Bethany's face twisted in disgust as she watched Katherine drink Demos blood. She never been more grateful then to just be a mere servant. From where she stood she can tell Katherine wanted nothing more to just throw up and she didn't blame her. Bethany herself had the feeling of nausea as well just by watching this horrific ritual. This only gave Bethany further evidence or encouragement as to why they need to escape this place. With that thought in mind she knew the exact person she needed to find.

Her Aunt.

As she looked around to make sure no one was paying much attention to her, she sat her tray down leaving the the area. She moved through the crowd as everyone continue to watch the crowning ceremony checking over her shoulder every now and then.

Bethany continue to move until her movement was ceased by something blocking her path. A low growl erupted in front of her causing her to lift her head. A man of curly black hair and dark skin complexion stood partially in front of a woman, who was just a few shades lighter in his complexion. Her eyes held the look of terror. Bethany's eyes drifted to the tight grip on the woman's wrist.

"Watch where your going." The man growled causing Bethany to look back at him.

Bethany gulped and replied, "S-Sorry sir." Bethany glanced back at the woman then the man before she made her way out of the area.

She made her way into the palace. The guards paid her no attention since she was just a maid. Bethany continue her decent down the stairs and hallways until she made it into the kitchen. Maids moved quickly and worked tirelessly preparing for the feast that will take place in a little while. Bethany looked around the chaotic in room in search for her aunt, but she was nowhere to be found.

She moved about the kitchen until she came to a woman she recognize. "Hey, Mabel, have you seen my aunt?" Bethany asked an older woman who had a few grey hairs showing through her brown hair.

The older woman let out a sigh as she places what looks to be a pie in the oven. She wipes her hands on her apron turning to Bethany with a stress look on her face. "She is down in the dungeon." She replies. "She's feeding him dinner." Bethany nodded.







Bethany walked down the steps of the dungeon with a tray in her hand of a small portion of food. The further she walked down the steps a horrible smell of urine and vomit hit her nose. She honestly didn't understand how the prisoner can stand it without passing out.

"Where do you think your going?" Bethany was stop when she felt a hand push her back on her shoulder, halting her in her tracks.

Bethany took a breath and replied, "Uhm...I was told by the other maids that my aunt needed help feeding the prisoners." Bethany tried to stay calm as the guards exchange looks. "Okay, fine." One guards said as he opened the gated door moving aside for her. Bethany calmly and quickly made her way through the dim and smelly hallway.



As she walked further she saw a silhouette of a person standing in front of a cell followed by voices. "Aunt Claire" Bethany called as she now stood in front of the cell. Bethany can see the look of sadness on her aunt's face and bags that have now formed under her eyes.

"Bethany." She looked over to the person who called her, Dallas. He looked just as tired as his mother. His clothes were torn and dirty since the time he as been down here. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to convince Aunt Claire to help us." Bethany said glancing at her Aunt, who now had her arms crossed over her chest.

Dallas let out a sigh. "I already tried and she refused."

Claire let out a sigh in annoyance. "There is no way I'm going to help in your suicide mission just to save some girl you barely know."

"Aunt Claire were not just helping her we are trying to make it to freedom." Bethany tried to persuade her. "You heard of the safe-"

"I know." Her Aunt interrupted. "I'm not risking my son's life or yours. I promised your parent's Bethany that I will look out for you and that includes not helping you in this ridicules request."

"Mom please." Dallas said. His mother looked towards him. "I can't live in bondage anymore. I want my life back before I became a slave to these beast. You should know the pain I went through since you are in the same position as me." He said with his face contorted in anger. "That beastly king's brother used to torture me and my fellow prison mates for fun before I came here. I had seen him rape innocent women and literally rip their heads off after he was done using them." Dallas said now standing up. "So don't you tell me mother that you will not help us to freedom because so help me mother I will cut out the d*** tracker myself!"

Bethany and Claire looked shock at Dallas as he never in his life raised his voice to his mother. Claire eyes then lowered to the ground and looked down with a sigh. "Fine. I will help." Bethany and Dallas both look at her with hopeful eyes. "So, what's the plan?"



............



The crown felt heavy on Katherine's head as she stood by Demos side as he talked with the guest at his party. The weight of the crown was not the only thing weighing her down. It was the worry she had about the escape plan that was suppose to take action soon. She thought through the plan thinking of the possible flaws that could get them caught. For instance, how was she going to be able to sneak off to get the tracker remove and not to mention getting Dallas out of that prison cell.

"Katherine." Katherine storm of thoughts were interrupted by Demos voice. She looked to see everyone in the group along with Demos were staring at her with concern. "Are you alright?" Demos asked placing a hand on her back.

Katherine tensed up a bit. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just need to get some water." She said in more of a way of asking for permission. Demos reluctantly nodded his head as he removed his hand from her back. She moved back from him and the group making her way to the refreshment table all the while she was keeping an eye out for Bethany. She needed to get out of here and fast. "Where is she?" Katherine mumbled to herself.

"Where's who?" She jumped a little at the voice behind her. Xerous. He stood their with a smirk on his face like usual.

Katherine cleared her throat and spoke, "Yeah I was just looking for my maid. I..uhm...needed something for her."

Xerous just looked at her up and down with that same stupid smirk. "Sure." Katherine had a feeling that he was on to her. The moment got a little uncomfortable as they stood their staring at each other, more like him staring at her. With that Katherine began to move around him until she felt a strong hand wrap around her arm. Katherine's skin jolt at his touch. She looked at her her arm then up at him startled. "May I have this dance?" He asked. The smirk was now gone and was replaced with a genuine smile.

She looked at him reluctantly and looked around for any sign of Demos because if he did see this all hell would break loose. "Don't worry." Xerous said gaining her attention again. "He wouldn't mind he knows that I know my boundaries around you." Not even giving her a chance to reply he pulled her along to the side wrapping his arms around her waist pulling her close to him. Katherine looked up at him in surprise. This did not seem like the mischief Xerous she knew. Her body felt weird as it was pressed against his. He guided her along as Katherine struggled a little to keep pace.

"Do you love that Dallas boy?"

"W-What?" Katherine asked caught off guard.

"Do you have feels for my slave Dallas?" Xerous asked. His usual smirk was now replaced with a serious expression.

'This man is acting strange'. She thought. "Uhm, no. Why?" She asked hesitantly.

Katherine looked at his eyes for a moment and she could have sworn she saw something flash in them, but it was gone to quick to read. Xerous shook his head. "No I was just asking since he tried to help you escape."

Katherine was buying his reasoning to his question, but she decided to let it go by just nodding her head at him. "Well..uhm...I should go find my maid." Katherine said moving out of his grip.

Before she could get any further from him, she was stopped once more by a firm grip on her arm. Katherine looked toward him with curious eyes as he spoke. "There is no escaping."

Katherine looked at him for a moment with confusion. Deep down she had a feeling that there was a deeper meaning to his warning. She just slowly nodded and began to move away from him.

Katherine let out a sigh of relief of finally getting away from that weird moment. Now she had to focus on find Bethany and see where they were with this plan of theirs. She knew she had to keep her guard up and not draw attention to herself. She looked back once more to see if Xerous is watching her. She lost sight of him as the crowd grew a little thicker. Satisfied, she turned back around on her mission to find Beth only to be stopped in her track. Her head had smacked into something hard. She squint her eyes as she groan in pain while rubbing the soar spot on her head.

"Oh my goddess. Your Majesty I'm so sorry." A frantic voice said.

Katherine rubbed her head a bit then open her eyes looking up toward the person. "Its al-" Katherine stopped talking as her eyes widen at the person in front of her.



"Rebecca?"



"Katherine?"









The look of surprise just keep appearing on her face tonight.





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I would like to think you guys for your patience as you waited on new chapters. Sorry, for the long wait, but there was a lot of stress and chaos going on in my life. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter because more chapters are on the way. Guys I am trying wrap up this book by April since I am on Spring Break and I have an extra week out due to the Coronavirus. With that being said I hope everyone stays safe and healthy during this chaotic time.



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