As soon as my event was called, I walked over to the mat. I’d decided to do a simple floor routine I’d done in middle school, nothing fancy, but after watching some of the Vegonian women attempt cartwheels in full-length dresses, I decided I might have a chance.
The stands were full of spectators, but I didn’t feel nervous. I was used to being in front of a crowd. I waited my turn patiently, ignoring the looks my leotard was getting. They would find out soon enough why a leotard was a good idea, and Adrian would find out soon enough why messing with my family was not.
I glanced up at my family again, and noticed a boy now sitting with them. He wore a baseball cap and sunglasses, and leaned heavily on the member of the royal guard sitting next to him. When he saw me looking at him, he waved.
“Julian,” I whispered under my breath. I grinned and waved. He wore jeans and a t-shirt, and I would never have recognized him if I hadn’t purchased the clothing for him myself.
I stepped onto the mat with a lighter heart. Julian hadn’t been harmed. He was with my parents, and the royal guard knew what to expect. My family would be safe. I just had to get through this routine, so we could take care of Adrian and his nasty uncle.
The music for my floor routine was “The Cancan.” I’d always been obsessed with all things French, even way back in middle school when I’d dabbled in competitive gymnastics. My coach would have cringed if she’d seen me now, though. After all, she’d kicked me off the gymnastics team for my “Fists of Fury” after I’d accidently decked one of my fellow gymnasts.
Cheerleaders always kept their hands in tightly balled fists. Gymnasts did not. When I punched the unsuspecting gymnast, I decided I was more cut out for cheerleading. I looked more like a cheerleader imitating a gymnast than a true gymnast at the moment. The crowd didn’t seem to mind. I flipped and jumped and did several sets of cancan style high kicks whenever I forgot parts of the routine. The crowd loved it, especially when I pretended to be holding an imaginary skirt, like the dancers in Paris. I could still tumble pretty well, so I did several handsprings in a row. I also threw in some splits and a few back walkovers for good measure. Not a beautiful routine, but I filled it with spontaneous cheer moves and somehow, I got through it.
I ended in a split with my hands raised in the air above me. I’d forgotten and used my cheerleading “Fists of Fury” again instead of gymnast style flat hands, but no one seemed to notice. The crowd cheered and rose to their feet for me, my first and only standing ovation.
The girl who tumbled after me got twisted in her Vegonian dress and had to be helped off the mat. It brought the competition to a close, and we all waited for the judges to choose the winners. My heart pounded in my chest, but not because of the competition. We were now only minutes away from Adrian’s planned attack on my family.
I didn’t hear the judges call my name as the first-place winner because I was so focused on what might occur when the ceremony ended. It wasn’t until the girl next to me nudged me that I realized what had happened.
“Me?” I asked, as they placed a giant gold medallion around my neck.
I didn’t deserve it, but it felt good anyway. I held it up to the crowd and grinned. I saw Julian shake his head, and knew he found it hilarious. He no doubt guessed I remembered little about gymnastics and had bluffed my way through the whole routine.
As the crowd began to leave the arena, I looked up at my parents and Astra. They were waiting in their seats until the others left. They didn’t want to put any innocent bystanders in danger.
When it was finally time to leave, a rock formed in my chest. I tried to act normal and pretend like I had no idea what was about to happen. I looked up at Julian, and he nodded. It was time.
Eighteen
“Sweet mercy is nobility’s true badge.” William Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus
I met my parents at the exit, where they hugged and congratulated me. My mother pretended to admire my gold medal, but I knew she had to be thinking about what might happen next. I wondered if she felt as frightened as I did.
“You are so brave, Starr,” she said softly. “I’m proud of you.”
“We haven’t gotten through this yet, Mother,” I said, taking her hand.
“But we will, darling.”
Julian had stayed behind. My mother softly explained that he was still recovering from the drugs Myrtle had given him, and he knew if Adrian saw him in the arena it would be a bad thing. He sat in the stands and one of the royal guardsmen waited with him, but I could feel his eyes on me. I resisted the urge to look at him.
“Shall we?” asked my father, gallantly giving my mother his arm. She smiled up at him and placed her little delicate hand on his. They looked like they didn’t have a care in the world. I shook my head in amazement. She called me brave, but they were the bravest people I knew.
Astra held her bow in her right hand. I noticed she had an arrow in her left hand, hidden in the folds of her skirt. Her dark hair tumbled over her shoulders and looked like black silk against her alabaster skin. Her purple dress shimmered in the sunlight. Cesar walked next to her, pretending to be deep in conversation, but he was on high alert. Up close I could see the tension in his body, the watchfulness of a trained soldier in his eyes.
I walked behind them, alone. I wasn’t in any danger, since Adrian had other plans for me. It took everything I had not to look up and try to see where the coward hid. I forced myself to take deep, calming breaths, but the anger and fear built up inside me. I thought I might explode.
The attack came quickly. We heard a shout from above, and it seemed like things moved in slow motion. I saw a bunch of men in masks with bows and arrows leaning over the pedestrian bridge running across the narrow exit of the arena. They aimed at my parents and my sister. If I hadn’t overheard Adrian, we would have been sitting ducks. Fortunately, the royal guard was ready. I heard the thunder of their approaching footsteps, and saw shock in the eyes of the would-be assassins. The entire police force for the city of Celesta had been alerted as well, and they helped apprehend the traitors. My father pushed my mother against a wall and protected her with his body. Arrows rained down on us, but thankfully no one got hit. Cesar tried to make Astra take cover, but she had other ideas. She shot arrows at our attackers and singlehandedly brought down two of them.
There were ten traitors in all, but two quickly went missing as soon as the tide turned. I looked up, and to my chagrin, saw Adrian and Captain Augustus running away. No one else seemed to notice. They were all busy tying up the others and administering first aid to the traitors Astra had shot. It was up to me stop them.
I ran after Adrian and his uncle, still in my leotard, yoga pants and hoodie. I wished I’d worn tennis shoes instead of ballet flats, but there was nothing I could do about it now. I heard several members of the royal guard running behind me, but I had a significant lead. I would make it to Adrian and Captain Augustus before they did.
Logic should have told me a tiny cheerleader taking on two giant men might not be a good idea, but I wasn’t thinking logically at the moment. I was mad, and Captain Augustus and Adrian had no idea what they were about to deal with.
It didn’t take long to catch up to them. I’d spent half my life on a treadmill, and the other half on an elliptical machine. I was in shape, and I could run, even though I had no plan for what to do once I caught them.
I flew at Adrian, jumping on his back and pounding him on the head and ears. He attempted to shake me off, but I clung to him like a crazed marmesou. I screamed like a marmesou too.
Captain Augustus tried to pry me off him, but I gripped Adrian’s hair and even pulled out a few chunks. It took a lot of yanking and tugging, and a few cries of pain from Adrian, before Captain Augustus was able to get me off and toss me aside.
I landed in a squat position, snarling at them. The marmesou screamed in the trees, and I’m pretty sure I looked like a wild animal myself.
“Starr, I can explain,” Adrian said, rubbin
g his head, but I wasn’t ready to listen. I hauled off and did one of my high cancan kicks, landing it directly on his mouth.
“Ow,” he said, wiping the blood off his lip. “What is wrong with you?”
“Adrian, we have to run,” Captain Augustus said, but before he could move, I spun around and kicked him in his nether region. He leaned over, grasping his crotch. His face turned bright red, and I didn’t think he was breathing.
In cheerleading, we’re known for our snappy arm movements, and it has been rumored a cheerleader could kill someone with her fists. I decided to test this rumor on Captain Augustus. My fist shot out, connecting directly with his nose. His ugly eyebrows went skyward, and he collapsed backward onto the ground, still clutching his crotch.
Adrian watched with a mix of shock and horror, realizing his turn had come. I heard the royal guard approaching but wanted to take care of Adrian myself. I did a back handspring and hit him directly under the chin with my foot in midair. I’d done it once to Brittany by accident, and I knew it was effective. Adrian dropped like a sack of potatoes.
When the royal guard finally arrived, I was dusting off my hands and re-pinning part of my braid. They’d seen the whole thing from across the field, and now stared at me like I was a backpack left at a bus station. Respect mixed in with fear in their eyes, but I didn’t blame them for being a little cautious around me. I’d been upset, and anyone with sense knew it was dangerous to piss off a member of the cheer squad. And pissing off a princess who was also a member of the cheer squad was even worse.
Julian came up behind the royal guard, and I ran to him, jumping into his arms and nearly knocking him over. He looked a bit pale after being drugged by Myrtle, but otherwise seemed fine. He smiled at me, but when he looked at Adrian and Captain Augustus, the smile disappeared. His body stiffened and I saw pure fury in his eyes. Adrian and Captain Augustus were waking up, and a little disoriented. I guess I’d hit them harder than intended. They were still on the ground, shaking their heads, trying to clear them.
“Remind me never to make you angry.” Julian tightened his arms around me. “Thou art a formidable opponent.”
“I know, but I did kind of take advantage of the situation. Neither one of them fought back.”
“They were, perhaps, startled by your ferocity,” he said.
“They didn’t see the little blonde chick as a threat.”
“They learned their lesson.”
“Let’s hope.” I hugged him around the neck.
“What is this?” he asked, holding me close.
“I’m so glad you are safe,” I said, happy to be with him and feel his big, warm body next to mine. He might have realized my family had almost been killed, but he probably had no idea he’d been set up to take the blame. I would tell him later. For now, I was content to lean against him for a moment and take his strength as I gave him mine.
I heard my parents approach, and turned toward them, with Julian’s arm still wrapped around my shoulders protectively. Astra and Maya both shot me knowing looks, and I bit my lip to keep from smiling.
“Starr, were you hurt?” asked my mother, her lovely face pinched with worry. She pulled me into a fierce hug. Her head barely came to my shoulder. She was small, but mighty.
“No, Mom, I’m fine,” I said, struggling to breathe as I gently disengaged her arms.
My father shook Julian’s hand. “Your Grace, we are forever grateful to you for saving her.”
Julian and I looked at each other in surprise. He cleared his throat. “Your Majesty, there has been a misunderstanding. I did not save Princess Starr. She is the one who uncovered the plot to assassinate your family. She defeated Captain Augustus and Adrian in battle. She saved everyone, including herself.”
My father looked at me with so much love and emotion my heart swelled almost to bursting as he pulled me into his arms. It wasn’t until I felt the dampness on his face that I realized he was crying.
“If we ever lost you,” he began, his mouth quivering.
“Shhh,” I said. I couldn’t handle seeing my dad cry. “It’s all over now.”
“She was a fierce warrior,” one of the royal guardsmen said.
“I’ve never seen her equal, Sire,” another said.
“She fought like a crazed banshee,” Adrian muttered, rubbing his jaw. He was still on the ground. I resisted the urge to kick him again.
“More like a crazed badger,” Julian said, tongue in cheek.
I smiled, remembering the night I’d hidden from him disguised as the Middleton Badger. It seemed so long ago.
“Is that what you’d call it?” I asked.
Julian considered my question, a smile tugging on the corners of his lips. “I don’t know what I would call it. I’ve never seen anything like it, but it was obviously effective.”
My father walked up to Captain Augustus as the royal guard put him in handcuffs. Adrian was already on his feet with handcuffs behind his back. Captain Augustus looked old and sad.
“How could you, Augustus? You were our friend. We trusted you with our lives,” my father said.
“My sister, Tarquinia, also trusted me with her life and I failed her because of you. I was helping you escape when Wayland murdered her.”
“My father murdered my mother?” Adrian asked. He stared at his uncle, a horrified expression on his face.
Captain Augustus answered, sad and yet resigned. “I couldn’t bear to tell you. You’d already suffered so much. But it is time you knew.”
“How did it happen?” asked Adrian, a muscle working in his jaw.
“When your brother Felix died, your mother hid you. She was terrified of Wayland. He had lost his mind, and she feared for your safety. She registered you as Adrian Fortis and smuggled you aboard my ship. She did what she could to save you, but there was nothing she could do to save herself,” Captain Augustus said. “When he found out about you, he was furious, which is why he killed her.”
“It was all Wayland Marcel’s fault. Why come after my family?” I asked.
Adrian looked at me, his blue eyes ice cold. “My family had a rightful and valid claim to the throne, but your grandfather stole it from us. Your mother toyed with my father’s affections, turning him into a madman.”
My father put his arm protectively around my mother’s shoulders, but she stared at Adrian with pity. “You poor child,” she said, before giving Captain Augustus a pointed look. “I don’t know who has been poisoning your mind, but none of it is true. Your father was obsessed with one thing, ruling Vega. He wanted to marry me only to fulfill his goal. He never loved me. He never even pretended to love me. And as far as claims to the throne, your mother never cared about any of that. She was a lovely person, and I mourn her death.”
“I couldn’t help her,” Captain Augustus said, his eyes filled with grief. “And I should have done more for you. I should have raised you myself.”
“Who raised you?” I asked. “I thought you said it was your aunt and uncle. Was it another lie?” I still seethed because he’d told me he was a junior. He’d probably lied about the college recruiters too.
“No,” Adrian said, looking offended. “I was raised by my father’s sister and her husband.”
“How did they end up on Earth?” I asked.
“They had certain philosophical disagreements with my father and decided leaving was a good option. They chose not to come back with me. They also had certain philosophical disagreements with your parents as well.”
“They were war criminals,” my father said with a sneer. “They tried to profit from the misfortunes of others.”
“They were good people,” Adrian said, stepping toward my father. The guards held him back. “They didn’t hurt anyone. They agreed with my father’s goals, but not his methods, which is why they left Vega.”
“They left because Wayland found out they were stealing from him,” my father said. “Ask your uncle. It’s the truth.”
Adrian looked at Captain
Augustus. When he saw the expression on his uncle’s face, his shoulders slumped.
“Why didn’t you tell me this? My whole life has been built on lies.”
“You wouldn’t have believed me,” Captain Augustus said. He couldn’t look at Adrian’s face. “Once again I have failed you and your mother. Now the false queen will remain on the throne. The Fortis name will never be avenged.”
My mom shook her head sadly. “They never told you the truth, Adrian. It was pure madness, and an insult to the memory of Tarquinia.”
“No,” Adrian said, shaking his head vehemently. “It wasn’t madness. I don’t believe you. It’s our right. The throne should be ours.”
“I’m sorry, son,” my father said. He seemed to feel bad for Adrian. “It is over.”
As they pulled them away, I heard Adrian’s screams. “No,” he shouted, over and over again. “No, no, no.”
I covered my ears with my hands, and turned to Julian, putting my face in his chest. Pretty soon all I could hear was his steady heartbeat. It was over.
Nineteen
“Doubt thou the stars are fire; doubt that the sun doth move; doubt truth be a liar; but never doubt I love.” William Shakespeare’s Hamlet
As we headed back to the palace, I was deep in thought. Julian held my hand, and we walked in silence. When I saw the palace in the distance, I turned to him.
“What will happen to them?”
I had no idea what the justice system was like on Vega. They were so futuristic in some ways, and so medieval in others. Adrian’s punishment could be anything from a slap on the wrist to beheading. I didn’t have a clue.
“They will be exiled to the Isle of Sorrows,” he said.
“Oh. That sounds bad.”
Starr Valentine Page 18
