Chapter 33

"CALLA."

I stopped, turning to meet Mrs. Anise's stern face. "Yes, ma'am?"

"I must speak to you for a minute," she said, her face revealing nothing.

I glanced at Maple curiously.

"You may go, Tulip," Mrs. Anise said, pursing her lips.

"Yes, ma'am," Maple said, bobbing her head and going into the hall.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"As a matter of fact, it is, Calla," Mrs. Anise said, "But we cannot speak of it here."

A shiver went up my spine as she led me to a deserted corner.

"I heard you singing last night," she said, her eyes dark.

I furrowed my eyebrows. Why did that mean —

I gasped.

She nodded. "Yes. I have been in this castle for a long time — I would recognize that lullaby anywhere."

"You —" I couldn't form words. Was she going to rat us out?

Mrs. Anise exhaled sharply. "Are you the Princess?"

It was a question, but the way she was staring at me told me that she knew the truth.

Still, I shook my head. "I am not. I have no idea what you are talking of."

She let out a little puff of air. "Do not lie, your Highness. You were never a good liar."

Never a good liar — had she known me?

"I know who you are," she said firmly.

"Are you going to tell the Queen, then?" I asked, my voice breathless and dread settling in my stomach. This was it.

We were finished.

Then Mrs. Anise shook her head. "I shall not."

"Why?" The question burst out involuntarily.

"Because in all my years here, I have never seen a person so cruel as the Queen. And though this is against our Law, I have always supported the Princesses."

"Did — did I know you?" I asked softly.

"You were only a child, but yes. I used to take care of you sometimes — before everything happened."

"Thank you," I breathed. I didn't remember her — but I'd have been barely two years old.

"It comes at a price," Mrs. Anise said, her face hard.

I swallowed. "What?"

"That none of the girls get hurt. I don't care what you do, warn them, reveal everything — but I don't want a single one of them hurt."

"I — I shall try, Mrs. Anise," I said.

"Swear it," she said, taking my hand and squeezing it hard. "Swear it on Nalvia."

"I —" The look she gave me was uncompromising. "I swear on Nalvia that the maids shall be unharmed."

She released my hand, her shoulders drooping.

I could feel it — the weight of the promise hanging over my shoulders.

"The rebel attack," I said.

Mrs. Anise looked up, her eyes sharp.

"It will happen in three days — there will be a solar eclipse. Keep all of them inside their chamber — they are not the rebels' target."

She gave me a sharp nod. "Thank you, Princess."

"It's my duty," I said, lifting my chin.

"Nevertheless — thank you. And when you meet your mother —"

She broke off, but I didn't need any further explanation. I gave her a sharp nod. "I will. To the best of my ability, I will."

"Good," she said, the word grim and satisfied, "Now, Calla, return to your chamber."

"Yes. Thank you, Mrs. Anise."

She nodded and I left her in that shadowy corner, alone.

***

The three days passed rapidly.

The eclipse was to be exactly at noon — when all the servants and guards would be eating. Hopefully, they'd be safely sequestered in the hall, and I had no doubt that some guards would remain there to keep them safe.

Maple and I had been exchanging anxious glances all day. Finally, a bit before the afternoon meal, we excused ourselves.

We headed straight to the safe room — where Aiden, Arden, Terran, Pecan and Aster were waiting.

I stood next to Aiden. He brushed his hand against mine before Terran started to speak.

"Take your weapons — Princess, start heading to the Queen's chamber. Once the rebels break in, they will help you break in."

"Then it'll be up to me," I said. The responsibility weighed on me, not in a pleasant way.

If I failed — if Ivy proved to be truly stronger than me, I had no doubt that she would succeed in crushing the rebels. She wouldn't let them kill her, and she'd still be on the throne, with the support of the lords.

If I killed her and Forreston, no one could contest my claim to the throne.

But kill her? I'd lost to her time and time again — I couldn't stop the feeling that told me it would happen again.

Terran handed me a sword, and the boys turned as Maple and I changed into fighting leathers, Aster already dressed in them. They turned back when we were done.

"It's time to go," Terran said.

"Elvina," Aiden said, grabbing my hand.

I turned back and gave him a curious look.

"You can do this. I know you can," he said, his eyes determined.

"You can, El," Maple said, coming up beside me, "The Queen will finally get what she deserves."

"But — I'm not as strong as her. I've never been," I said, the words soft. There I was, admitting my weakness right before we charged.

"Honestly? You're the strongest person I know," Arden said. Pecan nodded from beside him.

"After everything, you're still here, you're still fighting. Elvina, you are strong. So much stronger than her. She could never survive what you have," Aiden said, taking my other hand as well.

I watched him, still unsure.

"You have us, don't you? We believe in you. Believe in yourself, too," he said. Then he sighed, pulling me closer. "Nalvia believes in you. She will lend you her strength."

"You truly think I can defeat my mother?"

"Of course, you can," he said, "You just standing here, alive, ready to attack her — you've already defeated her. She tried to kill you, but you made it. You're powerful, you're strong, and you're ready."

His hands gripped my shoulders tightly, as if to emphasize the point.

"I'm ready," I repeated, breathing slowly.

"You are," he said, bending down and resting his forehead against mine, "And when this is all over, I'm going to find you, and I'm going to kiss you until I'm out of breath."

"Aiden." I sighed, my hands coming up to rest on his chest.

"I think I love you, Elvina Elowen. Let that give you strength."

The words were whispered, only soft enough for the two of us too hear.

Before I could say anything more, he pulled back, turning to the rest of the group. "Let's go!"

We clambered through the hole, all of us sitting in the tunnel, waiting. I looked at Aiden, but he had his eyes closed, just listening.

Finally, there came a shout. "The rebels are attacking! Everyone, to your posts!"

We exited through another passage, the closest to the West Wing. Even as the guards rushed to us, rebels swarmed them from behind, giving us free passage.

I caught sight of Birch, part of them, who kept up with us all the way, until we reached the doors of Ivy's chamber.

They were covered in guards. Council guards.

I gripped my sword, exchanging a look with Maple, before we charged.

I swung myself into the fray, ducking and stabbing. But these guards were strong, armored and bulky.

One made a jab at my knees. I jumped and swung, connecting my sword to his neck.

Mounds of dirt were rising all around us. From the corner of my eye, I saw Aiden's true features as he whirled his air into a deadly twist, as much a weapon as his daggers.

I wrapped water around me as a swirling shield, blocking the guards' attacks.

"Go, Elvina!" Terran roared from my left, blocking three guards at once.

I nodded and ran, Aiden and Arden at my sides, clearing the way, Maple right behind me.

I panted as we ran, finally breaking free of the guards. Down the long corridor, until we finally reached the large, unguarded doors. I could feel it —

Ivy was inside.

"Let's do this," Maple said, her face hard.

I pushed open the door.

I love Mrs. Anise, I love Aiden, I love all of you! Until tomorrow! :)

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