by A. D. Duling
A splash of cold water brought her back to consciousness. She slowly opened her eyes and reached up to rub her aching head, but then something stopped her arm and she realized she was shackled. She bolted up and looked around.
“Welcome back, Anna.” spoke a voice.
She looked over to the source and found Hayden unconscious, lying chained to a table a few yards away from her. The Chancellor walked up and stood above his head. He motioned to a masked guard standing nearby who roughly walked Val over to him.
“I told you Anna Kippling, I want you to suffer every minute until your death! And now because of what you did to me, I am going to make your friends here suffer as well!” He spat out to her.
He grabbed Val by the arm and pulled her next to him. He grabbed her wrist and held her hand up and placed a dagger in it.
“Grab a hold of it!” he screamed at her. Val did.
He then grabbed her by the chin and forced her to look up at him. His eyes then glowed green, “I want you to look me in the eyes, girl!”
Val scrunched her eyes shut.
The Chancellor looked over to the guard who then walked over and jabbed a knife against her ribs. She screamed.
“Open your eyes and look at me!” he ordered her.
The guard jabbed the knife in a little more causing her to scream again.
“Open your eyes!”
She finally did so and his eyes lit up again. “You will take the dagger and plunge it into his heart!” He ordered her.
As he said this, the fight went out of her and she became submissive. Anna could see her friends hand clench tighter around the dagger. The guard then lowered his dagger and stepped aside.
The Chancellor repeated himself and the girl silently nodded. She then turned towards Hayden.
“Val, don’t do it!” Anna yelled to her.
But her friend did not acknowledge her. She jumped up to run over to them, but the chain of her shackles pulled her back. Val now had the dagger raised with both hands above Hayden’s chest.
“No Val, don’t do it! You have to fight it!” She screamed to her, tears streamed down her face.
Hayden moaned; he was waking up.
The door burst open to her left, slamming hard against the stone wall right next to her. Another masked guard ran in and looked around. When he spotted Anna, he ran over to her and unlocked her shackles.
She quickly grabbed her pendant, “Conceal me!” she yelled out and disappeared.
“Get him!” The chancellor yelled to his guard. He then snatched the dagger out of Val’s hand and pushed her out of the way. He held it over Hayden’s chest, “Show yourself Anna or your friend here dies!” He yelled out.
Hayden was now awake and yelled to her. “Don’t Anna! He’ll still do it!”
Seconds passed and nothing happened.
“Show me where you are girl!” he yelled again. “Reveal me!” Her voice cried out and she appeared a few feet away from the table.
He grinned. “There you are.” He calmly said and thrust the dagger into Hayden’s chest.
“No!” she screamed and ran over to stop him, but he hit her. She stumbled back and fell on her butt. Suddenly Val was wrestling with him and out of the corner of her eye she saw the masked guard that had helped her fighting with the other.
Anna sat there and stared up at Hayden’s lifeless body. The book had predicted his death, but it had not played out as it had said. It didn’t really matter how it did anyway, he was dead and there was nothing she could do about it…or was there?
As her friend and helpful stranger fought to the death with the Chancellor and his man, Anna lifted her wrist and rubbed the stone on her bracelet. “Give me time!” she yelled out.
Instantly everything paused for a second and then started rewinding backwards before her. She knew she only had a few seconds to react and quickly jumped up and ran over to Hayden.
Then just as it reached the Chancellor holding the dagger above him; it paused for a second and then resumed. This time however his dagger came down and plunged into her back. She could hear Hayden scream and his body tense beneath her as he helplessly watched.
She gasped; the pain unbearable. The Chancellor leaned back stunned, pulling the dagger up with him. Without hesitation she reached up and ripped the dagger from his fingers and sent it deep into his chest. His eyes widened and he staggered back.
“Anna!” Val screamed from behind her.
“Unlock these!” Hayden yelled to her from underneath Anna.
The masked guard went over and undid the shackles around his wrists. He sat up and grabbed her before she slid down, “Anna!” he yelled, looking into her eyes.
She looked at him and smiled. She went to take a breath and coughed, sending blood up past her lips. The guard quickly freed his legs and he climbed down and picked her up. He laid her gently down onto the table. Val was there now holding her hand.
“Anna!” was all he could say and he kept his eyes on hers.
The masked stranger walked over to her other side and pulled the mask off. It was a woman.
“It’s the Empress, Anna. You saved her.” She heard Hayden tell her.
She looked back over to him, tears in her eyes. She did not speak; only gasped in a breath and kept her eyes on him.
“I love you, Anna.” He told her.
“Wait! The beads… they can help her!” Val yelled and started fishing through Anna’s pockets.
Hayden’s hand reached over and touched hers just as she pulled the satchel out. “She’s gone Val.” He somberly spoke. She looked over at her friend’s face. Anna’s eyes were now closed and her chest still.
“No!” she slapped his hand away. “These can save her! They saved me!” She cried out and poured a handful of them out and started stuffing them into Anna’s mouth.
“It took only one to cure me! Think about what a few more could do!” she pleaded and stuffed the remainder of the beads inside and closed her friend’s mouth.
They waited in silence for a few moments.
“Any minute now, you’ll see!” she assured them. She looked up at Hayden, “Any minute now….”She went on and looked back at Anna, but still nothing happened. She looked back to Hayden, “Maybe we need a little more time….” She stammered.
He reached up and gently touched her cheek. She looked back down at Anna, her friend did not move. Val dropped her head onto her friend’s chest and sobbed.
The love, the friend and the Empress gathered around her and mourned the fallen hero, who had saved them all.
Chapter 17
The journey home was traveled in mournful silence. Word had already spread through the lands of the Chancellor’s defeat and the death of Anna. Earlier as they passed by the walls of Heron, flags of respect already hung from them. Its large wooden doors stood open allowing its citizens to give their respects as they walked by. A head councilman even volunteered to escort them home. Later that evening as they neared his home city; Hayden could see their own councilmen on their horses outside the gates waiting for them; his father among them.
Harmon rode up to him. “Hello son.” He spoke somberly.
Hayden only nodded.
“We would like to take her to our home and make the preparations there.”
Hayden nodded again.
His father rode by his side to the house; mournful citizens lined the streets as they guided the wagon holding their precious fallen Anna inside of it. When they pulled up to the house, his mother and Anna’s great grandparents were waiting.Hayden climbed down from Thunder and walked over to the back of the wagon. He and three other men lifted and carried her body up to the bedroom that had recently been hers.
They laid her body gently onto the bed and the men left Hayden alone with her. His mother walked in. She quietly walked over and hugged him. He hugged her back. She then walked over and delicately pulled the blanket back from over the young woman’s head. She gently stroked her head; pushing a few loose strands of hair
back into place.
“Her skin still feels warm; she looks as if she is only sleeping.” She knelt down and kissed her forehead, “If only it were true… goodnight my sweet girl.” She softly spoke and cried.
Hayden walked over to his mother and comforted her.
“If only we had an answer on how we could have saved her.”She sobbed.
“I know mother…” he consoled her.
He held her while she cried until she stopped. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a handkerchief and wiped at her eyes.
“I should go downstairs and join the others and let you have some time alone with her.” She commented and stood up, “Thank you son.” And she leaned over and kissed the top of his head.
He sat quietly looking down at Anna. As soon as the door shut, he bolted over to Anna and pulled the blanket all the way off of her. He fished into her pockets, looking for the book.As soon as his fingers touched the leather cover of the book he pulled it out and opened the book.
“How can I bring Anna back?” he asked it, but the pages remained blank. He flipped to another page, “How can I bring her back!” his asked again, his voice cracking.
But the book still did not answer. He slammed it shut and held it tightly, clenched between his fingers! The tension climbed up his arms and spread through the remainder of his body. The strength had finally run out in him and he plopped down into the chair next to the bed.
A sob slipped past his lips and he shakily sat the book down on the nightstand next to him. He then cradled his face in his hands and cried like he had never done before!The sobs were so strong they shook his body.He didn’t know how long he cried and he didn’t care. From time to time he could hear footsteps outside the bedroom door; but he didn’t care and continued crying. Finally when the last bit of light left the room and he could not muster another tear, he stood up and left her.
Chapter 18
“Hayden, wake up!” someone spoke and a hand shook at his arm. He moaned.
“Hayden, wake up!” someone whispered into his ear.
Finally he opened his eyes and looked around. Anna was standing next to his bed staring down at him. He blinked and rubbed his eyes; thinking they were playing tricks on him.
“Yes I am really here.” She confirmed.
With that he bolted upright in his bed and held his hand out as if to keep her back. “No, you’re dead!” He said, trying to convince himself more than her. “You’re dead Anna!”
She smiled. “So you thought.”
He sat quietly and stared at her.
“Are you just going to keep staring at me?” she asked him.
He nodded.
She laughed.
“How?” he asked her.
“Val certainly stuffed a lot of those beads into my mouth.” She commented.
He smiled. “She stuffed all of them.” He informed her.
“All of them?” And she laughed. “No wonder why I can’t get rid of that funny taste in my mouth!”
Hayden climbed out of bed and stood up, “You’re really here?” He reached up and touched her cheek to confirm it.
“I’m really here.” She assured him.
“But I still don’t understand!”
She smiled. “Sometimes things are far above our understanding. We just have to be thankful for the gift we are given and use it wisely.”
He returned her smile, “How did you become so knowing?”
She shrugged. “You can learn a lot from death.”
“So you did die?” He asked.
She shook her head. “No, I couldn’t say that I did, since I did not go anywhere. More like a deep sleep, but I was still aware of my surroundings.” It was her turn this time to touch his cheek. “I couldn’t speak or move, all I could do was lay there and listen. I could hear you crying Hayden… I wanted so much to sit up and comfort you, but couldn’t!”
He touched her hand with his and pressed her palm against his cheek. “I thought I had lost you forever.” He pulled her hand down and kissed her palm. “Life without you in it definitely would be dull, but maybe that would have been a good thing?” he added to lighten the mood.
She laughed, “Oh, you think?”
He grinned. “Not really, I think I like the excitement that comes with you!” he teased.
They silently stared at each other for a moment, allowing the passionate tension to rise between them.
“I’m going to kiss you now Anna.” His words broke through the silence.
She only nodded in response.
He leaned his face in and pressed his lips gently against hers. Her eyes instantly closed and she tilted her head back. When the kiss was finished, they lay on his bed and looked at each other. Hayden was the first to fall asleep. Anna laid there and watched him. She knew now there was no more denying the fact that she loved him. The moment she replaced his life with hers sealed her fate; a life that could not be satisfied without him in it.
She smiled at the thought of introducing him to her parents. Her parents! She had not thought about them in a while! She missed them and dared to think what they must be going through with her missing! And just a few days ago they had almost lost their daughter without even knowing it!
The life she had once lived, she knew would never be the same again. The world she came from almost seemed nonexistent. She knew she had to go home and wondered what Hayden would think about that? Would he be able to let her go? Or would he go with her? Her grandparents did it, so it was possible!
She watched his chest rise and fall; his breaths came softly. She wondered what his decision would be. The next question was; how was she going to handle it?
Chapter 19
When word had reached the Empress of Anna’s resurrection, she joyfully announced a celebration. There would be a ball! Anna laughed at the idea, when Hayden had told her. She could not imagine herself attending a ball and fitting into all the grandeur. But having no desire to offend the Empress, she graciously accepted. The Empress did all of the arranging and word got around of the lavish décor and food prepared for the event.
When it came time for Anna to be measured for a gown, she found herself actually becoming excited! It would be neat to parade around in a beautiful gown and be done up so elegantly! It would be like playing “Cinderella”!
And sure enough when that night came around, she looked absolutely breathtaking! The tailors had done a wonderful job on her gown and it was beautiful! They had chosen a pale pink taffeta fabric to use and layered on top of that a sheer lace. Her hair was pulled up into a loose bun with wisps of hair framing her face.
Hayden’s expression alone expressed his thoughts and she smiled shyly. He as well looked stunning in his attire and they were an envious sight! When they walked through the doors of the palace they were not the only ones awestruck by the Empress’s event! She had really lived up to the rumors! Everything was beautiful!
A uniformed man announced them as they walked in while another man took her coat. The music stopped and every pair of eyes turned towards them. Hayden hooked her arm in his and guided her down the grand staircase that led into the ballroom. Ahead of them up on a stage awaited the Empress. The crowd parted for them as they made their way over. Anna smiled modestly at the friendly faces that greeted her along the way. When they reached the steps to the stage, Hayden unhooked his arm from hers and stepped aside. He then held his hand up for her to hold on to as she climbed the steps. He then climbed them up himself.
“You look very beautiful, Anna.” The Empress complimented her as she walked up to her.
“Nothing compared to your beauty, Empress.” She repaid the compliment.
The Empress smiled and grabbed her gloved hand; she guided her over to the table, where a mahogany box sat on top.
“Tonight we not only celebrate the resurrection of our fallen hero! We also celebrate the defeat of the fallen Chancellor!” She announced.
The guests cheered in response.
She l
ooked back at Anna. “I would not be standing here before you, if it had not been for Anna and her two fellow companions!” she motioned over to where Hayden and Val stood.
He gave a curt bow and Val executed a very awkward curtsey. The Empress then turned to the little mahogany box and opened the lid. She reached inside and pulled something out. She held it up for everyone to see.
“I have one for each of our three heroes! To remind them always of our gratitude for their sacrifices to not only save my life, but to also retain our freedom and prosperity from someone who so desired to take it away!” She turned back to Anna and pinned it on her dress above her heart.
“Engraved on each pin is the symbol of Tatania. May they wear it over their hearts and remember the love that we give in return!”
Applause filled the room and continued as the Empress walked over and pinned one on Hayden and Valencia as well. She returned to her place on the stage facing her audience and waited for the room to quite again before she spoke.
“Now please, dance, eat and enjoy!” she encouraged and the music played again.
She turned to Anna. “Now go dance with him before another girl snatches him away!” she glanced over to Hayden.
Anna blushed and the Empress chuckled while giving her a gently nudge in his direction. She walked over to where he stood and took his outstretched arm. “The Empress has ordered me to dance with you, but I must warn you I am horrible!”
He smiled, “Allow me to lead, watch my toes and you should be fine.” He teased.
She laughed and climbed down the stairs with him.
He gave her a mischievous smile and guided her across the dance floor. “Now be nice to me!” She threatened him. He laughed and put his hand on her waist.
Hayden turned out to be a wonderful dancer and regardless of how many times she did step on his toes; he kept on. How long they danced, she didn’t know? She had long lost count after the first five dances! With each song, Anna became more confident and soon the pair danced in graceful sync around the dance floor; oblivious to the other dancers around them.
