Scarlet Queen

Chapter 13- Scarlet's POV

I screamed.

It was a primal, gutteral sound of pure rage, terror, and anguish as I saw the blood. Dark red, dripping everywhere, covering the floors King Arcane had so carefully ordered to be polished. I drew myself to my knees and crawled to Lucas' side, holding my jaw at a delicate angle. When I moved it, bright flashes of pain bolted through my mind. I braced myself and looked at Lucas' torso, my stomach turning when I saw the wound.

It was a deep slash, pumping blood. It ran from all the way down his chest to his stomach area. I pulled off my cloak and desperately pressed it against the wound, but in the back of my mind, I knew it was useless. The wound is so large and deep, and near so many vital organs. If the sword missed his heart, he'll still die from the blood loss. I held back my tears. I used a trick I had taught myself years ago- I took my emotions and pushed them down into a little ball in my heart, where they wouldn't show up. But I felt the ball of emotion quivering inside of me, threatening to burst out.

"Ruby..." I heard Lucas groan. I looked down at him. He stared back up at me, his eyes starting to go blurry but shining with a heavenly light. "Ruby..." he said again. I nodded. "I'm here, Lucas, I'm here. I'm not leaving," I said soothingly. I reached to take his hand and jolted at the sight of mine, covered in blood. I considered withdrawing my hand, not sure how Lucas would react, when he rached up on his own and took my hand. I could tell that that simple gesture took a lot of his energy, and I pressed his hand to my cheek.

"I... I'm sorry, Ruby," he said faintly. I shook my head, fighting hard to keep the tears back. "Why, Lucas? You didn't do anything wrong," I said, choking up. His grip was getting weaker, but still he held on. "I broke my promise... You asked me.. to promise... to never leave... your side..." His breathing was slowing, but he still spoke to me. "I'm not going to be able to stay..." he said softly.

I felt a tear slip down my cheek. "Shh. It's okay, Lucas. I forgive you. Sometimes, you can't help it whether you leave or stay..." I said, my voice breaking. I pulled the hood from Lucas' head, revealing his face. I gently pulled him onto my lap and stroked his soft blonde hair, humming the same way Mother used to whenever one of us had a nightmare. He sighed, leaning into me. For a few minutes, everything was still and quiet. Then I heard Lucas gasp.

"What is it, Lucas?" I said softly. He was gazing into the distance, staring up but not really looking at me. "I... I..." he said, barely breathing, his voice soft. With great effort, he spoke to me. "I... can see... Mom..." he said. Then he closed his eyes and sighed with contentment. He didn't breathe back in.

"No. NO!" I screamed, shaking Lucas desperately. But I knew that it was useless. He was gone, just as gone as Mother was, and I could never get him back. I screamed again, shrieking louder than a banshee. I looked down at Lucas, feeling the tears streaming down my face. I didn't bother to stop them. The look on his face was one of abounding peace, but that didn't change the fact that he was gone.

I looked up, forgetting the fact that I had an audience. Everyone was frozen in horror. The guards jaws were slack, their weapons at their sides. Slinger and Sticky were staring at Lucas, sorrow etched in every feature of their face. And King Arcane was staring at Lucas' body, the sword still in his hands, unmoving.

I got to my feet. I felt like I was the only living thing in a room full of statues. I growled, and King Arcane flinched, coming back to life. "You killed him," I snarled, my words dripping with venom. "You would've killed me. And instead you killed him. Your own son!" I cried, advancing on him. I picked up Vengeance from where it lay on the ground and grabbed Arcane by the throat, pinning him to the wall. I got close to him and stared him in the eyes, locking eys with the monster that called himself king.

"I named my blade Vengeance," I breathed, my voice soft but echoing through the throne room. "And Vengeance it shall be. This blade will get revenge for everything I lost! Mother, my beauty, my honor, Lucas... I will get revenge for EVERYTHING YOU TOOK FROM ME!!!" I screamed. Arcane was sputtering, his face turning blue. I had tightened my grip without realizing it.

I released Arcane and he gasped, relief flooding his face, only for it to be replaced with pain and horror when I stabbed him in the chest. He screamed, and I stabbed him again, and again, until his chest was gushing blood. His eyes were growing blurry, and I spit in his face. "So long, tyrant," I growled. King Arcane let out a whimper, then fell still, clutching the armrest of the throne. Even in death, he hangs onto his power, I thought sadly.

I turned away from the blood-covered throne, back to Lucas' body. I make it three steps towards him before I collapse to my knees. I don't hold back my emotions anymore. I let it all go, tears streaming down my face, sobbing. I feel pressure around me and realize that it's Slinger, holding me, carefully rocking me back and forth. I cling to him, crying my heart out, as my world and heart crumbles into a million peices.