Crimson Lace

Chapter 53

GORE
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

The lit torches surrounding the courtyard attempt to brighten the dark cold in my bones. But nothing could chase away this emptiness. She is gone. One of the only people who ever understood who I am enough to love me. There is not a living person who can see past the monster to what is inside me. I'm not even sure if Elle has that ability.

As I watch Mama's head roll to the ground and feel a chunk of my heart being ripped from my chest, I know that I was wrong to ever think not having her in my life didn't affect me.

"No," the words are silent on my dry lips as the crowd hoots and hollers their excitement, drowning out the sound of my pain. I shake my head repeatedly as Keaton swipes his hand through the air—sending her blood into the earth—and a Serf servant collects her remains.

Tugging on the chains that pin my arms behind me, I try to get to her, but a guard holds me back. Vines lurch from the ground and coil up my legs. They bind my body in place. A rose sprouts over my mouth.

Does this mean I am next? I glance at Alec. He is bound the same way. Or is he?

Does it even matter? I said in the cell that I am awaiting fate. Whatever that may be. But part of me still wants someone to put my mother back together. I want to put our family back together. I want someone to put me back together. Even if it is with glue or tape or ties or if the rebuilding is done with scraps and twigs. Anything. Anything to feel whole.

I gulp, glancing around. The others in the line with me are all watching as I struggle to understand what I just witnessed. What I just lost. Sympathy reflects darkly in their eyes and I feel my cheeks pale as I recognize the wetness on my skin as tears. I quickly tear my eyes away, cursing myself. How can I expect to be a leader if I show this weakness?

Reapers never weep. It was all of their last words. Just minutes ago. They didn't shed a tear. They didn't seem afraid. I betrayed that phrase. The phrase I created. I'm crying right now.

I tilt my head and wipe my face on my shoulder, erasing the tears and straightening myself up. The movement causes a jolt of pain to thrust through my back and I hold my breath, trying not to fall over.

Keaton clears his throat and when I turn his way, I am surprised to find his face drained of color. His eyes are wide and blank of his usual amusement and wicked humor. The emotion written plain and simple in his expression. Regret. Sweet regret. "I—it's time to continue." He has never sounded so lost. "Guards bring forth the prince."

Elle shreaks, pulling at her chains. "Keaton, don't! If you do this, then I swear you will pay. If you run, I will find you. I will hunt you. And when you are trying to escape, clawing your way to freedom, breaking yourself just to get away . . . that is when you will know that I have won." The words are like venom. As though she has bestowed a curse upon him.

The threat is clear but Keaton ignores her.

Alec is brought forward by two burly sentinels. He spits the rose from his mouth as they force him to kneel in front of the wooden table. "Elle," he turns toward my sister, his eyes filling with sorrow. "You have to live for me. Be happy, find love."

"But I love you," she cries. "Please let it be you. It will always be you."

The little girl beside her begins to whimper and Elle wraps her arms around the child.

Keaton waves a hand, silencing the murmurs of the crowd. "Prince Tyrus Alexandrette, you betrayed your crown. You had relations with Elle, knowing that she was part Serf. You aided in her escape, committing treason. You will not go unpunished. Executioner, you may begin."