Soar (The Immortal Chronicles Book 3)

by Sloane Murphy

  Michael is coming with me, everyone else except for my guard has to stay here. I wanted to bring Sophie along, but Kellan said I needed to do this alone, that she would be too cute a distraction. What does he know?

  Michael pulls the car up and climbs out to open the door for me.

  “Your carriage awaits milady,” he says with a smile, trying to calm me.

  “Do you mind if I ride up front with you?” I ask.

  “You know I don’t, but if you’re seen getting out of the front of the car at the Nursery… Well, the King will throw a fit. We need to do this properly. Now climb in the back, you can still talk to me from back there, baby girl,” he says gently, his voice soothing my frayed nerves. I roll my eyes and climb into the back of the very large, and very white, car. Even the interior is white leather. I feel like I’m going to mess up more than just this car today. Michael walks back round, climbing in before starting the engine.

  “You’ve got this, Addie. It’s just like any other day.”

  “Yes, any other day where I make a fool of myself in front of our impressionable youth,” I say with air quotes. “Everyone has been going on and on about just how important today is; about the community accepting me as their princess, as their future ruler – it’s all of the utmost importance. What if I mess up?”

  “Addie, you can’t mess this up. These people know you, or at least they knew you. Just be yourself, and it will be fine. You’re easy to love, just let them see who you really are underneath the title,” he says. It makes a lot of sense so I try to take it on board as I look out of the window and watch world pass me by.

  “Addie, wake up. We’re nearly there.”

  Michael nudges me gently. We’ve stopped, I guess, so I don’t turn up looking like a drooling slob. Wonderful. I have no idea how long I’ve been asleep for, but cars always seem to send me to sleep!

  “I’ve got a make-up kit with me, let me freshen you up.”

  “Thank you,” I say, smiling. “How long do I have?”

  “About ten minutes. Best get to it,” He says quickly heading to my door and giving me a quick tidy and brush down before hopping back into the driver’s seat and starting off again.

  This is all so silly. Behind us is the car that contains the rest of my guard. They’re edgy, and didn’t like the unplanned stop. Thankfully, Michael has a natural charm. I know The Seven are still a risk, but I don’t understand why I need such a big guard. Surely, I’ve proven that I am able to take care of myself.

  I roll my eyes and open the bag Penelope sent with me, pulling out the compact mirror. Thanks to Michael, I don’t look too messed up. We arrive at the Nursery in a matter of minutes.

  The day goes by in a bit of a blur and doesn’t turn out too bad. Michael was right, I didn’t have anything to worry about. The Head Keeper, Miss Taylor, led me around the nursery so I got to see how they operate, and I dropped in on a couple of classes. Now, it’s the end of their learning day, but they’re having a special assembly, which I am to lead; say something inspiring and the like. I won’t lie, I’m nervous as hell.

  It’s as I’m waiting outside the assembly hall, watching them all file in, that I see Miss Evie. Seeing me, she waves like an excited child. She blushes and rushes over. I’m instantly transported back to when I was younger, when she would look out for me, even when I got into trouble.

  “Addie,” she flushes. “I mean, Princess – look at you, all grown up! I always knew there was something special about you!”

  “Thank you, Miss Evie. It’s so good to see you! I can’t believe I’m back here. I can’t even really believe everything that’s happened since I left here.”

  “You’ve definitely been through a lot, sweet child, but it doesn’t seem to have broken you, and that makes me happier than you could know. To see you here, healthy and happy, warms my heart!” she gushes. Another keeper signals to her and she waves goodbye to me as she makes her way into the hall.

  I wait until I hear Miss Taylor introduce me. Michael follows me in and stands behind me at the front of the hall.

  “Hello everyone, it is such a pleasure to be back here. I used to be just like you, I grew up in this very Nursery. Many of your keepers taught me the importance of staying true to myself, which is exactly what I did and is how I ended up where I am. When I was little I wanted to join The Red Guard, and all of my keepers, both here and at the Academy told me I could be whatever I wanted to be. I want you to know how true this is.” I tell them the story about how I used to cause trouble, but how I’ve learnt that mischief isn’t always the answer. That listening to those who have experienced life might just have some wisdom or insight into whatever troubles they’re having, and that more than likely, they’ll be able to help. I sound exactly like the adult I need to be.

  “I’m just going to finish with this.” I say, smiling, “Defence is one of the most important classes you will ever take. Even if, unlike me, you don’t want to be in the guard. You never know when you’ll need the lessons you’ve learnt. I only wish someone had told me and my classmates this when we were younger. Maybe then, we wouldn’t have seen so much tragedy.” I sigh, realising I’ve probably gone too far, but then a sea of arms shoot into the air to ask questions and I’m flooded with relief. Questions, I can handle!

  “Yes?” I say pointing to a young boy toward the front of the hall, and he stands. “What is your name?”

  “My name is William, Princess. I don’t have no parents either, just like you. I want to be just like you when I grow up!” he says proudly and a round of laughter fires out.

  “Why thank you, William – but how about you grow up to be you. I promise it will be much more fun!”

  Sat in the wingback chair in my room, looking out over the gardens, where Sophie is playing with our new nanny (a gift from Kellan, much to my mother’s disapproval that he’s encouraging the ‘situation’), I can’t help but feel more at peace with the world than I have in a while.

  I think of Xander, and what he’d make of where I am right now – and what he’d make of the fact I’m heading out on a date in an hour or so. I know he’d laugh at me, maybe not at the ‘date’ part, but he would laugh at how much I’m dreading it. He’d be proud of me for finally getting on with my life. I can hear him inside my head telling me life is going to pass me by if I don’t grab onto it and make it mine. It still hurts to think about him, about life without him, but I can smile when I think about him and our past, which is more than I could say six months ago.

  A soft knock on my door announces Penelope. I’ve been expecting her. Today is the first of my official dates with my suitors. Whoever chose that stupid title needs a slap – suitors. Jeez.

  “Is there anything you need from me, Princess?” she asks. I think she can sense my anxiety because she’s not as sharp as she normally is.

  “No, I’m all set. Just waiting.”

  “Well, you look beautiful. I came to get you because Aleksandr’s car just passed the gates. I thought I’d give you a heads up.”

  I look down at my watch – he’s early.

  “Thank you, Penelope,” I say, standing. I brush down my jeans and check my reflection in the mirror as I head out of the French doors towards Sophie. Seeing me, she runs towards me, her arms open wide. We’ve both healed so much in the last couple of months. I pick her up and spin her around, not caring if my hair messes up. I promise her I’ll be back before midnight and that I’ll be here in the morning, and she slobbers my cheek with a kiss. I signal to the nanny to help extract her from my hip and push the hair back from her forehead.

  “Be good. I’ve got to go now, but I love you and I’ll see you soon,”

  The nanny places her down on the floor and tempts her away with the ball they’ve been playing with.

  As I’m walking away, I hear her little voice on the wind.

  “Bye, mummy.”

  The word stops me dead in my stride, and I turn to see she has already moved on with her game. She has no i
dea the power of what she’s just done. My chest swells with so much emotion that it almost hurts.

  “Are you alright, Princess?” Penelope asks from the doorframe.

  “I’m good. I’m really good.” And I am. I really am. For the first time in a long time, I’m good. “Okay, let’s go and meet suitor number three shall we, Penelope?”

  “Yes, Princess,” she says, fighting a smile at my haphazard sarcasm. No-one ever said I had to be enthusiastic about any of this! I follow Penelope down to the entrance hall and as we reach the bottom of the stairs, a horn blast announces Aleksandr’s arrival.

  “He didn’t even knock! How rude!” Penelope exclaims quietly in my ear, and I can’t help but laugh.

  “I’ve seen worse, Penelope, its fine. I’ll see you later?”

  “Of course. I believe Michael is already outside waiting for you with the car.”

  “Thank you. Have a nice day.”

  “You too, Princess.”

  I think I’m growing on her. She’s becoming warmer every day. I knew I’d make her Team Addie eventually!

  I exit the Palace and see a ling black limo with windows blacked out. Nothing like keeping things low key. I roll my eyes and step towards the car when Michael appears beside me.

  “I’ll be in the car following, baby girl. I know you can handle yourself, but I’ve heard some stories about this guy. If he tries anything, you fry his nuts and throw yourself out of that car. I’ll come get you okay?”

  I burst out laughing, visualising the possibilities.

  “Oh, my God Michael,” I say trying to stop laughing. “I can’t even… I’m sure everything will be fine.”

  The back window of the limo winds down and I see a cold and stern looking Aleksandr. “If you’re done flirting with the help, I’m ready to go,” he growls.

  My jaw nearly hits the floor. Oh hell no.

  My hand has flown to my hip and anger surges. “You think I’m getting in your car after you speak to me about my friend like that. Not on your life, buddy!” I say turning and walking away from the car.

  “Princess, please. I’m sorry,” he says, getting out of the car. He knows he’s just screwed up big time and he’s going to have a hell of a time explaining that to his daddy. I turn and eyeball him hard. He watches me as if I’m some sort of wild animal about to bite off his hand.

  “I’m tired and cranky, it’s been a long few days and I’m not yet used to the time change. Forgive me?” Aleksandr asks. His voice is monotone and he doesn’t sound sorry at all. Michael stands behind him, shaking his head at me. He doesn’t think I should get in the limo with this asshat either.

  “Fine, you get once more chance. Blow it, and you’re history!” I say, walking past him and getting in the limo. I slam the door shut behind me. He climbs in, not saying a word. Today is going to be so much fun – not!

  We rode here in silence. I couldn’t tell if he was afraid of saying the wrong thing again, or if he just had nothing to say, but I noticed him keep looking over at me, as if he wanted me to say something; like he’s trying to figure me out. I have no idea how he knew about this place, I’ve never heard of it before, that’s for sure. I guess that’s perks of being upper-class Fae.

  The car pulls up to an elaborate entrance, which has a bright sign saying, ‘Wonderland’. I immediately turn into a big kid.

  “Oh my God! A theme park? I didn’t even know we had once this close! This is amazing! I’ve always wanted to go to a real theme park,” I gush. I can’t believe he has chosen here of all places for our date; it’s the last kind of place I expected to bring me. My happiness pours out of me in waves.

  “I’ve always loved theme parks, ever since I was a boy,” he explains, smiling. “We have one at home, on the grounds of our palace. Some of my fondest memories are about it.” He shares with a small smile, and it changes his face entirely – the boy with the smile, that’s a boy I could be friends with. We are let out by the turnstiles and I’m out of the car before the driver can get out and open my door. It’s busy. There are lots of people milling about. I’m practically hopping on the spot.

  We bypass the line and are let straight in by one of the officials, who hand him two wristbands as we pass. A Ferris wheel spins close, and laughter and excitement fill the air. The excitement is contagious and Aleksandr grabs me by the hand, laughing as he drags me behind him. It really is a Wonderland. I can’t help but laugh, too. I feel so happy; so carefree.

  “Where first?” he asks.

  I spin around trying to take it all in.

  “Rollercoaster?” I say hesitantly before he takes my hand again and leads me through the crowd to the ride.

  We do this all day, riding almost every ride at least twice. I’ve eaten so much cotton candy, I think I’m going to be sick, but I’ve loved every second of the day. I’m shocked I’ve enjoyed it so much, especially considering the rocky start, but I’ve seen a new side of Aleksandr; he’s been happy and carefree all day, happy to bow to my every whim. It’s been fun but it’s getting dark and we need to think about heading back. I’ve not seen Michael or any of the guard all day, but I know they’re out there watching.

  “Is there anything else you’d like to do today, Addie?” he asks.

  He’s looking at me all funny again and I really wish I could read what was going on in his head. It’s been nice getting to know him. I might not have been that enthusiastic about this whole suitor business, but maybe there are some silver linings.

  I look up at the Ferris wheel and point. “I’ve been saving it all day. I want to go on it now it’s dark.”

  He snorts and pushes his hand through his hair as if to say he really does think me crazy. I don’t tell him that the reason is because I want to look out at the dark expanse of the infinite sky; to look up and feel closer to the stars – to Xander. I chase that thought away as quickly as I can. I don’t want to feel sad today.

  “Your wish is my command.” He bows, and I giggle before heading towards the line for the Ferris wheel. I think the main reason why today has been so much fun is that I’ve felt normal. We’ve had to queue and wait, just like everybody else. I also insisted he call me Addie instead of Princess so I could pretend, just for today, that I was just Addie again. Just simple old Addie having fun with a regular guy.

  After several minutes, we get to the front of the queue and a young girl helps us into the car. All the while, she stares at Aleksandr and blushes – God only knows what her reaction would be if she knew he was a real prince charming. Bless her, I can’t blame her for being affected by him. When he smiles like he is, he’s hard to look away from. And now I know he’s not a total jerk, I can see he might not be all bad – maybe even a little likeable. We slowly work our way to the top of the Ferris wheel and find ourselves talking about our childhoods.

  “Can I ask you a question?” he asks.

  “You just did,” I laugh and he nudges me with his shoulder. “Yes sure, ask away,” I say.

  “How do you keep smiling?

  Okay, so that wasn’t the question I anticipated.

  He drops his eyes to his lap and lowers his voice as if he’s regretting starting the conversation. “I’ve heard so many stories from the Guard, the Vampyrs, around the Palace, and the tale they tell… well, it’s…”

  “Honestly?” I sigh. “I have no idea. I’m lucky I suppose; I’m surrounded by so many amazing people, and each and every single one of them plays a part in keeping me sane. Plus – I know the people I’ve lost would be devastated at the thought of me mourning my life away because of them. So, I keep going for them.

  I’m not going to say it doesn’t hurt or that I don’t get sad, or have bad days – believe me, they happen way more often than they should - just ask poor Michael, but I just keep trying to be better, and now that I have this crown to wear, I know I have to be better for more than just me.

  So many people depend on me now, so I do it for them. I do it for Sophie.”

  “Sophie?”


  “The little girl I have adopted.”

  “Oh, I thought she was your lady’s maid – there’s a fashion for pretty child maids at our court.”

  I shake my head. “No, Sophie is not my servant, she is my…” I hesitate, what is Sophie to me? I think back to this morning and how she called me ‘mummy’, the word feels both alien and right all at the same time, but the word also feels heavier than the crown. To be a mother is such a responsibility – not that my own mother would understand. “She is my Sophie, that’s what she is.”

  “Wow, Adelaide. You are incredibly strong. I can’t even think how I’d even get up every morning if I had lived through even half of what you have. You inspire me. I’d heard a lot of… well, less than flattering stuff about you before today, and I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t exactly looking forward to dealing with the bratty half-blood princess, but I can see now how wrong I was; how wrong a lot of people are. Just being with you for one day has already inspired me to be better. I can’t imagine what a lifetime would be like. We could do great things, you and I,” he says, and I’m not sure what to say to that so I smile and squeeze his hand before tipping my head back and looking up at the stars.

  “We’re just a very small part of all this. I mean, look at everything this world has been through, but it still turns. It has seen so much. Maybe what I’ve lived through isn’t all that much in the grand scheme of things – but it’s my story, and I’d sure like some happiness for a change.”

  We finish the ride in contemplative quiet, before heading back to the limo. Our ride home is in comfortable quiet and I don’t pull away when he holds my hand. We listen to the music play through the speakers of the car and I’m surprised to find myself sad that the day is ending. I could never have imagined how the day would turn out. As we pull up to the front of The Palace, I turn to him and smile.