CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 15

 

The guards roughly carried their prisoners along the vast corridors of the palace and reported their findings to the porter. The small, frail man analyzed Heara and James, almost as if he was innerly disappointed in them. He silently walked inside an antechamber.

The two prisoners were led through a series of dark hallways and doors of the palace. Then they reached a big red heart-shaped door, which one of the guards pushed open.

The sight that came almost blinded them: although the room was dimly lit, everything was shining scarlett and magenta. In the middle was an opulent throne full of hearts, and sitting on it was none other than Caro, in a red and white dress, with her hair in a high bun. She grinned at them in a cruel way.

“Well, well, well. The last of the rebellion finally crushed.” she boomed. “It’s so nice to see you, cousin dear, how have you been?”

Heara decided not to answer. Instead she just glared at Caro.

The Queen of Hearts rose from her throne and approached her prisoners.

“Heara.” She said in a sickly sweet voice. “Since we are at the roots related, I cannot bring myself to give you a proper punishment. Maybe lifetime in prison will suffice?”

She smiled.

“But him.” Caro said, pointing her scepter at James. “He deserves the real deal. Let us prepare an execution.”

“You can’t!” Heara shrieked at her.

“Yes, I can, darling. I am the Queen of this land. And there is no one there to stop me.” she said, waving her hearty scepter in Heara’s face.

“You wouldn’t dare.” Heara whispered.

Caro got uncomfortably close to her face.

“Wouldn’t I?” Caro asked softly. “Guards, take them away.”

The men roughly grabbed the prisoners and dragged them out of the room.

“You will pay for this!” Heara shouted after Caro. “For everything you’ve done! Someone will make you pay!”

But at that point, she wasn’t sure if that would ever happen.

 

***

James was reunited with his brothers in the cell in a very tearful moment. Heara couldn’t take it. She rested her head on her knees. She just couldn’t believe this was happening. All hope was lost. It wasn’t fair! What had she done wrong?

But she knew exactly what she had done wrong. Tears started streaming down her face. It was all her fault.

Twilight was shining through the bars of the window. Guilt, shame and helplessness kept Heara awake. She had to do something, but she couldn’t. After many hours of struggling, she finally fell into an uneasy sleep.