The Death Kingdom

Chapter Eleven

I burst into the shared bathroom of all the female servants in this hallway, barely making it to a lavatory before expunging the dinner I ate mere hours earlier.

Back in a time where I hadn't seen a man beaten to death.

Bile comes out of my throat until there's nothing left in my stomach and the back of my throat is burning like a flame. Tears stream down my face as I continue drive heaving, unable to catch my breath.

I move to sit back on the ground, bringing my knees up and apart so I can place my head between them to try and calm my breathing. I'm not sure how I would explain this to anyone if they came in right now.

I'm panting and sweating, from the vomit and sprint back from the secret tunnels. I don't think I've ever run so fast in my entire life.

What in the bloody Nyer did I just witness?

Death is the utmost offense in the Kingdom of Delphine. Even the slightest whisper or rumor of it will get a person imprisoned. No one dares commit that offense, but it's happening inside the castle. Month after month.

Before I left I saw Guardians forcing the next soldier up to fight against someone else. Of course, someone was also removing Kane's lifeless body from the square at the same time and the sight of that had me almost losing my dinner right then and there. I barely managed to make it back here in time.

They were going to force the rest of the soldiers there to fight. It was no longer a choice. How can the Guardians get away with such cruel and vicious behavior? How can the king allow that?

Does he even know?

He must. He must be allowing these proceedings to occur. There's no way they could get away with something that execrable right under the king's nose.

I flinch as I think of what became of Kane's nose.

That was the most heinous act I've ever seen. No one has ever been allowed to be so violent. Even seeing blood is a sight not normally seen, only on the occasion when a child accidentally hurts themselves while playing.

After resting on the cold floor for a couple more minutes my breathing starts to finally return to a normal pace. I need to get back to my room so I can deal with this in private and not risk the potential of someone walking in at any second.

I make my way back to my room in a hurry, and only when I close the door behind me do I allow myself to collapse onto the ground and cry.

I awake with a start, panting and sweating. It takes me a moment to realize where I am and I run a shaking hand through my navy hair.

I had the dream again.

I try my best to suppress the reoccurring dream I've had since I was a child. Of course, it comes back after what I witnessed last night.

I feel like I'm drowning in death and destruction. Living it in real life and in dreams; I can't get rid of it. I don't want these things to haunt me night after night in my dreams, but alas, I am not so lucky.

I'm shaky through breakfast and all through my morning chores. Even Rome notices a change in my behavior.

"Get it together Saige," he scolds, his voice domineering. "I don't need you slacking off like this every day."

"Oh, Rome, how I do enjoy our lovely chats," I say plainly, rolling my eyes in the process.

"If you would do your job competently I wouldn't have to speak to you," he quips back, his lips curling in disgust.