the timid bride

**Chapter 45 – Baited by a Queen**

The road was empty.

Zara sat inside the carriage, wrapped in a pale blue cloak, her face turned toward the window as trees blurred past. The sky outside was a cloudy silver, the type of morning that promised rain — or war.

Every creak of the wheels. Every whisper of wind. Every flutter of bird wings — they felt louder. Heavier.

Because she knew something was coming.

The attack wasn't a matter of if. It was a matter of **when**.

Thorne's guards trailed at a hidden distance. The carriage looked exposed, unguarded. A perfect opportunity for anyone hungry to silence her.

She tapped her fingers on her lap slowly. One, two, three… over and over.

Not in fear.

In **calculation**.

---

Back at the palace, Kael stood in front of the throne room window, staring at the path the carriage had taken.

He hated this plan.

Every second Zara was away from him, he felt like he was standing with his chest open, heart exposed, waiting for someone to strike.

"She'll be fine," Thorne said, entering beside him. "She's not the same girl who arrived here months ago."

"I know," Kael muttered. "That's what terrifies me."

Thorne raised an eyebrow.

Kael continued, "The more powerful she becomes, the more they'll want her gone. Not just because she's a threat, but because they can't *control* her."

"She doesn't need their approval," Thorne said. "She has your sword. And her own fire."

Kael clenched his jaw. "If she bleeds, I burn the kingdom."

Thorne didn't doubt it.

---

Hours passed.

The forest grew thicker.

Zara closed her eyes briefly, breathing in deeply. She had rehearsed every moment in her mind — how she would react, how she would stall, how she would signal her guards without making it obvious.

She was ready.

Then, the horses neighed suddenly — a panicked screech that jolted her heart.

The carriage lurched.

Zara slammed against the wooden wall as the wheels skidded.

Then, silence.

Too silent.

Her fingers slid to the blade hidden beneath her skirts.

A second passed.

Then—shouts.

"NOW!"

The carriage door was yanked open.

A masked man reached in, grabbing her arm—

Only to be thrown back as Zara plunged her blade into his shoulder.

She leapt from the carriage with her skirts bundled in one hand and her dagger in the other.

More men surged from the trees — five, six, maybe more.

Zara's eyes flashed.

And then, from the shadows — Thorne's guards charged.

Steel clashed.

Screams filled the forest.

Zara ducked, rolled, kicked one man square in the knee, and stabbed upward with brutal precision.

This wasn't a princess.

This was a storm wrapped in silk.

A figure tried to grab her from behind — and suddenly an arrow pierced his neck.

Thorne emerged from the woods, sword drawn.

"You alright?" he shouted.

Zara nodded, panting. "I've had worse mornings."

They fought side by side until the last of the attackers fell.

Blood soaked the ground. Trees dripped with silence again.

Zara bent over, catching her breath.

Thorne wiped his blade. "That was too many for a simple warning. They meant to kill."

She nodded. "And someone told them where I'd be."

Thorne narrowed his eyes. "Then Elric—?"

Zara's jaw clenched. "We go back. Now."

---

The palace gates opened just as thunder cracked overhead.

Kael ran down the steps before the carriage even stopped.

When he saw her—alive, bloodied, wild-eyed—his breath hitched.

He pulled her into his arms without a word.

"I'm fine," she whispered.

"You're shaking."

"I'm furious."

He pulled back slightly, brushing blood from her cheek. "Then let's give them something to fear."

---

Elric stood in the council chamber, reading over a scroll when Kael entered like a storm.

He turned with a smile. "Your Highness—"

Kael punched him across the face.

Elric hit the floor hard, blood spilling from his nose.

"What—!?"

Kael drew his blade and pressed it to Elric's throat.

"You sent them."

"I don't—!"

Kael didn't let him finish.

Zara entered behind him, her gown torn, blood dried on her neck.

"Enough lies."

Elric tried to sit up. "I swear on my father's grave—!"

"Your father died in prison for treason," Kael growled. "Not a great oath."

Zara stepped forward. "We set a trap. You were the only one told of my departure. And guess who showed up? Men wearing the serpent mark. Seven of them."

Elric's face went pale.

Kael raised the blade slightly.

"Give me one reason not to end you here."

Elric trembled. "It wasn't me… it wasn't…"

Zara knelt down beside him.

"You had choices, Elric. And you chose to sell your prince."

He whispered, "I needed the gold. I didn't think they'd actually—"

She stood. "Thorne."

Thorne dragged him up.

"Take him to the dungeons. We'll let him rot until he gives every name on his filthy tongue."

As Elric was dragged out, Kael turned to Zara.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"That you had to bleed… just to prove what I should've seen."

Zara touched his face gently.

"This is war, Kael. You don't win war by staying clean."

---

That night, the palace was quiet again.

But this time, the silence wasn't fear.

It was a pause before the next move. A breath between storms.

Zara sat by the window of their chamber, legs curled beneath her, hair loose, a robe around her shoulders.

Kael sat behind her, arms wrapped around her waist.

She leaned into him, eyes distant.

"We've rooted out one," she said. "But how many more?"

He rested his chin on her shoulder. "Doesn't matter."

"Why?"

"Because I have you. And they can't fight what they can't control."

Zara turned, her lips brushing his.

"Then let's make sure they never get the chance."

Their kiss was slow, aching, and deep — a promise sealed in fire.

---

Far below the palace, in the darkest part of the dungeons, Elric sat in chains, bleeding and broken.

And in the corner of his cell, a shadow moved.

A man stepped forward — tall, cloaked, face hidden.

"Elric," the voice rasped.

He looked up, afraid.

"They know," Elric whispered. "They know everything."

The shadow crouched.

"Then you'll say nothing."

Elric's eyes widened.

And then — silence.

A sharp snap.

The serpent was not finished.

But neither was the queen who now hunted it.