Queens & Liars-Sequel to Three Broken Kingdoms (Completed)

Chapter Thirty-Three: Marble Walls

Maia didn't recognise herself.

Her ears were now perfectly rounded, her titled lilac eyes reshaped to match the Kallians' and then turned to a strange darkish blue. Her moonwhite hair had switched to a pale blonde. All of these things and more now made up her new appearance as an ordinary Kallian girl—essential to getting her safely to Crimsith.

She had taken a ship with a crew of barely a dozen—all rebels used to carrying messengers between the mountain base and the capital. They had all been nervous about sailing during the infamous storm season but had eventually agreed to come after repeated assurances that Maia's powerful

magic would more than protect them—which it would. Despite the LightningSifter title, Maia's power was over not just lightning but also thunder, wind and storm.            

After three days on the Asriel Strait, that very power smoothing over the seas for them with ease, Maia was bored out of her mind. The sea was endless and dull, its monotony only interrupted by the occasional sighting of an island. But given the state of those islands, including Maia's once-home, she preferred not to look at them too long anyway.

When they finally reached the shore of Crimsith it was almost a relief. The city, despite being under heavy guard, was easy enough to get into. Maia's forged citizenship papers and travel permission got her past the first few patrols within moments.

It was in the marketplace, a few streets away from their designated meeting spot, that everything went wrong. There was an endless row of posters bearing known rebels and other fugitives' faces—Myra, Zara, Rose, Layla and Maia amongst them, as well as dozens of others. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of the huge rewards offered. With those numbers, everyone would be looking for them. As much as she hated the illusion that had been wrapped around her, she was grateful for it in that moment.

The marketplace was crammed with people. Vendors shouted over each other, trying to sell their wares. Customers haggled just as loudly. Maia pushed her way through the crowd, the sweltering, palpable heat slamming into her. She needed to meet with Lysandra, and quickly, but if she could

only find some relief from the heat...

She caught sight of a fountain in the centre of the market and rushed to it, splashing the water onto her face. A few people gave her looks of disapproval, but she didn't care. The feeling of the water on her face, her only shield against the horrible humidity...it was worth it.

Maia glimpsed her reflection in the water and her heart skipped a beat. She'd forgotten one of the most important principles of illusions: reflections would show her true self. If her moon-white hair, pointed ears and purple eyes weren't unusual enough, the fact her reflection wasn't the same as her appearance would plainly show she was in some sort of disguise.

A muffled cry from behind her. She pulled away from the fountain to find a man staring at her in horror.

"It's an elf!" He cried out. "She's an elf!"

The square was dead silent for a moment. Then it began.

The crowd in the marketplace rushed towards her, vendors abandoning their wares and customers leaving their purchases on the ground as they lunged towards her, each eager for the reward. A couple of others had seen her reflection as well and recognised her.

"It's her! It's the Elfin Queen!" One shouted. Beneath her panic, Maia felt offended that no one was even considering that it might be her instead. Sure her twin was a queen and she only a Lady, but surely she merited some thought?

Her outrage, however, faded as the mob chasing her grew and she fled through the twisting streets in the baking-hot sun. She tried to lose her

pursuers but a determined few remained on her tail and were closing in. They had called a few guards to help them. The heat made it near impossible for her to run, but the Kallians, who were so used to it, were unbothered. She looked back and forth desperately, searching for somewhere to hide. There was only more and more people gathering to chase after her, some bearing swords. The guards started to shot at her and she had to dodge behind bins or zigzag to avoid them. Her panic mounted. In moments, she would be absolutely overwhelmed. Already she could hear more city patrols dashing after her. And once word got to the more experienced and dangerous royal guard...