Page 3 of Cages and Crowns
It’s been three months. Three months since Theo, Elaenor, and Donovan were supposed to make it to the border. Donovan snuck me out of the castle during the location change from the infirmary, where I spent the better part of a month fighting for my life, to the dungeons. As soon as I could stand and there was a plan to have me transferred, I was snuck away, strapped to Bijoy, and brought here. That was four weeks after Rhea’s death, meaning I have been in Rakushia now forsix months. I guess I should be grateful I at least got to bring my horse, but all I can think of is Rhea. Her head cleaved in two while she was trying to save Theo, just for him to die too.Bile rises in my throat as I remember her eyes, open but unseeing.
The only reason we know Elaenor is alive is because of some bond or whatever Enzo seems to have with her. The white streak in his hair spreads the closer he is to her, it’s a sign that she is connected to him or something. No one really knows for sure. Enzo’s father knows a little about their connection, but even his knowledge is questionable. He says one thing, only to contradict it later, as if he is just in the dark as we are.
Enzo’s lighter streak has been slowly darkening for days now, which we believe is a sign that Elaenor isn’t doing very well. Either she has been moved and there is more and more distance between them, or her strength is failing. He can’t even call out to her anymore, although he believes it has something to do with the drugs Tobias is pumping into her, and not that she is dead.
Enzo saw her memories the night it all happened. It was during dinner, and one of the first and only nights I left my room. He was fine throughout thefirst half of dinner, but suddenly started screaming. He was grabbing his head, pulling his hair out from the roots as if he was trying to get rid of some unseen force. His face was turning red from pain, his breathing ragged, and then it was gone just as fast as it came on.
He saw through her eyes. She was screaming, and somehow her mind connected to his, allowing him to see and feel what she was in that moment. He said he saw her kneeling on the ground in the throne room with Theo and Donovan’s heads laying on the marble, blood pooling everywhere and soaking into her dress as she’s forced to stay on the floor. He hasn’t been able to connect to her since.
I am grateful that Elaenor is alive, that Tobias hasn’t killed her…yet. It means we have a chance at saving her, but all I can think of is the cost. What is the cost of her survival? I love her, she is my best friend, but all I can think of is who’s next to be sacrificed because of her? And for what? What is the purpose in all of this? Theo is gone. Rhea is gone. Donovan is gone.
Who’snext?
I step away from the bar cart and drop onto the sofa, pinching the bridge of my nose. I can’t think of any of this right now. I can’t allow myself to succumb to the emotions that are just one second away from destroying me.
I need more wine, or something stronger.
“Scarlett,” I can hear his footsteps seconds before the cushion next to me dips down. “I know this has been a really hard few months for you. I sympathize. I want nothing more than to rescue Elaenor and put an end to Tobias and his men. But we are at a standstill. We have no idea where she is, what is happening to her, or what to do.” I drop my hand and meet his gaze. His eyes have lightened, their normal bright green is gray today, saddened.While his face is freshly shaved, I can tell he feels anything but fresh. Bruises bloom under his eyes, a sign he hasn’t been sleeping. None of us have. But that doesn’t change our current reality, it doesn’t change anything. Nothing we do willchangeher life.
“I don’t know what you expect me to do.” I wanted venom to coat mytongue, but a broken, child-like voice comes out instead, revealing how I truly feel.
Weak and powerless.
“There is a lot you can do. You can join in on the council meetings and provide insight considering you are the only one who has lived in the palace. You could provide ideas.Anythingthat isn’t just sitting in here and draining the wine cellar.” I shake my head. I have no use, no purpose, to their crusade.
“I have nothing to offer.” I whisper, eliciting a groan from him. He quickly stands and crosses the room.
“You have two choices, Scarlett. You can either help or you can leave. I have spent the last six months defending you, but the kings who currently run this palace have very thin patience and they will not allow you to stay and drain resources if you aren’t of use.”
“Enzo–” I turn in my seat to look at him standing by the door.
“Choose wisely.” He doesn't even spare me another glance before slamming the pale wooden door behind him. I throw my head back on the cushion and close my eyes.
I don’t know what he expects me to do. I can’t see the future, I can’t fight, I can barely even talk battle strategy. What does he think I am capable of doing?
A soft knock echoes across my room and I open my eyes as the door opens again. Laenie walks in, wearing a loose beige dress that flows around her like liquid. Her chestnut hair is braided into a long braid that hangs down her back, her brown eyes looking more amber today, more alive. Erik walks in behind her, shutting the door. His ginger hair is cropped close to his head, his skin looking tanner by the day. He’s wearing a black tunic cut close to his body to show off his stature, seemingly copying Nithe and Enzo’s wardrobe choices. He has his sword strapped to his belt like always, the hilt a beautiful forest green. The color of Chatis, ofhome. He offers me a smile as they both walk over to the couch.
“It isn’t even noon yet Scarlett, please tell me you aren’t alreadydrinking?” Her voice is soft, she’s always been the quieter and more reserved person out of the three of us. However, her time here in Rakushia has brought out a new side of her. She’s happier, smiling more, and has even been learning how to ride a horse. I hate to admit she has been more attentive towards Bijoy than I have.
“Not enough to count.” I murmur as she collapses next to me. Erik sits in the chair across from us, propping his feet up on the table.
“Is today going to be the day you get off your ass?” He smirks and a little bit of light enters his soft green eyes. He, too, has been flourishing in Rakushia.
It seems I’m the only one that hasn’t.
“What would you have me do, Erik? Train with the guards like you and Emery, plant flowers like Laenie, discuss battle strategy with Enzo and Nithe?” I snap, narrowing my eyes. I know I shouldn’t take out my frustration on them, but I have no other outlet.
“Anything besides getting drunk would be great.” He grins, flashing his teeth, before winking at Laenie. They have grown close over the last few months. She used to have feelings for his brother, Lord Danieas, but he stayed in Chatis and was part of the casualties after the bombing. Her and Erik were able to escape with Enzo’s help, the knight in shining armor for everyone. Elaenor and I thought Erik was dead, at least that’s what Tobias had said. Turns out he was alive and thriving in Rakushia instead.
Erik was here before Laenie or I. Enzo intercepted him on his way back to Chatis and brought him here, after ensuring Elaenor’s letter was delivered. King Viktor and Tobias knew he was taken by Rakushia, but they thought he was killed, so that is what they said happened. I hate admitting that Tobias thought he was protecting Elaenor by saying he succumbed to his injuries instead of being tortured and murdered. But he wasn't, he was brought here where he has been helping ever since.
Sometimes I wonder if Tobias truly believes he is the good guy in all of this. Does he genuinely believe Rakushia is full of psychopaths torturing familiesand beheading kings? Or does he know which side of history he is on?
Laenie was next. She arrived shortly after Rhea’s death. She was walking the grounds of the palace checking on the flowers, like normal, when Erik and Enzo took her. She was terrified, of course, but as soon as she realized what was happening and that Rhea was dead, she came willingly. She’s become quite attached to Emery and Erik since then, and I don’t blame her. Her entire family was murdered, as was all of ours, but she was alone here. I have them, and in Noterra I had Elaenor.
Enzo truly is a white knight, and it pisses me off even more. How he knew they were important to Elaenor, I have no idea, but he seems to know a lot. He says he’s a seer and can see the future. He can hone it to get a certain idea of a specific timeline, but everything has been fuzzy for him since Elaenor arrived at Noterra. He doesn’t understand what it means, but his father, Kassius, has been helping him adjust quite a bit to the changes in his abilities.
Kassius is just another one of the surprises I found when I arrived here. I spent the last nearly ten years thinking he was dead, but he wasn’t. He was helping to create a council, an army, for Elaenor to wield when she became ready. When she becamequeen. He always knew what would happen, but I don’t think he expected the death toll to grow so quickly. He was blindsided like the rest of us, doing what he could without gaining attention. However, that didn’t stop me from giving him a piece of my mind when I saw him.
