Chapter 4
Cade locked his car and listened as the horn echoed off the parking deck walls. This early in the morning, the deck was virtually empty. He’d been so happy to wake up with Erin in his arms, that he wanted to call out for the day and taste her until she was writhing in his arms again.
But she had to leave, and he couldn’t stand looking at the empty space in his bed. So he went on his run to get rid of some of that built up energy, and now he was going to take a shower at the office and change. But as he got closer to the elevator doors, a shadow passed over him, and he realized that he wasn’t as alone as he thought.
“Good morning, Marquis.”
Cade turned as the Irish accent seeped into his skin. “O’Toole,” he said sharply.
“You didn’t answer any of my phone calls yesterday. I gather you’re having issues with my phone, so I thought I’d take some of the stress off you and meet you in person. I trust you’ve thought over my proposal last weekend?”
He remained calm and collected as he reached out and touched the elevator button. “I didn’t have to think about it, O’Toole. I’ve already given you my answer.”
The Irish mobster reached out and gripped his arm tightly. “I don’t think you’ll like the consequences. Are you sure you won’t reconsider?”
“You invested quite a bit of money into my company six years ago, but I would not be here if it were not for Simon and Grant. They did more than give me money. They backed me one hundred percent of the way, and I will not betray them to you.”
The man dark eyes held a touch of sympathy. “I liked you, Marquis. I really did. The people that I work for aren’t just going to take no for an answer. O’Shea isn’t going to let you walk away. You will give them what they want, whether you do it willingly or not. You would make both of our lives much easier if you simply did what we asked of you.”
Cade yanked his arm away and stepped into the elevator. He held his hand out to keep the door from closing. “Tell me, O’Toole. You have all the money you could ever need. Why do you work for them?”
O’Toole stiffened. “Once you’re in, you never get out. Besides, I want for nothing.”
“Except for true friends. A family that loves you. Peace of mind. Integrity.” Cade stepped back and let the doors close. “I won’t turn into you.”
He had to warn Erin. As much as it would kill him to tell her the truth, it would be even worse if she were caught unawares. It would ruin her career if she ran the story without knowing all the facts. And who knows what O’Toole would do to get what he wanted.
He leaned back and hit his head gently against the elevator wall. He’d tell her tonight at dinner.
* * *
Erin’s hands shook when she saw the headline on the magazine. “Cade,” she whispered as she pressed herself against him. It had been three weeks since he’d told her the news. For three weeks, she’d spent every spare moment she had with him. He did things to her body that no one else had, but there was fear lurking behind every moment.
“The Irish mob? Cade, are you insane?” she’d gasped.
“I didn’t know,” he’d said as he shook his head. “What can I do?”
As far as Erin was concern, there was only one thing he could do. He could come clean. And she’d done just that for him.
New York’s youngest and hottest billionaire defies the Irish mob: Cade Marquis saves hundreds of thousands of jobs by saying no.
He put an arm protectively around her and steered her away from the magazine stand. The air was chilly, but it was nothing compared to the fear that iced over her bones. “What do you think is going to happen now?” she whispered.
Cade kissed the top of her head. “Don’t go anywhere alone,” he said softly. “And keep the gun I gave you in your purse at all times. More than likely, this will be too public for them to retaliate. They’ll simply deny it and move on. Timothy O’Shea usually keeps a cool head about him. But O’Toole is a loose cannon.”
Erin nodded her head. They’d talked at length about this, but she didn’t know what she would do if something actually happened. She’d just finally gotten Cade back. She couldn’t lose him now.
A month ago, O’Toole had revealed what he really wanted from Cade. It wasn’t his money. Cade now had inside information on Simon and Grant, and O’Toole’s boss, O’Shea, wanted to bring Simon and Grant down.
But it was more than just Cade’s loyalties to the company. Thousands of workers would have lost their jobs, and Cade wouldn’t have that on his conscience. But Erin wasn’t content with Cade just saying no. She wanted to protect him and reveal the dangers of the Irish mob. It wasn’t just violence. Businesses were at stake. People’s jobs were at stake.
He walked her to her apartment and pulled her close. “Tomorrow, we’ll tell our parents,” he said as he leaned down to kiss her.
She melted into his embrace. “Tell them what?” she teased. “That you give me three orgasms every night? That I strip naked for you and give you lap dances at the dinner table?”
Cade groaned. “Keep talking like that, and this block will see just how many orgasms I can give you,” he hissed.
What would he tell their parents? She was more curious about that than she was about their reaction. He didn’t talk much about their future.
“Stay inside today,” he said with another searing kiss.
“Keep doing that, and the tabloids will tell my mom before you do,” she said as she pulled away. He gave her one last longing look before he turned and walked away.
He made it two steps before the bullet rang out. “Erin,” he screamed as he turned, but the bullets weren’t for her. Fear forced her into action. As he fell to his knees, blood seeping through his shirt, she pulled the gun from her purse.
She couldn’t lose him. Not now. She didn’t even hesitate as he aimed the gun at the large man on the corner. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. She fired until she realized the gun was no longer spilling bullets. She fired until it was just a clicking noise. She fired until someone finally wrenched the gun out of her hand.
The man was on the ground, not moving, but she didn’t give a damn about him.
“Cade,” she screamed. The world stilled as she spun raced towards him. He reached up to touch her cheek, but the blood was coming out too quickly. “Hang on,” she muttered as she stripped off her jacket and pressed it to the wound on his side.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“Shut-up,” she snapped. “You say the worse things.”
He managed to laugh, and she smiled. “You can tell me how you feel when you’re not bleeding out on the side-walk. And when that happens, I’ll tell you exactly how I feel about you.” Tears were flooding down her cheeks, and she leaned down and pressed her lips to hers. “If you die, Cade Marquis, I will tell your father that you took my virginity when I was nineteen.”
But his eyes were closing, and she began to rock back and forth. He would live. He had to live.
Please.
* * *
The response was overwhelming. She’d wanted to keep it a small affair. Cade wanted it that way, but more than just family and friends wanted to come out. Business associates from all over the country demanded to be there, and before she knew it, the whole thing was just out of control. Every seat in the church was taken.
She couldn’t believe that it would end like this. She’d been in love with him ever since she met him, and it took a bullet for her to realize it. For her to realize how much time they had wasted thinking they knew what the other was thinking.
Cade had only wanted what was best for her, and Erin thought he was ashamed of her. Instead of embracing the unexpected love, years of silence and heartbreak had separated them.
Too late now, she thought as she walked slowly down the aisle. She couldn’t go back and change the past.
But as she saw his eyes light up with love and awe, she knew that their future was going to be filled with love.
O’Toole was dead. O’Shea put as much distance between him and the investor as possible, and they hadn’t heard more than an apology from him in the past year. Apparently he realized that the printed word was more powerful than money and blackmail.
Cade had pulled through with surgery. Rather than finding out over dinner, her mom and his dad had learned the entire truth of their affair at the hospital. They’d surprised her with a roll of their eyes.
“It’s about time,” her mom had snapped. “I thought I was going to have to lock you two in the room together to get you to admit your feelings.”
Three weeks later, he’d slipped a ring on her finger. She’d glared and grumbled. Of course they loved each other, but that didn’t mean they could make it work. He was neat. She was messy. She wanted a smaller house and dogs. He wanted a bigger house and another car. She wanted two kids. He wanted five.
But he refused to take the ring back, and she realized that she was never going to take it off. Cade Marquis was hers. And even if they bickered and fought for the rest of their lives, he belonged to her and her alone. Just as she belonged to him.
Her dress trailed behind her as she finished the walk. Her stepfather leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I thought it would be weird to give you away to my son,” he admitted with a smile. “But there is no one else I’d rather see you with.”
She blushed and reached out to take Cade’s hand. Breaking tradition, he leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. “I love you, Erin.”
“I love you, always and forever, Cade,” she said honestly.
Twenty minutes later, she was Erin Silva Marquis. And she was the happiest woman in the world.
THE END
HIGHLAND RESCUE
The rain fell softly on my face. It helped me forget about all of the black cloth that had recently passed by. The tree above me released the raindrops that had been contained in its leaves. It was as though the tree was crying with me.
Merely days had passed since my father was killed by the beast. Brother was in such a hurry to bury him into the ground after his death so that he could become king. The ceremony would be held later today to introduce the new king of Darden. I had no intentions of being there. I would remain by my father’s side until my body became one with the ground above him. I couldn’t remember ever feeling so alone.
Mother had died the day I entered the world. Brother always told me it was my fault that she was gone. I killed her. He never let me forget that. Father was my only ally in life. Now he was gone and I was alone.
Many people have told me that I am much like my mother. At my age my mother had dark hair that flowed straight down her back touching her waist. Just as mine does now. I have her emerald eyes and small button nose. Unfortunately for me I was given my father’s ears that always seemed to stick out to the side. He always told me that my strange ears made me a good listener. I wish I could have known my mother. There is so much I wish to have learned from her. Things such as how it felt to kiss a boy for the first time. Or how she knew who to give her love to. There are so many things that only my mother could tell me. Father always did his very best however it is certainly not the same. I love him dearly for trying. He was able to provide me everything I could possibly need.
Three days ago I went with Father into the village to see the townspeople. We brought bread and cheese to pass out to those in need. Father was always giving back everything he had to his people. He was a beloved king and things would never be the same without him. The people praised him and he made sure to call everyone by their first name. I already knew that Brother would be nothing like that. He had darkness inside of him, a burning greed. He enjoyed making others feel small while he stomped around like a giant.
When we knocked on the door of Mr. Toil Germaine’s small shack he greeted us nervously. Just like he would do every time, father shook Mr. Germaine’s hand and offered him some bread. Mr. Germaine asked us inside for a cup of warm milk, father accepted. After entering his home, a wild beast pounced at us from across the room. It looked like a monster with razor teeth and black bristly fur. First he attacked Father and I screamed. Mr. Germaine kept chanting, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! My king, please forgive me! What was a starving man to do?”
Father fell to the ground and the animal escaped. The next thing I remember was waking up in my bed back at the castle. I awoke in a panic. Then I realized it must have all been a bad dream.
“Mira!” I heard our nurse Hazel stirring beside me. “Oh, my sweet girl. What trouble you have seen!” She placed a cold cloth upon my brow.
“Thank you Hazel. You may leave.” Brother called out from across the room.
I watched as Hazel started toward the door. She bowed her head as she walked past Brother. “My king.” She replied. It hadn’t been a dream. Tears began flowing down my cheeks.
Brother pulled up a chair to my bedside. “Hello Sister.” He stated with a bite in his voice. “I see you have done it again.”
Puzzled, I responded in between sobs, “What have I done again?”
“You have killed another one of our parents. Well done.” He said in a poisonous tone. “Death truly surrounds you sister.” I began to cry even harder. I felt a pain in my heart that could only be described as emptiness.
“Brother!” I pleaded. The sound of my voice scared me. It sounded hollow and desperate. “There was this black beast, it came out of nowhere!”
“Don’t bother wasting your words, I will not listen. I have already arranged your punishment. You got away with killing our mother, the queen. I will not let you get away with killing our father as well.”
At this point I wanted to fall into myself and leave this world. I had no one.
“I have arranged your wedding to Kit Bataran. It will take place after I am sworn in as king.” Brother stood up and looked down at me in the bed. “You are a disgrace to our family and I will not see you again. Consider yourself forever banished from Darden.” And just like that he stormed out of the room slamming the door behind him. I jumped at the sound.
Kit Bataran was the eldest son of King Laurence Bataran of Soundsforth. For my entire life I had been told stories about the Bataran’s. Brother had always told me horrors of what terrible people they were. I didn’t know enough about him and I was in no way interested in being married to him, or anyone for that matter. Darden had been my home for the past eighteen years. I wasn’t ready to leave. I stayed in my bed for days until my tears dried up, only getting up to say my goodbyes to father.
The funeral felt short for someone who had led such a significant life. The entire town showed up to pay their respects to the fallen King Erroll Nord. The only townsfolk who wasn’t there was Toil Germaine. The way he continued to mutter his apologies caused me to believe that he had planned the attack on my father. Something didn’t fit properly. My heart burned with hatred for that man. He let this happen, I know it.
The tree shook again and more raindrops fell upon my face. It was quiet, I was the only person remaining at the burial site. The rest of the town was at the castle for the royal crowning of their new king, Montgomery Nord.
I looked down at my hands and placed them gently on my lap to smooth out my black cloak. When I noticed the white lace of my wedding gown peeking out around my ankles, I scrambled to tuck it in. Brother had insisted I wear it under my cloak to the funeral seeing as I was to be married hours later.
When I was sure that Brother’s crowning ceremony was over I picked myself up off of the ground and blew father a kiss. “Father, I miss you in my heart and I will never forget you. I promise to keep your soul alive.” I placed a single white rose upon his headstone and pulled myself away. The wind picked up and howled against my back pushing me up the hill. Forcing me not to turn back.
The ceremony was small which I was completely grateful for. It was held just outside of Darden in the hills of Soundsforth. The only people attending were King Laurence and his queen Elmire. Brother showed up for the appearance to ensure that I was following through with my punishment. He left shortly after the ceremony began. It was quite strange for a royal wedding to be so small but my heart screamed out in joy.
Kit was quite handsome in his royal cloak. He had a very kind but concerned face. The way his hair curled and framed his face softened his appearance. He stood six foot five inches towering a foot above my petit frame. He clasped my hand in his which I found quite bizarre considering the circumstances. This man was a complete stranger to me.
The ceremony droned on and I only half listened. I paid close attention to cross my fingers behind my back as I recited my marital vows to Kit Bataran. The only vow I took today was to myself. I vowed to keep my heart guarded. I may be forced to marry this man but I would never love him. Everyone I have ever loved has been taken from me. It was better this way.
“You may now kiss the princess.”
Kit smiled at my coyly, nervously. Gently, he placed one hand along my cheek and bowed his head down placing his warm lips carefully on mine. This was my first kiss, all of the blood in my body rushed up into my cheeks. I hoped I was doing this right. I felt his other hand brush the small of my back and against my hand which was still fingers-crossed behind my back. Embarrassed, I pulled my hands together. Then it ended just as quickly as it had started.
“I promise I am going to love you.” Kit whispered in the kindest voice. I felt my stomach flutter and my mind began to fog.
Snap out of it Mira, guard your heart.
As a family, we walked toward the royal carriage where the guards and horses were awaiting us. King Laurence and Queen Elmire lead the way while Kit and I followed closely behind. Just as he had before, Kit clasped my hand in his.
Once we reached the carriage and the king and queen had entered, Kit asked to talk to me on the side. I felt a wave of nerves come over me but politely agreed.
“Mira, my lady.” He cleared his throat. He was so handsome. “I just wanted to personally express my condolences on the loss of your father. King Erroll was a great man. We thought very highly of him even in Soundsforth. I understand that it has been an excruciatingly difficult day for you and I will respect your space. Please, if there is anything myself or the kingdom of Soundsforth can do for you, do not hesitate to ask. We are you home now.”
I couldn’t help myself, I threw my arms around his neck and burst into tears. His kindness burned right through me and I so badly needed someone to care for me. Reminding myself to keep my heart guarded, I pulled away carefully from his embrace. “Thank you my prince. We can go home now.” The words tasted funny in my mouth. I had never referred to anywhere but Darden as ‘home.’ Now here I was, headed in the wrong direction and already calling it home.
When we arrived in Soundsforth hours later, the townsfolk were there to greet us. They cheered as we entered the gates. Everyone was trying to get a glimpse of Soundsforth’s newest princess. I cowered into Kit not wanting to be seen. My mind continued to soar back to Darden. I wondered what they were doing and if anyone missed me. I knew I was certainly missing them. Head forward and heart hidden, I trudged onward into my new life as Princess Mira Bataran of Soundsforth.
Kit was extremely accommodating when we arrived at the castle. The handmaids had already prepared a separate room to help me adjust. A wave of relief washed over me as I realized I was not expected to share a bed with a complete stranger. They helped me undress and change into something other than my funeral cloak and frilly wedding dress. After bathing I sat on the edge of my bed and peered out of the window. The moon was full and the stars bright. I hoped that father was up there looking into this window right now. I hope he could see how brave I was being. I hope he knew I missed him.
Breaking my trance, I heard a quiet tap on the door. “Who is it?” I choked out.
“Mira,” I heard in a small voice “it’s me, Kit. May I please come in?”
My heart immediately began to pound and my hands started to sweat. All of the nerves in my body were on guard and prickling me. I couldn’t say no, could I? “Kit. Yes, you may come in.”
Quietly he pushed into the door being sure not to make a sound when closing it behind himself. Exaggeratedly he tip-toed his way across the room and sat across from me on the edge of the bed. We sat there in silence for quite a while simply staring into each other’s eyes. His were round and the color of azure. The light from the moon bounced off of his brilliant eyes and they sparkled as they looked into mine. “I was telling the truth when I promised I would love you.” He managed to break our silence.
I smiled shyly but said nothing in return.
“Mira, we are going to have a beautiful life together but only when you are ready. I will be here when you need me and until then I am granting you space and comfort.” He stood and stepped over to face me. With one hand on either side of me he bent in close. “I promise I am going to love you.” He repeated and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek before leaving the room.
My mind was spinning when I heard the door click closed. So badly my heart was crying out to follow him but my mind continued to intervene. Mira, guard your heart. If I was to fall in love with him, something terrible would happen to him. As loud as my mind was screaming over the cries of my heart, it wasn’t loud enough.
In the dark I fumbled my way across the hall in search of Kit’s room. At this point I was sure he had to have been asleep as it had been hours since he had visited me. When I finally reached his room, I could still see the flicker of candle light around the edges of his closed door. I inhaled deeply before rapping on the door. Not even a second had passed and I turned to go back, he had to have been asleep.
Suddenly, the door propped open. “Mira?” I heard Kit’s whispers. “Mira, is that you out there?”
My feet took off running toward him and I barreled into him arms. Frantically I sobbed and told him all about how alone I felt. “Father was my best friend. He was the only person who loved me just as much as I loved him. Brother had never been kind to me, he almost seemed relieved to hear that Father was gone.” I spilled my entire story about how I killed my mother when I was born to helplessly watching my father get attacked by a savage animal. It felt all too easy to fall into his arms and to confess it all. I didn’t hold back and he sat there and listened. The entire time stroking my hair and kissing my cheeks.
I had never felt comfort like this. I have never felt this kind of safety with anyone. He held me tightly and let me cry into his chest. Eventually I felt as though I had no more reason to cry. Everything that had been bottling up inside of me for so long had been released. I no longer felt as though I needed bigger shoulders now that I knew the release of honesty and finding someone who cared.
“Kit,” I looked up at him “I think I promise to love you too.” I could feel my heart racing in my chest. It was pounding so hard it must have thrown its guard down because before I knew it I was kissing him and all of the pain had stopped.
He held my face in his hands and kissed me with so much passion I could feel it in my toes. I pulled him close to me and ran my hands down his back. His breath on my neck felt electric and I could barely it. One by one, I unbuttoned his shirt eager to feel the warm skin beneath it. His chest was strong I could see each muscle tense as he picked me up and carried me across the room. This was paradise.
Carefully he laid me down across the bed and continued kissing me. My mind felt intoxicated and my heart was jarred with lust. So badly I wanted to feel his skin against mine. I started grabbing for my nightgown and he slowed himself down.
“Mira, if you’re not ready I can wait.” He gently kissed my forehead.
“I’m ready.” I was so ready to love this man I could hardly stand it. I stood up and slipped out of my nightgown. In the middle of the room I stood, vulnerable. The light of the night sky cascaded alongside of my body casting a mysterious silhouette on the wall. I stepped forward toward Kit. He was laying on his side on the bed, propped up by his elbow. His eyes scanned me as I moved forward. With one arm he reached out and wrapped it around my small waist. Tenderly he kissed my breasts stirring so many emotions and desires in my heart.
I laid myself against Kit. My skin thrilled under the influence of his. With each touch I pulled myself closer to him. We moved into each other and my breath fell heavy. Every nerve in my body ached with desire. All of the past seemed to melt away and he was the only thing contained in my consciousness.
Together we reached the top and I collapsed beside him. Resting my head on his chest I followed his breath and listened to his heart throb. Every feeling in my body was so alien but yet so freeing. We lay there in a close embrace for what felt like hours sharing playful kisses and laughing. Just as I began to fall into sleep I heard Kit’s soft voice “Mira, I promise to love you.” We fell asleep with smiles on our faces.
The sun beamed through the window blinding me. I could feel Kit stirring beside me. I immediately felt as though I should panic and run back to my room but this was my husband. This was the man I was to share my life with so who was to care that I had spent the night with him. The thought reassured me and I reached over to kiss him.
Once we had dressed and prepared for the day ahead, we made our way into the dining hall for our breakfast with the king and the queen. Laurence and Elmire greeted us with the warmest hugs.
“It brings great joy to see our Kit so happy, Mira. We have dreamt of Kit’s wedding day since he was a young boy. Always so easy and carefree. As his mother, I know he will dedicate his being to making you happy.” Elmire reached up to brush her son’s cheek. “To see him marry such a bright young lady makes me a very proud mother. Mira, if you are anything like your father, Soundsforth with be lucky to have the two of you ruling it someday.”
“That just about sums up everything I wanted to say.” Laurence chuckled. “My queen is never shy of words. Welcome to our family princess Mira!” he cheered. “Now let us eat.”
During breakfast I learned so much about the Bataran family. Each king thus far had lived a long prosperous life. The townsfolk were always considered family and were welcome at the castle any time. Their values reminded me so much of father’s. It seemed that everything Brother had told me had been complete deception. My heart fired at the thought of him.
I wondered how Darden was doing under the rein of their new King Montgomery. I hoped he kept father’s spirit alive and spread as much love as King Erroll had. Deep down, I dreaded it very much. My heart feared for the people of Darden.
In the weeks that followed I was able to explore Soundsforth with Kit by my side. He introduced me to the street merchants and school children. One by one he knocked on the doors as women did their washing to introduce his bride. With each passing day I felt more like a princess than I ever had. Kit showed me off as though I was a trophy, I was something he was proud of and if felt astonishing. He treated me kindly and always ensured I was taken care of.
Truly, we were the happiest pair. There wasn’t a day that Kit wasn’t beaming with joy. I thought I could never see him happier until the day that my bed nurse announced to him that I was pregnant. He screamed with pride and twirled me into the air. “We are going to have a child!” he proclaimed. “Mira, my beautiful lady. You are going to have my child. I promise to love you always.” He wrapped his arms around me lovingly. “Thank you nurse!”
The news of our pregnancy rolled through Soundsforth faster than I could have ever imagined. The entire town buzzed with excitement for the new baby prince or princess. I hadn’t realized just how far it had spread until one morning I received a letter from my brother. It read:
My dearest sister,
News has reached Darden that you are with child. I presume congratulations are in order. It pains me to hear such news through the chattering of Darden townsfolk. I am your brother and I wish to hear such news from the direct source. Be sure to write me if anything noteworthy should happen. I care to be the first to know.
I have spent the past month cleaning up the mess that Father has left behind. I know you believe that Father was a great king but he was absolutely wretched. His carelessness and gaiety has caused me much grief since I have been appointed King.
There is something very important that you need to be aware of. As I expect this letter to be monitored by Soundsforth authorities I will simply say this: Follow his strides by the light of the new moon. A new man you will find.
Dare not say that I did not tell you. Sister, you have been warned.
Signed,
King Montgomery Nord
My heart sank and confusion set in. What was he talking about ‘a new man you will find?’ For days I read over his letter in private trying to understand the meaning. Surely he couldn’t be talking about Kit? I spent every night in Kit’s arms. With the new moon approaching I became wearier. What kind of warning was brother sending me?
On the night of the new moon I lay still in our bed however could not contain any rest as my mind was racing. Just as I started to fall into sleep, I felt Kit stirring beside me. He got to his feet and quietly left the room.
At this point I could hear my heart in my ears. I waited until his footsteps disappeared down the hall. Without hesitation I sprung up out of bed and changed into my clothes. Without any light, I stumbled my way down the corridor. Kit was nowhere within sight or sound. He must have left the castle.
I made my way to the back gates where no one would see me escape into the night. From the light of the moon I could see Kit’s silhouette in the far off distance. I made sure to stay back so that he could not hear or see me. He seemed to be headed in a specific direction, straight to the tree line.
The forests in Soundsforth were nothing like they were in Darden. They were heavy and dark. You could hear the moaning of the souls that had been trapped in the trees unlike Darden where birds whispered in your ear and the trees sang into the breeze. He was headed deeper and deeper into the forest. With each step forward I could feel the baby kicking me. Maybe it was a sign that I needed to stop and go back. I needed to know where he was going.
Brother and I had never really seen eye to eye. Maybe this was his way of reaching out to me to show me that he still cared. Even with that thought, I was terrified for what I might find when I caught up with Kit. The darkest part of night was falling and the baby kicked harder than ever before inside of me.
Just when I was ready to turn around, the trees parted into a clearing. I remained at the edge of the trees so that Kit wouldn’t see me. I searched the clearing but he was nowhere in sight. As I turned to leave I heard a branch snap just a few feet away from me. I froze, it was Kit.
He was staring into the darkness with the moon directly at his back. Then something strange started happening. The wind stopped. The night fell completely still. Kit’s body began to shake, slowly at first but became exaggeratedly more vicious with each passing moment. Something seemed to be possessing his body. I couldn’t hide anymore and watch him. I screamed out but quickly covered my mouth with both of my hands.
Before me stood a dark creature. At about seven feet tall and completely covered in thick bristly hair. Its silhouette resembled that of a starved bear. Its breath was heavy and eyes hollow as he turned in my direction. My body was frozen with fear. Kit had changed into a beast in front of my eyes. My brain couldn’t process what had happened. This was the beast that had killed my father. The beast that had killed King Erroll Nord and had sent my life spiraling. Kit had killed my father.
The beast took a stepped toward me, slowly. “Stay away from me you animal!” I cried out. The baby thrashed around, something was wrong. As fast as they could my feet took me running through the woods. I held my stomach trying to calm down the baby, it was too soon. When I reached the castle, I turned back and Kit was nowhere in sight. I ran straight to the barn and jumped on the tallest, fastest horse, Midnight. Without a thought I dug my heels into his hips and sent him in the direction of Darden. I needed to tell Brother that I knew who had killed Father.
“Midnight, faster!” I hollered. We raced through the night onward to Darden. There were still a few hours remaining until we would reach our destination. The baby didn’t seem happy as it twisted and turned. I tried talking to it to help it calm down. “Baby, it’s alright. I have gotten you away from that man, that beast. We will be safe in Darden you just hang in there. They will all love you there.” I cried out in pain.
Night was beginning to break and I could see a glimpse of dawn on the horizon. Midnight had slowed to a fluid canter and I had somehow managed to settle the baby. I could still feel its squirms but I was no longer in dire pain. Morning was beginning to show it’s face when I arrived at the outer limits of Darden. I knew I was trespassing but this matter was far too urgent. When I arrived I would plead for Brother’s forgiveness and offer to complete my punishment as a servant.
I could see the small huts and shacks of the town nearing. At this point in the morning there should have been more people swarming the town but from what I could see at this distance it was desolate. Where were the merchants selling their international goods? The baker should be at the market selling his sourdough and sweets as the people made their way to work at the mills. There was no one around.
Slowly Midnight and I walked through the narrow paths of town. I could see Miss Caleigh Clarne picking through the rubble down the path. “Miss Clarne! Caleigh!” I called out.
Her gazed darted in my direction. Her face used to be plump and pink with a dazzling smile constantly plastered across it. Today her face was sunken and grey, her thin lips creased into a frown. She looked frightened and defeated. “Mira?” she asked in a broken voice. “Princess Mira, is that truly you?” weakly she smiled in my direction.
I dismounted Midnight and ran to hug her. “Oh, Caleigh it is such a pleasure to see your familiar face!” I held her close. “Do you know where my brother is? I need to see him immediately. I have discovered something quite horrid.”
At this mention Caleigh pulled away from me. “He is a horrible man Mira. He will be of no help to you.”
This confused me. What was she speaking of? “Caleigh I do not understand.”
“Mira, look at me. King Montgomery has starved all of the townsfolk out of their homes. Many took to the forest to thrive and forage. Anyone who stayed has since taken ill or gone into hiding. Very few of us remain Mira. He has taken Darden for himself. You need to stop him!” her frail hands gripped my shoulders sending pain down my arms.
“Caleigh, you’re hurting me.” I tried to break free from her grasp. She only tightened her grip.
“Mira. Help us!”
When I was able to free myself, I mounted Midnight and headed for the castle. Everything I saw tonight confused me and weighed on my heart. At the entrance of the castle the guards seemed relieved when they saw me approaching.
“Princess Mira, you have returned!” the guard greeted. “However you should not be here, it is no longer safe here you must turn back.”
“Mr. Lane I must see my brother. There is something I need to tell him!” I pleaded. What was happening in Darden?
“If you must Mira but please tell King Montgomery you snuck in the back. He will have my head if he finds out.”
I reached out and gave him a generous hug. “You have my word.”
The corridors were dimly lit and there were large cobwebs draped in every corner. I took the steps one at a time and tried to conjure the words that I would tell Brother. How was I to tell him that the man he married me off to had caused our father’s death? There was no way he would believe me.
Reaching the top of the stairs I heard laughter behind the door to my right. My bedroom. It must be Brother! I eased the door open and peaked around the corner. There stood Toil Germaine, his back to the door. He was dancing about with jewelry draped from his neck to his feet. His laughter echoed through the room. Without warning a sharp pain shot through my stomach and I shrieked in pain. This was an interesting way of announcing my presence. Toil spun around with a look of alarm plastered across his mug.
“Why are you here?” I managed to muster together in between jabs of pain. The baby was coming. “Where is my brother?”
Beads of sweat formed on his brow. He stammered about in search of a response.
“Do you know who killed my father? I know you do.” His look of fear fell blank. I grabbed the door frame for support. “Why didn’t you warn Brother before he shipped me off to that dreadful kingdom to live with a beast?”
This seemed to catch him by surprise. His surprise quickly changed to panic as a voice sounded behind me. “Tell her everything you know.” It was Kit, not the beast but the real Kit. He scooped me up and laid me on the bed. Without taking his eyes off me he continued to speak to Toil. “You know something and I am not letting you leave this room until you have told us everything.”
“You tell it, Kit. You are the reason Father is dead!” I screamed, swatting at him to leave me alone.
Kit rested his hand on my head and brushed my hair out of my eyes. Leaning in he whispered “I know what you saw Mira but it wasn’t me who killed your father. I may have kept this secret from you but I would never harm anyone. Especially not King Erroll Nord.” He kissed my forehead and turned his speech back to Toil who was now cowering in the corner. “Mr. Germaine. I will ask you one more time politely. What do you know about the attack on King Erroll?”
“I was starving, what was I to do?” he cried. “He made me do it. He made me!”
“Who made you do what?” Kit questioned. The baby was well on the way now. I cried softly, scared I was about to join Mother and Father too soon.
Toil squirmed uncomfortably in the corner at this question. “He promised me safety and riches.”
Kit knew I was in trouble so he instructed Toil not to move. Kit ran down the corridor in search of a bed nurse. When they returned, I could feel the baby fighting its way into the world. Grabbing Toil by the arm, the two men left the room. Only myself and the nurse remained. I was so scared and confused. I couldn’t stop crying. Pain enveloped my entire being.
“You need to push, Mira.” The nurse instructed.
I couldn’t push. I needed to know what was going on. Did Kit kill my father? Who was Toil babbling about? The baby couldn’t come now, not like this.
“Mira, push!” The time that followed has escaped my mind. It felt as though just like that, my baby boy entered the world. The nurse took him to a wash basin to clean him up. She swaddled him tightly into a cloth and placed him into my arms.
I cried with happiness for this small child. Tucking him closely under my arms he settled in asleep. As exhausted as I was and as badly as I didn’t want to leave my son minutes after his birth I handed him to the nurse. “Something terrible is happening and I need to help.” I propped myself up and swung my legs of the edge of the bed.
“Mira please, rest. You have been through so much I need you to lay down.” The nurses pleaded with me.
I shot her a look and she seemed to understand. She nodded and stepped to the side. Just as I reached the door, it swung open. Toil in tears and Kit looking tortured. “What is happening?” I begged to know the truth. Kit’s eyed searched the room for the baby, his child. “It’s a son.” I smiled. He swung down and hugged me hard. “Please Kit, I need to know.”
As badly as Kit wanted to embrace his new son, he understood that I needed answers and something had to be done. “Nurse, guard my son with your life. You will be rewarded for your efforts.” He grabbed my hand and we exited the room. “We need to find King Montgomery immediately.”
His eyes were so stern it frightened me. “Why do we need to find my brother? Who did this Kit?”
He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. When he seemed to calm himself he turned to me. “I need to explain what you saw earlier in the forest.” My heart picked up pace, I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear this. “My family was cursed one hundred generations ago. One of my ancestors wished our kings to die a death of old age and not warfare. He was granted his wish at a cost. The cost of beauty. Every time the new moon surfaces, our bodies are transformed into a bear-like creature.” His eyes searched mine to see if I was following. “Mira, we are shape shifters. You need to understand that after so many generations of shape shifting we have evolved and can control our actions when we take our forms.”
“So it was you that killed my father?” A tear traced silently down my cheek.
“No Mira, I promise you it was not.” He wiped the tear away with his thumb. “After speaking to Toil Germaine I have discovered that your brother too has been granted a wish. He wished to be king. His cost the same as mine. Now with each new moon he has turned into a beast only he had no boundaries. When he came to the realization of his capabilities he quickly plotted his actions to become king. Toil was an easy target. He was feeble and greedy. King Montgomery knew that if he offered riches that the petty man would agree to anything.”
I could not believe what I was hearing.
“Since he knew King Erroll would make his rounds through the town and would never say no to a personal invitation into a townsfolk’s home, he formed his plan. Toil was to ask the King inside and he would then complete the task. Knowing that the Bataran family were bear shifters he married you off to me. He figured you would eventually see my true colors and point the blame on me. Which he was close to achieving tonight.”
Tears poured from my eyes. I shouldn’t have been so quick to dismiss Miss Caliegh Clarne. She had warned me of my brother’s wrongdoings. Brother had truly unraveled Darden and taken it for himself. Kit wrapped his arms around me and held me close. He understood that this was not easy information to process. “We have to find him.”
“Sir!” We heard the nurse’s voice call out from the bedroom. “Mr. Toil Germaine has escaped. He said he is going to find the king to tell advise him of your presence. You must leave immediately!”
Kit disappeared down the corridor toward the nurse and our newborn son. “Did he say anything else?”
Her expression fell and she appeared suddenly scared. “He told me that the king is going to do something terrible once he finds out.” Her voice faded.
I felt ill. What would he possibly do? “Did Mr. Germaine have any mention about what the king may do?”
The nurse’s eyes remained glued to the floor, she clenched her hands tightly in front of her. “He said he was to seek revenge against you for exploiting him, Prince Kit.”
Kit snatched our son out of her arms and grabbed my hand. We were running down the corridor toward the exit. “Kit, where are we going?” I cried out.
His face was stern. I had never seen such a look of terror, it frightened me. Our son slept soundly in Kit’s arms as we collected Midnight and began our journey back to Soundsforth. I watched behind me as the remains of Darden faded into the horizon. It may have been the last glimpse of my home I would ever see.
I could tell we were approaching Soundsforth from the trees in the distance. They stood tall and heavy. Despite the wind their branches held strong. At this point Kit had yet to say a word. “What do you think Brother has done?” I asked in a small voice.
“I believe he is trying to break my family’s rein. I believe he is trying to eliminate my father, the king, through warfare.” I could feel a bite in his words. He was truly terrified.
“What exactly does that mean?” I tried to sound brave.
“There is no way to know. Never has a Bataran, a king of Soundsforth, been murdered since our curse was set. What I am afraid of is the power King Montgomery possesses. He has not yet learned how to contain his shifting. His actions will be unjustified and blood will spill at his hand.”
There was nothing I could say. The remainder of the journey we rode in silence. I held our son close to my chest and watched him as he slept.
Soundsforth was quiet. We approached the castle not knowing what we may discover. Kit ran ahead in search of his mother and father. I saw him halt dead in his tracks. Peering around I could see his mother laying across the floor, her body trembled. She was sobbing.
“Mother!” Kit lunged forward and scooped her up into his arms. “Mother are you alright?” She continued to cry into his chest.
“My boy. It’s your father, they have taken him. He has been murdered and his body has been stolen.” She let out a scream.
“What happened?” I cried out to her.
“A shifter that I have never seen before forced his way into the castle. The guards shouted out to warn us but you know your father. He always wishes the best for all beings. Your father tried to speak to him to find out his name. The creature would not listen. As he approached us we knew it was not one of us, it was not a Bataran. Then it pounced on top of him until his body fell limp.” She ducked her face into Kit’s arm, shuddering as she relived the moment.
“Mira.” Kit stood and looked directly into my eyes. “Stay here with Mother.” He pushed past me and headed straight for the doors. I knew exactly what he was about to do. I feared for my Brother and Darden.
The entire kingdom was outraged at the sudden loss of King Laurence Bataran. The entire town was stirring as the news spread to the men, women, and children. Something had to be done and they looked to their new King Kit Bataran for guidance. His decision for action had already been made.
Kit had decided that his only option was to avenge his father and mine by hunting down the shifter, my brother. All of the men in Soundsforth gathered their horses and set out to find this beast. Kit knew exactly where he would find King Montgomery. They galloped through the thick forest toward the clearing where I had found Kit the night before.
Through the dark clouds, the moon fought to show its blue face. I watched out the window beside Elmire, our hands clasped together. It took everything I had to remain strong for this woman who had just lost her husband. Every so often she would rise out of her chair and pace the lengths of the room. The baby seemed to keep her mind calm. Every time he would make a sound she would immediately tend to his need.
“He looks so much like his father.” She would repeat over and over again. “He will be a great king someday. Has he a name yet?”
Through all of the madness that engulfed this day I hadn’t thought to give my son a name. The choice was clear. “His name is Erroll.” I replied. “He is named after my father who was the greatest king I have ever known.” I smiled down at that helplessly small child but couldn’t help but worry for my husband and my brother as the day grew darker.
Thoughts continued to spin through my mind. Why would Brother want to kill Father? I always knew that Brother wanted so badly to be king but I never expected him to take such extreme actions to achieve it. Flashes of the angry beast attacking my father played in my head. My fears shifted back to my husband leading the townsmen toward such danger.
When they had reached the clearing the men saw King Laurence’s body propped up against a tree stump. Motionless. One man, unable to contain his outrage, tore through the clearing with a baton above his head charging into the night. Out of nowhere, the creature pounced through the darkness killing the man in one motion. This caused many of the men to step back closer to the tree-line.
Kit’s mind raced as he attempted to conjure up a plan. So far he had only been seeing red and marched forward. Now that he was here, in front of the beast, he needed a plan. He decided to use his voice.
“King Montgomery Nord.” There was silence and the beast took a step toward Kit. “I am Kit Bataran of Soundsforth. You are trespassing on our land. Please, return to your kingdom. We mean you no harm.” Kit took a step toward the creature. “Haven’t you already gotten what you wanted? You are a king are you not?” The two stepped even closer together. “Why must you take our king away from us? He could have taught you so much, he was a great king.”
The beast hissed and spat in Kit’s direction. “You do not know what a great king is!” he laughed a sickening laugh.
“I may not know what it takes to be as great as King Laurence Bataran or King Erroll Nord, this is true. What I do know is that killing kings is not the best starting strategy.” At that the beast launched himself at Kit with his jagged teeth glaring in the darkness. Kit expected this reaction and managed to shift himself just in time and knocked Brother against a tree. He held him there with extreme force. “We could have been brothers, King Montgomery. But now it seems as though you will never even meet your nephew.” with a quick swipe, the beast fell to the forest floor. His breathing labored and eventually seized.
The townsmen gathered themselves and headed back to the town to share the news that the beast had been eliminated. They made sure to bring back the body of their fallen king for a proper royal burial. Before they reached the town, they heard a rustling in the bushes. Out came Mr. Toil Germaine, trembling and begging for forgiveness.
“I’m so sorry but what is a starving man to do?” He pleaded.
“Mr. Germaine?” Kit began. He walked over to the bush and placed his hand over Toil’s shoulder “What a pleasure to see you again.” He taunted.
Toil’s body shook in fear that he would be executed for high treason. “P-Please sir. I mean, King Kit. I will do anything you desire of me, just please do not kill me.”
Kit thought to himself what pleasure it would bring to him and the people of Soundsforth to eliminate the man who plotted with King Montgomery to kill two great men. He decided that it would bring him much more pleasure to see Mr. Toil Germaine carry out his days slaving away as a servant to all of the townspeople. So that is what he did.
When King Kit Bataran returned to the castle, I felt a wave of relief wash over my entire being. I didn’t care to know what had happened in the forest. All that mattered in this exact moment was that my husband, the king, was home safe. He reached over and placed his strong hand against my cheek, pulling me in for a kiss. When he let go he said, “I promise to love you.”
The baby cooed in the corner awaking in his father’s presence. Kit smiled over to me before gently picking him up. “Say hello to Erroll.” I told him.
“My son. Prince Erroll Bataran.” He pulled me closer with baby Erroll in his arms and I breathed them in. These were the two men in my life that I would do anything to protect. For them my heart raised its guard, to protect the radiating love inside of me.
THE END