Emperor Of The Abyss

Chapter 3

 Morgana continued, her voice smooth as silk.

 "Are you in, or are you out?"

The silence that followed was excruciating. Morgana could hear the girl's rapid breathing, could almost hear the frantic racing of her thoughts. She was weighing her options, poor things. Trying to decide which fate was worse,doing what Morgana asked, or refusing and facing the consequences.

"My lady." 

Elara finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. She was shaking now, Morgana could see it in the trembling of her clasped hands. "Promise me. Promise me you won't go back on your word."

Ah. There it was. The desperate hope that Morgana might actually honor their agreement.

Morgana set down the letter opener and turned to face the girl fully. She arranged her features into an expression of solemn sincerity, the kind of look that had convinced countless people over the years that she was trustworthy, honorable, a woman of her word.

"I promise." 

Morgana said, meeting the maid's frightened eyes. 

"I won't go back on my word. Your father's debts will be forgiven. You'll be free."

The lie came easily, smooth and convincing. She'd had years of practice.

Elara's shoulders sagged with relief so profound it was almost pitiful. She exhaled slowly, shakily, as if she'd been holding her breath for days. 

"Alright." 

She whispered. 

"I'll... I'll do it. I'm ready."

Morgana's lips curved into a smile. Not the warm, reassuring smile she'd worn a moment before, but something darker, colder. Something that would have sent the girl running if she'd been brave enough to look up and see it.

"Good." 

Morgana purred. She moved closer now, circling the maid like a predator assessing its prey. 

"You know what to do, yes? You understand the timing, the method, everything we discussed?"

The maid nodded, still not raising her eyes. 

"Yes, my lady. I... I understand."

"And you won't hesitate?" Morgana pressed.

 "When the moment comes, you won't lose your nerve?"

"No, my lady. I won't hesitate." 

But even as she said it, Elara's voice wavered with doubt.

Morgana studied her for a long moment, weighing the risk. The girl was weak, frightened, completely out of her depth. But that was precisely what made her perfect. No one would suspect a terrified serving girl of being part of a larger plan. They'd see exactly what Morgana wanted them to see: a tragedy, an accident, perhaps even self-defense on the prince's part.

Not that it would matter. Either way, Kane would be covered in blood. Either way, he would be condemned.

"Very well."

 Morgana said finally.

 "Go now. Prepare yourself. And remember,tonight, after the feast, when the palace is settling down for sleep. That's when you'll go to his chambers."

The maid curtsied jerkily, nearly losing her balance. 

"Yes, my lady. I won't fail you."

"See that you don't." 

Morgana said, her voice hardening with an edge of threat. 

"There are worse things than debt, Elara. Much worse. Do you understand?"

The girl's face went even paler, if that was possible. 

"Yes, my lady. I understand."

"Good. Now go."

Elara practically fled from the room, her footsteps quick and panicked on the stone floor outside. The door closed behind her with a hollow thud.

Morgana stood motionless for a moment, listening to the receding footsteps. Then, slowly, deliberately, she turned back to the window.

Below, in the courtyard, Kane and Valerie had finally separated. The princess was being escorted back toward the guest wing by her ladies-in-waiting, while Kane stood watching her go, one hand raised in farewell. Even from this distance, even through the glass, Morgana could see the dopey smile on his face.

He looked so much like his father in that moment. Same strong jawline, same dark hair that never quite stayed properly combed, same tendency to wear his heart on his sleeve. Aric had been like that too,earnest, honorable, stupidly in love with a creature who should have been put down like the monster she was.

But Aric had been weak. He'd let his heart rule his head, had brought shame upon the crown by marrying that half-demon whore. And when Morgana had finally done what needed to be done, when she'd removed the threat to Valthorne's purity, he'd mourned. He'd actually mourned the death of that thing.

So Morgana had mourned him too. With a knife in the dark.

And now, twenty-two years later, history was about to repeat itself.

Kane turned away from the departing princess and headed toward the palace's main entrance, probably to check on the final preparations or to go over tomorrow's ceremony with the high priest.

 He walked with confidence now, with purpose. The nervous boy who'd spent his childhood flinching from whispers and sideways glances had grown into a man who believed he deserved the crown.

How tragically mistaken he was.

Morgana's reflection ghosted across the glass, superimposed over the image of Kane below. In a few hours, that young man would be dead,or as good as dead. Exiled, disgraced, thrown into Dead Hill Valley where no one, demon-blooded or otherwise, had ever returned.

And then, finally, the throne would pass to its rightful heir.

Not Kane, with his tainted blood and his dangerous heritage.

Not some half-breed abomination that reminded everyone of Valthorne's greatest shame.

But to Morgana herself. Pure-blooded. Ruthless. Strong enough to do what needed to be done.

She pressed one hand against the cold glass, her palm leaving a faint mark. Outside, Kane disappeared into the palace, swallowed by shadows and stone.

"It's just a matter of hours." 

Morgana whispered again, her words fogging the window.

And then the cursed bloodline would finally end.

The sun continued its slow descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold. In the courtyard below, workers hammered the final nails into the coronation dais, unaware that the throne they prepared would never hold the pri

nce they served.

Morgana watched until the last sliver of sun disappeared behind the western wall.

Then she smiled, cold and certain, and turned away from the window.