The Second Heir
577 Words
Silence filled the chamber. Lucien's golden eyes stayed glued on the guard.
"...The true heir isn't the only one who survived."
My hearbeat quickened
"What does that mean?"
The guard gulped.
"The prisoner refused to speak anything else."
Lucien turned toward the door.
"Take me to him."
The guard paused.
"There is a problem, Your Majesty."
Lucien frowned.
"What?"
The guard hesitated.
"The prisoner is dying."
Lucien walked out of the room without another word and I followed.
"Wait!"
Lucien stopped but did not turn around.
"You told me they were hunting me."
"Indeed."
"Now you're saying there might be another heir."
"Yes."
"I have to know what's going on."
Lucien kept quiet for a long while. At last he turned around and looked at me.
"You have to know the truth."
"Tell me then."
"After I question the prisoner."
I nodded, although I wasn't satisfied.
Moments later, we walked into the castle dungeon. The air was damp and heavy. Torches fluttered against the stone walls.
Guards waited outside a reinforced cell. A Crimson Order assassin was chained to the wall inside. His face had blood all over it and seemed bruised. Still, the moment he spotted me he smiled.
"So...The princess lost."
I moved closer.
"Who exactly are you?"
The man gently chuckled.
"My name is not important."
"Why are you hunting me?"
"Because you're alive."
Lucien stepped forward.
"Who is the second heir?"
The assassin's smile widened.
"You truly have no idea."
Lucien lost his patience and he grabbed the man's throat.
"Tell me."
The prisoner started coughing.
"If I tell you... He'll kill me."
Lucien tightened his grip.
" And if you don't... I will."
The assassin gazed into Lucien's golden eyes. Then he started laughing.
"You have already lost."
Lucien's expression darkened.
"What do you mean?"
"The second heir has already awaken."
Aldric's face grew pale.
"No..."
The assassin nodded.
"Yes."
I looked between them.
"Someone please explain."
Aldric spoke softly.
"The Moonborn bloodline produced twins only once every thousand years."
I blinked.
"Twins?"
"The prophecy says if twin heirs are born..."
He hesitated.
"One will bring peace...the other will drown the kingdoms in blood."
The assassin began to laugh.
"The end of the world has begun."
Lucien's jaw tightened.
"Where is the second heir?"
The assassin gazed straight at me.
"Closer than you imagine."
The prisoner's body suddenly convulsed before anyone could respond. Dark veins spread across his neck and blood gushed from his mouth. Lucien released him immediately.
"What happened?" I asked.
A black symbol appeared on the assassin's forehead.
Aldric gasped.
"The Blood Seal!"
The prisoner's eyes rolled backward.
"They won't... let me..."
His body became limp. He was dead.
I looked in fear.
"He killed himself?"
Aldric gently shook his head.
"No. The Crimson Order killed him."
Lucien looked at the strange black symbol.
"They silenced him."
The dungeon was quiet. The only clue we had was gone. Another guard came running down the hallway just as we turned to leave.
"Your Majesty!"
Lucien looked up.
"What now?"
The guard was panting seriously.
"A young woman has arrived at the castle gates."
"So?"
"She claims..."
The guard looked at me.
"She is the true Moonborn Princess."
My heart skipped a beat.
"What?"
The guard gave a nod.
"She says Aria Nightshade is an imposter."
A stunned silence filled the dungeon. Lucien's expression became unreadable.
"This is impossible..." Aldric whispered under his breath.
Outside, thunder rumbled across the darkening sky.
- Writer
