by Kelly Blount
I hope this is just a case of pre-wedding jitters!
Assuring herself that it was, Sophie smiled and clasped Adeline’s hand. “What does the ballroom look like?”
“I have never seen it look so beautiful. You will absolutely love it!”
After what felt like an eternity, they were face to face with the massive wooden doors that led to the ballroom.
Before the doors opened, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning around, she came face to face with the King.
“My darling Princess!”
“Oh, Father! Thank goodness you’re here! I’m so nervous!”
The King’s eyes glistened with tears. “My sweet daughter, you mustn’t worry! The Royal Family of Dratun can’t wait for you to join them!”
“Do you really think so?” asked Brooklyn.
“Yes, of course, my dear!” The King smiled and embraced her one last time. “Now, are you ready?”
Taking a deep breath, Sophie smiled and said, “Yes, Father, I’m ready.”
The King nodded toward one of the guards standing to the left of the door. The guard picked up a large trumpet and announced the arrival of the King and Princess Sophie. Then, setting the trumpet down, he and three other guards pulled the thick wooden doors open.
Sophie felt like she was going to faint. Beautiful music floated through the air as thousands of people stared at her intently from their seats on either side of the arbor.
The harpist began to play another song, this time accompanied by a string quartet. The audience rose and Sophie found it difficult to breathe.
Standing at the end of the beautiful petal-covered aisle was Prince Algid.
Eek! He’s so handsome!
Even though he was far away, she could tell he was drop dead gorgeous. Tall and lean with sun-kissed blond hair, he was drop dead gorgeous, even from a distance.
Sophie looked back at Adeline and mouthed, “He is sooo cute!”
Adeline smiled and winked back at her.
Holding out his arm, the King said, “My darling.”
Standing on her tiptoes, Sophie kissed her father on the cheek. Then, she linked her arm in his and they walked down the aisle toward Prince Algid.
Chapter Sixteen
HOW COULD FINDING BRIANNA GO so wrong? She doesn’t even know who I am! She’s clearly under the influence of some type of horrendous concoction that causes memory loss.
He kept repeating, “It’s me, Bri, your brother, Ryder!”
“I don’t have a brother and I certainly don’t know who you are! Now, if you want me to show you to Princess Sophie’s chambers, please stop talking to me!”
“What about our mother? Is she here with you? Is she safe?”
“Listen, I don’t know how you know about my mother, but if you say one more word, I’m finding the nearest guard and reporting you!”
Ryder’s heart sank and he felt utterly devastated. He followed her silently up the stairs and through the castle. Once they reached Princess Sophie’s room, he went in to deliver the food and the secret letter he had written Brooklyn.
Before going in the room, he turned to Brianna and said, “I’ll be right back. I have to save Brooklyn, please wait for me.”
He looked Brianna in the eyes and attempted to hug her. Freaking out, she pushed him away roughly. “Get away from me!”
Anguish filled his body and it took every ounce of courage to walk away from his sister.
Stepping into the room, he broke out into a cold sweat. Being this close to Brooklyn made his pulse quicken and his stomach feel queasy. Talk about convincing, Brooklyn barely even looked at me. I hope she has everyone else fooled, too!
When he came back out of Brooklyn’s room, Brianna was gone.
Damn it! Why didn’t I plan for this? Never in a million years had he thought his own sister wouldn’t recognize him. Now what?
He decided to continue to follow the plan and meet up with Lant and the others in the royal gardens. They’ll be able to help me!
Finding unguarded hallways was difficult and it took twice as long as he had planned to get to the gardens. Please let her be there! Please let her be there!
As soon as he stepped out into the cool, crisp air, he knew something was wrong. The surrounding flowers had wilted and before he could turn around and get back into the castle, the horrifying smell of rotten fish overwhelmed his senses.
“No!” screamed Ryder.
A deep, gravelly, voice spoke, “Ah, so we meet again, Ryder.”
Reaching for his sword out of instinct, he was instantly deflated when he realized that he had given it to Albie to bring to him in the royal gardens.
Oh no! What about Albie, Cridifer, and the others? Are they safe? Did Grishma catch them, too?
Ryder sunk to his knees. He knew it was pointless to run. Grishma would catch him and kill him or throw him in the dungeon.
Emerging from the shadows, Grishma towered over Ryder and the neatly trimmed hedges. “Come boy,” the beast said as she grabbed Ryder by the back of his shirt.
What is Grishma going to do with me?
The stench was overwhelming and Ryder could feel the bile creeping up the back of his throat.
After several turns, Grishma carried Ryder up a flight of stairs and onto a gray marble balcony.
Growling, she threw Ryder to the floor. “Here, you can watch your precious Brooklyn, oops, I mean, Princess Sophie, marry Prince Algid, and then I’m going to throw you in the dungeons with your little friends!”
Little friends? Oh no!
“The King and I were just discussing the need to eradicate the Tribe of Topher from Necoh. Just think, you have led them and the two orvbas to their death.”
Ryder’s blood boiled. “Let them go, you don’t need them!”
Grishma tapped her grotesque nails on the marble. “I know that, boy, but you see, I can do whatever I want! Now shut up and watch the wedding!”
Walking over to the ledge of the balcony, Ryder looked down. Could I make it? Peering down into a sea of people, it was clear, there was nowhere safe to land.
As if Grishma was reading his mind, she hissed, “As if I would ever let you jump!”
Ryder’s shoulders slumped and he decided it was best to comply with the Grishma for now, especially if he wanted to keep Brianna and his mother safe.
The priest officiating the wedding spoke loudly and his voice carried throughout the ballroom. “Do you, Princess Sophie of Sumner, take Prince Algid of Dratun, to be your husband?”
“I do.”
Why is she smiling?
“Do you, Prince Algid of Dratun, take Princess Sophie of Sumner, to be your wife?”
“I do.”
Why does she look like she’s actually enjoying this?
“You look surprised,” said Grishma.
Ryder stayed silent. I’m not dignifying Grishma with a response.
“You know, she’s forgotten all about you. Just like your sister Brianna.”
At the mention of his sister, Ryder’s rage went into overdrive. “What did you do to them?” he seethed.
“Well, I had your mother mix up a memory eraser. She’s quite talented!”
His blood boiled and he could barely see straight. Speaking in a flat tone, Ryder asked, “Where is my mother?”
Ryder’s question caused Grishma to laugh a deep, evil laugh. “Don’t worry son, you’ll be seeing her soon, very soon. Now please, turn around and watch the rest of the ceremony, you wouldn’t want to miss the best part, would you?”
“You may kiss the bride,” the priest announced.
The newly married couple stepped toward one another slowly, then without any further hesitation, they embraced and shared a passionate kiss.
The guests erupted into loud cheers and applause.
Smiling and still holding hands, the couple stood side by side, and thanked the boisterous crowd.
The King joined them in front of the arbor and raised his arms to quiet the guests.
“Dinner and dancing will begin shortly. Please join us in the north end of the ballroom.”
The guests stood up and began to move toward the back. Fragrant flowers and candles floating in wide circular vases covered the tables.
“I think you’ve seen enough, boy,” snarled Grishma.
The foul beast wrapped her putrid claws around Ryder’s waist and lifted him forcefully off the ground. Ryder squirmed and attempted to get free, but it was no use, Grishma would not loosen her grip.
The hallways of the castle went by in a blur and Ryder became disoriented quickly.
Finally, Grishma slowed down and spoke to a nearby guard. “Another prisoner for the dungeons.”
The guard was shaking in fear and his armored suit clanked together. “Shall I escort the prisoner to a cell?”
“I’ll do it myself,” snarled Grishma.
Pushing past the terrified guard, Grishma grabbed a set of keys off the wall, and opened the first of several doors leading down a dark, dank hallway.
Ryder tried to look into the cells lining both sides of the hallway, but they were blanketed in darkness.
He could hear dripping water and the desperate cries of prisoners.
Grishma smiled and laughed cruelly. “Welcome to your new home.”
Ryder’s last memory was being violently thrown into a dark, damp cell. Then everything went black.
Ryder awoke to a pounding headache and a sore left shoulder. Slowly opening his eyes, confusion set in, immediately followed by realization, and a deep feeling of despair.
Shit.
Sitting up, he looked around his cell. There was a small hole in one corner that smelled almost as rank as Grishma. In the other corner was a slightly raised section of stone. Is that supposed to be my bed? The rest of the cell was empty.
“Hello? Is anyone there?” asked Ryder.
“Ryder, is that you?” replied a weak voice.
“Yes! Albie, is that you?”
“Yes. I’m in here with Lant and Kroy, too,” said Albie.
“Is everyone okay? Pidifer? Cridifer? Are you there?” asked Ryder.
Pure silence followed his question.
“What happened? Who’s missing?”
Ryder heard loud sobs coming from a cell across from his. “It… it… it was terrible!”
“Pidifer, is that you?” asked Ryder.
“Yes, although I wish it wasn’t,” cried Pidifer.
“What happened? Where is Cridifer?”
“We were… in the royal gardens… and…” Unable to finish his sentence, Pidifer broke down and began weeping loudly.
“It’s okay, Pidifer, we’ll figure out a way to get him back,” said Albie.
“Can someone please tell me what happened?” asked Ryder.
Lant coughed several times and then spoke. “We were waiting for you in the royal gardens when, out of nowhere, Grishma showed up! We tried to run, but the King’s soldiers were everywhere. They caught us and that’s when Grishma began to ask questions.”
Lant’s voice began to catch, “Cridifer, he was too brave, he refused to speak. Grishma warned him, but he stayed silent. That’s when Grishma poured something on his head and he just turned into a little black statue.”
Pidifer cried loudly. “He’s gone! He’s gone forever!”
“Pidifer, I’m so sorry!” said Ryder.
“This is all your fault! If it wasn’t for you, none of us would be here!” screamed Pidifer.
Albie interjected. “Pidifer, please don’t take this out on Ryder. We all agreed to join him on this journey. We all knew there would be risks.”
“You only say that because your brother has not been turned into a garden gnome!” seethed Pidifer.
“Wait! Wait!” interrupted Ryder. “You say he was turned into a black statue? What did the substance look like that Grishma poured on your brother?”
Pidifer replied, “It looked like amber sap, like the kind that comes out of the paru tree. Why does that matter? He’s gone!”
“It’s reversible! I’ve seen my mother change someone back before! I swear!” said Ryder.
Pidifer sniffled. “You mean there’s hope?”
“Yes! But first we must make a plan to escape the dungeon of Sumner. Any ideas?” asked Ryder.
“One of the key holders, Calla, is a friend of my wife. Unfortunately, she’s constantly surrounded by Grishma’s spies and the King’s guards,” said Kroy.
“Your wife, is she down here, too?” Ryder asked.
“Calla says she’s in the next set of cells. I haven’t spoken with her directly, but Calla informed her we are here.”
Suddenly, a faraway door screeched open and a booming voice shook the cells. “SILENCE!”
Ryder felt goose bumps pop up on his arms. What the hell is that? Deciding it was best to stay quiet, Ryder backed up and sat on his makeshift stone bed.
An evil laugh erupted. “Time for dinner, you worthless pieces of garbage!”
A large gray beast that resembled a mix of both man and alligator emerged in front of Ryder’s cell.
“Cup!” snarled the beast.
“What?” asked Ryder.
“Quick! Get your cup,” urged Albie.
“I said SILENT!” roared the beast.
Ryder looked around his cell. In the corner nearest the barred entrance, were a cup and a small stone bowl.
Before he could pick up either, the beast’s short arms and webbed fingers thrust a large ladle through an opening between two of the bars and dumped Ryder’s dinner on the floor, which was followed unceremoniously by a splash of liquid.
The laughter continued. “You idiot!”
Ryder waited for the heinous guard to leave before he dared speak again.
“Is he gone?” whispered Lant.
“I think so,” answered Ryder. “So, what just got dumped on my floor?”
“That my friend, is your one meal a day,” responded Albie.
“It looks disgusting!” responded Ryder.
“Trust me, from what I hear, it tastes even worse! But when it’s all you get, I guess you learn to tolerate it,” said Albie.
“Plus, who knows when we’ll be fed again,” added Lant.
“Listen, food aside, please tell me, how can I fix Cridifer?” asked Pidifer.
“I’m not going to lie. I don’t have a clue, but my mother does, and she’s somewhere in this castle. If we can get the statue and everyone makes it out, she’ll be able to fix your brother, I promise.”
“Now all we need to do is find a way out,” said Albie.
After a few moments of silence, a smile crept up on Ryder’s lips. “Hey guys, I have an idea.”
Chapter Seventeen
GUESTS TAPPED THEIR CRYSTAL CHAMPAGNE flutes, prompting the happy couple to smile at one another before they kissed again.
After several courses, it was finally time for dessert. Sophie and Algid stood and walked hand in hand to a massive cake that had been wheeled in from the kitchen.
“Before the happy couple cuts the cake, I would like to say a few words,” said the King. “First and foremost, I am so pleased that young love has blossomed here in Sumner, and although I will miss my daughter dearly, I know their love will bring joy to the people of Dratun as well.”
Sophie sighed and stuck out her lower lip. Comforting his bride, Algid leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. The crowd let out a collective, “Aw!”
“However, I want my daughter to know that not all is lost for her father. Lady Adeline, will you please come forward and join me?”
The crowd parted and Lady Adeline glided through with a sly smile on her face.
“As you all know, my dear wife has long been gone, leaving my heart empty for many years.”
People murmured in agreement.
“Today, I would like to announce my intentions to fill the emptiness and bring life to my once dying heart.” He got down on one knee. “With my kingdom as my witness, Lady Adeline, would you do me t
he pleasure of becoming my wife?”
Gasps erupted throughout the ballroom.
Lady Adeline clapped a hand to her mouth and then smiled. “Your Highness, my King, I would love nothing more!”
Sophie squealed in joy and ran to hug her father and Lady Adeline.
The guests burst into applause and joyful cheers.
The King smiled and held his new fiancée’s hand. “Thank you, thank you! Now, let’s cut the cake!”
The newly married couple cut the cake together and Algid ceremoniously dabbed a small bite-sized piece on his bride’s nose.
The people of Sumner couldn’t be happier. Their beloved princess was back and happily married, and now their King had chosen a new bride.
Waiters milled about and passed out pieces of cake to guests.
Between bites of light, fluffy almond-flavored cake, Algid looked deeply into Sophie’s eyes. “I hope you know I have always loved you, ever since we were children.”
“My Prince, you are so sweet. I shall always love you.”
After they had finished eating their cake and several toasts had been made, the waiters began to clear the tables and move everything off the dance floor.
The King stood and cleared his throat. “Prince Algid and Princess Sophie, please make your way to the floor for your first dance.”
As the music started, the two began to sway to the music. Algid literally swept his new bride off her feet.
The song ended with Algid dipping Sophie. “Having fun?”
“How’d you know?” she replied with a giggle.
The rest of the night was a magical blur filled with dancing, tasty late night hors d’oeuvres, and more champagne.
Finally, the last song was played and the guests began to file out of the ballroom.
Princess Sophie suddenly felt extremely nervous and her heart began to thump rapidly in her chest. I’ve never slept with anyone, not even in the literal sense! What am I going to do? Is he going to expect me to sleep with him?
The King cleared his throat and said, “Come, Lady Adeline and I will show you two lovebirds to your honeymoon quarters.”
While holding Algid’s hand, she followed her father and his new fiancée through the castle to her temporary quarters.