Royal War: Sequel to Royal Secret

Chapter 17

I gripped the silver bars shaking and screaming calling my uncle Thadius a traitor! No one came near me when they realized that the silver did nothing to my body.  Without my wolf, silver no longer could hurt me. After a couple of more expletives, I banged my head on the bars. Think! Think! Kristoff had certainly done something to alter my uncle's memories for him not to acknowledge my existence.  We were locked in the dungeons, well not all of us. Sebastian still had Trevor and Korin as captives; Jules, Raven, and Keagan were, who knows where, trying to free them. We were too fractured spreading ourselves too thin. We, I needed to get us back to together somehow. Taking a deep breath and calming my mind, I turned to face the others.  Everyone watched me waiting for me to speak.

"Alpha Halder, Randall did you get word to the others that we were being held prisoners?"

Alpha Randall stepped forward, "Yes.  But there is something down here from preventing us from contacting them."

I looked over to my high guard and Jace closed his eyes. "I got them, they retreated back to the cave by the sewers. they will wait for further instructions.."

"Tell them to hold for now." I commanded.

"Celina, I'm sure what ever the king did to Thadius." I raised my hand to cut off Sage.

"We can't worry about that now." I skimmed over everyone. "Our first priority is to get out of here. I have to deal with the other stuff later."

"Well I think this might help." Andrew grinned dangling a pair of keys in the air.  We all spoke at once wondering how he got it. Shrugging his shoulders, "I'm a rogue, learning to pick pockets became a need for survival at times."

"Ok we have keys, but we can't leave right now.  We will try our escape around three in the morning when everyone is sleep. Jace let the others know." Now that we had a plan, we settled down and got comfortable talking amongst ourselves quietly.

"Celina, I have known Thadius for a long time.  I know that wasn't him up there." Alpha Halder had set next to me on one dingy cots anchored on the wall. 

"I know but something is nagging at me. What does Kristoff possess in order to brainwash someone? I mean, is there such medicine or poison that can do that?"

"I don't know, but I  do know Thadius wouldn't betray you.  Hold on to that."  The sounds of movement above silence everyone. The sound of a door and footsteps alerting us that we have company. I stood up walking to the bars with Jace, Niko, and Sage at my side while everyone else remained seated.

Searcee enter our chambers with only a couple of her high guards.  I was surprised to see her. "Celina, I wanted to apologize for what happened earlier. I believe your story. There are too many coincidences for there not be any truth in it"

"Then set us free."

"I can not do that.  Although I believe you, I agree with Sasha.  A true, full blooded queen needs to be the head of this kingdom.  If you do not have the power from your wolf, your uncle will overthrow you again.  Also the future line of queens will be ended.  We have been here long enough, we have to return to our kingdoms.  I want to give you my contact information.  If or when your wolf returns to you and you need my help, I will come." 

I took her card tucking it into my back pocket.  "Thank you Searcee.  I will remember your kindness and will call if I need help."

Searcee gave me a slight bow in which I returned.  She exited the chamber and the echoes of their footsteps faded away. It wasn't much, but I knew that we had a future ally.

"Celina try to get some rest." Jace urge me back to the cot.  Without my wolf I needed more rest than the others. I leaned against Sage's shoulder and quickly drifted off to sleep. 

I was roughly shook awake, "Celina, wake up!" Sage whispered in my ears.  I stretched not ready to wake up my body still drowsy.  The sounds of the door being slammed open caused me to jump up awake and fully alerted.  

"Well, well if it's my long lost niece!" Kristoff voice preceded him down the stairs followed quickly by his smug face as he stepped foot into the chamber.  Everyone was on their feet and this time I didn't go near the bars.  My high guard stood in front me ready for an attack. "Sorry I couldn't embrace you earlier, but you know responsibilities and all."

"Like I would even let you put your hands on me! You are the scum of the earth!" I snarled.

"Why is that the way to talk to your uncle? After all I haven't killed you or your companions." his eyes narrowed in slits. "Yet." he chuckled like our execution was a joke.

"What do you plan on doing with me!"

"I'm sure my son already shared my plan of your impeding nuptials.  However since you do not have your wolf you are not of any use to me right now.  But I did learn something interesting, that your wolf will return someday?"

"No, I just said that to make my claim." I hated that I had to divulge that piece of information in front of him. 

"You see I don't believe you.  I do believe what you told those other queens was the truth.  So I have altered my plans.  I will keep you alive until that day arrives and then you will marry and mate with my son, Sebastian. The others however, I have no use for so they will be executed after the queens leave in the morning." Kristoff smiled taking enjoyment at my situation.

"You bastard, you have no right to kill them!"

"I HAVE EVERY RIGHT! They committed treason by trying to dethrone  me.  Treason is punishable by death!" Kristoff dropped the smile his lips curling into a snarl.

"Then you should've been killed before I was even born!"

"Oh but your mother was no warrior, unlike her daughter.  She was a peacemaker who had a kind heart.who trusted everyone.  It is what killed her.  She should have me killed the first time I tried to overthrow her, but she showed me mercy." His slimy grin came back.

"Don't blame my mother for her death! You monster! She was your sister!"

"Ah, yes my sister! A woman you knew nothing about ruling! Who didn't even want to rule! She didn't deserve to be the ruler of the kingdom, just because she was born a woman! I wanted it more than her, and so I took it of course with a little help."  Kristoff shot me a sly grin and motion  towards the entrance of the chamber. My uncle Thadius reenter the chamber his eyes glued to mine.  "Do you really think I could've pulled off a coup without some inside help?"  Kristoff eyes pointed at Thadius.

"You lie! He saved me!" My eyes widen in disbelief at the implication that somehow Thadius was involved in the takeover.

"A moment of conscious, guilt, whatever you want to call it.  Did you ever question him about the details of how your parents were killed?  It's almost but not impossible to kill a queen if you know her weakness.  One was the captain of her high guard and the other was you."

"What are you talking about." I quickly glanced between him and Thadius.  My eyes staying on Thadius longer as sadness filled them and looked away. "Uncle Thadius?"

"I'm sorry, Celina." He still stared at the floor not having the courage to look at me.

"So now you remember who Celina is?"  Niko bristled.

"Of course, I always knew who she was.." those words coming out of Thadius' mouth shattered all feelings and illusions of our relationship. He had the chance to back up my story with queens and Kristoff and his followers would be down here instead of us.  How could he betray us, me?

Not wanting to be left out of the discussion, Kristoff interjected, "Do you want tell them or me?" Thadius remained silent so Kristoff took it as sign to boast of whatever secret he was about to reveal. "Thadius here helped me kill your mother and father!" 

________A/N

Well damn didn't see that one coming! Whaaaaaat!

Don't forget to vote/comment! Nicci