Page 53 of Desperately Yours
“Rescind your order,” I demanded. “Lockdown the country at once.”
Her eyes flashed with anger and then amusement, as if I was a child again and this was some sort of game I’d made up. “Don’t be a fool, Leonidas. We have a ball in a matter of a couple of hours. Dignitaries are landing at the airport as we speak. Of course we need transportation lines open.”
“You’re behind it, aren’t you?” I had no evidence, only a feeling in my gut that she would exert power to make Michaela disappear. “You’ve hated her from the first time I said her name as a teenager. Now, you’re bent on making her vanish with notrace.” I squared my shoulders and faced her dead on. “You think you can control me because you have her, but I refuse to go forward with anything until I know she is safe.”
Unlike me, Mother had already started preparations for the ball. Her black gown draped over her figure, gauzy fabric that subtly twinkled in the low lighting. If I squinted, the sheer overlay appeared to have spiderwebs embroidered in delicate silver thread. With the flick of her hand, her maid departed through a side door, understanding the unspoken command. Once the door clicked shut, Mother’s icy gaze seared into me.
“You dare speak that way to your mother?” She cocked an eyebrow. “To your queen?”
She wanted to intimidate me, but I wasn’t willing to cower. “Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me you had nothing to do with it. Tell me that my happiness matters more than your sinister plans.”
“Sinister?” She shook her head as though I was off base. “I am looking out for the best of the country. I don’t think you can classify that as sinister, Son.”
“Depends on the means,” I corrected her. “If kidnapping is high on that list, then I would wager that—”
My accusation was interrupted by a thudding at the door. Not a knock, but more like a skirmish gone wrong. A body against the wooden frame. Chaos rose up in the next second, voices and cries of alarm. I pursed my lips, angry that some commotion had interrupted my interrogation of my mother. Prepared to tune it out, I opened my mouth to start again.
A woman screamed.
My heart dropped. Without thinking, I raced to the chamber doors and ripped them open, searching the hallway for Michaela.
But she wasn’t the woman I found.
Two guards towered over the cowering frame of Sadira. She ducked her head, as if anticipating another blow.
“Escort Lady Sadira from this wing,” Kabir ordered. “She has no place outside of her chambers.”
A guard took hold of her small arm with strength I feared would snap her in half. “Serves you right for disturbing the prince, eh?”
“Unhand her,” I commanded, stepping out into the hall. The brute instantly obeyed and Sadira tumbled back to the ground, body as limp as a ragdoll. I rushed forward, concerned for her safety. They had no right to treat her so gruffly.
“Forgive me, Your Highness.” Sadie bowed herself to the floor, head level with the marble tile. “I had to come, even if it meant I would risk my life.”
With the wave of my hand, I urged the guard to move back from her. I sank onto my knees in front of her. “Tell me. What is worth such a sacrifice, Lady Sadira?” I touched her cheek to bring her head up. Her worried eyes locked onto mine and my heart sank, knowing that she bore something devastating. “What news?”
Her chin dropped away from my touch, but she produced an envelope. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. She must have left it on my pillow when I went for a walk in the garden. If only I’d seen it sooner.”
I took the envelope that had been extended to me. The seal was broken, but that didn’t surprise me. Sadira likely thought it was meant for her if it was on her pillow, but what had she… I recognized the penmanship as I unfolded the letter and my eyes raced to read the contents as fast as I could.
Fitz, I hate writing this letter. I hope you know that. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I won’t be there tonight. I can’t. We both know this is a mistake. You would spend the rest of your life resenting me for taking you from your home. And, if by some miracle they allowed us to be together, I would never feel athome here. My heart would always pull for my real country. Sadie though, she’s ready to rule. You may not love her now, but you will love her more than you ever loved me. Your country needs you. It’s time we grew up, don’t you think? Childish dreams won’t carry us through this time. I will always be yours, but it’s best if we part ways now. Let the past be what it was and carve out your future as the king you were always meant to be.
Don’t look for me.
Sincerely,
Michaela
I stared at the letter, an evil mixture of shock and sickness churning in my gut. My mind clung to the memory of the previous night. Had she given me any indication of these feelings? She’d hesitated, but in the end, she’d chosen me. Would she reverse such a decision in the light of day? It made no sense.
A cry of alarm sounded behind me, jarring me from my trance. I turned, ready for an attack. Instead, I found my mother collapsed to her knees, sobbing as the doctor tried to comfort her.
“No,” I whispered, willing the awful thought not to come to life. There was only one piece of news that would destroy my mother in an instant. “No, please no.” I retraced my steps, leaving one distraught woman for another.
“It’s only a matter of time now,” the doctor’s soft voice gave no comfort, “he won’t make it out this time.”
I understood even without context. Not only was the love of my life leaving me, but my father wouldn’t see morning.
All at once, my life collapsed around me, as if the earthquake had returned and swallowed every chance of happiness into a sinkhole with no end.