Max
Finally, we are on the road. I can just see the Marquess’ face when we arrive. I am sure he will give father a talking to. Mother sits next to me in the carriage, her hands fidgeting nervously. If I didn’t know any better, she was the one on the way to selection. Father was looking out the window at the passing scenery. His mind more than likely on breakfast.
The inn we were heading to was one of our favorites. After eating palace food for so long, a hearty meal from the inn was in order. And Ann, the owner, sure knew how to cook. Father has been trying to get her to come to the palace for years, according to Ann’s husband. Since father’s Selection to be exact. She always laughs it off and says no, so we make the ride out here every few months to eat.
My stomach lets out a soft growl as I think about food. If we had not been late, we could be eating right now. I place my hand on my stomach and shoot a glare at my father. Late bastard. His cloak doesn’t even look good for gods’ sake. How he thought pairing a bright red cape with his outfit was unfathomable to me. Wasn’t about to tell him that though, he would spend another half an hour changing yet again. Sometimes it feels like I am the only one who cares about looking decent.
My mind brings up Lilith and her choices of fashion. Gods… She always dresses like she’s on the way to a funeral. And any time you ask if she’s going to one, she says ‘not yet, but the days still early.’ I chuckle to myself and look out the window once again. As her best friend I really do try to guide her to more cheery colors. But getting Lilith to do anything she doesn’t like is like trying to teach a basilisk to play fetch.
I remember a few years ago, I had gone to visit with her, and her nanny brought it a whole new wardrobe of pink, frilly dresses. This was before Lilith started wearing black. The look of horror on her face made me laugh so hard I hit the floor. Poor nanny was so confused. Lilith just stands up and rushes to her father’s office. I followed behind because when Lilith got in a mood, hilarity always followed. So, she rushes to her father’s office and throws open the door.
Inside the shocked faces of the Marquess and Duke Lancing comes to mind and I chuckle again. Not missing a beat, she marches straight up to her father and goes ‘I demand full autonomy to choose what I want to wear.’ And from then on, Lilith’s pink dresses were replaced with black. Honestly, the girls a handful, but I love her. Even if she cusses like the sailors at the dock.
The carriage continues and into the forest. Finally! On the other side a delicious meal is waiting for me. My stomach growls again, this time louder. Father looks over at me and lets out a laugh. This earns him a fresh glare. Because this is his fault. His heir is starving, and he laughs. He’s a right bastard.
My body jerks forward as the carriage comes to a sudden halt. The horses outside whinnying in protest.
“The hell?” Father asks and starts pounding on the wall.
“Your majesty…” The coachman starts. The shaking of his voice could be heard even with the barrier between us.
“The Marquess’ carriage”
All thoughts of breakfast and the past are gone. Lilith. Oh, gods what happened.
Within a second father throws the carriage door open and rushes outside. He starts shouting orders to the knights behind us. I am right behind him, my eyes searching the area for my best friend. Their carriage is ahead of us, doors wide open. I can see from where I stand no one is inside. My mind is filled with worry as I look towards my father who is swiftly moving towards the scene, sword in hand.
We hurry across the dirt road; the soft ground is splattered in red. Blood. Oh gods… My eyes continue to scan the area, but there is no one in sight.
“Max” Father appears near me.
“Stay here son.” His face twisted in worry as he looks around.
“No! I need to find Lilith!” I brush his hand off my shoulder and continue my search. Following the knights, we make our way off the path. The blood like a trail into the forest. Like they were dragged… My hands begin shaking as we round on the first group of bodies. Their faces contorted and eyes vacant, staring into nothing at all. Like waves nausea rolls over me.
That’s when we hear it. The scream. I turn towards the sound and see mother standing twenty feet away, almost concealed by the thick forest trees and brush. Without thinking I rush over to her. Lilith... Did she find her? In a second father is next to me as we race towards the queen. Father sees it first and tries to grab me to stop me. But I push forward.
The first thing I see is the soft blue dress shimmering in the sunlight. The dress I chose was torn to shreds and lay in pieces on the ground. And then I see her, eyes closed as if sleeping. If it weren’t for the massive gashes on her wrists and thighs, I would have thought just that. I’m no longer able to keep the nausea away. I rush from her body to the nearest tree. Releasing everything inside my stomach, I hug the thick coarse bark. My body trembling as tears roll down my face.
Lilith….no…no….
“Your Majesty, we found the Marquess up the road. He’s still breathing, but its not looking good” One of our knights comes up. His eyes look down at Lilith’s body. He may be able to keep his face void of emotion, but his eyes betray him. Mother is wailing in father’s arms and a few more knights lean down towards my best friends still body.
“She’s still breathing… Your majesty she’s still breathing!!” One of the knights exclaims. Excitement in his voice. Everything becomes a blur as they rush about to bandage her wounds. She’s alive…Oh thank the gods.
“Get her to the road” Father commands and goes to move mother back to the carriage, her shoulders shaking in sobs.
“Leave her” A voice says from behind a tree. Duke Lancing
appears, walking in long strides towards Lilith.
“Excuse me?” Fathers voice is angry as he glares towards the newcomer.
“She’s had her magic drained. If we move her, she will certainly die” The Dukes voice is calm as he gazes down at her body.
“If we do nothing, she will also die” Father retorts, his voice sharp and filled with annoyance. I want to step in. But I can’t move, my legs are still shaking. I’m so fucking weak. Lilith would have taken charge of this situation; she would have known what to do.
“She needs magic, your Majesty. And since she’s laying in the sun and there is no reaction, we can conclude sun class is out.”
“We cannot leave her here until dusk, or hell even for the moon. She will be dead by then, Look at her wrists! For god’s sake man think” His voice is now shaking as he turns towards the Duke. Ready to strike if it means getting Lilith to a doctor.
“Before you move her. Let me try something. If it doesn’t work, I will help carry her to the carriage.” Swiftly he kneels next to Lilith.
“I had a feeling this was going to be needed.” Reaching inside his shirt he pulls out a shining vial attached to a chain.
“Is that?” Father asks. I can’t make out the emotion on his face as he stares at the vial.
“It is.” The duke retorts sharply. With a quick motion he lifts the vial above Lilith and pops the cap. The air stills and a light shines onto her body, like moonlight hitting a lake. Her skin begins to glimmer as if a coat of magic was grazing the surface.
“Moonlight” Father breathes.
“Look! Its working!” One of our knights exclaim.
I move closer and see the gashes slowly closing on her wrists. Leaving behind Jagged, ugly scars.
The duke lets out a breath of relief and stands once again.
“She will be fine now…”
“How did you know?” Mother asks now, she’s staring in wonder at the scene before us.
“I just had a feeling.” With a nod he leaves back to wherever the hell he came from.
I move towards Lilith’s side and grab ahold of her hand. Moving it towards my face, I begin to sob. I almost lost her.
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