Unless she’d been directed elsewhere, Honora had spent her time attached to @myla ’s hip. Myla was her safety, her insurance policy should things go awry, and strangely now her source of greatest stability—even comfort. It was by design after all that she should be. When Hiram Eldouir called that’s likely where she’d be. Honora wouldn’t bring anything in particular. No dagger, no sword to arm her. Just her mind and a mess of Eloduirs to do the heavy lifting. Her new strategy in all things was to stick close to Myla—this included.

Whatever “this” was.

Once they emerged from the cold pool of blood, Honora realized where they were. Her heart skipped a beat, panic setting in. She felt like a passenger in a runaway carriage, terrified but unable to escape. If @myla followed behind Hiram, she’d follow along as well, eyes jumping around as she tried to wrap her mind around what might happen next.

@iliana . Even though she had stripped Honora of her title, and hadn’t come for her in her time of need, the need to protect the young queen still sprung from the maternal at the core of her being.

The day had finally come. Her eyes practically sparkling when Hiram came in and announced they were going. Finally. Her heart skipped, and she looked to Honora for only a split second to confirm what she already knew. That she’d be going with them. Myla wasted no time, gathering a sword and sheathing it at her side, her body clad in what had once been her fighting leathers. The sword was more for show, but she was still deadly with it. Then she went about outfitting Honora Allemeade. “I’ll have you covered.” A little talent that Myla had perfected over the years. A layer of energy, armor really, gave Myla and the blonde a slightly iridescent red hue. It was done without thought really. And still took to strapping a dagger to Honora’s thigh. “Just in case.”

She always had the collar key on her, a long chain hidden under her leathers and the key tucked just under her breast. Kept it from swinging around and getting caught in anything. Avalon appeared before they were completely swallowed whole, and Myla shot her a wild grin before they were swept away.

She had always held her breath until they’d reappear, being the second to climb from the cauldron and even offering a hand to Honora. Tugging her to her left side, slightly behind her, and then checking over Avalon as they were straightening themselves out. When neither women with them, nor Hiram, went for the collars, Myla did. Rummaging around to snag two and then tugging Honora close to tuck them into the bag. The one that also held a small dagger within. “Don’t loose these, and stay close,” she almost brushed a kiss to her mouth, but instead brushed back some of the blonde hair against her cheek and then they were off. Hiram surely noticed how well reformed Myla was now. No more the spitting viper she usually was with the Allemeade’s.

She’d follow Hiram, leading the other females, just to his right. Chin held high, and with a casual grace that suggested she had owned the palace and not anyone else. She didn’t attack anyone that saw them and ran. Let them run, let them scramble. Because she wasn’t leaving empty handed.

[ I’ll post with Iliana next ]

Iliana had been having a small tea break in her day with the boys in the garden when a rushing soldier hurried towards them. Even with October Montgomery offering to step in as Military Advisor, he still found his time to watch over them needed. The soldier would be intercepted with the news.

The Eldouir’s were here in the castle. Several of them.

Green eyes flashed to the three young boys, and then to @coraline with them. “Quickly,” she moved in a flash, scooping Declan into her arms as Cass quickly took to her side. Leo and Coraline on their heels. Iliana was swift in removing the portal key from her bodice in the secret sewn pocket she had and unlocking the first door they came across, opening it into Cassian Rainecourt’s empty study… in Nevermere. Swift kisses were given to Declan’s cheeks before she was handing over the chubby cheeked boy to Coraline, murmuring her love for him. Then she knelt to pull Cass into her arms, “Stay safe in Nevermere. Alert them… Hadrian Usher and Lady Kennet as to what is happening.”

Her eyes flashed up to Coraline as she pressed lips to Cass’ forehead. “I love you, go.” Her hands found Leo’s cheeks next, and she gave the same kiss to his forehead as she whispered to him. “Stick together. Always. You and your brothers. I love you.” Then she was ushering them through. “I’ll come for you when it’s safe.” A stone sank in her gut looking at her boys, all of them within the safe room. Her hand coming to twist the fabric in front of her lower stomach… as if she wished she could hand over one more. “Go,” and then without hesitation she shut and locked the door once again and secured the key.

Turning to October Montgomery with wide eyes, then to her other guards. Her face felt a little pale, but she looked back up at the castle. In the days since she had found her own little secret… she had been practicing when she could secretly. But in no way was she prepared for this. For the Eldouir’s.

The pain and relief that October felt in watching the Queen send her boys to safety was nearly overwhelming. He saw the way she placed her hand on her belly as if he could read her thoughts, one of the few to even know about the new life growing inside her. He had more than just Iliana to protect today but also her unborn child.

He locked eyes with her as she looked to him and he stepped close enough to whisper to her. “You can do this. Use them as your motivation,” he spoke of her children. He then removed his sword, the armor he always wore when on duty on his body, ready to protect her at all costs, wherever she decided to go.

It didn’t take long at all for the sounded alarm to make its way to the prince. Augustus was in his study, meeting with a few trusted nobles about matters of state, when one of his guards burst in. Augustus allowed himself one moment of dread. One moment, before she shoved it deep down and pushed himself from his chair.

“Take me to the queen.”

Augustus would march where he was led, barking orders, insisting that the palace be cleared of non-military personnel. Thankfully, the enhanced security measures implemented since the fateful speech and Elena Eldouir’s attack were now proving worth their while.

“Find Scout Kane,” He ordered one of his guards as he carried on, just short of a run, “Take her to my office, see she is sealed safe there.” He knew Phaedra not to be at court, though he had to admit, his wife’s safety had not been his first thought…

He would come upon where @iliana and October Montgomery were, as quickly as his feet could carry him.

October Montgomery’s words brought forth that line of tears she had held back before she had shut her children into Nevermere. Her lip quivering. But then she nodded, swiftly and she shook her head as she turned. There was no screaming, no smoke pouring from the windows. Which means no one had laid waste to the inside of the palace yet. But she knew, deep in her gut, they were coming for her. To gain back Elena Eldouir. Surely. They’d leave the spot, October close to her side as the rest of her guards (4 of them) came in close, including the gifted and the witch in her guard.

Augustus Rainecourt would run into the now formed group who had listened to Tybalt Zane’s orders. They had tried to convince her to leave to Nevermere, and though she desperately wanted to, she couldn’t. She knew it was a coward’s move and she refused. This was her palace, her kingdom. “Uncle,” her eyes searching his face as she motioned for the guards to make a path for Augustus to join her at her side as they moved. Taking reports from those fleeing around them on where the Eldouir’s were located, and where they seemed to be heading with each passing moment.

“They are going to ask for Elena,” she said it under her breath. Elena… who they did not have. “We need collars at the ready…” these were said a bit louder, and one soldier dipped at the waist and ran to do just that. Those words tasted bitter on her mouth, but for this family? What they had done? She felt no remorse in her words. “I want Florina Bellerose and Scout Kane to gather only what they need and go to the safety of the closest legion.” If something were to happen, Cassian would need the support of those who were now her cabinet.

Hiram smiled, rather self-satisfied, at the shit show the palace was putting on as it tried to get organized. Servants would rush into the hall, see them, and then rush back out. Or sometimes fall. Or sometimes curl into a ball and start to cry.

“Honora.” Hiram said, an idea taking shape in his mind. “You aren’t as powerless as the day I met you.” It was a jeering challenge. “Invite our friends we encounter to walk with us. Maybe everyone will be more inclined to listen if they see we hold the public opinion.” He chuckled a little nastily at that, enjoying the thought.

If Honora did as he asked and was successful, it wouldn’t be only four that appeared around the corridor corner to face Tybalt Zane, but a group.

“Him too.” Hiram said. Getting the Captain of the Royal Guard, or whatever he was now, made his grin double. “Make him walk beside me.” He relished the thought, knowing how adamantly Tybalt hated him. If turning the man’s mind was not possible, or if Honora refused, Hiram would move to walk past the man, trusting one of the others would take care of dispatching him.

Just past Tybalt was the throne room. Should nothing delay them, they would open into it, quite the spectacle…though at this rate no one was still in there. Surely by this point the Queen would show up only moments after.

[ POST ORDER: Honora Allemeade, Tybalt Zane, then either @myla and Avalon Eldouir in no specific order ]

Honora knew the bargain she’d made, hypothetically, but still, the cold feeling in her stomach only grew with every step. She remembered when she’d used to walk these halls and belong in them, be greeted by warmth and friendly smiles. But she was a different woman now. The Honora that had been was gone. Now there was only one thing left for her to do: survive.

Hiram’s requests were not as easily fulfilled as his words would suggest, but Honroa did rise to the challenge in his tone. Like a rising monsoon, the people who cowered or tried to run would find themselves overcome by powerful, almost child-like curiosity that would drive them to hesitantly follow the group — as if the spectacle that they were about to present could not be missed. It was like a whirlpool, and any person in the palace caught in its orbit would be sucked in and would follow. Honora could feel them all, a rippling mass of psychic energy that she clung to keep control of.

“Him too.”

Honora’s eyes fell on Tybalt Zane . With a thrust of psychic energy, Honora would infect the Captain with feelings of trust. Complacence. She would start to drag any feeling of alarm from him, leaving him with the feeling that there was nothing extraordinary about the Eldouir’s presence.

I should welcome our guests.

It was a thought, gently dropped in his mind. Honora could feel her hands starting to tremble, as she started to relax her hold on those who had been caught in her snare, their curiosity now deep-seated enough that they would follow.

Myla didn’t flinch each time a guard came around the corner or a palace worker. She kept her pace even beside Hiram. Silent, deadly, like a lioness on the hunt. Though she did glance at Hiram Eldouir when he said Honora Allemeade’s name, as if on instinct she was prepared to step in. Hazel eyes flicked back to the Allemeade but as others started to join them… she turned back forward.

Tybalt Zane rounded the corner and she almost felt bad for him. He didn’t stand a chance against Honora who had been practicing with Myla for some time now. Avalon Eldouir then linked with her, surely feeling a jolt of shock at first to touching her, but Myla shifted her power without much thought. She had one want, Elena Eldouir. She wanted her back and as they entered the currently empty throne room, she took her time to look around.

How different and yet… utterly the same. Have they not updated anything since they left? “They need to pay for better decorators.” She murmured to no one in particular, “they haven’t had a new idea since before we left clearly.” Myla flicked a piece of her hair off her shoulder before she moved to stare down the door that she was sure the puppet queen and her posse would enter through.