A LAND OF FIRE AND DARKNESS

Chapter 60

My heart slowed down as I began to panic.

"Why not?" I asked looking at Del who met my eyes.

"You two will make the next Highvarion." He reminded me, "Two Highvarions, making another Highvarion, does not do well for my plan." He shrugged, "If anything it enforces that Highvarions must rule."

"Maybe that is what the Elements and Fate want," Del stated sternly as he finally joined the conversation. He wore a faintly smug smile as he casually strode over to us. No one shot at me, or him.

"A child from her and I would join Pretonas and Utohia together," Del added with a shrug.

He stepped to my side as he looked down at me sending me a message through his casual eyes.

"The Elements keep making mistakes Del." Laveen growled out in frustration, "For all, I know a child with your arrogance and her violent nature transforms into a monster."

"Sounds like those toddler years could be fun." Delcallon snorted with a smug smile. I shook my head at my Intwined decision to taunt Laveen.

"Del." Laveen stated sternly, "I am sorry." He began as he turned to him, "But for a new system to come into place, the old one needs to be destroyed."

Del shook his head, "You are not this Laveen." He said with disappointment, "You are not an evil mastermind who wants to kill me."

Laveen's face pained, "No, I do not want to kill you, but unfortunately, I had to choose between her or you." He said looking between me and Del. "I chose her."

Del nodded as if choosing me over him made perfect sense, which it didn't. "You want her blood." He stated out. My eyes widened as I understood.

Laveen said nothing though. He glared at Del before turning on his heels and walking over to the dais where the other three were still standing quietly.

Laveen stopped in front of the dais and stared down at me, "Come with us Alinta." He reached out with his hand as he looked into my eyes, "Join us."

I looked at his hand that was still open for me.

"No," I growled instantly. 

Laveen sighed out in disappointment as he dropped his hand, "I am going to kill him either way." He shrugged, referring to Del, "Either come with me willingly or come with me as my captive."

I shook my head and took a step back to Del. No one was going to kill him.

"There is no point going back to Pretonas." Eskar snorted causing Yarris to swiftly turn his head towards Eskar.

Delcallon snapped his eyes up, "What did you do!" He growled as his eyes grew large with panic.

I looked at him and felt him desperately trying to claw down Eskar's cloak before he eventually growled out, "Someone is attacking the castle."

"We need to go." He stated with panic as he reached out his hand for me.

The archers shot at that. They hit Del's shoulder causing him to growl out in pain as the silver bolt embedded into his flesh.

"No!" I called out in a panic as I rushed towards him.

Another bolt shot down though the air, flying into his leg. He growled and slouched over and I realized if I stepped any closer, he would be shot again. I froze as I watched in distress as my Intwined began to bleed over the marble flooring. His body trembled against the silver that was slowly poisoning his blood.

"You are not going anywhere Del." Laveen ordered with a cold tone.

Del looked over at Laveen, "Dorica and Brallon need help!"

Yarris's eyes widened. I saw it from the corner of my eye. Yarris's heartbeat was aching at the idea of those he cared about hurting. Not everyone who was behind Laveen was fully supporting him.... There was a weakness. 

"Secure her." Laveen ordered out as the doors swung open and a row of knights rushed towards me. It was Javion who restrained me in silver as I stared at Delcallon on the floor. He was going to die.

His eyes blackened out as he saw the silver being placed over my wrists. He growled as he tried to stand up, but another bolt shot into his chest, too close to his heart.

I was going to watch him die.

Laveen shook his head, "You probably deserved better than this Del." He stepped towards him as Del kept his blacked-out eyes on me, "You were a good friend and a good king." He crouched in front of my Intwined and flicked at a bolt causing Del to growl as the room darkened. "But you are right... I need her blood. Not yours."

He pulled out a blade from his pants and flipped it in his hands. Silver.

He looked over at me, "Any last words you want to give your Intwined?" He asked as he began to aim the blade towards Del's head.

I looked down at the cold marble floors and focussed on the faint flicker of a flame that was still inside of me. I felt Javion's grip on my arms tighten as I collapsed onto his chest.

"Get her up!" I heard Laveen shout causing my eyes to snap open.

I was on the floor.

"She fainted," Yarris stated with concern, he was standing over me and cradling me in his grip. Carian was also crouching next to me, examining my face.

I snapped my head towards Del, who was still alive. Laveen was facing me with his blade still in his hand.

I met Del's eyes as he shook his head in distress.

"Well get her up." Eskar barked with annoyance. "She needs to see Delcallon die."

Laveen rolled his eyes before turning to face Del again. His grip on his blade tightened.

Del's eyes snapped to the blade and his eyes widened, he looked at me as his beautiful, stormy eyes burned with tears. 

"I am so sorry, Alinta." He spoke out with a shaky voice, "I am so sorry."

I shook my head as I watched the shadows slowly appear.

"No," Laveen shouted as he rushed towards Delcallon.

Delcallon stared into my eyes as I watched the shadows engulf him and swiftly swallow him.

Laveen ran through the shadows and out the other side as Delcallon vanished.

He swore out at the fact that Del had escaped, and threw the blade across the room, sinking the blade into the stone of the castle walls.

"He ran." Eskar laughed out as he strode towards the spot Del had been. "The coward left her, and ran." He pointed at me while I clenched my jaw. 

I looked up at Yarris who was still holding me, his eyes narrowed as he examined me.

I gulped down all the pain I had ever experienced and allowed the tears to fall down my cheeks. His purple gaze widened as he brushed away the tears with his fingers.

Laveen strode towards me with powerful strides causing Yarris's grip on me to tighten in a protective manor. Laveen wore a terrifying glare as he crouched in front of me. "I am not an idiot Alinta." He growled as he pointed a finger towards me.

"But it does not matter." He added as he looked over me, "I have your blood, and now I have Del's biggest weakness." He stood up from the floor and glared down at me.

"Welcome to the Rebellion Alinta."