Shattered Heart (Red Queen)

Chapter Four

•Cal POV•
     "Have you heard yet?" Cam asks me in the mess hall.
     "Heard what?" I ask and pick at my food.
     She pushes her tray out of the way and rests her arms on the table. "King Maven is planning some huge broadcast. Do you think we'll see Mare?"
     I look up at the mention of Mare's name. Shade does the same and glances over at me.
     "We haven't seen her since on any broadcasts since he kidnapped her," Shade states.
     "He's probably killed her and just wants to display her body," Kilorn grumbles.
     "She's not dead," I say forcefully.
      "How do you know that?" Farley asks. "What evidence do you have that she's still alive."
     I don't answer and she takes my silence as a win. Shade gives her a look and her smirk fades.
     "Maven won't kill her. He loves her too much to do that," I force out.
     Shade raises his eyebrows in surprise and asks, "He loves her? I find that hard to believe."
     "All of you shut your mouths," the Colonel commands as he walks into the mess hall.
     The room falls silent as he makes his way to the front of the room. All eyes follow him and he stares back with his good eye.
     "I'm sure most of you have heard about the broadcast," he says and some people nod. "Thought so. Well, let's see what the "king" has to say."
       My eyes turn to the screen behind him and watch my brother's face appear on it.

•Mare POV•
     I know what I must say and do. Maven will hurt me if I don't, but I have to get a message to the Scarlet Guard.
My heart is pounding in my chest and the shackles around my wrists and ankles weigh me down as I walk. An army of guards surround me as I am marched to the throne room. There, I will deliver the speech that Maven has prepared.
The huge doors open and I am marched forward. I raise my head and try to hide the fear on my face. When we reach the steps of the throne, the guards shove me on the ground and quiet whispers run through the crowd.
I look through the sea of people and see the colors of many of the houses I used to know. I turn back to Maven and struggle to stand up. Though I cannot feel the electricity of the cameras, I know they are there. They are watching my every move and broadcasting it to all of Norta. I know my family and friends are watching. I know that Cal is watching.
     Maven smiles down at me and Evangeline is by his side. The two of them are perfect for each other. They're both cruel and will stop at nothing to get what they want. Maven nods his head and I slowly turn around to face the crowd.
     "People of Norta," I begin, "I come to you today as a prisoner. I come to you as a Red. I am no Silver. I was alone and afraid and King Maven graciously saved me. Though I am his prisoner, he is kind to me."
     I am lying through my teeth and it almost hurts to say these words.
     "King Maven is a hero to all. He cares deeply for his people and will do whatever it takes to make them safe again. Our king will destroy the Scarlet Guard and save us. He will hunt down every last one of them and kill them all. Join me and follow the true king of Norta."
     More lies. I cannot take anymore lies. I turn around and look at Maven and he seems pleased. I turn back around and take a deep breath.
     "Now that I have said what Maven has made me say, I will tell you the truth. Maven used to be someone I loved until he betrayed his family and forced his brother to kill their father. In return, I killed his mother. He kidnapped me and has been torturing me for as long as I have been his prisoner. Maven is no king. The Scarlet Guard will save us all. Follow them and you will be free. We will rise, red as the dawn," I finish. I spoke quickly and I hope that everyone heard what I said. The guards run to me and drag me up to Maven before I can say anything else.
     "How dare you! I gave you simple rules and you betrayed me!" he screams. His eyes are murder and he is radiating heat.
     "I did exactly as you asked. You said I had to give the speech and I did. You never said I couldn't add anything else. You can't touch me. I did noth-" I say before I am interrupted my Maven hand smacking my face.
     I fall to the ground and everyone in the crowd gasps. Maven looks around wildly and remembers where he is.
     "Shut the camera's off," Maven commands.
     He grabs my arm and yanks me up. He drags me out of the throne room and back to my cage.

•Cal POV•
     Maven looks calm in front of everyone. He doesn't look cruel and evil right now, but I know better. He sits on his throne like he deserves it. It was our father's throne, not his.
     "My people," he says, "I have a special gust for you today. Mare Barrow has come to speak to you."
     I can't help but gasp when he says her name, and many of the other do the same. The cameras turn around and the doors open to reveal Mare surrounded by guards. They walk her to the throne and throw her down. I flinch when she hits the floor.
     She looks deathly sick. I take a closer look and see that she is covered in scars and wounds. My mouth falls open and I want to reach into the screen and slap that smug smile right off Maven's face. How could he do that to her?
     "Mare," I hear Shade whisper. I can tell he is relieved to see her alive, but he hates knowing she is hurt.
     She stands up and begins to speak. She sounds weak. In just two weeks, she has fallen very ill. The Silent Stone must be taking its toll.
     "...will destroy the Scarlet Guard and save us," I hear Mare say.
     "Traitor!" I hear someone yell out.
     The Colonel shushes them and everyone else protesting stops as well. Her little speech is over, but she does not seem to be done. She then tells us how she really feels and I can only stare. What is she doing? Surely Maven will hurt her for doing this.
     Sure enough, two guards take up to Maven throne. He screams at her, but I cannot hear her reply. Suddenly, he strikes her across the face and the force knocks her down. My eyes widen in fear and the screen goes dark.
     "Mare!" I yell as if she can hear me.
     She's gone, again. She's with Maven still and she will face his wrath. No one can save her now.