Shattered Heart (Red Queen)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

•Mare POV•
        I pray that Cal made it to Corvium and is rallying his troops as the transport Carac and I are in barrels down the gravel road. A few minutes ago, Carac finally told me where we are going. He said that the battle will take place in Corvium. The city was built to withstand even the toughest of battles. We will find out soon enough if that is true.
       It is clear that Carac believes he is going to win this war. His father, King Orrec, has already gone ahead of us and moved the majority of the Lakeland army into Norta. As soon as we arrive in Norta with the rest of the army, the troops will move into Corvium. I feel less and less confident with every second that passes. The full force of the Lakelands is going up against Norta. I don't know if the combined forces of Norta and the Scarlet Guard are enough to keep them at bay.
        "You know," Carac begins, breaking he silence, "I keep forgetting that you and Cal are engaged."
          I clench my jaw and continue to stare outside the window. Honestly, after all that's happened, I had almost forgotten too. I remember when he proposed to me. I remember that when I asked why he said that we won't survive this war and that if he couldn't die with me as his wife, then he at least wanted to die with me as his fiancée. He's right, though. There is no way that the two of us walk away from this.
        "You're unnaturally silent," Carac adds, trying to make me angry.
        Carac cut my power off with silent stone cuffs, so I'm no threat to him. Still, I could smack the shit out of him if I get angry enough. But I won't give him the satisfaction of it. He isn't worth it.
       "How much longer until we reach Corvium?" I ask with as little emotion as possible.
      "Ah, she speaks," he says with a smirk. "Why? Are you eager to play with your lightning?"
       "Eager to kill you is more like it," I snap.
       He grins widely. "Oh, my darling Mare, you will be dead before you even have the chance. As soon as we take the city, you will be executed for all of Norta to see."
        "Good. I'd hate for you to drag it out," I reply sarcastically.
         He gives an unamused laugh. "You're death will be slow and painful. You will beg for death by the time I'm done with you."
       I lean back against the seat and stare him down. "It's nice to know that you'll be joining me in Hell."
        He snorts and responds, "Watch that mouth or I'll make this a very uncomfortable ride."
        "It already is," I sigh. "What will you do with me during the battle?"
         He sits quietly for a moment, thinking of an answer. He clearly hasn't thought about where he's going to keep me chained up.
       "I'll keep you by my side," he says finally. "You'll be a good shield, lest one of your friends gets a little trigger happy."
        I curl my hands into a fist and let my fingernails dig into my palms. It will be nearly impossible to escape Carac if I'm constantly by his side. But maybe it's better if I don't escape. Let him end it me and rid me of my pain. No, I can't think like that. Cal and Shade and Kilorn and the rest of my family and so many others are waiting for me to make my escape. I just need to play with Carac a little.

•Cal POV•
*three days later*
      "It's too easy, Cal," Farley repeats for the third time.
        Farley and the rest of the Scarlet Guard arrived in Corvium just yesterday. Shade and Kilorn came as well, along with as many Newbloods they could find. It was nearly impossible to convince Farley that she cannot kill Maven. However, I'm still trying to convince her that he is not our enemy.
        "He had a change of heart," I tell her.
         She shakes her head, cropped blonde hair moving with it. "No. It's not that easy. Mare tried for weeks to change him, but it didn't work. What makes you think he's different now?"
"He's my brother, Farley. He knows what is coming and doesn't want to see Norta fall either."
She's not satisfied with that answer. She leans forward in her chair and glares at me. "And if we win? Will he willingly hand over the crown or will there be another war? A war between you both that tears Norta apart and kills you both."
       I run a hand through my hair. She has a point. I don't know if Maven would give me the crown and Norta. No, I don't believe he would. He has lied and fought and killed for that crown, and I don't think he'll give it up so easily. But maybe Farley is wrong. I pray that she is.
         I look around the room at the pathetic excuse for a war council. Farley sits across from me, looking irritated as always. Her father, the Colonel, mirrors his daughter with crossed arms and is in his own seat beside her. Julian Jacos, my uncle, flanks Farley's other side in his faded yellow robes he clings so desperately too. Other high ranking members of the Scarlet Guard sit behind them, making very few comments. A few Newbloods were allowed in the room as well and they are clearly overwhelmed. Kilorn Warren stands against the far wall, watching over everything. Shade Barrow stands beside him, wisely keeping his mouth shut. But there is one person missing from this meeting. One that matters above all others. Mare.
Her name makes my heart ache. She's been gone for a little over three weeks now and I can only imagine what Carac has done to her. That is, if she's still alive. I've been telling myself over and over again that she is alive. Mare is strong. Stronger than I will ever be. She has survived so much. When this is all over, I will make sure she never has to face pain again.
I finally decide to answer Farley. "I don't care what Maven does after this war. He can keep the crown. I have little interest in it."
I never imagined I would say those words. A year ago, if someone had told me that I would not want the crown and would give it all up, I would laugh in their face. Going through all of this shit has shown me that I don't need or want to rule Norta. I only want Mare.
"We can't leave Maven on the throne," Julian states, finally deciding to speak up.
"Why not?" I sigh.
"You know why," my uncle says gently. "He is unfit to rule a kingdom and I don't think the people will tolerate him as king any longer. There will be revolts from Reds and Silvers alike. Everything your ancestors have worked for will crumble and fall. Norta will cease to exist."
The Colonel opens his mouth to speak and I huff out a sigh. I care little for what he has to say.
"The Scarlet Guard will not Support another Silver king."
My hands begin to heat and I can feel the fire burning inside me.
"You do not speak for the entire Scarlet Guard, just yourself," Farley informs him.
He raises his eyebrows at her. "What? You will allow another Silver king?"
She shakes her head. "We will allow the true king of Norta. Cal will sit on the throne. And only Cal."
Her father chuckles at her and I feel proud but embarrassed by Farley's proclamation. If the Scarlet Guard and the rest of the Reds will support my claim to the throne, I may be willing to take the crown.
"I do not support you on the throne," the Colonel tells me. "However, I will not stop you."
I nod my head in thanks and he continues, "But I have one condition."
I sit up straighter in my chair and motion for him to tell me. He looks at the Reds in the room. They do not seem confused by his request. They all must know what he will ask of me.
"We will let you have the crown, Cal, only if you take a Red as your queen," he says.
I loosen a breath. I was afraid it was going to be some completely ridiculous request. I will gladly take a Red as my queen.
"Of course," I say lightly. "Mare Barrow will become my wife and my queen."
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Shade tense at the mention of his sister's name. He has not spoken to me since he arrived. I turn my attention back to the Colonel and he has a solemn expression on his face.
He clears his throat uncomfortably. "Now that we're on the topic of Mare Barrow, I believe it's time to face the truth. Farley, if you will."
Farley glanced up at me but averts her eyes quickly. This can't be good. If Diana Farley cannot look me in the eyes, trouble is coming.
"Cal," she sighs, "we don't know Mare's current location or status. We don't know if she's even alive or if rescue is even an option. We cannot risk the lives of valuable soldiers for her. She isn't worth-"
She says before I cut her off. "Don't even finish that sentence," I growl. "Mare is safe and in the Lakelands. We will send troops in to save her after we destroy the Lakelands."
"No, Cal," Farley says forcefully.
Before I can even respond, Shade pushes off the wall and stalks over to her. I may be the one with the ability of fire, but there is a living, burning flame in his eyes.
"Rescuing Mare is our first priority. She is essential to winning this war."
"You're only saying that because she's your sister," Farley argues.
"You're damn right I am! She's my little sister and I want her back! I will march into the Lakelands by myself and get her back," Shade seethes.
"As will I," I join and stand.
Farley shoots up instantly. "No. We need you both."
I stare her down and reply, "Then send a group in after Mare."
She doesn't break my stare. "No."
I take a step closer. "Then Shade and I are leaving."
The veins in her forehead and neck are seconds away from bursting. Her face is red with anger and she hesitates before she responds to me.
She clenches her jaw and I can tell that I've won. "Fine," she concedes. "We'll go in to the Lakelands after this battle, not before."
Fine. That's better than nothing. I nod my head sharply and take my seat. Shade steps back but does not return to the wall. He's ready if he has to argue again. But he doesn't get the chance.
Before anyone can say another word, the door to the room opens and Maven strolls in. He looks pleased with himself, and that's never good.
"I hate interrupting your private meeting, which I'm sure is about me, but our spies have spotted Lakeland troops moving towards Corvium," he informs us with no hint of fear or emotion. In fact, he looks eager to fight.
I stand quickly and many other follow. I cross the floor to Maven and grab his shoulder.
"Sound the alarm and ready the armies. Norta is under attack," I announce.
He nods and adds, "King Orrec and Prince Carac are believed to be heading the attack."
I brush him off, already knowing they would.
"Along with Mare Barrow," he says.
I stop in my tracks. Mare. She's with them. And I can get her back. I rush out of the room and put my armor on. It's time for battle.