The Violet-Eyed

Chapter 19

When Solaria looked at the collapsed figure on the ground, she fully expected it to be Sonora. But when she glanced at the person lying before her, she felt ice course through her veins. Shaking, she stared at Miriam, faithful, brave Miriam, dying in front of her. She was fading fast – the light had left her eyes, and she could barely speak. Her eyes suddenly fluttered open, and Solaria knew it would be the last moment of consciousness Miriam would have. "Goodbye...Lady...queen...I...still...love him...why...why did it...have to end like this?" she sputtered in a raspy voice. In a matter of seconds, she had breathed her last.

Martin could contain his anger no longer. He flew at Haywire, determined to knock him down and kill him just as brutally as he killed Miriam. Haywire didn't react – instead, he just stood there, gazing blankly at Miriam. "I didn't want to kill her, I DIDN'T! I aimed for Martin, that foolish little king, and she just had to take the dagger for him! No, no, I didn't kill her, it wasn't me..." he mumbled.

"No, you should've killed SONORA, NOT MIRIAM! YOU KILLED THE GIRL WHO LOVED YOU SO MUCH!" Solaria yelled, tears flowing down her cheeks.

Haywire snapped back to reality upon hearing Solaria's manic screams. "So I did. And there's no return to that anyway, so I think I'll give her a gift by sending you two to heaven with her," he smiled sadistically. With a snap of his fingers, Solaria and Martin were muted once again. Sonora grinned, savouring the moment.

"I'll allow you the luxury of understanding everything before you die, you pathetic losers. I was never on your side. I pretended to be an idiot just so you would never suspect me. I knew I'd succeed in gaining your trust. And succeed I did, eh? After you were sentenced to die today, Queen Sonora purposely made me go with you, just so I'd know what you were planning. Your power, little queen, works on anyone, no matter where their loyalties lie. I lied, of course; if I hadn't, how would my plan work? Oh, it was I who tried, and regrettably failed, to kill the brat Martin years ago. And now, your time has come." He unsheathed two daggers and let them fly –

And a short sword came hurtling out of nowhere, crashing straight into the two daggers and sending them both tumbling to the ground. Another pair of swords were thrown in quick succession, plunging into the chests of Haywire and Sonora, who fell dead immediately.

Josie, along with a few soldiers, leapt down from the palace roof. She looked at the crowd, which stared back at her with wide eyes. "I apologize for the sudden interruption. But I must explain the dreadful truth of what Sonora has done to get her queenship." She gave a detailed account of Sonora's crimes, sometimes requesting Solaria to fill im certain details.

"Are we all united in supporting King Martin and Queen Solaria?" Josie asked. "Hail King Martin! Hail Queen Solaria!" the crowd cheered.

Martin smiled at her. With tears brimming in her eyes, Solaria flung herself into Martin's arms, pressed her lips onto his, and succumbed to the feeling of true bliss.