The Prince's Gift

Chapter 78.

Casimir stepped to the front of the platform, just to the side of Maddox to be sure he wasn't blocked from sight and began to speak, his voice booming across the room for all to hear. "Before you stands a former King in his own right, now branded a traitor to this great kingdom and all who inhabit it. He has been sentenced to death by the hands of those standing on this platform before you." Casimir raised his hand to motion back toward each of us before continuing. "He will be endure death by one hundred cuts by each member of this group with a silver blade, or until dead."

Casimir stepped aside as Zane walked forward slowly, his head set high and straight upon his shoulders as they rolled with tension and bubbling hatred for the man now behind him. "Citizens, we have sentenced this traitor on behalf of each and every one of you. His death is the result of taking harmful, traitorous action against the members of our kingdom during a time of peace between our two nations. This charge will be carried out with the weight and memory of each individual who's life was taken too soon and loved ones that we've lost here because of him. Their memory will never be lost, and they will not have died in vain."

"Don't prisoners usually get final words before they die?" Maddox said roughly as he took in a tight breath.

Zane's fists clenched at his sides as he turned to look over his shoulder, his face pulling down into a glaring scowl. "You've said all you need to say and more with your actions here and in your own kingdom. Now you must endure what's to come." Zane spit at the ground and walked away, stepping to my side as he awaited the next moments.

My breath hitched as the large tray holding shining silver daggers was carried out and placed on a table just to my right. There were so many, by the looks of it there were at least thirty. I looked around and counted at least that many now standing with me that had slowly made their way on to the platform. Many were high up family members who'd lost someone, or mates of members of the council that had passed. But what caught my attention most of all, was the Queen's maidens. They all followed Braelyn onto the platform and she gave me a solemn nod as she stole a glance at Maddox before quickly looking away.

I could feel Braelyn's anxiousness. She was afraid. Just being near him was enough to send her over the edge, and her mind, much like mine had been, was now swimming with painful memories of our time in the palace with him. I walked over to stand beside her, taking her hand as I gave her a smile of warmth and assurance, but most of all of understanding.

"We can do this. We've survived so much. It's nearly over and then we will put it behind us." I sent my thoughts to Braelyn and she gave me a tearful smile before nodding shortly.

"You're right. He can't control us anymore. He can't hurt us." Her thoughts were weak, not as sure of herself, but I could feel that she trusted me.

She wanted this to all be over just as badly as I did, but we both knew some wounds would never fully heal from our time with this cruel and mangled King.

I caught Zane's eyes telling me it was time before he gave the nod to Casimir for the sentence to begin being carried out. Slowly, the group began to step forward, one by one taking their blades as Braelyn and I hovered to the back, maintaining a clear shot of the events about to transpire. My gut was twisting and knotting telling me how horrible this would be, but the darkest part of me was ready for this to come to a bloodied end just like I would have had I not escaped from him. The deepest horrible part of me matched his cruelty. I wanted him to suffer before I looked him in his eyes and ended his life.

Zane, as King, held the right to carry out his justice first. He took the long shining silver in his hand and twirled it in front of him slowly, twisting the handle in his long fingers as the point spun at the top of his index finger. It was as if it was a dance between him and the dagger as he slowly stepped closer to Maddox. Maddox began to let out a throaty chuckle, glaring up at him as he smirked maliciously back at Zane.