by T. N. Hayden
“Is Whitney alright?”
“She’s fine.”
“Oh no!” Nate rushed past the man as he noticed Kaleb, lying in a pool of blood.
The man followed Nate.
Nate brought his fingers to Kaleb’s neck. He sighed in relief as he felt a pulse. “Help me take him to the infirmary.”
~ Chapter 35 ~
Whitney walked through the scene of the main battle, searching for Brent, Kaleb, and their friends.
“Where’s Kaleb?” Whitney grabbed the arm of a rebel. “Have you seen the prince?”
“Look in the healing wing.” The man nodded toward a corridor. “There are a lot of wounded.”
Whitney ran into the healing wing, and she found Kaleb lying on a bed. His chest was bandaged, but he was going to live. She found Brent and Nate by their friend.
“Whitney.” Brent rushed to embrace her. “You’re alright.”
“I’m alright.”
“Kaleb will be too.” Nate assured her. “Cyril and Aunt Henika died.”
“So did Dad.” Brent closed his eyes.
Her heart broke as she wept, holding Brent tight as her despair overwhelmed her. She could barely stand. Cyril had always protected her, Henika had trained her when no one else could, and her father had always loved her, even after he found out she wasn’t truly his daughter. Whitney could barely breathe as she mourned.
“Let me go.” Someone cried from one of the beds on the other side of the room. “Don’t you know who I am?”
“Yes.” The nurse spoke calmly. “Which is why you are to be bound until the leaders tell me what to do with you.”
“Leaders.” The voice was bitter. “I’d love to meet those thugs who want to destroy my family.”
Whitney walked toward the bed, and Nate grabbed her shoulder. “It’s Izik.”
“I want to meet him.”
“He doesn’t know who you are.”
“But he should. I’m his half-sister.”
“He won’t recognize you as the Sorceress as you look now.” Nate glanced at the black leather outfit she still wore. “However, I think he’ll be able to figure out you’re a rebel.”
“He should know who I am.”
Nate nodded. “Come on.”
They walked down the lines of beds containing the wounded, and Whitney rung her hands as she got closer to the brother who hated her. Spencer had been thrilled to find out he had a half-sister, but Whitney knew this prince would not have the same reaction.
“Nathan Trent.” Izik glared. “Why am I not surprised to see you with these rebels?”
“Someone wants to meet you.” Nate stated.
Izik’s hazel eyes had some of their mother’s sky-blue in them, and Whitney was taken back a little. She hadn’t expected to see so much of their mother in his looks. While his blond hair was darker than hers, he looked more like Rose than Spencer did.
“Well aren’t you a pretty thing.” Izik grinned. “I didn’t expect a rebel woman to offer herself to me. Do you like the bad boys?”
Nate choked on his laugh, and Whitney glanced at her friend. “Stop it.”
“What?” Izik frowned. “What am I missing? Are you Nate’s woman or something? What do you want with me? I’m a prisoner in my own home. I’m an orphan now.”
“Orphan?” Whitney shook her head. “Your mother’s on her way here with your brother.”
“Mother and Spencer are alive?” Izik’s eyes widened, and Whitney noticed dark brown flecks in his iris. “We assumed you rebels killed them.”
“We rescued your mother and brother.” Nate explained.
“No wonder my brother turned traitor with you and Brent as his friends.” Izik twisted slightly in his bed. “Do me a favor, love, and massage my thighs? I can’t get a good enough stretch in these beds with my wrist shackled.”
“You’d better tell him who you are before he suggests something inappropriate with the shackles.” Nate groaned.
“Blasted, just tell me who you are.” Izik glared.
“My name’s Whitney Kilton.” She explained. “My twin brother is Brenton.”
“You’re Brent’s sister?” Izik smirked. “No wonder you wanted to meet me.”
“Whitney!” Spencer’s cry echoed through the room of resting patients.
Whitney turned and laughed as he threw himself into her arms.
“You’re alright.” Spencer held her. “We were so worried.”
“We?” Izik glowered.
“What happened to you?” Spencer looked at his brother.
“I was attacked by wild boars.” Izik shook his head. “What do you think happened to me stupid?”
Spencer frowned.
“And why are you so attached to Brent’s sister?” Izik demanded.
“She was raised as Brent’s sister, but she’s really our sister.” Spencer explained.
Izik jerked closer to a sitting position. “Our sister?”
“My father was King Jenkin Masen.” Whitney explained. “We share our mother, Queen Rose.”
As if she knew they were speaking about her, Rose walked into the room and joined them, embracing Whitney as she did.
“We have a sister?” Izik demanded.
Rose nodded. “She’s your older sister. I’m so glad you’re alright, Whitney.”
“Yes, she’s a rebel and apparently our sister.” Izik groaned. “Why are you so obsessed with making sure she’s alright?”
“Because I’m the Sorceress of Prophecy.” Whitney explained. She glanced back toward Kaleb’s bed. “Excuse me, but there’s someone I really need to speak with.”
“Our sister is the Sorceress who killed our father?” Izik’s voice demanded as she made her way back to Kaleb’s bed.
She put her hand to Brent’s shoulder. “How’s he doing?”
“Still sleeping.” Brent looked up at her. “I saw you back there with your brothers.”
“They’re still strangers to me.” Whitney admitted. “Queen Rose, Izik, and Spencer, they don’t feel like family. You and Dad, you’re who feels like family.” She paused as Brent smiled. “I guess I’ll have to get used to having two families.”
~ Chapter 36 ~
Ashlie had never felt so sure about a decision in her life, but it was hard. She didn’t want to lose someone so important in her life.
Ashlie, hair simply braided, found Delisa, Peyton, and Valerie in the courtyard. Delisa was nearly healed from her wound. The three had already saddled their horses, and Delisa smiled. “There you are.”
“I am not returning with you.” Ashlie explained. “I have decided to stay in Waden with Brent. He needs me right now, and I love him.” She paused as she watched her friend’s deep blue eyes.
A sad smile replaced her friend’s happy one, and Delisa nodded. “I know. I just wasn’t sure you did.”
“Well I do now.” Ashlie chuckled. “I am sorry I did not realize sooner.”
“You shouldn’t have to be sorry.” Peyton called from his stallion. “The heart isn’t always as rational as the head.” He winked at Valerie.
“You deserve to be with the man you love, and you deserve to be happy.” Valerie assured her.
“Will you give this to my parents?” Ashlie handed Delisa the letter she had written them. “I know they will not understand this decision, but I have made it. I will not change my mind about this. Please tell them this is what I want.”
“I will.” Delisa embraced her, and Ashlie held onto her friend.
Ashlie’s tears leaked onto her friend’s sleeves as Ashlie whispered. “I am going to miss you so much. You were the sister I always wanted but never had.” She released her friend and touched her cheek.
“This isn’t forever.” Delisa promised. “We’ll see each other again.”
“We better.”
A rough hand woke Whitney as she moaned.
“Whitney?” It was Kaleb’s voice.
“Kaleb.” She whispered his name as she slowly woke. “Kale
b.” She touched his bare shoulder. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m doing better.” He took her hand. “I’m so glad you’re alright.”
“He didn’t tell me who your mother is.” Whitney whispered as she looked at the bandages on Kaleb’s bare chest. “I tried, but he wouldn’t tell me.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore.” Kaleb shook his head. “The only thing that really matters is we’re both here, and you’re alright.”
“We’re alright.” She kissed him.
His lips were soft against hers, and the taste of tears made her pull back. She smiled as she wiped the moisture from his eyes.
“I love you, Whitney.” He whispered. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Kaleb.” She bit her lip.
“It must be strange, then.” Izik’s voice came from a bed several feet down.
“What must be strange?” Kaleb sighed.
“Spencer and me.” Izik sneered. “While she’s the daughter of Rose and Jenkin Masen and you’re the son of Marc Donnie and some woman, you share two brothers and another sibling on the way.”
“Actually, King Marc said he wasn’t your father.” Whitney touched Kaleb’s shoulder. “He wouldn’t tell me anything about your true parents, but I don’t think you’re his son.”
“Let’s get out of here.” Kaleb tossed the covers off. He groaned as he moved, and Whitney steadied him.
“You’re in no shape to move.”
“I want to get away from Izik.”
“Come on.” Whitney pulled Kaleb’s arm over her shoulder, and she helped Kaleb hobble out of the healing center.
“Thanks.” Kaleb gasped as she helped him sit outside the room.
“He’s right you know.” She looked at him. “We do share two siblings with another on the way.”
“But that doesn’t change anything about us.” Kaleb insisted. “We have no reason to not love each other. I don’t care that Izik and Spencer are our brothers. I care about you. I love you so much. Besides, you have three brothers.”
Whitney smiled.
“And we don’t share Brent in the sibling-sense.”
“No, just the he’s your best friend and my twin.”
“I love you Whitney.”
“Call me Alana.” She whispered. “My true name is Alana Masen.”
“Will you allow me the pleasure of your hand in courtship?” Kaleb’s emerald eyes seemed to beam. “I love you so much, Princess Alana Masen.”
“I love you too, Prince Kaleb Donnie.” She leaned toward him, and his calloused fingers entered her hair as he kissed her. She pulled back quickly. “Oh, and yes. Yes, I will allow you to court me.”
Alana Masen touched the soft satin of her gown. The fabric was so unfamiliar to her, and she took a deep breath as she looked at her reflection.
Her new room was the fanciest she’d ever lived in. It was full of ornate furniture, satin bedsheets, and a balcony that overlooked the kingdom. Her kingdom. She was the princess and future queen of Waden.
Someone knocked, and Alana called. “Come in.”
Nate and Brent entered.
“Wow.” Brent gaped. “You look incredible.”
“Thanks.” She whispered. “I can’t believe this.”
“You are truly a princess.” Nate went to her and took her hands in his. “Kaleb is a lucky man.”
Alana blushed.
“We told Rose we would escort you to the royal ballroom for the celebration.” Brent took his sister’s hand and placed it on his arm. “Come on, we don’t want to be late.”
Alana nodded and followed the two men.
~ Chapter 37 ~
Dintz 31, 546
Rose looked at her three sons, and she smiled. “I’m glad you’re here with us, Izik.”
“I thought about it a long time, and I decided I can still be the prince even without my father.” He glanced around the small group. “I suppose I’ll just have to get used to the idea of having a sister and this new change.”
She nodded and embraced him. “I think Gizelle will be glad you came to that decision.” She hoped she could trust her son, but part of her knew he had too much of his father in him.
“Me too.” He glanced toward the large mass of people behind the dais. “I don’t see her there.”
“Oh sister!” Spencer gasped.
Rose turned and grinned. “Alana.”
Alana entered the room with Brent and Nate escorting her. Her long blonde hair flowed down her back in curls, and her gown was adorned by a rich topaz with leaves and swirls like her marks of magic embroidered in gold. A royal blue underdress shone through the gown. Twisted through her golden locks was a gold tiara with topaz stones embedded into the fine crown.
“Alana.” Kaleb went to her and kissed her hand. “You look beautiful.”
“You look pretty handsome yourself.” Alana blushed.
“Hello, Your Majesty.” Edwin joined them.
“I always tell you to call me Rose.” She shook her head.
“Is everyone ready?” Edwin asked.
Rose looked at her children, their friends, and siblings, and she nodded. “Let’s address the people.”
The royal ballroom was decorated with flowers, bright candles, and ribbons of topaz and gold.
“Hello good people of Waden.” Edwin raised his arms and addressed the large crowd. “For those of you who don’t know who I am, my name is Baron Edwin Burrows, and I was best friends with King Jenkin and the late King Marc. I began the rebellion against King Marc when he murdered our friend, and I sheltered the Sorceress of Prophecy. But to tell you more, and to address her people, I would like to present her royal majesty, Queen Rose Masen.”
The room exploded in cheers, and Rose took a deep breath as she stepped forward. “Good people of Waden, I know that for many years everyone believed me to be in love with Marc, to be his devoted wife and the mother of his three sons, and I too believed such a lie. But the truth is that I was his prisoner, and I’m only the mother of two of his sons.” Rose proceeded to tell her story to the people, to speak the truth she had longed to say for so many years. “Many of you have heard rumors of King Jenkin’s heir, and I know many in the kingdom believe Prince Kaleb to be Jenkin’s heir. However, that is false. Jenkin’s heir is alive, and she is the Sorceress of Prophecy who will be by my side as we rebuild her father’s kingdom. I present to you, your Sorceress, Princess Alana Masen.”
A hush carpeted the ballroom as Alana took her place beside her mother, and Rose took her daughter’s hand. “Together we will build peace.” Rose took hold of Edwin’s hand and nodded to him.
Alana held Kaleb’s hand, and he took Spencer’s hand who held Izik’s all the way down to the beginning of the crowd.
“With one united nation we will rise with this new peace and prosperity.” Rose lifted her hands, and Alana and Edwin followed as everyone else did. “King Marc tore everyone apart with lies and deceit, and we will no longer be enslaved as we have been. We will rise together as a nation and bring peace throughout the land.”
~ Epilogue ~
“Gizelle?” Izik held his breath as he waited in the room for his beloved. He had made his excuse to his mother to find the woman he loved. The rest of his family remained at the royal palace, but Izik didn’t belong there anymore. He belonged here, in a room in the middle of Owlet, paid for and hidden.
She ran to his arms, and Izik held her close. He smelled the rosemary from her skin and felt better, safer, and stronger with her in his arms.
“You’re alright.”
“I heard you have a sister.”
He nodded. “The Sorceress is my half-sister. It makes me sick.”
“What does your mother say about her children now?” Liliana seemed to materialize from the shadows. “Hello Izik.”
“You’re here too?”
“Gizelle is my prize.” Liliana smiled, something sinister. “Her magic is far too important to me, and I will not see her driven awa
y from me, even by you, Prince Izik.”
“I don’t wish to take her from you.” Izik lied. “Gizelle makes me feel like a man.”
“She makes many boys feel like men.”
Gizelle glared at her madam. “I love Izik.”
“Which is why you can never be with him.” Liliana’s emerald eyes burned toward Izik. “I asked you a question, Prince: what does your mother say about her children now? Does she still count Kaleb as her own? I hear Kaleb and Princess Alana are courting.”
“They are.” Izik nodded. “Mother’s not the kind of woman who will abandon someone she’s loyal to.”
“Are you ever going to tell him?” Gizelle’s grey-green eyes passed Izik to her madam.
Liliana shrugged with one shoulder.
“Tell who what?” Izik frowned. “Do you have something you need to tell me?”
“You?” Liliana laughed, strong and shaking. “Oh, please. No.” She took a step closer to the prince and grabbed his elbow. “I’m Kaleb’s mother. I agreed to help your father if he raised my son to be king. Kaleb would have been, but he has too much of his father in him. I no longer care about my son’s future. I wish to have a king and queen I can control, as I did with Marc. Gizelle is my property, and you will soon make her your queen. You love her?” She yanked Gizelle’s brunette hair. “If you want her to live, you will do everything I say.”
Izik couldn’t believe Kaleb was Liliana’s son. Izik would prefer Liliana his mother anyway. He knelt before her. “I will do as you command Madam. I will be the son Kaleb will never be.”
“Then prove your loyalty.”
“How?”
“You say you love Gizelle? Prove you’re more loyal to me than to her.” Liliana smacked Gizelle’s face, and Izik nearly leapt to his feet. He watched as Liliana proceeded to harm her property. He held his breath as Liliana stopped and faced him. “Now it’s your turn.”
Acknowledgements
Thank you so much to everyone who helped me with inspiration, encouragement, support, and critique through the writing process!
