Til Death Do Us Part - Red Queen Fan Fiction

Epilogue - Part 11

Coriane POV

I don't remember much of what happens after Nicholas is taken away. The ringing in my ears, the pressure on my heart is too much...i end up collapsing. I come too quickly enough, but all i can see when i wake up is the concerned faces of my family hovering around me, but no Nicholas. The tears swell in my eyes again, as i curl into a ball bringing my knees to my chest. I cry, shaking off anyone who tries to touch me.

I can't run, i can't fight. I know they won't let me. So instead i sit there, wondering why he didn't trust me enough to let me handle this.

"Cori" my mother says, kneeling down next to me. I shake her off. Maxton tries too, and the rest of my siblings. I do the same, pushing my shoulders in the universal sign of 'don't touch me'. They don't try again. My father is last, coming to kneel in front of me. I don't push him away when he grabs my chin and tilts my head up. I just stare, or glare at him, unable to believe he would do this to me. I never beg him, i never have. And the one time i do, he does this to me. He is the first to break eye contact, because he knows there is nothing he can say or do...that i will never forgive him for this.

He drops his hand, a slight tremble in his fingers, as he stands up and walks away... to give the final order to kill Nicholas.

...

Cal POV

I have seen and done too many things to be affected easily by people. If anything, I have become immune to emotions, because as a King, i can't afford the luxury of letting my feelings get in the way. I have a Kingdom to protect, people to protect...and a family who needs me above all else. Like i said, i don't have the luxury of letting my feelings get in the way. As i walk to where Prince Nicholas was taken, and where the executioner would be preparing, i feel a sudden guilt i have never felt.

I shouldn't...I shouldn't because this boy abducted my daughter, hurt her. He took her from me, and yet I can't get the image out of my head of Coriane begging me. Of her crying out for him. Oh his sacrifice for her... I shake the thoughts away, focusing on what i need to do. War is coming, and i can't afford to question my own orders, even if they hurt the ones i love.

"Dad!" Maxton calls out to me, as he runs to catch up to my fast pace. I don't stop, but instead we keep an even pace as we leave the castle to head to the holding cell. "That was...surprising" he comments. I nod, not allowing myself to comment on my real thoughts on the whole situation. Suddenly he grabs my arm, pulling me to a stop. I look at his eyes, and I see a flash of something i rarely see in my son, worry. "Are you sure we should be doing this to her?" he says. Coriane...should we be doing this to Coriane. She will never forgive us, and when i think back to what i went through with Mare, when Mare and I nearly died in that arena, i feel a tinge of guilt taking away the man she loves. Again i push it down.

"We have to protect our Kingdom Maxton...and as much as i don't trust the boy...he had a point. Coriane will not rule the way she wants to rule if she is with him" I turn on my heel and continue walking down the castle steps, taking two steps down at a time.

"She will forgive us in time. She will see it was for the best" I lie. I would have never forgiven my own father or brother if they took away Mare. I push the thought down again. Maxton doesn't say anything else. In fact he doesn't follow me, rather stands as i walk away. I can see he is fighting his own internal battle, and I am proud that he has a heart for his sister. At least she won't hate him.

When i get to the holding cell, the guards and soldiers move aside. The executioner confirms my orders and i head to the cell where he is sitting, his arms tied up while the silent stone is still on his wrists. His hands are placed in his lap, and he looks...solemn. For the fate that awaits him, i expected different.