Missing Royal (18 page)

It’s all I can do to hold it together. My vision is blurry and the sticks fall from my hands. I can’t hold on to them anymore and I just dump them on the ground, following after, curling up on the dirt, sobbing. I feel so useless. In that moment, I felt utterly helpless.

Valentino doesn’t say anything. He builds a fire and fetches water in the pot, hanging it above the flames. Then he sits beside me and pulls me into his arms.

I want to get up—I want to do something and know I am capable. But I feel safe and warm here. I can’t bring myself to do anything but cry on his shoulder.

I open my eyes and realize I must’ve dozed off. Valentino never let me go. When I sit up, he’s still holding me. “I’m sorry,” he whispers. I can’t reply. I don’t even know what I would say. I stand and begin laying out a blanket. I create the comfiest bed I can and sit on the edge, waiting for the food to finish cooking.

There is silence all around me, and yet all I hear are those screams. It doesn’t seem real, doesn’t seem possible. But I force my thoughts elsewhere, unable to cry anymore. I look at Valentino, the way he remains so calm. Perhaps he knew to expect it—perhaps he grew up with death around him. I haven’t been in Avonathia long enough to know. What I do know is I’ve never had to deal with a killer before.

As soon as I finish off my stew, I curl into a ball beneath the blankets. Only minutes after that, Valentino lies down beside me. I force myself to think of happier times as I try to sleep.

My mind flits between Valentino and Javiar and back to Baccio. I toss and turn, unable to hold still, unable to keep my mind from wandering into that dark moment.

“Shhhh,” Valentino whispers in my ear. I open my eyes and realize he’s wrapped his arms around me again, comforting me even while I sleep. “You’re all right, love.” He kisses my hair. I don’t think he knows I’m awake but I don’t make a sound. I snuggle closer and let him comfort me into a restful night’s sleep.

“This is the path we need to take to get to Elna,” Valentino says, pointing to the road on the map.

I just nod, willing to go whichever way he leads. I can’t stop thinking about Baccio and Inginio. Did Inginio survive? We were so close—they would’ve helped us, and Mendina made sure it didn’t happen. I don’t know how she knew of our whereabouts or who we were speaking to. I just know that I will never forget that night.

“This is going to be a long journey.” He groans.

“We need to leave immediately. There is a long path ahead of us, and not many places we’ll be safe to sleep at night.” Valentino says, rolling up his blanket.

I help him pack up our belongings before we leave.

The hours blur as we ride on. Light begins to disappear behind me as we go further into the forest. The trees become denser, blocking out more light. Once the sun sets, I am lost in total darkness, using this as our cue to set up camp.

The nights are getting colder. I start a fire while Valentino gathers more kindling. As he makes supper, I wrap myself in blankets. Once I realize that even that isn’t enough to keep me warm, Star lies down beside me, sharing her body heat with me. My hope, light, guide and heater.

Valentino doesn’t say anything. Again, he keeps to himself and ignores me. Once the food is ready, he hands me a bowl of soup and goes back to his side of the fire. I just wish he would talk to me.

The next morning brings sunshine upon us. I’m grateful to remain dry but hate the idea of burning. Why couldn’t it be shady and warm? I take a deep breath and force myself to get up.

We set out early, not even bothering to start a fire and make breakfast. Instead, we eat stale rolls. I want to complain but honestly, I’m just glad they aren’t moldy.

We need to arrive in Elna by the evening. Too many more days of waking up, traveling in silence, and sleeping in the freezing cold and I might just die. Then again, sleeping in a town of crooks may do that to me as well.

By midafternoon, my wish for shade and warmth has come true. Clouds cover the sun. At least it’s a little better. I begin to believe Valentino isn’t stopping for lunch, but as we come up on the river, he stops, allowing the horses to drink while we eat. We both refill our waterskins before we continue on. The once-welcome clouds grow darker, and not ten minutes later, rain begins to fall. By the time the city comes into view, we are soaking wet—drenched, teeth chattering, and hardly able to move.

As much as I would like to go straight to an inn, I head in the opposite direction, looking for what is left of the castle. Valentino allows me the lead, just following after me. When we reach the ruins, we don’t find much. Without much thought, I hand Star’s reins to Valentino, who stands under what’s left of the stable roof. I walk through the rubble, pushing pieces aside, hoping to find any hints as to where Amber might be.

Bits of wall crunching under my boots, I look for any doorway leading to the lower part of the castle. The castle was a tiny one at best, although I imagine it was once quite beautiful. If there had been anywhere to stay, I would have considered sleeping here tonight, but then again, it would probably already have occupants. With no way to get inside, I take the reins and lead Star down the path, allowing her to take a break from carrying me. Valentino does the same for Knight.

The inn is quite nice for such a small town. We leave the horses in the capable hands of the stable boy, giving him with a fine tip to ensure they are well taken cared for and protected.

Valentino takes my hand and we run to the inn to get out of the rain. Once inside we go to the man behind the bar. “Can I ’elp you?” he asks with a smile.

“We need a room, please. Something very private,” Valentino says.

“Of course. Freya will show ya to te room.” Maybe whatever he has been drinking also contributes to his funny speech. Valentino nods and we follow Freya to our room. It’s cozy, with a larger bed and fireplace.

Morning comes, and the sun dries all the rain left from the night before. Valentino takes my hand which surprises me considering he’s been so distant. But I don’t pull away. We walk through the city in search of anyone who might know something about the kingdom and the royal family who once ruled. Perhaps that wasn’t the best approach, because just mentioning it got me dirty glares from multiple people.

“We need to eat,” Valentino says at midday. Our search has gotten us nowhere. The sun is shining bright on us, burning me up. I’m tired and ready for this all to be over.

“Agreed.” I sigh.

“Go back to our room. I’ll get us food and bring it back,” he says, more of an offer than a command. I want to stay by his side but can feel my energy wasting away.

“Thank you.” I smile. He returns it before turning and walking toward the markets. I turn back to the inn only to come face-to-face with a stranger. He wears all black, the hood covering his face, everything but his eyes hidden in the shadows.

I clear my throat, unsure what to do when the person doesn’t move. “Can I help you?” I’m a little nervous. All that I can see of the hooded figure is their dark blue eyes. My first reaction is to be scared. This could be anyone – a spy for Mendina.

But as I look into their eyes I see fright. They’re not sure what to make of me any more than I am of them. She gestures for me to follow her and starts walking away. “Wait!” I grab at her cloak, barely catching the edge.

She whips around, the look in her eyes hardening. “We can’t be seen.” She snaps. I look around us, standing in the middle of the street. The people of the town walk about going through their daily routines. But one man in particular grabs my attention, the way he eyes me, looking between the hooded figure and myself.

Out of the two of them, I would rather be with her. So I nod and follow after her. Using a different path than the one we took before, the stranger leads me to the ruins.
I knew it!
I want to shout. So someone
is
living in the remains of the castle.

The door leading to her hideout is in the floor, right where I assume the throne sat when the castle was still standing. It’s made of the same brick in the floor, blending in perfectly. It’s no wonder Valentino and I couldn’t find anything when we were here.

I follow the woman down the ladder, leaving my way out open. We reach the bottom and the stranger removes the cloak. Standing before me is a beautiful young woman, close to my age. Her light golden brown hair spills from the hood.

“I hear you’re searching for me,” she says. “And I have to wonder what the one to save us all wants with me.” She says it with a seriousness in her voice, written in her expression but I have the feeling she’s mocking me.

“Your highness,” I curtsy to Princess Amber. “I am here to ask for your help.” I look her in the eye.

“Why do you need her help?” I nearly jump out of my skin, turning around to face the speaker. He is older, I would’ve guessed he was Amber’s father but looks nothing like her.

“Who are you?” I ask, now thoroughly confused.

“It doesn’t matter who he is until you answer his question.” Another man steps out from behind him. This man is her father, undoubtedly. They have the same dark eyes, the same defined jaw, the same brown hair – though his is short.

“I would think by now that it would be quite obvious why I need her help. She is royalty. She has magic, and she has a chance at reclaiming her kingdom,” I respond.

“Then I suppose you’re looking for me as well.” The younger man steps forward.

I want to ask who he is but the way he is sure I am looking for him as well tells me he is one of the missing princes.

“I am Prince Nicklaus, and this is my father, King Jareth. Our kingdom is known these days as the Ruined Kingdom. Then again, many of them are.”

“Indeed. And it is not Amber’s kingdom, but mine, and Amber isn’t going with you. She cannot help in this battle of yours,” Amber’s father states, anger in his eyes, venom in his voice. I look back at Amber.

Nicklaus glares at the older man before turning back to me. “Amber is my wife. And while we would love to see Mendina undone and paying for her crimes, our child is not due for many more months. She cannot fight.” He wraps his arm around her.

I feel lost. I came to this world believing that I would find the royals, the royals would come with me, we would defeat Mendina, and everyone could return to their lives. I wasn’t expecting that some of us would not survive, or that some would refuse to help.

“I wouldn’t ask you to do that. I was given a task, ripped from my own world to get here. Ripped from my life. I don’t want to have to ask another to leave the comforts of their ways to help stop her. Yet here I am, asking for your help. You do not wish to help, yet wish to live from the benefits of the results that will come once the war is won. You are right, Amber cannot fight. But what about you three?” I take a deep breath.

“You cannot ask us to leave the family we have. We have made peace with the fact that our kingdoms are long gone. And while yes, Mendina’s death would be a glorious reason to celebrate, we are more content living together while she rains evil upon us than to fight and be apart. So do not question why none here offer their help. You are the one chosen to end her, the one they say will save us all. You don’t need us.” The old man sneers again.

“So be it. I’m sorry I wasted your time. I’m sorry I traveled for a week to get here only to leave alone.” I turn back toward the ladder.

“Wait!” Amber grabs my wrist. “I may not be able to fight alongside you physically, but at least allow me to give you information that may help you.”