The Cruel Prince's Wrath

Chapter 18

Moray emerged from Gilda’s chambers after they had finally consummated their marriage and hopefully it will result in an heir. As he walked down the hallway, he heard a commotion as guards rushed by and he ordered one to stop.

“What is happening?” he demanded.

“That elf attacked your sister, we are searching for her,”

“Zia? No, she would not, what would be the point?” Moray asked.

“She is an elf, my lord, she has no need for motive,” the guard replied hatefully.

“Hand me your sword,” Moray said in a cold and steady tone.

“M-my lord?” he asked, and Moray reached forwards snatching the guard’s sword from his sheath and then he drove it through the guard’s gut looking directly into his wide eyes as he fell forwards Moray moved so he could slump to the ground.

“How dare you!” Moray hissed down at the guard and then kicked him in the stomach as he lay dying. Moray looked down the hallway with wild eyes and wondered if he could find Zia before they did and help her escape but first, he would find his sister to assess the damage. He started towards the hall wondering if his father had been summoned from his chambers at this event. He was correct and he marched towards where he could see both his father and his sister standing at the back of the hall near the thrones. They both seemed smug, and he was seething.

“You say that Zia attacked you?” he demanded and Lorai showed him her arm which had now been cleaned and bandaged but he could see the blood seeping through the dressing. “She would never do that, Lorai, you both know that! She has been our servant for years, why would she suddenly attack you?” he screamed.

“Well, she did, perhaps she finally went mad,” King Lyall said flippantly, “perhaps in your… drunken stupor that you have been walking around in you had not noticed?”

“She is innocent and you both know it!” Moray yelled; his whole body trembled with his rage.

“Then how do you suggest I managed to sustain such an injury?” Lorai asked him.

“I do not know but it was not Zia!” he called and then he turned on his heels and began to march out but then stopped looking back over his shoulder. “There is a dead guard in the south corridor, I killed him before you jump to any other conclusions or fantasies!” he said and then continued, his eyes darkened as he left them.

                                                                                        ~~

Zia knew she had to get out of the capital, but she could not see a way without being stopped or recognised as the only elf within these walls. She was terrified and could hear guards calling to one another as they searched for her. She was still on the same floor as where the chambers were, her heart pounded in her chest so hard as she hid in an alcove. She felt hopeless as though even trying to escape would be impossible. She stood out too much with her blazing red hair and being the only elven within the capital. She had been with these royals since she was quite young and had swiftly fallen for the handsome young prince who pursued her. They had been lovers for years and had been careful aside from that one time when she fell pregnant. Perhaps that was when she should have left after king Lyall found out about their love affair, that had been when things took a turn. She could feel her breathing increase and she just knew she would be found. She pushed herself back into the wall terrified and then felt it shift a little, but her name was called down the corridor. It was Prince Moray. She could hear the panic in his voice, he was worried for her. She pushed the wall, and it opened a little like a passageway. She had never had such a stroke of luck, but Moray was not far. She could hear him getting closer, but also feared stepping out because she knew even he could not protect her from this.

“Zia!” he cried, and she could hear his panic turning to sadness and her heart broke and ached. She decided she could not leave without saying goodbye and so she whispered his name he followed her quiet calls until he found her against the partially open passageway. He ran to her immediately and took her into his arms.

“I’m so scared,” Zia sobbed against his shoulder as he held her.

“What happened, my love?” he asked her as he pulled away holding her beautiful face in his hands brushing the hair from her face and tears from her cheeks.

“Lorai… she pulled a dagger… at first I thought she would kill me but… then she slashed her own arm, Moray! I was so scared, and she started to call out for the guards claiming I had attacked her! I did not, I swear to you!” Lorai said.

“I’ll kill her for this,” Moray growled.

“Her eyes, Moray… she is unstable,” Zia said looking up at him.

“We all have our insanity in some measurement,” he muttered recalling his brutal murder of that guard and the time he mutilated that peasants face. He closed his eyes. “You are so sweet and kind, Zia, I fear I never deserved you,” he muttered.

“I had… left you a letter on your desk… I am sorry but I cannot say the words in person,” she moved backwards from him.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I cannot say, you must read the letter, and I must go, I have found an exit this passageway,” she said pushing it a little more, she smiled sweetly, “oh lucky chance,” she said.

“Then hurry, I want you to make it but where will you go?”

“I do not think I have a choice but to go to elves, they would protect me I am sure of it,” she said, and he looked disappointed.

“Can you not go to the dragons? At least they are allies with us and not our enemies, Zia, we will be on opposite sides of this war!” he replied.

“The dragon kingdom is too far for me to just go on my own,”

“Then I will come with you,” he said, and she shook her head.

“Moray, please, I do not want you to put yourself in danger for my sake. You must let me go and… please read that letter I left you, it is on your desk.” She said tears rolling down her porcelain cheeks. Moray looked at her saddened and lifted his hand stroking the backs of his fingers at the side of her face.

“This is the end for us, isn’t it?” he asked her in a dull tone, and she closed her eyes lowering her head. He kissed her forehead. “We were never meant to be, but I believe I will always love you,” he said and then stood back as she turned and left through the secret passageway. He fought his own tears and then as she pushed the door closed behind her he ensured that it was tight and no indication that it would reveal her escape route. It was and he pressed his ear against the side of it trying to see if he could hear her footsteps as she left him and made her escape, running his hand down the wall as he envisioned caressing her once more.