“Speak one more word, and I’ll kill you right here and right now. And then you’ll never be able to save your princess. She’’ll never know the truth. In fact, all she’ll know are the lies I feed her, mixed in with some truths. Like who you really are.” Tohomoth holds up her left hand. Sitting on her middle finger is a small clear ball held to the ring by dragon claws.
She waves her right hand over the crystal and watches as it changes colors. I can’t see the picture, but I can imagine she is searching for her daughter.
“What have you done?” Tohomoth opens her palms, balls of magic now forming and pointing at me in her palms.
“Exactly what I said I would do if you didn’t help me. Give me the answers, and we all get what we want.” I play along, pretending to know what she’’s talking about. I didn’t kidnap her daughter. Perhaps it’s a ruse—maybe she knows I was bluffing.
Tohomoth is seething. The tension is palpable. She raises both hands and lets strands of her electric blue magic lose, shooting at me. She moves so fast, I almost miss it, but duck, narrowly avoiding getting hit.
“Tohomoth!” I scream, avoiding another onslaught. Suddenly, I really wish I had magic of my own. I pull out my sword and use it to block one of the shots.
Another grazes my shoulder. The burn is like nothing I’ve felt before. I thought I knew pain. Cordae clearly was not thorough in training me to withstand anything because he never used magic on me before.
“You want answers? You will get answers as you lie here dying, you filthy little monster!” she screams, continuing to advance on me.
I clench my jaw, ignoring the pain searing through my shoulder and down my arm. Thankfully, it only got my left side. While I can swordfight with either hand, I always prefer the right.
“You continue to enter my home, threaten me and my family, yet you want help saving the ones you love. Answers? You want answers?” she screams, walking faster than I can back off.
My foot hits something hard. I fall over it, my head slamming into the marble floor. Pain shoots through my head, consuming my body. This kind of pain I can handle.
Tohomoth is over me before I can get up again. My heart stops as I wait for her to deliver her final blow. I never thought I would die at the hands of the witch, and most certainly not just when my life was beginning to turn around.
“Cordae is creating an army from dragon blood. The men he is giving that serum to will have powers unlike any other human. Their skin will be like that of scales on the winged beasts. Their eyes will glow in the night as they stalk down their prey. They will run faster than horses, fight harder than men, and their cries of war will be more painful than the screams of women and children dying around them. He is creating an army only dragons themselves could defend against.” She raises both hands, filled with dark green balls of magic, pointed at my heart.
I swing my sword up, knocking her hands away from me. The magic shoots out, hitting a nearby wall or pillar. I only know it hit something from the explosion and dust settling over us now.
I jump to my feet and push Tohomoth away from me. She falls, but before she can get back up, I’m already running toward my exit.
I run with every ounce of strength I have left. The fighting, the falling, hitting my head—that was nothing compared to the pain of getting hit with her magic.
I easily find Kova, but what surprises me the most is seeing Tohomoth’s daughter sitting in the saddle. “What are you doing?” I yell, needing her out of my way.
“Take me with you! Please!” she cries.
“Come back! You got what you want! Leave my daughter, or I swear you will regret this until the day you die!” Tohomoth screams behind me.
With no time to argue with the woman or girl, I step up on a boulder, propelling myself up high enough to jump on Kova’s back, right behind Aletha. I take the reins, encompassing the girl in my arms as I turn Kova around and squeeze her sides. She takes my command and runs.
Dirt and bushes and grass fly up around us as Tohomoth shoots magic at our fleeting selves.
We ride, only stopping for a few hours’ rest and food and water as needed, never looking back. I head straight for the market square, right to the inn. Neo may not be on my side, but right now, I don’t know where else to go. Plus, I’’ll need to leave the witch’s daughter there. I can’t take her to the castle with me.
I jump out of the saddle just outside the inn’s front doors and help the girl down. I tether Kova’s reins to a pole and pat her mane. I look to Aletha. “I’’ll be right back.”
“I do not wish to leave you to fend for yourself. You may come with me and we will see if my friend has an answer, perhaps a place for you to stay. If not, I have no choice but to walk away without you. Do you understand?” I say to the girl.
“I do. I cannot thank you enough for saving me.”
“Why did you want to come with me?” I ask as we enter the inn. I head directly for the stairs.
“My mother is a monster no doubt. The servants who work for her are there by force, not out of loyalty. I do not wish to live my life as someone I’m not. When I heard the screaming and fighting, I knew the best option was to go with you, one way or another.””
“Well, I’m glad I could help, even if that’s not what was supposed to happen. Now be silent. Do not speak a word. And more importantly, you must promise me you will not tell anyone what you are about to hear.”
“Yes.” She looks into my eyes, earnestly, openly.
I nod. “Thank you.” I turn and knock three times on the door to Neo’s room.
It is late enough that he is no doubt asleep, but this cannot wait another moment.
“What in the world, Derrick?” he groans, opening the door wide enough for us to enter.
“I’m sorry to wake you, but this is urgent.” I enter the room and sit on the unmade bed.
“What is it?” Neo locks the door and turns to face me. “Who is this?” He looks at the girl.
“That isn’t important right now. She needs a place to stay. If you are on my side, you’ll keep her safe for me.”
“Very well. What did you find out?”
I tell him everything. Every bit of my encounter with the witch. “So, now what do we do?” I ask, leaning forward, hoping he has any answer at all.
“Cordae has sent for you. I believe he is ready to move forward with the plan. That means his army is already built. He wasted no time.”
“How do we stop him?”
“You heard the witch. Only dragons can defeat the men about to march on Tivor.”
“And how exactly are we going to convince dragons to protect us?”
“There is only one way you’re going to succeed in that quest. You’re going to have to tell King Chavez everything. He needs to know, especially if you plan on saving the woman you love.”
“Lily,” I whisper, realizing now what a huge mistake I’ve made. Many mistakes.
“Exactly. You’ve only begun training Tivor’s finest soldiers. It won’t be enough. There is a sword that calls upon the king of dragons. The wielder of that sword alone can ask for help. And Queen Madrid knows who it is.”
“I have to go.” I bolt for the door.
“Gavin!” Neo grabs my wrist. “Be careful.”
I nod. “I will.” I stagger outside, noting the shoot of pain in my shoulder.
Pounding on my door startles me from my slumber. I sit up panicked, slightly dazed, and not sure how to respond to such ruckus. I slip out of bed and pull on my robe over my nightgown.
I approach the door as the beating starts again, only it’s coming from behind me. I turn around and head for the hidden door leading to the servants’ quarters. Only two people know they can approach me from here—Gavin and Hera—and my fairy godmother would never cause such a noise.
“Gavin?” I ask as I open the door. A body crumples down on me. I fall to the ground, trying to catch him and failing. “Gavin?”” I ask again, pushing him off me and turning h
im over.
“Don’t you dare die on me, Gavin!” I hook my arms beneath his shoulders and drag him across the floor. Using a bit of magic, I lift him onto the bed, knowing that without my powers, there is no way I could get him there.
He gasps, though his eyes remain closed, his back arching up. A bit of his shoulder is exposed. I look closer, realizing it’s turning a nasty green.
I unbutton his shirt and carefully take his left arm out of the sleeve. I slide it out from beneath him and throw it on the floor. The shoulder was singed, and it was shredded.
“What have you gotten yourself into?” I gently lean over him, placing a kiss on his cheek before putting my hand over his injured shoulder and attempting to pull out whatever dark spell is causing him so much pain.
The mysterious magic inside him is nonresponsive to my pulls. I try again and again, watching as he jerks and gasps with each try. Tears begin to form in my eyes as I watch him struggle with the pain, and I am left unable to help him.
I wish to take him to the infirmary, but I do not believe they could help him any better than I could. That, and it probably would be best if this was kept quiet until I know where and how he sustained such hits.
Who would use their magic like this, anyway? With a sigh, I give up. I gently place a blanket over him to keep him warm and leave the way he came in. I sneak down past the sleeping servants and down to the kitchen.
Tolla is already at the stove. “Good morning, Your Highness.” She greets me with a smile. “I didn’t expect to see you up so early.”
“Morning, Tolla. I’m looking for Hera. Have you seen her?”
“I’m right here, Princess. You should know by now that as your fairy godmother, I can always sense your need for me. What is it?”
“Please come with me.” I rush back to my room, glad I did not need to say anything in front of Tolla.
“What is going on, Lily?”
“Gavin is in trouble. He needs your help. I tried to save him, but I’m not strong enough.” I open the hidden door and enter my room, closing it as soon as Hera’’s wings clear the doorway.
“What is wrong with him?”
“I’m hoping you can tell me.” I pull the blanket back so she can see Gavin’s shoulder.
“Someone with dark and powerful magic has done this. Any ideas who that may be?” Hera gives me a knowing look, and while I have no clue who would’ve hurt him, I understand that this is only more reason to be suspicious of him.
“Please just save him.”
“I will do my best.”
I lie down beside Gavin on the opposite side of his hurt arm and shoulder. Hera worked through the rest of the night, doing all that she could to save him. Now he sleeps peacefully, with the occasional gasp or twitch.
I try to sleep, but am unable to relax enough for that. So instead, I examine every hair on Gavin’s head. I watch him rest, hoping that when he’s better, he’ll be able to tell me how he got hurt.
And maybe more. Like, what’s going on when he is sneaking around. For now, I don’t care. I’m just glad he is safe.
His hand flexes and brushes over my fingers. I take his hand in mine and curl up against his side.
“Lily?” he whispers.
I sit up and find him looking at me. “Hey.” I brush a lock of his hair away from his eyes. “How are you feeling?”
“Where am I?” he asks, trying to sit up.
I press my hand against his chest and push him back down. “Stay still. You’re going to be sore. You came to my room last night and banged on the door. When I opened it, you just fell on me. Your shoulder and arm were badly injured.””
He looks down, examining what now seems to be perfectly smooth, healed skin. “Hera and I patched you up. But you need to rest.”
He grabs my hand, still pressed against his chest, and pulls me closer. He kisses my fingers, sitting up while he does it.
“Thank you for saving me. For staying with me. Protecting me. Thank you for everything you’ve ever done to help me. I love you, Lily. I always will. But I have to go.”
He pushes himself to the edge of the bed and puts his socks and boots back on. He begins looking around for his shirt, but I burned it in the fire last night.
“You’ll need to find another shirt. The one you wore last night was useless once I removed it. Sorry,” I whisper, kneeling on the bed, wishing he didn’’t have to go, but having no way of stopping him.
“It’s all right.” He leans back and kisses me, ever so gently, on the lips. It’s only for a moment, but somehow it feels like good-bye—not just for a while, but for good.
“Gavin,” I say as he walks toward the door.
“Yes?” He looks back, already partly in the hall.
“Just promise me that when you come back, you’ll tell me what’s going on.”
He closes his eyes, eyebrows drawn together as he takes a deep breath. “I promise,” he says, closing the door. I lie down, curled up in the spot where he just was, pull the covers over me, and force myself to fall asleep.
“The time has come, Derrick. Tonight, the royal family must die. I hope that despite your few missteps, you are still up to the task.” Cordae walks around me, circling me like a hunter would his prey.
My heartbeat is erratic, frantic. But I stay still—I remain emotionless. It should be an easy feat, considering I’ve been that way for years. “Of course, sir.”” I answer, clenching my jaw and holding back what I truly want to say.
“Good. Saar will be nearby in case you have any trouble, but I trust you will do your job well. Tonight, the king dies. Tomorrow, a new reign begins.” He smiles, truly excited at the idea of killing innocent people and ruling over any that survive.
“The people could not wish for a better ruler, Your Majesty.” It makes me sick, having to say the words aloud, but ensuring that Cordae believes I am on his side will buy me time I wouldn’t have otherwise.
“I could get used to the sound of that.” He laughs. “Now go. You have work to do.” I nod curtly and take my leave, grateful to be leaving this place I used to call home for the last time. No matter what happens tomorrow, or tonight, I will never come back.
Cordae convinced me I was a killer, a monster, only good for doing evil. But Lily has proven I am more. I can’t be evil when I’ve been given the chance to be good. To make a difference. To be happy.
Even if those chances are ruined after tonight, I will live the rest of my days—no matter how many I have left—trying to make up for my many sins.
I walk out into the forest and find Kova right where I left her. “I need you to run, girl.” I say, still clenching my jaw. So much anger courses through me.
I should have killed Cordae rather than agreeing to murder a family I have grown to love. I could end this without all the bloodshed—just one person rather than hundreds, possibly thousands. I shiver, thinking of what is to come if I don’t find a way to end the battle that nears.
Riding through the forest, the chilling wind rushing over me, the fear of tomorrow and all that is about to unfold, I allow my tears the freedom they seek. They fall down my cheeks, rushing down my neck and disappearing onto my cloak.
I release every tear ever left unshed. Arriving before the castle of Tivor, my eyes hurt, my skin is raw. I lead Kova to the stables and leave her there with Hernan. I sneak through the kitchen and through the servants’ tunnels leading directly to Lily’s room.
I tap three times on the door and wait for her to answer. The door opens. Light shining through illuminates the princess, making it appear as if she were wearing a halo. “Gavin!” She opens the door wide and throws her arms around my neck.
Just knowing what I’m about to do causes a pain in my chest to overcome me. I wrap my arms around Lily’s waist and pull her closer, knowing it may be the last time she ever embraces me again.
I thought I cried every tear I was able to on the ride here, but more begin streaming down my face.
“Gavin, what’
s wrong?” Lily steps back, takes my hand in hers, and leads me farther into her room, closing the door behind me.
“Lily, I love you.” It’s all I’m able to say as I try to find the words I need to break her heart.
“I love you too. So why are you crying?” She wipes a tear away.
“Because in a moment, you won’t feel that way. You are the first person I’ve ever been able to love since losing my family. You showed me a better path than the one I’’ve been on. And because of you, because of your love, I have changed for the better. But it also means that my past is about to catch up with me.” My hands begin to shake.
I inhale deeply before letting it all out. I roll my shoulders, trying to ease some of the building tension.
“What are you talking about?” She tilts her head slightly, looking at me with concern but also fear in her eyes.
“For the past ten years, I’ve gone by another name. The world knows me as Derrick, the dark assassin. I was sent here to kill you. Instead, I fell in love. And now I will do whatever it takes to save you.”
Tears stream down her face. I long to wipe them away, but I do not dare move closer to her. The hate burning in her eyes is equally painful to that of being stabbed repeatedly.
“Lily, you don’t have to forgive me. You don’t ever have to speak to me again. I understand. I lied to you, and it was the hardest thing I’’ve ever had to do—until I had to lose you because of it. You have every right to hate me. I’m not asking you to forget all the bad, all that I’ve done wrong. I won’t even ask for a second chance. I just need you to listen to me. I can’t protect you anymore, but I might be able to make it so you can protect yourself.” Fear grips at my heart.
I can’t lose her twice. She will never forgive me, but she still has a chance at a happy life, if only she will listen.
“What did you just say?” She looks at me, just as horrified as when she learned the truth.
“Cordae is coming. He wants the royal family dead, the kingdom on its knees, every soldier under his command. He is coming with an army that only one person controls. I won’t ask you to help me. But I will help you take it over if you allow me. This battle is unstoppable, but we only need one thing to win the war.”
Once Upon an Assassin Page 14