The King's Abducted Queen

"That's a bit too close to the border for my liking," remarked the older handmaiden, her golden hair framing her face. Alira chose to tune her out, knowing the comment was directed at her companion, Nadine. Nadine paused her needlework to address the older woman. "Indeed, the temperature drops significantly the farther we venture from the border, particularly with the current season." "It's a shame not to be celebrating a wedding back home, Your Royal Highness," Nadine clucked, finally pulling Alira from her thoughts to pay attention to them. "It must be difficult for you to leave your family behind. All the other princesses had their weddings in the palace." "This is hardly the right moment for an elaborate wedding, especially without family present. It just doesn't seem right," the older handmaiden admonished, as if her views could alter King Hades' decision. Alira couldn't help but smile at Nadine; she had been at her side for months, and Alira was finally growing comfortable with her sharp tongue—a quality that had allowed her to remain in Alira's service for so long. "It's alright," Alira reassured them. "I'm sure this is only a temporary setback. Once I marry Alden, we'll likely return to the capital while he works with Father to bring his forces up to the same standards as the rest of the army." Alira understood the unfairness of her situation; her sisters enjoyed splendid summer weddings surrounded by family, while she faced this solitude. A weary sigh escaped her lips as she reclined against the uncomfortable cushioning of her seat. The carriage ride was bumpy and wearisome. It was late—well past dark. Perhaps they would stop soon for the night, allowing them some much-needed rest. Given their proximity to the border, the soldiers were determined to keep moving. They had orders to deliver her to Alden's fortress and ensure the wedding proceeded as planned. "Your father should have simply commanded Lord Swan to marry you at the palace to settle this matter," Nadine said, her voice tinged with irritation. "Royal politics can be so baffling. Lord Swan's men are technically under the king's command anyway. Why does Hades need to marry his youngest daughter to him to ensure their cooperation in the war?" "I heard that Alden Swan has been stockpiling resources since his court is so close to the north, where the new Thunder king has been frequently encroaching," the older handmaiden chimed in. "My cousin lives in a small village nearby and wrote to tell us that the Thunder have been attacking Mavis villages under the cover of darkness when their shadows are strongest. She's thinking about moving back to the capital. I naturally told her that was a wise choice." Alira leaned her head back against the wooden wall, listening to the maidens gossip about her betrothed and the war. The tales were familiar, yet they sent a shiver down her spine. She was haunted by the stories brought to Grand about their people living too close to the border with the Thunder. A deep ache settled in her heart for them. Even in the moment, it felt perilous to be so close for the sake of a wedding. Yet Alira understood that she had a role to play. If her father needed Alden's soldiers to actively combat the shadow elves instead of retreating into hiding, then she would do her part in this war. Marrying a man she had barely met felt like a minor sacrifice in comparison. Without warning, Alira's head collided painfully with the window frame as the carriage came to an abrupt halt. She could hear the horses whinnying and braying in alarm, accompanied by the shouts of soldiers outside. "What in heaven's name is happening out there?" Xena huffed, placing her needlework down between herself and Nadine, who looked up, her curiosity piqued as she too turned toward the closed windows. "I'll check to see if we're stopping for the night." Xena hesitated, her fingers resting on the handle, sensing that the commotion outside was far from ordinary for a procession. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and vanished into the night's inky darkness. Nadine's gaze locked onto Alira's across the carriage, the silence stretching between them, making it feel as though miles separated their worlds. In the heartbeat that followed, a harrowing sound pierced the air—a blood-curdling scream that sent chills down Alira's spine, right before the carriage jolted violently. She pressed her hands against the wall and seat to steady herself, while Nadine whimpered, curling into herself across from her. Although Alira had never experienced the sounds of war before, the unmistakable chaos unfolding outside the carriage confirmed that a battle was raging nearby. The clang of metal against metal stung her ears, accompanied by the grunts and curses of soldiers, the noise growing louder with each passing second. "Nadine," Alira said, taking a deep breath as she reached across the carriage to grasp her trembling hands. "I believe we are under attack. We must exit the carriage and run at the first opportunity." Nadine's silver eyes flickered around the enclosed space, her fear evident as she shook, and it felt like an eternity passed before she finally nodded in agreement. Alira felt a flash of frustration at her handmaiden's fearful demeanor—Nadine's usual sharp tongue had led her to believe she possessed more courage. But in that moment, it no longer mattered. "I knew we were too close to the border! I knew it, and now we're going to die for it!" Nadine cried just as Alira's hand gripped the door handle, ready to push it open. Clenching her teeth, Alira knew that if they stood any chance of surviving the chaos outside, they must remain silent and composed. "Nadine, we cannot assume we are under attack by Thunder. It could merely be bandits seeking plunder. Whatever the situation, we need to escape—quietly and swiftly." Though her words came out more sharply than intended, they seemed to have the desired effect, as Nadine's trembling began to subside. After a moment of eavesdropping outside, Alira cautiously pulled the handle and peered through the c***k she had created in the door. The flickering light from the lamps around the carriage illuminated a horrifying scene, chilling her to the core. Numerous soldiers lay sprawled in pools of blood along the dirt road, their eyes wide open, still reflecting the terror they experienced in their final moments. Alira swallowed hard, striving to breathe slowly through her nose. The sounds of battle now seemed to emanate from the other side of the carriage and into the surrounding woods. This could be their only chance to escape while the fight was hidden from view. "We must go now, Nadine," she urged as she turned to see Nadine huddled into herself on the carriage cushions. "That is an order from your princess! We must leave immediately!"