Beyond the Darkness

Chapter 8

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Chapter 8

It was the night before she was supposed to take Aiden to the Gordonians, also the night before she would she would run away for good and leave this retched place.

A servant had just been sent for her by the Serpent King himself. She stood outside his rooms, getting up enough courage to go in. She did not know what he wanted, the servant had not indicated the reason for this surprise call. The guards at the door gave her a curious glance, but didn't say anything.

Straitening her shoulders and putting on a blank mask, she reached out and opened the door. It made not a sound as it swung open. She walked in a step and paused.

"Your Highness," she called, "It's Amaya."

"Ah, yes, come in," she heard his deep voice call from the depths of the room.

She walked in farther and followed his voice, threading through the rooms until she found him, standing in front of a roaring fire. He had a drink in his hand and turned around as she neared and gave her a toothless smile. She had only been in here once before, and that was a long long time ago. Spen and Kila were there to guard him. They stared her down with expressionless faces.

She bowed before him and as she rose he gestured for her to sit down across from him. She knew she couldn't argue so in two quick strides she walked over to the chair and sat before him. Amaya leaned back and pulled out one of her knives and began to play with it. She always did this when she was nervous, and the King always made her nervous. She met his cold gray stare and made sure to keep a neutral expression on her face as he studied her. She wanted to ask him about why he had called her here, but she knew he would not take kindly to her speaking.

After a long silence he finally spoke. "You've changed Amaya. You are different than before you left for Caravia," he said in his clipped tones.

She put on a confused expression while on the inside she was panicking. Did he know that she was planning to run off? But how could he? She hadn't told anybody. Was it that he thought she had been acting too friendly to the Prince? She had made sure not to though. She had been so careful to keep this secret hidden.

"I do not know what you mean Your Majesty. I am the same person, nothing has changed," Amaya told him.

"Oh yes, you look the same, you act the same, but there is just something different. A certain defiance that was not as strong before."

"I assure you my King, I am still loyal to you and this kingdom," Amaya promised.

The King let out a barking laugh. "You and I both know that you are not loyal to me, you never have, nor will you ever be. But, we both also know that you will not betray me. No one does," the King stated and Amaya nodded her head in agreement. No one defies him for fear of the consequences. Amaya made no move to disagree with him.

"If I recall, you have a brother, don't you?" he asked and Amaya went cold. She continued to twirl the knife in her hand and did not react to his question.

"Yes I do, I'm surprised you cared to remember that," Amaya replied smoothly.

"Of course. I like to know things about the people who serve me. I find that we connect better that way," King Roland stated, "Now what was his name again? Bate? Mates?"