Maeve

The three of us spent three days putting up fliers and spreading the word. We spoke to a news anchor and asked him to cover our arrival, promising him position as the first reporter to get news out on the prince returning. Thanks to the news anchor and our efforts, all of Arcelia knew something big was going down at the castle.

That finished, it was time to perform.

I crossed my arms, appraising Elyas. “Ready to go home?”

He smiled. “More than.”

I scoffed. “Don’t know why you’d want to go back to that place.”

His smile didn’t waver as he tilted his head. “There’s good people there. People I miss... Don’t you miss anyone at the Mariposa?” he asked, his eyes piercing, seeing right through me.

I averted my gaze. I turned towards Kalon, who was collecting her things. “You ready?” I asked, clearing my throat of the lump inside it.

She nodded, putting her bag on.

“Then let’s roll out,” I glanced over my shoulder. “Try to keep up, Prince.”

He laughed.

The three of us took off into the sky, heading up. I was at the head, keeping a cautious eye so as to avoid being caught by the numerous Mariposa flying in the clouds in between. We managed to reach the highest tier without much trouble. As we flew towards the castle, I couldn’t help staring in awe at our surroundings.

The cloud piercing skyscrapers glittered in the sunlight. The sky was clear and blue up here, completely free of pollution. Thousands of people flied freely through the city. Never would you guess the horrors this tier held. It was an utter oasis.

We arrived at the castle where thousands upon thousands of people hovered, waiting. I slowed, Elyas and Kalon coming up behind me.

’What now?” he asked quietly, right behind me.

“Up,” I said simply.

I propelled up above the crowd, the clouds creating the slightest cover. I stopped once I reached the front steps where the guards frantically fought with the crowd, utterly confused.

I looked at Elyas and Kalon and grinned. “Let’s make an introduction they won’t soon forget, hm?”

They laughed, looking as eager as I did. Letting my wings withdraw, I fell from the clouds. Kalon and Elyas fell right after me. We landed right in front of the guards. Before they could apprehend us, I whirled on them.

“You will not arrest your prince, will you?!” I shouted at him, so at least a small group of the crowd heard me.

Elyas turned as well. The guards’ eyes widened, at a loss, as the small group shared what they heard. Soon there was an uproar from the crowd. Some chanted against him, saying he should’ve stayed dead. The others chanted joyously for the prince. It was impossible to tell which side was louder. The guards slowly bowed, and Elyas smiled.

His smile was quickly wiped though when the giant doors swung open, and the queen stepped through it. Her wings were nearly as large as the eight foot doors in length and width. Her dark silky hair cascaded down one shoulder, going to her hips. Dressed in a red gown, she had the beauty to outdo anyone. And the presence too.

Elyas immediately bowed. After sharing a reluctant look with one another, Kalon and I did as well.

“It can’t be-” she whispered.

Elyas stood to his full height, stepping closer once. “It’s me, Mother.”

Kalon and I stood, watching the interaction carefully. Tears filled the queen’s eyes as she gazed at him.

“How? I thought you dead, Elyas.”

Elyas nodded. “I was kidnapped by some thugs,” he paused, smiling warmly at me, then Kalon. “These two lovely ladies managed to save my life.”

I refused to acknowledge the heat going up my neck at his choice of words.

Queen Nesryn stared at us for a long moment, her expression impossible to read beyond the tears and surprise. The crowd continued to chant, only some of the protestors quieting at the presence of the queen.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

She swallowed and looked towards the guards, who awaited instructions. “A megaphone,” she ordered.

The guard promptly handed her one.

She held it and stepped through us to address the crowd. Kalon, Elyas and I looked at them as she spoke:

“Your Highness, my son, is alive and safely back home!” she announced through the megaphone, joy filling her voice.

The crowd erupted with cheers, the protestors completely drowned out.

She paused, grabbing my hand in one, and Kalon in the other. Yanking us forward, she spoke again:

“Thanks to these two ladies! From today on, they will be heralded as heroes of our kingdom!” The crowd cheered again, allowing her to pause and look at us, an exhilarated smile on her face.

“What are your names, girls?”

Kalon and I once again shared a reluctant, hesitant look. Everything about announcing our names to thousands of people went against our nature.

But did it really matter anymore?

I was the first to answer.

“M-Maeve.”

Kalon was more hesitant as Nesryn waited, getting visually antsy.

“Kalon,” she said quietly.

Nesryn, satisfied, turned back to the crowd. “Remember the names forever, Arcelia! Maeve and Kalon!”

The crowd cheered yet again and Nesryn returned the megaphone to the guard. She smiled at us, clasping our hands.

“Let’s get you three inside, hm? I’m sure you’re plenty tired.”

Kalon and I nodded mutely as Elyas simply grinned, taking our hands. We followed the queen inside and I wrestled with the immediate ominous feeling I got, contrasted by the sweet mother and woman she seemed to be.

Was this really the same woman who had sent me a death glare at the gala?

***

The queen arranged for the three of us to be escorted to our rooms, in Elyas’ case BACK to his, by some maidservants. Upon request, they allowed graciously for Kalon and I share to a room. We showered and changed. We were adorned with the nicest gowns in all of Arcelia.

They even did our hair.

Well. They did Kalon’s. The hairdresser took one look at my pixie cut, tattoo and all, and sighed before leaving the room. As night approached, a knock came at our door.

I sighed, leaning back on the ridiculously nice bed. “Not again,” I said, knowing it was another maidservant.

Kalon rolled her eyes, sharing the same tired sentiment. “For real? How does Elyas live like this? I’ll shoo them away.”

She went to the door as I gazed out the window. The sun was setting so the clouds glowed bright pink, casting a pink light through the window.

“If it isn’t Prince Charming in all his prince-ness,” Kalon mused.

My neck was sore at how quick my head turned. Once again, I fought a blush. He was back in his royal attire. A purple and black tuxedo that clung to him just right. A brilliant smile was on his face. He looked utterly at ease back in his environment. He came in, closing the door behind him.

“You ladies enjoying yourselves?”

Kalon shrugged as she plopped back down next to me. “It’s nice, I’ll give you that.”

He nodded, looking around our room a second.

“So, why’d you stop by? Just saying hi?” I asked.

He looked at me and shook his head. “My mother wants to have dinner with us. She’ll likely want to know more about you two.”

Kalon groaned, falling back onto the bed. “Fantastic.”

“Sorry,” he said softly.

“So, we’ll have to lie about our childhoods, our occupation and how we even managed to come in contact with you,” I listed, a fake grin stretching across my face. “No big deal.”

He chuckled sheepishly.

“At least the food better be good,” Kalon said.

Elyas laughed. “I’m certain it will be to your liking, yes.”

Then he just stood there. Awkwardly shifting foot to foot. He obviously didn’t want to leave, but he didn’t seem like he knew whether to stay.

He kept sneaking glances at me. I picked up on it because... well I’m afraid my eyes hadn’t left him once. Breaking the awkward silence, Kalon came to her feet.

“I’m going to leave the room now so you two can stop making eyes at each other. It’s gross and pathetic,” she announced bluntly, shouldering past Elyas to go into the hall.

My face was deep red, but Elyas only laughed slightly as he came closer.

“What’s with her?” he asked lightly.

Relieved at his seeming lightheartedness, I shrugged. “Just not used to seeing me around a man like this, I guess.”

A certain twinkle filled his eyes as his lips twitched. “Around a man like... what? What do you mean?” he asked, sitting down next to me and scooting closer.

My eyes widened, almost popping out. The blush returned with a vengeance, and I clamped my eyes shut. He laughed loudly at my expression. As he continued to laugh, I glared at him.

He stopped, still smiling at me. “So... What’d you think of my mom?”

I arched one brow. “You wanted to be alone with me to ask me that?”

He shrugged, glancing at the door. “I’ll ask her later too. But I want YOUR take on her first. Now.”

I furrowed my brows. “Does it matter?”

He answered with very little pause. “Yes.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why?”

“Does it matter why?” he asked with the same expression.

Were we leaning closer?

“Yes,” I answered quickly, mocking him.

“Maeve.”

It felt like we were leaning closer.

“Elyas,” I shot back.

He stared at me, unamused. “You’re stalling.”

“And you’re being weird,” I said.

Was his nose always that close?

He tilted his head, and I got a breath of his cologne. Crisp. Perfect.

“Humor me,” he said.

That’s not where my mind was though. My eyes drifted.

Maybe he noticed.

Because if it wasn’t clear before he was leaning closer, it was now.

Because he backed away.

“Tell me.”

I took a deep breath, looking into his dark eyes. His smile was gone now, all lightheartedness disappeared. “She...”

He waited, expectantly.

“She was... a lot nicer... than I thought she would be.”

He didn’t react, just hummed. “And?” he asked, perceiving there was more.

“And... She seemed really relieved and grateful you were home.”

He searched my eyes now, piercing through me like they did.

“So... maybe I was wrong about her,” I said quietly.

He finally smiled. Just very slightly. Another tense moment passed between us, but I tore my gaze away and stood. I felt like I was physically sweating at this point.

“I’m hungry. Let’s go eat dinner now,” I said, starting towards the door.