The Tyrant's Queen

48: a kept promise

Less than fifteen minutes ago, the hall had looked like it wanted space- packed with officials, soldiers and servants of all three countries.

Now as the doors slowly closed, Thalia saw Lucien sitting in the hall by himself, pulling out a cigar.

The very same place looked so empty, too spacious.

He always seemed to tower over Thalia. Now, he looked so small in the backdrop of the high ceilings and empty tables.

A salty taste came up to Thalia's throat.

Dehan, who had been waiting at the doors, bowed toward Thalia and pointed inside, raising his eyebrows.

Nodding, Thalia gestured to the hall. "Please be with-"

Awkwardly, she put into practice the Shahark sign language Dehan had taught her- mimicking the motion of riding a horse. "-the king."

Followed by a clumsy bow, Dehan made resounding knocks on the doors and entered.

For an unfathomably long time, Thalia and Karlieus simply walked only listening to the sound of her skirt brushing lightly against the marble, their footsteps echoing through the corridors.

Tap, tap...tap.

That was the rhythm of Lucien's cane against the floor. Hearing her own and Karlieus's shoes, she realized how quickly Lucien walked even with his cane, with his ruined leg.

Then she remembered the neat, grisly strips of flesh taken off his broad, already scarred back.

The rawness of his voice and his breathless gasps as he awoke screaming into the night, muffling his sounds with his fist.

"I will not have the shame of asking for your love. I dare not- how could I? I will receive every morsel of your loathing with gratitude, Thalia."

The way he went down on his knees- one damaged beyond repair and another burnt in an explosion he created- looking up to her, his lips quivering, his once contemptuous, cold eyes filled with tears.

Thalia stopped short in her tracks as a warm sensation came up to her throat, and an almost physical pulsating pain shot through her chest.

The moment she'd registered the fact that she was Yhun's daughter- and that Lucien had viewed her as a tool of brutal revenge- relief  had flushed through her.

Now she would be able to feel only hate- pure, perfect hate for Lucien.

How arrogant she'd been, how wrong she'd been.

"Your Majesty." Karlieus was calling her.

"Thank you, Karl." Thalia managed to smile. "Your pledge of loyalty as General Ikan's heir played one of the most important parts of the plan."

"Who told you?" Karlieus asked quietly. "That you're...Yhun's daughter."

"Someone who will be His Majesty's ally." Pulling Karlieus's coat closer to her shoulders, Thalia resumed walking.

Slowing down to match her pace, Karlieus followed.

Then, he spoke. "I know you have His Majesty in your heart. But I wish still to be used by you, ma'am."

She could not bear to look at Karlieus.

"You're doing enough for me, Karl. You don't know how happy I am to finally step out of the palace grounds."

"The palace is a large place. But too small to remain in for your whole life," he muttered. "If you'd like, I can be your way out."

"Karl-"