone,” Pepper says with conviction and confidence. “I just know it.”

  It’s a long while before they all feel ready to go back to their tent. The bottle of wine they didn’t finish last night sounds really good to Rowan right now. They all wish they could forget the events of today.

  Pepper is crying on Lola’s shoulder the entire way back to their tent. Lola is crying with her and holding her close. Solana is silent, but she looks just as lost as the rest of them. Rowan is fighting the urge to cry, she’s cried so much already. Her grief is leaving her drained. She doesn’t want to be someone who cries, she wants to be strong but this is tearing her apart. Lottie’s death is traumatizing but it’s worse that the male she fell in love with and trusted, has manipulated her and murdered an innocent child.

  The four of them retire to their tent but before Rowan can enter, a hand clamps around her elbow yanking her back. Ready to scream and attack her kidnapper, she hears him whisper, “Calm down, it’s only me,” the grip releases her.

  Knot.

  “What do you want?” She is in no mood for I-told-you-so’s.

  “I’m sorry. I tried to warn you.”

  “If this is what yo
u pulled me away for, I don’t want to hear it. I’ve had a long day and I would really just like to be with my friends, grieve, and sleep.”

  “That’s not why I pulled you away. I wanted to ask if you need to talk to someone?” He frowns. “Sometimes when you’re busy comforting others, you forget that you need comfort yourself.”

  Rowan almost breaks down then. She wants to cry and wants a comforting hand to run through her hair while she lets out her frustration and despair. Her fingers itch to wrap around him and let him hold her, but she can’t let her walls down like that in front of Knot. She’s also afraid that crying will send her into combusting hysterics. The last thing she needs is to burn down Cirvka with her uncontrollable emotions.

  “I just can’t believe he would do something like that,” she shakes her head still in a state of disbelief. “I wanted to believe he was different. He was kind to me and to Lottie. For him to kill her...it just doesn’t make sense.”

  “That’s what manipulation is. He made you believe he was kind hearted. He fabricated stories so you would feel pity and conned you into helping him. No one blames you, Roe.”

  “I blame myself. I feel like this is all my fault. If I wouldn’t have stolen the key or if I had kept a closer eye on Lottie, maybe things would be different. I can’t help but feel like I should’ve been there. That I could have done something.”

  “I was there when it started. I had a fight and all of a sudden the tent filled with black shadows. No one could see. Shadow and Melani came down and just started attacking. I watched as everyone turned on each other. Others got scared and started running. No one paid attention as Shadow and Melani entered the lounging area. It was cleared out except for me and I watched it happen. I was just as helpless as Melani froze me in place. I’m just as much to blame. Maybe if I tried harder I could have stopped them.”

  “Then what happened? What happened to her?” Rowan wants to know, but part of her is screaming not to hear anymore. She doesn’t want to hear the truth of what really happened. But she wants the closure. She wants to know that perhaps it was quick and merciful.

  “I watched as Shadow called his shadows out and Melani used her power to force his shadows into her veins and slowly killed her. After that little girl stopped screaming, Melani stood over her body, crouching down. Her long hair dripped into the puddle of blood surrounding the dead body. She was covered in the little girl’s blood. It was horrible. Her manic face and dark eyes lustful for blood. It was scary,” he exhales, “They did all this ruin together.”

  Rowan closes her eyes in regret for asking and tries her hardest to shut him out. She didn’t want to hear that. Didn’t want to hear that she suffered. “I can’t right now, Knot. I need time. It’s all too much and it’s hard to think and imagine things clearly.” She couldn’t go there because if she let her emotions take over then she would risk losing control.

  “Okay,” he frowns. “But I’m here if you want to talk. So is Blade or The Overseer. We’re here for you.”

  “Thanks,” she forces a small smile before returning to her tent.

  In times of despair, happiness can be found with friends, and that is exactly who Rowan is planning to lean on through this heart-wrenching loss. She focuses her thoughts on Pepper, Solana, and Lola, happy that they are alive and well. She doesn’t let her mind wander to the dead body she saw on the ground nor the male who was hovering above her. The smile Lottie had on her face everyday at Cirvka is the image that helps calm her instead of the vile thoughts threatening to cause her to explode into oblivion.

  * * *

  Cirvka is empty and silent. Crowds usually pour in early in the morning and stay until late at night. The sounds of kids screaming and laughing, the commotion of the rush. Now, it’s desolate.

  Cirvka closed for the day so they all can work on repairs and get everything cleaned up. Since Solana’s booth has the most damage they decided to work on her’s first. Her vials are destroyed, the chemicals gone, without them she can’t make potions. She’ll have to put in an order with The Overseer to provide her with what she needs for alchemy. Usually it was Shadow who made runs into town to steal what was needed.

  Solana stares off into the distance looking lost and distracted, Rowan wonders what is going on in her head. The alchemist has always been reserved, her feelings always held at bay. She feels as though her friend hasn’t processed Lottie’s death in a healthy way. She’s been relatively silent and helping Pepper—who seems more distraught than anyone—the most.

  Pepper is helping the performers clean and patch up the main entertainment tent. She also offered to help sew new costumes that were torn to the point of being unwearable. Rowan was afraid of Pepper leaving, this morning she seemed detached, but Lola assured that keeping herself busy will be a good distraction from thinking of Lottie.

  After Rowan, Lola, and Solana finished sweeping and reorganizing Solana’s booth, they go to Lola’s booth where they find Blade and Knot working, replacing, and installing a new door to her booth. Lola smiles in thanks as she and Solana excuse themselves to get inside to check any internal damage. Rowan can’t help but feel the two males are up to something.

  “Why are you fixing Lola’s booth?”

  “Thank you, Knot and Blade,” Knot mocks.

  Rowan crosses her arms. “I’m serious.”

  “I’m a member of Cirvka and I’m here to help repair the damage done.”

  “Why aren’t you two helping fix the main tent?”

  “They have so many volunteers. I figured those who run the booths would need a strong sturdy hand,” he flashes a smile full of straight white teeth.

  “Thanks,” she rolls her eyes before pushing past them to enter the booth and help Lola.

  “Wait,” Knot grabs her wrist. “Are you feeling any better?”

  “Honestly?” She considers lying, but doesn’t. “No, but I will be.”

  Lola’s spell books are out of place, but nothing inside is badly destroyed. It takes them a handful of minutes to put everything back where it belongs and after they just sit in silence, exhaling. It feels weird to all of them, and they are sure they will never get over her absence.

  It is quiet and boring without Lottie who would always put a smile on all of their faces. She was always running around, jumping around, giggling and enjoying life after suffering horrible abuse. Rowan feels sick at the thought that her life was so short, and in that short time she dealt with so much. For most people, they’d be a hollow shell, but for her she wanted to be loved and wanted to give love. She saw the good in everyone—like Shadow. She believed he was a good guy, but he ended up being her downfall.

  Pepper joins them close to sunset, she has dark bags under her eyes and is still limping and wincing with every movement. Her head is tilted, off balance from having half her horn removed. The left side of her head is swollen along with her eye and lip. She hasn’t complained about the pain, but Rowan knows that she is thinking how her pain is nothing compared to what Lottie went through. Pepper sits on one of the benches, none of them have said a word to each other. None of them know what to say. They’re all still mourning, lost, and empty inside.

  “If they’d never attacked me, I could have saved her,” Pepper speaks up. Her teeth are gritted. The tone in her voice shows she has been beating herself up about this. About not saving her. “We were in the lounging tent and I was up next. We heard screaming and everyone was running. We were so scared. I grabbed her tight, but then the Shevka came and they must have thought I was attacking her. They tore her away from me and started hitting me. I told her to run. She ran out of the tent...I just kept thinking...she must have come back for me.”

  “Come back for you?” Rowan cocks her head. “I thought she stayed in that room and that is when Shadow and Melani attacked her.”

  “No, I was in that room the whole time. I couldn’t move. I was in so much pain.”

  “It’s just...Knot told me a slightly different story. He said everyone ran w
hen it started and that he followed Shadow and Melani into the lounging tent where she was all alone.”

  Pepper shakes her head. “She wouldn’t have been alone in the tent. I was the only one there after a while. When it was all over I was taken to the dining tent. Knot was there getting treated himself.”

  “Then he couldn’t have been there when she was attacked,” Rowan says more to herself. She relays their conversation from last night in her head. Maybe she misheard.

  After that little girl stopped screaming, Melani stood over her body, crouching down as her long hair dripped into the puddle of blood surrounding the dead body…

  “Did anyone see Melani?” She asks, they all shake their heads.

  “I saw Shadow. He is the one who started the madness. He came through the lounging tent, his dark shadows following him and filling the room like thick black smoke. But I never saw Melani.”

  “What are you thinking?” Lola sits at the edge of her seat.

  “I’m thinking I’ve let someone else deceive me.”

  “What?” They say in unison.

  “I think we’re being lied to.”

  “About what?” Solana raises an eyebrow.

  “About Melani and Shadow.”

  “Roe, there’s no denying that Shadow was the one who killed Lottie,” Pepper says harshly.

  “I don’t think Melani was there. I don’t think she has ever been a threat.”

  “How can you know that?” Lola asks.

  “There’s only one way to find out,” Rowan sighs. “We have to find her.”

  “Where would we even look?” Pepper scoffs. “And if we do find her, how do you know she won’t kill us?”

  Rowan doesn’t, but if there is one place she can look and truly know she’s right about this—is the restricted area. She saw Shadow being arrested, but never saw Melani. It seems no one saw her and if no one saw Melani during the raid then perhaps she wasn’t even involved. Maybe she never left her temporary tent on her own accord. Maybe she was taken.

  “I think we need to sneak back down in the dungeon and see if Melani is there,” Rowan suggests.