THE BLOOD ROYALS Book 2: Long Live The Queen!

Chapter Forty Eight: The New Friend

North of Ebrium
Renée's POV
The temperature is getting lower. We are definitely moving up to Saine Neane. The closer we get, the more anxious I am getting. I don't know what we will find up north but for me it's the only place I think I need to be. Everyone is saying it's safer up north because the Duke is not known to bow to pressure and most people are sure that if Nilsa goes mad with power Rowan will not be submitting.

People don't like Nilsa. There are many stories about her that are being talked about. But what is clear, is that her rule can turn into a dictatorship. It already started when she decided all duchies should close their borders and strict curfews enforced. We had to wait till 7a.m this morning to leave the hotel we had checked into for the night. Anyone who is not part of the army found outside after 7p.m and before 7a.m was either arrested or shot at. She's not playing games.

I didn't sleep well. The last time I peacefully closed my eyes was when I was on Reli's bed waiting for him. It was a brief nap. Last night I was awake, seated by the window watching the deserted streets of Ebrium. The only thing on TV was the Duke's speech urging everyone to follow orders from Carperia and the army. Even the police have no jurisdiction on the street. The army has taken over everything even guarding malls to maintain order. Humvees were all I saw last night. It was so quiet that I couldn't believe I was in the city. Pin drop silence characterized the night but it didn't apply in my mind.

Last night I really cried my eyes out. In my own way, I mourned for a man I'm not sure is really dead or he possibly got away. I made sure the water was running to avoid unwanted attention from Marlina.

She didn't sleep either.

I guess we are both in the same anxiety boat.

This morning I woke up with determination not to weep for Reli until I have proof that he's dead. We have been walking along a highway. Only five cars have passed us since we started the long trek north. We tried to stop them but no one stopped for us.

"No one wants to take any chances with the rebellion and all." Marlina noted after a sixth car sped past us.

"What do you mean?"

"My grandfather lived at the time when King Dargan went to war with Cray Thera. From how he told it, the atmosphere was just like this. Curfews, strict check points, the army on the streets... if I'm not wrong, they will go door to door to flash out rebels. The subjects will also be mandated to expose anyone not in favor of the crown."

"What is the criteria for determining who is against the crown?"

"At a time like this, even a negative remark against the royal family can land you in a slammer." She smiled at me. "But if Rowan is like what people say, north is the place to be. Who are going to see?"

Possibly Xanth. I need to find out if he has my laptop. If he's there we will figure out what next.

"An ex boyfriend." I told her.

She looked intrigued.

"Really?"

"Yeah. We didn't part in bad terms so..."

"Don't you have a family? Your identification papers said you come from Saine Neane."

"I do come from there. I'm an orphan. My ex is all I have."

We approached a small gas station with a convenience store. "I will go use the bathroom." Marlina excused herself.

I stood next to the pay phone, waiting for her. She's been paying for everything. I have absolutely nothing but the papers in my pocket to identify myself with and the brief message the soldier wrote to his mother.