Through the Archway

Chapter Twenty-Five -- Part Two

Rebekah glared at her. "Why should I give up?" she asked. "I'm not like you! I don't just take my orders and move on! He shouldn't be able to get away with something like this!" she turned back to Thomas. "You killed the king, didn't you?! You killed him so that you could take over!"

Thomas's face had gone white. He grabbed her arm and jerked her toward him. "How dare you talk to me that way! You have no right!" he spat, his face set into a triumphant sneer, though his arm was shaking and his eyes were wide. Rebekah was reminded of when he had attacked David. It had seemed then too, like he was struggling with himself. "Leave my presence at once!"

He pushed her away. Rebekah lost her balance, tripping over the hem of her skirt. A jet of light shot from her palms, shattering a vase. Rebekah lay on her back, watching in horror as Thomas looked down upon her.

Your rightful place, she thought with disgust. "Guards!" Thomas bellowed, his chest heaving. Rebekah heard the doors burst open. Queen Cynthia blanched.

"What are you doing?! Leave my daughter alone!" But she was blasted against the wall. Rebekah stared at Thomas in terror. Her mother was slumped against the wall, unconscious, at Thomas's hand.

Hands grasped her arms, pulling her up. Rebekah struggled against them, though she knew there was no point. She stared at her mother's limp form, astounded that she had stuck up for her. Rebekah was pulled from the room. She continued to fight against the strong grip of the guard, but it was no use. "Let me go!" she panted, trying to wrench herself free.

"Rebekah, calm down!" hissed the guard. "It's me!" for one wild moment, Rebekah thought it was David. Her heart skipped a beat, but then she realized it was Mark. She relaxed.

They walked away from the Dining Room, when Mark pulled her into a chamber off the wall, where a century ago she, David, Evelyn, and James had listened in on the council. "What happened in there?" he asked.

"David's missing," she croaked, her throat constricted. "I went up to his room — the place was a total mess. I don't know where he went, but I'm sure Thomas was behind it; all he want's is power, and with David gone, he has it."

Mark jerked his head toward the door, listening intently. "I should alert the other guards —"

Rebekah's shook her head. "Don't do that! They could be on Thomas' side!"

Mark set his jaw and for once, Rebekah appreciated the fact that he was older than her, more capable of making the right decision. "Listen," he said shakily. "I'm going to need your help if we're going to find him. I just lost Taylor, and now David — you and the munchkins are all I've got." Rebekah wondered if he was including James and Evelyn along with his brothers, "There are people on the guard that I trust (insert names here). They can help."

Rebekah was about to argue that they weren't supposed to trust anyone else, when the door opened. Rebekah wanted to disappear, sure it was Thomas; that he had recognized Mark and knew that they were friends — but it was only Queen Catherine.

Queen Catherine looked to Mark. "I need you to raise the alarm — no matter what the will says, I'm still in charge." She had a hard–set look of determination plastered across her face that Rebekah had seen so frequently on David's.

"Rebekah," said Queen Catherine, "I'm sorry about Thomas." Her eyes were red-rimmed and there were tear tracks on her cheeks. "Are you okay?" Catherine asked, "You're not hurt?"

Rebekah shook her head, and Queen Catherine visibly relaxed. Rebekah wanted to say something else, but as Mark left, she realized she had something else to do. She followed him until she reached her quarters, and then locked the door.