Excuses and Lies
1165 Words
The guards stood at attention on either side of me, hands on their intricate swords. A pack was slung over my shoulder holding the bare necessities to survive and a few trivial sentimental items to remind me of home. If I could have it my way, I would be out of this accursed land already. However, the King made it clear that he and my family wished to see me before I departed. The whole situation made me want to scoff. They treated this like I was going on a trip to see the continent and like the people I trusted most in this world hadn't just betrayed me.
With a quick and efficient pace we made our way down the hallway. My eyes scanned the walls and alcoves that I had hid in as a child and wandered through as an adult. This was my home. A very gaudy and opulent home, but home none the less. My father and brothers were ripping everything I had ever known from my hands. Worse, Ilan played an instrumental role in that plan.
Finally, the long hall came to an end and I stood in front of the oak doors to the King's study. One of my guards reached forward to open the door to the room.
"Wait." My voice shot out of my like a whip and the guard paused to look at me. "Please, give me a second to collect myself."
I tried to use my most regal voice and force my posture into the proud stance of royalty, but my emotions were beginning to hit me. The guard glanced at his companion who shrugged his shoulders before nodding me and resuming a neutral position next to me.
With a painful squeeze my chest restricted and my hands turned into fists as I struggled to gain control over the storm I felt inside. Hurt, loathing, and a desire for revenge swirled in me in a tumult I endeavored to turn into cool indifference. Perhaps I overestimated my own control over my emotions, because I couldn't force my feelings to heel. My breath was coming in short gasps and my muscles began seizing as panic settled over my mind. What was I supposed to say to them? Where was I supposed to look? Surely not in the faces of the people I both loved and hated the most. I couldn't do this, I needed to leave.
I began eyeing the soldiers at my sides. They were both reputable and skilled, but rare was the elf that could match me. I didn't need to hurt them too badly. I just needed enough time to get away from them and take my leave of this retched palace.
As I began shifting into a fighting stance, two heavy hands landed on my shoulders and pulled me into a hard chest.
Shocked, I glanced up into the face of my One. My love? My betrayor? What was Ilan to me now?
"Get your hands off me." I growled at him, shoving his hands and body away from me. I took a fortifying breath, but my hands shook as they clenched in fists.
Ilan had the audacity to look hurt by my rejection and both guards now held the handles of their swords. So much for a suprise attack.
"Why are you here, Ilan?" I spat out with as much acid as I could inject into my voice. "Come to gloat? Come to see the proud princess finally brought to her knees?"
"What?" His deep voice rasped out sounding pained. "Of course not, I came here to stand by you."
"Oh, that's rich. Very considerate of you to finally decide to stand by me."
"Epha, that's not fair." He started.
"Really, Ilan? Not fair?" I turned my body away from him so he couldn't see the tears gathering in my eyes. He undoubtedly heard the tremor in my voice though. "You're not the one being forced from your home and country under false accusations."
"I did it for you, Epha!" He reached forward to grab my arm and turn me to face him. His eyes took in my tears, the rage in my gaze, and my still clenched fists. I felt his beautiful, long fingers slide up my arm to my wet cheek.
"I suppose you would have me thank you for ruining my future and getting me exiled from my kingdom." I pulled back from his warm hand and watched it curl as he drew back. Good, the quicker he figures out I have no more interest in his treacherous love the better.
"Epha, if you hadn't been exiled or demoted the High Lords were going to have you assassinated." Ilan grabbed my hand and closed the space between use. "You would have made a wonderful queen my love, but I would rathe my One be alive than dead."
"Don't touch me." I ripped my hand from his. "You don't get to act like what you did was right, Ilan! You could have trusted me. Talked to me! I have been dealing with court politics and assassination attempts since I could walk. If you had just trusted me, we could have solved this in a way that didn't involve getting me exiled."
Ilan's mouth opened and closed as he thought of a response. No doubt his quick mind would find another excuse, but I refused to listen to him. Yes, his reasons were good. But the fact remained that he had chosen not to discuss this with me. He chose not to trust me. He chose not to believe in me.
"Enough of this. Your choices have set us on this path and I will not forgive easily, if ever." I took a deep breath and turned to the guard.
"You may open the door now."
The guard nodded and quickly moved to the door. I felt Ilan's eyes burn into the back of my head, but I was done talking to him. Time to get this meeting with my kin over and done with. The faster I got out of the palace, the faster I could start plotting my return.
As the guard pulled the heavy doors open, I saw my father and brothers huddled around an ornate desk made from cedar. Their heads whipped around to face me and my father raised his eyes from a document on his desk to meet my mine.
"Epha." his voice was filled with emotion, as if his heart was breaking. But I had no consolations to offer. I may be his sacrifice, but that didn't mean I would be a willing one.
"Father, let's hurry and get this over with shall we?" I stepped into the large study and studied my brother's shocked faces with a raised eyebrow. "I have an exile to get too."
- Writer
