Page 99 of Destiny Redeemed
I needed to find Anderic.
* * *
The battle deteriorated into pockets of desperate fighting throughout the city. I found Sebastian again near the market square, leading a group of citizen-soldiers against a contingent of Darian’s men.
“Have you seen Anderic?” I shouted over the din of battle.
Sebastian parried a thrust, then ran his opponent through. “Last I saw, he was headed for the palace! The King and the Queen—”
My blood ran cold. “What about them?”
“Prince Callum breached the palace gardens! Lennox took some men to intercept, but—”
I didn’t wait to hear more, already sprinting toward the palace. The route was chaos—burning buildings, clashing soldiers, screaming civilians. I helped where I could, cutting down enemies in my path, but my focus remained fixed on reaching the palace.
The gardens were a mockery of their former beauty—trampled flowers, blood-soaked earth, bodies strewn among the roses. I heard fighting ahead and rounded a hedge tofind Lennox surrounded by Elentharian soldiers, fighting with desperate fury.
“Lennox!” I cried, charging into the fray.
Together, we—mostly Lennox—dispatched the last of his attackers. Blood ran down his face from a gash above his eye.
“The Queen,” he gasped. “In the observatory. Prince Callum—”
“Go find Anderic and the King,” I ordered. “I’ll get to the Queen.”
The observatory stood at the highest point of the palace gardens, a glass dome glittering in the afternoon sun. I raced up the spiral staircase, daggers ready.
Inside, I found Queen Felicia backed against the telescope, a small dagger clutched in her trembling hand. Prince Callum advanced on her, sword drawn, his handsome face twisted with malice.
“Step away from Her Majesty,” I commanded, my voice steadier than I felt.
Callum turned, surprise flashing across his features. “Lady D’Arcane? I thought you were dead.”
“Sorry to disappoint.” I moved carefully into the room, positioning myself between him and the Queen. “You’re losing, Callum. Your forces are being pushed back.”
“Temporary setbacks,” he sneered. “The city will fall by nightfall.”
I raised my daggers. “Not while I draw breath.”
We circled each other, neither making the first move. Callum was larger and stronger, with the reach advantage of his sword, and I could only throw daggers. I needed to be smarter.
“I never understood why you aligned with Chancellor Darian,” I said, buying time. “What did he offer you? Gold? Power? Aetherian steel?”
“Recognition,” Callum spat. “I’m fifth in line for a throne I’ll never see. Here, I can carve out my own kingdom.”
I had completely miscalculated his motives.
“Over my dead body,” Queen Felicia declared, her voice regal despite her fear.
“That’s the general idea, Your Majesty,” Callum replied, lunging suddenly.
I intercepted his blade with my dagger, the impact jarring my arm. We danced a deadly waltz around the observatory, steel meeting steel. He was really good—better than I’d anticipated.
I wouldn’t last much longer with my mediocre skills.
A lucky strike knocked one of my daggers from my hand. Another slash caught my side, tearing through leather and skin. I gasped, stumbling backward.
Callum smiled, sensing victory. “Any last words, Lady D’Arcane?”
