Hidden Empress

Chapter 42

Unknown pov

It's been a month since Alice returned from underworld. Ever since she has been showing off her newly improved powers. If only she knows what I think of her. Alive destroyed my life so I'll destroy hers. My life with Alice has been hell. But she doesn't have to know that. Let her keep the illusion that I am a loyal servant to her. Then when she least expects it, I'll strike.
Right now I'm sitting beside Alice in her throne room as she narrates animatedly how she defeated three hundred men, all by herself. Never mind that she has narrated this story to me more than thirty times. I wasn't exactly listening but I nodded once in a while to give the appearance that I was. I quickly made some tea from the tray set up in front of us. I added a special ingredient when Alice wasn't looking. I offered it to Alice and  took a sip. Good girl, I thought. She smiled at me grateful and continued her story. Suddenly the doors were thrown open and a bloodied man limped in. I recognized him as the king of Opena, one of Alice's loyal servants. With the way he looked, whatever news he brought wasn't good. Alice scowled at being interrupted. Her face red with anger, she thundered "How dare you appear in my presence without my permission?"
The man immediately fell on his knees, his head bowed low frightened. Alice raised her hands about to strike him when she paused. She looked his over and wriggled her nose.
  "You dare come to my presence dressed like that?" she yelled out.
The man whimpering replied her
"Pardon me my lady, I had no choice"
Alice scowled and asked curiously
"What do you mean?"
With his head still bowed, he explained
"My kingdom was attacked this morning by King William. We fought bravely but we lost. They came together with the empress of light." Alice frowned at him confused and asked "How is that possible? I had my companion spell your boundaries so no one with magic can cross over" She turned to me questioningly and I quickly reassured her "Yes my lady, I spelled it like you instructed" She smiled weakly at me then turned back to the man "So can you tell me how they were able to cross over to your land?" She smiled sweetly but sickening at the same time, like a prey waiting to strike. The man fumbled for an excuse "I don't know my lady. I think the spell was broken" Alice paced around the room then leaned towards the man asking "So where are the rest of your men?"  The man looked shaken at the close proximity to Alice but answered "I and the few soldiers left surrendered. The empress of light killed the others but spared my life to send you a message. She said "T-tell her t-the e-empress of light is coming for her." At this Alice burst out laughing. Not a joyful laugter but a sick, bitter laughter. The man and I flinched at the sound but Alice kept laughing. Suddenly her face turned serious. She walked over to the wall where a sword hung and unsheathed it. She walked slowly to the man and said in a soft but menacing tone. "You have the audacity to appear before me to deliver a threatening message sent by a child. Me, the great Alice, slayer of kings. You must be stupid" With that said, she slit his throat in one swift move. The man's eyes widened and his hands flew up to cover the injury but it was too late. He slumped weakly to the ground and died. Alice wiped the blood from the sword using his shirt and turned to me saying "Get ready. It's time to end this. We are going to pay our little empress a visit"

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Edward's pov

Since the battle has ended, we set up camp on an open field in Opena looking for survivors. The survivors were immediately given treatment and any case that was to severe was immediately taken to Alina who used magic to treat them. It was a tiring process. I was exhausted and I could tell from the bags under their eyes that the others were exhausted too. But we couldn't stop. Not now. Not when we were sure no one was dying while we were resting. Suddenly the atmosphere became tense. I saw William, Castor and Alina stand up and began looking around. I had a feeling there was danger approaching and my suspicions were confirmed when two ladies appeared. I ran from my position to where the others were standing and stood beside them presenting a united force ready for anything. I recognized one of the ladies as Alice but as I turned to her companion, I gasped out in shock. Its just like my dream. My breath caught in my chest. Melissa stood before me alive. It was true. The vision the sisters of light showed me through my dream was real. I couldn't believe it. I stared at Melissa wondering if I was hallucinating. I thought she was dead. I watched her die, I buried her, I mourned her. She stood beside Alice, head high staring at me. My heart was bleeding. I felt pain and anguish.
"Melissa" I whispered out. I heard the others sharp intake of breath. They all knew the story about my sister. Suddenly a voice broke our reverie.
"Well if it isn't a wonderful reunion"
Alice voice rang out, sounding smug. I felt a hand squeezing my hand and I turned to see Alina standing beside me silently comforting me. I smiled at her and turned back to Melissa. I asked the question burning in mind
"Why?"
I saw something like regret flash in her eyes but it was gone immediately as it came and I wondered if it's my imagination. Melissa opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by Alice. "Silence! You owe no one an explanation" Then she turned to Alina and said "I think it's time we end this"
I felt someone pulled me backward and I didn't argue. I was too busy staring at Melissa. My eyes pleading for an answer. Soon it was only Alina and Alice that stood in the clearing. Melissa was standing few meters away from Alice. The both stood ready and I saw Alice attack. The battle line is drawn.

Oh it's getting hot