The Cruel King and The Captured Queen

Epilogue - Sister

Nervously, I lean against the wall. How much longer were those two going to take? I know it's been nearly a year, but we have limited time. The night sky left nothing for my vision to take in, and my mind wanders with worry. My nervousness of being caught at the entrance motivates me to find them. If one of us was found, we were all doomed. I nod to our men across the clearing and turn into the tunnel after them. Now, was the time to get them, we can't wait any longer. I need to grab my sister before the King finds Chadwick, and her, in the room.

In a rush, I splash through the puddles in the tunnel. Now, is my chance to save her. The faded light of the exit nears and slide against the wall. An eerie silence comes from the room, and I whisper out, "Chadwick?" Leaning into the room I take a look, no one is around. Entering from under the tapestry, my world freezes. My mind struggling to processes the scene before me. I stutter out stumbling forward, "Oh god."

Before me lays Claire's lifeless body, perfectly posed on the grand bed like royalty. Her unmoving form brings a thickness to my throat. The paleness in her naturally rosy cheeks shoots a mistimes pulse into my heart. Chadwick kneels at her bedside, holding her hand as he weeps in silence.

A coldness fills me, and I shift to look around. The entire room is destroyed. Chairs smashed, furniture toppled over. Books laying all around. Chadwick lost his temper. My fists clench in anger, an urge to damage more pumps my blood forward. Why isn't the King here? He married her, yet neglects her. He allowed her to die. What am I doing? I'm ignoring her now. Facing her still figure I take a hesitant step. "Claire?" I whisper desperately. She looks like she is merely sleeping, it's as if she will suddenly lift her head, or respond, but I know better.

Chad lifts up his head once he registers my presence. "Octavius, she's gone. I'm so sorry," his cold voice sending a shiver down my spine. It was almost as if I hadn't heard him at all, his voice merely my imagination. My mind refused to accept the truth in it. It is true though, and I knew it the moment I stepped into this room. I stare at her closed eyes, her lifeless figure. The light stains of blood scattered across her sheets, now dry.

I collapse to my knees in defeat, "No, no, no!"

Chadwick grabs my arm and tries to pull me away from her body, "Please, Brother, we need to get out of here."

"Damnit!" I punch the wooden floor. Ripping Chadwick's grip from me, I stomp over to my sister once more. Shaking her cold figure with determination, I scream at her, "Claire, please wake up. It's me, Octavius, I'm here now. Come on we have to go."

Chadwick rests his hand on my shoulder, "Octavius, she's gone."

Whipping my head at him with a harsh glare, I bark, "No!"

Chadwick glances towards the door, "Octavius, we need to leave, someone will hear you, Helena can't stall anyone this long."

I grab onto her hand again as if my hands will warm hers back to life. "Let them come, I'll murder that putrid excuse of a king," I spit with disgust.

"Octavius stop," Chadwick booms.

"He let her die!" I slam my foot down in defiance.

Chadwick remains the voice of reason through my fit of denial, "Octavius, if anyone sees us they will blame us."

"My baby sister," I whine as I glance back at her still figure.

It was not long ago I had seen her motivated and determined, and now, she is gone. I should have taken her with me back at the market that day. She would have hated me, but she would have been alive.

Chadwick pats my shoulder, "I know, come, we need to regroup. We tried, that's what matters. She will forever be grateful for your efforts."

With a turn, Chadwick moves towards the tapestry and holds it open for me to enter.

"Wahhh," a piercing cry of an infant fills the room.

I gasp looking around, was her child alive? "What is that?"

Chadwick steps towards me, "Nothing."

"Not nothing," I snap at him and move towards a basket toppled over in the corner. A newborn child swaddled up in fine material lays exposed on the floor. Bright almost green eyes and thin dark strands of hair stand to identify this baby. The child looks every bit as similar to my infant sister many years ago. My heart stills. "Oh god, Chadwick look! Her child."

Chadwick rushes over grabbing my shoulder and trying to tug me back in a panic, "Octavius, we need to leave now!"

Shrugging him off I lean down. "I can't leave her." Scooping the infant into my hands I rock her, silencing her fuss.

"Who?" he growls.

"Her daughter," I breathe in a daze.

The child looks up into my eyes as if she knew who I was. Her eyes shone just like her mother, my sister.

"Octavius, this is treason," Chadwick hisses.

"I'm already a traitor, my sister, a captive here. I will not have her child, trapped here as well," I snap back at him.

"Dammit, you can't be serious!" Chadwick cries out in frustration, racking his hand across his stubble hair.

Claire's lively eyes full of freedom and hope stare into mine through her daughters. Her thoughts scream out to me in a revelation. "I will raise her, this is what she would want," I smile sadly. The infant's eyes blink at me in agreement. I can't free my sister, but I will not have her child, trapped just as she was.

"You have lost your mind, Brother," Chadwick roars.

"I will not lose her again," I defend my reasoning, turning to him with anger. This child will leave here with me, I don't care what Chadwick says.

"She isn't the child. Your sister is dead," Chadwick hisses.

"This is my blood," I march towards the tunnel ignoring his argument, whipping the tapestry out of the way and with determination I advance forward.

"You are going to drag a child into a civil war? Transform a princess into a rebel? She wouldn't want the child raised that way," Chadwick calls to me from the entrance, his voice echoing down the tunnel.

"She would want the child to know the truth," with confidence my echoing voice trails behind me towards Chadwick. Footsteps echo behind us, and I cradle the child closer to me for some warmth inside this cold, wet tunnel.

Chadwick's steps jog up behind us. "You mean to raise the child against the King?" beside me, his now softer voice asks with intrigue.

"Yes," I freeze, and face him with determination, "Help me, Chadwick, please."

His lip twitches at the corner, he is definitely still angry with the King as I am. "Hurry, we need to leave. When the child is of age we will claim the throne in Claire's honour," he announces an idea as we rush together through the tunnel.

~Thank you to all you have read, voted, followed and commented during my first story. It means so much to me that you followed along during this journey with me. This may be the end of this story but I have been working hard on a sequel. Please stay tuned for updates on the new novel I have been working on called: Alexandria, The Lost Princess. The lovely AgentLadyBird has been working hard with me on my new cover. Check out her work in her gallery book for a sneak peak of the cover! If you aren't aware she also designed this cover and I look forward to working with her during the rest of this series. I will be posting when it is out on here or you are welcome to follow me and watch for the new story to be posted. Till next time!~