“Yes.” Darién nodded at all three of them. “Everything is fine.”
George rolled his eyes and Humphrey began to laugh.
“What?” Darién asked as Michael began to walk away. “What have I said?”
Humphrey laughed harder.
George threw a perspiring arm over the prince’s shoulders. “You know, there is something none of us have ever told you before.”
Michael whipped around. “Don’t you dare tell him now, either.”
“Tell me what?”
Humphrey sputtered out around his laughter, “No. You can-not t-tell him. It would ruin everything.”
“What is it?” Darién’s eyes narrowed as he shrugged out of George’s arm.
George smiled smugly and mocked in a sing-songy voice, “Oh, just a little something about you that you do not realize.”
“Something you all know and now ridicule me with?”
“Yes,” said Michael. “But there is no reason to lose your countenance over it. It is nothing, a mere trifling personality trait of yours.”
“Something you find highly comical?” He glared at Humphrey who was still chuckling.
“Well, it is rather humorous.” George grinned.
“Makes my day every time you do it!” Humphrey burst into more hilarity.
The prince raised an eyebrow. “Ha-ha. Very amusing.”
“The point is,” interrupted the king, “we know you are not being wholly truthful to us and I, personally, would like to understand what is going on and why you shouted down the rafters earlier.” His gaze bore into the prince and he stated quite frankly, “If you have any reason to bellow like that, I may not be your flesh-and-blood brother, but you are the closest thing to family I have. I will not allow you to panic in such a way and not be the first man to your aid. So I ask you again, in all seriousness, Darién, tell me what has happened to you and your queen and I will destroy whatever brought that fright from your lips—because I am not like these other two, I do not believe she frightened you—I am your ally, brother. Tell me what plagues and haunts your mind even now and we will all stand with you, or die defending you both.”
Darién stumbled backward a few paces, until he thumped into a wall. Relief, sorrow, frustration, denial—they all coursed their way through him in a mad attempt to reconcile his mind to the great responsibility he would have to face, now that he had finally found a being worth living for.
Never had Michael spoken to him in such way—yes, true they had always felt this about each other—they were brothers, as close as two friends could get—but to hear it. To feel it. To know he was not alone in this, and did not have to be. To allow the emotions of the great day crash into him at once. His fear, her pain. It was all too much. He covered his face with his hands, blocking out all of the twisted agony he bore witness to earlier, he slid down the wall and landed—knees buckled—upon the floor.
“Darién, what is it?” Michael knelt beside him.
Great heavens, he was being as dramatic as a performer upon a stage. “Nothing.” He shook his head and let out a deep breath. “Everything.”
“Tell me.”
He ran his hands over his face. “She is—this enchantment is not a farce. It is as real as you and I are breathing right now. She is in so much pain—I have never seen a soul so tortured. And she is in pain, she is hurting—because…because of me.”
“What have you done?”
“Nothing. Everything. Loved her. Cared for her. Helped her.” He yanked his fingers through his hair and shouted as a desperate man would, “I do not know!”
Humphrey and George walked toward them slowly, but kept back at his outburst.
The king, ever calm, responded, “We will win. You will tell us all you know, all that has happened, and we will win.”
Darién shook his head. “You do not understand. It is her mind—her memories are plaguing her. I do not trust they will ever stop. Once she realizes what they are—what then? Then the nightmares come? The cruel reality of fate settles in her bones as she apprehends she is all that is left of this kingdom. That everyone she has loved and cared for has truly been murdered before her eyes. She will begin to recognize those faces that haunt her mind. And then she will never be whole again. How could she? How could she live with such guilt? Such torment? She will always hate herself for being saved and not able to do a thing about it.”
George whistled softly and the king himself sat back on his rear end with a thud.
“What do we do then?” Humphrey asked quietly. “Do we leave her as she is?”
“I fear it is too late for that,” Michael whispered. “It has already begun.”
***
Ezralon pushed back the decrepit chairs surrounding the shuddering, whimpering girl and lay down next to her. His horn shone brightly before carefully touching her on the shoulder facing him. Instantly, it soothed and calmed her. As her breathing settled into something less frantic, he began to read what she had witnessed—her memories from before.
His great eyes winced in pain—his heart lurched as he observed the incredible horror she had seen. He had forgotten much of this, but to have it newly presented him again—so fresh, so raw, so gruesome—even he began to shudder.
After a few moments, Ezralon had to pull away, the sight was too unbearable and he was beginning to lose his brilliance. He could not forcefully watch all that she had been subject to the last several minutes with the prince.
How much more of this would resurface? He did not know. Even he was unaware of how much she truly saw.
No being should ever have to face such cruelty and live to remember it. A shiver coursed through him. Had he done wrong by gifting her that enchantment all those years ago, when she was just a wee infant?
Who else could save them though? They had known, they had all discussed this in the grand council years before she was born, it was foretold she would be the one that possessed the power and strength to defeat Villeria. With the love and protection of her chosen prince, they would battle the great evil together and release the world from her force.
Aleyna was willing then, in that council, to gladly do all she was assigned. She was fearless, an unmatched strategist with the largest heart and most happy nature of any in the council, and more than worthy to take on Villeria then.
And Darién, her chosen companion, was the perfect foil—strong, valiant, loyal, dependable, cautious, caring, and intelligent.
They knew—they knew together they could defeat her. They, with the full high court, had come up with this plan to be born into this family and save the kingdom. She knew she would have to sleep and allow Villeria to grow lax several years, to wait for the opportunity to let Darién come and release her from the enchantment, and learn and grow together without the witch’s knowledge, so they could catch her off guard and destroy her in her own home.
The only downfall was they would forget everything once they were born and would have to remember it all over again. So the council decreed once they were reunited Darién and Aleyna would begin to learn what they once knew.
It was a perfect plan to finally out-master Villeria and save them all.
Ezralon let out a muffled grunt. At what cost though? It was one thing to have a world free from such evil, but quite another when one took into balance the toll it would take upon the young lives destined to such monstrosity.
And what if they failed?
What then?
Already so much had gone wrong. Villeria recognized the child’s strength almost from the moment she was born. She became marked, even then, as a threat—though Ezralon had not breathed a word of it to any mortal. Yet still, Villeria knew and wanted to claim her as her own.
Taking a deep breath, he allowed the girl to ease into a soothing sleep, to calm her mind and help her into happiness again. This time he placed a continuous calming spell upon her. Something that would always relapse her thoughts back to peace. It meant she would keep forgetting fragments of w
hat he counseled her on, but it would ensure that she stayed asleep. Villeria must not realize the girl was wakening.
She was not ready for this all. It was too fast, too harmful.
But how did she grow, accept who she was, and train herself without allowing the revulsion of her past to reign supreme in her thoughts and mind? He would have to find a way. Mayhap the prince was the answer… hopefully this spell would help ease her mind as she remembered in his presence, but for now, she needed rest.
Healing, perfected rest.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
ALEYNA AWOKE IN HER bed and marveled at the glorious sunshine cascading through the cracks of her velvet curtains. Her bare feet tiptoed over to the window and pulling the shades allowed the sparkling morning to bathe the room in an enchanted glow. What a wonderful day!
She smiled at the birds dancing about and took a deep breath of fresh, vibrant air—the smell of flowers and earth embraced her and filled her with happiness, much like the prince’s embraces were the day before.
The prince!
Aleyna twirled around and took in the room before her. How long had she been asleep? Surely he did not place her in bed? She glanced down at her nightgown and flushed. No, no, he would never be so forward, not when she had a full staff at her beck and call. What had happened?
All she could remember was feeling distraught by some strange occurrence, and then he held her. Oh, how she loved his arms holding her tight. Running his hands up and down her back and soothing her. He was surely the most sweetest, handsomest and adorable man that ever was. To hold her on the ground no less! Surely, the Fates could not have brought her a more desirable man in all the world.
She quickly changed her attire—something blue to bring out the color of her eyes, not even ringing the bell to wait for the maid. Aleyna giggled as she slipped on her slippers and gracefully flew down the steps to the breakfast parlor, hoping to find the prince and company already eating a marvelous feast.
They were not there yet, but Margie had certainly outdone herself this morning. The table literally groaned it was so heavy laden with a meal best suited for hungry men. She quickly made her way into the kitchens.
“The table looks marvelous,” she said with a smile as soon as she walked in and saw the older woman rolling out a couple of loaves of bread. And then all it once it dawned on her. “Oh, goodness! I was not here for their meal. Did you take care of everything? Were they upset I was not in attendance? I cannot believe I was such an awful host! What must they think of me?”
“Hush, my Queen. It was fine. Ezralon came and took care of everything for you.”
Aleyna perked up. “Ezralon is here? Truly? He has finally come home!”
“Yes, yes, he’s here, my dear. But he is still abed. He and the young prince were up half the night chattering away in the parlor. I finally sent all but the footmen to bed, so long were we waiting for them. But he kept our company entertained and caught them up to speed on his adventures, I am sure.”
“Oh, I cannot believe I missed him.”
Margie shook her head and placed the loaves on the wooden slat. “He is planning to stay for some time, so do not overly fuss about it. He understood you were indisposed last evening and was more than willing to wait until morning to see you again.” She walked over to the brick oven and slipped the loaves inside.
Aleyna shyly cleared her throat and asked, “So, do you know if the maid helped me to bed last night?”
The cook gave her an incredulous look and said, “Of course, dear. Who else?”
She flushed for the second time that morning, waving her hand. “Oh, no one. I just did not remember going up to my chamber and so wanted to be sure all was well and I didn’t put anyone out.”
Margie chuckled and shook her head, but did not say anything as she began to clean the counter off and prepare to make the desserts that would be required throughout the day.
“Well?” Aleyna could not contain her excitement anymore.
“Well what?”
She let out a slight girlish giggle. “Well, what do you think of our company?”
A smile played on the corner of Margie’s mouth, but she attempted to hide it. “What about them, dear?”
Exasperated, Aleyna put her hands on her hips and sighed. “You know quite well what I am referring to and yet you still tease me.”
Margie brought over a basket of fresh apples and set them on the counter. “But, you are incredibly fun to tease.”
Shaking her head, Aleyna walked to the hook and removed her apron, sliding it over her dress, she washed her hands in the bucket and took an apple from Margie’s basket and began to slice it before the cook could say one word in protest. “Now tell me honestly, what did you think of them? Did you get to see them all? I am most particularly interested in your thoughts of the prince, if you have any.”
She chuckled. “You know my first glimpse of them altogether was last night. I had seen bits and pieces of them, especially the prince when he came into the kitchen yesterday, but they all seemed very well mannered, handsome young men.”
“And the prince?” she asked, peeling the slices she had just made.
“He is by far the most handsome of the lot.”
“Is he not?” She plopped a peel into her mouth as she placed the slice into a bowl at Margie’s elbow.
The cook set a handful of peeled quarters in the bowl as well. “He is. He is.”
“You are the one who was admitting a few weeks back that we needed men in the castle. What say you now? Are you well pleased?”
Margie laughed. “I am well pleased. It is about time—we have all been waiting quite long enough.”
Aha! The truth finally comes. “Waiting for what?” she asked.
Margie began to quarter another apple. “For a prince to come, dearie.”
“What for?” she asked, trying to make her voice sound unconcerned.
“So you could—so you could—uh, could you fetch me some more sugar? We are going to need quite a bit more for these pies.”
Aleyna walked over to the shelf and pulled the sugar crock down. “You are purposely trying to distract me from the subject again, are you not?”
“Perhaps.”
“But why?”
“Because it is for your own good that you do not know every single thing your heart wishes to know the exact moment you wish to know it.”
She rolled her eyes and chuckled as she placed the crock on Margie’s other side. “I do not always wish to know every single thing.”
“Oh-ho! Yes, you do, my dear, and it is quite fine that you do. It is endearing at times, but other times you need to see it is not always the best to know it all. Sometimes it is better to grasp bits and pieces each day until the full picture begins to present itself.”
Aleyna groaned a bit before mumbling very un-queen-like, “There is a mystery here, one I wish you would clear up for me.” She dropped a few more quartered apples in the bowl. “However, I will do as you say and try to not let it plague me and be happy with what I do know. And most importantly I should be pleased you like the prince as much as you do.”
“Aye, I do. He is a handsome boy and very polite as well.”
“Oh, he is so kind and sweet and generous too!”
Margie’s eyebrows rose as she attempted to hide another smile. “And generous too? Who would have thought?”
“Hello?”
Aleyna jumped as the prince peeked his head around the corner. “You startled me!”
“Did I?” he grinned as he walked more fully in the room. “You are very fetching when you’re startled, I should mayhap think of doing it more often.”
She looked away and quickly slipped off her apron, hanging it back on the nail. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“No. I just came to see how you were doing, to make sure you are well this morning.”
Flustered, she took a deep breath to steady the warm glow that settled over her at his words. “I am
quite well, thank you. And did you sleep well, my Prince?”
He had told himself he would not touch her today, at any cost. But he could not stay away when she looked as adorable and enticing—even translucent—as she did now. Against his better judgment he walked closer and took her hand, kissing it. “I slept like a king.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
ALEYNA TRANSFORMED IN FRONT of him again—she was so beautiful. So alive. Her eyes sparkling, her pretty dress seemed to be made for her, the shy mischievous smile—it was all there for Darién to absorb. How he wished he could see her like this always.
She tilted her head and looked down under the gaze of his scrutiny. There was something so magical in the way he looked at her when they touched, as if he was actually seeing deep inside her soul. She loved the way his eyes lit and the admiration she saw hidden within their depths. Aleyna glanced back up and stared into his deep green eyes. They were the perfect foil for his dark hair, so very handsome, so very strong and intelligent.
“I should pull away from you,” he whispered, as he scanned her face, settling on her perfect lips. Ezralon had informed him under no circumstances was he to taste those lips until she was ready. Touching her was meant to be extremely limited, every second they connected was a second too many for her mind to process.
Her smile dropped. “But why? Please do not leave just yet.”
His heart skipped a beat at her adorable confusion. “I will never leave you, now that I have found you, my dear.”
She took in a deep, shaky breath processing the conviction in his voice—her heart beating a wild tattoo. “How is it you say the most perfect things to me when I need them most?”
He could not help himself. Taking a step forward, he placed his hand on her shining hair and trailed it through his fingers. “I have told you before—I know you. I am yours. I do not understand how, but I am yours, as I have always been yours.”
Her lashes fluttered down and she nestled her cheek into his hand.
Leaning forward, Darién kissed the delicate spot at the top of her nose, right between those glorious eyes, his lips remaining there, not quite ready to leave.