The Royal Runaway

by Rory Mackay

doors and into the central foyer, a vast, multi-tiered hall of glistening white marble, lined with statues and adorned with silk tapestries. Her father descended a staircase at the far end of the hall and came running toward her, tears of joy streaking down his face. As soon as he got to her, he reached out and drew her to his chest, holding her tightly, whispering her name over and over.

  In that moment she knew that she’d been wrong for running away. They needed to face this together. They couldn’t do it alone. But Eladria was still resolute: no matter what her father decided, she would never give up on her mother.

  Though the days ahead would be hard, the princess knew in her heart that her mother was still alive and was out there somewhere. And it didn’t matter how many years would pass, she vowed that she would never rest until she’d found her and reunited her family again. No matter what it took, she would find her....