THE BLOOD ROYALS Book 2: Long Live The Queen!

Chapter Fifty: The Peak of Dargan

Saine Neane
Renee's POV
"Stay in step Renée. You've lost too much blood already." She told me. It's trickling and my clothes can't absorb it anymore. I feel weak. The knife is still in place. She has a steady hand. It hasn't moved."You may not believe me but I don't want you to die. You're a good person."

The guards are accompanying us. They are armed with guns pointed our way. They are many guards but none of them can save me. I'm at the mercy of this woman.

The Duke approached with his hands raised. He gave me a good locket as a gift over the dinner we hosted at the palace before everything went to hell. It's back at the palace.

"Renée, talk to me."

"It hurts." I whispered.

"Young woman," he began. "This is unnecessary. If you want an audience with the prince you will have it. Just let her go."

"I will let her go. But I feel you just know that she has been poisoned. If anything happens to me, it's totally fine. I came here knowing I may not leave this place alive. But I'm just saying it would be a good idea not to even scratch me because she won't get a cure. I need the following. Tell the prince to come out here. I want an audience with him. Tell your guards to stand down. Renée! Eyes open! Steady yourself or the knife will rip you open."

"Okay." I whispered. My eyes are heavy. I feel lightheaded.

"I want a car and instructions to let me through the border no questions asked. Simple."

The Duke made a phone call.

"Nilsa won't get away with this." I told Marlina.

"She already has."

"The prince is coming. Let her go." The Duke pleaded.

Seconds later, Reli and Barlowe showed up. He looks angry. Marlina didn't pull out the knife when she let go. As though her hold on the knife has been the only thing keeping me on my feet, I fell on my knees but Reli caught me before I hit the ground. "Renée. Sweetheart, keep your eyes open. What did you do to her?"

"What I was instructed to do." Marlina answered. "I'm sorry Renée. It wasn't personal."

I think I'm losing consciousness. My vision of Reli slowly faded into nothing.

Prince Relian's POV
"Your majesty, we have a problem." Barlowe woke me up just as I tried to sleep.

"What is it?"

"Renée is here and she's not alone."

"Stay!" I told my grandmother. Barlowe and I hurried up using the side exit that brings us to the helipad beside the palace. As soon as I saw the trail of blood and how still Renée looks, I realized it's bad. Marlina is holding a knife to her side. She let go and Renée could barely take a step forward. She collapsed on her knees and I caught her soon after. "Renée. Sweetheart, keep your eyes open." I held her jaw. "What did you do to her?"

"What I was instructed to do." Marlina answered. "I'm sorry Renée. It wasn't personal."

I lifted her and gave her to Barlowe. "Get her inside. She needs medical attention. Be careful when you remove the knife. Go."

"I fired my doctor. I'm yet to replace him." Rowan told me.

"Do you have a nurse at least?"

"Yes."

"Then let her do something for Renée. I'll be there shortly."
I approached Marlina. I took a gun out of the holster around my thigh. "Why shouldn't I kill you right now?"