I wasn't completely irrational, I at least went to go see Rone before taking Charles head off of his shoulders myself. "We need to talk," I said storming into the throne room. "Nixin nice to see you again, leave," I ordered.

   She looked over to Rone who only waved her off, she gave me an unreadable glare and passed me her skirts swishing with everystep. "I take it Ash has told you about my judgment at trial, nice of you to show up by the way." Did he really think I would after what he told me last night?

   "I thought we agreed he would be hanged."

   "I've had a change of heart," he said not breaking eye contact he seemed bold and ready to fight, thats the last thing I wanted.

   "Don't lie to me Rone you know you cant lie with me... whats going on with you?" I was done with this game I was done coddling him. "You aren't acting like yourself the prince I knew would never put his people in danger like this, are you doing this to get back at me because trust me I'm already paying for my mistakes."

   "I thought it was you who said we needed to be different that killing people is not the answer, not anymore."

   "So whats your plan? You'll let him go to kill humans?"

   "No he'll stay here of course till I can trust him," he rolled his eyes. I couldn't believe this right now... Who was he?

   "A king doesn't have the luxury to give a soulless man the benefit of the doubt," I hissed trying to control my rising temper. "You will have him hanged or I will do the job myself."

   "You would go against me?" he finally stood from his throne and stepped toward me, I didnt coward down and he knew I never would.

   "You are going against me!" I said evenly rising my chin up in defense, taking a step towards him so that my face was in his. "I dont care what we had or who you are to me when it comes to my people I will always chose them. I don't want to belittle you but you are leaving me no choice."

   "Theres always a choice," he gulped. "If you do this I will never forgive you," he said as if that would hold any weight at this point.

   "I think I can live with that," I sneered in disgust.

   Something cold and chilling set in the air around us I was now sure whatever love we did have for each other is long gone. "You're just as much of a monster as Charles if you take his life yourself."

   "I think that's enough," I didnt even hear Ash walk in but with every stride Rone seemed to get smaller and smaller. "I think you've forgotten who you are talking to, Nadia has sacrificed her entire life for nothing in return. She has been by your side your entire reign and when she is most weakened, her mother not even cold in the grave you have the audacity to call her a monster? What does that make you? My king." His words were thick and ragged.

   "Your mother-" Rone looked over to me his violet eyes almost reaching for me, as if something had clicked. "Nadia-"

   I put a hand up, "I dont need your sympathy and after my family leaved here we wont need anything from you ever again. Are you going to have him hanged or will I have to do this myself?" he said nothing as he looked down to the ground, I wasn't even surprised. "Lets go Ash," my voice was hoarse even I could hear the pain in it but I turned around and didnt look back.

   I was thankful for Ash being by my side and not saying a word as we made our way to Charles room. I didnt want to be alone, too afraid of where my mind might take me but I didnt want to talk either. Somehow Ash could sense that. 

    When we got to the east halls I knew right away something was wrong, there was not one Trax guarding these halls. I drew my sword at the same time Ash did, I gave him a knowing look as we silently approached the room. I opened the door with the tip of by blade, my heart dropping when I found two guards with their own swords plunged into their chests. "Theres no hiding this," Ash said looking down at me. "The people will want Rones head for this." He wasnt wrong.

   "He left a note," I said as we walked to the dresser, it was addressed to the king. I read it aloud,

   "No hard feelings my little king, one day you will learn not to trust a soul if you're lucky to live long enough but you'll never learn what it is to be a real king. I send my best. I'm sorry I couldnt stay long I have pressing matters to attend to and because you were so good to me I'll give you another piece of advice. Get ready for war, your life will be short lived you've signed your death the second you let in the serpent, I'll let you chew on that. As for Nadia I look forward to meeting your blade May the best warrior win."

   "War?" Ash frowned, "He would only insinuate war if he were to be working with a civilization we dont know about, Delphia doesnt have the numbers."

   "And theres a whole world out there," I threw the note onto the bed and walked to the busted balcony. I looked out to the trees and the towering mountains behind them.

   Ash stood beside me looking over court, then to the trees, to Valkri. "Who do you think the serpent is?"

   "I'm sure we'll be finding out soon," I said sorely, we always do.

...................................................................................................

   Everything went to shit, once word was out about Rones decision and Charles escape I had to lock down the entire palace, no one in or out. I didn't want to see Rone so I had him watched over in his room, Nixin didnt like being kicked out but I enjoyed seeing her escorted out. "Its scary how your own people can turn on you so quickly," Berella said watching the riot outside of the palace. "They're just scared."

   "They should be," I said. "Lets not forget Marvis and Meredith can come back at any moment with the right witch, if there are any left. Charles said to get ready for war the only way I could see that happening is if he brought back Marvis and his Queen."

   "We wont let that happen," Ash said. "I have an army of bloodthirsty dragons and I've seen your Trax they are deadly, as long as we dont fall apart we have nothing to fear. Right now we need to bring back the love for the king," not that anyone really cared to but it had to be done. "We need to find Charles."

   "How are we going to do that when all of court wants him killed?" I asked.

   "He'll have to come with us, Berella will take over for him meanwhile."

   "I dont think thats a good idea the people dont listen to me-"

   "Make them," I told Berella looking into her deep green eyes. "I'll leave Gregory with you."

   "Whatever you need," she said lightly.

   "Its settled then, we'll leave tonight," I said. I needed to find Musho I knew he'd want to come along also he's been marking the woods he knew it well. "Marcus will have to come with us as well," I said.

   "I dont do bounty chasing," Marcus scuffed leaning against the wall.

   "You don't really have a choice, we dont trust you."

   "I wonder why?"

   "You tried to kill me."

   "Who hasn't?" He shot back. "Plus that was in the past."

   "That was all but two days ago," he reminded me too much of Orion it was a but unnerving. "I dont have time for this lets go," I grinded my teeth. "I'll go get Rone and Musho, Marcus you're coming with me. Berella you have an angry mob to tame-"

   "Nadia your mom just died," Berella said I wasnt ready to hear that aloud, my body stiffened. "Don't you want to lay her to rest with Simon tonight?"

   I gulped avoiding her eyes, "You'll be there for Simon wont you?"

   There was a heavy silence in the room, even Ash seemed uncomfortable. "You should at least take the night to grieve you've been through a lot today," Gregory said from behind me.

   "Just because someone dies doesn't mean time stops, the quicker we get out there and track Charles the faster well find him. Tell Simon I'll be back soon I know you'll tale good care of him while I'm gone," without another word I left to get Rone. 

   Rone wasnt in good shape at all, he sat in his bead drenched in sweet confusion all over his face, "I failed my people," he said in a voice that didnt seem his own. He was breaking bit by bit and I didnt know how to help him anymore.

  "Not yet we're going after Charles and I cant leave you here so you are coming, pack up."

   "What about Nixin?"

   "What about her she'll be here?"

   He shook his head, "She wont be safe here and you know it, she's coming or I'm not going."

   "I dont have time for this! My mom just died and you put us yet again in another hole that I'll have to burry us out of. She's staying here."

   "If you have any love left for me you'd let her come, she's the only thing that's helping me stay afloat." Maybe I was a terrible person for hating that he found comfort in someone else, one thing was certain is I wouldn't be able to keep them apart.

   "You love her?"

   "Yes."

   I couldnt look him in the eye, "Then if she dies on the journey her death will be on you, have Nixin with you at the gate in an hour."

  "Wait, I need to say something..." I stopped, my back still turned to him. "You have to understand you left me and she was there when you weren't, when you didnt want to be and I dont blame you. I'm not trying to excuse my actions as king but could you at least put yourself in my wings?"

   "I dont blame you, I just dont want to see it," he knew what I meant. I walked out holding the tears till I got to the staircase and dropped to the ground, unable to breath or think. I should have been there for him, I should have been there for my mother, Simon. Who I am will only lead people to disappointment, I dont only hold my life in my hands but everyone else's. If I could be selfish and take what I wanted, I would. I'd beg for Rone to hold onto our love but whats done is done. He loves another and well me? I lost my mother and she's only the first I'll lose, when does one just give up?

    I was tired of letting down my walls just to have to build it all over... again and again, trust has never got me anywhere and love has just manipulated me entirely. Numb was the best way to describe how I felt.