A Mothers Sacrifice

Queen Alina had woken in the middle of Polaris and Maeve having their discussion so she did not know everything that was said. However, what she had heard was enough to know that her family was in danger.

"How do you expect to kill me?" She asked as if truly curious. Her life had been threatened but yet she did not seem scared.

The Queen had a secret, one that only her husband knew, one that could alter the course of destiny. She was far from a normal person, but people like her were taken advantage of too often to just let anyone know.

Maeve sneered at Alina with open hostility. She had been working for the Queen for 7 years and was also hiding a secret. "I would not try to fight it if I were you. I Have powers, things that a simple-minded person such as yourself would not be able to grasp."

Polaris gasped, she thought she had seen something in Maeve's' eyes but did not want to believe it. She peered over at the Queen who still looked calm and collected as if the news was not a surprise nor worry for her.

Taking a breath the Queen looked at Maeve and spoke in a voice that sent ice spreading through the room. "You come into my home and expect that I do not know that you are a caster? The power you emit is but a small grain of sand in the desert compared to what I can do." With just those words it was as if the world had collapsed and all of her happiness had floated away.

Maeve shook, her knees almost buckling under the pressure that the Queen was emitting. She kept looking around trying to think of what she could do to get out of the situation. She was supposed to have the upper hand as a caster yet the Queen had been hiding her ability all along. Maeve was starting to fret until she cast a glance at the crib in the corner. It was intricately carved and short enough that from her position she could see the princess within. She may not be stronger, but if she had the Princess in her grasp even the Queen would bow to her. Under her breath she mumbled a spell to accelerate her speed and dashed for the crib.

Polaris was not prepared for Maeve to come dashing at them at an inhuman speed and was pushed out of the way. Her small body was sent spiraling until finally slamming into an adjacent wall. All she could think about as she lost consciousness was how she had failed to protect the little princess.

Gabriel had been standing outside of the door debating on when he should enter. He worried that the Queen would mistake him for an enemy and knew that he would be no match for her if she did. Peeking through the door he saw a scene that turned his blood cold and made him curse himself for not going in sooner.

Maeve was standing over the Princess with a knife to the young girls tiny body, even the slightest move would cut into her creamy white flesh. The Queen was standing with fury in her eyes that held a promise that the world would burn if anything happened to her daughter.

Maeve felt a little safer with the Princess between her and the Queen but she knew she could not hold them in this position forever. She needed to be able to see out the window and show a sign that the plan was ready for Damien. If she missed her chance she did not want to see the disappointment in his eyes. She could not fail him, she loved him, he was going to make everything better.

The Queen noticed Gabriel near the door out of the corner of her eye but never looked away from Maeve. She had seen him around and thought of him as a good kid, a little young but still pure of heart. She saw the anger and worry in his eyes as he looked at Maeve and her daughter and it was then that she made her choice.

Without giving away Gabriel's position, she motioned with her hands for him to step into the room. She hoped he would understand what she was asking of him or else all would be for not.

Gabriel had been watching Maeve but when he noticed the Queen motioning for him to get closer to the crib he could do nothing but follow her lead. All the while he wondered what her plan would be.

"Maeve, step away from my daughter and I will make your death quick." The Queen commanded once more sending a blast of ice through the room. It crept across every surface only avoiding Princess Raven. Puffs of white could be seen with each exhale as the room turned into winter.

Maeve Smirked before answering unaware that Gabriel was almost behind her. "Why would I give up my only leverage, it is not like she will live much longer anyway. Once I am Queen there will be no need for her. I will provide an heir, someone strong who will be even better than this cretin."

The Queen seeing that Gabriel was in place finally glanced at him, "Protect my daughter, she is the key to the future." Then turning back to Maeve she began to recite, "With my life I bind yours, for when I fall so shall you."

Maeve was staring at her startled, this was dark practice, used only as a last resort everyone knows that!

"I shall pay the price in blood!" As the Queen finished she produced a dagger made of ice and slammed it into her own heart.

Gabriel watched as Maeve doubled over before collapsing to the ground, the knife she had held barely missing the young princess. He slowly walked over to pick her up surprised to find her awake and alert to everything that was going on. she had not made a sound so he assumed she was asleep for the whole ordeal.

With Raven in his arms he walked over to where the Queen was laying and was surprised to see she was still breathing, even if it was ragged.

"Come closer, I need to do something before my last breath." Gabriel was shocked with how calmly she had spoke about her life ending, but quickly did as he was told. Even if she wasn't the Queen the way he was brought up would not let him leave her to die alone.

The Queen reached her hands out and gently placed them on her daughters cheeks, she had only held her once but she was filled with so much love. She leaned forward and placed a kiss right between her eyebrows before saying her last incantation, "With my final breath I pass my powers to you, may they flow through you just as my love does." As she finished her sentence she sat back, her hands falling to her side and the light extinguishing from her eyes.