Cardan and Jude

Issues (And More Tears)

Locke begins to advance on me slowly, a smirk tilting his lips. He knows I have no weapons.

A hand grips my shoulder and Cardan steps in front of me.

'Locke, what are you doing?' He asks.

'We're about to duel, my king.' Locke says, not taking his eyes off me.

'Is this a good idea?' Cardan hisses, putting a hand on Locke's shoulder. 'Remember that she is my wife and High Queen of this land. If you do her harm there will be consequences. Consider deeply if you want to face them.'

'I am entitled to duel whomever I want, Cardan.' Locke retorts stoutly.

'I didn't say that the consequences were dealt to you by law. Be wary of your place in my court. I can retract your title as quickly as I handed it to you.'

'With all due respect, your threats mean nothing.' Locke says.

'Cardan, I can handle this. I don't need you to protect me.' I say, giving him a gentle shove so he steps out of the way.

He stares me down, eyes searching for an answer but I keep my face blank.

'Go.' I tell him and he backs off, tail flicking uncomfortably. By now, the Faeries have stopped dancing and, similarly to the feast of Taryn's wedding night they surround us, watching tensely. I realise I'm also being watched by Thomas. A plan is just beginning to form in my head when Locke strikes, ripping me out of my thoughts. I bend backwards, rolling out of the way of his sword and come up again. Taryn backs up, looking scared and is pulled into the crowd by her nurses. Locke comes at me again and this time I dodge within plenty of time. He loses his footing, presumably thinking he was going to hit me and stumbles forward, meeting the ground. I press my foot down on his back and reach for a wine glass from a pixie stood near me. Locke clambers to his feet quickly and I throw the wine glass at his head, red staining his shirt. It connects and he reels from the hit, turning sideways. I kick him again, in the waist, and his knees buckle, a small cough coming from his lips.

'Back down. End this. I only want my brother and his friend back.' I warn him.

He cries out, standing back up and lunging forward. I turn and his sword just cuts through my top. I breathe out and run towards him, dodging his flailing, desperate attempts to knock me down. I knee him in the crotch and he bends forward, giving me an opportunity to break his nose. Blood spurts from his face, covering my boots and I punch his temple, sending him to the ground.

'That's for my nose.' I spit down at him. I grab the sword from his hand, stamping on his fingers to grapple it. Walking to the pike I hold it up and the boys flinch, but I only cut through their bonds. They run behind me, shivering and rubbing their sore wrists. Cardan stares at me from the crowd, dark, bottomless eyes glistening in the dancing firelight. Pink taints the sky and I know morning is coming.

'Don't follow me!' I shout to him. I turn my back and begin to walk away when I'm tackled to the ground by Locke, a feral look in his eyes. His fingernails begin to rip at my face and my throat and I cry out, feeling skin peeling at his attacks. I kick, trying to wiggle out from underneath him but he has me straddled. Trapped. Cardan stands frozen as I scream for help. Locke bares his teeth and starts to bend down to bite my neck. I flail harder, turning away from him, shutting my eyes tightly, knowing this could be the end. Instead of a sharp pain, I'm greeted with a strange sensation trickling down my front. Like warm, but oddly thick, water.

Blood.

I open my eyes to witness Locke's shocked face and a blade protruding from his throat, almost touching my nose. He falls sideways off of me and I'm greeted by my own sister. Taryn has speared her husband with his sword.