“To the castle, but stay high in the sky. He has a dragon, and we must not be seen,” I shout to Vivo as she takes us higher in the skies and away from my ship. I feel my pirates’ anger and fear slam into me through my bond. They must have found my not and realise that I’m gone. I look back at my home one more time before we hit the clouds, and place my hand on my stomach. I’m not alone and have everything to fight for. With that renewed determination, I hold on tight to Vivo, and let her fly us straight to the very place I never wanted to return. I have to do this. The king won’t expect me to be alone, for me to sneak into the castle and kill the person that gives him his power. The queen. I hold in the tears I feel at the idea of killing her, of taking an innocent soul. She doesn’t deserve this. I try not to think of anything for the next few hours, just holding onto Vivo. When she dips down, I know we must be close.

“Land near the cliffs, and I will climb up them,” I tell her, seeing the light from the castle just under the clouds we are in. She doesn’t roar to agree with me, just drops down suddenly, using her wings to glide us around the cliff to the side that is behind the castle. The waves bash harshly against the cliff as she digs her claws into the side, causing me to nearly fall off her. I spot the small ledge to my left, which is clearly where she wants me to climb off.

“Go, my friend, my dragon. You must go now, and thank you,” I tell her, hearing her almost purr as I climb off and jump onto the ledge, my arms scraping across the stone. Vivo stares at me, only for a moment, but I know a stare of love when I see one. I never did before meeting my pirates and her, but I do now. She jumps off the cliff, diving into the sea. The moon and the lights from the castle provide the only light in the dark night, as I walk to the edge of the cliff and start climbing up. My foot slips on a rock, and I almost scream as I fall a few steps, but barely manage to hold on. After taking some deep, calming breaths, I remind myself that I can do this. It’s just climbing. I keep going, even as the muscles in my arms start to burn, and my body feels exhausted. I finally get to the top, pulling myself up and looking around, thankful to see that it is empty as I crouch down. I look back over the cliff, knowing this is where I fell off. Where the sea god saved me. I doubt he would ever save me again. I stand up, running to the balcony where we escaped last time. I climb on, pressing myself against the wall as I peek into the room. It’s empty, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I walk into the room, running over to the door and pressing my ear against it, waiting for any noise.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” an older female voice says, and a woman steps out of the shadows of the balcony. A guard.

“Pretend you didn’t see me?” I request cheekily, standing tall. Her eyes lock on mine, and she stands so very still.

“You are Cassandra, correct?” she asks, and I nod, not seeing any point in lying to her. My mark shows who I am.

“Is my son alive?” she asks.

“Who is your son?” I reply.

“Jacob,” she says his name fondly, full of worry, and it suddenly snaps into place as I look at her features.

“You’re his mother,” I say, and she nods. “He is alive, and married to me. I wouldn’t ever ask this, not if I didn’t have any other choice. I need to get to the queen, alone.” Her eyes widen, and drift to my hand, where she can see my ring and mark.

“Do you love my son?”

“More than I could ever explain. He is one of my chosen,” I reply, and just as I speak, I feel the worry, fear, and anger coming from my pirates again.

“You must stay in here for a day,” she tells me, and I shake my head, but she carries on speaking. “This room is never used, and there is a cupboard to hide you in. The army is a day away, and when they attack, the queen won’t be with the king. It is the only time I can get you to her.”

“She will still have guards.”

“My husband, and a few of our friends will help you. Why do you need to see the queen?” she asks, and I debate lying to her for a second, but I don’t.

“I have to kill her,” I answer honestly, and her eyes widen before she looks away.

“There is nothing left but a shell to kill. She is lost and lifeless, anyway. I remember her as the princess, with her princes. Do not feel guilty for putting her out of her misery,” she tells me, walking back to the balcony.

“Sleep, you will need the rest, and that door is locked. The only way in is through the balcony, and I will stand watch,” she says, leaving me alone. I walk over to the sofa and lie down, pulling out my dagger to hold against my chest. I roll on my side, so I can keep the crown at my back, keeping it safe. I want to reassure my pirates, tell them I’m safe, but my bond doesn’t let me. I drift off, with my only thoughts of my pirates to keep the nightmares away.