“You killed him?” I croak. I can’t hide the surprise in my tone, and Douglas and Chloe exit into the hall to give us privacy.
“Yes.” Alexander replies, his expression stoic and unreadable.
It’s not my business, but I have to ask. “Why?”
He looks away, a distant memory seeming to form in his mind. “I wish I could explain, but we have to save my father.” he reminds me. I perk up at his words, feeling guilty for having so many questions.
“I’m sorry it’s not the right time. Where is he?” I question, bringing my hand to touch Alexander’s stiff body. He calms at my touch, looking down at me with a nervous set to his jaw.
“We don’t know. I’m going to have to torture Mason until he tells me.” He steps closer to me, his firm hands now gripping my chin. “I would never put you in harm, but Douglas thinks we could use you.”
“I’ll do anything.” I say and mean it.
He shakes his head, immediately dismissing the idea. “Doesn’t matter. I won’t allow it. There has to be another way.”
“Trust me. Please, let me help.” I plead.
He cracks a dimpled grin, swaying when I pout my lip. “I can’t risk anything happening to you. I only just got you back.”
“You won’t. What does he need me to do?”
“Oh, Alexander!” I sing song his name, but really, I’m trying to lure Mason out from whatever dark corner he’s hiding in. I had to plead with Alexander multiple times before he finally agreed to follow Douglas’s plan.
Still in my ridiculous gown, I hold it up while trudging through the damp grass near the castle. Chloe did a stakeout of the grounds and found him on the east side, surrounded by a couple men as they discussed something in a small huddle.
Standing near a separate gate, this one made of wood and surrounded by stacked stones, Mason steps out, seething. “Where were you?” he barks, advancing on me. I take in a deep breath to steel myself, knowing Alexander is hiding in the shadows waiting to protect me.
When he’s directly in front of me, Mason shoves his finger in my face. “How dare you embarrass me!” His attempt at a thunderous roar reminds me of small dog yapping, and I have to hold back a laugh. I should have never feared Mason.
“Embarrass you?” I snort, placing my hand over my heart. Two of the guards exit the clearing to give us privacy.
“Yes, you stupid, stupid girl.” His fingers squeeze tightly around my wrist. “Everyone was here to see us wed. Where were you?”
I use my free hand to flip my hair. “Oh, I was just hanging out with someone.” My tone is carefree, buoyant.
“That stupid fairy?” he guesses with a sneer, and I clench my fists.
“Don’t you dare speak of her that way!” I snap. His anger is focused so much on me that he doesn’t notice who’s behind him. “If you must know, I was spending time with Alexander.” I calm my tone, nodding gracefully.
He stiffens. “Excuse me?”
“You know, the real Alexander.” I smirk. Mason’s eyes widen in terror, mine in delight.
“You’ve hit your head, haven’t you?” he asks, barely masking his nervous demeanor with rage, his hand wrapping around my throat. “Maybe you need to go down for a nap?” His eyes are wild and dull, nothing compared to the ocean blue of Alexander’s.
One solid, strong hand comes down like a hammer against Mason’s shoulder. Alexander rips him away from me. “Take your grimy hands off of my fiancé, now!” he growls, his eyes narrowed while he expertly tosses Mason to the ground, as if he weighed nothing at all.
I watch their violent tousle with worry. What if Mason hurts him?
But now that I see the two men side by side it’s like night and day. Mason is shorter, his shoulders less broad than his twin’s. Alexander’s muscles are more defined, and he’s taller, much taller.
He’s stronger, too.
Douglas steps forward, unsheathing his sword. “The show is over, Mason. You’re coming with us.”
Alexander pins Mason to the ground, his eyes wild with rage. Then, his fist collides with Mason’s face. “How dare you put your hands on Arianna!” He yells, jaw taunt and veiny, as if only a sliver of sanity kept him from going over the edge and ending it all right now. “I’m going to fucking kill you!”
I walk closer to them, knowing this isn’t the way to save anyone. Alexander continues bashing his knuckles into his brother’s jaw, and I hear bones cracking with every slam.
“Stop! Alexander, your father.” I plead. He looks to me, darkness swirling in his irises, flakes of gold and deep black bursting like fireworks. I take a step back, frightened.
As he studies me, the storm calms inside of his eyes.
“Douglas, take him to the cellar. What guards did he have with him during my absence?” Alexander asks, his knuckles bloody and bruised. Every so often, he looks to me, and part of his anger seems to slip away.
“There were three in total.” I look to Douglas, shooting him a grin. “Douglas and Cedric for sure, but I don’t know the other one. He was smaller, that’s all I know.” I tell him.
“Baxter?” Alexander repeats to himself, unsure.
Douglas shakes his head. “I’m not sure. The other never spoke nor lifted their shield.”
I nod. “I will say, I don’t think Cedric meant me any harm, he was just following what he thought was your orders.” I peel my eyes from Alexander to send Douglas a look of appreciation. “But Douglas was the one who defied him.”
Alexander nods, gesturing to Mason. Douglas grips his shirt tail and drags him upward. Mason is slumped forward but still breathing.
I follow closely behind Alexander as we trail down into the darkest parts of the castle, our footsteps echoing against the empty walls. We wind down uneven stone steps until we reach a cellar of sorts. A heavy, musty odor encircles us. It’s almost unbearably cold down here, and we soon reach a room with a singular pendulum light that barely illuminates the area.
“Sit.” Alexander orders, but Mason is unable to do much except breathe and try not to fall over at this point. Douglas shoves him down onto the chair and ties his hands with thick twine.
Mason looks up, his face swollen from the beating he received. “Hello, brother.” He spits on the ground. His teeth are coated in red and blood dribbles down his cheek.
Alexander lets loose a grim laugh. “Don’t call me that. You’re cut from the family. Fucking nothing to me.”
Mason’s demonic laughter sweeps through the frigid, dark space. “What are you going to do Alex? Kill me?” He scoffs.
A deep growl emanates low in Alexander’s chest. He doesn’t let himself lose his cool here like he did outside, however. Instead, he’s swift and steady while he continues his interrogation. “How are you alive?”
Mason shakes his head with a cruel smile. “That’s my secret.”
Douglas steps forward, towering over Mason. “Do you want me to get it out of him, sir?” His eyes flash with anger and something much more wicked. It seems like he’s been wanting this for quite some time.
“No need.” Alexander shakes his head. “I’ll come back later when Arianna won’t be able to witness the terror I’ll put him through to get answers to spill from his deceiving tongue.” He looks back to me, pleading with his eyes. “Maybe you should go now, love. I don’t want you to see this.”
I don’t know what’s more frightening, a snarling, desperate man, or one who seethes quietly, calculated in his actions. Alexander is the quiet one, like a viper waiting to strike.
I shake my head, trying to hold back the chattering of my teeth from the cold. “I’m never leaving your side.” I declare, not letting the matter be discussed further.
Mason coos, mocking us. “How sweet, you and your whore.”
With a swift movement, Alexander’s knuckles collide with Mason’s cheekbone. The crunch of bone echoes from the stone walls. “Don’t ever speak of her that way.” he snarls, shaking out his hand.
Getting back to the matter at hand, Alexander bends down, making eye contact with his brother. “Where is my father?”
“Don’t you mean our father?” Mason’s maniacal laugh frightens me. Chloe grips my hand, making me jump.
“Where were you?” I whisper to her.
She leans in, her voice barely audible. “I can help.”
“How?” Alexander asks, and I’m not sure how he heard her. His attention seems sharp and aware down in this cellar.
“Let me read his mind... the pull of his memories might kill him though.” Chloe says.
Alexander doesn’t hesitate, stepping out of the way he gestures to his twin. “Proceed.”
She walks close to Mason, who from his expression looks pissed. With her eyes closed, Chloe touches Mason’s hair. His face pales as he stares sharply at Alexander, a seething glare of hatred floating between them as Chloe pulls the memories from Mason’s mind.
When his eyes roll into the back of his head, I fear he will die and we will never know the location of the King, but she releases her hand and his lungs fill with damp air as he coughs, catching his stolen breath. After a beat of silence, she speaks. “He’s at the cabin.”
“What cabin?” I ask, imaging there must be hundreds in the forest.
Alexander looks to me and shakes his head, advancing on Mason before I can stop him. “Who told you about the cabin?” he demands.
A sinister grin creeps onto Mason’s face. “Does it matter?”
Alexander’s wild eyes dart around the room. “Your thoughts are not safe, and neither is your truth. We hold power over both, Mason. You’ve lost, so quit biting your fucking lip and own up to your failure.” He spits, grabbing my hand in his and leading us swiftly away. For a moment, he looks back to his brother one last time. “Useless,”
As we exit the cellar, Alexander is quiet, hell-bent on going to whatever cabin they were speaking of. My thoughts, however, shift to my little sister and her safety.
With Chloe trailing close behind I turn my head, trying to read the faces of those around me. “How’s Mia?”
“She’s okay! They’re having a great day.” She grins, her positive demeanor helping to dismantle the heavy, grim fog that seems to grip us all.
Alexander’s large hand covers his face, and he pulls it down to look at me. “I can’t wait to meet her. I’m so sorry about all of this. Your welcoming to Haven was supposed to be the exact opposite.”
Gripping his hand, I flash a reassuring smile.
Chloe places her hand on top of ours. “Do you want me to take us there now? The cabin, I mean.”
Alexander nods, his expression haunted when he looks to me. “This isn’t how I wanted you to see it.” he says.
“See what?” I ask, confused.
“The cabin.” He glances up at the pink sky. “I built it for you years ago because I wanted us to have somewhere to go ... just the two of us.”
I touch his face, trying to melt away his stress. “This will all be over soon, okay? We can spend as much time there as you’d like. Let’s go get your dad, for now.”
When he agrees, Chloe’s grip strengthens on our hands. I close my eyes tight until she speaks again. “This is as far as I can take us.” she announces.
The sunset gleams upon the waves splashing at the sand beneath my feet, water playfully dancing near, but never quite reaching us. I’ve never been to this side of the castle, nor have I ever seen Haven’s ocean up close.
When I turn my head, I see a forest sprawling with life. Birds chirp above our heads, and small creatures scamper within the brush, piquing my curiosity. Light peers in through the trees, inviting us inside.
There aren’t any words spoken when Alexander covers my hands in his before leading me to a small trail up ahead. With that, we descend deep into the quiet woods. Chloe and I both have trouble keeping up with his long, swift strides, even as I hold his hand in mine.
“You’re probably wondering why she didn’t take us directly there, aren’t you?” he finally asks.
I nod. “A little, yeah.”
“The cabin and surrounding woods have been enchanted.” Alexander smirks. “I wanted this to be the one place that felt like home to you, somewhere we could go to escape. No magic allowed.”
He’s good. So, so good.
“I don’t deserve any of this.” I say softly, wondering what I ever did to make him love me so much.
“You do, and we’re almost there. Keep holding my hand and come with me to meet the King, your future father-in-law.”
We continue our journey. Fluffy moss lays beneath my feet as I allow the ugly dress to flow and get covered in dirt and leaves while I walk. “I’ve got to change soon.” I sigh.
“But that dress is so pretty.” I can sense the sarcasm in his voice.
I laugh. “Only the best for your brother,” I joke, but Alexander squeezes my hand, holding a protective glint in his eyes.
Chloe chimes in after I almost forgot she was behind us. “If Alex didn’t enchant this place, I could change you whenever.” She sticks her tongue out at him.
“How much farther?” I question, getting more nervous about the state of his father’s health the farther we descend into this desolate wooded area.
Alexander grits his teeth. “Only a few more minutes. Chloe, did he look harmed in the vision?”
She shakes her head. “I didn’t see him, I only saw Mason locking the cabin door. But I could hear the King yelling.”
Her words linger in the air as we walk in silence until we approach the clearing where the cabin sits. A rush of calm washes over me when I realize that we’re one step closer to this nightmare being over.
Alexander’s body stiffens as we stand in front of the quiet cabin. “I’ll check it out. Stay here.” he announces, but it’s more of an order. He’s understandably on edge.
“I’m coming.” I say and Chloe agrees. We creep towards the cabin with slow, nearly silent steps, aside from the occasional crunch of a leaf or twig, of course. Despite nerves messing with my stomach, I can’t help but admire how beautiful the scenery is.
Before us stands a deceptively serene cabin, one made of light wood and brick. Moss and ivy climb up its sides, and rose bushes entice us closer. Nearby, a deer munches on some grass at the edge of the forest surrounding the cabin, unaware that we’re even here. I’d imagine that inside is something just as homey as the outside, with leather furniture and plaid blankets.
If circumstances were different, I’d be ecstatic to find something like this in the woods. I might even want to live here, too. The only strange thing I can see is the smoke puffing from the chimney, despite the warm weather that holds Haven in its grasp today.
“I see him!” Chloe yells excitedly, peeking through the front window.
Alexander looks in, his hands cupping the glass. “That bastard,” He curses his brother. When I look, I can’t help the gasp that escapes my lips. The king is tied to a chair near the door, something covering his mouth.
His eyes widen when he sees us peeking in. “Dad, are you okay?” Alexander asks his father.
His father violently shakes his head, but we can only hear muffled sounds coming from him.
Alexander looks around the area frantically, but once I grab the door handle and see that it’s unlocked, I calm. “Look! We can go in.” I squeal.
I turn the knob and step inside before Alexander screams at me to stop. But it’s too late, as I’ve already made the mistake of thinking this would be a simple rescue mission.
My dress is instantly covered with splatters and drops of thick red blood. “Oh my God!” I cry out. Alexander rushes in beside me and checks my shaking body. “I’m so sorry,” is all I can say as I take in the violent scene around me.
“Dad!” Alexander bellows, the desperation in his cries breaking my heart. My knees collapse next to Alexander’s father as realization hits me of what happened.
When I opened the door, a mechanism was turned on, resulting in a pointed, sharp piece of glass impaling the king’s ribcage. Alexander’s strong resolve breaks, and tears stream down his face when he takes in the horrific sight.
“Alexander ...” I cry out as he fumbles with the heavy chains, trying with every bulging muscle to rip them apart.
I apologize again, nearly frozen where I stand.
“It wasn’t your fault; it was a trap, and we have to get him out of here, now!” he yells, breaking me out of my trance.
I find the king’s wound and carefully place my hand firmly over the areas without glass, knowing that if I pull out the massive shard, he will bleed out even faster than he is now. “His pulse is weak.” I croak, my brain going into overdrive. How could I be so stupid?
Chloe’s frantic voice pulls me from my self-loathing. “Umm, guys. We have another problem.” Her finger points to the fireplace where a cauldron above the fire is spitting out molten flames onto the rug.
“Ari, go!” Alexander pleads. His bloodied hands grip my face while he orders me to leave him in the swirling orange and red that is quickly engulfing the wooden cabin. “I said go!” he roars.
The ferocious, crackling sound of burning wood ignites around us. “I’m not leaving.” I let my words be known with an unusual deafening order in my tone. This is what I do: help people. The next logical step is to pick the chair up, but its large wooden feet are bolted to the ground.
“Chloe, take him ...” Before Alexander can finish, realization dawns on his perfect face. There’s no way for Chloe to help.
No magic here.
Not in our enchanted cottage that’s tucked away in the forest. Our safe haven has become a bloodied death trap.
And it’s all my fault.