Scarlett (Second Edition) by Karima Saad Usman novel Chapter 217

hapter 69 Chapter 69: You rule over everyone

Briar

Seventy-two hours had already passed. More hours accumulated on the clock as my fear grew alongside them. Moss was still missing, searching and investigating, while I spiraled into panic. I even requested an audience with the king, knowing it could be dangerous. I was living proof that his beloved wife had betrayed him.

I received only refusals and rejections. The General would not allow me gear his men. Yet, they were not fools. They were afraid. I wondered if this punishment was meant as an experiment to see what would happen in the forest, and if River was the sacrificial subject.

“Lady warrior,” Little Leaf called softly, peeking into the antechamber of my brother’s room. The place had become an inn of sorts, with all of us gathered together. It was better that way, safer, as if closeness alone might ward off further misfortune.

‘Tell me, little one,” I said, crouching before him. He had taken on too many responsibilities, helping me, obeying orders, and solving problems on his own. He was so young. I felt guilty for dragging him into this. For dragging all of them into it. But I reminded myself that their previous situation had been far

worse.

“I found this at the door,” he said, handing me a handkerchief. Inside was Verbena’s necklace.

“How…?”

“I heard footsteps last night. When I opened the door, it was there,” he replied, acting as though it were nothing unusual.

“Thank you for being so thoughtful, little one,” I whispered, kissing his forehead. He leaned into me, and I realized that I was growing too attached. I wasn’t

used to spending so much time with my spies.

“Also, Miss Doris isn’t here.”

“Damn that woman! Since when?”

“Yesterday afternoon. She hasn’t returned,” the boy answered. “I checked the surroundings. Nothing.” Doris had been like a caged tiger: pacing, plotting, and

restless.

Now, the thought broke off as I heard a low moan from inside the chamber. We ran toward it. Unfortunately, I had graver concerns than Doris.

“What’s happening to her?” he asked.

She thrashed against the sheets as if her body were in pain, her fists clutching the fabric. Her nightclothes were twisted around her, and her legs were trembling and kicking. Sometimes she would still, and it seemed as if she were weeping.

“Bring me a cloth soaked in cold water,” I told the boy, and he ran off immediately. Poppy stood at the foot of the bed, helpless.

“Verbena…” I murmured, brushing her hair from her face and pulling the covers away. She seemed feverish, yet her sweat was cold. When Leal returned, pressed the damp cloth to her forehead and cheeks; her eyes fluttered wildly beneath her lids.

The moment my hand touched her forehead, I was struck by a vision, a river thick with blood and the echo of a soft, broken moan. The stones along its banks were smooth and gray, worn down by years of rushing water. It lasted only a moment. I wasn’t accustomed to visions, not had I ever entered another’s mind. Yet I knew at once that what I had seen was Verbena’s nightmare. There could be only one explanation, though I could not yet put it into words.

“Verbena,” I repeated.

9:23 am PPP P

Chapter 69 Chapter 69: You rule over everyone

Her eyes Hew open, brimming with tears. She could barely speak. She looked lost, as though she were still wandering the shadows of a nightmare.

I’m here, Verbena. Tell me what you saw so I can help him, I pleaded.

Her gaze finally met mine, and her Tips trembled as she sobbed. For a moment, I felt as though she was searching my eyes for his.

“He hurt… weak…” she whispered.

I gathered her into my arms and rocked her gently as her small body shook with anguish.

I’m going to find him. I’m going to help him. But I need more details,” I insisted..

‘I saw a waterfall over stones covered in green moss,” she breathed. It was a sacred place mentioned in old poems. “Will you bring him back?” she asked, hope flickering in her tearful eyes.

‘I will,” I promised.

Then everything became clear to me. The bond was fierce and unbreakable. She was tied to him, even across distance and whatever had passed between

them.

“Leaf, help her. Clear the entrance. Move the table,” I ordered. He was already in motion. I placed a ward on the door, allowing only me to cross it.

I ran through the corridors toward the healers’ wing.

“Miss!”

“Prepare yourselves. In a few hours, wait in the young prince’s chamber.”

“But-”

“Do as I say. The prince is injured!” I commanded. Beyond them, I saw several warriors approaching.

“You have no authority to give orders,” one of them challenged. I felt his power rise, but something restrained it. They exchanged confused glances.

‘Do you want to see the prince die? Is that what you want?” I demanded.

They stepped aside.

I didn’t know what the king intended, but however flawed he might be as a father, I couldn’t believe he would let his son die.

On my way to the stables, something shifted in the shadows of a corridor, and I stopped.

Silas emerged, smiling as though pleased to have been discovered. “Are you following me?”

“You’ll be too late, Thornflower. My little brother has always been weak. He believes the mind is everything, yet he is unprepared for what is coming. He stepped closer. Tall and golden-haired with a disheveled appearance, he reminded me of a great bird poised to strike.

“You want hum dead. All of you do,”

He seemed stronger somehow. His black attire now included a cloak, as if he were wandering in the dark

9:23 am P P P P

Chapter 69 Chapter 69: You rule over everyone

Her

Hew-open, brimming with tears. She could barely speak. The looked lost, as though she were still wandering the shadows of a nightmare.

“I’m here, Verbena. Tell me what you saw so I can help him, I pleaded.

Her gaze finally met mine, and her Tips trembled as she sobbed. For a moment, I felt as though she was searching my eyes for his.

“He hurt… weak…” she whispered.

I gathered her

s and rocked her gently as her small body shook with anguish.

“I’m going

going to help him. But I need more details,” I insisted.

I saw

hop

nes covered in green moss,” she breathed. It was a sacred place mentioned in old poems. “Will you bring him back?” she asked, arful eyes.

Out

ecame clear to me. The bond was fierce and unbreakable. She was tied to him, even across distance and whatever had passed between

1. Clear the entrance. Move the table,” I ordered. He was already in motion. I placed a ward on the door, allowing only me to cross it.

ugh the corridors toward the healers’ wing.

pare yourselves. In a few hours, wait in the young prince’s chamber.”

Do as I say. The prince is injured!” I commanded. Beyond them, I saw several warriors approaching.

“You have no authority to give orders,” one of them challenged. I felt his power rise, but something restrained it. They exchanged confused glances.

“Do you want to see the prince die? Is that what you want?” I demanded.

They stepped aside.

I didn’t know what the king intended, but however flawed he might be as a father, I couldn’t believe he would let his son die..

On my way to the stables, something shifted in the shadows of a corridor, and I stopped.

Silas emerged, smiling as though pleased to have been discovered. “Are you following me?”

“You’ll be too late, Thon

stepped closer. Tall

He believes the mind is everything, yet he is unprepared for what is coming.” He

minded me of a great bird poised to strike.

“You want h

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