𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒// 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐨 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐔

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟕// 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞

The Shade General had been cautious of Lee and Kayla in the beginning, but after they vowed that they meant no harm, she slowly put more trust in them. Kayla couldn't blame her for her uneasiness; they were Aureoles, after all.

Ramirez-Arellano brought a Shade servant by the name of Austin Lake to the planning as well. The five of them bounced ideas for hours on end, at last forming a decent plan, then a back-up in case things went awry. They continued to scout the palace, and the general had information about the festival and where the prince and general will be.

"They will be executed on a raised platform in the center of the throne room." The general frowned at the papers in the middle of the group, the hastily scribbled plans and notes. "It will be at the very beginning of the festival, so we'll have to be quick. There will be too much security to sneak in and snatch them beforehand."

"We have assistance coming tomorrow," Lee said "We could use them in the escape."

"How do you plan on sneaking armed people into the palace?" di Angelo challenged.

"We can disguise them as servants," Austin suggested. "It's a festival. Servants will be everywhere. They'll blend right in." The others nodded in agreement. Kayla wrote everything down, eyes scanning the group.

The planning continued for another hour, then the general and the servant rushed off to the palace. Nico, Lee, and Kayla watched them leave, hearts heavy with the new information.

☀️☀️☀️

Michael Yew was caged in a room. No windows, no balconies, a lock on the door. He had spent the last two days here. The only time he was allowed to leave was when he was brought to King Abaddon's private chambers to be interrogated.

He remembered when the King had happily informed him what was to happen to him and the prince on the Winter Solstice. An odd calm had come over Yew. An almost peaceful one.

He didn't bother holding back information anymore. There was no point. If these were his last days in this life, he hoped to spare himself and Prince William of as much pain as he could. The only thing they could now do was survive until their inevitable death.

He now stared at the ceiling, wishing there was a beam he could hang himself from. He'd rather die like a coward than for his death to be turned into a spectacle. He had heard the guards talking of how Prince William had tried to jump from a balcony, and he wasn't really surprised; the hope had faded from the prince's eyes long, long ago.

The door's lock turned, and Austin slipped through the door, dark braided hair swaying. He examined General Yew, healing a few injuries here and there. Then he leaned forward and whispered into Michael's ear.

"We're getting you out of here. You and the prince."

Michael flinched, shock rooting him to the spot. Before he could reply, Austin had already left. The general stared after him, mouth hanging open in amazement, before shutting it and schooling his features into a neutral mask.

Was it true? Could Michael trust him? Or was this a sick game that King Abaddon was playing, to get him hopeful before killing him?

Whether or not it was true, Michael decided that the gods will determine if he would live or die in three days time. He would leave it up to them.

In his heart, an ember of hope kindled to life.