Foretold

Chapter 14

Kyrene stood in the sunshine, her gaze distant. She vaguely noticed how green and verdant everything was. But the view wasn’t as enthralling as it normally was. Her mind was occupied with the specifics to break her son, daughter, and Alex out of their confinement so that they could escape.

She tapped her foot, rubbing her chin as she thought.

I can’t just let them go. If I made a public announcement that I was exiling them, I would be seen as weak. I would lose my position, and there still wouldn’t be any guarantee that they wouldn’t be killed anyway. She shook her head. No! Announcing that I’m exiling them is the worst option in this whole deal. Definitely not that road. So what? She sighed, leaning against the terrace wall. What if I just slipped Vasiliki out? I could let her break the other two out and conveniently have the guards absent… But no… If I do that, I’ll still be implicated, and there’s no guarantee she’ll get away.

Someone tapped her shoulder. She started, whirling to face the person.

It was Sophia Andromeda.

“Sophia. What do you need?” Kyrene kept her voice level, calming her heart rate.

Sophia bowed, smiling. “I think I know what’s occupying your thoughts, my Queen.”

Kyrene raised an eyebrow, sighing. “And what would that be?”

“You’re trying to figure out how to get rid of those two men and also keep your daughter alive as well.”

“Not exactly…”

“Just admit it.” Sophia crossed her arms, grinning and draping herself against the terrace wall.

Kyrene gave a deeper sigh this time. “Fine… I am.” She turned away to gaze back out at the wild tangle of trees on the edge of the village. “Sophia, what am I supposed to do? Tribe rules say that all three of them should be executed. The only reason that she isn’t being executed is because she’s my daughter. The tribe is being lenient. But they are angry with her. And they will not spare the men. My daughter threatened to enact the clause in our law that will sever our bond. She wouldn’t be heir to the throne anymore, and I don’t have enough time left to train another. Either way, I lose the heir to the throne, and more importantly, the daughter I love. What do I do?” Kyrene turned to face Sophia Andromeda, eyes glittering with surprising emotion.

Sophia Andromeda sighed. “Kyrene, you need to help them. Get them out of here.”

Kyrene’s eyes widened. “But you… Why would you suggest that?”

Sophia Andromeda laughed. “Not all of us actually hate the men. A very small portion of us actually care. I’m one of only four, if you include your daughter. We’re all very quiet about it, and I don’t think anyone else even knows. Listen, whatever you may think of the matter, your daughter loves both Alex and Daedalos. If you let the tribe execute them, then she will end up devastated. She will carry through on her threat – you know she will – and either way, as you said, you lose the heir to the throne. But you might not lose your daughter. If you help, she’ll love you for it, or at least, she’ll be thankful. You might have a chance to retain some connection with her. But if you don’t help, then she will hate you for the rest of her life.”

“So what are you suggesting?”

“Make my friends the guards on those men the night that Vasiliki is to break them out.” Sophia Andromeda’s dark eyes were determined.

Kyrene nodded. “Alright. Let’s do it.” She smiled. “It sounds like a good challenge, anyway. And you may be right. At least this way, I might stand a chance of keeping some place in my daughter’s heart.” She shook her head, sighing. “So, who are your friends?”