Glass Rose

Chapter 3C

"This is insane. This is absolutely insane." The Captain paced the floor, throwing his hands behind his head in exasperation. 

"You've already said that."

"Did you seriously expect to be able to walk right in?"

"Yep." Laera offered him a slow smile from her sprawled out position on the staircase, which he met with a scowl. They had quit whispering, as the Captain had instructed the guards to give them some space, but she could still see the restlessness etched into him. "Besides, who could say no to this face?"

Batting her lashes and puffing out her lips did not persuade the Captain.

With a sigh, she continued. "I walked right in here, didn't I? Besides, they based their kidnapping off older tactics. They won't hurt me until after Kris and I trade places. No one wants damaged goods."

"And if they do try to hurt you?" The Captain turned to face her. His stare didn't bore completely into her again, and she was silently grateful. It made speaking so much easier.

"Well, then at least I'm not useless with a sword." Her hand gently moved over to the hilt resting on her hip.

The sword was older. Rust gleamed on the tips, and some of the embellishments on the ends had been worn from use. The metal had several hair-like scratches imprinted onto it. But the blade itself was swift and light. The sword had seen Laera often, on bad days, on good ones. It knew her, and she was more than comfortable with it.

It had felt like ages that she was among the catacomb's rotting corpses, and each foul smell reminded her that she needed to leave sooner rather than later. Both figures went silent, until the Captain went back to pacing. Laera let her head drift backwards, thudding against the step as her arms stretched back.

"When are you planning on leaving?"

"I was hoping now." Her eyes drifted back over to him, observing his reaction.

Alec stood still. His features were more foreign to her in the dark. His hair seemed to lose it's warm tones, instead appearing as a dilluted ash-brown, while the caramel rings in his eyes glistened under the rays of moonlight shining through the hatch above. Even the Captain's voice was affected by the night's spell. The gruff, hoarse tones lined the soft-spoken words, absorbed into the air around them.

"Can you spare another fifteen minutes?"

Laera's eyes widened. She hadn't actually expected him to take her offer. Her back rose off the step, and she turned so she was seated facing him. Her lips reacted faster than her mind did.

"Sure."

The Captain stood still for a bit, his grim expression already showing signs of regret. Laera had never seen him rattled before. His shoulders seemed to be too stiff, as his arms and legs looked like they were wrapped in nerves. The corners of her lips threatened to tug upwards in amusement.

"It can't be comfortable staying down here. I can escort you back to your room, and meet you there before we leave, if you'd like?"

We, he said. Laera hadn't been alone throughout her life. There were always court members or nobility or maids to speak with. But there was always so many formalities. She only ever felt completely comfortable talking with Kris. Even then, he was always traveling.

The Captain's simple word accelerated her heart rate, lifted the air around her, and shot energy down her bones. There was never a point in which Laera had been alone, statistically. But before that word, she hadn't realized how often she felt lonely.

Realizing that she was wasting more time, Laera snapped back into reality. "We can't meet at my room. The guards will realize I left, and start suspecting something. Meet at the kitchens. No one will be there at this hour."

After Alec's approval, the two left. Both concealed themselves into their thoughts for the remainder of the walk. Laera let her mind drift off, delving into all sorts of ideas, from Kris to the Captain to the plan, while the Captain stared off into nothingness, his features still stiff with anticipation.

The guards at the catacombs did not acknowledge Laera, but sent signs of greetings to the Captain. From simple nods to sideways glances, he was like a shield. As long as she was near him, they wouldn't touch her. Maybe once she came back home, that information would be more useful.

The air smelt faintly like smoke, likely reminiscent of the evening's bread, and was carried by the air whisking through the windows. Everything was bathed in darkness, from the tiled floor to the clean counters. 

"See you in fifteen, then?" Laera's voice surprised herself. It carried a lighter tone to it, something which made her feel slightly uncomfortable, as the corners of her lips pressed upwards.

"See you in fifteen." The Captain smiled back, turning back towards the door frame she wasn't aware she passed through and leaving.

Her body was relaxed and she was uncomfortable. Her shoulders loosened, her back didn't feel so heavy, and she hadn't noticed how amazing it felt for her hair to be free from the crown. This didn't feel like her, not a single bit, but her heart still beat into her ribs with every pulse. 

Laera still felt herself smiling. 

She pushed it down.

Her mind immediately came back to her. There was something she could do in fifteen minutes. If it wasn't for the sudden energy in her bones, she probably wouldn't have done it at all. 

But before she could stop her feet or her soul or the little careless childish voice whispering in her ear, she was entering the Queen's room.

The guards tried to stop her. The nasty look spreading across her face shot them away. 

Laera felt breathless. 

Small crystals adorned the Queen's bed. She recognized the types easily. Purple for sleep, green for heath, so forth, but the way they lit up felt rotten. She had only seen a couple types of magic, mainly by the Fae in the court, and each time it was with the right mix of unearthly and suspicious. 

Magic was a gift to only a few species. It died out among most mortals before Laera could speak. Fotian healers were one of the few left who could perform efficiently, and they were known for being extremely dangerous when agitated. The lights emitting from the stones glistened and wavered until Laera was only a couple steps from the bedside.

"Hey Mom," The body laying in the middle didn't stir. Even in sleep, her mother seemed careful. Her hair was rolled into a cloth and the silky sheets tied her to the bed.

"It's... it's been a while since Dad... left, huh?" Laera's eyes fell to the ground, not daring to move back up. "Maybe that's why I've been wanting to leave so much. Sometimes it still feels like he's here. It stings."

Not waiting for a reply, she moved on. "He loved the ocean. They both did." 

"I know Kris is out there. I know it's a risk. But I can do something right this time."

"I can't lose you either though. Stay strong, please. I'll be back before you realize I left."

"I actually didn't want to come up here. What a sucker I am, huh?" Laera darkly chuckled under her breath. "One soft moment, and being a good heir falls apart."

"I know we've had our moments," Laera was well acquainted with the whips. The Queen's body shifted. Laera couldn't tell whether she wanted the Queen to wake up and see her or if she'd rather hurry out before she stirs. She went silent, praying she wouldn't open her eyelids.

After a couple more quiet moments and a look at the clock, Laera hastened her words. "I'm leaving tonight. I just wanted to say I love you. Nothing is going to happen, but, you know, just in case."

Her mother seemed to be in a dream. The lights flared up around her, and the stones flashed with emotion. Something was racing through the Queen's mind. Laera stalked towards the door, hoping to leave her in peace and push down the slight disappointment aching in her stomach.

"Laera." The Queen's voice croaked. She had never heard it sound so broken and so tired. It astounded her.

"I love you." The Queen whispered back, before the stones took hold and her mind returned to rest.

With a smile and closure, Laera strolled back to the kitchens.