ログインThe kingdom had not seen celebration in a long while so everyone basked in it. Music played in the halls and candles were lit in every corner. Tonight was a different kind of celebration, it was for their heroes. Elaina stood at the edge of the hall as her eyes looked over the gathered crowd. There were Nobles, warriors and servants in attendance, everyone had come together out of gratitude to appreciate what Elaina and the others had done to bring back peace and equality to the kingdom and to send them off for their journey to Vytharion. “For someone who doesn’t like attention, you’re handling this quite well.” Drake commented as he stared at her with amusement in his eyes. They had walked in together and stopped to take the crowd in. Elaina glanced at him and rolled her eyes, “I’m enduring it,” she corrected. Drake smirked. “Same thing.” She shook her head though the corner of her lips lifted just a bit. Across the hall, Sachin had already made himself comfortable, a goblet i
Weeks passed and slowly the kingdom began to breathe properly again. There were no bloodbath to clean up or ruined buildings to rebuild after Charlotte passed as compared to Xavier, but somehow the damage it had on the people was greater. The depressed air that shrouded the kingdom and the feeling of misery was clearing up as well. There were still whispers of everything that had happened, of Xavier, of Charlotte and of the execution that never was. It was a story that would be passed on from generations to generations and written in history books. Elaina stood at the balcony of the palace, her hands resting lightly against the rail as she watched the courtyard below. Workers moved back and forth, soldiers trained again, and children. finally laughed without fear. It felt strange… peace always did after chaos. “You’ve been standing there for a while.” Drake’s voice came from behind her, calm and familiar. “I’m just… taking it in,” she replied softly. Drake stepped beside her,
The cheers did not die down. If anything, they grew louder and stronger, filled with a kind of relief that could not be contained. Elaina and Drake pulled apart and chuckled at the cheering crowd, everyone was in high spirits. She glanced back at Charlotte’s body, the woman twitched twice before going completely still. She died with her eyes open and disbelief on her face to have been defeated so easily. But it wasn't as easy from Elaina's perspective, a lot had gone into making their plan come out flawless. Just thinking about it again, she found her mind slipping to how it had all begun. *** The cell had been cold and damp with an air of hopelessness… or at least that was what it was meant to feel like. Elaina sat on the stone floor, her back resting against the wall and her head slightly bowed. Her hands were chained to the wall and she sat still with her mind deep in thought. She thought about her current condition, how laughable it was when they had planned for a week bef
Charlotte stepped back from the trio, gesturing with her hand to the guard who moved in without hesitation.“Do it now,” she ordered.The guards grabbed Elaina, Drake and Aurora, forcing them forward. Chains rattled as they were dragged toward the execution blocks, a thick and worn out wood that had been stained with blood and sweat. The crowd resumed their wailing for mercy but their cries meant nothing… not to her.Elaina was forced down first, her hands bound tightly as her head was pushed against the cold wood. Drake followed with a strained grunt, his body resisting on instinct before the guards forced him down just the same.Aurora was the last and she did not struggle. She simply lowered herself, her expression calm… almost knowing.Charlotte watched them settle into place and her lips curled up in satisfaction.“Perfect,” she commented.The guards stepped back and drew their weapons in position while they waited for the final command.The courtyard turned quiet with bated bre
By dawn, the next day, the air around the palace grounds was already thick with tension.Word had spread like wildfire through the streets the night before, about the execution of not just criminal or law breakers, but the execution of the same people who had fought hard to restore people back to the kingdom.Aurora, Elaina and Drake's execution.The very names alone were enough to send waves of disbelief through the people. At first, many refused to believe it and thought that it had to be a lie, a cruel rumor or another trick from the evil queen.But as the morning came and the guards moved around with urgency, the palace gates were opened for the gathering of spectators…That was when reality settled in, they were about to lose their only saviours.The people of the kingdom have been privy to what has been going on from the very beginning. During the time female magicians were banished, most people didn't like how it went… especially because they were beneficiaries of the magicians
A week passed by swiftly and plans were made, unmade, and remade again. Every possible angle was discussed, every weakness considered and every risk weighed carefully. There was no room for error this time. Charlotte was not Xavier, she was smarter, more patient and dangerous. They had to be extremely careful. They were ready to move now and so disguised beneath Aurora’s illusion, the trio rode in their wagon till they arrived at the palace gate. Elaina’s heart raced as her eyes scanned the surroundings. Everything looked the same, yet nothing felt the same. The palace she once walked through freely after their battle with Xavier now felt like enemy ground. Drake walked beside her, his body calm but alert, he was keenly looking around for anything suspicious. While Aurora led slightly ahead, her posture was composed and her magic steady and ready “Stay close,” she murmured under her breath. They got past the gates as servants and Guards and other servants passed by them without
Elaina woke up to ten maids standing quietly in front of her. It scared her to see them and it took a moment to remember that she wasn't in her usual room at the tavern. “What is going on, why are all of you here?” she asked with a tired yawn. “Miss Elaina, we were assigned to you by your majesty
Xavier was all smiles on his way back to his home. The feeling that he was getting close to success made him feel great and optimistic. Even though Elaina rejected his grand offer, he mentally noted that he would hold his offer till she was in need of his help. Now he could rest easy and wait for
King Alfred let Elaina leave after she agreed to live with him and she headed straight to the dungeon with herbs for Drake. “As long as you are going to live in the palace from now on, you will need guards to follow you around. Take some with you now, I want everyone to know of your new status and
Drake's eyes widened in shock but he remained frozen in place, he didn't expect her to take the initiative like that. Elaina herself was shocked by her audacity, she was too angry and made a hasty decision that she immediately regretted. Her lips felt soft like a piece of cloud and an electrifyin







