The Royal War

Chapter 10

I lock Kallias's cell before I walk back to the ballroom, when I enter the room I find Alexandra and her Husband still sitting at one of the tables. When she spots me, she stands and floats over to me. Her dress is a beautiful dark blue and the gems are covering the hem of the dress.

"Alena, how are Demos?" She asks

"He is fine, healing but he will live."

She nods, "I know you and your husband live far away. If you want to spend the night here, we have spare clothes and plenty of room," I offer.

"Let me discuss it with my husband and we will let you know."

I nod and watch her walk back to her husband and they whisper for a few minutes before she comes back to me and says, "We will accept your generous offer," I began to turn away when she said, "It's not your fault you know, what happened."

I smiled, "It is kind of you  to think so but it is Alexandra."

"It's not, you did what you could, besides no one died and most of us are safe, Demos is out of danger," She holds my hands and looks sternly into my eyes, "Stop blaming yourself Alena."

"I'll try," I whisper.

I lead them to the guest bedrooms and show them the bathroom, I ring for a mad to bring them new clothes. Once they are situated I decide to walk to the infirmary but then I hear a knock at the door. I go to open it and find the Duke of Cavalen.

"Oh Hello, I was not expecting to find you here."

He looks me in the eyes, "I just wanted to see whether you were okay."

"I'm sorry about all the commotion during the ball, I really hoped it would go well."

"There is nothing for you to apologize for, you did nothing wrong."

I invited him inside, "I need to finish a few errands but you are welcome to walk with me."

He falls into step beside me and we are silent for a few minutes.

"I assume there's a reason who wanted to see me?" I ask

"There is, when you're done with your tasks I would like to talk to you."

"There is a room with chairs and couches, feel free to wait for me there."

He nods and walks off, I quickly finish up my tasks and meet him in the room. I find him holding one of my favorite books The Turn Off The Screw.

"You have good taste," He says.

I chuckle, "Thank you."

I sat down next to him, "How are you?"

He responds with, "I could be better."

I laugh, "Likewise."

"Have you heard of the recent attacks on our kingdom?" He asks

I groan, "Let me guess foreign kingdoms are retaliating?"

"Correct, I have heard more people have died and some are wounded."

"This war is going to be the end of our kingdom."

"I agree."

"If only there was a way to get this sick need for power out his head."

He laughs, "I think death will be the only way to get that idea away, once you have a taste of real power you can't go back."

I think about what he just said, "Kallias..." I whisper.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, I'm sorry but I need you to leave. An urgent matter has come up."

"Is everything okay?" He questions.

"Everything is fine but I need to go."

I see him out of the house, the second he is out of my view I slam the door and run to the infirmary where Demos is.

"Demos!" I yell

I see him sprawled across the bed, his eyes slowly open.

"The one day I actually want a break is when you need me." He grumbles something underneath his breath.

"I have an idea, and I need your advice."

I bring my voice down to a whisper, "What if we rid these lands of the king."

That gets his attention, " How would we do that?"

I take my finger and rake it across my neck, he understands.

"I was thinking we could team up with Kallias and get the job done."

"Alena are you drunk, I understand you have been under a lot of stress. Maybe you need to lay down."

He starts to make room but I stop him, "I am mentally stable Demos. I am not Joking, Kallias is a trained assassin, and saving the kingdom is more important to me than avenging my fathers death."

"I know that sounds mean but we are talking about the lives of millions," I continue

"Alena, Kallias will try to betray you."

"I know that's why I plan to make him a deal, if he helps us then I will give him his freedom back."

"I don't know Alena, it's really risky, but I will follow you no matter what you decide."

"Demos I really think it is our only shot at keeping these innocent people alive. You've seen how the king is, he doesn't care about us, he is insane."

"Alena, my only problem is Kallias, he stabbed me tonight, I know he'll do it again."

"I know he might but we're backed into a corner here, I have no choice, I have to get over my ego and do what is best."

"Usually I would say that violence isn't the answer," He starts

I open my mouth to speak but Demos continues, "But in this case I don't see any other solution."

I smile, "So you'll help me?"

He sighs, "Yes."

"Great! I'll let you sleep now."

He mumbles something that I choose not to know. I shut the door behind me and walk to my room. Tomorrow morning I will propose my deal with Kallias.