Chapter 46: The Countdown To Dawn Begins

The moonlight peeks in through the barred window, lighting up Eliana’s prison cell. She sighs, her heart aching. How much longer will she be stuck here? Will they just get her execution over with? There is no one to help save her. Luckily Alma escaped in time. Hopefully she is able to find her way home.
She winces as she remembers the last conversation she had with Olisnia. The Drulian only wanted to teach her the ways of the Kexon. Of her lineage. She meant no harm, and yet Eliana allowed her anger and pain to lash out at the woman. She wonders where Olisnia will go now that her mission is over. Will she return home to the Hembrick Islands? To her lover?
Eliana can only hope that the Drulian lives a happy life without anymore danger.
The thought of Drake and his men has a glimmer of hope lighting in her chest. She stares up at the window, wondering where the Prince is right now. Was he going to make it here in time? Does he even have the numbers to take down all of the rebels arriving? If she is killed, what will King Krite do to his son?
Eliana tsks through her clenched teeth, despair tightening around her heart. There are too many uncertainties in the world, and too many questions for her mind to bear.
“Have you lost all hope yet?”
Eliana releases a deep growl that surprises even her, as Selma appears from the shadows. “What do you want?”
Selma’s once gentle features contort into a smirk, her eyes gleaming. “Oh I only wanted to bring you the good news. The last of the soldiers should be arriving tonight. You will be executed at sunrise. Finally, an end to it all.”
Dread bites at the back of Eliana’s neck, but she fights the abyss of depression. “I will gladly get it over with, but not before I take you with me,” she bites out.
Selma cackles, throwing her head back, “And how do you expect to do that from within your cage?”
“I will find a way.”
“I truly hope you try. It will create some excitement for the end. I would not want those traveling so far to leave disappointed. The werecats will finally be extinct.”
Pressing her lips together in order to hide her grin Eliana remains silent.
Selma pauses at the Princess’ reaction, narrowing her gaze, “What is it?”
Eliana only shrugs, staring up at the window once more. Even just the idea that there might be more werecats out there gives her joy. Selma is wrong and with any luck one day she will be taken down, either by Eliana before she dies, or by another. It is all that eases her nerves in this moment.
“Be ready at dawn,” Selma seethes. “When the sun rises, you die.” She pivots away storming back into the shadows.
This time Eliana is able to hear her all the way up the steps. The squeak of the dungeon door echoes as it shuts. Her smile fades and she raises her legs so that she can lay her chin on her knees. Soon she will no longer be a part of this world.

>><<

The horses are becoming exhausted as they pull the carts of Drake’s caravan. They have been resting for several hours now, feeding and watering their steeds. If they remain idle for much longer, they might end up arriving too late. He pats the neck of his horse as it eats. Junet brushes the animal’s mane and checks it’s hooves gently.
“Your horse is healthy. There has been no damage to the hooves of any of the animals, or any injuries. They only need a bit more rest before we continue.”
“Thank you, Junet,” he says before staring out at the dry expanse ahead of them. The darkness of night makes it hard to see much of anything.
Luckily they have not run into any towns or people of Drein. Drake’s main fear was that they were going to have to fight their way through the kingdom. He did not want anymore blood on his hands.
“Are you sure that these rebels are going to be in Zaline,” Rowan questions, stepping up to the Prince. His horse shifts uncomfortably, but remains in place.
“I am not sure. With the amount of time given to them, it would not surprise me.” He cocks his brow at the werewolf as he grins.
The Vojik’s canines are bared and his ears twitch. “Great. I am itching for a good fight.”
Drake stares at Rowan’s ears, in awe that such a thing is possible.
“Do you not get enough action back in Climont? I am sure my father contracts many werewolves to do his dirty work,” he sneers turning his attention back to his horse.
Rowan tilts his head to the side, “Is that not what you are doing as well?”
Embarrassment flushes the Prince’s features causing him to turn away. “This is different. These rebels are attacking their own kingdom. I need help righting Drein. My father uses Pivurlions to terrorize his people as assassins.”
Rowan only shrugs, “It is what I enjoy, so there is no problem that I can see.”
Drake glances back at him momentarily before he twitches his ears, looking out of their camp at the landscape.
“What is it,” the Prince inquires.
The werewolf completely turns and breathes in deeply. A couple of Vojik already in wolf form move to the edge of the group.
“There is a Xefol nearby,” he states, a growl rolling through his throat.
Drake pushes away the tense shiver that courses up his spine at the deep sound, “Do you know if it is one of my father’s assassins? Are there any humans with it?”
Rowan shakes his head, “No, he is alone.”
Drake peers out at the land and only barely sees a figure in the distance. His eyes burn from the strain. If it is an assassin sent by his father it is moving in human form. The bear would be on a mission, tracking it’s target. He would not be moving so slowly. He swings himself up onto his horse, causing Rowan to whip his head back around, eyes wide.
“What are you doing?”
“I am going to see who it is,” he grunts flicking his reigns.
“No, wait,” the werewolf barks. “What if it is a trap!”
Drake is already gone, leaving the camp behind.
He nears the lone werebear quickly, but recognizes him immediately. The bear’s ebony hair clings to his sweat drenched temples and his dark gaze glowers up at the Prince. Rowan and the other werewolves arrive next to him, growling.
“Jasper,” Drake’s heart begins to race, “Where is Eliana?”