Bleeding Crown (Red Queen 4 Fanfiction)

Chapter 25

Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay, but the chapter took a little longer than expected to write. If you're ever looking for updates on why I haven't updated, and fun stuff relating to Red Queen, follow me! If you're enjoying my story, like and comment! They make me feel good about my writing.

Enjoy! "The truth is what I make it. I could set this world on fire and call it rain."

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Mare

"Whatever it was, it doesn't matter. No one can save you," Maven spits. He eyes the faucet wearily, willing the note to materialize.

"You don't know that," I murmur, running my hands along the smooth countertop. "They've done it before, and each and every day they get stronger. They won't let me rot this time."My last words are weak, and reek of sobs escaping. Maybe it's because even I don't believe Farley's words. How could I possibly trust a girl back from the dead, who lied to me for weeks? This entire letter and Maven's reaction could merely be a big joke. Perhaps the lords and ladies of the court are laughing at my foolishness at this very moment.

Maven's ice-blue eyes say otherwise. He once told me I stared at him until he believed I could read his thoughts. Maybe I can. The boy king hides his emotions carefully but looking into his eyes, he's fearful. Maven worries I'll escape once again. And this time, I won't come back.

"So how did you handle Iris Cygnet being alive?" I walk into my bedchamber and flop down on the bed. I continue to attempt hiding my silent stone weakness from Maven and the cameras, however, the slabs of cement and blood have gotten to me. I'm always tired, feeling the crushing weight of silence and despair.

Maven gives me a look that's borderline pity. "She's not alive, Mare. She was murdered over a week ago by one of the Scarlet Guard members. That girl the Sentinel saw in the woods was only an illusion. Why are you still dragging this out?" Maven's lip twitches and his left eye squints, as though he was going to award a smirk and a wink. The cameras are watching, I understand now. That was his story. Queen Iris is dead, and that was only an imposter. If it was proven she was truly alive, all hell would break loose and questions would be raised.

"Ah. So that's the story you'll go with." Closing my eyes, I exhale deeply. "Why didn't you just kill her in the first place?"

"I didn't-"

"Just answer my question for once," I scream at Maven, rising to focus my gaze upon his lips. "You have lied to me since the day I met you. You've put me through hell and back. So I think the least you could do is answer the question."

I watch his lips, awaiting the answer that will never come. His words don't arrive, instead his lips. They crash upon mine before I can move, and when we touch I become paralyzed. Maven pulls away quickly, whispering into my ear. "Because she reminds me too much of you."

Maven leaves only a moment later, encompassing me in varying types of silence. The time gives me a chance to recount Farley's letter. I remember the night of the ball, so hastily killing Farley and not batting an eye. I was so angry with her I never provided her a chance to explain herself. I tried to kill a mother. Farley had only been doing what felt like her only choice to protect her daughter, and in her case, I would've done the same. She didn't wish for Norta's downfall and the Lakeland's rise to glory. She only wanted Clara's well being.

"I'm so sorry Farley," I whisper. "Maybe I'm the monster."

*****

I wake with saggy bags under my eyes and more gray than usual in my hair. The silent stone is killing me. The entire silver court also wants to kill me.