Freed

by Samantha Britt

  Calling forth my power, I ignored my father’s protest as I ran forward. I threw bolts out of my own hands. My power landed its mark. Each of the elves fell from the sky. I’d hit their flying machine, not them. The elves tucked and rolled back to their feet. They took battle positions and faced me with menace in their eyes.

  Then, recognition dawned. One by one, the fight left the elves and they fell to one knee.

  “Forgive us, Your Highness.”

  “Apologies, Princess.”

  “Have mercy.”

  I couldn’t begin to describe my relief. They recognized me. They’d stopped fighting.

  “Step aside, I commanded.”

  The elves complied.

  I rushed to the draekon’s side. Even up close, I didn’t recognize him. Still, I walked around his large body until I stood before his reptilian eyes.

  “I need you to shift back,” I told him. “I can’t heal you as a draekon.” I actually could, but it would be much easier if he were in his human form.

  The beast blinked twice. Then, its large form began to recede back into a mortal size. Once the transformation was complete, I could only stare. The draekon wasn’t a he. She was a she. And she was Scarla Stone, the female responsible for so much of my pain.

  Scarla’s naked body was bruised and battered, but she looked at me with such strength. She knew what she’d done to me, and I could see in her eyes that she wouldn’t be surprised if I refused to help her.

  If only I wasn’t cursed with a soul, I might’ve been able to leave her there to suffer.

  Alas, I did have a soul. And I couldn’t see her pain without itching to relieve it.

  I knelt down beside Scarla. Healing power immediately flared to life in my palms, and I went to work. Considering how many bolts hit her, Scarla’s injuries were not as bad as I would’ve thought. I pulled back the lingering traces of elven power from her body, relieving her of its poisonous effects.

  I heard the elves mumbling their surprise. They remained in a kneeling position, but I could see their confusion when I glanced over my shoulder. They didn’t know why I was helping a draekon. Why would they? They’d believed I’d been abducted.

  I sighed. How much of the conflict in the world stemmed from misunderstandings and misplaced blame? How many had King Aquin condemned when he ordered his men to come find me?

  Footsteps crunched on fallen leaves, pulling my gaze as I released the last bit of healing power into Scarla.

  King Aquin approached, flanked by Erwin. I couldn’t hide my surprise. King Aquin actually led the mission to rescue me? That couldn’t be normal. My legs were shaking as I got to my feet. My father’s quick reflexes steadied me.

  King Aquin and my cousin continued their approach, but the king wasn’t looking at me. He glared menacingly at the draekon by my side. “Unhand my granddaughter, you filthy draekon.” I’d never heard him speak with such anger and hatred. The force of his words made me want to take a step back.

  Arthur didn’t even flinch. I looked at Erwin, searching for a clue for what to do or say. His face was carefully neutral. A slight jerk of his head was the only indication I got, telling me to do nothing.

  We’d see about that.

  I wasn’t going to sit back if King Aquin decided to hurt Arthur or Scarla. Neither was my favorite draekon, but I’d still protect them. With force, if I needed to.

  “King Aquin,” I called out. “Stop.”

  He didn’t listen. Surprise, surprise.

  “Amelissa,” he replied. “Come. Distance yourself from that swine.”

  Again, my father said nothing. I looked at him, wondering what his plan was. King Aquin was powerful. He could easily hurt the draekon. We needed to deescalate the situation. Fast.

  A new set of footsteps moved across the forest floor. The noise came from behind me. I didn’t dare turn around to see who it was. I couldn’t give Aquin the opportunity to attack Arthur.

  The king continued to glare at the male at my side. His anger clouded his hearing, keeping him from noticing the approaching stranger until he or she was practically right behind me.

  I saw the moment King Aquin’s eyes shifted to the newcomer. His jaw fell open, and his gaze illuminated with barely-willing-to-dare hope.

  His throat bobbed as he struggled to get out the words. “L-Lassandra? Is that really you?”

  A musical, but harsh, voice replied, “Hello, Father.”

  38

  “You’re… you’re alive?” King Aquin couldn’t believe what he was seeing. That much was obvious. The desire to fight fled from him, replaced with disbelief mixed with happiness.

  “As you see,” Lassandra replied. “And so is Amelissa. So, if you would be so kind as to order an end to your attack, Father, I would greatly appreciate it.”

  The king stared at her for several seconds before he finally said, “Of course. Erwin, see to it that our men cease all aggression until told otherwise.”

  Erwin bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.” He spun around and made quick work of zipping through the camp, ordering the king’s men to stand down. I only knew he was successful because the distant sound of fighting faded away within the next couple of minutes.

  In the meantime, the four of us stood there awkwardly. My father continued to stand as a shield in front of me, while my mother placed herself protectively in front of him.

  But the king only had eyes for my mother. I couldn’t imagine what he must be thinking. He hadn’t seen his daughter in years. He’d believed she was dead. To see her standing before him, not only alive, but a member of the rebellion… overwhelmed might be an understatement of how he was feeling.

  “How?” The king exhaled. That one word held all of his pent-up emotion. It was a miracle he hadn’t collapsed into a heap based on all the feeling in that simple question.

  “Not here,” Lassandra said. “We will talk in private.” She gestured for the king to walk in front of her. King Aquin hesitated for only a moment, then he turned his back to us and heeded his daughter’s instruction.

  We wound our way through the camp. Rebel soldiers trailed back in from the outskirts. Their clothes were torn, and their bodies were filthy despite the short duration of the attack. Some of their skin sported burns, but nothing looked too serious. I wanted to go offer my help, but Arthur’s firm hand on my shoulder kept me with the group. No elves infiltrated the camp. They’d retreated back into the forest to await their king’s next order.

  Lassandra led us back into the tent where the rebel council met. Lorie, Leith, and Min whirled towards the entrance when we appeared. I almost asked where Lin was, but then I remembered he’d been following me. But he should’ve returned by now. Unless something happened to distract him. I tried not to worry. Lin was capable of taking care of himself, or so I told myself. If he didn’t show up soon, I would go look for him.

  Arthur guided me to stand beside my sister while my mother walked to the back of the tent. She turned around and crossed her arms. King Aquin stood near the opening. His eyes never left my mother.

  “You work with the rebellion.”

  “I lead the rebellion,” she corrected.

  The king frowned and confusion wrinkled his forehead. “All these years, elves have been working with the rebellion. I’ve recruited men to the cause to bring Roderick’s reign to an end, but no one told me of your involvement.” There was anger in the words, as well as resentment. If the king weren’t preoccupied with this reunion, I believed he would go exact punishment on the very elves who never bothered to tell him his missing daughter was alive.

  I waited for someone else in the tent to react to the fact that King Aquin just admitted he supplied with rebellion with elves. Both Erwin and Lerick had told me they thought the king was up to something. They were right. King Aquin, despite the claim he knew nothing or the rebellion and wasn’t involved, turned out to be a major player. Elven involvement was part of what made the rebellion such a formidable foe to the draekon army. It wouldn’t
have made it so far without their help… without King Aquin’s help.

  “Very few know the truth of my identity,” Lassandra informed her father. “And those that do are loyal to me. They would never betray me by telling you anything.”

  King Aquin’s expression darkened. “I am their king.”

  “They are not in your territory,” she countered. I swore, if I didn’t know they were father and daughter, I would have painted them as enemies. The animosity beaming off my mother was stifling. She did not like her father, that much was obvious.

  “All elves are my subjects,” the king stated with authority, “no matter where they are. Any who kept you from me are traitors to the crown.”

  “Careful, Father,” Lassandra took a threatening step in his direction. “You are not in Avelin, protected by your beautiful city walls. This is my territory, and you are a guest for only as long as I allow you to be so.”

  The tent opened behind the king, but he didn’t look away from his daughter. I sighed when I saw Lin. He eyed the tense standoff between our mother and the elven king and wisely skirted the edge of the tent until he stood beside me and Lorie. He didn’t ask or say anything. He joined the rest of us watching the showdown that had been decades in the making.

  King Aquin stared at his daughter as if he didn’t recognize her. “What have I done to earn your animosity?”

  Lassandra released a bone chilling laugh. “Are you seriously asking me that question?”

  King Aquin’s eyes narrowed. “I am.”

  Her jaw clenched. Then, she bit out, “Now is not the time for me to air grievances. You came here to rescue Amelissa. As you can see, she is fine. Now, you and your men can leave.”

  The king’s eyes searched for mine, but they were captured by another’s.

  King Aquin stared at Lin with disbelief. “Lerick? You’re here too?”

  “Ah… no,” my brother replied, casting cautious glances at our parents. “My name is Arlin.”

  Understanding dawned. King Aquin’s gaze turned to my sister. He sucked in a breath. No doubt, he saw the resemblance to our mother. He finally met my eye as he put two and two together. “You did not tell me of your brother and sister.”

  “No, I didn’t.” If the king wanted an apology, he wasn’t going to get one. If given the chance to do it over, I would still hide the existence of my siblings from the elven king.

  “It seems none of my family trusts me.”

  “We are not a family,” Lassandra said harshly. “You don’t get to play the downtrodden victim.”

  Arthur approached his wife and placed a hand on her shoulder. Tension flowed out of her with just that simple touch.

  “You!” Hatred spewed out of the king’s mouth as he, once again, trained his malice on Arthur. “I knew it had to be you. You stole my daughter from me.”

  “I left on my own, Father.”

  King Aquin reared back as if he were slapped in the face. Seriously? Didn’t he get the impression his daughter hadn’t been forced to stay away?

  The king regained his composure. “Why would you choose a life of poverty and violence? You had everything.”

  “I had nothing that mattered,” she replied. “When you robbed me of my freedom, you took everything from me. I was your prisoner, wrapped in silk clothes and contained in a palace.”

  “I protected you!” King Aquin roared. From the corner of my eye, I saw Lorie flinch. Leith reached out and pulled her back into his chest.

  The tent opened again. Erwin entered, and he didn’t react to tense atmosphere. “Your Majesty.”

  “What?” King Aquin’s angry eyes swung to him.

  “Many of our men sustained injuries. I seek your permission to call for healers from Avelin to come treat them.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Lassandra interrupted. “Bring the worst cases into camp. I will treat them.”

  “Please, daughter,” the king spat sarcastically. “I wouldn’t want your precious rebels to despise you for lending aid to the enemy.”

  “The elven people were never my enemy. Only you.”

  With that, Lassandra glanced quickly at her husband, then exited the tent. On her way out, she told Erwin where to find the healer’s tent. She’d be there shortly to see to the injured elves. Erwin mumbled something in return, but his voice was too low to make out. Whatever he said, it brought a gentle smile to my mother’s lips. It did wonders for her severe expression. Dare I say it, she’d almost looked kind.

  Erwin and my mother departed. Arthur moved himself into the king’s line of sight. Before he could spew anymore hateful remark, the draekon said, “Prince Brion and Prince Finn. Where are they?”

  “How should I know?”

  “You didn’t see them?” The question came from Lin. Again, the king seemed disoriented by his resemblance to Lerick.

  The king looked at Arthur. “You are the father of Lassandra’s children?”

  “Yes.”

  King Aquin looked between the three of us. “Are there any more.”

  “No,” I answered. “Just us.”

  “I see.” His eyes assessed each of us from head to toe. “Strange. Half-draekon, yet your coloring is distinctly elven.”

  “Lassandra’s bloodline is stronger than mine,” Arthur supplied.

  “Of course it is.” King Aquin moved closer, but Arthur held up a staying hand. “That is close enough.”

  “I simply wish to meet my grandchildren.”

  “Not now.” He shook his head and crossed his arms. “Not until Lassandra gives her blessing.”

  I watched their interaction, waiting for the moment King Aquin would lose his temper and attack my father. But it seemed my mother’s departure had stolen some of the fight from of the elven king. He still portrayed authority, but there was a hint of meekness about him. Seeing his daughter and being dismissed by her had taken its toll.

  I didn’t overthink my next move. I broke away from my siblings and approached the king. “Your Majesty,” I curtsied. “Now is not the right time. Emotions are high. Let us come to you once our mother has finished healing your injured. I’m sure time will help curb much of her anger.” I really didn’t know if that was true or not, but I knew I couldn’t let King Aquin linger and risk another confrontation. It would be best if he left.

  The king searched my expression. I willed it to show honesty.

  “Very well.” King Aquin stated, drawing on his royal airs. “We shall speak later.” He turned and sauntered out of the tent with the authority of a king. He did not fear harm would come to him within the camp’s borders. He knew he was untouchable. At least, for the moment.

  Arthur cleared his throat. I turned toward him, and I was taken aback by the pride beaming at me through his smile. “You certainly are your mother’s daughter.”

  I scowled and disdain filled me. I had no idea what he meant by his words, but they certainly weren’t a compliment. “I am no such thing,” I bit out.

  I looked at my siblings. “I’m going to find Brion.” With that, I escaped the tent, leaving the offending compliment far behind.

  39

  I scoured through the camp, fueled both by adrenaline and frustration. How dare Arthur compare me to my mother. I hardly knew her, but from what I’d seen, she was cold and detached. The only person she seemed to care about was her husband. Everyone else was superfluous. She didn’t need us. We were nothing but means to an end.

  I fisted my hands, continuing to stomp through the camp. Left and right, rebels scattered out of my path. I must’ve looked as angry as I felt.

  After fifteen minutes of searching, I hadn’t found Brion. Worry coiled in my chest. Brion should’ve come to me by now. The attack was over. Something delayed him, and my instinct screamed that it could be nothing good.

  I reached the edge of the camp.

  “Lissa?” Hyde approached, wiping the dirt from his face. “What are you doing out here?”

  I assessed him for injuries. Seeing he was
unharmed, I answered, “Looking for Prince Brion. Have you seen him?”

  He shook his head. “No, sorry. I’ve been helping the wounded.” I looked over his shoulder and saw two litters used for carrying injured rebels back into camp.

  “Jem was injured,” I told him. Hyde stiffened. I relieved his fears, “He’s fine now. I helped him.”

  “Good.” Hyde sighed, then confessed, “We weren’t even supposed to be here. Jem and I had left on our scouting mission, but I realized I’d forgotten my canteen for water. It was a dumb mistake. If we hadn’t had to turn around to get it, Jem wouldn’t have been hurt.”

  I reach out and squeeze Hyde’s hanging hand. “You couldn’t have known.”

  He squeezed back, then released me. “If I see your prince, I’ll tell him you’re looking for him.”

  “Thank you.” I dipped my chin. “And let me know if you need a healer for the injured.”

  Hyde smiled. “Will do. Though, I doubt we will. Lassandra is talented in the healing arts. I guess we know where you get it from.”

  And just like that, my sour mood returned. I forced back my frown and simply said, “Right. Well, good luck.”

  “You too,” he called to my retreating back. I hurried out of his sight before my anger could reveal itself. I didn’t want to have to explain myself to Hyde. He had bigger things to worry about than my mommy-issues.

  I continued searching, periodically calling out Brion’s name when I thought I saw him in the distance. Every time, it was a different draekon. I couldn’t find the prince anywhere, and I could no longer hide my anxiety.

  I flailed around the camp, looking frantic. Rebels eyed me curiously. Some ventured to ask if they could help me. I dismissed all of them. Something was wrong. Brion was in trouble. And only I could help him. No one else. I didn’t trust anyone else.

  “Amelissa?” A voice broke through my desperate thoughts. I looked up. Arthur stood in my path. Compassion filled his gaze. “Amelissa? Are you injured?”