Red Throne

Chapter 9

AN: Thank you so much to those who have stuck around for sooooo long!! This isn't the end so don't worry, but the end of this story is very near. y'all are amazing and I couldn't have asked for better reader!!

----------MARE'S POV----------

We stood there staring at each other, everyone looked as if time had stopped. Nobody moved an inch, Maven's eyes told a story his words would never be able to tell.

"At long last my little lightning girl," Maven whispered as he walked towards me.

Everyone tensed up as he got closer and closer. I could feel him breathing down my neck, chills rising on my body.

"Your perfect King isn't here, did you think I wouldn't notice? Your red throne has fallen before you could have even claimed it. Cal is slowly crumbling inside. The Scarlet Guard is ready to turn their backs against Cal. You think I haven't noticed, I have noticed everything, like your little tantrum, you and Cal in the woods, Mare, no secret can be kept from me." Maven whispered in my ear.

I didn't notice that while he was mocking me and all my failure, every single person that came with me, that risked their lives for me, had a knife to their throat circling us so that neither of us can leave.

"You will come with me, or one by one your little entourage will have their throats slit," he muttered.

I grabbed his thigh and sent a shock down his leg. He went crashing down to the ground.

"I will never side with you, you monster. I will go down fighting if that is what it takes," I yelled at him, fighting back tears, "You have scarred me in too many ways, I am done with your wicked games!"

Maven got up, flames rising in his hand, "Then this will be the day the storm will cease, and the little lightning girl will fall."

The two of us went at it, flames against lightning, neither of us was going to back down. But the darkness always will find a way to put out the light, so who will fall victim to the dark first?

----------CAL'S POV----------

I was the only one on the plane, I don't trust anyone else to save Mare. Nerves have never been an issue for me, but as I sit on the plane the sounds of the engine are drowned out by the pounding of my heart.

I don't have a good feeling about this, and my instincts have never been wrong.

----------MARE'S POV----------

I have several burns running up and down my body, but I am not the only one. He is relentless, but so am I. I won't stop until he is on his knees, his fate in my hands, and nowhere for him to turn.

Maven has never been a good fighter, but his mind cannot be beat. He uses his wits to his advantage, trying to get under my skin, find where I am weak.

"Did you know that Cal is on his way right now. Hoping he can save you and be the hero once again?" he said tryin to catch me off guard.

"Liar!" I growled shooting lightning straight at his chest missing only slightly, "There is no way he even knows I am here, nonetheless with you."

"Let's make a deal, you stop your useless fighting now, leave with me right now on a plane, and nobody gets their throat slit, how does that sound?" he asked.

"Not a chance, and I don't think you would actually do it!" I pointed out.

"You're right I wouldn't do it, one of them would, DO IT!" he shouted.

I turn my head to watch one of my fellow Scarlet Guard fall. I couldn't do anything but watch as the light left their eyes.

"You will pay for that, and every other death that has been by your hand." I snarled, rage flooding my body.

I fought with even more aggression now, not paying attention to the pain it takes to step.

Everything hurts, but I want him to hurt more so I don't stop.

His fist found my face with ease knocking me to the ground. I get up before he can do anything else, I let lightning strike down missing him by only an inch. He doesn't even blink, while I am distracted by Farley shouting words I can't quite make out, he strikes. He struck hard, not with his fist or his flame, but with a knife. All the other pain faded into the background except for one spot right in between my ribs. I touch my hand there, it comes away red, dripping with blood.

I have always been proud of my blood, it was what started a revolution that will hopefully continue past my legacy. Red like Gisa beautiful hair, red like the Scarlet Guard, and red like Cal's flame. Cal, my beautiful Cal. I wish he was here right now, maybe his flame could warm me and take away all of this pain. Unlike Maven's cold flame, they match his cold heart though.

Maven.

Maven did this.

All I hear is Farley scream, Maven apologizing, and the roar of a jet.

Warmth engulfs me. It isn't over bearing, it just means my prince is here.

I see Cal's bronze eyes pleading for me to hang on. I want to tell him I am trying, but it is hard.

I see Shade smiling, I think he is proud of what I have done.

I wish I could say bye to Gisa, Mom, Dad, Bree, and Trammy.

I forgive Maven, it isn't his fault. None of this was.

I forgive Cal, it wasn't his fault either.

I forgive myself.

Holding on became almost impossible. The noises were fading, but I couldn't stop gazing into those bronze eyes.

"I love you Cal, this isn't your fault. Move on, leave me behind, but don't forget I love you."

I let go.