ZARA'S POV
As we rode past Azrael's border, I started to feel uneasy, like something was not right, like something bad was about to happen.
"Lia, do you sense something? I mean do you feel uneasy?" I asked her.
Lia chuckled, then she said, "Why would I feel uneasy Zara? The only feeling I have right now is that of happiness. I feel happy that we are returning to Everton, even if we're going to face Carl and the council."
I nodded my head, not saying anything after that. Maybe my uneasy feeling, was because after I get to Everton, I'll surely answer a lot of questions, not just from Carl, but the council as well. Now that I think about it, I never should have left Everton without telling Carl.
"Zara," Lia called, and I turn to her. "You should relax, I'm sure Carl will understand once you explain things to him," she muttered.
I sighed, praying that he does. I was still lost in thoughts, when I heard, "Queen Zara, watch out!" And before I could process what was happening, I was pushed to the ground and landed with a thud.
I felt a heavy weight on me like someone was shielding me, and I tilt my gaze to see who it was.
"Jamie!" I mumbled when I saw he was the one.
He tilts his gaze to meet mine, then he whispered, "Your grace, we are under attack. I think we've been ambushed."
When he said that, It felt like I was hit on the head with a plank. "We were ambushed."
"Queen Zara, you have already been surrounded, tell your men to lay down their weapons and surrender, or they will be killed," someone warned in a deep baritone voice.
Jamie and I straightened, and he stood in front of me, protecting me from the enemy. I tilt my gaze from Jamie to Lia who hid behind Theon, then to the men who attacked us.
They were at least twenty in number, more or less. if my guess was correct. And we were just four. Oh, God! How I wish I listened to father and had taken more men. Now see where my stubbornness has landed us.
"How did they even know that it was me and I would pass through this route? This doesn't make sense unless, oh my God! unless the one who ambushed us was the anonymous person who sent me that letter. But who could it be?
"Zara! it's you I want. If you don't want to see your friends die before your eyes, tell them to lay down their weapons, and leave quietly," the same person with the baritone voice spoke again. I guess he was their leader. Instead of hiding behind Jamie, I choose to come out to see the man behind the attack.
"My queen, you don't have to do what he says, Theon and I will deal with them, why you and Lia return to Everton," Jamie advised.
"Jamie! you know, I won't leave you two behind. Besides, I was the one who got us into this mess," I muttered, tilting my gaze to Theon and Lia to give them an apologetic look.
Theon shook his head in disapproval. "Your grace, Jamie is right. leave with Lia now, we'll take care of them. we don't mind giving our lives for you, queen Zara."
I gave him a sad smile, before turning my gaze to the men in front of me. As much as I wanted to run away, I couldn't just leave them behind. No, I won't.
I glanced up to look at the leader of the men, and when my eyes caught his, I gasped in shock, seeing the familiar face in front of me. Hold on! isn't it the same man I saw at the Palace the other day? the scary-looking man with Nadia, does that mean Nadia is behind this?
"You!" I mumbled, pointing at him.
"Queen Zara, I'm happy to know you remember me, it makes my heart twinkle in joy."
I scoffed, glaring angrily at the man in from of me. "Who are you? why are you doing this? did Nadia send you?" I asked, all at once.
A burst of resounding laughter echoed from the man, then he said. "Queen Zara, that's too many questions, but I'll answer them since it's you. I'm Draco and I'm doing this for myself. As for the last question, I'll give you the answer later.
I digested everything he said. His name is Draco, and what did he mean by he's doing it for himself? I pondered. Although he didn't tell me if it was Nadia that sent him, I already know she did.
"Draco, how much did Nadia pay you? I promise to give you double of what she did, if you let us go," I tried negotiating with him.
He chuckled. "Queen Zara, unfortunately, the price Nadia gave me cannot be negotiated, it's something I want badly, that is, you."
I look at the man in disbelief. He must be sick in the head for saying he wants me. I wanted to speak up and put him in his place, but Jamie beat me to it.
"Shut up! you scoundrel. She is the queen and the wife of King Carl, how can a low life like you open your disgusting mouth to say you want her. Do you want to die?" Jamie rasped.
The amusement in Draco's eyes was now replaced with a dangerous glint.
"Queen Zara, I won't ask again. You can either come with me of your own accord or forcefully."
I scoffed. "Draco, I would rather die than go with you," I yelled.
He chuckled, then said, "Queen Zara, since you want it the hard way, the hard way it is. ATTACK! But make sure queen Zara is brought to me alive, you can kill the rest," Draco yelled.
"Ayaai" Draco's men chanted, ambling towards us.
"Your grace, please stay behind," Jamie yelled, pulling out his sword, and Theon followed suit. I also drew my sword, but it was to protect Lia, as she stood rooted in her to her spot shivering in fear.
...
Soon the clinging of swords could be heard as the men attacked us. Jamie and Theon fought bravely, with grace. Countering each of their moves. I also decided to join in the fight, as I couldn't just stand there watching. "Zara, be careful," Lia yelled, and I nodded.
Moments later, we had killed about eight of their men, but that didn't stop them from attacking. instead, their attack became more ferocious.
"Queen Zara, how long do you want to resist me? you know that there's no way four of you can defeat all of us, so just give up and come to me," Draco yelled, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
I ignored him, swinging my sword to cut off the head of the man, who was ambling toward me, and I successfully cut off his head but didn't notice the man behind me.
"Zara, behind you," Lia yelled, diving in front of me to prevent the man from reaching me, but unfortunately, she was knocked out by his blow.
"Lia," I screamed, putting my hands out, to prevent her from falling. My scream seemed to have distracted Jamie and Theon, as they both turned toward us, and were also knocked out
"Surrender queen Zara, your men have been defeated," Draco yelled, in a mock tone, climbing down his horse.
"Surrender or they die," he added, now walking toward me.
I glanced around, to see Draco's men holding their swords to Jamie and Theon's necks. Seems like I have no other choice. I stood up, tilting my gaze to meet Draco, who was now standing just a few steps away from me.
"I surrender, I'll go with you."