Page 122 of Cages and Crowns
“Yes, but I also keep telling you you’re untrained.”
“Sotrainme.”
“We have hours before we need to evacuate. We don’t have the time.” He shakes his head. I grit my teeth and step away from him.
“Every civilian gets on that ship, and then all of you. Once Rakushia is empty, I will board. And not a second sooner. That is an order.” I snap, my tone venomous as I look around the room. Everyone stays silent as they stare at me, until one by one they depart the room. Nithe is last, and all he does is shake his head before walking out.
How did I go from protecting our people to being called a martyr for wanting to ensure they are actually protected?
I exit the room and am immediately thrown into a rush of people. I stumble and barely catch onto the wall to prevent getting run over. Once the coast is clear I cross the hallway and exit the front door. At least twenty horses are saddled outside the wall, waiting for riders. Multiple carriages and wagons behind them, prepped to transport people.
“Your Majesty.” I spin and see a couple of guards walking over. “All transports have been prepped. The royal carriage awaits you and the king consort.”
“Thank you, but I’m not leaving until every single person has been evacuated.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” They head towards the wall, and I follow after them, crossing through the open gate. I can feel his presence, my palms tingling.
“Where are they going?”
“Wistervale, they’ll board the ships from there.” I nod, staying silent.
“How close are they to being at the palace?”
“If they leave now, they could be here in a few hours at most.”
“Is—” My voice cracks. “Is he with them?”
“I don’t know, Elaenor.” I turn and look up at my brother, his green eyes bright and clear. “You need to go.”
“No, don’t start this fight again. You heard what I said.”
“Yes, and I get why you are staying, but you shouldn’t.”
“You and Nithe need to stop treating me like I am incapable of doing anything.” I snap. I’m tired of feeling like a child—like someone who has to be protected.
“We aren’t. We know you are capable of whatever you set your mind to, but you don’t have your starlight under control. You are weak—”
“Do not call me weak. Just because I can’t fight, doesn’t mean I am weak. And if you and everyone else would take a second and stop treating me like I’llbreak, I might actually learn how to protect myself.”
“Elaenor—”
“No. I am so godsdamn tired of this, Enzo. So tired of being told what to do. Tired of being sheltered and lied to. I will be the queen my mother would be proud of. I will find a way to kill Tobias. I will end this. But I can’t do it alone and I need you to get your head out of your ass andhelpme.” My voice cracks and I swallow the lump growing in my throat. He stays silent for a second before he sighs.
“What do you need me to do?”
Chapter Sixty-One
The Caged
The palace is silent as I watch the last of the horses depart with a wagon full of people. Only five horses remain, waiting for us. Scarlett refused to leave without Enzo but was finally convinced to go with Emery. Laenie and Erik left too, taking Mali and Kass with them, and I pray that they get to the ship in time.
The council room is quiet as we stand around. Enzo, Nithe, Davenport, Nero, and myself. Nero refused to leave without me, stating the general needs to stay with the queen, which just pissed Nithe off. But that’s not why he’s staying.
“Are we free to leave, Your Grace?” Davenport sneers.
“Every single person has been evacuated?”
“Yes.”
