Prince Alani
"I can't stay hidden forever!" I protested as Princess Hali shoved me into a room and locked the door behind us, "My friends and family are still out there!"
"Do you want to die?" She glared at me with fierce, blue eyes, "Be grateful I'm helping you. I'm risking my neck to protect you, if I'm caught, I'll be killed." I ducked my head guiltily, my face red. Realisation of the risk she had taken for me slapped me in the face, and I figured I should be more grateful.
"I'm sorry" I said quietly, "I'm just worried, terrified if I'm being honest."
Hali's gaze softened. "Of course, I forget you must have a family you can actually love. My mother is the worst woman alive, and I am her favourite daughter." She laughed bitterly, hoarsely and without humour.
"You're her only daughter" I raised a brow.
"Exactly" She glowered. My cheeks flushed, realising what she had meant. She turned away, reaching her slender hands deep into a set of drawers carved from mahogany wood. She retrieved a dark russet cloak, throwing at me. I fumbled to catch it, holding it up.
"Here, cover your head and try not to show your face" She told me, "If we're going to get you out of the castle, you'll need to disguise yourself. The battle sounds like it's nearly over, and if your brother was smart, he would have fled by now." Following her commands, I tied the cloak around my shoulders and pulled the hood up. Hali frowned, fussing with it until she was satisfied I was sufficiently covered.
"Come on" She jerked her pretty head, "Keep your head down and don't say anything. If we get stopped, you're one of my assistants." I nodded, knowing it was best to follow her directions if I wanted to get out of here. She turned the lock again, pushing the door open the crack and peering out cautiously. She beckoned me forward, sliding into the hall silently. I followed, relieved when I saw no one was in sight. In the distance however I could hear the clang of steel and the screams of death coming from the village outside. It seemed they had moved on from the castle, and as we walked, I understood why. Everywhere I looked the corpses of guards and servants lay bloodied on the floor with their throats cut. I held back the lump rising in my throat, averting my gaze from the grisly sight.
We were nearing the exit when we heard some hushed voices coming from what I remembered to be the war room. Raising a brow in confusion, I tugged Hali back, nodding towards the light coming from the crack in the door. Her brow furrowed, using the palm of finger the open the door a little further. I bit my tongue to prevent myself from gasping as my eyes took in the people standing around the table.
"She took Kedar's body?" Cyrus stared at a man that was facing away who I assumed was Arden, "It doesn't matter, he is dead, and that will not change." A woman with green and pink hair and an arm made of vines stood next to him, her hand curved protectively around his waist. Arden seemed to pay her no mind, seemingly focused on what Cyrus was saying. Similarly, Reagan's former mentor, Ayla stood in Cyrus's shadow, silent but watchful.
"We've gotten what we wanted" A tanned woman with a missing eye spoke up, a small smile on her dark lips, "Isn't that right, Damien?"
A tall, thin, and emancipated man stepped forward, his silver eyes watching the others coldly. "Yes, of course. You obviously have my deepest gratitude for my rescue, which you can be certain that I will repay in time."
"You speak well, and you can prove yourself in time when you're in a better condition" Cyrus tilted his head, gesturing to Damien's withered arms. Despite his unshaven and unrested state, it was clear he was rather handsome. I frowned, recognising him from the dungeon but unsure who he was and why he had been there.
