Burned to Ashes

Chapter Ten

Alexia's corpse laid in a heap on the floor, her brown eyes glassy and lifeless. Her mouth was open slightly, as if in a silent scream.

I felt sick, my thoughts reeling. Everything happened so fast. The haunting image of Lyle choking on his own blood was pressed to the back of my eyelids. The sound of Alexia's neck snapping still loud in my ears.

Lyle had left the room in rage his dark cloak flowing behind him. Bertherium followed after with an eagerness that I couldn't understand. Now Madeleine kneeled before Alexia, her fragile hands cradling her head. Her sobs echoed through the empty space.

Xavier's bright eyes were frantic, Natura stood beside him trying to take in everything that had just happened.

"We—we need to go." The blond prince says his gaze shifting from Natura to me. "Come with me."

He rushed out of the room and into the hall. Natura followed and I turned to look at Madeleine's hunched silhouette once again before exiting. The corridor was flooded with people, some were screaming, some were crying, some were running for their lives.

Xavier didn't seem to mind as he shoved his way through the crowd, the rest of us following close behind.

"Where is Tytis!?" He yelled over the chaos.

I shook my head insinuating that I didn't know.

"Tytis!?" Xavier's voice boomed through the crowd.

The guard pushed towards us, his sandy brown head bobbing in and out of focus. Suddenly, he emerged. "Prince!" Tytis shouted breathlessly. "Are you alright!?"

"Yes, yes I'm alright!" Xavier replied. "Find Desmond and the rest of them. Tell them to come to my chambers."

Tytis gave him doubtful expression. "Prince, I—"

"I am ordering you to find them! Do you understand?" The princes voice rose above the crowd. "I don't know when my father will return."

The guard held his breath. "Yes, your majesty."

Xavier turned on me and Natura. "Hurry," he says, "we don't have much time."

Natura led the way as we fled up the stairs, pushing through panicking royals and the Blood Guard soldiers who were trying to hold them off. I didn't see Allister. I didn't want to see him. I couldn't bare to face him.

My dress dragged on the ground, being stepped on and ripped; the crown on my head was only weighing me down. The three of us burst into the Royal families' quarter, the walls were adorned with Mayahn flags and magnificent art. A huge greatsword hung from the wall. The sword of Mayah.

Xavier didn't slow down as we reached a door. He swung it open, gesturing for us to enter quickly. Xavier's chambers were big, cushioned chairs and intricate rugs laid strewn about in no particular order. A large fireplace dominated one wall and a humongous bed dominated the other. Unlike Lyle's seemingly bare room, Xavier's was adorned with all sorts of decorations. Mass amounts of books sat on almost every surface, tapestries and maps hung from the walls. A small window let in a pool of golden light. Only when we were inside and the door was closed did anyone speak.

"What will your father do?" Natura asked, noting Xavier's wide-eyed stare.

"I—I don't know." He shook his head; blond curls fell before his eyes. "It wasn't supposed to happen like this." His expression turned to one of rage.