Empire of Kingdoms Awakening

Chapter 11

Celeste's stomach ached when the golden gate came into view. Her hands shook as she shoved them into her pockets. Nausea swirled through her. Unable to stop herself, she wondered when she had become so frightful, so weak.

Her feet came to a halt once they were close enough to bang on it for entrance. They felt like weights holding her down in position. "Pollo." Her soft voice cracked when Celeste spoke his name. The warm air snapped against her skin, causing her to close her eyes. "What if we wasted our time? What if she won't see me?" Her chest fell heavily and she struggled to intake the air. "I'm the broken goods they threw aside."

Pollo's eyes saddened as he looked at her. His low voice slipped out seamlessly. "You are many things, Celeste. Broken is not one of them. Consider to stop running and hiding from your demons, your enemies, your mistakes." Her eyes met with his as the tears welled up. "Let them catch up with you and face them. Destroy them if you must. It will be a bloodbath, but you're the one holding the sword."

His words helped ease her mind. Turning her head to the wall, she took in its beauty. She had always admired Elaine's need for perfection. She was the most graceful of the bunch of them. Compared to her, they were just pawns of a game. It was something that you couldn't help but to be envious of, her and the things she had acquired.

Her posture became straight as a moan rumbled from her throat. "I'm ready." They banged on the gate to be let in. As it creaked open, an elder man poked his head through the crack. He did not move aside to let them pass. "We are here to see Queen Elaine." His eyes widened at her words.

Looking around to ensure no one had heard her, he responded. "The Queen is not home. She will return in a day or two." His voice was hush and he stared to their feet as he spoke. Celeste and Pollo looked at him in disbelief. He took their silence as understanding and sunk back into the courtyard, locking the gate behind him.

Celeste looked to Pollo. Her lip quivered and he nudged his head to signal that they needed to go. Hesitant, she obliged. Unable to stop herself, she began to bite her nails. He also observed the way she was rapidly moving her eyes around to take in her surroundings. From her body language, he could tell that she was concerned. Not only that Elaine wouldn't see her, but that they would have to go somewhere public and risk exposure.

It took him some time to gather what he felt was the right thing to say to her. During their journey, she made comments on how Elaine would not be willing to help her. "The only person who was ever more trusting when it came to family matters was Breannelyse." Taken back, Celeste had not expected Pollo to speak of her, especially in the past tense.

Guilt ran through her body, and the blood rushed to her face. Breannelyse was Elaine's sister. She knew that she would have to choose between telling her the truth or lying. Either way, she viewed it as a lose-lose situation. If she was honest, Elaine could think that Celeste had betrayed the only one who understood her. If she lied, Elaine could think that Celeste had betrayed her and her family.

Panic rippled through her body and her hands began to shake once more. She had risked a lot to come to Elaine's home, and now she was out in the open. While most of the humans did not remember her, she feared that many of the original creatures would. It would only take one to summon for him. Tell him that she was free at last. She couldn't bear to think of that reunion.

Pollo noticed Celeste was getting worse and offered her a sincere smile. They began to walk on the path that led to the marketplace. Celeste was so discombobulated that she was following where her feet led her. "We will rest at an inn nearby." His words did not phase her. She had no reaction as she was off in her own world.

She sulked behind him as he pranced through the marketplace to the inn master. Celeste did not pay them any mind as she continued to let herself roam, and Pollo didn't seem to notice her walk off. Overhearing two men arguing over horses, she glanced at them. She didn't understand why as the horses all looked the same.