Chapter 51: Mygel's "Mother"
Maverick and Gwen fled the castle, landing in the middle of a snow storm.
"Trey," Maverick said, peering around. "We won't be able to see much through this. Stay close." He pulled his blade, holding it in front of himself as Gwen stayed close behind. An Army soldier appeared to Maverick's left, and he held up his sword in defense. Gwen squeaked in surprise, ducking behind him as Maverick defended them both.
Out of the corner of his eye, Maverick saw another enemy coming in from the side, heading right for Gwen.
"Look out!" Maverick called, his blade clashed against the first adversary, unable to shift in time.
Gwen screamed, unarmed as she turned toward the soldier. As his blade rushed toward her abdomen, a loud clang sounded, and it fell to the ground.
A newcomer stood before Gwen, sword raised as he glared around. "You'd attack an unarmed lady? Cad!" He slapped the flat of his sword on the soldier's shoulder. "I bet you'd attack children, too. Get out of my sight."
To Maverick's surprise, the soldier fled. The one fighting Maverick slowed, having watched the whole thing.
"What are you looking at?" their savior demanded. "Run along. This young man is just defending his lady. Scoot."
Maverick gaped, assessing the newcomer. Older, with square shoulders and a stern glare. No doubt one of Eric's higher ranking officers, a lieutenant or something.
"You both all right?" The man looked them over with a keen eye and raised brow. "You seemed a bit outmatched."
"Why would you help us?" Gwen asked, inching closer to Maverick. "You're Army."
"And you're an unarmed young lady," the man replied with a look of shock. He studied them again, a strange expression passing over his face. "You'd both best get out of here. It isn't safe."
"Who are you?" Maverick asked, his sword still raised.
"Lieutenant Port, not that it's any of your business," the man said as he straightened his shoulders. "But I know who you are. You're not safe here. Neither of you."
Maverick's stomach soured and he pulled back from Port. "What do you mean you know who we are?"
"Militia. And more than that." Port gestured to them. "I'm not blind." He glanced around. "You need to get back to your people. They've already killed the queen. It's only a matter of time before they find the king."
"But we don't want any of that," Maverick said, stepping forward. "We didn't want—we can't trust Lady Helena."
"Lady Helena?" Port's head shot up, and though he was shorter than Maverick, he could see a strength in the Lieutenant, a fire in his eyes. "That enchantress is the one running things?" He cursed under his breath. "Devil woman. Neither of you are safe with her. She'll kill you the moment you question her."
"How do you know so much?" Maverick asked, ignoring Gwen as she tugged on his arm.
"I've been around long enough to see what a woman like Lady Helena can do." He paused and added, "or what Queen Narissa could do."
"Maverick," Gwen said, still tugging.
Port seemed to come to an idea. "Yes, yes that's what I'll do. Come. I need to hide you both until this is all over."
"Why should we trust you?" What if Port just led them to their deaths like lambs to slaughter?
"I'd never harm a hair on a royal's head. Can't have heirs airing their affairs out in the middle of battle." He let out a sad chuckle and shook his head. "With me."
"Maverick!"
"What?" He blinked, wondering when the snow stopped. The battlefield sounded quiet in the absence of the raging storm. Gwen's arm outstretched, pointing far across the way. Maverick followed her direction. He stopped breathing.
No.
#
Eric chased after Phoenix, but a Militia soldier stopped him, followed by three more, all intent on blocking his path. One thought kept him fighting.
Phoenix needs your help. Abigail wanted Trey protected. Keep fighting.
#
Samson moved to follow Phoenix, but Youlden grabbed his wrist. "You didn't take Trey, did you?"
"No." Samson jerked away, shooting him a glare. "You know I'd never do that."
"Do I?" Youlden crossed his arms. "I'm not supposed to know you at all."
Samson straightened, arching a brow. "They're catching on, you know. They can tell you know more than you should. Perhaps it's time to confess."
Youlden cocked his head to the side. "Was that more for you, or for me? I'm not the one hiding."
"Aren't you?" Samson backed away. "Aren't we all?" He turned and ran after Phoenix and Trey.
#
Phoenix didn't look back as she ran toward Canya and Trey. She slid to a stop in front of the boy, her arms stretched out. It occurred to her too late that she'd abandoned her sword in her haste to reach them.
"Don't you dare touch him," she said through clenched teeth. Trey poked his head around her and she pushed him back.
Canya's insanely messy mane of blonde hair seemed even more a rat's nest than the last time Phoenix had seen her. A wild glint lit her eyes as she glanced from Trey to Phoenix.
"How'd you get out?" Phoenix asked, trying to back Trey away. He wouldn't budge. The sharp pain ran through Phoenix's stomach again, causing her to stumble.
"I'm special," Canya said with a smirk. "A little gift from my father."
Unable to understand Canya's meaning, Phoenix tried a new tactic. "Why are you here?"
"I go where the excitement is." Canya shifted to the left, eyes on Trey. Phoenix matched her.
"Mygel's inside." Phoenix slid one arm back, holding Trey close to her. "Go to your daughter. I won't say anything."
"She's not my daughter," Canya spat, baring her teeth at her. "Lying bitch."
Phoenix blinked, stunned. "But—but she calls you 'Mother.' I can tell when someone's lying and she wasn't."
"She calls me that like it's my name. Everybody's fooled. But not me." Canya shook her head, humming under her breath as she continued to circle, Phoenix moving to keep herself between Canya and Trey.
It's not a lie. But can a crazy person know the difference between lies and truth? Phoenix's heart quickened. "Fine, she's not your daughter. Why would she lie? Who are you? What do you want with Trey?"
"Questions, questions." Canya pressed her palms against her eyes, letting out a groan. "All the wrong questions."
The pain increased, and Phoenix bit back a whimper. She felt like her insides were on fire, scorching every organ.
"Knowing things means knowing too much. Too much." Canya smacked her hand on the side of her own head. "Knowing one thing. One thing matters. Him." Canya lunged and Phoenix shoved her back.
"You won't lay a hand on him."
Canya let out a hiss like a cat, then a low growl. "I wouldn't hurt him. Tick tock. Time is running out. I need him. Not safe. He comes with me."
"Over my dead body," Phoenix said with a sneer.
"It's okay." Trey pushed past her, staring up at Phoenix with those wide, innocent eyes. Nine years old and Phoenix wondered if he was braver than she as he put his hand on her arm. "I'll go."
"No. You can't. You—"
"I'm not frightened." Trey turned an assessing gaze on Canya. "She won't hurt me. She's been waiting for me."
Phoenix watched, confused as Trey reached his little hand out and took Canya's. She seemed to soften, like releasing a breath, her gaze momentarily transfixed on Trey.
#
Eric breathed heavy as he dispatched his last assailant, looking up in time to see Trey reach out and take the hand of a wild looking woman. Something about her seemed wrong...as though he looked at her through dirty glass. He gripped his sword and started toward them.
#
"Don't worry," Trey said, now at Canya's side. "She'll keep me safe. You can't."
"I could." Phoenix winced, doubling over as a new wave of pain hit her. "I will."
"No." Canya stepped forward, gripping Phoenix by the shoulders and pushing her upright. She dropped one hand, looking Phoenix dead in the eyes. "You won't."
Phoenix felt pressure against her abdomen as Canya shoved her backward. She hit the ground, confused. She felt suddenly weak, her vision darkening around the edges. The worst wave hit her, pain unlike anything she'd experienced yet. Every muscle seemed to scream, every nerve on fire. She brought her hand up from her abdomen and saw red.
Why red?
Everything went dark.
O_O
Guys.
Remember how I said there'd be more death?
Well this is the last one...for this chapter...I promise...
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