"Run!" He let go of her waist. "I’ll protect you until my last breath," he added and pushed her hastily through the dancing floor she almost lost her balance.

Isadora was not silly enough to lack the tiniest idea of what was going on. Felista and the council had hired knives to see her and Alexander put to the grave. What was the easiest way to control Roselyn if not by killing those who supported her?

Her dress got caught by the end of a table nearly knocking the wine off a mercenaries hand. Her courtesy drove her to an apology but the moment she spotted a dagger in the man’s hands, her fear escalated. Hastily, she took a few steps back now looking for the nearest exit she could get her eyes on.

Damn it! She could see veiled men in almost all the exits in the room. They were surrounded! Her gaze shifted to a merrying Alexander who acted as if he cared for nothing in the world. Hell, he had to care! But the wine, Isadora suspected, had been added something into it. Alexander didn’t get easily drunk.

Her eyes hastily skimmed through the room for her knights but daggers on their throats before they were ripped open was the last thing she saw of them. And now the chaos was on.

The once merry hall turned into a massacre of a scene. The red table clothings on which the Valorians and Crescians were dining on dripped in blood as a surprise slaughter emerged from behind them. Isadora had never seen anything like it before! For once in her life, she could feel death, and fear it.

The ruckus kicked back Alexander’s instincts and he was quick to notice a knife in Augustus’ hand. Their eyes locked but the old man was too slow for him. He evaded the stab in a wink before smashing his glass of wine into the old man’s eyes. Augustus screams filled the high table but Alexander didn’t give him the luxury to scream for long. He took the dagger out of his hand and slit the throat of the old man. Blood sprayed the white clothing and filled an empty plate where Augustus collapsed.

Alexander was already on his feet now fighting the hired mercenaries. Strangely, there was no Arcadian knight in the hall. It would only take a fool to understand this was all Felista’s doing.

"Take the queen and the princess to safety," another member instructed with a shaken Roselyn shocked by what was happening.

"We need to leave right now!" Felista said holding her by her hands. Roselyn was too shocked to even resist. Felista dragged her through the back door and led her outside. But to Roselyn’s surprise, Arcadian knights were stationed outside the locked doors.

"What’s the meaning of this mother? Why are our knights guarding these locked doors?" She asked, the impatience in her voice demanding for an instant reply.

"Let’s go to your room and I’ll explain everything," Felista said trying to calm her down.

Then it dawned on Roselyn. "You hired knives to kill the Valorians and Crescians in a feast! What could be more cruel than killing a guest in your own confines?" Her voice was already loathing in hatred.

"It was for your good," she moved to take Roselyn’s hand but her stare was enough to send her to a halt. "I only wanted to protect your kingdom, our kingdom."

"I command you to stop this madness now mother!" She yelled.

"I’m afraid I can’t!" Felista said, shaking her head.

Roselyn bit her lower lip in frustration but her eyes shone in determination. Turning to the guards by the door, she ordered, "Your Queen commands you to open these doors!"

The knights looked at Felista as if waiting for a cue but they dared not move a muscle.

"It’s too late child. They had to die for the good of our kingdom." Felista said. She moved forward and knocked Roselyn down as she was banging on the door.

"Take her to her chambers," she instructed. The knights lifted her unconscious body and walked away. Felista’s smile spread on her thin lips as screams of horror filled her ears. The scent of wine was quickly replaced by that of blood, and the sun hid behind the clouds afraid to witness the horrific saga.

Meanwhile, Alexander had already found Isadora and he was trying to protect her with all he had. He had killed countless hired knives yet they were streaming in from another door. He had lost count of how many times he had cursed.

They were pressed in the center, Lord Newton, Sir Brandon, Alexander, Isadora and a handful of Valorian and Crescian knights who had been lucky to evade the knife. Compared to the blood thirsty veiled men closing in on them, they were greatly outnumbered. His once regal attire now looked bloody with a cut here and there, and for once he regretted leaving his sword. This was a game of knives and here, speed would be the cause of one’s death.

He was not afraid to die but he was afraid to live her alone, worse see her suffer with his own eyes. All the dreams he had hoped for were now a burning fabric in his mind. He looked to his left and saw Sir Brandon. He had left his kingdom and honor to his service. Not even a day had passed before he declared him a Valorian knight yet here he was, close to the jaws of death.

To his right stood Lord Newton, ready to die for his queen as he always had been. But for what? He had just been named the king’s consort, another hope about to be crashed to dust. His knights, dressed in the pale Valorian armor, a badge of honor they had worn till they’d draw their last breaths, which was probably today.

And behind him stood Isadora. His reason for existence! The woman he had loved in his life. Her face beautiful, young and innocent like a protected child yet she was the complete opposite. But he could feel the fear crawl within her as she held his skirts tightly. Was he really worth dying for?

"Take me prisoner but leave the rest alone. Tell Felista that I yield for surrender!"