Glass Heart [S1: Episode 6]
A Time Travel Romance
Thalia, a young psychologist with a troubled past is transported back in time, where she must navigate a kingdom ruled by a cunning lord and a melancholic king, all while confronting her own inner demons.
Episodes release every Thursday at 9:00 am EST. This is Episode 6 of 7.
CW: depression, suicide, violence, alcoholism
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Thalia’s blood ran cold at the king’s words. He was a betrayer. Even less trustworthy than the scammers she and José had teamed up with back in the real world. Was this karma? Were her actions from ten years ago coming back to bite her? After all, she too had been a liar and cheat.
Thalia swallowed hard, her brain running on overdrive. Her mask was slowly slipping off, her carefully crafted persona melting like wet paint in the rain. There was no use in trying to be “good.” There was no use in pretending.
What had José always told her? ‘Survive. Don’t look back, just survive. Whether there is a river of blood flowing behind you, a scrupulous gang, or a determined swarm of police officers, survive.’ In this case, it was a king’s wrath from which she had to survive. A nearly impossible feat.
But King Alexander’s face was stone cold; not a line of anger marked his smooth features. This further disturbed her. Did he know that she was innocent but just didn’t care? Would he let her pay for an incident she didn’t cause?
The king seemed to notice her looking at him because he turned his gaze away. “What are you waiting for?” he said. “Take her away.”
Lord Malgor gleefully took a step toward her and that was when Thalia remembered where she had seen the amulet; the gilded jewel gleamed mischievously from the official’s leather belt. It had been at the museum along with the ancient book, a popular item used safely to disarm your enemies, named the ‘sleep amulet’ due to its sedative effects.
An idea brewed in her mind at the sight of the ancient ornament. She would be able to escape. But a chain of events would need to unfold after another like a game of dominoes. And there was no room for error.
Thalia hid her smile as Lord Malgor dragged her away, his sharp nails digging into the soft skin of her arms. She could feel the contempt radiating from his body, growing more deeper, stronger, and turbulent with each step. There was no reason why the palace guards couldn’t have been the ones to lead her to her demise. It was obvious the old man was trying to send her a message. He would be the one to take credit for ridding the kingdom of her and her so-called depravities.
But she wouldn’t let him. She would trigger the first domino.
Thalia shoved Lord Malgor hard in the stomach, digging her elbow deep into his skin.
A sharp hiss escaped from his lips but he quickly regained his composure, his grip on her arm tightening painfully. It would surely leave a bruise.
But Thalia shoved him again, then again, and again, utilizing all of her body strength.
She had to get him on the ground. Even if it was just for a second. But this wasn’t working. She was growing more tired by the second and Lord Malgor was as solid as an iron chest.
Thalia let him continue to drag her until they were close to the stairs. Now was her chance. As soon as Lord Malgor took the first step down, she kicked her feet against his and he lost balance, causing the two of them to topple down painfully, a tangle of arms, legs, and bloodied bodies.
Thalia wasted no time in throwing punches to the court official’s face. Her fists swung almost as fast as they had ten years prior when she had to defend herself on the streets. Lord Malgor managed to throw a few punches back but Thalia was going at full force.
She didn’t stop at the sharp “crack” of his nose breaking nor at the warm blood that soaked her hands dripping down the sides of his face and into her skirts. But she slowed down when his head lolled to the side. That would do for now. Thalia had never killed anyone and she wouldn’t start now. Even if she had gone back in time.
Thalia patted down his robes searching for the key to her freedom.
She grabbed the gold amulet which she deftly swept under her dress.
The palace guards came rushing over but Thalia did not care. She smiled through the fresh blood pooling in her mouth, staining her teeth. She smiled through the throbbing pain in her head. She smiled through the image of King Alexander’s face when he saw what she had done. She was no longer afraid.
‘The king is too weak,’ Thalia thought to herself later that day as she sat in her cell, playing with the amulet. ‘I can not let Lord Malgor sway the king.’
But how could she stop him? There was only one way.
Thalia uncorked the top of the amulet and hid it among the heavy folds of her dress. The cap escaped her fingers and made a clinking sound as it flew and bounced against the stone floors. Thalia melted deeper into the shadows of the cell.
The guardsman who had been sitting quietly in a corner, occupied with sharpening his hunting knife, eyed her with suspicion.
“What do you have there?”
“Nothing,” said Thalia. But excitement was bubbling in her chest. ‘I dare you to come!’
The guard had now stood up from his seat and was striding towards her.
“Hand it over.”
“With pleasure.”
Thalia reached through the bars and handed him the amulet, making sure to drip its white, frothy contents into his outstretched hand. She held her nose with her other hand, making sure to not breathe in the fumes.
The guard took two heavy steps back and grabbed the bars to maintain balance, his knuckles turning a stark white.
“What are you…” he gasped, but his words only came out in a whisper and his eyelids fluttered frantically before surrendering to the effects of the concoction. The guardsman slid the floor and was soon fast asleep.
Within a few seconds, Thalia had retrieved the cell key from his pocket and let herself out. She could run away now. Get away from this crazy palace and its fickle king. But that wouldn’t make her safe. She needed a permanent solution.
Thalia made straight for the depository at the guards’ station which she unlocked with one of the keys. It was where they kept their mixtures, poisons, and potions. She had seen the guard mix one spumy vial into a prisoner’s food.
None of them had labels so she poured in liquids from six different flasks and shook the contents vigorously. This would have to do. She screwed the cap on and slipped it into the sleeping guard’s pocket. By now, Lord Malgor would know that she was the culprit behind his stolen amulet and he would surely come looking for it.
Now all Thalia needed was for Lord Malgor to use the amulet on the king. A betrayal that would guarantee the councilman’s death. The amulet’s prior contents was a popular sleeping agent and she was sure with his cunning ploys and slick tongue that he could rationalize an attempt to put the king to sleep.
Thalia returned to her place in the cell and for a second, a pang of guilt hit her. Her scheme could make the king get horribly injured, or worse, killed. Thalia shook these thoughts off her mind. The king was willing to risk her life for his little games. It was only fair that she got to play too.
Thalia tried to tell herself that she would never do something like this in the real world. This was probably just a dream anyway and it was okay to kill people in your dreams. But she wasn’t sure who she was anymore. Failed psychologist? Successful criminal? Would her plan end up killing Lord Malgor or the king?
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