by Anna Lewis
When he sat up, he groaned and clutched his stomach.
“He hit me fiercely, dear Melody,” the prince croaked.
“Here,” she said while wrapping a firm arm under his shoulders. “I’ve got you. Let’s go.”
“You cannot carry me all the way,” he insisted.
“I will do my best,” she retorted with a grin.
“Where is the king? Is he aboard the ship?” the prince asked.
Melody helped him up from the table and carefully guided him to the door, looking around to see if any Gluons were waiting for them. The hall was empty. They stepped out and began walking briskly. She wasn’t sure exactly where they were going, but her gut seemed to have a good idea.
“I’m not sure. He was on the screen when I spoke to him,” she replied.
“For me as well,” the prince commented.
“Hush, darling. You’re using too much energy,” she said.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said.
She giggled and propped him against the wall, studying the map that was next to his head. It looked like they were close to a loading area. There might be a few pods there for them to travel back to the planet in.
“Come on. We have to get out of here,” Melody said, nearly losing her breath as they started running towards the loading room.
Behind them, she could hear the strange language of the Gluons who were quickly closing in. Their thunderous steps echoed through the hallway, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly where they were. She wasn’t sure if she could use the ruby again for it might harm her prince. It might not be the safest tool. She pressed on.
They arrived at another steel door and she kicked the control panel hard, busting it enough to get the doors to crack.
“Help me,” she said while propping him up.
Without hesitation, the prince took one door and Melody took the other. They each pulled their ends and pried the doors open as the thud of heavy steps quickly approached. She took her prince off the wall, tossed him in between the doors, and then dashed in after him. A quick look around revealed an escape pod at the far end of the room and she dragged the prince the rest of the way, cringing every time he groaned loudly.
She approached the control panel and pressed a few buttons. It beeped and then flashed red, asking for clearance.
“Damn it,” she whispered.
The doors behind them creaked. She turned to find the Gluons prying them apart, their giant bodies trying to press through the entrance all at once. When she turned back to the control panel, the prince was pressing a code into the screen and it turned green, the door hissing open. She loaded the prince into the pod, hit the button for the door, and then maneuvered to the pilot seat.
On the other side of the steel door, she could hear the Gluons growling for them to open up. She ignored it. Stunned, she stared at the buttons beneath her fingers and started pushing a few. Her gut continued to guide her. No matter what, she continued to follow it.
The pod began to hum with energy. It vibrated briefly before a digital voice greeted Melody and announced their take off. The steel doors behind her creaked and bent under the weight of the Gluons who were desperately attempting to claw their way inside.
“Melody, hurry,” Prince Tezod said.
“I’ve got you, baby,” she said confidently.
In an instant, the pod zipped off from the ship, carrying them to safety. Melody whooped in the pilot seat and smiled as she shakily maneuvered the vehicle down towards the castle. The docking area was open. She quickly took a space and opened the side door, taking her prince with her.
“Press my watch, Melody,” the prince said. “Call for Fenneck.”
Epilogue
The great hall was packed to the brim with Eflorians as music gently played in the background. Every window was covered in bright curtains, each one different from the previous. Standing in front of the hall was Melody and her prince, the two holding hands as Fenneck stood on top of a tall stool in order to raise a crown to the prince’s head.
“Joined in beautiful union, I now pronounce you King Tezod of Efloe,” Fenneck said proudly.
The crowd erupted with applause and the new king bowed his head, overwhelmed with joy. Fenneck floated over towards Melody who was biting her lower lip anxiously. He winked with his big eye and she giggled, looking down at the ground.
“Joined in beautiful union, I now pronounce you Queen Melody of Efloe,” Fenneck said tearfully.
When he placed the crown upon her head, the room roared with cheers and King Tezod squeezed her hand as he began to weep quietly. She brushed a tear away from his blue cheek and he smiled, turning to look at her with his bright green eyes. They trailed down to the tiny blue baby in her arms who cooed excitedly at the noise filling the room.
“Shall I take a turn?” he asked after the cheering had faded.
“Of course,” she replied.
Melody held up their son and the king took him with joy, raising the blue child up into the air with a wide smile.
“Divyd, you are such a divine child,” the king said. “And I hope you’ll bring us all the glory of our old days.”
“Tez, that is quite a weight to put on our own child,” Melody teased.
“He’ll make a great leader,” he said.
“I’m sure he will,” she said.
“Would the king and queen like to sit and receive their gifts? Or shall we feast first?” Fenneck asked.
“Darling, what would you like?” the king asked his new wife.
“Let’s open our gifts,” she replied.
“Splendid,” Fenneck said.
He clapped his tentacles together and then urged the first couple to bring their gift up to the king and queen. Melody watched with joy as they set it on the ground and then lifted the top, revealing a golden chalice with their names engraved. She lifted it from the box and raised it up to the crowd with a smile. They marveled at the fine craftsmanship. She placed it back in the box and gave the Eflorian a kiss on the forehead.
When the couple walked away, Fenneck waved the next person up the steps. It was an Eflorian man wearing a cloak bearing a small satchel. She could see nothing else but his hands which made her nervous, but she accepted the gift and opened it. A glass moon was cradled inside the black cloth. When she lifted it up to the light, it seemed to glow.
“This is beautiful,” she said. “Thank you, stranger.”
“I am no stranger,” said the man.
He removed his hood and Tezod gasped, nearly scaring their child into a fit of crying. Melody looked at her shocked king and then back at the stranger. His eyes were incredibly kind, shining a light of comfort over her that she hadn’t felt in years.
“Melody,” he said in a low voice. “I’m your father.”
Covering her mouth, she stood from her decorated chair and fell into his arms, weeping. The queen shook viciously with sobs, feeling the warmth radiating from her father who she hadn’t seen since she was an infant. Her father held her close until she pulled away and wiped the tears from her eyes.
“Where have you been?” she asked.
“I was being held captive by the Gluons. They released me when they surrendered, but I was out in the desert on the other side of the fields,” he replied. “I’m sorry it took me so long to get here.”
“It’s fine. I’m just glad you’re here,” Melody whispered.
She shook her head, tears still streaming down her face as her father cupped her cheek and gave her a kiss on the nose. She took his hand and pulled him further up the stairs.
“Come meet your grandchild,” she said.
Memnak smiled wide and held out his arms. Divyd cooed and curled his hand around Memnak’s finger, kicking his feet. It made Memnak chuckle.
“Such a strong boy. He’ll be a fine prince,” he said.
Melody nodded. She wiped an errant tear from her face and then held up her hands to the crowd.
“No more gifts today,” she announced
. “I want to spend time with my father.”
Though most of the crowd appeared to be disappointed, they respectfully dispersed. Fenneck reached up with a tentacle and took her hand.
“Should I delay the feast as well, my queen?” he asked.
“No, Fenneck. We should eat at the same time,” she replied.
He nodded and rolled away, leaving the four of them alone with each other. Melody turned to her family, smiling wide. It was the perfect picture. She admired how natural her father was with her son, the sight alone causing her to tear up again. She shook her head.
No more tears, she thought. From now on, there will be no more tears.
THE END
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