Maven's Redemption [Red Queen]

Chapter 9

*back at the Scarlet Guard base*

Cal's POV

Glancing at Storm Hill, my heart burned in my chest. Mare was right there yet so so far away. Part of me wished I had never accepted the Guard's offer to put me back on the throne or at least asked Mare to join me there... I couldn't keep my eyes off that hill. Yet as I stared, I realized the tell-tale purple color that only Mare could produce, was missing. I had seen it a million times and there was nothing that ever came close to seeing the beauty of the violet bolts of electricity streaking the sky. Where was she? Sure Mare stopped running with me in the morning but she never missed a chance to train with her friends. I sighed deeply. She probably was taking a day off, or at the least slept in. I forced myself to ignore the suspicion boiling inside me to take a deep breath. But just as soon as I thought I was calm, the thought of Mare's voice... her laugh, brought every emotion back. I had to walk away, force myself to focus on training or something else that would

Mare's POV

My head was throbbing and Maven was taking way too long to get back. My heart started to race as I thought of everything that could go wrong. What if a servant came in here and discovered me? My face was no doubt known all over this palace, I would be turned in immediately. Or maybe Maven betrayed me... again, and he was on his way back with a whisper right now. The memory of the feeling of my mind being ripped apart consumed my thoughts. I continued pacing back and forth but suddenly a sharp pain jolted through my head, my vision going black.

This is it.

This is finally the end.

Maven finally put an end to my suffering.

"Mare!" A distant voice cut through the static. I felt my stomach drop like I was falling but there was no impact, no jolt of pain to indicate that I hit something. Slowly, I became able to open my eyes. At first it was all just a blur but my eyes focused until I could see my savior. It was Maven who I quickly realized was cradling my torso in his arms. Suddenly feeling humiliated, I shook him off and shakily got back on my feet. I shouldn't have to rely on anyone to save me, especially not him.

"I'm okay." I glanced around the room, gathering my senses back and I noticed a small girl timidly standing near the wide open doorway. My eyes went wide. I glanced back to Maven who was beckoning her to come in.

"Come on in, Lauren." Maven coaxed more gentle than I had ever heard him speak to reds when there were no cameras. She scurried to his side.

"Is this...?" Lauren's eyes widened in recognition.

"Who she is does not matter. Please do your job and retire to your new chambers." Maven ordered but his voice still held that softness that could only make me think of deceit.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Lauren turned to me. "Where are you hurt?" I started to explain myself but Maven cut me off. I huffed and glared in his direction.

"She hit her head." Maven explained for me. She nodded once then cautiously approached me, as if I was going to electrocute her as soon as she touched me. I couldn't blame her though. That could be something I would do.

"I need you to relax okay?" She asked as she rested her shaking hands on the top of my head. I closed my eyes and forced my breathing into the most steady breaths I could muster. Suddenly a rush of warmth filled my head, taking any pain I was feeling but probably ignored. I sighed deeply, the rush of oxygen through my blood made the sensation even better. I could feel like this forever. Too soon, her hands were gone and the warmth faded away, leaving only the feeling of... normalcy? In her wake.

"Thank you." I said with a genuine smile.

"It is my job. Could you show me to my chambers, Your Majesty?" I looked to Maven who had been watching the process happen intently.

"It is behind there" He pointed to a finely made tapestry showing off the royal seal hanging on the wall. "It is small but it is the only way we can be sure that you will not tell anyone of this until after we get what we need to get done." My eyes widened and I silently begged for this Red to object to such treatment. But she didn't, Lauren just curtsied and disappeared into whatever hidden room was back there. Maven watched until she was gone and turned to me.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, much better. Thank you for that." I answered, pushing down any thoughts I had about the way Reds were treated. Tiredness began creeping in.

"If you don't mind, I am going to try to get some rest." I said with a yawn.

"You should. We have a long day tomorrow."