Missing Royal (22 page)

Javiar varied from the plan, strayed from what we discussed. Jareth and Romondino pick him up and lay him across Star’s back. I throw my leg over the saddle and ride, not waiting for the others to follow. I don’t know what’s wrong with him or if he can survive it.

I only know that whatever he’s going through is worse than death to him. I could not bring myself to kill him. Not even with the look he gave me, the pleading in his eyes. Mendina is gone, but it came at a great cost.

I ride as low as I can so Star can run. The sun has not yet set when we arrive in Umare. I ride straight for the stables. “Help me please.” I jump from Star’s back as soon as we’re inside and look to the stable boy to help me get Javiar in the castle.

The boy must have seen the panic in my eyes because he picks Javiar up and carries him over his shoulder without a word. I open doors and lead him through the corridors, going straight for the infirmary.

“Lay him here.” The nurse pulls the covers back on one of the closest beds. I put my mouth with my hand, unable to think of losing Javiar.

“Can you save him?”

“Your Highness.” She curtsies. “What happened?”

“Some sort of trap—I don’t know. I just know that magic was involved. He’s breathing, right? Please tell me you can save him. Please?” The last comes out as a whisper. I’m afraid of losing him.

“Where magic is involved, you need more than medical assistance. I will do all I can for him, but I need to call upon an expert.” She furrows her brow, looking more worried for me than she does for him.

“Thank you.” I sit on the edge of the bed, holding his hand.

“I will need you to leave. I am sorry.” She puts a hand on my shoulder, and I nod.

“Allow me to say good-bye?” I have someone else to go see, despite all this.

“Of course.” She walks away, waiting for me to finish. I kneel beside the bed, still holding his hand.

“Javiar, without you, I never would have survived. Without you, I wouldn’t have made it past the first week here. I told you that you’re a prince, but I didn’t tell you that I know your family. And if the doctor can’t save you, I will regret that for the rest of my life. Please don’t leave me. Please don’t give up.” I kiss his cheek, a single tear falling onto his skin before I rush from the room.

I want to go straight to Nastasia’s cottage, but force myself, knowing I owe it to Javiar, to go to Danica’s first. The door opens on my third knock, and immediately, I am pulled into her embrace.

I step back, unable to feel anything but pain right now. “Your Majesty, your son is in Umare. I don’t know what’s wrong with him. All I know is that he may die due to the magic Mendina used on him.” I avert my eyes.

“Dear Shanice, her actions are not your fault. And she must be dead, for Krea found us.” Danica steps back, revealing Kajetan and Krea behind her.

“Welcome home, Krea.” I muster a smile for that.

“Thank you for saving me. For saving all of us. But I think you’re needed elsewhere.” She gives a pointed look in the direction of Nastasia’s cottage.

“Thank you.” I can’t take it a moment longer. I push Star to run the rest of the way to Nastasia’s only stopping long enough to tie Star outside. I can’t waste time taking her to the barn.

The door opens, and Nastasia has a smile plastered on her face. “You did it.” It’s all she says. I take a deep breath.

“Did he … Is he … ” I can’t form the question, can’t say the words. But Nastasia steps aside so I can see behind her.

Deathly white, and looking frail is Valentino, leaning against the wall. The poison took its toll on him. His skin is pale, and he can barely hold himself up. But I take one look and run past Nastasia and right into his arms. I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him. He chuckles, his lips on mine as he wraps his strong arms around me.

The doctor looks at me, his eyebrows furrowed, lips tight, frowning. He just shakes his head. I lean into Valentino’s shoulder, taking comfort in his arms wrapped around me. They don’t know what’s wrong with Javiar. “I’m sorry, Your Highness.” He bows and walks away, his shoes hitting the cement and echoing around us.

Dressed in white, lying on the bed, is the man who saved us all.

I sit beside his still form and take his hand in mine. I want to say something. I want to assure him that I won’t stop searching for a way to rescue him. But with an audience, I can’t form the words. I look up at Valentino, who so patiently waits for me.

“Can I have a moment?” I whisper. He nods, and with one last glance, he walks away. As soon as he’s gone, I turn back to Javiar.

“Your Highness, Prince Javiar, you asked if I thought you should be forgiven. That was the wrong question all along. I wish you could see what I saw when I looked at you. You’re more than the actions you were forced to perform. You always have been.” I have to blink back tears and sniffle before continuing.

“The world thought they needed me to stop Mendina, but in the end, it wouldn’t have happened without you. You’re the real hero. And if there is any way to save you, I promise you it will be done. I will never give up—I will never stop searching for a cure. Just as you saved me—this world—I will give anything to save you.” My chest tightens.

I squeeze his cold fingers for reassurance. It’s the faintest feeling, but he squeezes my hand in return. And that gesture, that movement, tells me there is hope. It gives me the flame I need to work. I won’t stop until Javiar is saved. I will never stop looking for a way to free him.

I stand beside the bed and watch his still form. I don’t want to leave him. I can’t just yet. It could be years before I am able to find a way to save him. He said if I didn’t kill him, he would be trapped for all of eternity. But that can’t be true.

I just hope that all the fairy tales I read on earth are correct in saying every curse can be broken. I need it to be true.

“Excuse me, your highness,” A nurse looking very apologetic says, standing at the end of the bed. “We need to finish his preparations.” She glances at the floor, at him, her fiddling hands. Anything but me.

“Preparations? For what?” My voice is hoarse.

“He cannot live in the infirmary forever. The king has requested a glass casket be made for him. Something for him to be placed in until his curse ends, he is saved, or he d-” She averts her eyes again, not wanting to speak that last word. But I know what she was about to say. A place they can keep watch over him until he is freed, or dies.

“Of course.” I walk away. Unable to be there any longer. I can’t stand the thought of losing him forever. Knowing he never got to meet his family, never even knew about them until it was too late. He never had the chance to move on from his past and live a life free from guilt.

The pain is overbearing. We stopped Mendina but the price was far greater than I could’ve imagined. And now I must inform his family that they may never be whole again.

“Your highness, there is a woman here who demands to see you.” The servant bows. I nod and follow him as he leads me to the grand hall. The room is barren except for the lonely figure standing in the middle of the room, hands behind her back.

She glances up at me. The servant leaves without another word while Krea and I stare each other down. She has dark brown hair. Her skin is tan and flawless. Her large brown eyes have a sparkle to them.

She is lean, perfect posture. And I don’t doubt for one second that she is as deadly now as she was when Mendina controlled her. But now she is free, and she has hope for a life all her own.

“Thank you,” I walk closer, a little unsure what to do myself.

“For what?” She relaxes a little.

“For helping save us all.” I almost choke on the words, as they were the same ones I said to Javiar.

“No, Your Highness,” She falls to her knees, bowing. “Thank you.”

“Don’t. I am not the one you should be thanking.” I take a staggering breath. “Krea, Javiar is the one who gave his life to end Mendina’s.” I close my eyes, the memory so clear in my mind.

She gasps. “Is he – did he?” She can’t finish the question. And I don’t blame her. I wonder if she knows the truth. If she is aware they are siblings.

“He isn’t dead. He gave more than life, he gave his future. He gave up everything.” I kneel beside Krea, who has yet to stand back up. “Mendina cursed him. It’s as if he is in a coma. And I don’t know how to save him.”

“He was a good person. Seeing Mendina hurt him was hardest. Knowing he is the one who stopped her in the end is very heart shattering. He already gave up so much. He was my only friend before escaping Mendina’s clutches. He tried to save me but the bonds that witch had on me weren’t physical. There was nothing he could do and he hated it.” She sits down, wrapping her arms around her legs and resting her chin on her knees.

Knowing Javiar has always been the hero, always trying to make up for his mistakes only makes this harder. “Krea, do you know-” I don’t know what to ask. Who her family is? If Javiar was her brother? I can’t finish it.

“Do I know what?”

“What did Mendina tell you of your family?” I start over.

“In the beginning she always told us that she was our mother. But after Javiar left, she told me the truth. She wanted more power over me. Do I know that Javiar is my brother? Yes.” She closes her eyes, tears caught in her eyelashes.

“I’m so sorry.” I wrap my arm around her shoulder, not knowing what else to do. But she leans on me.

“Thank you.” And we stay that way for over an hour. Accepting each other’s comforting. Knowing there is nothing that can be done. We’ve both suffered, both lost someone in important. And though Mendina’s reign has ended, we are far from being whole again. That will take time.

Time to heal the wounds, time to rebuild the kingdoms, time to accept that we are in a world of peace once more.

~ One year later ~

Birds singing, the trees and flowers swaying in the cool breeze. Surrounded by family and all those who fought by our sides, we stand at the altar on the hill east of Umare.

“You may kiss your bride,” the priest announced seconds before Valentino’s arms wrapped around me, his lips meeting mine. Flowers are thrown over us, and even though I don’t want to leave his arms ever again, Valentino steps back and waves to the cheering crowd.

King Palamides takes me into his embrace as my parents do the same to Valentino. Nastasia, Danica, Krea, and Kajetan swarm about us, and even Edda hugs me. And though he cannot hug me nor dance with me, Fuentes laughs a glorious dragon laugh that shakes the ground.

I never expected such a grand affair for our wedding, but that hardly mattered to me because in the end, I married my one true best friend throughout both worlds. At the thought of my earth, I touch the emerald necklace on my neck. The one I took as a promise to never forget where I came from, and how far I’ve come.

Valentino eyes the necklace and smiles a knowing smile. He beams like a radiant piece of the sun itself.

“Congratulations.” The word surrounds us as the guests break out into dance and the party begins. Food is carted out into the gardens by servants, and people feast. As soon as I can, I snatch Valentino back into my arms and let him lead me to the small clearing deemed for dancing.

I lean my head on his chest and hold him closer, letting all the world around us disappear. “I love you,” he whispers into my hair. I look up at him.

“I love you.” A smile is permanently written on my face, his love forever etched in my heart.