Prison of Tides

Chapter 2 - Missing

Caspian's Point of View

     Cornered by my mother, I felt my brain would melt out of my ears if I had to hear one more wedding plan. I loved her dearly, but as I met Jasmine's eyes across the room, all I wanted was to be by her side. As long as she was happy, I could not possibly care less about wedding plans, as long as my wonderful fiance was happy. Seeing the smile in her eyes was what my heart beat for. Her smirk across the room tantalized me. I couldn't wait to feel her pressed against me on our wedding night. I couldn't wait to finally see all of her, to feel her, to fully be with her. While she was beautiful and her body tempted me, her closeness was what I craved more than anything.

     Turning my attention back to my mom, she began to go on about wedding colors. She wanted to go dress shopping with Jasmine. She wanted to go taste cakes with Jasmine. She wanted to pick out decorations with Jasmine.

     "Mom -"

     "Oh Caspian, I am so happy for you. Let's go find Jasmine. I can tell you are bored out of your mind by this. Let the ladies handle the wedding planning. You just focus on your lovely bride."

     Thank the gods. I scanned the room, looking for my bride to be. Mom craned her head, her blonde hair falling is wisps around her face.

     "Now where has my daughter-to-be run off to?"

     "Perhaps she's gone to the restroom." We continued to chat as we waited, keeping our eyes on the door. I was ready to pawn my mother off on Jasmine. Served her right for laughing while abandoning me to this conversation.

     As time went on, my mother decided to go in search of her. "I fear she may have fallen ill in the lady's room. Let me go check on her."

     I spoke with several party goers while I waited on my mother's return. It was unlike Jasmine to be gone for so long, but I tried to push worries out of my mind as I continued to accept congratulations from visitors from neighboring kingdoms and advisors to my parents.

     My mother returned, her face pale. She pulled me to the side. "Caspian, I don't know where she has gone, but I can't find her anywhere. No one has seen her for over an hour. I think we should check outside for her. I have a feeling that I don't care for, that something is wrong."

     I had the same feeling myself, and could not shake it. "Alright, let's go check it out. Maybe she did not feel well and asked Louis to bring her home early."

     We made our way outside and found Louis asleep in the far end of the parking lot.

     "Your highnesses," He greeted with a smile. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

     "Louis, dear, have you seen Jasmine anywhere? She seems to have simply disappeared. We thought perhaps she had spoken with you."

     His brow furrowed. "No, your majesty. I have not seen or heard from Miss Jasmine since I escorted her into the palace at the beginning of the evening."

     My heart began to race. Where was she? This was not at all like her. She was responsible, she was considerate. She would never want us to worry like this. "Louis, would you help us search the grounds for her? I am concerned that she may have fallen and harmed herself somewhere."

     "Of course, Prince." He exited the vehicle, and his worry was written all over his face. "My Queen, perhaps you should inform the King of what is going on."

     "I will discuss things with him when we have more information. She could have simply needed some peace and quiet and gone for a walk of the grounds. No use in upsetting everyone unless we cannot find her after our search."

     "As you wish," Louis bowed his head. He had remained loyal to the royal family since he was a child, and cared deeply for them all, including Jasmine. He had been her parent's driver, and upon their passing, had chosen to continue watching for their daughter's safety. We began our search in the courtyard and found nothing. We walked the gardens, calling her name in case she had fallen into some bushes.

     "I think we should check the parking lot," I proposed after the search of the grounds turned up nothing.

     We made our way to the lot, the lamp posts shedding light to guide our search.

     "Oh god. Caspian! Louis! Come quickly!" My mother gasped, her hand covering her mouth.

     Louis and I ran to my mother. "Mother, what is it?" She pointed.

     Laying on the ground was the ring I had given her, beside a small pool of dark, red liquid. I felt as though I would be sick. She would never discard her ring like this. Her blood glistened under the light, and I could not breath as I stared into it.

     My love, what has become of you?

*

     Security arrived within minutes and immediately phoned the police. Upon their arrival, I could no longer contain my tears. Where could she be? Without her, I felt completely lost. Who would have harmed my gentle, sweet fiance?

     "Your majesty," The chief of police pulled me to the side. "When was the last time you saw Jasmine?"

     "I was speaking with my mother in regards to wedding plans. We had just announced our engagement. I saw her across the room and she smiled. I haven't seen her since." My voice cracked and I covered my face with my hand.

     "Prince Caspian, I know this must be incredibly difficult. Can you think of anyone who may have wanted to harm your fiance?"

     "No, Chief. Everyone loved her. She helped my mother organize events for orphans. She assisted with soup kitchens. She was kind to everyone she met."

     "What about anyone who may have wanted to harm you? Anyone displeased with the news of the engagement?"

     "Everyone seemed thrilled," I heard my voice crack again. "Who could have done this? Where is she? Where is my betrothed?"

     The chief's round belly moved as he sighed deeply. "I'm not sure, son. One more question. Have you noticed anything strange lately? Anyone paying more attention to Jasmine than normal, any odd behavior focused on her?"

     "No, there is noth-" I trailed off. "Wait, there is something. I had her dress for this evening delivered to her home. She said that in another box beside it, a flower for her hair awaited. She thought I sent it, but I had no idea about it until she mentioned something. We assumed that my mother sent it for tonight, but we never spoke with her about it."

     "Alright, I will look into this. You've been very helpful. Hang in there, your highness. We will extend every resource finding Jasmine, okay?" His hand on my shoulder reassured me. The Chief was known for his excellent detective work, and his professional conduct.

     I nodded. My world spun as I began to think of what she could be going through right now. Someone had sent her a flower. I approached my parents. Mom was crying, my father's arm wrapped around her tightly.

     "I must ask you a question, Mom." She sniffled and nodded. "Did you send Jasmine a flower for this evening?"

     She shook her head slowly. "No, why?"

     "She received a flower for her hair. There was no note, so she thought it was from me. I had no knowledge of this, but we thought perhaps it came from you. She was going to thank you at the end of the party, but now - The chief, he asked if... if anyone had paid special attention to her... I can't help but think whoever took her left the clip for her."

     My shoulders shook as I began to cry once more. My body was cold, numb as the tears fell. When I first saw the blood and the ring, my initial thought was that someone had taken her to extort the family. Now, I feared someone had taken her for far more sinister reasons.

     Someone was in her bedroom. Someone had left her a trinket, wanting to see her wear it. Someone wanted her as I did.

     Oh Jasmine. What are they doing to you?

*

     The guests of the evening were dismissed one by one as the police finished their interviews. I sat on one of the many couches in the entryway, blanket wrapped around my shoulders. After the guests left, Chief Bennett approached me and my parents.

     "What can you tell me about Raymond Mitchell?"

     I looked towards my parents, who blinked as though contemplating what to say. I spoke first. "He is an adviser on the royal court. Why?"

     "Several guests saw Miss Belden heading out of the party with him after he spilled something onto her dress. It appears he may have been offering to help her remove the stain, but he was not here when we arrived. We're just following up on a lead. We currently do not have enough information to determine whether or not he is involved, but it would be foolish not to get more information.Now, is there any reason he may have felt attached to Jasmine? Any particular or special bond they may have had?"

     My father, a normally jolly man, looked tormented. "He has been an adviser of ours for about fifteen years now. He served beside Jasmine's parents, who were tragically killed along with his wife in a car accident. He helped look after her after that."

     "I see." The Chief frowned. "We will be in touch. For now, we will assign a police security detail, although I know you have your own security staff. In times like these, it is best to have extra protection." My mother nodded in agreement. "I will let you know the second we find anything else. Try and get some rest. The next few days may be very trying as we do everything in our power to bring her home safely."

    With that, he made his exit. Silently, I headed to my chambers, my thoughts filled with the possibilities of Raymond harming my beloved Jasmine.