She felt safe with him. There was something about him that frightened her. As if Deleav could sense the awkward silence between them he cleared his throat and spoke."I will take this to the kitchen and tend to the dragon's. Your Highness." He bowed once more to her and left the room.It was just them now."Your...friend?" She asked shyly."Aye." He nodded and walked over to where she stood. He stood only a few feet in front of her."Everyone believes me to be some mad murderess, don't they?"  She asked, already knowing the answer.He could hear the defeat in her voice."No." He said simply.

Khepri had helped her and her plan was set in motion.Her room looked the exact same, with the exception of the black pieces of linen draped over all the furniture inside of her bedchamber signifying her death. Her royal portrait hung above the large fireplace inside of her room and was covered with a black silk cloth. She quickly removed her cloak and removed the black sheer material from her portait to see they had painted a red gilded mask over her portrait's face to signify her betrayal. She wanted to scream at the atrocity. She took a deep breath and heard her mother's voice, "Find my diary."

"Can you read?" He asked her as he picked up a gold goblet and drank a liberal amount of wine from it.She feigned ignorance and shook her head 'no'.He leaned forward and retrieved the journal from the table. She couldn't help but to watch him put it down on theenormus bed. She tried to make sure he didn't notice the way her eyes were watching his every movement. She was so anxious and ready to end it all. She wanted revenge for her mother and herself. She watched as he sauntered back in her direction with what she assumed was a seductive look. It disgusted her. Her stepfather had no respect for her mother, and it made her even more angry and prepared to kill him. She just had to wait for the right moment. He sat down on the small settee with her. She didn't dare move

Deleav had had an exceptional day at the palace. After his usual day of rewriting historical scribes and drawing maps, which also served as his cover, he had found the parchment containing the information about the true leader of the Collective, Marlon's father. He had spent years searching for this document in disguise as a palace historian. He was on his way out when he noticed the Mercenary turned General of the Zuff army, Torunn. His cronies were with him along with yet another courtesan. He usually didn't let it bother him. It seemed to be more the norm now that the Queen was gone. He caught himself exchanging a glance at the courtesan who they had placed in gold neck and wrist shackles. Her face mask was removed and her slender frame seemed poised even in the face of defeat.She didn’t have the demeanor of a Courtesan. He looked at her face and rea

"If I don't come back in time rally the men, and start the plan without me.""Marlon, you don't have to do this. We have waited twenty years for this! This is your father!" He yelled at him, as he watched Marlon lace up his leather gloves and sheath his swords and knives on his hips and thighs."Are you scared I won’t make it back?""Of course not.""Then wish me Godspeed."He had the craziest look in his eyes like he knew something. He watched as his friend leapt out the window chanting the dragon summon spell and watched as the black dragon swooped up in the air with his friend and leader on it."Godspeed," He said as he watched his friend flying off in the horizon...