Chapter 55

Exiting my carriage with the help of Sky, I wince slightly from the discomfort caused by waking up in Sky's arms this morning. Last night he and I had fully committed to one another and this morning when we woke up he made sure to show me how much he loves me.

"Did I over do it?" Sky asks as I link my arm through his.

"Yes." I pout as he leads me towards the stage where I will sit during the execution. I can already hear the crowd demanding blood shed for all the heinous acts Juden and his men have committed and I will gladly give it to them. My grandparents, Kolten and Arian are already seated on stage, each one wearing a black suit. Taylor and her own unit are spread out in the crowd, listening in for information in case any of Juden's men are mixed in waiting to free their leader.

Sky helps me climb the stairs to the stage, escorting me to the microphone that sits to the corner of the stage. Below me is another platform, one that houses eleven kneeling men and women. Only one has his head covered with a black burlap sack. These are the Nobles that sided with Juden and the man himself. Moving my gaze from them, I look into the crowd and see Demitrias and his family standing there, no longer finely dressed. My eyes meet my ex-fiancé's and he glares at me. I ignore him as Sky presses a kiss to my forehead before he backs away, taking the seat next to mine. One day he and I will rule this Kingdom together.

"Good morning people of Nimairene." I call into the mic, the crowds cheering quieting down.

"I am sorry that we all have to meet under these unfortunate circumstances but todays event will be a warning to any and all traitors under Juden Trilavantas' influence." I continue, turning my gaze towards the camera. I had been reassure that today's execution will be broadcasted for the Kingdom to see and I am grateful for it. No one will be able to say that I did something underhanded at today's execution.

"The men and women before us will each say their final words one at a time before their execution. It will be quick for them as we are not monsters like they are. Executioner, you may begin." With that I make my way to my seat, Sky taking my hand in his and giving it a light squeeze. One by one the Executioner brought a prisoner forward, giving them their chance to speak. Some begged for their lives, admitting their guilt and wishing for a second chance but I know better. If you give a traitor any chance, they will turn around and stab you without hesitation. Only three admitted they would do everything all over again if it meant gaining power and wealth all over again. Their words are the ones cut short as a bullet to their heart takes their lives. I wince with each gun shot, my hand clenching Sky's as I think about whether or not this is the right choice. Then I think back to how I was kidnapped in my own Palace and conclude that executing those who are irredeemable is the right choice.

Finally it is Juden's turn and the Executioner forces him to his feet. I watch their movement, something inside me saying this is wrong. Sky had informed me yesterday after making love to me that Max suggested using a bag to cover Juden's face and he had agreed to it.

"Juden Trilavantas. For the crimes of treason and murdering King Alex Nimair and Queen Evelyne Nimair, you are sentenced to death. As your confession has been said, we will consider them your last words." The Executioner raises his gun, the barrel pressed to the kneeling man's chest. The safety is released but the sinking feeling inside me won't leave.

"Stop!" I shout before the gun can be fired. Standing to my feet I make my way down the stage and onto the platform, not caring about the blood that covers the temporary stage.

"Remove his hood." I order.

"Yeah!"

"Remove his hood!"

"Show us that bastard's face!"

The crowd shouts their agreeance with removing Juden's hood. I want to yell at them to quiet down as the feeling of dread fills me.

"Are you sure, Princess?" The Executioner asks and I glare at him. He backs away for a moment, turning the safety onto his gun and holstering it before the hood is removed. Kneeling before me is not Juden but Max, his face swollen black and blue. Dried blood covers the cuts that are still healing and I cry.

"Someone get a medic!" Sky orders, coming to kneel beside Max and removing the shackles around his wrists. Max slumps into Sky's arms, tears falling down his face. Turning to the crowd, I notice Demitrias and his family missing, my bewildered expression being the only thing that greets me while I look around the crowd for the Traitor.

"Where is he!" I shout, turning to face the Guards thar brought the prisoners in.

"And why the hell is Max the one injured?" The Guards fall to their knees, explaining that the Guards in the dungeon handed the Prisoners to him. I shake with rage, taking out my phone and calling Alice.

"Go to the Dungeon with a group of Guards you trust. Tell me if the men that were stationed there are still where they should be." As soon as Alice answers the phone, I cut off her greeting and give her the order. She tells me to she will call me back as soon as she can before the line goes dead.

Suddenly a loud gasps courses through the crowd. I look to see what the commotion is and my rage grows. The screens around the Execution stage has changed from the broadcasting that is aired throughout the Kingdom and instead is filled with none other than Juden sitting in a chair smugly grinning.

"Hello Princess, I do hope you liked my surprise." His voice comes through the speaker, that smug grin growing as I glare into the camera. I know he can see and hear me, know that he is watching everything unfold.

"Unfortunately you are smarter than I thought and your precious friend here lived the execution. I was so hoping he would have been shot and killed before the hood was removed." He sighs dramatically, taunting me into responding but I know better. If I play into his hand, I will look like the bad guy in front of my people.

"I now know you are a troublesome one, your years in the Slums hardening you into a cunning woman with the perception of a cunning cat and this excites me. Thanks to the people I placed into the Palace, I was able to escape a few days ago and make my way to a safe place. We are now at war my dear and it will end with me reclaiming the Throne I took fourteen years ago." The medics arrived as Juden continues his monologue, Sky helping them to place Max onto a gurney and telling Arian to go with them to the Palace. With Max secured and on his way to being helped, Sky comes to stand beside me, his own gaze looked on the screens.

"Ah, Skylard. How does it feel to know you took my son's bride."

"I was never Demitrias' to begin with. He made that known when he impregnated three Palace Maids." I call out, watching Juden's face contort with rage.

"You lie!" He growls out and I chuckle.

"DNA tests do not lie. I have your three grandchildren in my control. I call back. Taking out my phone, I send my failsafe to the broadcasting company with the caption to spread this information. Minutes later a man walks into view of the screen and whispers something into Juden's ear. His face continues to contort further and I realize the company made quick work of what I gave them.

"Believe me now?" I taunt back, Juden snapping his head to me.

"If you do so much as harm my grandchildren even if they are bastards, I will-"

"You will what Juden? You have already declared war, have already planned to kill me for my Throne. Just know I now hold three of your kin captive now." I cut him off. Juden stands from his chair, punching the poor man that gave him the news for all to see. I smirk knowing that I have gotten under his skin once more.

"You are right Allisara." He states, his chest heaving as he breathes heavily while trying to calm his own rage.

"We are at war and sooner or later I will be the one to cut down your own family tree. Until then, adieu." The screen turns black as his broadcast ends and I turn to Sky who looks at me with both fear and anger in his eyes.

"Allisara, we need to return to the Palace." He takes my hand and leads me away but I stop him, needing to reassure my people. Kolten is the one to take charge, his men forbidding the crowd from leaving until a background check can be conducted. Some people try to run away but are quickly captured by Taylor's squadron. The all female unit quick to bringing them to their knees and cuffing them while Kolten's men search their bodies, finding Juden's insignia on them. I watch in horror at just how close the rebels were to me today and allow Sky to take me to the carriage without a fight. Once safely inside, my phone rings and I answer it putting it on speaker phone.

"Alli, the men are gone. The dungeons are empty and only a few prisoners remain claiming they no longer wanted to be apart of Juden's plan." I shake from the rage I feel, Sky taking my phone and telling Alice to lock the Place down. She tells her to have Lia and Mia wait at the front entrance as an ambulance will be arriving soon with Max followed by my grandparents in their own carriage. After promising to do just that, Alice hangs up.

"What do we do now?" I ask Sky as he pulls me into his lap.

"We make sure Max is okay, then we prepare for war."