by Laurel Veil
“Where do you think you’re going?”
My insides twisted into a hard, tight knot. I dug my heels into Samson’s sides as I tugged on his reigns. He reared up, and Dirk took hold of his bridle and pulled him back down.
I tried to jump from Samson. I was going to run into the woods, but Dirk was too fast, and he took hold of my wrist and pulled me onto his horse.
“Don’t even think about running again. You won’t get away.” He took Samson’s reigns. “And if you even try, I’ll destroy the horse.”
As we neared the party, I caught Landon’s eye as he looked up from kissing a giggling, young woman’s neck. He looked at Dirk and then behind us at Samson. I knew, he knew.
Dirk escorted me up to my room, and had a guard stand at the door when he left.
I stepped out onto the balcony and seriously contemplated scaling down the wall.
“Miss,” came a whisper.
“Maggie!”
“I slipped in earlier. I didn’t know if there was going to be trouble and I didn’t want anyone telling me I couldn’t come up. So, what happened? Where were you?”
I told her what I’d done.
She gasped. “I’m just glad you’re OK.”
For the first time, I noticed the wedding gown on a sewing mannequin in the corner of the room.
Maggie turned to see what I was looking at.
“Looks like I’m getting married tomorrow,” my voice caught, and tears poured from my eyes. “At least my dad is free.”
19.
I was disappointed when I woke in the morning. I’d hoped I might die in my sleep. If it hadn’t been for Maggie, I never would’ve gotten out of bed. I was in shock and like a Barbie doll that she moved about as she got me ready for the inevitable.
◆◆◆
I stepped out onto the balcony and watched the last sunset I would ever see as simply me, and not Landon’s wife. I squeezed Jackson’s ribbon that I had folded up in my hand. It was to be my something borrowed and something blue. I tucked it inside my sleeve, so it could discretely comfort me throughout the night.
The ceremony was taking place in an enormous garden behind the castle. Too many were attending to have it indoors. The bridge would be down for the night and all neighboring kingdoms had been invited to attend. Hundreds of spectators were already gathering.
From where I stood, I could see that the garden was glowing with a multitude of candles. Numerous elegant flower arrangements lined the aisle that would lead me to my fate.
“It’s time,” said Maggie.
Her words might as well have been a fist thrust into my gut. I almost doubled over from pain.
“You can do this, Falon. When this is over, you will have more freedom. You can escape then.”
She was right. I stood up tall and pushed my shoulders back. I turned to face her.
“You are absolutely stunning,” she said.
“It’s too bad I feel like I’m dressed for my funeral instead of my wedding.
Maggie helped me down the staircase and through the hall. Beatrice actually smiled when she saw me.
“You look beautiful, madame.” As she handed me a bouquet of white roses, an orchestra began playing. I looked back at Maggie one last time. Beatrice nudged me out the French doors and everyone turned to face me as they stood.
As I walked, I desperately searched the sea of faces for Ty. I was to the end of the aisle, before I realized there was nowhere else to look for him. When I finally made eye contact with Landon, I wished that I would disappear.
He stepped closer to receive me and took my hand. Together, we took a few steps and then Landon stopped, as did I, and we waited.
A moment later, a gentle breeze lifted my veil as a fog rolled in from the forest and stopped just in front of us. Was it the garden spirit? When a female creature appeared from within the fog, everyone awed at her beauty, and whispered, “It’s the spirit of the forest.”
Her hair was long, and dark and it moved about her as if she were a mermaid beneath the sea. A wreath of leafy, intertwined vines lay atop her head like a crown.
She stood before me and Landon, reached up, and from her crown, a single vine freed itself and draped loosely around her fingers.
She held up the vine with both hands for all to see. When she lowered her arms, a hint of smoke tainted the air, then a small, but intense flame burst from the spirits palms. Everyone gasped as the vine instantly turned to ash and fell to the ground like grey snow.
“What happened?” Landon demanded.
The spirit looked puzzled and then her eyes grew big. “She cannot marry you,” she said. Landon’s expression grew hard as the guests began to murmur. The spirit then looked at me. “You cannot marry him because you are already bound to another.”
My brows furrowed. “I don’t understand.” She then took my hands, and a vivid memory of Ty and me standing in my garden appeared above the altar and played like a movie, projected on the fog for everyone to see. Ty's hand was bound tightly together with mine by Jackson’s blue ribbon—the way the spirit’s vine was supposed to have bound us! I couldn’t believe it. In this world, Ty and I were married.
Before I knew what was happening, Landon’s hands were gripped around my neck and his thumbs were pressing on my throat. My eyes watered and then blackness filled the fringe of my vision.
I heard something whiz past my head and then I almost collapsed when Landon suddenly released me. I coughed as I gasped for breath. In horror, I watched Landon writhe on the ground with an arrow protruding from his heaving chest. The distinctive red feathers of the fletching were identical to the ones on the arrow that had shot Ty. I looked behind me and saw Brit with her bow.
Suddenly, everything seemed to be engulfed in flames. People were rushing about, and screams filled the air.
“Falon!”
My head jerked in the direction of my name. “Ty!” He was on Samson and reaching out to me. I took his arm and he pulled me up. A moment later, we were crossing the bridge and running through the forest.
◆◆◆
We had ridden for well over an hour when we came upon an abandoned cottage, nestled within some trees. A small pond shimmered just behind it in the moonlight. “We can stay here for the night. Samson needs to rest,” said Ty with a tired voice as he jumped down and reached up for me.
“Where exactly are we heading?” I hadn’t ask him earlier, because it didn’t matter—not as long as I was with him.
“To your father’s home. He’s waiting for you there.”
“Ty, I never got to thank—”
He pressed his mouth to mine and pulled me close. “I can’t believe you’re here,” he said. “That we’re together. I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
Ty held me even tighter. “And, I can’t believe…you’re my wife.”
It was surreal to hear those words. “So, you’re OK with all that?”
He laughed and then looked at me sternly. “Why? Aren’t you?”
“This is the happiest I’ve ever been,” I assured him.
He touched my face. “You look beautiful.”
I looked down at my dress. “I seriously need to change.”
“Not yet. I like looking at you.” He grinned.
“Well, I guess that’s good. It’s not like have anything else to wear.”
“Actually, you do. I have some of your things in Samson’s saddle bag.”
“Really?" I was thrilled. "By the way, I was so close to marrying him, next time, don't take so long,” I teased.
"I knew you weren't going to be able to marry him."
“What?"
“Jackson told me.”
“What? Is he here?” My heart began to thud.
He shook his head. “No, he’s not. I’m sorry. I have a lot I need to tell you. Let me tend to Samson first and get our things. Then, we can go inside and talk.” He quickly removed Samson’s saddle and reigns and rested them on what
was left of a rotting fence. He then slung the saddle bag over his shoulder, took my hand and led me inside the cottage.
◆◆◆
Ty fumbled around for a bit until he got an oil lamp lit. “There, that’s better,” he said.
I looked around in the pleasant, golden light. “This place is really cute. Dusty. But I wouldn’t mind living here.”
“It will keep us warm and dry tonight,” said Ty.
Ty lit another oil lamp in the bedroom, so I could change.
I was so happy when I opened Ty’s bag and saw some of my old clothes. I took one last look at the beautiful gown I was wearing. Maggie and her mother were truly gifted. They were artists. I slipped it off and laid it out as neatly as I could on the bed, and then covered it with a sheet to try and protect it. It didn’t feel right to leave their hard work, and something so beautiful, in a heap on the floor.
By the time I stepped back into the den, Ty already had a fire going. I took a quilt that was draped over a chair and sat next to him on an overstuffed sofa and covered my legs.
“So, you were able to make a run back to my old house,” I said referring to my clothes.
He nodded. “Last night, after I helped your dad escape, I had a dream that I went there—to your house. When I woke, I just knew I had to go. I was worried at first that once I went through the tree, I might not be able to get back again without you. But there was something gnawing at me. I didn’t have a choice. I had to go. I’m glad I did, because once I stepped into your family’s garden, I saw Jackson.”
“Well, what happened?”
“He told me that he was from here—this place inside the hollow tree.”
I was surprised, but only for a moment. “I guess that’s how he knew how to get you through the tree the first time.”
“Yeah, and there’s more,” he continued. “He said that he’d come from—the future.”
“The future?”
“That’s what he said.”
“But why?”
“He didn’t elaborate. He just said that he didn’t tell you any of this before, because you wouldn’t have believed him.”
“He was right.”
“He told me that he’d lured me there, to the garden, through my dream.”
“Like how he came to me through my dream,” I said excitedly, “and showed me how to use the ribbon to get you here.”
Ty nodded. “He told me that you weren’t going to be able to marry Landon, because you and I…well, you know.” He looked down shyly and grinned. “He told me to get some of your things and go get you.” He chuckled. “So, that’s what I did. With some help of course.”
“So, he had us get married to prevent me from being able to marry Landon.”
“Yeah.”
“I guess it’s a good thing we like each other.”
“He said, where he's from, we were very good friends.”
“What? Did he say anything else?”
“No, but he did say he felt like he had to trick us, because he was pretty sure we wouldn’t have gotten married just because a five-year-old told us to. He said he hoped you wouldn’t be mad at him when I told you.”
Tears brimmed my eyes. “How can I be mad at him for looking out for me? I love him so much. I miss him so much I ache.”
Ty pulled me to him and let me sob on his chest. “Where is he? Why can’t we all be together?”
“I’m not sure,” he said as he stroked my hair. “He disappeared again after we spoke. He warned me that he wouldn’t be able to stay long. I’m not sure why.”
We were quiet for a while. “Why would he do this, Ty? Come from the future to help me?”
“Because he loves you.” He laughed softly, “If it makes you feel any better, he’s been checking in on the kittens at Ms. Alice’s.”
I looked up. “Seriously? He has?” Ty smiled. “That’s wonderful—that’s just like him.” I let that happy thought send me off to sleep.
20.
I was alone when I woke the next morning. It startled me for a moment, until I looked out a window and saw that Ty had already saddled Samson. He was getting a jumpstart on the long day of traveling ahead of us. I was just about to step away from the window, when I noticed another horse near the pond. It was then, that I heard voices. Ty was talking to someone. I went to another window for a better view. I couldn’t believe it. He was talking to Brit! I was grateful that she’d helped me escape, and that she’d healed Ty. But, I also now knew she’d been the one who had shot him in the first place. Anger consumed me like a wildfire.
They both turned in my direction when I thrust the door open. “What’s she doing her?” I snapped as I stepped out onto the porch.
Brit arched her brows but didn’t respond. I could tell she was biting her tongue.
“Brit has news,” said Ty.
A sinking feeling came over me. “W—what is it?”
“I know it all happened so fast,” said Ty, “but do you know that Brit is the one who shot Landon, so that I could get you?”
“Yes.” I then turned my attention to Brit. “You used the same type of arrow to shoot Ty.”
Ty looked stunned.
“It doesn’t matter,” she barked. “I saved him, didn’t I?”
“Why are you here?” I demanded.
“Because, you ingrate, I wanted to let you know I didn’t finish Landon off. I let him go.”
“What?” I could feel my heart begin to race. I had assumed he was dead. That all of that was over. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I knew it would be what you wanted.”
“Are you insane? What could possibly make you think that?”
“Ty told me about Jackson when he asked for my help. When Landon was lying there near death, he said that he knew about Jackson too. He said that Jackson was your son…and his.”
I couldn’t speak. Was she telling me the truth? Was that why I’d formed such a quick, deep bond with Jackson—why I was so protective of him? I felt something stir in my heart. It was true. Jackson was my son.
“So, you see, I had no choice. If I would’ve killed him…”
The slightest breeze could’ve knocked me to my knees. “No. Please. Don’t say it.” My mind was spinning with a million thoughts all at once. “Thank you, Brit,” I finally managed to say even though it was barely a whisper. My mouth was dry. “What am I going to do, Ty? I want Jackson. I want you. I—”
“We need to get going. If I was able to find you, Landon can too,” said Brit.
◆◆◆
We rode the entire day. In the distance I could now see the silhouette of an enormous castle. The burnt orange sky made it seem eerie.
As we got closer, I was relieved to discover it wasn’t spooky at all. In fact, for a castle, it seemed, warm and friendly. I think it was all the flowers and foliage that surrounded it.
Once we crossed the drawbridge, smiling faces and the scent of baking bread and cake welcomed us. Colorful flowers spilled out of window boxes and from baskets that hung from tall lampposts that lined the cobblestone streets. Large flickering candles, encased in glass, perched on top of the lampposts and lit our path.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered. Ty rested his hand on top of mine and I squeezed him tightly.
We were greeted immediately, at the castle. Someone took our horses and Brit was ushered off, so she could shower and get a bite to eat. And, Ty and I were taken to see my dad.
We were led down several halls and then entered through a tall wooden door with a rounded top. It was my father’s bedroom.
“Dad,” I said as I rushed to sit on the side of his bed. “Aren’t you feeling well?”
“Falon!” He smiled. “I feel good—great, in fact. Don’t let my lying here fool you. I was pretty malnourished. It’s just going to take a little while to get all my strength back.” He patted my hand. “I’m glad you’re here.” He looked past me. “I owe a lot to this young man.”
I turned to Ty. He
looked down humbly. “You don’t owe me anything. It was nothing—”
“Nonsense. You got me out of that hell hole and returned me to my home. And now, you’ve brought me my daughter. You’re a good man.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“He’s also…my husband.”
My dad looked at me with surprise. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Was he going to be angry? “You’ve chosen well. Congratulations,” he said as he hugged me. “Go get some rest now. We’ll talk more in the morning.”
He reached out to Ty and they shook firmly. “Thank you.”
As I turned to go, a portrait caught my eye. It was my dad, with Queen Mary—my mom, and she was holding a young child. She was holding me. I looked back at my dad. I wanted to talk to him about my mom, but his eyes were already closed.
Ty gave a quick nod toward the door. He put his hand on the curve of my back and followed me out. “I’m starving,” he whispered in my ear. The way his mouth brushed my hair tickled and I laughed.
“Come on, let’s go find the kitchen,” I said as I led him down the hallway. I looked around in awe. I couldn’t believe this was my home.
After a few turns, we could tell by the noise and scents that we were close.
“Do you remember anything at all about this place?”
I looked around again and shook my head. “I don’t think so. I would’ve loved to have grown up in this place with my parents.”
“Hello,” said a cheerful voice. We turned to see a plump, older woman wearing a starched white apron standing in the doorway. “Princess Falon!” She walked quickly to me and hugged me tightly. “You look just like your mother.”
I looked at Ty from over her shoulder and smiled.
She pushed me back. “Let me have a look at you. So, grown up.”
“I—I’m sorry, but I—”
