“No, I won’t take away their memories. It’s all they have. And I would never want my memories of them to disappear—it’s all I have. And sometimes memories are the only thing that can keep you going.” I say with the knowledge that all I have left of them is my memories.
“I’m sorry for even mentioning it. You’re right.” He nods. “You know, I used to dream of what life would be like if we had grown up friends. Our kingdoms are neighbors, and I always asked where the lost princess was. No one would tell me, of course but I thought of you every day. Everyone always talked about the lost princess, the missing princess, the princess that would end Mendina.” His eyes look far off in the distance.
The lost princess, the missing princess, the princess that would end Mendina. They want me to be their hero. They talked about me, knowing where I was but never telling the world I was protected in a far-off place.
“Why didn’t they send you away?”
He comes back to the moment. “They didn’t send me away because they I wasn’t in danger here. But I wasn’t raised like a royal child. They took me on adventures, allowed me to play with common children. They made me fit in so I wouldn’t be a target. Not that it mattered—Mendina struck her dark powers in the heart of my kingdom when she took the life of my mother.”
“I’m sorry about your mother.” The thoughts of how we grew up so differently scare me. How is it that our lives are so different and yet, we are so much alike?
“Thank you. Honestly, I wonder if it was a mistake entirely. Mendina wanted something from her—I don’t know what or why—but her wrath took over, her anger became uncontrollable, and in that moment, she lashed out. The power—magic—coursing through her shot out and killed my mother in a single blow. Mendina was even angrier – almost upset over the death. And it appeared to the world as another one of her attacks. But still, I would like to know what it is she wanted. I want to know what my mother protected with her life.”
I stand and walk around the fire to sit beside him. I lean my head on his shoulder, if just to comfort him. “Does your father know?”
He rests his head on mine and picks up my hand, playing with my fingers. “I don’t know. He never speaks of it now. It took his willpower. After that, he quit going out and interacting with the people. Instead, he sends an advisor.”
“That’s horrible. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you. You know, I’ve never told anyone what happened before. They all assume it was Mendina’s strike against us. No one has questioned why I wasn’t put under the same protective measurements you were. Until you did.” He lets go of my hand and stirs the food.
“Maybe they don’t want to know. People see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear. Everyone assumes that your mother was killed in a violent act of murder. But what we do know of Mendina? She is destroying kingdoms and scattering the royal lines but why? What does she gain? And if nothing, what revenge—whose revenge is she seeking?”
Valentino stops stirring and turns to look at me. “What did you just say?”
“What?” I lean back a little, scared I said something wrong.
“We don’t know why she’s doing this. We never have. All we know is she is going after anyone with royal blood, and yet you just named the only two possibilities. You’re right, she isn’t gaining anything, which means the only logical explanation is that she’s doing this for revenge.”
“Does anyone realize this? Has anyone spoken to her, or just run from her?”
“If you’re close enough to speak to her, you usually don’t walk away.” He turns back to our food and begins ladling it into bowls. I take mine, grateful I accepted the offer for food. No spoons, so I drink it up.
I’m glad to see Valentino doing the same as I put my bowl down. I’m genuinely surprised at how tasty it was. “You are welcome to cook for me anytime.” I snicker.
“You’re welcome.” He bumps my shoulder. I laugh, glad to see that it looks like we’re getting back into our regular routine.
“I have another question. Working at the stables that just happened to be where the gate was? Coincidence or planned?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Planned. Your adoptive parents own the stables.” I begin to look hopeful. “However, the gate is now forever sealed.” He must’ve seen that hope and now the disappointment. “I’m sorry, Shanice. I wish it could be different but we can’t leave a portal between worlds open. The things that might happen could end both worlds. Its best left sealed.”
I look up, hoping to see even a glimmer of stars beyond the treetops. “Are there any other worlds?”
“I’m sure there are.” He looks up. “We should sleep. We have a long journey ahead of us.”
I nod and return to my blanket, shivering and all. I hate the way he changes in an instant. Be my friend or be distant but don’t be both. I lie down and turn my back to the fire, longing for a little more privacy.
If I know anything about myself, I know that when I sleep tonight, dark dreams will haunt me. Even if they are only dreams of what my life was. I close my eyes, though, in hopes of actually resting before we ride for endless hours tomorrow.
The cold wind blowing through the trees makes it almost impossible to fall asleep. At first, I only shiver but as the wind picks up and the night passes, the wind turns into chilly blasts that have me shaking.
Warmth covers me. I bolt upright and turn. Valentino has moved from the other side of the fire and is now kneeling beside me. “Shhh.” He doesn’t explain but simply lies beside me on my blanket and puts his on top of us, his back to mine, and sleep consumes me.
Warmth envelopes me, the singing of birds playing above me. I open my eyes, wide awake. The nightmares I feared never came and the shivering stopped. I don’t move as I realize that one of Valentino’s arms is wrapped around me and my head is laying on the other.
I gaze over his face, appreciating every inch of it. He’s beautiful. And oh, so not mine. I heave a sigh, wishing that were different.
“Good morning,” he mumbles, eyes still closed.
I bite my lower lip, trying to keep from laughing but it doesn’t work. “Good morning.” I want to kiss him so bad. I can honestly say I never thought I would go camping with him, so this alone is a dream come true.
But still, we can’t lie here forever. “We need to go,” he says, as if replying to my thoughts. He doesn’t move, though, so neither do I.
“Mmhmm. You get right on that.” I close my eyes again and snuggle a little closer.
“Shanice,” he says.
“Hmm?”
“You have three seconds to get up before I use more forceful methods to get you up.” His threat is given with a smile, which really makes it hard to take seriously.
“Oh? I don’t see you getting up.”
“You’re on my arm. I can’t move until you do.”
“I see. And what are these other methods you speak of?” I ask, saying anything just to savor this moment.
“Well,” he says in a matter-of-fact tone, “I have five fingers all within reach of your side, which I happen to know is very ticklish.” As he says it, his fingers move up my side, right to where I am, indeed, extremely ticklish.
I lean closer and whisper into his ear, “Those, sir, are fighting words.” With that, his fingers hit the spot.
“All right! I’m up!” I jump to my feet, feeling more ninja than princess at the moment. Valentino falls back, laughing hysterically.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Laugh it up, buddy. I promise to return the favor.” I kick his side gently and take his blanket. I fold it over and roll it up before attaching it to Star’s saddle.
“Now you’re stealing my blanket?” he scoffs, picking mine off the ground.
“Mine is dirty now.” I shrug.
He shakes it off, flinging dust at me in the process.
“Hey!” I shout, which gets him laughing again.
I saddle Star, ready to leave, when I remember my least favorite part o
f camping. No bathrooms. “I’ll be back in a minute,” I say, leaving Star tied to the tree branch.
“Don’t get lost!” he shouts after me. If I thought I could make a straight throw, I would launch a rock at him. Instead, I run find a little privacy. Yep, definitely my least favorite part of camping.
I return to camp—which is no longer a camp—as quickly as I can. Valentino is already mounted and ready to leave. I mount and let him lead us back to the path. Sun is filtering through the leaves above us, along with warmth to fight the breeze.
Despite being in a semi-hurry I want to stop and marvel at the exotic flowers as we ride down the dirt road. The flowers vary from bright yellows and reds and vivid purples and blues. They look like something man-made on Earth. But here, they’re real. They’re natural. And all the more beautiful.
When we come upon the river we stop and allow the horses to drink, re-filling our canteens as well. Our stop is brief but before I mount Valentino grabs my wrist. I turn to. Without a word he slides one of the flowers I was marveling at behind my ear.
The contact, the look of pure adoration in his eyes causes my stomach to fill with butterflies. We continue on for only a half an hour before he stops again.
“Shanice.” Valentino stops riding. We’re at a ridge. The path below looks just a little steep to me.
“Yeah?”
“Welcome to Avonathia.” I look above the path and beyond. There are two castles in sight, people moving about in the town between them and us.
“Thank you.” It’s a bittersweet welcome. “Valentino?”
“Yes?”
“Why did we camp when there’s a village right there?”
“We’re not going through that village. It’s best that you remain unseen and unrecognized until we reach those castles.” He is all serious again.
“Why?” I didn’t realize I was supposed to hide who I am.
“It’s best that we keep the advantage over Mendina by not allowing her to find out you’re here. And she has spies everywhere.”
“And you’re lucky I’m not one of them,” a deep voice says from behind me. I whip around so fast, I make myself dizzy. Valentino is off his horse and standing with his sword drawn in the same amount of time. As soon as he recognizes the stranger, he eases. I look him up and down. Well built, short black hair. He looks to be eighteen or nineteen.
“What are you doing here?” Valentino sheaths his sword but doesn’t mount or move toward the newcomer.
“The king sent me. He knows she’s here and wanted to ensure she was fully protected. He asked that I escort both of you back.” He only glances at me, avoiding my gaze.
“If the king sent you, he would very well make it clear how she is to be treated.” I don’t know what’s going on but Valentino seems even angrier.
“You’re right. My mistake.” The stranger glares at Valentino before coming to stand beside Star. He looks me in the eyes before kneeling on the ground. “Welcome home, Your Highness. I am Javiar.”
“Please don’t.” I squint, frowning. I don’t want this kind of treatment.
“He must, Shanice, as many more will. It’s best to accept it now. It won’t ever change, no matter how many times you ask not to be greeted like that. It is the custom of our people,” Valentino explains as he mounts.
I glare at Valentino before turning my attention to our guest. “Thank you, Javiar. But I ask that you please treat me as your equal, as your friend, and not as someone above you.”
“As you wish, Your Highness. Please allow me to retrieve my horse and we can continue on. If we ride fast enough, we can be there by tomorrow morning.” He begins walking back the way he came. The bushes rattle as he untangles his reins and leads his horse toward us.
“Javiar, we won’t be arriving tomorrow morning. There is only one path that will get us there that quickly, and you know well the dangers it poses. We will take the lower roads and avoid being seen.” I can almost see the tension between them as Javiar gets ready to argue.
“We can have her home and safe in a little over a day if we take my route. Taking your path could mean being out here for another two days at least. It may be a more dangerous road but with you and I both protecting her, no one will dare get in our way.”
“Th—” Valentino begins but I put my hand on his forearm.
“Valentino, stop. Arguing is getting is nowhere.” I let go of his arm and address both men. “I’m sorry, Javiar but I trust Valentino. We will go his way.” I say it softly, with kindness but firmly. I do not know Javiar, and the look on Valentino’s face says it is a dangerous way.
Both men look at me with wonderment in their eyes. Taken aback, perhaps shock. It makes me laugh. “Now, come on! If it’s gonna be a good two days, we better get moving.” I say, more sarcastic this time.
“You heard the princess,” Javiar says, furrowing his eyebrows and running a hand through his cropped black hair.
Valentino leads the way, Javiar taking the rear. I wish I could ride side by side with Valentino. Honestly, I wish it was still just the two of us. But Javiar has me curious. What’s his story?
Then again, that could wait until we met upon my arrival in … I realize I have no idea where we’re going, aside from the fact that it’s a castle. My own thoughts annoy me. The silence is getting to me, the tension is painful, and I really wish I was alone with Valentino.
I feel like I can’t say anything with Javiar listening. And I don’t even understand why. Perhaps it’s Valentino’s reaction to his suggestions, perhaps it is my fear of rejection from those close to my age. Perhaps I’m only comfortable with Valentino.
I may never know. I just keep my back to him and follow Valentino. To save myself from the silence, I begin humming—I don’t know what, exactly. I just let the quiet sound keep me sane. What bewilders me most is when both men, in sync, begin humming with me. I don’t know whether to keep going or let them take over.
I’m sore in places I didn’t know could hurt. My back aches, I’m starving, filthy, and ready for a clean, warm bed and a hot meal that doesn’t consist of soup. The days are long and evenings are cold.
With Javiar here, Valentino sleeps beside me but never does he touch me. And last night he simply gave me his blanket and kept watch rather than sleeping at all. We’re all tired and the longer we travel, the grumpier we become.
Twice now, I’ve had to step between Javiar and Valentino before one knocked the other out, and both times they’ve glared at me for getting in their way. But they listen.
I begin humming, doing all I can to stay awake as Javiar makes breakfast. Valentino finishes packing his blanket before sitting on the log beside me and humming along.
“Stop it with the humming.” Javiar groans. I stop, not wanting to deal with the whining. Valentino just gets louder. Before we traveled for two days straight? I would’ve laughed. Now I smack his shoulder lightly. He chuckles and wraps his arm around me.
“You don’t look so good.”
I lay my head on his shoulder and let my eyes close. With him beside me, I feel safe. “I’m fine,” I mumble against his shirt. “Just tired.” I’m three seconds away from falling asleep when another hand touches my arm.
“Are you just going to let her sleep? We need to head out soon. I’m sorry that she isn’t used to traveling but we don’t have time to stop and rest.”
“Javiar, if she wasn’t asleep right now, I would run a sword through your hand. Leave her be. It isn’t her fault she isn’t used to this.” Valentino growls. I honestly thought he was going to threaten to run a sword through Javiar—as in, kill him.
And then I would really have to worry about those two traveling together. “Like you could take me. Stupid sissy prince. You couldn’t even handle being here. It’s why you volunteered to go watch over the princess.” Javiar spits back at him.
I’m glad I’m leaning on Valentino right now too. I’m pretty sure it would be a blood bath if I wasn’t. “The second we reach Umare, I
will kick your—”
“Do I look scared?” I hear Javiar pull his sword from its sheath, threating the only person I know and trust. Carefully, silently, and without drawing their attention, I put my arm around Valentino’s waist and wrap my fingers around the handle of his sword.
Just as Valentino is about to go for it, I jump to my feet, whipping the blade from its scabbard and putting it in Javiar’s face. “That’s enough. I’ve had it with you two. Let’s just all agree to get along for now. Once we’re back wherever we’re going, you can threaten one another to your heart’s content. Until then, shut it. Stop complaining, stop harassing each other, and let’s just get to our destination whole.” My voice is cool, as is the hand holding the sword.
“You may be a princess, but don’t think I won’t defend myself. I suggest that unless you can actually use that sword, you get it out of my face right now.” Javiar grits his teeth.
I reposition myself and the blade so our faces are a breath apart. “Don’t think for one second I would put a sword in your face if I didn’t know how to handle it.” I glare, fed up with his never-ending mocking.
“Is that a challenge, Princess?” he says in a taunting voice.
“Don’t—” Valentino tries to warn him. I don’t let him finish.
“Try me.” I say with a sneer. He laughs and takes a step back before swinging his sword around. He attempts to knock my blow off just as I block his and spin full circle before sliding the blade of my sword through the handle of his and throwing the sword ten feet away.
He steps back, his hands up in defeat. Now he glares at Valentino. “Did you know she could fight?”
“I tried to warn you, and then thought it better that you get the lesson now. Don’t mess with her.” He smirks as he talks, approaching me to take back his sword. He squeezes my hand before taking the sword from me and sheaths it.
As I look into his eyes, I see so many things. Sadness, a glimmer of hope, longing. Darn Javiar had to ruin the moment.
After the fight, Javiar doesn’t make another sound in complaint. Our breakfast of hard rolls and a bite of meat is served and we’re back on the horses. At this point, my legs are going numb. I’m used to riding a lot but nothing like this.
Missing Royal Page 5
