The King and The Maid

Chapter 1 My heart races as I crouch beneath the kitchen table. A worn maroon rug hides a door — the entrance to the forgotten root cellar. Despite the stale air and the unseen spiders lurking in the shadows, it’s not the chill that sends shivers down my spine, but the fear in my mother’s voice. I’ve never seen her so scared. Moments ago, I was lost in a blissful dream of running through a meadow filled with flowers. I could feel the tickle of pollen on my nose. I was free, fast, beautiful — just like my mother. But now, that dream is a distant memory, shattered by Mom’s violent shaking and urgent commands to hide. She pulled me from my bed and dragged me along when I refused to get up, shouting about someone coming. “This is important, Cali,” she says, turning me to face her. “I need you to be good for me and do exactly what I tell you. Do you think you can do that?” Desperation tinges her voice. I nod as she ushers me into the kitchen. The rush of adrenaline only adds fuel to my fear and confusion. “What’s happening?” I ask, my voice trembling as tears pool at the corners of my eyes. “The details don’t matter right now — there’s no time for an explanation. I wish there was, but if everything goes as planned, I promise I’ll answer every question later,” she says, dragging the kitchen table toward the window. “Mom… what are you doing?” I screech, panic caught in my throat. She pulls the rug back to reveal the door beneath. My heart hammers in my chest, and the tears I was desperately holding back fall. “Mom, no. Please,” I beg as she yanks the heavy door open. Worried, pleading eyes meet mine. “Shhhh. I know… but you have to. It’s the only place they won’t find you.” A silent understanding washes over me. She wants my trust. Trust that she knows what she’s doing. Trust that she’ll do anything to keep me safe. I hesitate at the stairs leading down into darkness, frozen by the thought that she should be coming with me. “Mom, wait!” I plead. “What about you?” “Your only job right now is to keep yourself safe. Don’t worry about me. I promise I’ll be fine, my little wolf. You’re braver than you think. You got this. Besides, it’s only for a little while, okay?” “Okay.” I swallow the hard lump lodged in my throat. Halfway down the stairs, her voice calls after me. “Stay as quiet as you can. Don’t leave unless I come to get you. And if anything happens… know that I love you more than life itself. You’re everything your dad and I could have wished for — and so much more. We are so proud of the young lady you’ve become. Everything I did, being your mother… it was all worth it. I’d do it all again a million times if it meant—” Her words catch in her throat as a lone tear escapes down her velvet skin. I run back up the stairs and crash into her, wrapping my arms tight around her waist. “I love you too, Mom.” She melts into me, hugging me like she might never let go. The thought gnaws at my stomach. One, maybe two seconds — then she pushes me back. “Now go,” she says with a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. The old wooden steps creak with every step as she closes me into the darkness without her. Particles drift from the ceiling and tickle my face as Mom moves the table back into place. I wipe the tears from my eyes and tell myself, You can do this. This is nothing. You’re only sitting in the dark while Mom stays upstairs waiting for dangerous men who probably want to hurt her — or you. My chest heaves, my heart pounds in my ears. “Stop it!” I whisper fiercely. “Everything will be fine. We’ll all be fine…” I repeat it over and over until my breathing evens out and my heart slows. Waiting for something to happen is torture — like watching water try to boil. The silence is charged with dread. Every creak, every distant sound makes me flinch. I nearly jump out of my skin when the front door opens and slams shut. “I got here as soon as I could… Are you okay? Is Cali okay?” my dad asks, his voice frantic as he rushes through the living room. “Everyone’s safe for now. Calm down,” Mom says. “Well then tell me what the hell is going on! You scared me half to death, Melissa. I didn’t even tell my boss I was leaving.” “I got a call from an old friend not long ago — palace guards from the Southern Territory are on their way.” “Why would palace guards be coming here?” “They want Cali, James.” My heart sinks. Why would they want me? That doesn’t make any sense. “I don’t think I’m understanding,” Dad says. “Why would palace guards want Cali?” Mom must be pacing — all I hear are footsteps back and forth across the floor. “It’s a long story. One I promise I’ll tell you — but now is not the time. They’ll be here any moment.” “Where’s Cali? Is she still in bed?” Dad asks. “No, I moved her somewhere safe. They shouldn’t find her as long as she stays put.” “Do you—” Dad starts, but a pounding on the door cuts him off. My mouth goes dry. My breath stills. They’re here. Please keep my mom and dad safe, I pray. “James Harlem, good evening. We have orders to bring back the girl you call Calianna,” a deep voice rumbles. “I’m gonna need a damn good reason why you’re at my house in the middle of the night asking about my daughter,” Dad growls. “I am Hawk, Beta to King William of the Southern Kingdom. I was sent with strict orders to retrieve the girl and present her to His Majesty,” Hawk says. “I don’t care what orders you have. We don’t answer to your king. You will not be taking my daughter anywhere. So if you don’t mind, my wife and I would like to get back to bed. It’s late. Leave.” “Melissa, you had to know you couldn’t avoid this forever. The king wants her brought to him, and I intend to follow orders. You can do this the easy way and hand her over — or we can do this the hard way. It’s up to you.” “I don’t think I’m following,” Dad says, his voice tight. “Do you know this man, Melissa?” “I always knew someone would come to my door one day, demanding my daughter,” Mom says, ignoring him. “But you’re mistaken if you think I’ll just hand her over. You’ll have to kill me first.” “Cute. So… the hard way then?” Hawk says, voice dripping with mockery. The sound of bones breaking deafens me. I can’t move. I can’t think. All I can do is pray. Please don’t let them die. Glass shatters. Growls rip through the night. I thought there was only Hawk, but from the snarls and footsteps, there are at least two or three more guards. Tears stream down my face as an internal scream rattles my skull. My heart stops and starts with every crash and thud. Please let it be over. Please let everything be okay. Then — silence. The chaos halts, the house goes still. No more growls. No more breaking glass. Is it over? An ear-piercing scream slices through the dark like a dull blade tearing flesh. “Mom!!”