by Riley Walker
There is a loud commotion out in the hall. Colton gets up and pulls the door open just in time for Hawkeye to come barreling through with a very limp Gretchen in his arms. Her face has lost all color, and she is covered in blood. They are both covered in blood. Rook jumps up and runs over, snatching his mom’s limp body out of Hawkeye’s arms. Hawkeye’s eyes are huge, and it looks like he is in shock.
“What happened?!” Rook bellows in Hawkeye’s direction.
“It was Armand. I was only gone a few minutes, just a few minutes.” Hawkeye is looking down at his blood-soaked arms, and tears are welling up in his eyes.
“What do you mean? You left her?” Rook asks with a sob.
“I left to get the items on your list. I was only gone for a few moments, and she insisted that she would be fine with Ruby. Rook, I am so sorry. She was like a mother to me. I never would have left if I thought something could happen to her.”
The emotion I see in Hawkeye’s eyes has my gut clenching. He is covered in despair and guilt.
“When I returned, Armand was already gone. Ruby said he was there to deliver a message. He told her that no one double crosses him. He also said he was coming for you and the Princess.”
Rook is now kneeling on the floor with Gretchen in his arms. He is rocking back and forth mumbling words of love into her ear. I am stunned and not sure what I should do. I walk over to Rook and fall to my knees in front of him. I push Gretchen’s hair back from her face and kiss her on the forehead. This is the woman who raised me, comforted me, kissed all my boo-boos, and always chased away the monsters under my bed. There will never be another Gretchen.
I scoot up until my knees are touching Rook’s. I look up to see his shoulders shaking, tears streaming down his face. I can barely make out the words he is saying.
“I am so sorry I failed you. I love you, Momma. I am so, so sorry. Please do not leave me. I just got you back. Momma, please.”
If my heart wasn’t already broken in two for Gretchen, his words of anguish would kill me. I look around and see heartbreak and tears in everyone’s eyes. Hawkeye is on his knees, his bloody hands pulling at his hair. I stand and walk over to him, hoping I can help ease some of his torment.
“Hawkeye, please.” I try to remove his hands from his hair, but he only grips it tighter. I walk behind him, bending down to wrap my arms around his waist. I place my head on his back and let the tears flow. I can feel his pain and misery with every shudder of breath he takes. He finally releases his hair and grabs both of my hands, holding on to them like they are his lifeline.
“I failed her. I left her alone for only a few minutes, but that was all he needed. I failed her. I failed Rook.”
“Stop. You didn’t fail anyone. Armand was obviously watching. He could have killed you, too, if you had been there.”
I look up to Edrik for something, I don’t know what, but what I see cracks my heart open all over again. He is kneeling behind Rook, one hand on Rook’s shoulder, the other holding Gretchen’s hand.
“There will be retribution for this. We will not let her death be in vain. As a Knight, I vow to you, we will find Armand, and we will kill him. You have my word, my brother.”
“Shelby,” I ask, “will you please go find my parents and let them know where we are?”
“Of course. Colton, come with me?”
Colton leans down and places his hand on Gretchen’s forehead. He closes his eyes, and I hear him say a soft Amen. He and Shelby walk out, hand in hand to find my parents.
I feel Hawkeye pat my hands, and I take that as a sign to let go. He turns to me, tears still falling and gives me a weak smile. “Thank you, Princess.”
He stands and pulls me to my feet. When I think he is going to step away, Hawkeye surprises me and pulls me into a tight hug. He then releases me to go sit on the couch. I turn my head when I hear a gasp. Looking over I see my Mother, her eyes huge and in shock, her hands covering her mouth. My Dad stands just behind her, shock written all over his face.
“What happened?”
“Daddy, . . .”
I rush into my dad's arms, the tears beginning to fall again. “It was Armand.”
“Armand? Are you sure?”
Hawkeye answers him before I can. “Yes, sir. She was with Ruby when he came in. He left a message for Rook and took off. I got there just seconds later.”
My Mother rushes around us and places her hand on top of Gretchen’s. I watch her look up at Rook with tears shining in her eyes. “I am so sorry, Thomas. Your mother was a fine lady. We will miss her terribly.”
She turns and leaves the study, my Dad stepping up. “We will host a proper Royal celebration of her life, and we will send her off with the greatest of honors.”
“Thank you, dad.”
My Dad walks over to Rook and whispers something in his ear only he can hear. He nods his head and gently lays Gretchen down on the rug. Rook stands and offers my Dad his hand. Instead of shaking it, he moves Rook’s hand out of the way and gives him a fatherly hug. “She was so proud of you, Son. Finish this and make him pay for what he has done.”
Dad pats him on the back and turns to leave. He stops at the door and looks at Rook once again. “I will send in someone to prepare her for the ceremony. Frannie, if you could choose something for her to wear? Rook, we will take care of everything.”
“I think I will go upstairs and take a shower. I need to . . . .”
“Go, Hawkeye. I’ll take care of Rook.”
Hawkeye gives me a slight nod and heads off. Shelby and Colton leave right after him, both stopping to offer their condolences to Rook.
“Rook, my brother, I am here for whatever you need.”
Rook just pats Edrik on the back. He still hasn’t spoken any words to anyone other than Gretchen.
After Edrik leaves, and it is just Rook and me, I take a tentative step toward him. He reaches one hand out to me, and I take it in mine. He pulls me to him and just grasps me tightly. It’s as if I am the only thing keeping him together. He puts his face in the crook of my neck and breathes me in.
“My Cara, I need you. I can’t do this without you.”
“Never. You never have to do anything alone again.”
“You always smell like honeysuckle and citrus. It is my favorite scent.”
“Come upstairs with me, Rook. They are ready for her, and you don’t need to be here for this.”
He takes a deep breath and raises his head, his gaze on mine. He pushes back a lock of hair and kisses me gently behind the ear. “Let’s go, Cara.”
I take him by the hand and walk him up the stairs and into my bedroom. I lead him to the bathroom, hoping a hot shower will help and maybe bring him back to me. I turn on the shower and begin to undress him. Starting with his t-shirt, I lift it over his head then bend down to untie and remove each boot. I undo his belt and remove it along with his pants, then quickly undress myself. I take his hand in mine again and lead him into the shower. He places both hands on the wall, dropping his head and allowing the water to cascade down his back. Every breath he takes is a shudder and witnessing his sorrow is almost more than I can bear.
I grab the body wash and sponge and begin to clean his back. Taking my time, I do both arms and his legs before moving to his front and washing his stomach. I turn him around and lean his head back, letting the shower wet his hair. I fill my hands with my shampoo and begin to wash and massage his scalp. The low moan from him lets me know that he is still with me. After rinsing off his hair, I shut the water off and reach for the towel hanging outside the shower. Just as carefully as I washed him, I do the same drying him off. Once I finish, I wrap the towel around his waist and quickly dry myself off and do the same. I lead him back into my bedroom and turn down the covers. Rook sits on the bed and pulls me in between his legs. With his hands on my sides, he lays his head on my stomach.
“I love you, my Cara. You are my world.”
He releases me and crawls into bed, scooting over to allow r
oom for me. I slip into bed and turn, putting my back to his front. He wraps his arm around me, pulling me tight up against him. He must be exhausted because his breath quickly evens out. In the dark of the night, surrounded by my grief and suffering I whisper the words back to him. “I love you, Rook.”
34
Saying Goodbye
I wake up feeling claustrophobic once again. This man just cannot seem to sleep on his own side of the bed.
My mind is replaying the scene in the library over and over. There is a hole in my chest that hurts to no end, and I can’t begin to describe the loss that I am feeling. There are no words for the hollowness I feel in my heart. It is like a part of me has been ripped from this world. Gretchen was the pillar in my life, my confidant, my North Star. How will Rook deal with this? Will he blame me?
I slide out of bed trying to be careful not to wake Rook.
“What are you doing up, Cara?”
“Shhhh. Go back to sleep. I have some things I need to take care of this morning.”
“Come back to bed. Anything else can wait.”
I walk over to the bed and lean down placing a kiss on his lips. “I really need to get started. There are a lot of things that need to be done before the ceremony for your mom.”
“Alright. I’ll be down shortly.”
“Rook, let me do this for you.”
“No. We will do this together. She would have wanted it that way.”
“I’ll meet you downstairs, then.”
I rush out of the door before the tears begin to fall. Rook doesn't need to see me crying anymore. He has enough to deal with. We don’t let our loved ones sit in wait after they pass. Royal funerals are held the next night which means there are several things that need to be completed as quickly as possible. I know my Mother will have most of the preparations finished, but this isn't just any Royal funeral. This is Gretchen, and she deserves something special.
I find my Mother in the study, her ladies-in-waiting surrounding her, taking orders as usual.
“Good morning, Mother.”
“Franchesca. We have several things that we need to get done. Did you pick out something for Gretchen to wear already? If not, I could help you.”
“Thank you, but I chose her favorite dress. It is ivory with lace and beading. She always looked beautiful in it.”
“That sounds perfect. It will look lovely against the emerald green in our Kingdom’s flag. We need to discuss who will be speaking.”
“I have not had a chance to ask Rook. He will be down in a moment. He probably has someone in mind.”
A knock on the door interrupts us, and Rook walks in. His hair is disheveled, as if he spent all night tugging at it instead of holding me. His eyes are red and puffy, and he looks so weary.
“Thomas. I am so sorry again for the loss of your Mother. She was the finest woman I knew. We will be lost without her. Her presence is everywhere in our home, and it will never seem right without her in it.”
“Thank you, Queen Amelia. I appreciate that, and I know Mom was very fond of you as well.”
“Yes well, shall we continue with the preparations? Franchesca has her dress chosen, the flag is being prepared, and the pyre has already been built. We need to decide on who will be speaking and what you would like to do after the ceremony. It is custom to have a feast to celebrate their life. Would that be acceptable to you, Thomas?”
“Whatever you would like is fine with me. I’m not a formal man. I would like for Edrik and Hawkeye to say a few words. I don’t think they will mind doing it.”
“Very well. I will take care of everything else. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“No ma'am, but thank you for all you are doing. Mom would be thrilled by all the attention she is getting.”
“Nonsense. It is our pleasure. She was family, after all. Her friend, Ruby, is it? We need to send word to her. Due to the circumstances I am afraid we cannot have a large crowd. The King has asked, for security reasons, to keep it family and close friends only.”
“Yes, of course. I agree with him. I'll send word to her. I know Ruby wouldn't miss saying goodbye.”
“If that is all, then please excuse me. I need to go speak with the kitchen staff.”
Okay, then. Who was that and what did they do with my Mother?
“Don't look so shocked, Cara. Times of grief have different effects on people. It looks like it’s making your mother nice.”
Rook smiles at me, and I can’t help but laugh. I lift my head, knowing he realizes what I am asking for. He does, and he delivers. I could kiss this man all day.
“Come on. Let’s go talk to Edrik and Hawkeye.”
The ceremony for Gretchen begins at dusk. She is laid out on a pyre that has been built upon on a wooden raft. She looks beautiful in her dress with the Kingdom's flag draped over her. Simple flowers have been placed around her, and we each have one to place on her at the end of the service. Edrik and Hawkeye, of course, agreed to say a few words. My father also insisted on speaking, which is an honor for anyone to receive a blessing from the King.
My Knight stands tall and is dressed in his Royal attire. He steps up to the dock where we will send Gretchen off on her journey to the thereafter. “Gretchen was like a mother to me. She would chase me and Rook around her kitchen, acting like she was going to get us with her favorite wooden spoon. She was there when I was appointed Knight, and she has been there for every pivotal moment in my life. I will miss her greatly, but I will never forget her.”
“I met her shortly after Rook and I became friends and comrades. While she did not always agree with what we had chosen to do with our lives, she was still supportive. I never saw her without a smile on her face, or a basket of baked goods in her hand. She was forever trying to fatten us up.” Hawkeye has to take a few breaths before he continues. This time when he begins to speak, he looks Rook directly in the eye.
“I failed her. I failed you. I never should have left her for one single moment. Her death is on me, and I will take the guilt of it to my own grave. I don't deserve forgiveness, but I ask for mercy for my negligence.”
Rook leaves my side, and for a second, I am worried about what he is about to do, but once again he surprises me. He grabs Hawkeye in a hug and begins to whisper in his ear. I can’t hear what he is saying, but I am sure he is telling him there is no forgiveness needed. Armand would have gotten to Gretchen one way or another. Nothing could have kept that evil man from doing what he had set out to do. When Rook finally releases Hawkeye, both men have tears unashamedly falling down their cheeks.
“With the blessings of the Light Fey Kingdom, I, King Bastian, send Gretchen off to her final journey. May she find peace where she rests, and may we never forget such a fine woman who graced our lives.”
Edrik and Hawkeye each take a long pole and use it to lower the raft into the sea. Each guest walks by, saying one last goodbye and placing their flower over her. Shelby and Colton follow behind Ruby, with Gerald and Mary after them. I am happy that they were able to travel from the Earth Realm on such short notice. After Gerald and Mary, I am next. I close my eyes and remember some of the best times I spent with her. The memories send a smile to my face, and I can’t help but let out a small laugh at some of the crazy things we did together. Tossing my flower, I mouth the words, “I will always love you, and I promise to take care of your son.” This is my final promise to a woman who will forever be in my heart.
After I say my goodbye, my parents are next, followed by Rook. He kneels to place his flower in her hand and speaks his last words to her. “Mo mháthair, mo chroí, i beidh riamh dearmad tú.” My Mother, my heart, I will never forget you.
My father takes the lit torch and touches it to the pyre under Gretchen. Edrik and Hawkeye use the poles again, this time to push her out to sea. I cannot watch this, so I turn my face into Rook’s chest. I feel the wetness from his tears hitting my face, and the shudders wracking his body as he watches his mother for the last time
as she leaves this Realm.
35
Three Become One
A few days after Gretchen's farewell, we are finally back to some sort of normalcy. Tomorrow is the crowning ceremony for Winston, and I am nervous about the entire situation. I am still betrothed to Winston, but fated to Edrik and Rook.
“What was that long sigh for, Cara?”
I lay down the book I have been trying to read in bed, while Edrik and Rook go over different maps and plans for finding Armand. It was getting late, so we moved from the library to my room, so I could rest, per my men’s orders.
“I am just thinking about tomorrow. I mean, I am happy for Winston, and I know he is going to make a great King, but it worries me because we are still technically betrothed. What am I supposed to do?”
“Chess, don’t worry about it. It doesn't matter. You are ours, and that is all that is important.”
“I can’t marry both of you, Edrik. His mother and both of my parents are going to push for this marriage. He doesn't want to marry me, either, but he will not go against traditions, and he will always do what is best for his Kingdom.”
“Cara, I would wager that once he finds out you are mated to both of us, your marriage arrangements won't matter to him, anymore.”
“I don't want to disappoint anyone, but I will not be without the two of you. Once the Armand situation is dealt with, I am telling Winston and my parents everything. I want to be with both of you, but I don't know how we can do this.”
“My Cara, there is nothing to worry about. You will be with both of us. Edrik and I have already agreed to this. Nothing will ever come between us. Remember what the prophecy states, For only love shall change this fate, Between the Golden Queen and her Fated Mates. We are your fated mates and we will help you to bring peace. You do not need to worry about anything else.”
