Page 94 of Cages and Crowns
“You aren’t real.” I yell, taking a few steps back.
“I am here. I will always be right there with you.” I shake my head, fighting against the pressure building in the back of my skull.
“No!” I scream and thrust out my arms. Starlight pours out of me in electric tendrils, slamming into his body. He vanishes in a dark mist, but I’m not alone.
A young man, with silver and gold armor stands where he was. Shaggy brown hair falling into his eyes. Pale skin that is soft and supple. He looks no older than me. His eyes are wide as they stare at me in shock—in confusion. He opens his mouth to speak, and blood pours out. He grunts and gasps before his eyes roll back, and he collapses.
I scream as I run towards him. His skin is on fire, the smell of burnt flesh filling my nose as I press my hands to the hole in his chest.
The hole I caused.
I can see his sternum, blood pouring onto the grass.No, no, no, no.Tears obscure my vision as I tap his face, his eyes unseeing.
“Help!” I scream. “I need help!” I tap his cheek again and check his pulse with shaking hands, but I feel no life inside. Tears stream from my eyes, dripping into his open chest. Men surround us and I am shoved out of the way. I fall back and drag myself away. I don’t fight the tears as they pour down my cheeks, the deep sobs causing tremors to run through my limbs. I can’t see what everyone is doing as they huddle around the young man.
I stand and hear the murmurs.
Monster.
Out of control.
Murderer.
I run.
Chapter Fifty
The Caged
I killed a man today.
It wasn’t on purpose, nor was it in self-defense. It just was.
He was young. I heard the guards say he had just passed his twentieth birthday. And he’ll never have another one. He had a wife and a child on the way. A child who will never know their father.
My spine aches from where I am crouched. I ran as soon as everyone started to swarm the courtyard. I ran and kept going until I found a room I’d never been in and hid like a child afraid of getting in trouble.
I ran because I’m a coward.
I’ve always been a coward and I don’t think that’ll change.
Except I’m not just a coward, I’m a murderer now too.
I squeeze my knees tighter to my chest and blink back the tears filling my eyes. The room is dark, only one small window on the far wall. Sheets draped overold furniture, a creepy portrait of a woman staring down at me on the far wall. Her black eyes are frozen in aglare as if she, too, is judging my inability to be strong.
“Leave me alone.” I whisper at the painting, questioning my sanity for the thirtieth time this month. Her eyes don’t move, a grimace plastered to her face as if she is telling me to get it together. “What would you have me do? I killed a man!” I yell at the artwork. I clamp my mouth shut, my teeth clicking as I look around. “Gods, I’m insane.” I whisper as I set my chin on my knees.
I hear footsteps down the hall, deep voices filtering through the shut door. I scoot farther behind the chair I’m hiding behind, hoping no one can see me if they peek in. The door opens with a creak, and I hold my breath.
“Your Majesty? Are you in here?” The voice that reaches me is young, crisp, reminding me of icy winter air. Footsteps approach and I shamefully glance up at the man standing before me.
He has dirty blonde hair cropped close to his head, as if he usually kept it shaved. His eyes are a bright hazel, seeming to glow in the darkness. He has a playful grin on his face, showing off his sharp chin and sculpted jaw. He is ruggedly handsome—in a village boy kind of way.
“Is this where all the royals hang out?” He jokes, his smirk travelling up to his eyes.
“Excuse me?” I retort, lifting my head. He crouches down in front of me, his silver armor rustling over his yellow clothing. It looks constricting. I wonder if it’s uncomfortable.
“You have the entire palace searching for you.” He says softly, his smirk fading into a small smile. “Are you alright?” His tone of voice is so familiar, so comforting. I tilt my head as I stare at him. He glances down, searching my body. I can see when he notes the blood on my shirt as his eyes widen. “You’re bleeding!” I ignore him.
