The Death Kingdom

Chapter Twenty-One

I step into Nena's pitch-black room, a million thoughts swirling through my mind. I make my way over to the bed and gently touch her shoulder.
        "Nena, wake up," I say to her, slightly applying more pressure to her shoulder.
        She makes a soft groan and her eyelids flutter open. "Saige? What are you doing here?"
        I pull her to sit up. "I'm so sorry to do this Nena, but there's no time to explain everything. Something has happened, something terrible and I have to run." I pause for a second, preparing myself to tell her the news. "I have to go back to the rebellion."
        "What are you talking about?" She shuffles around on the night table next to her cot and then flame erupts from the match she uses to light a candle. She turns her face to mine. "You're a part of the rebellion? This whole time—"
        I quickly step in. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but you know I couldn't. But I trust you Nena and I want you to come with me," I plead. I grab her hand in mine and squeeze.
        "I don't understand. What happened? Why do you have to leave?" She shakes her head and uses her free hand to run it over her face. She's probably still half asleep.
        I take a deep breath, wondering what exactly I should tell her. I'm not sure if she wants to know what happened to the prince or if she should know. If the king or any of the Guardians figure out she knows anything she could be imprisoned, no...killed. Now that I know how apparent death is in this kingdom everything changes. The stakes are insurmountably higher.
        But Nena deserves to know the truth. I find I want to tell her everything. That way she can make an informed decision for herself and her family. It's the right thing to do.
        "Nena listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you. I know it's going to be difficult to believe but everything is true." I stare into her eyes, making sure I have her undivided attention. "I was tasked by the rebellion to pretend to be a servant while gaining inside information on the royal family. They needed me to learn how the king has such a long life, and tonight I learned how he does it."
        Nena's eyes grow impossibly wide. "You figured it out?" she breathes, her curiosity taking over her being.
        "Nena," I say, gripping her hand in mine. "He sacrifices people. Everyone who we thought was mostly safe who was imprisoned is used as the king's sacrifice. He has to kill at least ten people a month on these lands to obtain his long life."
        Nena's face blanches. "He—he kills them?"
        "Yes, and tonight is when he decided to show Prince Kavi. I found them down in the secret tunnels beneath the castle and I saw everything, Nena. It was the most terrifying thing I've ever seen. I watched the king kill people without any remorse. One after another. He slit their throats."
        Nena turns her head away from me when I say that and then something dawns on her. "Your fight with the creature from the Misty Forest. You've been trained by the rebellion, that's how you were able to defeat it."
        "If I hadn't been with the rebellion we would've died," I tell her.
        "Gods." She covers her mouth with her hand. "And the king has been killing prisoners this whole time? Is that why murder is outlawed?"
        "Yes, and not just to stay young, it makes him stronger, faster, and harder to kill. But Nena, listen to me. He told Prince Kavi the secret tonight and demanded that the prince kill someone for himself to experience the power that you gain from it. He wanted Prince Kavi to become a part of it and continue on the Dagon family tradition." I bite my lip as I say it, wondering how much time has gone by, probably too much already.
        "Prince Kavi killed someone?" Nena looks stricken, horror evident in her eyes.
        I shake my head. "No, and because the prince refused the king tried to kill him."
        Nena's mouth drops open. "What? Why—"
        "The king isn't well, Nena. I stepped in and stopped the king before he could put his dagger in his son. But now we have to leave, Prince Kavi is now the king's enemy and the king will stop at nothing to keep his secret from getting out to the public. Prince Kavi and I are leaving the castle and running to the rebellion. The prince went to get his brother to leave with us, Prince Auden will not be safe here either. I need to get them both out, they're the only hope for the kingdom."
        Nena stares and stares at me. "You're taking both princes to the rebellion?"
        I grimace. "It's the only choice they have now. I'm not sure where else they can go."
        Nena stares down at the stone floor for a moment, letting all the information settle in. "And you're here because?"
        "I wanted you to know all the information so you can do what you need to do to protect your family. I may have been lying to you about being a spy, but our friendship was real. I don't want you to ever question that." I bite my lip. "And I came because I want you to come with us. You can move your family to the rebellion too, there's space for everyone and safety."
        Nena's hand slips from mine. She gets up from her cot leaving me sitting there to watch her pace bath and forth in the tiny room. "This is so much Saige I don't even know what to think."
        I let out a sigh. "I know, and I'm sorry to bombard you with so much information in such a short time." I run a shaky hand through my hair. "I'm about to make it worse too but you have maybe five minutes to meet Prince Kavi and his brother. You have to make the decision fast."
        "Would we go straight into the city to get my family on the way?" she asks.
        I deflate, knowing my answer isn't what she wants to hear. "No, I'm sorry, getting both princes to the rebellion will take priority. I have to ensure their safety, we would have to go back for your family."
        "And by then if I'm gone the castle will realize and send for my family," she finishes for me, nodding her head slowly. She meets my gaze and I see the resignation in her eyes.
        "I know," I tell her, tears starting to line my eyes. "It's the best option for your family. I understand."
        "I wish it could be different," she says. "But I have to take care of my family." Her voice hiccups on the last word she speaks, her own tears starting to fall.
        I stand up and wrap her in a tight hug, tucking her head into my shoulder. "You're the bravest person I have ever met. I am so proud of you, Nena, and your family would be too."
        "I'm going to miss you so much." Her voice is muffled by my shoulder and I squeeze her harder.
        "I'm going to miss you too, and if you ever have an opportunity to get out I will be waiting for you and your family. You are always welcome with the rebellion." I pull back and stare into her eyes for the last time. It feels like I'm losing my younger sister, the pain pulling at my heart.
        She nods and her hands slide down to intertwine with mine. "Stay safe, Saige. Take care of yourself and the princes. The fate of the kingdom now rests with you."
        The stark reality of what she said settles inside of me. "I kind of wish you hadn't said that."
        Nena laughs, the sound light and wrong for the situation, but absolute music to my ears anyway. "You're a hero Saige, deal with it. Now, go!"
        I give her one last quick embrace and then I'm out the door, running down the hallway to the stairs. The chance the Guardians are already there and waiting for me is so high, but I power through and have to hope my last goodbye won't mean my death.
        I sprint up the stairs, feeling a haunting pain in my leg from my last injury. It's fully healed but I haven't sprinted like this since before the incident.
        I spot a servant walking away from the stairs. I thank the Goddess Yeva for my luck and creep up the last of the stairs, waiting for the servant to round a corner to get to where they're going.
        There's no sign of Prince Kavi or Prince Auden so I slowly keep making my way deeper into the servant's quarter. I make my way to the kitchens, and decide as I see the pantry I need to grab some food for us to make it back to the rebellion.
        I hastily grab a bag and start filling it with anything that can travel well. Apples, oranges, bread, and some cheese. It'll have to do and last between the three of us. Hopefully, I can catch a rabbit in the woods, but getting that close without a bow and arrow will be difficult. At least I have this dagger still hidden under my shirt.
        I make my way back over to the kitchen, and I hear a noise inside. Could it be the princes? Or just servants preparing food for breakfast tomorrow?
        I debate for a moment, trying to figure out what to do when I hear noise coming down the stairs back in the direction I came from.
        Prince Kavi comes into view first and the relief I feel at seeing him surprises me. I never imagined I'd be so elated to see the prince, but here I am wanting to celebrate the sight of his face.
        A moment later I catch sight of Prince Auden who looks mostly confused but is following his brother nonetheless. I have to admire their relationship. Prince Kavi had so much further to travel to find his brother and in probably the two minutes he had to convince Auden to come with him, he did it. They trust each other. Over two years apart with Auden on the frontlines and they still explicitly trust each other. I miss Fynn and Akita even more at that moment.
        When the princes finally catch sight of me they move toward me hurriedly. My eyes catch Prince Auden's and I feel like so much passes between us during that brief look. So many questions and surprises and intrigue.
        Prince Kavi stops right in front of me, a slight frown on his lips. "Nena?"
        I shake my head, unable to say anything more about it. My heart is still aching from our goodbye and the fact that she's going to stay here with a murderous king running about.
        Prince Kavi blows out a breath. "I'm sorry, Saige," he says and it seems like he means it too. I've never heard the prince apologize before and the fact he is now, speaks volumes to me.
        I give myself one second to accept his words and feel sad for myself and Nena, but then I straighten my spine. "Time to go."
        Prince Auden doesn't say a word as he continues to follow us toward the kitchen. I can't imagine what's going through his head. I have no idea how much his brother told him.
        We sneak for as long as we can until we reach the kitchen where multiple servants are working, making a cacophony of noise that'll work in our favor. There's a hallway that we have to go through to get to the exit but the hallway has a wide open archway into the kitchen we have to pass. If the servants are busy enough with their tasks they might not notice us slipping by. At least I hope.
        I take a deep breath turning to face the princes. "We have to be fast and quiet. One at a time."
        I catch their nods in the dim light and turn around to make my way down the hallway. I'm practically holding my breath, terrified to make any unnecessary noise. I creep down the hallway, keeping light on my feet. I approach the archway, the sounds from the kitchen even louder now. I hear servants chatting, pots and pans clanking around, and the crackle of the massive fire in the hearth.
        I peek my head around the corner, moving as slowly as I can. All the servants have their backs to me and without any hesitation, I dash across the opening. Once I make it to the other side I pause, listening intently to their conversations. Nothing changes, they must not have seen me.
        I wave my hand to Prince Auden and he starts making his way down the hallway. He performs similarly to how I did and the next thing I know he's standing right in front of me.
        I take in his height, his quiet strength, and the way his breathing is slightly sharp. I haven't been this close to him since that day in the infirmary when he leaned over me. I nervously swallow, tilting my head back to look into his green eyes. They seem like they're glowing in the dark lighting and the feel of him so close to me is making me forget how to breathe.
        I clear my throat and whisper to him, "I'm glad Prince Kavi managed to find you."
        He tilts his head to the side, studying my face. "Are you, rebel?" His mouth curves around the last word, and I can't decipher what he means by it. Can't tell if he wants to hate me more or if it makes no difference.
        I narrow my eyes. "You're welcome for saving your brother, again. I remember the last time you were a little more grateful."
        Prince Auden opens his mouth to say something else but Prince Kavi beats him to it. "Shut it, the both of you," he whisper-shouts, an annoyed edge to his tone.
        He's right, of course. I give Prince Auden one last glare before turning on my heel and heading the rest of the way down the hallway. We have to get out of here, and then I can let Prince Auden get under my skin.
        I hear their almost soundless footsteps following behind me as I make my way to the door. I pause glancing back at the princes. "There could be the entire force of the Guardians beyond this door, are you sure?"
        Prince Kavi's face turns down toward the ground. His hand forms a tight fist and then he releases it, looking back up at me. "At this point, we no longer have a choice."
        I glance at Prince Auden, taking in his features possibly for the last time. He nods his head at me. "I go where he goes. Open that door."
        I want to feel relief from their resolve, but find I'm losing even more hope than before. This could be it, I could be about to die at the hands of the Guardians. I could die laying next to the princes of Delphine.
        I unlatch the door, my hands shaking as I do so. I'm about to place my hand on the handle to pull it open when a large hand comes to rest over mine. I turn my head to see Prince Auden, face a mask, but his touch gentle and kind. He grips my hand in his squeezing once and helps me pull the door open.
        His hand on mine stops the shaking I was feeling coming over my entire body. I hate the way his touch can do that, but a small part of me deep down rejoices. It's a relief not to have to do this all on my own.
        I finally tear my eyes away from his to see the exact thing I was dreading.
        Five Guardians are waiting for us in the courtyard.