KINGSLAYER

♕ 7 | 7 ♕

Like called to like. Perhaps their unforeseen marriage was no shock after all.

Because the streets were so crowded, they had to get out and walk the rest of the distance. There were garlands with white flowers strung up around the moldings of the nearby buildings and slung high over the streets. With its grand structures fit for royalty that reached high in the sky, Naxaros was just as glittering and spectacular as Alexander imagined. Jaylah said she was looking forward to showing it to him. Certainly this was not what she had in mind.

The crowds were thrumming with energy at the edges of the streets where the group found an acceptable area to watch. Alexander and Filipp stood behind the three ladies, watching the crowd rather than the procession in the street. The peoples' eyes were bright with the utter splendor of the day. They waved small silver handkerchiefs in their hands to show their support for their nation. Alexander saw that they did not gush over her or look with adoration on their faces—they did not love her.

"There she is," the youngest daughter murmured, eyes shining.

"That steed is terrifying," her sister whispered, as if Jaylah might hear her through the cheering crowds.

Curiosity getting the best of him, Alexander looked up for a moment. The dark horse was indeed terrifying, the tallest one he'd ever seen. But his attention was not on her steed.

Jaylah was looking into the crowds with a small smile on her face, though it was far from real. She did not waver or acknowledge anyone, she simply sat there with her spine straight and crown shining. She was unmistakably a Queen now, far from the girl he'd known.

Alexander looked away, thinking of murder. It was obvious what she would do if she knew he was there. Her soldiers would drag him away to some dark prison so that she would not have to see me any longer. Clearly not even the information that she wanted from him was worth keeping him around for.

I'm still here, he wanted to shout. If you were the one who tried to get rid of me, I'm still here. And if you did it, I will make you regret it.

♕ ♕ ♕ ♕ ♕

The entire way back to the estate, the two girls chattered on and on about what they'd seen as if the other hadn't been there to see the exact same thing. They mourned the absence of the Czarevich, which took everything in Alexander not to scoff at.

It was near sunset when they arrived at the house. The two girls and their nanny were dropped off at the entrance. Alexander watched as they ran into the arms of their father. With their backs turned and their light hair in plaits, they could have been Mishi and Veronika.

Rather than be unsupervised in the carriage, Alexander snd Filipp had to walk the rest of the way down to the barracks. They were halfway there before Filipp was unexpectedly called back to the house. So Alexander went down the rest of the way with his head full of thoughts of vengeance he would never get. In fact, he hardly even noticed he was down by the barracks until he passed through the gate that only unlocked from the outside. But something in the distance caught his eye.

A portion of the iron fence that encircled the entire property was left ajar.

Everyone else was still at the factory. The sun, an hour from setting, and quick circling glance around confirmed that. The entire family was up in the house, as he'd seen with his own eyes. How odd.

It could be a trap, Alexander reminded himself as he remained frozen. But how could it be a trap if there was nowhere for an ambush to hide? This place outside the barracks was purposefully designed so that there were no areas for slaves to hide in.

His desire for freedom surged back all at once. It was within reach so soon after he'd given up hope. He remained apprehensive, but chose to approach the gate. Punishment, he could take. But he couldn't take another regret.

No one stopped him from slipping out. No one yelled for the overseer, no one rushed to follow him, nothing. So he ran as fast as he could on weakened legs, though they felt lighter than air as he put the gates and the restraints behind him. Despite the collar still around his neck, those long lungfuls of air felt like the only ones he'd gotten in weeks.

Yet Alexander still didn't believe it. Not completely. Any moment now, he would be dragged back and beaten.

He ran until he was on the outskirts of the nearest city. When he could take the stitch in his side no longer, he stopped and bent in half with palms braced on his knees, taking gasping pants of air.

Alexander knew the man was approaching from the side long before he reached him. He watched as the black boots grew closer, but didn't right himself.

"Khan," he said, and only then did Alexander look into his sallow face.

It was Yeleshev, Seifer Daggen's right hand. He'd done this. He came back for Alexander.

An idea bloomed. Surely it would take time, but Alexander could wait a bit longer to get what he wanted.

"Freedom is sweet, is it not?" he asked in Navrikan, eyes lingering on Alexander's collar.

"Not as sweet as revenge."

He smiled a bit at that. "Good to see that we are of the same mind. You still remember the information you promised us?"

"That and more."

"Then you have a choice, Khan. Leave now and take your chances to live as a free man. I will not stop you. Or—" His voice dropped—"take your revenge and get your payment."

Alexander knew the impact this would have. He'd deliver what he promised regardless. His grin grew serpentine as he stepped forward to shake Yeleshev's hand in an agreement that needed no words.