Legacy by Cayla Kluver Page A

assisting her.”
    â€œI must see my father,” I announced, moving toward the door. I tried to step around my replacement bodyguard, who was blocking my path, but he would not budge.
    â€œDestari, move this instant!” I ordered, both my pitch and my volume rising.
    â€œWith all due respect, Princess Alera, it is getting late, and it would be better if you waited until morning to meet with the King.”
    â€œWith all due respect, Destari, get out of my way!”
    Tadark, who had been remarkably absent from this exchange, could restrain himself no longer.
    â€œI have to agree with Destari, Princess,” he began, but I cut him off.
    â€œYou have no say in this, Tadark! I am sick of hearing your opinions!”
    Tadark, brown eyes mournful as a hurt puppy’s, shrank back, and I aimed my ire at the towering guard once more.
    â€œUnless you were given orders to keep me here—orders that I would nonetheless refuse to obey—you are overstepping your bounds. So move!”
    I pointed in the direction in which I wanted him to shift, willing him to yield. Admitting defeat, Destari stepped aside, and I stormed into the corridor, both guards following. I descended the Grand Staircase, the hopelessness of my quest tearing at me, and my anger turned to desperation.
    I entered the Hall of Kings, leaving Destari and Tadark inthe antechamber, and found my father upon his throne, no guards in attendance. The waning afternoon light coming through the high northern windows resulted in lurking shadows in the corners, giving the room an ominous feel.
    â€œFather, what is going on?” I called, hastening toward him.
    â€œAlera,” he said wearily. “I knew you would come when I sent Destari.”
    I stopped before him, and he rubbed his jaw, the laugh lines upon his face paradoxically giving him an aged and haggard appearance.
    â€œCannan and I acted on what you told us. We had to do what we did—there was no other option.”
    â€œWhat will be done with him?” I choked, a horrible sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
    â€œHe is spending one last night in his quarters under guard. In the morning, he will be removed from the palace grounds.”
    â€œBut Father, London is not a traitor. He must have an explanation!”
    â€œIf he does, he did not share it with us. I cannot allow him to continue serving as a guard, much less one of the Elite Guards who protects the royal family, when his allegiance is in question.”
    â€œHis allegiance lies with Hytanica!” I cried out, for I could not bear to think that London’s loyalty could lie anywhere else. “He is not a traitor.”
    â€œWell, someone is! Would it be easier to accuse some other member of the Elite Guard, when you have known most of them your entire life? One of them is guilty of treachery. Why could it not be London?” Taking in my tormented visage, his attitude softened. “I know that you are close to him, but I cannot run the risk of further betrayal.”
    â€œI know there is good cause for his behavior of late. He just hasn’t spoken of it yet.”
    â€œIf he would not explain his actions to his king or his captain,” my father noted, “then to whom will he speak?”
    I wilted, sitting down on the steps of the dais. Although the answer was evident to me, I did not want to say it. If London would not explain his actions to his king, he would explain to no one.
    â€œI want to see him again,” I finally said, a dull ache in my chest where my heart had once resided. “I need to say goodbye.”
    I knew this could be the last chance I would have to see London. I had been forbidden to leave the palace, and London would be forbidden to enter the grounds. I knew not how long this arrangement would last, and if there came a time for me to see or speak with him again, I did not know if he would oblige. I had ruined his entire life in one audience with my