Eadlyn Selects

I'm Last.

The castle is oddly empty. Now that I have the gas mask on, my thoughts begin to clear. I pause for a precious second and try to think. Where is everyone? The castle has been breached. Invaders are ransacking. Probably looking for royalty to execute or kidnap. That cannot happen. Neena is on a rampage, and her people are bent on violence. They have bombs. Hale is here trying to stop them.

Something clicks and my instincts kick in. That's it. The staff and family would have gone to the lower levels through the secret elevator and stairways, to the chamber beneath the grand hall. It's bomb proof, large, and has been kept secret from most.

I run my hands along the wall until I find a tapestry depicting my parent's marriage. I raise the corner and feel for the indented button.

Got it! I press it and then glance around to make sure no one is watching me.

Wait. I hear a sound, a voice... Dad!

I drop the tapestry and follow the sound.

It's Dad, leaning against the wall, bleeding from the temple, looking dazed and in shock.

"Dad? Dad?" I touch his cheek and the minute my skin meets his it's like a curtain opens and he sees me.

"Eady?"

"What happened?" My words crowd up my throat, making me choke back a sob. I've never seen my dad hurting. Heck, I've barely seen him rumpled.

"I led them away so the others could escape." His voice is tight like a heavy weight is on his chest. "But I got away. They're coming!"

I hear them, boots stomping this way. Dozens of them.

"Hurry!" I throw an arm around Dad and help him to the tapestry. We slide behind it and I press the button for the door to shut. Panting, we stay perfectly still. We hear men rushing past on the other side of the wall. Their voices are muffled but I can still hear how angry and loud they are.

After they leave and a long moment passes, I ask, "Dad...are you alright?"

"I will be. Take me to the safe room and to your mother. I'm worried about her. But not the elevator. They've shut that down."

"Okay," I say, and I help him to the stairs. He's unsteady on his feet and it takes a lot of strength for me to keep him upright. Our progress is slow and we have to stop frequently.

During a pause, I ask, "Dad, what do they want?"

"Control. To do who knows what. I can't let them take charge just because they have guns, Eady. You have to understand the monarchy is in place for a very good reason."

"I get that now, Dad. I was wrong to insist we all step down." I clear my throat of all pride. "I think there is a middle ground I was neglecting to consider."

We climb down two more steep staircases. The silence is eerie and combined with the smell of Dad's blood and his wavering weight on my shoulder, I'm completely panicked.

"Middle ground?" he repeats, his voice breathless and pain riddled.

"Yes, like I said in my address."

"I liked that address," he puffs out.

"You did?"

"Yes, a more collaborative approach. It's fair to you and includes your brothers. Why didn't I think of that? Maybe because I have no siblings. But why not share the burden and the glory with your brothers? You all have strengths. Ahren can be our diplomatic affairs secretary, Osten can train to be tourism coordinator and Kadan can assist you until you are ready to split your focus on other things...maybe even kids. I never realized how much Kadan wanted the crown. You could even co lead. You'll figure it out. Together."