Promised To The King

Cold As Stone

CORA'S POV: 

    It had only been a few hours since I realized I was being executed today. It was still a lot to process, but I knew this would be how I ended. I sat on my bed and thought about everything for a moment. I had already put my final plan in motion. Getting Elanor and the boys out of here safe was priority number one. Everett had played his cards right. None of the surrounding kingdoms could intervene. They would get the notice of my execution only hours before. All of the kingdoms were at least a day or two travel distance. 

    Which, in all honesty, is why I sent Elanor. So they would all know. I sent her in disguise with Amias. I could only hope that having her teleport the car, herself, and Amias wouldn't use all of her energy. I gave her strict orders to take the notice to King Silas of the vampires first. Then to Queen Aradia of the witches second. She should be on her way home from King Leo of the wolves now. She would be here just moments before my head falls from my body. That should be more than enough time to get herself and the boys across the river. Once they are across, Everett can not touch them. Hopefully, if Silas was able to recognize her, he will have someone there waiting for them. 

    I decided to go ahead and get ready. I put on my elegant black dress with the red gemstones along the waistline and my black veil. I then decided to wear my crown. I will not let him see me afraid. As far as he knew, I was a queen to be reckoned with. I glanced at my dresser and noticed a photo. It was an old photo from the first date Blakely had with Silas. It was a picture of them standing with Adrien and Jade. I smiled as I felt a single tear slip. 

    I brushed my thumb across their faces. "I will see you soon dear friends." 

    I placed the photo in my corset quickly. In my dying hour, at least they would still be on my heart. Until the very end. 

    The door swung open quickly. "Come on Cora. Let's go." Alcide said harshly as he wrapped his arm around mine and forced me off my bed. 

    "Disrespect is shown to a dying Queen Alcide?" I said standing as he pulled me out of the room.

    "No, of course not. Disrespect for a dying traitor." He smirked forcing me down the hall. 

    I stopped abruptly and jerked my arm away from him. "I can walk on my own Corporal. Remember your place." 

    He smirked stepping behind me. "Fine. My only regret today is I am not the one knocking you off that throne." The laughter sounded evident in his voice. 

    I walked at a steady pace, keeping my head up as we walked down these desolate corridors for the last time. Alcide stayed close behind me. I don't know why it isn't like I could have put up a fight. I wanted to die with at least some pride and dignity. 

    As I walked outside I came face to face with everyone. I knew them all by name. I watched most of them grow up to start families of their own. Some looked at me and rejoiced. To them, I was a traitorous b***h. Some looked at me with pain and deep sorrow. To them, I was their Queen and hero. For them, I kept my head held high. I would not show weakness. They needed to know their true Queen stood strong among the devil and his demons. 

    Alcide lowered me to my knees and laid my head on the stone block. My eyes finally met Axton's. I noticed Elanor and Amias arriving. I nodded silently, a silent answer that everything would be fine. I practically raised Axton. His parents died when he was so young, this must be so hard for him to watch. It hurt my heart to know I had put him in this pain. 

    Everett stepped up behind me. "Well, my dear Cora. It seems I will be the headsman today." The smirk clear in his voice. "Do you have any final words?" 

    I closed my eyes tightly. "Long live King Silas. King of the Vampires!" I wanted to give him one last f**k you before he finished me off. 

    I could feel the rage coming off of his body. He lifted the sword high into the air. "On this day, we stand witness of Queen Cora's crimes of treason. For this, she pays with her life." 

    He brought down the sword quickly. I felt it slam into my neck with sharp pain. Before I knew it, all I could see...was, as cliche as it sounds, a bright light. 

    I smiled at the outreached hand before me. Adrien. "Hello, old friends." 

    "We were waiting for you." Jade smiled kindly. 

                                                                            --------AXTON'S POV:

    I watched her closely. It felt as if my heart was being ripped out of my chest. But she embraced her death with such dignity and grace. Memories of her flooded my mind. She was the only one there when my parents died. She was like my mother. I had to keep a stoic expression or Everett would turn on us. That was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I heard the sword swing through the air. Everything seemed as if it were in slow motion. 

    Before I knew it, her head had rolled to the ground. I stared into eyes that once held so much generosity, that now held no life at all. I felt Elanor's and Amias' presence near me, which meant their mission went off without a hitch. Good for us. Tonight while the king slept we would leave to seek refuge with Silas, just as I had promised Cora just hours before her execution. It was so hard to believe that 12 hours ago, none of us knew this would be the way the day ended. What am I going to tell Blakely? 

    "Now that the first traitor has been dealt with, it seems as though we had 3 more of them in our midst. One being a witch." Everett said as my heart plummeted in my chest. He knew. 

    The crowd erupted with gasps and outraged cries. The guards and soldiers stood still. As if they already knew what was happening. As if this was last week's news. I stood still. I wanted him to name us. Maybe he only knew of the specifics. I needed to know. Amias and Elanor stiffened beside me. I knew where this was going and so did they. This was a trap. We walked willingly into the lion's den. Damnit! All I could hope was Elanor had enough energy to teleport us to the other side of the Faylinn. 

    I watched Theodora take her place next to him as her advisor. "On behalf of the king of Eudaimonia, this is an order of execution issued for Sergeant Major Axton, Command Sergeant Major Amias, and Advisor to Queen Aradia Elanor. None of them leave here alive."

    I froze. Under the events of the day and pressure...I f*****g froze. I couldn't will myself to move as I watched all of the soldiers I trained and fought side by side turn on me as quickly as the drop of a hat. I felt Elanor grab at my arm trying to tug me, but everything seemed in slow motion and all voices seemed muffled. I felt Amias grab my arm quickly as I heard Elanor start to chant. Of course. Before I knew it I had dropped on the grass of the forest. Not Faylinn River but pretty close. I looked up, feeling a bit dizzy. Teleportation. I have never done it, and I wouldn't want to again. 

    I looked up toward Elanor and our surroundings. We didn't make it far, but we got a head start at least. Elanor was trying so hard to catch her breath. "I need to gain more energy. Quick. We need to get across the river." She gasped between breaths. 

    "Yea, no kidding," Amias said kneeling. He must feel as sick as I do right now. "We won't make it across the river on foot. Not now. There is going to be a kingdom-wide manhunt." 

    I was still trying to get my bearings as I listened to both of them. "Yea, it would be. Cora..." My voice broke at her name. "Cora thought he didn't know. She thought we had until tonight." 

    "No need to worry about that now," Elanor said petting my head gently. "I have never seen you so pained Axton. I have to say., I don't like it." As I looked up at her, I could see the tears threatening to spill. "I need you to pull your s**t together for me. Please. I can't handle hiding my breakdown when you are having yours. We don't have time. We can all shut down when we get to Ambrogio." 

    I forced a smile. "I will take you up on that." I laughed putting my hand over my eyes to try to make the spinning stop. 

    She smiled and sat down. "I would give some herbs to help with the dizziness, but it would be a waste. We will be teleporting again soon." She said pulling some herbs out of her bag, a bottle of water, and a mortar and pestle. "I came prepared. Grabbed what I needed, left what I can replace. I thought herbs for energy and sickness would come in handy. As well as...well I couldn't leave my book of shadows could I?" She rambled on and on as she prepared her concoction. She must be upset and nervous. She always rambles when she is upset. 

    I smiled trying to keep her mind focused. "What herbs are those?" I said pointing out what she was crushing. 

    "Holy Basil, Reishi Mushrooms and Kola Nuts. They are the perfect energy replacers. They won't replenish everything, but it will get us across the river nonetheless." She smiled seemingly thankful for the distraction. 

    I nodded as I watched her add water to it and drink it straight down. She stood slowly and paced around, I suppose she was waiting for the energy to boost just enough. Nothing was ever instant. I leaned back and looked up at the sky. How long do you think it would take for them to head out this way?" I asked as I watched bats flying overhead. 

    She smiles. "It won't be too long. He is out for blood. As soon as we hear footsteps or voices we will leave. I want that sick bastard to know we slipped under his nose, not once but twice." 

    I laughed a little. "Alright, just don't play it too close." 

    Amias finally laughed next to me. "Who would have thought we would end up here? In a matter of 12 hours, we went from being gods to the people, to be fugitive on the run." 

    I couldn't help but laugh. "Yea. A lot has changed. But the one thing I can always count on is your smug ass." I said elbowing him lightly. 

    He laughs. "Oh! You wound me!"  

    I laugh a little. That was when I heard it. Footsteps. A lot of them. Immediately I jumped to my feet stopping short and grabbing a tree, still feeling extremely dizzy. 

    "It's time boys. Let's go!" She gripped both mine and Amias' arms as she began chanting. I couldn't understand the words, all of them seemed muffled compared to the footsteps heading our way. 

    The world blurred again. Before I knew it I was staring across the Faylinn. I and Amias both collapsed on the ground. The world was spinning much much more than before. I groaned as I began to feel sick. I closed my eyes tightly. 

    Elanor collapsed next to me. "Alright. I am going to give you both something for the dizziness." She laughed a bit. 

    I listened to her crushing more herbs in the mortar. I waited patiently as she handed me and Amias a drink. I sat up slowly and drank it quickly. It took only a few moments for the dizziness to subside. I took a deep breath and stood. 

    "What were those?" I ask her curiously. Witches always fascinated me. 

    She laughed still trying to catch her breath. "Ginger, Lemon Juice, and some Raw Honey." She smiled and laid on the grass for a minute. 

    "If witches can teleport, why didn't Theodora? They would have caught us had she done that." Amias spoke up, his dizziness relieved as well. 

    Elanor looked at him for a moment. "Theodora is twisted. She loves the chase. She loves to watch a good manhunt unfold. If a cat could so easily catch a mouse, it wouldn't be rewarding once she caught it. The fun is in the chase." 

    He nodded slowly. "You seem to know quite a bit about her. Is there something you are not telling us? Do you know her?" He asked. I quirked my brow waiting for her response. 

    It was as if she froze. She took a deep breath. "Alright. I suppose it won't do any harm for you to know now. Yes, I and Theo go way back. I am not a refugee witch on the run. I am the active advisor for Queen Aradia herself. Theo was supposed to assume the role of the next in line to claim the throne. That all went to hell when Aradia became pregnant. Please, don't ask about the pregnancy now, I will explain later. Okay?" She said before continuing with her story. Like schoolboys listening to an elder, I and Amias leaned in, just happy to listen. 

    "I and Theo used to be very close. Something changed in her when that baby was an egg inside her mother. A hunger appeared that I had never seen before. She began to grow very cold. Trying to think of ways to force a miscarriage in secret. Anything to claim the crown. She would confide in me when she was making these plans. You have to understand, she was like a sister to me. We were so close. I was between a rock and a hard place as you humans call it. I decided to do what was right. I didn't like to see the corruption that was consuming my dear friend. 

    Once I had told Aradia of her betrayal, she became worried. So she labeled me as the godmother for when the child was born. Should anything happen to her before the child became of age to take the throne, I would become the temporary queen. News of this spread fast. Theo became outraged. She blamed me, as she was right to. Our friendship fell apart quickly as anger and corruption consumed her even more. She fell from grace quickly and took to living on the streets. Rumor had it she even became a hitman."

    I watched her curiously. The pain she felt at reliving those memories still very evident in her eyes. It had broken my heart to see her like this. "If you were so highly praised Elanor, why were you in Eudaimonia?" 

    She smiled at my question. "That ties into Aradia's pregnancy. I should wait until we arrive at the palace so I can tell everyone there too, so they better understand. I don't want to relive it more than once." 

    I nodded watching her. "We understand Elanor." 

    She smiled. "Last I heard, Silas planned on sending someone to help us the rest of the way. I am not familiar with the terrains of this land enough to lead us through the forest." 

    Amias laughed a little. "Alright. So let the waiting game begin." 

                                                                                    --------SILAS' POV:

    My hands were still wrapped around the scroll tightly as I paced my study floor. I managed to keep Blakely distracted temporarily. I had her in the kitchen with Thana talking. I hadn't been able to face her, so I had one of Harlow's coven members to take her down there and spend time getting to know one another. I know, it seemed very cowardice to avoid her. But all I wanted to do was postpone her pain, even if only for a moment. I don't know if I could handle seeing the pain that would fill her eyes. Her begging for us to do something. Knowing there was nothing we could do. Harlow and her coven could have teleported there I suppose. But most of the witches would die. It would have jeopardized everything that Cora had planned. 

    Cora came into this knowing she would probably die. She wanted to save Blakely and dethrone Everett at all costs. She died for her people and the entire supernatural world. I still couldn't help the guilt eating at my heart. How was I going to tell the child she raised...that she was dead and I couldn't do anything to save or protect her? I sunk into my chair feeling completely defeated. 

    Harlow watched me as she analyzed every movement from the seat across from me. "Silas, there was nothing that could be done." 

    "I know. The casualties would have been numerous. More so on our side than theirs." I said, my voice completely broken. "I just don't know what to tell Blakely. She will be shattered." 

    "There is no avoiding that. What you can do is grow you a pair and be by her side while she copes." Harlow reassured. Ah, she was the best at the whole tough love concept. "Now, I need you to be the king your father knew you could be and tell me how we handle this. When do we go to Faylinn and see if they even made it? Make a damn decision Silas. Your country needs you. Your bride needs you. Your refugees need you. I f*****g need you." She said as her voice cracked. 

    Immediately my head snapped up. It wasn't like her to not remain strong. I only time I ever saw her broken was when mom and dad died. That was enough to snap me out of my pity party. "Yes, of course." I look out the window to see the sky. "Go now. They should be there resting. Had everything gone smoothly, they made it out without being seen. Take backup just in case. I think Blakely will handle the news better once Elanor and the boys are here for support as well. So I will gather some things that she likes when she is upset. Once Everett finds out they are gone, he will begin planning an attack on us. You and I will reconvene about that tomorrow morning. Tonight is about the refugees and Blakely. No more, no less." 

    She smiled. "There is the king I would follow until my death." 

    I smiled. "Only because of you. Thank you for snapping me out of my sorrow. Now go. Be safe."

                                                                                   --------BLAKELY'S POV: 

    I sat in the kitchen watching Thana bake. I was getting to know one of...what would I call her? A coven mate? Member? Whatever she was. She was Harlow's next in command. Silas had thought it was a good idea for me to get to know some more members of the coven. It wasn't a bad idea, I just would much rather be in bed in his arms than in here talking. I tried to shake the thought from my mind not even paying attention to the conversation she was trying to have.

    "...but it wasn't so bad." Adalind smiled. She noted quickly that my mind was elsewhere. "Blakely? Hello? Earth to Blakely?" She laughed and waved a hand in front of my face. 

    "Huh?" I said snapping out of my thoughts. 

    "Oh, nothing." She laughed. Something tells me she just sat and had a whole convo to herself. "I was just saying how good those cookies smell." 

    I laugh. "Yea they do. What are all of the sweets for anyway Thana?" 

    "Sweets are the perfect remedy for a broken heart." She smiled kindly as she continued moving about the kitchen. 

    "A broken heart? Who has a broken heart Thana?" I asked curiously as I watched her. 

    I heard Silas clear his throat from behind me. "No one my sweet. Thana here is just stating facts. In a palace like this, with as much staff soldiers and witches, someone is bound to need a pick me up now and then." 

    I noticed something sounded off with his voice, but I dismissed as just a hard day doing kingly things. He kissed my head gently and I leaned my head against him softly. I smiled feeling at ease in his presence. 

    Adalind laughed. "Well, now I know what was distracting her." She poked my ribs playfully. "Well, that is my cue to leave. See you later!" She said standing and walking away, her long curly blonde hair bouncing as she skipped away.

    Silas wrapped his arms around me tightly. Something seemed off. He smiled sweetly. "Sweetie, when Harlow gets back, we will be going to the parlor to talk for a bit." 

    My heart immediately started to race. "Is it something bad? Did I do something wrong? Do...do you not want me anymore?" 

    He kissed me softly and grabbed both sides of my face. "Calm down. I need you to breathe okay? You did nothing wrong, my love. I will always want you. Until I draw my final breath, and even long after that." 

    I try to even my breathing as I watch him. I nodded slowly, unable to still my racing heart. He placed his hand over my chest and kissed my head gently. I watched him. "Okay. When will she return?" 

    He smiles delicately. "She will be back any minute now. She is using teleportation, so it won't be too long." 

    I nodded slowly. Thana handed me a fresh cookie. "They are good for nerves too. Calm yourself, child."

    I nodded and ate it slowly sitting quietly with Silas' arms still around me. I lean into him, allowing him to soothe my growing anxiety. I finally got my heart to stop racing. Whatever he was hiding from me, I had to take it like a princess. I decided to try not to worry about it right now. 

    I just wanted to savor every moment he was this close to me before my mood was totally ruined by whatever he was afraid to tell me. I listened contently to the sounds around me. His heartbeat, him and Thana bickering, Thana baking. I could stay like this forever. But, like the day turning to night, all good moments end. They end to either create an even better moment or...to create something worse. Something you would have never thought. 

    Silas' head snapped up and to the parlor. "They are here my love. Let's go." He said taking my hand gently and walking me into the parlor. 

    I looked at everyone. Everyone that I thought it would be forever until I saw again. Elanor, Axton, Amias...but where is mom? I stop in the doorway. "Wh...what are you all doing here?" I try to play it off and laugh a little. "Where is mom?" 

    Elanor gave me a look I couldn't mistake. A single tear trailed down her face, and before anyone could tell me what happened, my legs gave out and I landed on my knees. I knew. I knew without anyone saying a word. It doesn't take much to read the pain and sorrow in a room. The worst has truly happened. Mom...mom was dead.