Page 6 of A Rising Hope

I stayed silent. Unmovable. I reached for the fire within me only to find it blocked behind an invisible wall, heated and angry. It was ready to lash out and yet unable to reach the tip of my fingers.

“I must say, your sudden appearance as a Lost Destroyer has become quite beneficial.” My heart froze mid beat as I warily waited for the rest of her words. “You see, I had my suspicions for some time that I had a traitor amid my ruling ranks.” She leaned back in the throne-like chair, resting her arms on the curved armrests. “Quite a headache, but a very manageable and expected issue, I suppose. After all, I am familiar with the rebel’s tactics, considering I was their leader a long time before I wised up.” She paused, glancing at the windows where the clear blue sky shone brightly. Her finger tapped three slow taps on the round wooden edge of the armrest.

I should’ve looked around the room, taking the moment of her distraction to find a way out, to search for an escape. But my eyes were glued to Insanaria buried deep in thought. Afraid, or chained by anger, I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t move. Insanaria returned her distant gaze to me.

“You can only imagine my displeasure when I discovered it was none other than Gideon Bellator causing all the disruption and so selfishly declaring his claim to my throne. That complicated things for me . . . ” She clicked her tongue, annoyance flashed through her soulless features. “I am a reasonable woman, Finn”—she gave me a strained half smile—“but you shall soon find out that I have very little patience for childish fools meddling with my plans.”

I stayed quiet, listening. Listening to her every pause, every slight shift of tone and intonation at the words she spoke. I counted seconds, grasping for every breath she took, as I looked for anything that’d give me a chance of survival.

“My association with Gideon Bellator is quite complex,” the Queen continued. “The young Destroyer General was impenetrable. A Justice Wielder. Powerful. Feared. A man well-known, especially for his brutality, complete lack of remorse and conscience. His armies respected and admired amid many Destroyers. His spy network extended beyond my reach. But all of that did not hold as much danger as one belief that we both shared—life is expendable. A simple currency. There was nothing,no one, he wouldn’t sacrifice for his cause. Like a wild animal, ready to tear off its own leg when trapped in order to escape.”

She scoffed, as if remembering something. Her brow rose, her eyes keen, watching for any emotion on my face, searching for any clue she could steal from me as she asked, “Did you know he killed his own uncle? The male that was closer to him than any other, his father figure, his only family, someone who’d nurtured him since he was a child. Yet when I had questioned the General, when I pushed to expose him, to ruin his carefully crafted plans—he killed him. No hesitation. Dagger straight to the heart right in front of my eyes. Not a single flicker of regret, nor remorse.” Her lips stretched with a callous smile, like she was proud of her accomplishment. I reined in my hatred, forcing my face to stay neutral as her haughty look lingered on me. Perhaps I was delusional, but I swore I saw a glimpse of a surprise mixed with disappointment roll through her at my lack of shock.

But I had already known the story.

Gideon told me of it one late night of the guilt he’d carry until his last breath. Of the pain, the loss, the grief, and the suffocating blame that stained his soul.

He’d told me of the shame he carried alone for many years.

I’d understood him then, and I understood him now.

Everything had a price. And in war, everyone paid. As a ruler, you wouldn’t sacrifice the lives of many for one.

I knew that.

And I hoped.

I truly, genuinely, hoped that he’d remember that harsh, brutal truth. Especially now.

The Queen crossed her legs, tapping her fingernails against the wood again. The dull sound echoed through the grand, tall chamber we were in.

“Such strong conviction and barbaric methods are hard to overcome in any adversary. That, I must confess. It was a predicament that troubled me for more time than I am willing to admit. There wasn’t a single person in this world that he wouldn’t sacrifice for his idealistic plans.No one,” she sneered at me before she added, “untilyou.The Lost Destroyer, the mystical Justice Wielder, that appeared as if a gods-sent miracle, an answer to all of my problems. Finally, a worthy weakness. HisSoulbond.”

Her words punched deep into my stomach. Even the growing nausea recoiled at the pain that shuddered through my body.

Because as much as I wished to deny it, she was right.

I was his weakness.

Clashing thoughts riddled with panic clouded the jumbled reason within, but I held on to a small thread of hope. I would not let desperation and panic overtake me.

I was his weakness.

Yes.

But I would not be his downfall.

A weak plan began to take shape in my mind. A tiny possibility.

A chance.

But that would be all I needed to survive.

To escape.

So, I swallowed hard, shoving down whatever feelings my heart harbored as I uttered with as much conviction as I possibly could summon.

“I am sorry to say, but you’ll be rather disappointed. Hewouldsacrifice me in a heartbeat.” Doubt lingered in her eyes at my statement. Taking that moment of silence, I continued, keeping my voice direct but non-threatening. “You are well aware of the Destroyers’ raw fire tradition. I am nothing more than a breeding mare to him.” My sharp words made her pause, considering them.

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