Zara had never seen these parts of the castle before. She thought she knew every nock and cranny that served as hiding spots whist growing up. But she was wrong, Zara felt lost in her own home. She ran her hand along the cold stone wall, counting and noting each door and passageway they passed. Gavin on the other hand, had a map in his head; surely he was familiar with this part of the castle. This night was colder than most and the air was so quiet, the God of winds must have gone to sleep for once.
Quietly they both quickly descended under the shroud of darkness. Never once did his steady pace falter even with his small burden of her sleeping brother and his other hand tightening ever so often around hers as he guided her down the dark passage. It was a struggle for her to keep with him on the steep, damp stone step. As they came to a turn on the staircase she faltered. Immediately his grip tightened to prevent her from hitting the ground. He waited patiently for her to recover even though they were pressed for time.
As they touched landing, Gavin was already pushing open a wooden door that brought them to the kitchen. Zara felt puzzled. She had been here before, on many occasions harassing the cooks and maids who made her the most delicious meals. She had definitely been here but never through that door. The kitchen was empty, left the flaming torches that kept the room illuminated. She supposed this part of the kingdom had not heard the awful news as yet. Gavin tugged at her hand just as she spotted Lilia, Zara's personal maid rushing into the room with a flustered face. At the sight of the hand maiden Zara's heart faltered, threatening to break the strong façade she had created. But Lilia had not caught sight of the sneaking lot of three. Instead she had her back to them as they passed through too quietly, to her chest she clutched her fist. Before their departure, Gavin warned Zara that they must take caution to not be seen nor heard by anyone.
Behind them the kitchen door swung closed, forcing the three into darkness yet again. Zara had never liked Gavin. Her father however, adored the man for his bravery, wise decisions and quick actions thus trusting the stoic man with his only daughter's life.
In the still darkness she could see nothing but she felt everything. The heat of Gavin's hand clasped at her hand which felt too small suddenly, her right hand dragged along the wall, still trying to keep a map in her head. She heard his even breath, her harsh ones and the pounding pulse at her ear. Then she heard a small snore from under the blanket strewn over the bundle of Gavin's big shoulder. With the intensity and pressure of the situation, Gavin should have been exhausted as just as her. Yet he wasn't, he was built for these circumstances. They rounded another dark corner, how he knew this passage without light was beyond Zara, and again they pushed through another door. She blinked harshly, blinded by the sudden light of the room. Hay was scattered across the floor and the horses snorted. They were at the stable. Gavin pulled at her hand again. He had the patience of a loyal servant, which was hard to find at these times.
"Zara!" Her uncle, her father's brother, Xavier called across to her. He stood near two readied horses, decked still in his day clothes. The man hadn't seen his bed for the night and it was well past midnight.. Xavier caught her in his arms, pressed a kiss to the crown of her head and sighed. "Oh Zara."
"Sir we don't have time." She heard the suddenly impatient Gavin scold. Zara shot the cold man with a distasteful look to which he challenged with his stern one.
"He's right dear Zara," Xavier, pushed her toward her own saddle horse, Willow, her beloved horse. "But I promise when this is all over, I will come for you personally."
"With soldiers of course."
Xavier smiled at the girl's concern. "Yes my Zara with tons of guards. With the best of them at that." A soft sad smile washed the old man's face and her heart broke again for the night. Distracting herself, she climbed her horse and Gavin followed suit on his own darkened horse, holding steady her young brother who by amazement was still asleep.
Xavier laughed softly at the little boy. "He was always a heavy sleeper. Your mother would spend hours trying to wake him." Xavier still smiled, but Zara's sad expression at the mention of her mother made him regret it.
"I will find them. I will find them and give them what they deserve for this atrocity Zara. I will kill them slowly before the entire kingdom."
She should have felt disgusted at his vicious words and threats but she couldn't. Deep within her a dark monster rumbled. That would have been exactly what she wanted.
"Good." She heard a soft gasp from the stoic Gavin and her uncle froze only for a second. Again he gave her with a sad smile.
"Sir," Gavin interrupted again. "We must leave before-"
A steward came running in, the boy out of breath and still he forced out the air to shout as he bowed, "Sir Xavier," But he rose and froze as he met the melted brown eyes of Zara mounted on her horse, "Your Majesty," Zara gasped but the others remained unmoved. "There has been murder of the highest. The king and queen are dead."
The words of the news rattled Zara again, the third time for the night. She saw Gavin's grip tightened on the reigns of his horse, her uncle remain unfazed and challenged, "Where have you heard this boy?"
The boy stuttered before successfully getting out, "The guards sir. They've rung the alarm."
Zara hadn't heard the alarm. She thought maybe they were too far now to hear the bell.
"And do you know who would have done such thing boy?" The boy stood dumbfounded.
"No sir."
"Then go find out who has done it and then come waste my time." With that the boy scuttled out the stable.
"Go now child." Xavier had been looking away and Zara knew in her heart he'd been on the brink of tears himself. With the command Gavin shut out the stable clutching her brother securely, she followed. She looked back once, only to see her dear uncle resting his weight on the wooden post wiping his face.
They rode hard with Gavin leading to the forest edge where they were halted by two soldiers, one of them the king's own guard. "Caleb."
The soldier caught the girl as she slipped off her horse and sagged into his hands. "Shh dear Zara." Zara heard Gavin grunt his annoyance then the cold guard checked and barked orders with the lesser guard.
"You have to go now." Caleb breathed into her ear, his breath tickling her neck. She blushed and suppressed the desire that enflamed her with the thoughts of where she and this very soldier had been under an hour or so. His lips were slightly parted merely away from her. Her skin ruptured in flames at thought of his talented mouth. His breath caught and she knew then he was thinking of the very same thing. He chuckled, his breath tickling her skin again.
"If only we had some more time then." She blushed furiously. "But I promise you," He breathed, "I promise you when we find this man, I will ride to you leading the guards, with his head in my hand for the kingdom to see."
For the second time in the night Zara felt a dark demon stir inside her. Was she wicked for wanting a murder to be committed?
"Please do." She begged him to do it. She felt him go rigid with his arms around her. He was the second man to think she wasn't capable to stomach such act.
"Zara!" Gavin barked. Zara hated this man. Was he really so coldblooded to not know she was dying on the inside? She hid her smile when Caleb fixed the guard with a glare.
"Would it not be better apt for the king's most trusted to keep watch over us?" She asked Caleb loudly so that Gavin was sure to hear. Caleb laughed softly at her.
"No Zara," His laugh died, "It would be better for that soldier to stay here and help regain control of the kingdom," he paused. "And to find the murderer of the King and Queen," he finished.
No one said anything after Zara mounted her horse again. Caleb grasped her hand a last time, looking deeply into her eyes with his blue ones and made the oath, "I will come and find you when it's all over. You have my word Princess." He rubbed the tattooed seal on the inside of her ring finger and kissed her palm. He flashing the same small smile her uncle had offered before urging her away.
Gavin dashed off, not waiting for the girl because she knew she'd need to follow. At this time she couldn't afford to get lost in the forest or part from her brother. For Caleb she looked back twice, on the last glimpse he had already turned on his horse his blonde hair shining in the moonlight.
They rode furiously until the horses burst through a small clearing in the thicket. Gavin had been satisfied they were far enough for the night. He made a fire first to which Zara gravitated to. Only when the warmth of the flames licked her skin did she realise how cold she was. Her eyes watched as Gavin moved methodically preparing a camp for them. His stern set expression never unmasked, the sure taut muscles of his body refused to relax.
Zara felt numb, unsure of what she should do. She thought she should cry at the death of her parents but her eyes could find the energy. Her lips felt as though they should speak but her brain knew nothing to speak. They both ate bread and sipped water silently never disturbing the other. It was when Gavin's head hit the soft bundle he'd wrapped for a pillow did the young prince wake.
"Zara?" The boy rubbed away the sleepiness, his voice sending Gavin straight up. The boy knew not what had happen and now Zara had no energy to rehash the unfortunate event. The boy looked back at her with a slightly confused expression of his surroundings and a small flutter of understanding followed by grief crossed his face, then her heart broke for the thousandth time tonight.
She sobbed loudly, immediately the boy crouched over to her and wiggled into her chest. He was twelve years, six years younger than that of Zara and yet he did not cry. Her body racked with the loudest cry of pain at the slicing of her heart. Her arms circled tighter at her brother as she cried harder at both their lost. The boy wiped a gush of tear away from her face as she snivelled unsophisticatedly. A flash of worry crossed his face but he remained unmoved, determined to show Zara that he wouldn't cry for her sake. If he did, she would only cry louder. The siblings remained there near the fire lost in the grief. It was only when a Zara looked up from her brother to rub her nose on the sleeve of her wrist she found the damn cold hearted Gavin staring back at her blankly with dark eyes, unmoved by their grief, lost in his own world of self-absorption.