Page 53 of Cages and Crowns
“And when I crossed the border last year, men in cloaks ripped me from my horse. Drugged me—”
“These accusations—” He cuts me off.
“Are not accusations! They are facts. Those men told me who sent them. Who they were supporting. Why would you do that? I had done nothing to you.”
“You were supposed to be brought here. Safely.” He retorts. I can feel heat spreading through my veins. Heat ready to defend me.
“I don’t believe you!” I yell.
“Father, what did you do?” Nithe stands, his voice loud and commanding.
“You belong to us, Elaenor! And it was only a matter of time before you arrived.”Belong? I belong to no one.
“You arederanged!”
“You are not just the heir to Chatis,child! You are not just the once-queen of Noterra. You are the heir to it all, and if you want my support,myarmies, you will ensure my bloodline is the one flowing through your children’s veins.” This conversation triggers a sense of deja-vu as I stare at the king. As I stare at yet another jailer. A jailer who never cared about my safety, just my presence.
“I don’t know who you think I am—”
“Do you know who your father is?” He snaps. His hands digging into the wood of the table.
“Viktor, he is my fa—”
“No, he isn’t, stupid girl, and you know that. You know who he is, you just haven’t admitted it to yourself.” My palms tingle and I can feel my pulse quicken.
“Don’t speak to me—”
“Think!” He yells as he cuts me off again. My vision turns white in my peripherals and his eyes widen. I can’t help the tingling spreading through my veins, igniting my limbs. I can feel the scream building in my throat, the scream that will ignite everything in this room.
“Little witch.” Nithe warns and I look at him. He reaches for my hand, but his eyes snap up to the space above me. A warm, callused grip wraps around the back of my neck and the tingling fades, the light going with it. I gasp as everything dissipates, taking my anger with it.
“Why didn’t you wait for me?” Enzo snaps as his hand releases my neck. I take a slow deep breath as he steps around the chair to my left. The veins in his right hand are white, glowing through his skin, and I watch as they dull until theyare gone.
“What did you do to me?” I whisper, my voice barely audible.
“I don’t owe you anything, boy.” The king bellows, both of them ignoring me. Enzo says something before Nithe pipes up from my right. My eyes are flicking back and forth from Enzo’s hand and the parchment as they all yell at one another, their voices drowning out into a dull buzz.
This is too much. I can’t handle this. Too many people. Too many voices. My palms are slick against my leggings, and I can feel the sweat dripping down my neck. I close my eyes willing the paranoia, thepanic, building in my chest to dissipate, but it doesn’t.
I need to get out of here.
I shoot out of my chair, knocking it over, and run out of the room. The hallways are filled with too many people. They all stare at me, stuck between awe and fear. I want to scream.
I want toexplode.
My breath comes in quick pants as I try to navigate my way outside. My shoes slap the stone floors as I turn and see an open door. I bolt towards it, relishing in the cool air as it flows across my skin. I keep running until I am near the palace walls.
I scream. The sound strained, and pathetic, but with the scream comes a release of power. Lightning shoots off my hands, hitting the stone. Sparks fly all around me, coating the dew-covered grass. I scream until I run out of breath and then it stops.
The light.
The power.
The pain.
Whatever it is, it just stops.
I place my hand on the stone in front of me, and then my forehead. It’s silent, aside from the sound of birds chirping, wind rustling leaves, and the chatter of people walking about. But it’s silent besides that. No loud noises. No fighting.No sound of swords slamming into armor.
