War of the Heart

Sabrina

'She's... gone?'

Eztli's eyes were the size of the moon and her fists balled around the cloth of her apron. The short cook looked out of place in Sabrina's fancy room but Sabrina didn't mind. It felt like having something out of the world Sabrina came from in this strange reality. Sabrina had hoped Allard would provide a similar comfort, but she struggled to trust him. The prophecy Merari had mentioned stuck in her mind, no matter what Allard claimed about having turned down Detruienn's offer. Lying was easy. Sabrina did it all the time.

'She disappeared after Detruienn revealed herself. We don't know quite where she's gone. I just... I just wanted to let you know.' Sabrina struggled to meet Eztli's eyes. She knew they'd been close.

'But...' Her pupils darted to and fro as her mind scrambled to understand what was being said. It clearly didn't take long, because fury soon ignited her face. 'This is all your fault! You forced her to go, to be an Eseterrian, even though she didn't want to!'

The anger rose. Sabrina felt it boiling under her skin, itching to scratch the surface. Pushing it away occurred with ease, so nobody ever suspected her of possessing such rage. All anyone ever saw was her tranquility. That was how it should be. How it had to be.

'I never forced her, but blame me for now if it makes it easier until you get past anger.'

Eztli suddenly lurched forward. Their hand swung for her side, a sharp kitchen knife glinting in their hand. Sabrina wasn't sure where it had come from, but that barely mattered now that it was heading straight for her spleen. Her arm reached out while her legs briskly stepped aside. Before Eztli could react, she closed her fingers around the chef's wrist and sharply pulled. Eztli was twirled around but didn't let herself be fully maneuvered. Their hand twisted so that the blade painted Sabrina's arm red. The wound stung and heat seared through it, but that gave Sabrina the strength to kick Eztli's legs from below them, making sure to let go before she was pulled down too. The pain felt familiar and good.

The knife clattered towards the door. Eztli scrambled for it, but Sabrina pressed her down with a foot. Her anger begged to push harder, to make them whimper and cry, but she forced herself to stick to the necessary minimum. She couldn't lose her newfound purity.

The door was thrown open by Allard Bohun. Sabrina's guard dropped and Eztli slid forward towards the knife. The prince kicked it away.

'Back at it, Miss Edris?' he coyly greeted her.

'Close the door,' Sabrina growled.

'That's not how you talk to a prince,' he tutted.

'Close the door, oh Prince Allard of Cines.'

The door clicked closed and he picked up the knife. 'Is that yours?'

'No,' snapped Sabrina.

Below her, Eztli was squirming. Sabrina slid her foot off and crouched down. With her hands, she firmly pressed them down.

'Now, if you're willing to leave without any trouble, I won't tell anyone about this.'

'Actually, I-'

'No, my prince.' The word dripped with venom. She didn't like being reminded of her past. 'If you behave, you can go on as normal. After all, your lashing out was completely understandable. You got quite the shock.'

Eztli glared up at the Eseterrian. For a moment, while they looked at each other in silence, Sabrina genuinely had no idea whether the offer would be accepted. But then they nodded slowly. Relieved, Sabrina slid her hands aside. Eztli looked at her, contemplating, then got up.