Hidden Secrets

7

I walk alone downstairs into the dungeon. The only reason my father is letting me see her before the execution is because it looked like she was trying to assassinate me. This of course is not true, she knows the rules and I guess she wanted a goodbye.

We only have a few cells down here considering we only keep them in here for a few hours for last meals and goodbyes. It's my father's way of showing that he takes care of the whole kingdom, even the criminals. 

I force myself to not cry as I unlock the cell with the key I was given. 

Hope sits on the ground her left leg out in front of her where she got shot. She looks weak, her dark brown hair looks grey and her bright blue eyes seem dimmer. Her face is sickly white and it almost looks like her body is covered in dust. Her leg is bandaged up but not very well.

"Hi," I say softly.

She looks up at me and smiles "get over here princess." 

I walk over to sit next to her, and she puts her head on my shoulder. 

"I hope I did enough Scar, maybe there will be a revolution." I can tell she's already expecting her death. 

"Don't talk like that, I'll get you out of here, somehow." I know it's near impossible but I have to try right?

She lifts her head to look at me and I look back. "Scarlet..." She knows something I don't, she also knows I don't know. She's giving me the sad eyes that she gives when she's hiding something. "You're the one that's going to kill me."

Her words cut like a knife, "no I won't. I'm not like my father and-" Tears threaten as she shushes me. 

She looks straight on as she recites a law that I've been read as a bedtime story, "By King Davids law, anyone who attempts/succeeds in killing any member of the royal family shall be killed by the said family member."

I force myself to not cry then say through clenched teeth, "you're not going to die."

"I'd rather you kill me than your asshole father" she laughs "maybe it'll be more merciful, you get to choose how I die." She faces me and her eyes start to light up as she smiles, "how does burning by the stake sound?"

I laugh now too, "only if you're a witch." 

Then I remember something, the way my mother died.

"What if you kept your head?" I suggest.

"Well, that's obviously a good idea." She nods, "why?"

"I can put poison in something and then let you die around the people you love." I start to cry. "Then the next day we can have a body burning just like my mother."

"I'll die a hero..." She whispers softly. 

"Wait. You're not allowed to die. I'm sorry, maybe I should focus on getting you-"

"Stop, I'm going to die. It's happening. Now, I need to tell you something." This is what she's been hiding from me. 

"I'm apart of a secret group called 'The Deadly' we have been planning this attack for a while now to show how weak your father's rule is over this kingdom." I sit quietly taking it all in.

 "You know the guys I've been hooking up with?" I nod, "I lied to you, we have meetings at my house and I needed a cover-up, I'm not some crazy slut, although I can't deny I've slept with a few of the other members." She winks at me as I shove her shoulder lightly. 

"They know who you are, your relationship with me and your disloyalty to your father. We planned to make an attack that looks like an assassination for you. While the guards were busy with capturing me and keeping you safe the others ran around stealing food and clothing from the castle and giving them to the townspeople. The mission was a success and I hope this sparks something in the kingdom." Her eyes dart around the room, she's thinking.

"I know there's something else Hope, you're doing the thing," I stated quietly. 

"What thing, I don't do a thing?" She stumbles with her words then sighs. "Okay... We need you to save us. You're the only one with the power to save us, there's a law protecting you that your mother made, you're not allowed to die Scarlet. Well, the only catch is if you directly come in between your father, but, I know you're smart. I believe in you."

He's not allowed to kill me? A million thoughts flood through my head. My father never read that law as a bedtime story. 

"I have been hiding something too," I admit.

She stays quiet ready for just about anything.

I stand up in front of her and let my cloak drop. My wings fan out for Hope to see. She stares breathless. 

"You're going to save us." She says through a breath.

"Oh come on, just because I have wings doesn't mean I can do anything." I brush her off.

"Your mother should have saved us, but... When did you get them?" 

"The day she died," I whisper.

"Only one can exist in this world." She stares at me in awe. 

"Care to explain?" I ask confused. 

"Your mother let herself die so that you could save us."

"I'm still confused."

"I don't remember, but my mother used to be friends with yours, and she told me bedtime stories about how we will be saved." I kneel in front of her and she quickly pets my wings.

Then I remember a story my mom told me once when my dad was out dealing with the town. It was about a girl saving a kingdom from ruin, but to do so, her mother had to die. She had to go through unbearable pain for her powers to be strong enough to defeat the evil king. 

It all makes sense now. 

"I promise you Hope, I'll free the kingdom from my father."