King Lucien was too emotional for words to explain. Pulling back, he palmed Declan's cheeks, his eyes darting all over him searchingly. “There's nothing to be sorry about. Thank you, Deck. Thank you for being alive!”
They were hugging again. Declan's broad shoulders were shaking at the strength of his weeping, while the king's eyes slid shut and he only clung to his brother tighter.
“Thank you so much, Deck. I can never thank you enough. Thank you so much for being alive.” His voice was hoarse, his eyes glinted.
“I had help. That was how I stayed alive.” He pulled back then, wiped his tears, and sniffled.
“Tell me all about it. Tell me what happened, Deck.” King Lucien took his hand then and turned, intending to lead him to a comfortable chair, but his eyes found the two females in the bedroom.
That was when he remembered that Vetta and the maid were in his bedroom. That was when he remembered that he wasn’t alone.
“Declan!” Vetta cried then and flew across the bedroom towards him.
He caught her up in his arms and lifted her off her feet. “Vetta...”
“Oh, heavens!” She began crying. Huge sobs racked her throat, and she hugged him tightly. “You’re truly here! You’re really alive! You survived!” Her cries were loud. Filled with pain, happiness, guilt, and relief all at once.
Heavens, it did not matter anymore. If anything happened to her, it did not matter! Finally, her greatest guilt was in front of her again! Did Declan remember what happened? Did he remember everything that happened?
Would she be executed? Would she be vindicated? It did not matter which one it was. What matters is that he is alive. Declan is alive and well! What matters is that today her greatest guilt is falling away after six years of living inside her—of eating at her.
“Oh, heavens! Thank heavens!” She cried for so long, losing herself in that strong embrace.
Out of the corner of Declan’s eyes, he noticed another figure in the bedroom. Another figure leaving—sneaking—out of the bedroom.
This maid!
His hand shot out without releasing Vetta and grabbed hold of the maid. His euphoric voice dimmed a bit, replaced by a mountainous hatred that had festered in his heart for the past six years manifested in his face...his body...every part of him.
“You. It is you.” His voice vibrated with fierce hatred and rage.
The maid’s eyes widened in terror. “P-Prince Declan...”
“Do you know her?” King Lucien asked, his brows furrowed as he glanced back at the maid.
“Yes, I do. You asked me to tell you what happened, right? How I survived?” He glanced at his brother, still clutching Talia’s hand tights, barely aware of Vetta pulling away from him with tears in her eyes.
“Yes, I asked. Tell me about it, Deck. Does it have something to do with this woman?”
He nodded once. “She killed me. Drove a blade through my heart and enjoyed doing so. She loved every moment of it.”
Silence filled the air. For a few seconds, the air was tense around them.
Then, “What did you just say?” King Lucien's voice turned grave. Dangerous. Angry.
Declan glared at the woman who was struggling to pull free from his grip at the deadly look in the king's eyes.
“This maid here killed me. She is no ally to Salem! She works for King Cone and Coza. She is a traitor of the kingdom!”
“Who is out there?” The king raised his voice slightly.
The door opened and Dargak hurried in. “Your Majesty?”
In two steps, King Lucien caught up with the guard. In one move, he pulled Dargak's sword from its sling and turned towards the maid with the sword already resting on her neck.
Talia froze. Already she could see dead hovering around her. She stilled her struggles. Instead of the usual fear, a cold calmness took over her. “I didn't do it alone. The mistress did it with me.” Her eyes lifted and landed on Vetta. “She killed Prince Declan with me.”
King Lucien stilled. “What!?” His head swiveled and landed on Vetta. “What!?” he repeated.
Vetta did not move a muscle. There were tears in her eyes—tears of guilt and pain. But she did not say a word.
“The mistress has no words because she knows I speak the truth! We killed prince Declan together and we enjoyed it!” She laughed maliciously. “It's a pity that he is still alive!”
King Lucien returned fierce blue eyes at the woman.
She lifted her chin. “Yes, it's a pity that he survived! I hate it! But I'm not worried.” That evil laugh again. “My master will still kill you all! He will have the victory! He will—”
Her head separated from her shoulders. King Lucien cut off her head. It dangled on the floor in front of King Lucien's shoes.
“Dargak, clean up this mess,” he stated simply.
The guard needn't be told twice. He hurried about to clean out the girl's body and blood from the king's chambers.
Then King Lucien turned cold eyes towards Vetta.