Fear

There was silence as they all bounded down the dark tunnel.

Selene said nothing as her mind was jumbled with thoughts of axel's last words.

She looked over at Xavier's stony face as she tried to calm her heart and properly grasp the situation.

Dante was sick, lying unconscious in bed...poisoned.

Her throat felt raw and itchy, there was no way the scratch she gave him in the woods could've poisoned him.

Then that could ony mean he was poisoned after he put her to sleep.

There were so many people who stood to gain from his death...and they were thesame people tending to him now.

He's blind and unconscious in enemy territory, while his queen flees for her life.

Her stomach churned, disgusted by her own cowardice.

His chances of survival are slim to none.

He had commmited many atrocities against her but leaving him to die...

"Let's stop for a minute." She muttered lowly.

The twins kept on ahead pulling her along, paying no heed to her words.

Carlisle looked uneasy as his darted between them.

"Axel?"

No response.

Selene wrenched her hands out of his with frustration. "I said stop!"

Xavier whipped around and faced her.

"My Queen we do not have time for this. We can fill you in more once you're out and safe."

She shook her head. "That's just it...I can't leave."

Xavier looked shocked. "You'll die if you stay."

"I can't leave Dante. He needs help."

"I hate to tell you this, my queen but you're in no position to save him." Axel argued.

"I can't leave him to die."

"You can't help him if you're dead?!" Xavier exclaimed, impatience potent in his voice.

"Then what's the plan. Huh?" She faced them head on.

"Take me to a safe house and then what?! Wait for news of Dante's death? And if that doesn't kill me then I'll be a fugitive and hunted down?"

"We'll protect you." Axel stated determined.

She looked at them incredulously.

Xavier's head downcast.

"Was that the actual plan? You've got to be kidding me?!"

"Our priority right now is you, your grace. The king has measures in place. We'll return once he's healed and back on the throne."

Selene waved her hand in the air while another one pressed on her temple as she sighed exasperatedly.

"Oh don't feed me that, I'm not a fool. I know the chances of things playing out that way are low...very low."

She was beginning to sweat. She used her arm to wipe her forehead, willing her brain to come up with a fast solution that would keep everyone including the King alive.

"We should remain here for a bit and think of a plan."

"That's not an option your highness."

"Well so is leaving!" She snapped. The bond on her neck throbbing painfully, making her irritated.

"I am the Queen of the North... how can they easily choose to have me detained without concrete evidence."

"That's a valid point your grace, and if the merge between territories hadn't happened, you would've had more standing to control the situation, but unfortunately you're suspected of poisoning not just the Northern king but the Emperor of wolves. They have all the authority they need." Xavier explained, crouched on the ground, his head in his hands.

"Your grace, your absence will soon be noticed. It's only a matter of time before the borders are closed down and you're hunted." Axel tried to reason.

"The council is already meeting now to discuss the unlikely presence of the southern king." He continued.

"And the immediate power of attorney of the Eastern king." Xavier added.

"We have no more time, please your majesty." Carlisle pleaded exasperated.

Selene felt horrible, like her body was recovering from the after effects of a fever.

She tried to weigh all options in her mind but it only served to agitate her more.

"Axel?" She started.

"Yes, your grace."

"Can you organize a small group of imperial guards, captains and anyone high up in the kingdoms defense system that are trustworthy and loyal only to the king?"

"I... would need a bit of time." He declared.

"Then that's what you'll get. Carlisle do you live within the castle grounds?"

"Yes I do, your highness but I have a sister that lives in town?"

She nodded. The makings of a plan coming together in her mind.

"Okay then that's where we'll go, it's inconspicuous enough to buy us a few hours. Xavier you'll come with us while Axel focuses on his task. I would like to be back on castle grounds as soon as possible...so let's move we've wasted enough time." She rushed out in one swift breath.

It took another twenty minutes for them to reach the tunnel exit.

She had walked all of two minutes before getting on Xavier's back the rest of the way.

As she descended her temperature had stabilized but the bond in her neck still itched and throbbed.

This feeling has to be in some way connected to Dante, she decided.

As soon as Axel placed his hands on the tunnel door she felt it.

Aggression and maniacal intrigue.

But it was too late to pull him back.

He had already pushed the door open.

There were maybe 20 no... even more.

The Eastern guards had blocked the exit and cornered them.

They were essentially trapped.

They had known about the tunnel and planned an ambush.

The twins instinctively got infront of her, but it was of no use.

They would be giving up their lives for nothing, she thought.

A figure stood out from the crowd of guards and approached.

Long flowy blond hair tied up in a ponytail. Pale blue eyes and slightly pedophilic smile.

"Now, now, now...I thought my dear sister Dianne was being paranoid but to think you would actually try to escape?"

He stopped directly infront of Axel. Staring him down.

"How bold." He grinned widely, amused at the picture infront of him.

Selene realized from the name Dianne and his comment...

"Prince Logan Roosevelt." She breathed out, her body paralyzed with fear as she gazed into his eyes.

He could kill her and feel nothing,

The thought enough to make her shiver.

...He was dead inside.