The Queen's Guard

Chapter 16

Maya turned around, her heart breaking at the sight before her. "No!" she screamed, the word tearing from her throat as she saw the spear that had pierced through Carina's corset. Blood had already begun to blossom around the wound, staining the queen's garments in a dark, ominous red.

Carina's eyes locked with Maya's, a look of shock and pain on her face. Maya ran, catching her just as her legs gave way. "No, no, no," she muttered frantically, lowering Carina gently to the ground.

Carina's breathing was already shallow, each inhale becoming a struggle. Maya's hands were shaking as she cupped Carina's cheek, feeling the warmth draining from her skin. She could see the pain etched across Carina's face, her eyes wide with fear and shock.

For a brief moment, Maya was paralyzed, the world seemed to close in around them, the noise of the forest fading into a distant hum. She glanced down at the spear, knowing she would have to remove it and stop the bleeding if they were to stand any chance. "Maya," Carina whispered, her voice barely audible, her eyes begging Maya to stay with her, to not look away.

"It's okay, you'll be okay," Maya said, trying to convince herself more than Carina. "I just need to take this out so I can carry you," she said aloud, willing herself to act. But as she wrapped her hand around the spear, her resolve faltered. She knew how much it would hurt, and she knew that the second she pulled it out, Carina would start bleeding out faster.

"It's okay," Carina said, her voice strangely calm, perhaps from the weakness of losing blood. She wrapped her hand around Maya's, urging her to do it.

Maya took a deep breath, tears blurring her vision. "I love you," she whispered against Carina's forehead, her voice breaking. Then, with a swift motion, she pulled the spear out. Carina cried in pain, her body convulsing, and she coughed up blood. Maya threw the spear aside and ripped her own shirt, stuffing the wound and pressing down desperately to stem the bleeding.

"Stay with me," Maya pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "Please, stay with me." She begged as Carina's blinks slowed, her eyelids growing heavier.

"I'm so cold," Carina whispered almost silently. Her grip on Maya's hand loosened weakly. Maya's mind raced, desperate for any solution. She screamed for help, screams that would haunt her dreams forever, knowing no one was there to answer her call. She had to get Carina back to the castle, to the healers.

"You'll be okay, I got you. I'm going to get you help," she said, tears streaming down her face, her trembling lips brushing Carina's forehead as she held her tight.

Maya lifted her carefully, every movement measured to avoid worsening her condition. With Carina cradled in her arms, she mounted their horse and spurred it into a gallop, the urgency driving them forward. The forest path blurred around them, and Maya's focus narrowed to the rhythm of the horse's hooves and the shallow breaths of the woman in her arms.

As they burst through the castle gates, Maya shouted for help, her voice echoing through the courtyard. Servants and guards rushed to their aid, and Carina was quickly taken from Maya's arms, disappearing into the depths of the castle with the healers.

Maya stood there, breathless, covered in Carina's blood, feeling as if a part of her had been torn away. She was alone, Carina's blood making her faint, feeling like she was going to fall over until she heard footsteps rapidly approaching. She looked up, her vision blurred with tears, and saw Ben's face come into focus.

His expression was a mix of fear and disappointment. What he had feared for so long had come to pass, and the consequences were already dire. Maya opened her mouth to say something, to apologize, to explain, but nothing came out. Ben glanced at her, his eyes full of unspoken words, before he turned and followed the bloody trail on the ground, his footsteps echoing through the corridor.