The Regal Rogue

15. Eleanor's End (Pt.2)

Callum appeared, tied down by his wrists and leaning back on his knees.
His head hung down. He was right in the middle of the room in front of me.

I gave my sister a dark, questioning look. She returned a careless shrug.

I took off in a sprint and landed by him. Lifting his head, I could see the brokenness in his eyes.

"Aye. You took awhile so we had a little fun before you got here." She added.

I let his head down gently and looked up at my sister with the most disgusted look.
"You know how many years he is younger than you. He's practically still a boy compared to you." I shook my head in disbelief.

She had flashed from her throne and was now beside us. She took her sharp nails and delicately turned his face side to side, looking him over with a smirk.

"A boy couldn't do what he did." Eleanor kept taunting.

"Enough!" My lungs burned from the scream.

She was surprised by my boldness and gestured me to carry on.

I looked back at Callum who was already just trying to keep his head up.

"Crims. It's going to be okay. We all know how this ends. And it's okay."
He told me.

"That's what I've always liked about you, Cal. You have an unwavering light. It just never dies." Eleanor broke in.

Callum didn't even acknowledge her.
I could tell there was so much left unsaid, but he knew there was no time.

With his last bit of strength he leaned further towards me. His cut and swollen lips molded perfectly with mine.
For that split moment, I felt it all go dark, I felt free, it's like we were alone and it would never end.
Suddenly I heard the sickening snap of Callum's neck. He slumped right in front of me. I stared down at him, my face blank from being stunned. My perfect escape........he was ripped from me.

I began to cough cries, tears dropped, and I reached out to him as if I could bring him back.

"What was it you two used to say...........no sentiment?" Eleanor went into hysterics.

"Exactly." I whispered to myself as if to remind me. Let not Callum's sacrifice be in vain.

I stood up and Eleanor got serious.
She seemed to be goading me.

I took out my sword and pretended to jolt at her. She threw a sparkly, red slash of magic at me. I held my weapon across my chest and blocked the death strike.

"You think this wise, sister? You may have lost your courtier, but you still have many more to lose." She told me.

"Don't bring anyone else into this. It's only about me and you now." I answered, staring at her with shadowed eyes.

"You're only seventeen and already you've matured into a women. wouldn't mother be proud." Eleanor went on.
"Stop it." My voice went shrill.

"Come on Crimson. You're just still.....too.....soft." She said the words teasingly.

"Well maybe this'll help." I raised my voice and drew my shield up.
Eleanor laughed wickedly as she shot a stream of dark beams at me. My shield repelled them all and I started to step closer.

Eleanor became frustrated and started throwing fire balls. Still I was able to keep moving.
She was so busy trying different attacks she didn't realize how close I was.
I was close enough to see her feet under my shield.

Swiftly, I dropped my defense and blew ashes of Crossing Incense in her face.
She seemed dazed and losing her balance, fell to the ground.

She was shivering and curling up on the floor. I looked and saw pearl white hair take place where her once blood red hair was. Her complexion turned grey with purple age marks.
She turned bone skinny and her now black eyes sunk deep in her head.

As disturbing as she looked I forced my gaze upon her to see what magic had really made her become.

Her chest was heaving as she struggled to breathe.
I sat next to her.
"Crimson, my sister. You've always been the most gracious out of us. Even compared to Aisling. Tell me sister, can you forgive me?" She asked, her elderly smile forming.

I looked down at her and stroked her white hair. Her ebony eyes seemed at peace.
I gave her a deceitful yet reassuring grin.
Before she realized it, I had plunged my dagger deep in her chest.

She gasped her last and her expression was one of surprise and betrayal.
"I really can't, sister." I told her softly and yanked out the dagger.

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