Breathing

sneaky peek of chapter one and two of breathing

Chapter 1

Marco

It’s been over 26 hours since the attack on the Eymor’s boxing day ball, when there’s a knock on my hospital door. I have been kept up to date with everything going on in the hospital. As much as my Guardians, the doctors and nurses could get me. Now I feel like every knock on that door brings more life-changing information. I still wait for the knock that will bring news of my father. It has been over 24 hours and they still haven‘t located him. I know deep down, with every passing minute, the chances of him being found alive dwindle.

One of the Guardians goes and checks the identity of the caller before he allows them into the room. When he does, I look up from my hospital bed at Captain Sawyer. He looks to have aged in the last day. He looks tired and I doubt he has slept since the attack happened.

“Sawyer?” I greet him, but his name comes out more as a question.

There’s so much missing information that I hope he has for me.

“I’m sorry it took me so long to come see you, Your Highness.” He says, looking at Georgina and bowing.

Even though he knows the truth. He then turns and bows to me.

“No, that’s fine. I understand.” Georgina says weakly, likely sick of having to pretend to be Alysa.

Sawyer looks at me and he looks so conflicted. Then he looks at my unconscious mother, laying in a bed between mine and Marianna’s. He looks over all the monitors that reassure me my mother is still here and alive.

“Is the Queen safe?” I ask.

“Yes, and long may she remain that way.” He says. He looks at my mother’s fragile tiny frame, rather than at me as he talks. “Has she regained consciousness yet?” He asks me, looking at my mom.

“Briefly.” I assure him.

I was so thankful to have seen her open her eyes earlier. Even if it had only been short lived before she fell back unconscious. But the doctor had reassured me my mother was now out of the danger zone.

“That’s good.” He sighs.

“Do you have any information?” I ask him

He shakes his head, no.

“Not enough.” He admits. “But we have a rough location of where your father was, that section is rather hazardous at the moment. But search teams are still looking and hopeful for more survivors.” He tells me. I nod weakly, it’s been over 24 hours. “What is your plan if the worst happens, Marco? You are your family’s heir.” His face shows his worry and the weight that’s on his shoulders.

“Andrew.” I tell him. “Andrew will become the King of our Seat.” I tell him.

He nods, looking slightly relieved. Does he not want me to be in the government?

“He has already agreed to this?” He worries.

“We have never really discussed it.” I admit.

“Then I believe it would be best if you did. Your mother cannot be your family’s monarch and the princess.” He starts looking at Georgina, worry on his face. “Requires you in a way you couldn’t be there for her, if you were a king.” He tells me.

“I know. Andrew should be here shortly, and we will discuss it. He didn’t want to leave her until she was ready.” I start.

“I understand. Have you informed her?”

I nod.

“Yeah, she’s aware.” I sigh. “She felt it.” I tell him.

He nods, looking at Georgina. She fidgets in the bed, nervous to be under the Captain’s scrutiny.

“I have something else to address with you, but I know this isn’t the right time.” He sighs.

“Just tell me, it’s not going to be the right time for a while.”

“Your cousin’s daughter.” He sighs sounding uncomfortable.

“Lady Calla?” I ask, stating her rightful title.

I wonder if anyone has ever used her title? I remember the day I found Gabriella all those years ago. When I held her little girl and told Gabby to go talk to Dad. She never did and she moved before he could speak with her. She’d been disowned by her parents but never by us, even if that is what she believed. Dad had been looking for her for years to talk to her, to make sure she was okay. And to assure her that we were still there if she needed anything. I look at Sawyer. Why is he bringing her up right now?

“Yes, Lady Calla Hope. I know you have a lot going on right now and, well. Someone I know has been treating her, so he came to me with his fears about her.” He starts.

“How badly was she hurt?!” I demand.

Was that why they needed my permission to treat her? Should I be checking on her right now? My Guardian I sent to check on her, assured me she was conscious.

“I don’t know all of it, he’s only told me the basics. The problem is, I found her mother’s plans that she had prepared if the worst happened.” He admits worriedly.

“Gabriella wrote that if anything was to happen to her before Calla turned 30. Her daughter was not to go into her parents’ or brother’s custody. She named King Agape as Calla’s legal guardian if anything were to happen to her.” He tells me.

I nod, it makes sense.

“They were always close friends.” I sigh, knowing once upon a time I would have considered myself to be one of Gabriella’s close friends.

“Unfortunately, he was at the ball. And he and his wife have also yet to be located. They were last seen talking with your father.” He admits.

I swallow, having a feeling I know where this is going.

“How old is the girl?” Marianna asks.

“Fifteen.” I tell her weekly.

“She is sixteen.” Sawyer corrects.

“I know you want Andrew to step in as the King of your family’s seat, Marco. But Lady Calla needs a guardian now and Andrew is still too young to sign for custody. I know it’s the wrong time to ask if you’re willing to become her Legal Guardian. But if she isn’t provided with one? I’m going to have to place her in the Crown’s custody within the next 24 hours.” He explains.

“I’ll take custody of her.” I sigh. It’s the right thing to do. “But I’m not able to be there and raise her right now.” I start worried. I can’t take on a kid right now when Alysa has got to be my priority.

“No, nor do I expect you to be. I will deal with the paperwork side for the time being. I already have a Guardian requesting to take her on as his Charge. But I need to give her some information on Guardians first.” He informs me.

“Do what needs to be done, I’ll sign anything that’s required. Once she’s fit enough, get her to return to her school and I will sort things out with her as soon as possible. And meet with her when it’s safe.” I say.

“That isn’t possible.” He sighs.

“Why not?!” I demand.

“She currently attends school at Aerisdeludum. It is not equipped to school a Royal.” He tells me.

Really Gabriella? You’d rather send your child to the worst Amaris school on the planet, than just talk with your family? It seems that once my cousin is found, I have got to have a talk with her about good parenting choices. She will be found alive, she just has to be. So does Dad.

“Whatever she needs, I will pay. Get her into any school she wants.” I sigh.

He nods.

“Alright Marco.” He tells me, resting his hand on my shoulder.

He then hands me some forms. I sign them.

“Can you make it clear to Calla that she is a part of this family? And I’m sorry we haven’t been there and that I can’t talk with her right now. But I will as soon as I can.” I say weakly.

He nods.

“Of course. I’m going to go talk with her now anyway. I need to alert the Guardians in that ward that they have another Royal to watch.” He says weakly. “Apparently no one’s listening to their doctors when they’re told to stay in bed.” He says, as he gives Marianna a look.

She puts a sucker in her mouth ignoring the look he’s shooting her. He shakes his head at her but it actually brings a smile to his lips. She’s barely left the seat next to my bed all day.

“Why is she in a ward with Guardians?” Marianna asks around her sucker.

“She and Princess Tilya are staying there. Because one of Princess Tilya’s eldest brother’s Guardians is on the ward, and he’s not in the best way currently. Until we can get in contact with a living relative, over the age of 30, to take guardianship of Princess Tilya. Calla is the only one the Princess knows and trusts right now. And neither of them are willing to separate from Guardian Levi.” He tells me.

“Princess Tilya?” I ask, the name is not familiar to me.

“The Eymor’s youngest child, she’s four.” He tells me.

I swallow.

“Is she the family’s Monarch now?” I ask.

“It depends on if her elder brother Prince Raiden pulls through.” He admits.

I nod, not sure what else to say.

“I do not know much more about the situation, just that they refuse to leave the guardian and each other.” He says. “Except, I have proven that the Eymor family were not responsible for the attack.”

I nod.

“I’ll sign everything you need me to for Calla. Just get her registered into a good school and get a Guardian assigned to her. I’ll talk with her when I can.” I tell him.

“I understand. You have time, it’s unlikely anyone will be discharged anytime soon.” He tells me.

I nod.

“Thanks Sawyer, I know this isn’t your job.” I sigh.

“It’s alright. I remember her mother running around with Princess Elizabeth. They were a security nightmare.” He says with a weak smile. Obviously thinking back.

He looks torn as if he has so much more he isn’t saying.

The door opens then, no knocking. I look at my very worried brother as he rushes in, both his guards behind him. No Kayla though. Andrew goes straight to Mom’s bed and takes her hand.

“Mom?” He says, trying to wake her.

Doctor Borrowman is in the door right behind them.

“Sorry, your Highness. Prince Andrew insisted on knowing where his mother was and didn’t give me a chance to explain.” The Doctor says apologising to Georgina.

Who has sat up in her bed where she had been lazing. Mom opens her eyes. She takes Andrew’s hand and gives him a weak smile as she squeezes his hand back.

“You didn’t have to come Andrew, I’m fine.” Mom almost whimpers out.

“Fuck that!” Andrew growls.

“Andrew.” Mother scolds him with a weak smile. “Where is your father?” She asks weakly.

“He has not been located yet.” Sawyer tells her as I watch her with my brother, wishing I could get out of bed myself and hold her hand.

She gives a weak nod. I can see the tears she is holding back.

“They will find him, Mom.” Andrew tells her.

She gently pats his hand.

“Where is Kayla?” She asks.

“Downstairs with her father and brother.” Andrew says.

“Alba?” Mom asks.

“Rest, Mom.” I tell her, not wanting her to know yet.

She looks over at me.

“Don’t give me that tone, Marco.” She scolds me. “I’m not fragile.”

“I am afraid Queen Alba has passed away, Your Highness.” Sawyer tells her.

She nods again.

“I think I already knew that. The moment I saw her face, when she.” She stops.

Tears flowing now. I get out of bed slowly, flinching as I move. The moment I get to her I take her other hand. Mom gently squeezes both of our hands.

“Go be with Kayla, Andrew. She has a lot to deal with right now.” Mom says.

He looks at me.

“I know right now isn’t the time and I don’t want to talk like Dad’s gone.” Andrew starts seriously. “Kay and I just need to know, before she makes any decisions, do you want the seat? I know you’ve said before that you don’t.” He starts.

“If I take it Andrew, I will have to distance myself from Princess Alysa.” I tell him. “If there is no other choice I will but.” I start.

“No. You need to stay with Ally, she needs you. Fuck, she really needs you.” Andrew says firmly. “Which means, I need to go talk with Luke and Kayla.”

“Andrew, you love Kayla. Don’t do anything you will regret.” I start.

He shakes his head no.

“No, it’s fine Marco. If you’re sure you can’t be king I will.” He informs me.

“Ally’s got to be my priority.” I tell him.

He nods.

“Kay and I thought we had 100s of years before we’d ever have to deal with this. We kind of joked that by the time this came up our kids would be in their 300s. And there would be loads of them so it wouldn’t ever be an issue.” He tells me.

“Loads of grandkids?” Mom asks with a weak smile on her face.

“Yeah, but that might change once Kays had this first one.” Drew says, giving Mom a weak smile.

“I bet.” She weakly chuckles but it’s more a wince as it obviously hurts.

“Can I?” Doctor Borrowman asks, holding up Mom’s paperwork from her clipboard.

“Of course. Andrew, go be with Kayla. I’m fine.” Mom tells him.

Andrew looks torn.

“Go, I got Mom.” I tell him.

Andrew nods and reluctantly leaves. I watch his back as he leaves the room, he looks like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. He’s grown up so much in the last few years. I reluctantly let go of my mother’s hand, as the Doctor checks her vitals along with some basic tests. Shining a light in her eyes, asking her questions, having her drink a cup of blood to see her reaction. He ends with checking her bruises and wounds. I’m glad to see they have gotten smaller since his last check whilst she was unconscious. He talks to Mom about eating something and says he will get food brought up as soon as possible. He leaves after a while, Mom looks tired but she seems reluctant to close her eyes. Even though I know from experience, the pain pills she is on make you tired. I look at Marianna who is finally sleeping, only because hers have kicked in. Mom looks at me seriously as I retake her hand.

“Your father and I discussed this so many times, I just never thought.” She sighs.

She looks up at me, tears in her eyes.

“They are still finding people alive.” I assure her. “He’s an Earth Amaris, he may have pushed down into the earth to save himself, like some of the others did.” I try, not wanting to accept that they haven’t found Dad, because he’s dead.

She shakes her head no.

“I already know he’s gone, Marco.” She tells me. “I feel it. Here.” She tells me, touching her heart.

I don’t know what I can say to help.

“What do we do?” I ask her.

“What we always do, pull ourselves back together and stay strong.” She says as she looks at me. “We do what is right and we protect the ones we love, no matter what.”

She looks at Georgina and Marianna, both asleep in their beds.

“We carry on living and we love, Marco.”

I nod my head.

“We allowed you to stop living. It truly is nice to see that sparkle back in your eye.” She tells me.

Then she looks at Georgina and sighs.

“I get it, you want to put Alysa first but don’t forget your own happiness. From what little I know about her she would want you to be happy, as would Elizabeth.” Mom tells me.

“I know.” I say, as I look at Marianna’s sleeping form. She isn’t even faking it, I know her snore. “But I still don’t want the seat.”

Mom smiles but it’s weak.

“We have known that for years Marco. If the worst happens and Andrew doesn’t or can’t take it, we do have other options. The next in line after Andrew is Lord Jonathan, I know your father and his brother have not gotten on for years. But he is still an option. As is Lord William or Lady Gabriella. Or if none of them, there is still your father’s uncle’s eldest son. And his six daughters and their children.” She tells me. “My point is, we have plenty of family members who could take the seat.” She tells me.

“Gabby was there, Mom.” I tell her.

She nods.

“I. Yes, I remember.” She sighs, sounding so tired.

I kiss her head.

“Rest, Mom.”

She closes her eyes just before I walk to the window and look out. The night sky is still lit up by the fire. They must not have been able to put it out yet. Please Dad have buried yourself and be alive. Be in an air pocket. I walk back to my hospital bed.

We get food and the days go past in an odd sort of limbo. Andrew is in and out, taking messages from me to Alysa. But he goes to our parents’ Summer Home to sleep. The days become a blur of bad news after bad news.

I groan as the door is knocked yet again for the ninth time today and I can’t take any more bad news. All of the Guardians frown as they go on alert. But Marianna groans and swings herself out of bed. Grumbling about everyone waking her up and how our doctor has a death wish. Then she opens the door and steps out.

She knows better!

“Can I help you!?” Marianna demands of the person on the other side of the door.

She shuts the door between us, obviously deciding she can handle whoever it is.

“Um, Hi my name is Calla Hope Matthias.” A young girl’s voice says. “Um, Prince Marco is apparently my new Guardian. Well until my mom’s found.” The young girl’s voice says. “I know he’s probably asleep and I know he said he would talk with me when he can. But I want to discharge myself. And I apparently can’t without his permission.”

“How did you know he was here?” Marianna asks suspiciously.

“The Wind told me, I’m an Air Amaris and the wind.” She tells Marianna nervously blubbering out about the wind.

I look at Georgina, who’s looking at the door with a strange look.

“The Wind tells Air Amaris things?” I ask Georgina.

“Sometimes, but that’s kind of simplifying something that’s hard to explain. And it doesn’t work like that for a lot of Air Amaris. But yeah, a royal like her maybe it would tell her clearer. It’s so hard to interpret the wind. It doesn’t talk like you and me. It may have just led her to what she needed. In this case she needed to find you. Thus, telling her where you are. Or she may simply have heard your voice, or someone talking to you, using your name on the wind so she knew you were in here.” She shrugs, as if somehow, I should already know this. Air Amaris sound more dangerous than Fire. No wonder Elizabeth always seemed to know too much.

“I just need his signature on a few things so I can discharge myself and get out of here.” The girl says.

“And the doctors dealing with you can’t just bring that to him? Like they have all the other forms regarding your treatment?” Marianna asks.

“The doctor doesn’t think I’m ready to leave the hospital.” The girl admits to Marianna.

Calla! Not ‘the girl.’

“Then I can tell you right now, the answer’s no.” Marianna tells her.

“Please! Just ask him. I need to go! I need to find my mom! Even if it’s just her body. I need to get out of this hospital. I need to feel the wind again and not the stuffy air that’s pumped into this place. I need to move, I can still hear everyone screaming.” Calla tells her. “I keep seeing the attack over and over again every time I close my eyes. I just need to get out of here, to breathe.” Calla pleads.

I look at my mother, she’s still sleeping.

“I need to get out of here now!” Calla pleads again.

“So, you’re hoping to discharge yourself against your doctor’s orders?” Marianna asks.

“I need to go. I need to breathe.” Calla pleads.

“Do you have the forms on you?”

“Yes, here.”

It is quiet for a while. I don’t know what’s happening on the other side of that door. I flinch in pain when I try to get to my feet. I should talk with Calla myself. Then I hear Marianna scoff.

“How’d you get these forms? Your doctor simply gave them to you?” Marianna asks, sounding slightly impressed.

“Magic.” The girl mumbles.

“Uh huh.” Marianna says, as if she doesn’t believe her. “You want to be signed off from school for a year?” Marianna asks suspiciously.

“I don’t ever want to go back to Aerisdeludum. I know I’ve been asked to look at other schools, but I don’t know what I want right now. Where I want to go. Who I even am without Mom. I don’t know anything, except I can’t be here. My mother’s dead. My fiancée, my baby, my future. Everything is gone. I’m just not ready to go back to school. I’m an Air Amaris, I need to do what Air Amaris do when they hurt. I need to move.” Calla blabbers out.

“What baby?” Marianna asks her.

“I’m apparently miscarrying. It’s why the doctor wants me to stay here on bed rest, but I get it. I need loads of blood and to rest but I can do that out there.” Calla blubbers out.

“She’s right Marco. If I went through any of that, I wouldn’t be able to sit still in a hospital bed for anywhere near as long as she has. The only reason I’m still in this bed is because it’s all I can do to keep ‘A’ safe.” Georgina tells me.

“Where are your Guardians?” I hear Marianna ask Calla.

“I don’t have one, I’ve never had one. I grew up as a maid in the Eymor’s house. Finding out I’m Royalty, a lady, on top of everything else? Yeah, this is crazy. This is all crazy. It’s too much and I feel like I’m drowning. I have agreed to take a Guardian. I was told I had to, but yeah. My almost stepdad is a Guardian. He and Mom have been dating since I was a child. I even thought about doing Guardian studies myself, before I took Housekeeping.” Calla says.

“Housekeeping is a subject?” Marianna asks.

“Yes, it is at Aerisdeludum. It’s what I’ve been studying at school since my freshman year. And trust me, I’m not equipped to go to any other school right now.” Calla says.

“You have a Guardian assigned to you now though? And you will stay with them?” Marianna asks her.

“I said yes to a guardian, and he agreed. He said he’ll take me wherever I want to go. But he won’t let me go unless the doctors discharge me. And the doctors won’t discharge me without Prince Marco’s permission.” Calla says.

“The Almost stepdad?” Marianna asks.

“No. he’s gone too.” She sniffles.

“But I have a Guardian. who’s agreed to travel with me until I’m ready to face the world again. All I need right now is Marco’s signature. I won’t bother him again, I just need to go.” Calla blubbers.

“He won’t agree to this.” Marianna tells her.

“Please, just ask him. Tell him Gabriella only ever asked for one thing from him after she was disowned. And that was for her and her daughter to be left alone to grieve in their own way. To live how they saw fit. I want the same thing. I lost my mother, my fiancée and my baby all in one day! I just need time to heal. I need to go.” Calla says.

“I will ask him to look at these, wait here. Do not move.” Marianna says firmly.

She comes back into the room.

“I take it you heard all that?” She asks me once the door is shut.

She takes me in, sat on the side of my bed, my feet on the floor pulling faces as I’m attempting to stand. I sigh as I look over at my still sleeping mother.

“I’ll go talk to her.” I say, forcing myself to my feet.

“No, Marco. She’s still a risk.” Marianna says as she rushes over to me, kind of directing me back onto the bed as she hands me a stack of paperwork.

Discharge papers and the permission form to leave school. I sigh, flipping through them.

“If it was me, I’d want the same thing.” Georgina tells me. “I think ’A’ would too.”

I know Ally would. Hell, that’s basically what I’m letting Ally have. I force myself back to my feet and gently wake my mom sitting in the chair next to her.

“I need your advice, Mom.” I say, weakly tapping her hand.

She groans, opening her eyes.

“About what dear?” She asks me when her eyes focus.

“Calla. Calla wants to leave the hospital and go travel. She’s an air Amaris, and apparently, she is finding it hard to be here.”

“Then make it clear to her that she’s welcome home at any time. She’s always been welcome and always will be. Make sure she understands that her home will be waiting for her when she’s ready. We did what we had to do for her mother, we let her go.” Mom says weakly. “We love her enough to let her live her life. It’s what we did with you boys and you both came home when you were ready.” Mom says.

I kiss her head.

“And not going to school?” I ask.

“The Law states that she must complete the mandatory education before she turns 25. She has time, even if that means tutors in the future. It doesn’t have to be an Amaris school.” Mom sighs.

’Let her go Marco. Do what you know is best, Let Calla go.’ I hear Lizzie’s voice say. ’She’s just lost her mommy. Let her go.’

“Gabby might still be alive. They haven’t found her yet.” I say, hoping she is.

“She wants to help look for her.” Marianna says.

I sigh.

“She must be well enough to have been given the forms.” Georgina comments.

I sigh again.

I walk to my bed and pick the papers up once more. I read them again, this time word for word, and then I sign my name on the first one.

“This isn’t right. I should talk with her.” I sigh.

’None of you are ready for that.’ Lizzie’s voice tells me. ’You’re not ready to see her. You know that when you do, it will mean Gabby is truly gone. And you never got to address anything with her. Do what’s right and let Calla go.’ Lizzie says in my head.

I sign the second form.

“Tell her that if she needs anything, she only has to ask.” I tell Marianna. “And we will put enough money into a bank account for her to keep her comfortable. She doesn’t need to worry about working right now.” I tell Marianna.

“I will.” Marianna says, giving me a worried look.

The last form makes me weakly chuckle, it’s such a lizzie, Gabby and Nicky move.

“What?” Mom asks weakly, drifting between awake and sleep.

She would normally be out that door, and I know it. But right now, she’s just too tired.

“Nothing.” I say.

I sign the last one but I do write a comment. ’You are most definitely your mother’s daughter. Until we can meet Calla, know you are always welcome.’ I leave it at that and hand it back to Marianna.

When I look over at Mom, she is asleep again. I frown at her.

“She’s on strong pain meds Marco, they make you tired.” Marianna assures me, obviously seeing my worry for my mother.

I sigh. “Make it clear to Calla that we want her in this family, Marianna.” I say. “And she has to go to school. Eventually.” I say holding out the forms to her.

Marianna takes them.

“Will do.” She tells me and she goes and slips out the door.

“Lady Calla?” I hear Marianna say.

“Lady Calla?!” She repeats, sounding worried this time.

“Sorry. I’m sorry.” I hear the young girl say.

“Your nose is bleeding, are you alright?” Marianna worries.

“Just a nosebleed, it’s nothing. I have them all the time.” Calla says. “Thank you.” I hear Calla say.

“He isn’t happy about this.” Marianna tells her.

Understatement there.

“I know.” Calla says.

“If you need anything, please contact the family. You may have the rest of the school year off, but you need to prioritise your education at some point. By law, you must finish it before you’re 25.” Marianna says.

“I will. School’s always been important to Mom, I’ll make sure I graduate. I promised her that I would when we talked about the baby.” Calla says weakly.

“I am sorry for your loss.” Marianna says.

“I might find her.” Calla says so timidly, as if even she knows it’s not true.

“Is that everything you need right now?” Marianna asks.

“Yeah.” Calla says. “Wait, no.” Calla says. She goes silent for a few minutes. “King Robward’s last words.” She says weakly.

“You were with him?” Marianna asks in disbelief.

“Yeah, we were trapped together for a while. We were in the same part of the ballroom when the attack first started. He stopped me from being stabbed when they killed Lonan.” She sniffles out.

“He made one of his guardians get me out, saying he would be right behind us.” She sniffles.

“He said he was sorry that he couldn’t have been a better father. That he’s sorry for all the missed years. That he’s sorry that he never got to know her. That he loved her with all his heart. That no matter what she ever does and chooses to do he will be proud of her.” Calla says. “I know she might not know him well, but he saved my life. And I know he meant it when he said he loved her. So can you make sure she gets this and tell her that King Robward loved her no matter what.” Calla says weakly.

“I will.” Marianna tells her.

“Thank you, Guardian. Please keep them safe.” Calla says.

It’s a few minutes later that the door opens. Marianna comes into the room, frowning.

“What?!” I demand.

She hands me a ring that was always on King Robward’s finger. Not the Royal Family Crest but his Family Crest from before he married the Queen. I take it, looking down at it taken aback. The only way he would have taken this ring off would have been if he knew he wouldn’t make it.

“We need answers on what really happened at the Eymor’s Christmas ball.” Marianna says.

I look at the ring in my hand as I nod.

“What is today’s date?” I ask.

“It’s the 1st of January 2016.” Marianna tells me.

I nod, pulling out the satellite phone. A moment later I put it back down, Andrew will be asleep. It can wait until he’s here later. I look down at the king’s ring still in the palm of my hand. Alysa won’t be able to have it for a few years, it just wouldn’t be safe. But I will make sure she is told how much her father loved her. I’ll keep the ring at my mom’s summer house until she can have it. I look at Marianna and she looks at me with so much worry.

“You need some more candy.” I tell her weakly.

She weakly smiles at me.

“As long as it’s not grape flavoured.” She tells me.

It gets a weak smile out of me.

“You’re supposed to eat grapes whilst in hospital.” I tell her.

“Exactly why I don’t want grape flavoured.” She tells me.

“You like grape.”

“Do I?” She asks.

“You always eat the grape suckers from the packet first.” I point out.

“Just get your own fucking room. Together. Not here. With me and your mother.” Georgina chuckles, turning her back to us.

I climb back into my bed. Marianna walks over, so I move across. Not that there’s really a lot of room But I pat the bed next to me anyway. She climbs in with me, looking worried. I play with the ends of her hair. We kind of stare at each other. Neither of us saying anything, as we both drift off to sleep. But it isn’t long until we’re woken by Mom talking.

“I’m sorry for your loss Kayla, both your parents were wonderful, amazing people.”

I hear a sniffle as I sit up to look over at them.

“I don’t know what to say.” Kayla admits.

“That’s understandable.” Andrew assures her.

I look at Kayla, she is wearing a black dress. Andrew is in a black suit with a black tie. He has been in a black suit every visit. But it’s not until I see Kayla’s outfit that I truly realize they’re in mourning. I feel guilty sitting here in my hospital gown.

“Luke and I are arranging a double funeral for them. It’s what they both would have wanted.” Kayla says weakly.

“One big party.” Kayla sniffles.

That means King Lytton must have lost his fight.

“I am sorry, Kayla.” I tell her, forcing myself up and out of bed.

I do not know what I’m doing but she stands up and hugs me tight. I pat her back, unsure of what to do. My brother just sits there watching us, as Kayla breaks down. He then stands and takes her from me into his own arms.

“Will you help us Queen Lillian? You knew my mother and father better than anyone.” Kayla says once she has slightly calmed.

“It would be my honour, anything you and Luke need.” Mom assures her.

“Queen Kayla.” I start, not sure what to say and knowing I should use her new title.

“Not Queen Kayla, I turned down my family’s seat.” Kayla tells me before she looks at Andrew.

“Luke is becoming the new King of their seat, he’s agreed to step up and take it. He has a meeting with the Queen to swear in on the 5th of January. To end the week of mourning his mother.” Andrew says. “I Hope to accompany him, and Prince Derek, to show the support of our family when they step up to fill their seats.” Andrew says.

“I didn’t even know you knew Prince Derek that well.” Mom says.

“I don’t. He just needs support right now, his father’s still missing and his mother is dead. He has no family to be there for him right now and we have a mutual friend who demanded it.” Andrew sighs, not saying what this so-called friend who must be Alysa, said.

“She kind of demanded it from everyone in the room.” Kayla says with a weak smile.

“What was that!?” I demand from them.

“That very same tone, uncanny really. I think she may have spent too much time around you Marco.” Andrew teases. I give him a firm look. “That we do not allow this to go to war. She made us promise we would try to stop the war the moment she was told there would be war meetings.” Andrew admits.

“I agree, a war would be terrible.” Mom says. “But many have lost family members and loved ones. People will be out for blood.” Mom says.

“Are you going to swear in at the same time?” I ask Andrew.

He shakes his head no.

“Not until Dad is found.” He tells me. “Then if he is gone.” He stops and takes a moment before he carries on “I will wait the seven days of mourning. That is, if you’re sure you don’t want the seat.”

“I can’t.” I tell him.

“It wouldn’t be abandoning her. You could still support her in the Court like us.” Kayla tells me.

I shake my head no.

“Not how she needs it. It also doesn’t feel right, me having it.” I admit.

’Deep down, you know why, stubborn man.’ Lizzie’s voice tells me.

“Lizzie would have wanted you to be happy Marco.” Mom says.

“I know and I wouldn’t be as king.” I inform her. The irony is if Lizzie was still here I would have married her and been the King of all Amaris. But the mere idea of my own family’s seat seems like another life.

I look at Marianna, who is drinking a glass of blood. She looks at me, raising a questioning eyebrow, then offers me the glass. I take it and take a sip.

“Do what makes you happy.” Mom tells me.

“Or who.” Georgina pipes up from her bed.

Marianna just chucks a pillow at her. The Guardians around the room give her looks but Georgina laughing puts them at ease.

“Did you at least wish her a happy birthday?” Mom asks.

“Before we left. We kind of had to guess the day but we are sending her birthday wishes every day. Just to cover all the bases.” Kayla says.

“Which we should be wishing you as well.” Kayla says weakly looking at Georgina. Who just looks around as if to say is there anyone in here that doesn’t know.

“How? That isn’t.” I start. Worried.

“Through a friend of hers. Someone that no one would even think to question sending her texts. We have a lot to discuss when there’s less ears around.” Andrew admits to me.

I nod.

“She wasn’t sure what to make of the presents from you.” Kayla says.

“Her moaning something about ‘more homework’ were her exact words.” Andrew informs me.

I laugh.

“She has to study them eventually. I did get her a nice present too.” I say.

“You better have, Marco. I taught you the rules about buying gifts for girls when you were 15. When you thought Princess Elizabeth would have been happy with a new notebook.” Mom scolds me.

“But she was happy with the new notebook, she needed it and didn’t have to go through the Palace. The ones they got her were always so plain.” I say.

“Was even happier with the chocolates and flowers though, wasn’t she?” Mom says matter of fact.

“Yeah, but the notebook was the most useful.” I grumble.

“I hope I didn’t fail as much with Andrew.” Mom teases me, as she gives Kayla a look and takes her hand.

“Not at all, but can you get Andrew to stop buying gifts so often?” Kayla asks.

“I am afraid I failed in that regard with their father.” Mom laughs.

“Yeah, but I don’t need something every week.” Kayla says.

“Every week?” Mom asks.

“I’m not as bad as Dad.” Andrew says, with a weak smile.

“I got five presents one Saturday, just because we weren’t spending the day together.” Mom chuckles, tears coming to her eyes.

“Dark purple Calla Lilies. We need to order Calla Lilies for your father and Gabriella’s funerals. They were always their favourites.” Mom says.

“We will Mom.” I say.

“Gabriella?” Andrew asks. “She was there?”

I nod to him, he goes silent.

“I was thinking about the flowers my mom picked out for our wedding for her funeral.” Kayla admits.

“She would love those, but your mother loved to be just a little bit extra. ‘Go big or go home’ she would say. She used to pack so much stuff into her luggage just to annoy your father and me.” Mom chuckles.

“Oh, I remember her saying that when Ally asked her about it.” Kayla says, with a weak smile.

The chatting is rather sober for a while as we all discuss the funeral arrangements for Kayla’s Mom and Dad. It’s lunchtime, when Doctor Borrowman makes his appearance. Andrew excuses himself and Kayla to go get her some lunch and blood. So as not to be in the doctor’s way. The Doctor deals with Georgina first, talking with her calmly and politely. But he seems rather annoyed.

It’s when he is sharp with me that I have to demand, “What’s wrong!?”

“Why would you agree to it?!” He snaps out at me. “Sorry.” He says a second later realizing he overstepped.

“Agree to what?” I ask.

“Your Ward’s discharge.” He says.

“Why do you care?” I ask.

“I was treating her. Did you even ask why I wanted her to stay?” He asks me.

“No, I never saw that information. She had all of the paperwork required to be discharged. I assumed a doctor had given it to her.” I say.

He looks at the blood pressure cuff round my arm as if it will give him strength. Or wishing it would hurt me, I’m not sure which.

“I would have preferred it if you had talked with her doctors before agreeing to sign off on her discharge. All of us who had been dealing with her, would have agreed that she was not well enough to leave.” He says.

“Is my great niece extremely ill?” Mom asks.

“I just diagnosed her with diabetes. And was looking into two other conditions that I suspect she has. Her diabetes is not being treated. She is severely malnourished and I wanted her under 24 hour observation for at least a week. Especially with the amount of blood she is losing.” Doctor Borrowman says.

“Diabetic? I didn’t even realize Amaris could be.” Marianna says.

“Lizzie was, but it wasn’t general knowledge.” I say weakly.

“You know how dangerous it is to not have it controlled?” Doctor Borrowman says.

I nod because I did from seeing how Lizzie dealt with it.

“She never mentioned any of that, she just told us how much she wanted to go. That as an Air Amaris she needed to go.” Georgina says.

The doctor sighs.

“I’m not even sure she is an Air Amaris. I was going to have her tested, she would have just learned Air at her school.” He tells me.

“They teach all of the Elements, surely.” Mom starts.

“Not from what I’ve been told, Your Highness.” He sighs.

What have I done? He pulls the blood pressure cuff off of me, not being careful of my arm hairs. I give him a look that I hope tells him how much I dislike him.

“I’m sorry. I feel responsible for all my patients and when they don’t listen and do something dangerous. It just doesn’t sit well with me.” He apologises.

“I understand but I assure you, if I had known any of this I wouldn’t have signed her discharge. I told you to keep me updated with what I needed to know. You never told me about any of this.” I sigh.

“Who’s her Guardian? They must have left some information on how to contact them. Get them to bring her back under Safety act: 205.” Marianna says.

“King Raiden has already tried that once he found out she was gone. They are already in Spain and she has refused to return.” He sighs.

“King Raiden, why would he be involved?” Mother asks with a frown.

“Calla and his younger brother were engaged. Apparently, they were all friends.” He tells her.

“She got one of the Day Shift doctors to do it. One who hadn’t dealt with her before and didn’t know any of her details.” He grumbles. “A note, a note telling me that she will listen and take into consideration all of my advice.” He grumbles.

“Her mother’s daughter then.” Mom sighs, with a weak smile.

Because a letter was all Gabby had sent the family after she had been disowned by her parents.

“That was more of a Lizzie move than a Gabby. Gabby was all for the hospitals. Lizzie was the one who was all for getting into and out of places she shouldn’t be.” I say, smiling at the memory of the three of them together, even Nicky. Those three were likely together now, causing all kinds of mischief in their next lives.