“They have arrived in the city and approach the palace as we speak,” Cassius announced. “Shall I wait to greet them outside or shall I wait with you, my queen?”

“Go, greet them,” Cara ordered. “Xerath will keep me company.”

“As you wish.” Cassius seemed to sing. Walking from the room, he closed the doors behind him.

Xerath had just entered the room on the opposite side and made his way over to her. Bending down to her level, he kissed her gently on the lips.

“Are you sure about this?” Xerath asked for the hundredth time. “From what you have told me, he won’t approve, even if it is to save his life. And that is no guarantee either.”

“I have to do something. My brother trusts Rayman like a father. I will trust my brother.” Cara said softly. “He will understand.”

“I hope so,” Xerath said gently. “I will support your decision then.” he smiled at her.

“Thank you, husband.” Cara smiled back. “I will need you for what is to come.”

“And I will be by your side every step of the way.” Xerath offered. “Have you thought of what he might tell Erik?”

“Of course.” Cara frowned. “Though, I don’t like the outcomes my mind has been made up. If all else fails, then I will tell Erik myself.”

Xerath took a deep breath and sat in his chair next to her. His face was contorted in thought.

“Forgive me.” Cara reached for his hand. “I have been selfish. You want to tell Kyburn don’t you?”

“He deserves to know.” Xerath breathed. “Him more than I. He was the one who talked me out of it and he didn’t even know. His heart and moral compass is far straighter than mine will ever be.”

“You are right, of course.” Cara furrowed her eyebrows. “But you mustn’t torment yourself, Xerath. No one knew. Not even your father. You did what you thought was right at the time.”

“Please.” Xerath sighed. “I know when I am wrong. In this… I was terribly mistaken.”

“I do not wish for you to burden yourself with this.” Cara teared up.

“I know, dear,” Xerath said simply. “It is why you stayed silent for all these years. To protect me. To protect everyone.”

Warm tears slipped down Cara’s cheeks. Seeing her husband in this state was the very reason she wished to never tell him of her past.

“I understand, fully now, the burden you have carried on your shoulders.” Xerath met her gaze. “I will share it with you now.”

“Thank you.” Cara squeezed his hand gently. “I love-”

The door in front of them pushed open, the room echoing from the hinges squealing. A moment later, Cassius emerged, behind him, Cara assumed, was Rayman.

Rayman was alone but she caught a glimpse of several guards huddled around what she thought was Jebbin in chains.

“Sir, Rayman,” Cassius announced him.

“Your majesties.” Rayman bowed slightly before them. “I have come here as you requested.”

He looked tired and troubled but he kept his voice even and steady. Cara gave him credit for keeping his temper in check as he obviously looked annoyed.

“Welcome, sir Rayman.” Cara started. “I have heard much about you from my brother. I thank you for coming here on such an unusual request.”

“The pleasure is mine.” Rayman lied.

“We would like to see him,” Xerath spoke for the first time.

“Of course,” Rayman said, his tone unwavering but his eyes gave away his slight anger.

Jebbin was pulled inside, bound by chains, and surrounded by five guards. He looked dirty and a slight stench could be smelled from her chair. Cara kept herself from reacting poorly to his appearance but Xerath’s hand reached for hers, which calmed her.

“You said you have proof that Jebbin was not a traitor to his country?” Rayman said. “I’d like the evidence now if you please.”

“Indeed,” Cara said. “Please have Jebbin cleaned and cared for… properly.” her gaze shot to Rayman.

He waved his hand to release Jebbin into the Xerian's custody, waiting patiently for an explanation.

“I know I have… forced your hand to come here and you may wish to keep us out of any issues involving your own people but I do have something that you will want to hear.” Cara watched as Jebbin was led away. “If you please,” she gestured to a door to her left. “Somewhere private for us to speak.”

Rayman shrugged and walked for the door, closely followed by Cassius who kept on his heels. Xerath stood, taking her hand again and lightly pulling her up. Leading the way, Xerath led them all to a small room, where he gently pushed the door open.

Rayman stepped in after them and Cassius made a move to follow but Cara put up her hand, “Cassius. Wait outside please.”

He bowed, but she saw a flicker of disappointment before he retreated.

Sitting down next to Xerath again, Rayman remained standing.

“Please, have a seat.” Cara gestured to the chair across from them.

He hesitated a moment then relented, slipping into the comfortable chair offered to him. His body was on edge, however, a mixture of nervousness along with annoyance.

“Why have you called me here?” Rayman asked. “You can understand my impatience.”

“I do.” Cara smiled. “I’m not sure where to begin, honestly.”

“How bout from the start?” Rayman said, his impatience obvious.

“As you know. I all but raised Erik as my mother and father all but neglected us entirely.” Cara said. “We had to fend for ourselves as they did nothing to further our education or raise us properly. You know how my mother was, you were there, though you did not have the position you have now.”

“Only rumors but I expect they were true if you are mentioning them now,” Rayman responded.

“Indeed.” Cara frowned. “They were in the middle of negotiations with Xerath’s father trying to marry me off to Xerath when I discovered something. Jebbin had been a thorn in their sides for some time. He also had discovered a plot that would ruin them. My mother and father… planned to have him killed. When I discovered this, I warned him but he wouldn’t leave to save himself.”

“Halden and Astrid tried to have Jebbin murdered?” Rayman’s face slowly turned to shock the more she spoke.

“Yes. And I was spying for him.” Cara shifted in her chair. “Jebbin had come to me with the truth of my parents. I was shocked at first, but over time I realized he was right and… spied for him from then on. Leaking information to him when I could.”

Cara paused and Xerath looked at her, his gentle gaze and touch encouraged her to continue. Taking a sip of wine that had been prepared earlier, she shifted in her chair once again, feeling extremely nervous.

“Before my wife continues.” Xerath butted in. “I need your word that this conversation will never leave this room.”

“I can’t promise that.” Rayman frowned. “I am honor-bound to reveal any relevant information to Erik.”

“Then only Erik, you will tell,” Xerath said firmly. “No one else. Swear it.”

Rayman stalled, his mind racing, his gaze fierce but determined. “Very well. I swear I will speak of this to no one… except if I deem it necessary to share with Erik.”

Xerath nodded in approval then squeezed Cara’s hand, indicating for her to continue.

“My parents were involved in a conspiracy to kill king Armin. I don’t know their reasoning but they started the war with Kligira, not the other way around.” Cara said slowly. “Halden and Astrid desired something Armin had in Kligira and they were willing to kill for it.”

“Vulkira?” Rayman said, confused. “Vulkira started the war? Not Kligira? How do you know?”

“I overheard them as they beat the life out of Jebbin,” she said bluntly. “Later, after my parents died, Jebbin obtained all the proof he needed, stored away in one of many secret rooms,” Cara answered. “My parents started it all and made it look like Kligira was in the wrong when in fact they had orchestrated the whole thing. Armin was just fighting back in self-defense.”

“Then the entire war was a lie?” Rayman frowned. “And you executed the queen and their son.”

“I did that,” Xerath admitted. “My father had given me charge of the war but no one knew the facts… obviously. In any other circumstance eliminating any and all threats to your own kingdom is wise, however, at the time we thought of them as power-hungry monsters. Halden and Astrid did their job well in painting them as villains.”

“That is… hard to swallow.” Rayman squinted his eyes. “But how does this relate to Jebbin’s treason?”

“You do not have to believe her.” Xerath interrupted. “Only listen. Very few know of these facts and Jebbin is one of them.”

Rayman paused, waiting for Cara to speak, “I’m listening.”

“Fourteen years ago, I overheard my parents speaking of killing Jebbin which was to be soon. I met with him that night and pleaded for him to flee or he was certainly going to die. He refused. Do you know why he refused to leave?” Cara asked Rayman.

“Why? He asked skeptically.

“He told me he wouldn’t leave me and Erik to fend for ourselves and abandon Vulkira.” Cara gazed into Rayman’s eyes. “Risking his life for ours, Jebbin was inevitably caught by my parents, while he was trying to convince the council and General Torstein to his side. They had gotten wind of his own plot to overthrow them so had him arrested and thrown into the dungeon. There they tortured him for information. To this day, I cannot fully remember the events the transpired that night.”

“What happened?” Rayman asked, his curiosity obviously getting the better of him.

“Upon Jebbin’s capture, my personal guard…” she hesitated, a look of sorrow flickering across her face. “Jebbin had it planned that if something happened to him, Ulfrick would secret me and Erik away to safety. Instead, I stayed behind and went after Jebbin, to free him. Once Jebbin was free, he took the blame for my parents' deaths. The rumor only grew, so he took it upon himself to make those rumors focus on himself.”

“Then Jebbin wasn’t the one who poisoned the king and queen?” Rayman asked. “Your personal guard? Ulfrick? Was it him?”

“No. Neither of them did.” Cara frowned, her heart nearly bursting out her chest with anxiety. “I killed my father and mother.”