♚ Zayn's POV ♚

Things at the Manor had gotten a bit darker since we found out Odette had been kidnapped. There was a chilling atmosphere that settled over the extravagant hallways and rooms.

It was like the light in my life had been snatched away, and in a way I suppose it had been.

Odette wasn't here to light up my life, and it was killing me from the inside.

But I couldn't only worry about Odette. Seamus had to be working for the Revolution, and now that they had gotten one of us, it could not be a matter of time before they got to the rest of the royals.

Eli and Erica were leaving this afternoon to get back to England, and I knew exactly how to keep my family safe.

I had run into Eli while absentmindedly walking down the Manor hallways lost in my own thoughts.

"Eli," I stopped the English king in his tracks.

"Yes?"

"Take my family with you when you leave." I pleaded, Eli seeming a little taken aback. I hadn't meant for my voice to sound so weak and dejected, but that's what it came out as.

"Why?" He asked in confusion, becoming silent when he saw the dejected look on my face.

"I need you to take my family to England, where they'll be safe during the end of the Revolution." I spoke softly, Eli sighing before pulling me in for a tight hug. He had gotten stronger, like he had been working out. That was something Eli had never really been able to try before.

I realized the irony of my words as our roles were switched, Eli becoming the shoulder to lean on while I was slowly falling apart.

"Alright." Eli agreed.

***

My sisters quietly grabbed their things as they boarded Eli's jet, only offering me a hug, some kisses on the cheek, and hushed 'I love you's'. My father only gave me a hug and a nod, mentally telling me good luck.

My mother was the worst.

She was already crying as she carried her bag, walking up to me. She dropped her bag on the ground, hugging me painfully tight as she sobbed.

"Shh, Mum, it'll be alright. You're gonna be safe." I tried to calm her down, but she only shook her head.

"It's not that." She wiped away some tears with the back of her hand. "You shouldn't have to worry about our safety."

"Course I do. You're my family and a king has to protect his country and family."

"No, you shouldn't have to make decisions like this. And at seventeen for goodness sakes!" She cried out, her words hitting me like bricks.

I stayed silent as she continued.

"What about Sebastian and his father? What are you going to do about them?" She asked, and I noticed Ivy visibly tense to the side of me.

"Uncle will be going with you guys, a few Elites will be at Sebastian's bedside to protect him. He can't be moved at all, doctor's orders." I explained easily, my Mum nodding in understanding. With another quick hug and kiss on the cheek, she solemnly climbed the steps to Eli's jet.

The last two to board the jet had been Erica and Eli themselves. Eli had quietly told me in the hallway that Erica wasn't taking the news very well, partially blaming herself for Odette's kidnapping. All of the arguments Eli had used to try and persuade Erica she didn't do anything wrong were futile.

Even now Erica looked a little deflated. Her curly locks had lost some of their bounce and shine, and her usually bright eyes seemed darker. She didn't say anything to me as they approached me, but I opened my arms for a hug. Erica rushed into my arms, shaky breaths being taken as she cried softly.

"I'm so sorry, Zayn, it's my fault..." Erica wept into my shoulder.

"Shh, no it's not. Don't blame yourself." I assured, but her sobs continued.

"It is, it's all my fault."

"Don't say that. We'll find her, and then you two can hang out as much as you want, okay?"

Erica didn't say anything, only nodded before letting me go. Eli gave me a nod and a quick hug, wishing me luck on finding Odette before boarding their jet.

I waved goodbye before turning to Ivy, her dark eyes hardened and cold. Files and papers were held in her arms, all over Seamus' life: people, places, and things he had been associated with.

"What now, your Majesty?" Ivy asked as we began walking to the Elite training center.

"Now, we go on the offensive."

♡ Odette's POV ♡

I didn't really remember the last time I had had a proper meal, so when a man clad in black brought me a tray with what looked like food my spirits instantly lifted.

The man placed the tray in front of me before pulling a key out of his pocket, reaching to unlock my chained wrists. My arms were ridiculously weak as they fell limply to my sides, my shoulder sockets burning and aching terribly. I sighed in relief, at least they weren't still above my head.

I couldn't lift them for a few minutes, but I soon forced my muscles to start working again as I picked up a fork and started eating what looked like mashed potatoes. I didn't bother wondering why the man had unchained me before he walked towards the door.

He placed the key to the chains back in his pocket, which I did find peculiar. Usually I ate and then was locked up again, more often than not by Seamus himself. Just as the man was about to leave and lock the door again, he turned around to face me. A frightful looking scar was on his face, dragging down from his left eyebrow to the corner of his lips. The corner lifted up as he smirked, only saying a few words.

"Seamus wishes you sweet dreams."

And with that, he left and locked the door behind him.

I didn't think much of his words, but looking back, I wish I had.

I finished my plate quickly, my eyelids barely staying open from the late hour it was. I had become very observant during my stay, and I came to learn that the Revolutionaries fed me at the very latest hour they could, often close to midnight. I was like a forgotten pet, waiting patiently for my dinner that may never come.

I yawned as my eyelids struggled to stay open, eventually caving in to lay down properly on the bed. The aching in my arms was starting to go away, I was thankful for that. I prayed Zayn would find me soon before I fell asleep, my aches and pains soon slipping away as I rushed happily into unconsciousness.

The dream I ended up having was one of the worst in my life.

//

I was in the Manor, the fancy walls and decor a familiar sight. It almost broke my heart how much I missed the place, as well as the king who resided in it.

I was wearing a black dress, one that strangely resembled Falene's maid uniform. My hair was roughly yanked back into a painful bun, and I reached up to loosen it a bit before walking down the long hallways. Where was everyone? Weren't servants always roaming the halls usually?

I heard a sound then, soft at first, then louder and louder. It was my name.

"Odette! Odette, come here!" A voice yelled.

I knew that voice, it was so familiar. It seemed like ages I had last heard it.

Ivy kept yelling my name, and I ran down the hallway to find her. I was so confused, why was I in a maid's uniform? Where was Zayn? Did she need something? I knew Ivy would have all the answers, she usually did.

I found her in her room, what looked like a corset and a slip meant to be worn under a fancy gown all that was on her. Her hair was up in curling rolls, her makeup done all fancy. She stood in the center of the room, a frustrated huff escaping her as she saw me.

"There you are! I've been calling you for ages. I need help putting on my dress." She gestured to a white dress hanging on a metal rack along a wall.

It was a wedding dress.

I nodded, a smile forming on my face. I had known it all along. Today must be Ivy and Sebastian's wedding day.

I rushed over to the dress, carefully unbuttoning and unzipping it to help Ivy. It slid on easily, and it looked gorgeous on her. Ivy worked on taking her hair out of the curlers while I grabbed her high heel shoes.

I was so giddy and excited, it was Ivy's wedding day for goodness sakes! I had always loved weddings.

A sudden thought occurred to me. What if Zayn was there? Just to see him would be perfect, all I needed was to see him.

I fixed Ivy's train of her dress and pinned her veil in her hair, admiring how pretty she was as soon as it was all finished. I took her hands in mine and smiled.

"Sebastian's a lucky guy, Ivy." I complimented her, but Ivy only seemed confused.

"What are you talking about Sebastian for?" She asked, and I released her hands, my eyebrows scrunching together in confusion.

"Sebastian, isn't he your groom?" I questioned her, but she only placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Odette, are you okay? Are you feeling alright?" She seemed worried. I nodded, why wouldn't I be okay?

But...if she was worried about me...did that mean Sebastian wasn't her groom?

Almost on cue, the doors to Ivy's room opened, and the love of my life stepped inside. He was wearing a handsome tuxedo, a small white rose pinned to it.

"Baby, are you ready?" Zayn asked.

"Yes." Ivy and I said at the same time, only to look at each other in silence. What was going on? Ivy knew Zayn only called me that.

Zayn took a glance at me before walking over to Ivy, holding his hand out for her to take.

My heart shattered into a million pieces as I realized what was going on.

"Did she take her medication today?" Zayn whispered to Ivy, Ivy only taking a worried glance to me.

"Odette, why don't you stay in the Manor while the wedding is going on? I'm sure you have many chores to do." Ivy gently spoke to me, like I was a child. It infuriated me.

"No, I'm going to go to your wedding with my fiancé." I firmly spoke, my hands forming fists by my side.

"Your fiancé?" Ivy asked me, while Zayn seemed to roll his eyes and mutter something about something happening again.

"Yes. Zayn." I told her, walking over to my king. Zayn seemed strangely disgusted by me, however, taking a few steps back. I froze, the look he was giving me was one I had never imagined I would see. It was one of annoyance, one of anger.

"Stay here Odette. Come on baby, let's go. Everyone is waiting for us at the altar." He spoke to me and then Ivy, who nodded and followed him out. I faintly heard him whisper something about me having delusions. Ouch.

It all happened so fast, but time seemed to slow down for me just enough to catch a glance at Ivy's left wrist.

A crown was inked there.

No.

I felt the ground shatter underneath me, figuratively and literally as the doors to Ivy's room slammed shut. I screamed Zayn's name as I fell down into an unknown darkness, my heart pounding furiously.

I landed in a pile of what looked like garbage bags, the vile smell confirming my belief. I was in a dark alley, nowhere near the Manor. It was nighttime, and after a quick inspection of my maid's dress, I discovered it was shredded and torn, utterly ruined.

I gagged in disgust before trying to get up, my mind recognizing the bright lights and busy streets of the city just down the road from the Manor. I wandered out of the alleyway, people giving me strange looks as I passed by them. I didn't realize how terrible I looked until I caught a glance of my reflection in a display window.

My hair was frazzled and tangled, my mascara creating black inky trails down my cheeks. My eyes were red and my feet hurt. I sighed before wondering where I should go, I had been kicked out of my new home. I couldn't go back to my mother, she would be so disappointed in me.

I was so distraught until a figure in shadowy black attire approached me. I grew a little defensive as the stranger smiled and gripped my hand but my defenses melted away as the stranger spoke.

"Come on, you look like you could use help."

I was dragged down the alley I had come from, a secret door in the ground. I was led down metal stairwells and into tunnels until we reached a huge compound. Hundreds of people were there, socializing and having fun.

The man led me among happy and riotous teenagers and young adults, stopping once I reached a set of heavy metal doors farther into the depths of the compound. With a swift opening of the doors, several people inside stopped talking, turning to see who the newcomer was.

Seamus was there, along with a few other men and the girl with curled blond hair.

"New recruit, huh?" The blond girl with emerald eyes smiled, the man who had led me there nodding.

"Well then, let's get you cleaned up and ready for the big day, shall we?"

I had been ridded of my torn maid's uniform and dressed in a lacy black gown with a ruffled train. My hair had been curled and before I knew it I was ready for whatever big day the blond girl was talking about. It seemed everyone in the compound was ready for whatever was happening as well, all of them cheering as I appeared. I didn't know what was going on, the girl with blond hair leading me in front of the crowd with a devilish smile on her face.

Once we left the compound we stormed the streets, the girl keeping me moving forward towards a familiar gated street, everyone else following behind me in a huge crowd. We soon reached a gate with a swirling M on the front.

We were in front of Malik Manor.

My heart fumbled a little, would I be able to see Zayn again?

I was about to push open the gates when the blond girl gripped my arm like a vice, holding me back.

"No, let them go first." She whispered, and soon all the people clad in black pushed through the gates and stormed the Manor grounds, the formally dark and quiet mansion becoming lit and energetic. The formerly quiet and peaceful became loud and chaotic as people began breaking Manor windows and climbing into my home.

I paid no attention to them, only running towards the place my king was, my feet darting towards the exact room I was searching for. I passed people breaking walls and tearing down curtains, security members fighting the intruders as best they could. The black clothed intruders were stronger though, beating them down and continuing to destroy the Manor. I kicked off my black heels before running down the hallways, searching for the familiar room that held the love of my life.

I found it easily, flinging the door open to find more security standing in front of Zayn, various weapons poised to kill. They didn't look like the other security, black armor and emblems of the king on their uniforms. The Elites.

"Zayn...I missed you." I whispered happily, tears beginning to fall down my cheeks. I stepped closer, only for one of the Elites to hold out a gun.

"Don't step any closer."

A sudden anger coursed through my veins, and I screamed at them.

"Don't tell me what to do! Let me see my king!"

And just then, all of the Elites dropped to the ground as if they were stone. They didn't move at all, but I didn't really care. Zayn stared at me with a blank expression, but his face turned into one of anger as I approached.

His brow furrowed and eyes narrowed, his expression reminding me of the one he had shown at his and Ivy's wedding. My eyes overflowed with tears as I rushed over to him, but instead of opening his arms for a hug like I desired, his hand reached out and wrapped around my neck. My body was pressed up against the wall, my breath catching in my throat as I saw the murderous look in his eyes.

"You," he spat angrily. "You've taken away everything of mine: my house, my family, my Elites, everything. How dare you come back as their Leader?"

Huh?

I panicked, fingers trying to rip Zayn's away from my neck as I couldn't breathe.

"Z-Zayn...please..." I wheezed, my lungs burning from lack of air.

"You murderer. You turned on me and became their Leader, you murdered my family." Zayn's formerly warm eyes were dark and cold, my heart shattering as I saw the darkness that had overtaken him. What happened to the man I was infatuated with?

"I hate you."

Zayn, please.

"Now you can have your punishment." He sneered before reaching to his waist, pulling a shiny handgun out of a holster. My heart pounded as he pressed the barrel at my forehead, right between my eyes.

My eyes were wide as I stared into the eyes of man I adored, watching as they stared blankly into mine as he pulled the trigger.

///

The only sound that night in the Revolution's headquarters was of my terrified screams.