Abandoned (Born From Shadows #2)

Riley looked at the mass of Elves with a nervous energy that could only be described as his stomach knotting within him. Most of the Elves were gathered for the ceremony, a historic event was commencing. He couldn’t believe he had done it, injured leg and all.

“Remember your lines?” Kayter asked from beside him. Riley nodded his head; he had practiced those words for months. Every day after training repeating them in his head like a prayer.

He walked to his designated place under a large oak tree, bigger than any other tree he had witnessed in his life. The Elves parted for him as he walked, some muttering incoherent sentences to each other. He went up the few steps onto the small wooden platform where he could gaze down at the sea of bodies.

Then another figure descended through the crowd. Instead of making comments the people parted and bowed their heads in respect. The Queen. She was surrounded by an escort of Guards, a boy moved behind her with similar red hair. On sight of the Queen, it fueled Riley’s hatred. She was the one that took Tatianna as a prisoner. She was the reason he was doing this. Riley did not let his hatred show as he bent down to his knees in respect when the Queen stood beside him.

The Queen’s eyes were distant as she stared down at him. “Riley Lopez,” she announced to the crowd. “You have proven yourself in these past few months as a trained soldier. Do you wish to swear to me your vows and become a member of the royal guard?”

“I, Riley Lopez will give my life for yours, and protect you against all harm. I will dedicate my life to you and be your faithful servant until I can no longer stand. I swear it before the world’s most truthful and purest being, nature itself,” he could taste the lies in his mouth and prayed that the gods would not punish him for such deceit.

“Then rise, Riley Lopez, as a member of the Royal Guard,” the Queen declared. His knees straightened and he stared into the Queen’s eyes. There was something in them that told him his lies did not go unheard. She knew he was lying, but she gave him the job anyway. That confused him even more, but the worry of that was overwhelming. He pushed that aside and smiled to the crowd like it was the greatest day of his life.

“There is another event that must be announced,” the Queen yelled across to the crowd. “My son, Prince Darvey Hark, will be wed on the first week of winter. I invite you all to celebrate your Prince and Princess’s special day.”

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The next few days were chaotic for Riley. He was constantly being ordered from place to place. His life completely changed, and his duties were less than pleasant. His commanding guard decided to make his life hell. Riley couldn’t tell if it was because the captain was a dick or had orders from the Queen to do so. He wouldn’t be surprised if it was a bit of both.

Not once since joining the guard had he actually been allowed into the palace. Instead, he has been told to patrol the streets, he wasn’t allowed to take a break he just had to keep walking. With his ankle it was pure torture. Standing still for long periods of time he could achieve the only threat he had was boredom. But moving around for hours? It’s like the captain wanted him to be in pain.

Riley collapsed onto his bed, sword and armour still clung against his skin. “Riley, I told you this was a bad idea,” Freya said noting his exhaustion.

“It’s the only way to get to her,” he replied.

“You haven’t even been in the palace. You might never go in,” Freya replied.

“I don’t care if it takes years, one day the Queen will allow me in. Think my intentions are pure,” he replied.

“I have an idea…” Freya whispered to him. “To get you in quicker.”

“Please don’t tell me it has to do with Kayter, I do not trust him,” Riley replied.

“He said he was sorry, he has a good heart,” Freya protested. Riley did not like the bond those two were forming, they had to be distant from the Elves not grow any connections to them. That was the only way they could get out of this, with no emotional ties or complications.

“No, Freya. I don’t care what he says. I don’t care if he is the nicest guy in the world. It is his ‘good heat’ that will make him never betray his Queen and always side with her. Because unfortunately, those with a good heart do what they think is best for others, not themselves. In his mind serving the Queen is what he thinks is best for everyone, no matter how close you two get,” he replied.

“But-.”

“No,” he interrupted her. He was tired of his sister making friends with the people that should be their enemies. Freya couldn’t pretend as well as him, so she had to make it real.

“I am almost eighteen, you do not get to tell me what to do. Not anymore,” Freya replied.

“You are the only family I have left…I do not want to see Kayter break your heart. You trust too easily. You are too friendly to people,” he said.

“Perhaps you should learn something from me then,” Freya retorted. Riley was so sick of this conversation. He was tired, ready to fall asleep. This was too much for his brain to handle so his reply was more trying to end it than what he wanted.

“Do what you want, I am going to sleep,” he said as a finishing statement. Freya thankfully did not reply and walked out of the room leaving him to his own thoughts and much needed rest.