Maravelle walked back through the narrow corridor, her steps echoing lightly at first until the heavier tread of boots caught up to her. She turned, but too late. Rough hands seized her arms, yanking her to a halt. The shadows parted and Prince Valemir emerged, his expression carved in cold disdain.
"Where are you going, Queen?" he drawled, his voice a silken thread laced with venom.
He stepped into the torchlight, pale eyes gleaming with malicious amusement, his lip curled like a beast savoring a kill.
"Where is Selene?"
Maravelle straightened, spine rigid despite the bruising grip on her arms.
"Let go of me," she hissed at the rogues. "You have no right. Filthy dogs."
Valemir snapped his fingers, and the guards stiffened like hounds scenting blood.
"Find Selene," he commanded, his voice low and venom-laced.
They scattered at once, boots hammering against the stone as they vanished into the corridors like wolves unleashed, the echo of their pursuit chasing them into the dark.
Maravelle lifted her chin, voice sharp as broken glass. "I have a proposal for you."
"Interesting," he muttered without turning. "I'm in no mood for theatrics, Maravelle. You're not in a position to negotiate."
"I accept the alliance," she said quickly. "I will help you. I will back your claim, stand beside you, betray the whole damned court if I must..."
He lifted a brow.
"...if you give me Alaric."
Valemir's smiled wickedly, like a blade sheathed in shadow.
"I've changed my mind."
Maravelle blinked, confusion flashing across her face. "What..."
"You think you still have leverage," he said, voice dripping with contempt. "But I'm done playing games with a broken queen."
"Throw her into the dungeons," he said coldly. "Let the rats feast on her."
Maravelle struggled as they seized her arms. "You need me! You need me, Valemir!"
She screamed as they dragged her across the stone floor, her voice echoing through the corridor, royal dignity stripped bare in seconds.
"Cowards! I am a queen!" she spat, heels dragging, voice cracked with fury and fear.
But Valemir didn't look back.
"Rats are loyal, at least. And far less tiresome." he murmured.
....
The sun was warm above the training grounds. All around them, the sounds of sparring filled the air, fists clashing, men shouting, feet pounding the dirt. Thornak and Lara stood in the center, moving fast, focused. The other warriors were used to seeing them train together by now. Lara had improved so much that she could keep up with Thornak, matching his strength and speed.
They circled each other. She dodged his swing and went low. He caught her by the waist, pulling her close for just a second.
"Careful, love," he said with a smirk, his voice low and teasing. "You're distracting me."
Lara gave a surprised smile, eyes bright. Then, in one quick move, she swept his legs out from under him. Thornak hit the ground with a thud. Some of the warriors nearby laughed. Others just kept sparring, pretending not to notice.
Thornak laughed loudly, lying flat on his back. Lara reached out her hand to help him up. "Here," she said, still smiling.
But Thornak grabbed her wrist and pulled her down on top of him. She gasped, landing on his chest. Her eyes widened in mortified amusement. "Thornak! We're outside, with your men!"
A few of the warriors were already laughing. One elbowed the other.
Thornak didn't care. He held Lara close and touched his forehead to hers. "Let them see."
Lara blushed, but she was smiling. "Thorn," she whispered trying to wriggle free, "leave me alone."
He grinned, eyes shining, and leaned in to kiss her softly on the lips before letting go. The kiss was brief, but it made her cheeks warm.
Lara scrambled to her feet, brushing dirt from her clothes, trying to look serious again. "You're impossible," she muttered.
Thornak stood up slowly, brushing off his shoulders like nothing had happened. "And you love me anyway," he said.
She gave him a look, half warning. "We're supposed to be training."
"We are," he said with a wink. "Training my heart not to falter under your spell."
Lara laughed, shaking her head. "Let's go again. And this time, no tricks."
Thornak rolled his shoulders and got into position. "No tricks," he agreed, though the grin on his face said otherwise.
They had just locked hands again when a young guard came rushing toward them, breathless and wide-eyed.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" he called, stopping just short of Thornak and bowing quickly. "Lady Selene's at the castle gates. She says it's urgent. She looks like she's been running all night."
Lara's smile faded, her chest rising as she glanced at Thornak. His expression shifted in an instant.
"Is she alone? Is she alright?" He asked.
The guard nodded quickly. "No, sire, she arrived with a small lady. She looked tired and frightened… but unharmed."
Lara wiped sweat from her brow, eyes narrowing. "What could have happened?"
Thornak's jaw tensed. "I don't know. Let's find out."
He touched Lara's arm. "Stay here. I'll speak to her first."
"I'm coming with you," she said at once.
Their eyes met. After a moment, Thornak nodded. Together, they started toward the gates.
Selene had collapsed from exhaustion, so the guards carried her straight to the healers. Thornak and Lara rushed after them without hesitation.
When they entered the healer's quarters, the room was quiet but tense. Selene lay unconscious on a cot, pale and still. The healers worked quickly, murmuring to each other as they checked her breathing and pulse.
In the corner of the room, Miri sat in a chair that was far too big for her small frame. Her skimpy dress looked out of place in the plain, quiet space. She sat stiffly, arms crossed over her chest, staring at the floor.
Lara's eyes landed on the girl first. "She must be the one who came with Selene."
Thornak stepped closer, his voice low. "Why does she look like she came from a brothel?"
"She's just a child," Lara whispered. "And scared."
Miri didn't speak, but her eyes flicked toward them, watchful, unsure.
Thornak nodded to the healer. "How is she?"
"She's stable, just exhausted," the healer replied. "Her body gave out after too much strain. She is asking for you."
Selene began at the beginning, how she had left the castle with the woman she believed was Queen Maravelle, only to discover it was the wizard in disguise. She spoke of their capture, the tense encounter with Prince Valemir, and every moment leading up to their escape. At last, her voice broke slightly as she told them how the Queen had sacrificed herself so she could reach Thornak in time.
Thornak stared at her, stunned. "Are you sure?"
Selene nodded and gestured to the girl beside her. "This is Miri. She can confirm everything I've said."
His eyes narrowed. "So… Mother has been kidnapped all this time, and we've been here, with the wizard pretending to be her?"
Without another word, he quickly mind-linked Kael, Dain, Ruvan, and Aedric.
He turned sharply to Selene.
"Can you locate where you were kept?"
Selene's eyes shifted. She gave a short nod. "Yes. It's hidden in a mountain. But protected by magic. You can't just walk in."
Thornak glanced at Lara, then back at Selene.
"Don't worry," he said. "Just get us there."
Thornak stepped closer, his voice calm but edged. "What else do you know? Anything that can help us?"
Selene hesitated. Then she looked up.
"He's not working alone," she said. "He made an alliance."
"With who?"
"The tideborn."
Thornak blinked. "Mermaids?"
"Yes," she said. "I saw the princess myself. She was there when I was brought in. She is his mistress."
Thornak glanced toward Lara, then turned his eyes back to Selene.
"Why would the Tideborn interfere in our war?"
"I don't know," Selene said. "But she spoke to him like they'd made a deal. The Queen said he will attack soon. Am sure Miri can give you more information."
Thornak nodded once.
Back in the war room, he relayed everything Selene had revealed.