Abandoned (Born From Shadows #2)

The Princess had ridden into the camp just in time to see her plans begin. She watched as body after body were laid at her feet. All with no expression and pointed ears. One by one she signed a royal pardon for the human who brought her the head. She was never good with violence or blood, but seeing the Elves pay…it felt good. It wasn’t human blood after all, it was those disgusting creatures.

The day loomed on and fewer and fewer human’s returned from Lyracris. General Shiace came riding towards Sophia, on top of his white stallion, stopping meters away from her.

“They have started decorating the border of Lyracris with human heads…we believe all the human’s are dead save for the few that managed to kill an Elf. Surprisingly there were only sixteen escapees that we rode down.”

“There is scarcely thirty Elven heads here,” Sophia stated sadly. “I thought we would get more. How many died?”

“There were roughly seven hundred prisoners at this camp.”

Sophia closed her eyes…she knew that many would die…but she thought at least they would take down at least a hundred Elves. She counted the exact amount of heads…twenty seven. Seven hundred for twenty seven. How is that fair?

“You may take a break General, until we capture more criminals. That is all, you may go.”

“Thank you, your highness.” The General bowed his head and trotted away. Sophia walked over to her horse and began the week journey back to Tarca.

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“Sophia,” her mother whispered upon her arrival. The Queen embraced her daughter in a tight hug, before searching her face for any signs of damage. “Where did you go? We were so worried. You were gone for two weeks…I just turned around and you were gone with no warning. After Nik…never do that again.” Tears of relief spilled from the Queen’s eyes.

Sophia almost fell for it. Almost imagined that her mother actually cared about her…not her title. She was the only heir to the throne, if something were to happen to her the current King and Queen would be kicked off of the throne.

“Don’t act like it was me you were worried about,” she replied and pushed herself away from her mother.

“Of course it is,” the Queen said with such certainty.

Sophia rolled her eyes. “I was out running your kingdom.”

“What?” the Queen asked before her father busted into the room, fear and anger sketched on his face.

“Sophia!,” he yelled out her names, briskly walking into the room with the Lord and Lady Darristel by his side. The guilt in the Lord’s face gave her all the information she needed.He knew. “Tell me it’s not true!” he commanded.

“Father…I can not,” she replied looking directly into his dark green eyes. She was happy in this moment she took after her mother’s hazel eyes. That way she doesn’t have to look at her father’s disappointment every time she stared into a mirror…only her mother’s.

“Could someone please tell me what is going on?” her mother begged, confused at the situation.

“Lord Darristel just told me that our daughter had sent seven hundred humans to their grave last week,” her father spat. The Queen did not reply, she just stared at Sophia morphing into a silent ghost.

“It is war. People will die,” Sophia justified.

“But it wasn’t!” the King bellowed. “It wasn’t war. We had a negotiation going on. Do you think that will work now that you attacked them in their homes!?”

“Of course not. They were never going to agree anyway,” she said with a gesture of her hands.

“Elves are forgiving. They live so long, that they have to be. We could’ve have talked it out instead of letting hundreds die.”

“They were criminals.”

“Criminals that we needed to mine the coal for the power stations. Now we are low on supply and must restrict the citizens, place in new rules to try and enforce. Sophia, think. Before you do something think of the consequences.” Her father ran a hand through his hand.

“I did think. I thought of the reward. I thought of no longer being ruled by those who think they are better than us.”

The king looks away from his daughters eyes and takes a deep breath. “Take her down to the dungeons,” he spoke.

Sophia eyes widened in shock, not expecting her own parents to try and place her in chains. “What?”

“I charge you of treason, second hand murder and breaking the peace treaty,” he said ignoring her. Yet none of the guards surrounding took a step forward.

“What are you waiting for?” he asked, staring at all of the guards. “Take her.”

Sophia shook her head, tears brimming around the ring of her eyes. Her father wished to imprison her…her own father. She couldn’t comprehend it all, the betrayal. “Can’t you see?” she asked. “They don’t serve you anymore.”

“Of course they serve me. I am their king, do as I command.” Still the guards remained motionless.

Sophia stared at her father, their eyes locked and both stayed quiet. She wanted to tell him so much, she was sorry? Sorry he was a coward. Sorry he didn’t understand how much his people craved for revenge. Sorry she couldn’t be the obedient daughter. The Princess that lived to please her parents, loved and cared for them into old age.

“Guards…please escort the King and Queen to the dungeon. Ensure they are treated with care,” she ordered. Just as predicted, the guards sprung into action and grabbed onto her parents.

Sophia turned around, not wanting to see the hurt in their faces as they got dragged away from the room. For Nik. It was all for Nik…they’ll understand.