Promised To The King

Vamp Got Your Tongue

EVERETT'S POV: 

    The road to Akasha was unpleasant. Even more so because I had to be around such abominations as witches. Just the thought made me sick. I had told Axton and Amias to stay and keep an eye on everything. I still didn't know who let that filthy leech into my home. There was hell to pay when I found out. Maybe I could trick whatever idiotic witch helped me to come back with me and find out. I smirked at the thought, it wouldn't be hard to trick a naive witch, as long as she doesn't have a coven. A coven would be a pain in my ass to deal with. 

    On this trip, I decided to bring Hayden and Alcide. I needed one weakling to sacrifice, and one of the strong to ensure my safety. Considering I had to leave the kingdom to Axton and Amias during my travels. It takes nearly two days to travel to Akasha. Considering it is a kingdom of witches, they made it hard to find. Only royals know where to go. We finally made it to the bridge leading to the kingdom. Fog rose quickly covering the car entirely as we began to drive across. 

    Honestly, I didn't like the look of any of this. Three humans were no match for the witches. The only thing that had a prayer of saving me was my status. But Axton was right. I made sure my dislike for these...people were known. But, should they kill me it would start a war. That was one thing no one wanted. Not now anyway. 

    There was no doubt that they would have guards waiting for us on the other side. This was no normal fog. This was a witch's illusion. These people, always doing that fake s**t. I glance up to the front and watch Hayden drive. His hands becoming shakey. I roll my eyes. Alcide returns my expression. He was my favorite, out of everyone I and he was always on the same track. He kicked Hayden's seat hard.

    "Dude pull your s**t together. You are an embarrassment." He said watching him. 

    Hayden didn't speak back, probably afraid to. I laughed a little. God, he would have gotten an ear full if I could speak. He finally drives us across and stops the car abruptly. I don't even have to look up or question why. I knew the witches would be waiting for us. I look at Hayden waiting for him to move, but the pathetic excuse for a soldier seemed frozen in fear. Alcide gave me a knowing look and rolled his eyes at Hayden. You could always count on him to get s**t done. 

    He rolled down his window as he started to speak. "I am stepping out on behalf of King Everett. We come in peace. As a testimony of good faith, I will be unarmed."  

    "Keep your hands up where I can see them. Do not even think about trying anything. We will not hesitate to flip this car over the cliff, precious king, and all." An unfamiliar voice demanded. 

    He opened the door slowly, doing as they asked, hands held out in front of him. He stared in front of him, the witches still not in my view. "See, we come in peace." 

    "Oh? Why should we believe that? There has never been anything peaceful about your kind. Not during his rule anyway." She says laughing.

    "We have come with only three men including me. The driver is Private Hayden, our other passenger is King Everett, and I am Corporal Alcide. You can scout the area if you don't believe me." He said watching their every move. Being very careful not to take his eyes off of the enemy, especially not in their territory.

    "Then they need to step out of the car. Hands where I can see them. Unarmed. I look forward to seeing your great king at my mercy." She warned, the smirk evident in her voice. 

    I rolled my eyes and heaved a sigh. But I wasn't going to get out until Hayden did. Hayden opened the door and held his hands up. Oh my god. Was he f*****g shaking again? He was going to humiliate us in front of the enemy nonetheless. Rage started to build in me every second I had to watch him. I climbed out of the car doing as they asked. 

    She laughed at the scene before her. "Why are you here Everett?" 

    Alcide stepped in front of me. Always ready to sacrifice himself. "We have come seeking a little help. We wish to speak to the royals." 

    My eyes rolled. The royals. These people worshipped their Queen. The king was so willing to be so submissive. How weak a man must be to bow before his b***h. 

    "Why should we trust you enough to take you to see them?" She said watching us all. 

    "You have our word, we will cause your precious royals no harm. We are three men, seeking help. Surely they wouldn't have an issue taking us out if we tried. Check us for weapons if need be." He said gritting his teeth. 

    She watched him for a moment. "Fine. Alcide. But if anything goes wrong, I will personally behead you and send it to your family on a silver platter, understood?" 

    Alcide smirked at her challenge. "Crystal clear. You got yourself a deal, witch." He hissed. 

    She turned around and the other three moved out of her way. She must be a high ranking. They all seemed to fear her. As she walked past them, she motioned for us to follow and they walked behind us. Probably making sure we didn't attack their precious leader. Not that we would succeed weaponless. We followed her through the gates of the kingdom, and I swear every witch gathered around to watch us. How the mighty have fallen. To think, the great king came to ask for their aide. I knew, if they were even willing to help, it might come at a hefty price. Who knows, maybe it would be a win-win. Maybe they would take Hayden's life. Laughs to myself at the hopeful thought. 

    As we walked to Megalith square, the palace stood tall and daunting. It gave me chills just looking at it. As we approached the doors, the guards stepped aside quickly. She must have a higher rank then I originally thought. We walked through the doors with ease and she led us down several long corridors. Finally ending at the massive throne room. She pushed the doors open with ease and ushered us in. 

    She turned to speak to the two sitting on the thrones. "Queen Aradia. We have visitors from Eudaimonia. None other than the King himself, and two of his men. They wish to have an audience with you." She bowed graciously to them. 

    "I see. King Everett. Such a pity to see you are doing well." She said turning her stare to me. Honestly, she wasn't too bad on the eyes. Her white hair pinned back in a ponytail, her crown resting on her head. 

    Damn, right out the gate with the insults already? I watched Alcide tense next to me. I watched him force his pride aside and kneel before her. "Your highness. We seemed to have had some issues with the vampires. A few of them had..." She cut him off simply by holding up her hand. 

    "I am aware of the attack Silas led on you Everett." She said looking straight at me. "If memory serves, it was not unjustified. You led the first strike on his family. Forced a boy to grow too fast." Of course. My f*****g luck. Allies of the leeches. 

    I watch her every move. I knew it was a bad idea coming here. "Word traveled far and wide I suppose," Alcide said calmly. Staying kneeled. 

    She smirks. She seemed so young. The early twenties maybe. Then again, witches could live to be hundreds, some even cast youth spells to keep face. "I suppose it would. I have always liked young Silas and his family. Adrien was such a kind man. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for you, Everett." She smiles waiting for me to speak. They played us. She already knew why I came. She wanted to play games. Like a cat about to pounce on a mouse. "What's wrong Everett? Vamp gotcha tongue?" She laughed. 

    Alcide came to the realization I did. "You were never planning to help us, were you?" He watched her. Anticipating her every move. 

    She smirked. "Ease your stance Corporal. Silas had asked of me that no harm comes to you. He would wish to do the honor himself. Vengeance for his parents, and the hell endured by his bride. However, I am giving you no help. No aide. My kingdom aligns itself with Ambrogio. However, there are a rare few, that only prefer the company of witches and seek power. They dare not speak to me of such matters. So I can not tell you who they are." She laughed a little. "I will allow you a chance to find one to help you. However, my subjects know, should they help you, they will be banished from this kingdom and killed on sight when seen. So, good luck. Evanora, release them into the streets. They have until morning. Keep someone watching them It will be fun to watch their progress.. Come morning, I want them on their way back to that shithole they call a kingdom." She said waving a hand dismissing us quickly. 

                                                                                     --------CORA'S POV:

    "Do you think he will manage to get his mouth fixed?" I asked Elanor as we walked through the palace. 

    "There will be a certain few who may have a vendetta. Whether it be with Queen Aradia or the vampires. If he is lucky, and he almost always is, he will find someone. All I know is according to Silas, Aradia will stand down and watch him grovel to her people." She answered kindly. 

    "He does seem to have luck on his side quite a bit huh?" I laugh. "Thank god Blakely is far away from this mess." 

    She nods in agreement. "Silas will keep her safe my lady. There is no doubt about that." 

    I nod watching her. Her blonde hair fell in front of her face slightly. She looked so worn and tired. Her deep green eyes held sadness. I sigh. "I appreciate your willingness to stand by my old friend. If he brings a witch here, it will surely bring downfall. There is no way we can keep the wool over his eyes with a witch on his side as well." 

    She nodded in understanding. "I am trying to find a way to work around that. But you needn't worry about that my queen." 

    "I need you to promise me something. I have already gotten you, Amias, and Axton in this deep enough. If our plans fail, a worst-case scenario that is, I will be executed. Do not, dare I repeat, do not risk yourselves to save me. Get you and the boys across the Faylinn River. Silas will welcome you all like old friends." I smiled, willing to take my fate as it came. She looked at me almost broken it seemed. "It probably won't happen, but given what we have done, we need to be prepared." I smiled trying to brush away her worries. 

    She still looked at me with terror in her eyes as our conversation was interrupted. "You needn't worry about such grim thoughts at the moment my lady." The kind voice of Axton sounded behind us. 

    I laughed. "We can always count on you to chase the worst away, Sergeant Major." 

    He smiled. "That is my job after all. Your wish will be carried out, but, I don't think it would come to that. We have covered all bases. The old king is ignorant." 

    Elanor returned his smile. "Things sure are better here when he is away." 

    I laugh, indulging them just a bit more. "What's that saying? When the cat's away, the mice come out to play." 

    They laugh. God, I just wish there were better circumstances to hear the laughter. Better times were coming, I was sure of it. Just...not sure if I would be alive to see it. I smiled at them, and for once, it felt genuine. "So, any word on Blakely? How is she?" I couldn't help but ask. 

    Elanor smiled a little. "She took the news of being a witch very well it seems. Hopefully, Everett didn't screw her and Silas' relationship completely."

    I smiled. "A love like the one he has for her won't die that easily. Everett was just a speed bump in their way." 

    Axton grinned at me. "Blakely is like her momma. Strong with a will made of stone. Nothing is going to shake that girl anytime soon."

    I laughed at the accuracy of his statement. He was right. She was so very strong. "What is the plan now?" 

    Axton watched me and his expression changed a bit. "Well, Harlow plans on training her in two days. Harlow is powerful and will see to it that Blakely knows the extent of her power. As far as we go, however, Silas has given orders that we do everything we can, within reason, and without being caught, to make Everett show his true colors. The more people that turn against him, the more that will assist in overthrowing him. Other then that, we sit back until one kingdom invades the other. Silas is hoping to lure Everett to the edge of madness so he will invade them. He will be easier to handle on foreign soil." Axton said in a hushed whisper. 

    I feel a smirk forming on my lips. "Well, if he wants the mad king even madder. We will drive him f*****g insane."

                                                                                     --------EVERETT'S POV:

    Upon leaving the palace, I heard the doors slam behind us. I was sure we were being watched. In fact, I was sure every step we took would be watched. If our pinky toes stepped out of line, that would be it for us. There was nothing we could do about that. We were in their territory now. Damn, I didn't even know where to begin. How do you find a witch, who hates vampires, in a see of witches? Talking about a needle in the haystack. 

    I followed Alcide as we walked along the streets. Alcide was very good a reading people, so he should know when to engage someone. All of our ears stay peeled, eavesdropping into everyone's conversation, looking for that one that may give us some type of aide. Given the fact they would be banished and killed, if they returned, the odds of that were extremely low. 

    We were walking at a steady pace until without warning Alcide stopped in front of us. I paused and took a quiet look around. He looked over his shoulder at me. "My king, you haven't eaten today, would you like to stop to grab a bite? I will watch them prepare it to ensure it is safe for you." 

    Looks at him. My eyes roll and I nod. While I can't taste a damn thing now, I still need it to keep my strength. He walks into the diner right next to us and walks up to the counter. Every witch in the place stops and watches us. It as if they were waiting for something to go wrong so they could strike. 

    The witch at the register wasn't even paying attention to us. Which, by the way, was a major relief. Maybe we could get our food with no issue. "Hi. Welcome to Aura's Place. what can I get for you?" 

    Alcide took a minute to look at the menu and tried to order the safest looking food. "Uh...give us three orders of baked ham meals with sides of mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. Can I also get a sweet lemon bread loaf to go?" Of course. Alcide and his lemons. 

    She rings up the total and reads the small screen. "That would be $30.65, please." She looks up at us and her expression changes from nonchalant to angry real quick. f**k. "Hey. Scratch that order." She shouts over her shoulder at the cook. "We don't serve your kind here. She sneered. 

    Alcide looks at her. Keeping calm he watches her every move. "Yes, you do. And yes you will. Now take our money, and place the order so we can eat and be on our way. Or, you can let me speak to your manager." He seemed like he was trying to keep his cool but failing miserably. 

    She looks behind her. "Hey boss, can you come here and address this filth real quick?" 

    I clench my fist tightly. I am starting to get sick of the treatment I am receiving around this godforsaken city. I watched as another woman came up and stopped abruptly taking in the scene. "Can I help you?" 

    Alcide looks at her baffled. "I am trying to get my king something to eat. Your wait staff is making such a simple task difficult. It is a true talent honestly." He scoffs watching the manager from behind the counter. 

    I cross my arms over my chest as she starts to speak. "Ah, I see. I am sure you are aware of where you stand with Queen Aradia? Let me break this down for you. We. Do. Not. Serve. Your. Type. Here." She grits her teeth.

    I clench my jaw. Knowing now is not the time or the place to fight, I place my hand on Alcide's shoulder in warning. I raise my other letting them know we are leaving. I laugh at the sudden thought popping up. Wait until we come back. I will take this whole f*****g kingdom by storm. I lead them out of the pathetic diner anyway. 

    Alcide looked at me apologetically to which I returned a warning look, silently telling him to wipe such weakness from his face. As we turned to continue walking down the road, I noticed someone watching us with curious eyes from the corner of my eye. I continued to watch her as we walked past, but the weird thing was, she started to follow us. Out of all the guards and witches on the streets, none have dared to follow or stay so close to us. I look ahead of my to my guards and Hayden and Alcide seemed to notice the strange behavior as well. 

    Alcide turned right, leading us down an alley to see if she would still follow. As she rounded the corner he immediately greeted her. "Well, hello. I am Corporal Alcide, this is Private Hayden, and of course, you know King Everett of Eudaimonia. Is there something we can do for you?" 

    She looked at him both taken aback and pleased that he confronted her in such a way. "Actually, it is what I can do for you that you should be asking." She smirked. Her glowing golden eyes holding such curiosity and amusement.  

    Alcide matched her smirk. "Fine, I will bite. What is it you can possibly offer us?" 

    She smiled and ran her hand through her short black hair that framed her face so perfectly. "I can give your king back what he has lost. One a few simple conditions." 

    Alcide watched her, his curiosity growing by the second. He held up a hand to ensure neither I nor Hayden objected. "What would these conditions be?"

    She smirked. "I didn't think you would be so eager, Corporal. My conditions are simple. The first being taking me with you and give me asylum. The second being, when we finish, when I help you overthrow that...creature, Silas, you help me overthrow that b***h who thinks she is so strong. Queen Aradia herself. 

    Alcide turned to silently ask if these were conditions I could abide by. I smiled at him and nodded. There was nothing that I wanted more than to watch both of these pathetic kingdoms fall. Of course, she never said how long she wanted the asylum. A smirk crosses my face as I step past Alcide, who still looks shocked that I moved at all. I reached my hand out for a handshake to seal the deal and she smiled wickedly returning the gesture. 

    "Well, well, well. I knew someone would take their offer. I didn't know it would be you, Theodora." Evanora said standing behind her. This b***h just never could shut up...could she? 

    I glared at her as the witch in front of us turned around to greet her. She laughs. "I am under the current diplomatic immunity I believe. You are not allowed to touch me until I threaten a life. I am not that stupid. Evanora." 

    Evanora smirked. "It doesn't bother me, Theodora. Just remember, should you show your face in Akasha again, you won't live to make it past the gate. Now that you found your aide, before the morning, get out. Never show your faces here again." She smiled and walked away. "I have my soldiers posted everywhere to make sure you leave with no issues. Keep that in mind." 

    No one cared to dignify her with a response as she left. Alcide turned toward our new ally. "By any chance can you do this while we drive?" 

    She smirked. "Of course. I can in my sleep too."

    We walked back through the square and out the gate silently. Couldn't really risk anyone eavesdropping. Alcide opened the door for me and Theodora then climbed in behind us while Hayden sat in the front quickly starting the car. He had been silent this whole trip, so no doubt that he was eager to get out of enemy land. It was no surprise to see that the fog had lifted. They must only use it to ambush trespassers. No wonder a rare few see the actual kingdom. 

    Theodora wasted no time. She pulled her small bag into her lap and started grabbing herbs she needed to regrow my tongue. She pulled out a variety of them. I watched her as she put them in the bowl, but she quickly noted my curiosity. She smiled and started explaining each as she put them into the bowl. "Vulnerary is used to treat wounds. This is a styptic, it will stop any external bleeding. I noticed the wound is still sort of fresh and bleeding now and then. This is an antipyretic, it will reduce a fever if you get one. Some people do if the infection has set in, and it seems to be starting to. This is an anodyne, it will relieve any pain. This will hurt. On top of using these herbs and medicines, I will be forcing my magic through your veins to force the regrowth process." SHe explained while mixing it in. 

    I nodded silently and opened my mouth wide enough for her to rub the handmade ointment on my tongue. She then gripped onto my wrist and I felt a weird static feeling rushing through me. As it reached my tongue, I felt a strong, intense burning. Like the pain, I had felt when it was cut out, to begin with, but this was much worst. I tried not to show such a weakness like pain as I let it run its course. I closed my eyes tight and waited for the pain to subside. 

    As the pain began to dull, I opened my eyes to see her smiling. She had released my wrist a while ago. Alcide was watching me with wide curious eyes. My mouth still hung open. I silently reached up to touch it and felt what I thought I would never feel again. My tongue was returned to its rightful place. 

    "Do you have anything to say...my king?" Theodora smirked. 

    I laughed. "Those bloodsuckers have started a war they can not finish."