Page 74 of Crowned A Traitor
“How dare you disobey your Queen, your King?” Abadan’s high-pitched scream tore through the air.
“We stand with our Queen,” the Captain of the Crimson Guard roared back.
Klara knew who he was, but she couldn’t figure out why the Captain would side with her. That was until he knelt before her. Klara placed a hand on his shoulder, and his armour slipped away, revealing Lokey’s mischievous grin. Lokey rose in his purple waistcoat with a sword in hand.
“Couldn’t let you have all the fun,” Lokey said, kissing Klara’s cheek. Klara saw the sheer rage in Abadan’s ruby eyes as Lokey sided with Klara.
“You certainly know how to make an entrance,” Klara said, keeping her eyes on Abadan. “What about your wife?”
“With Humans. The old Warlock isn’t with you?” “Arthur’s gone,” Klara said, like pulling out a heart. Quick and Painful. “I’m sorry, such a talented Warlock is a great loss to us.”
“Regina Una, Unus Terras.”
Klara’s chanting army interrupted him, One Queen, One Land. The words of the old rebellion roared through her new allies. They were those who sought to unify Malum and Hell under one ruler. It was blasphemy, but they saw her rebellion as a sign of strength.
“It seems you aren’t as beloved as you think,” Klara addressed Abadan.
Abadan whispered something to the Higher Demon beside her.
The clashing of metal and cheers from Klara’s side of the battlefield stopped as those who remained with Abadan moved into battle positions, and Klara’s followed suit behind her.
“Traitors all of you! I will line my Castle with your heads,” Abadan laughed, holding her corseted waist as Klara’s eyes went to Frendall, hoping she wouldn’t take his life in a fit of rage; instead, the High Queen planted a thigh-high boot into his back sending him into the grass.
“Why sacrifice more life? This is between you and me,” Klara said.
“It was your choice to abandon your family and cost my dear Lilith her life. I will take your head as I will from every single one of your followers.”
Mila stepped forward, “the Giants’ bones will bring in great sums of gold from the Port Market.” Klara heard the cracking of the Giants’ knuckles as they readied themselves for a fight.
“Let’s settle this, sister.”
“You’re not my sister,” Klara said standing firm and Mila eyes flared a deep red, and Klara knew her Father’s blood ran through her.
“Abadan, your son is the key to power. I granted him my inheritance with my soul,” Klara said, and murmurs of confusion rippled through both armies.
“With all your talk of loyalty then you will follow him,” Klara addressed her army, and they yelled for their leaders—all respecting their shackled Commander and rebellious Queen.
“With Lucifer’s absence. I inherit, and I abdicate to Commander Frendall, is that not what you want Abadan? If you want to see a rightful Heir than surely you advocate for your son now.”
“Bonding my son’s soul to your traitorous soul does not make him a ruler. You will still have to answer for your treason.”
“If I hand myself over will you end the bloodshed?” Klara raised an eyebrow.
A sickening grin spread across her features, “those who have stood with you will have to answer for their crimes against me.”
There is no stopping her, no right answer. The field would be coated in blood no matter what Klara did. “If you die today, you die protecting something,” Klara turned to her soldiers, and they bowed to her orders. “You will protect and serve your Commander. Abadan is not your Queen,” Klara pointed her axe at Abadan.
“Seize her,” Abadan ordered, and Abadan’s Demons came hard and fast as the two armies clashed at the centre of the field. The sound of bones shattering and Hounds ripping apart Hounds broke the silence of the Neutral Lands.
The grass turned to mud as the fields were coated with blood. Klara cut down those who stood in her way, while the Giants protected her left and right. With one swing of their arms, Demons and Hounds were sent flying. Mila stood her ground as Klara went to her. The Giants at Klara’s side were swept away into the fight. Klara’s eyes darted around looking for the High Queen, glad to see Abadan was distracted by Lokey, her scythes against his sword.
“Can we settle this without weapons?” Klara asked her half-sister, keeping plenty of distance between them.
“How else am I to make you bleed?” Mila hissed, throwing a star that pierced Klara’s shoulder. Klara barely felt the star and pulled it out with ease. Klara threw it back, and Mila recoiled as the sharp edges sliced her cheek.
Mila pulled her bow from her back, and an arrow flew. Klara grunted as the iron arrow cut through her upper arm. Klara pulled it out, gritting her teeth as she dropped it. Her new heart raced, as her magic pulsed through her. The wound sealed itself, and Mila’s sudden wide grin made her uneasy. Klara felt a great pulse of energy at her back.
The portal was open, Klara looked over the battlefield, to see that Wolfgang in Lycaon form had joined the fight.Lottie? Klara searched, but there was no sign of her.He must have left her in Kalos alone.
