Queen of My Immortal Heart

Chapter 20: Valtar

“You’re Majesty, a call for you.” Gandmir said, holding the phone to his chest and looking up at Valtar. He was standing by the fireplace staring into the flames, his head resting on his arm. It had been two days now and they had heard no word from anyone about Nicole and Luke. Everyone was beginning to feel the worst had happened. The phone ringing had made everyone jump and put them on edge as to who it was and what it was about. Valtar walked over to the phone and took it from Gandmir. “Hello?” He said in a low tone. “Yes, this is King Valtar Morganthe.” Ara listened and watched her husband’s face intently. Sheila, Nicholai’s very pregnant wife, sat next to her on the window seat and was holding her hand. Tawny stood on her other side, rubbing her back gently. When news had spread about Nicole missing, everyone had joined in to help. Nicholai had brought Sheila to the castle to sit with Ara while he flew out to Bosnia to help Ulrik. Vanessa, the Fairy Queen, had come too, as well as her daughter Chelsea. They all were sitting in the library when the phone rang. “Where?” they heard Valtar ask. Ara stood up quickly, hope shinning in her bright green eyes. “Thank you, your majesty. I will call you back in ten minutes.” Valtar said and hung up. “Who was it, dear? Any word on our baby?” Ara asked, taking a step forward. “That was King Gabriel Rossi of the Demon Kingdom in Italy.” Valtar said, looking up at his wife. “They found Nicoleta and Luke and he has them safe in his castle in Tuscany.” Ara breathed a big sigh of relief and almost fainted. She fell back on the window seat and Tawny quickly fanned her with a stack of papers from the desk. “Is she alright?” Ara asked weakly, still trying to recover from both the shock and relief she felt knowing their daughter was finally safe. “She’s been hurt, but he wouldn’t give me further details on the phone. Well known immortal physician, Dr. Christian Blood-Raine is with her and Luke now. He was injured as well.” Valtar explained. “Oh, I love Dr. Blood-Raine. He’s a wonderful doctor. Sexy as hell, too. He delivered Chelsea for me. Nicoleta is in good hands with him.” Vanessa said reassuringly, then sipped at her tea. Ara smiled at her. Chelsea wasn’t paying any attention to anyone. She was too busy texting friends on the new cell phone she’d received for her birthday. Vanessa snatched the phone from her and threw it in her purse. “Mom, I was texting Kyle! Give it back!” Chelsea whined. “Chelsea Snowlin! Show Queen Ara some respect.” Vanessa said sternly. Chelsea looked up at Ara, then lowered her head. “I’m sorry, your highness.” she said quietly. “It’s alright, Chelsea.” Ara said, smiling at her. The young fairy was beautiful, but her flirty personality and “open” ways were going to get her hurt or in deep trouble someday. Vanessa knew this too and it concerned her greatly. “Come, my dear. I told King Gabriel I’d call him back in ten minutes so we could trace to his home to see Nicoleta. We must go.” Valtar said and extended his hand to his wife. “Of course, my love.” Ara said sweetly and placed her hand in his and stepped to his side. Sheila tried to stand up, but quickly sat back down as a wave of pain washed over her body. “Oh no, not good. I think my water just broke.” she said, a touch of panic in her voice. “It’s alright, Sheila. Just stay calm. Tawny and Vanessa will help you. You may use a guest room upstairs.” Ara said reassuringly. “Come now, dearie. Let’s get you upstairs.” Tawny said, taking Shelia’s arm while Vanessa stood and took the other arm as they helped her up. “Gandmir, see to settling our guests and tell the maids they are to assist Tawny in the labor and delivery of Sheila’s baby.” Valtar ordered. Gandmir bowed and went to carry out Valtar’s orders. “I’ll tell Nicholai as soon as we arrive and send him here to be with you. He should not miss your first child’s birth.” Ara told Sheila gently. “Thank you, your highness.” Sheila said, panting as more pain washed over her. Tawny and Vanessa escorted Sheila out of the library carefully. “Give Nicoleta my love!” Tawny called as they exited the library into the long hallway. “Of course, Tawny. First thing!” Ara called back chuckling. That poor old woman loved their Nicoleta as dearly as they did. “Come, my dear. It’s time to go now. Sheila will be fine in Tawny’s care.” Valtar said, then picked up the phone and dialed the number he had quickly scribbled down from Gabriel. “Pronto?” A deep Italian voice said through the speaker on the phone. “We are ready now, your majesty.” Valtar said, close to the speaker. “Meraviglioso!” Gabriel said. “You two are always welcome at my home…….” Valtar concentrated on Gabriel’s voice and all faded away, then became loud and clear as they reappeared next to Gabriel in his office. It was a large library like Valtar’s, but decorated with rich, warm honeys, tans, and browns that covered the walls and furniture. Valtar’s was more conservative with mahoganies, grays, and black. A huge, beautifully woven Maroon carpet lay on the stone floor, Gabriel’s Royal Seal woven in gold in the center of it. “Welcome to Tuscany, King Valtar,” Gabriel said, shaking his hand. “Queen Ara, a pleasure to see you.” He took her hand and kissed her palm. his and stepped to his side. Sheila tried to stand up, but quickly sat back down as a wave of pain washed over her body. “Oh no, not good. I think my water just broke.” she said, a touch of panic in her voice. “It’s alright, Sheila. Just stay calm. Tawny and Vanessa will help you. You may use a guest room upstairs.” Ara said reassuringly. “Come now, dearie. Let’s get you upstairs.” Tawny said, taking Shelia’s arm while Vanessa stood and took the other arm as they helped her up. “Gandmir, see to settling our guests and tell the maids they are to assist Tawny in the labor and delivery of Sheila’s baby.” Valtar ordered. Gandmir bowed and went to carry out Valtar’s orders. “I’ll tell Nicholai as soon as we arrive and send him here to be with you. He should not miss your first child’s birth.” Ara told Sheila gently. “Thank you, your highness.” Sheila said, panting as more pain washed over her. Tawny and Vanessa escorted Sheila out of the library carefully. “Give Nicoleta my love!” Tawny called as they exited the library into the long hallway. “Of course, Tawny. First thing!” Ara called back chuckling. That poor old woman loved their Nicoleta as dearly as they did. “Come, my dear. It’s time to go now. Sheila will be fine in Tawny’s care.” Valtar said, then picked up the phone and dialed the number he had quickly scribbled down from Gabriel. “Pronto?” A deep Italian voice said through the speaker on the phone. “We are ready now, your majesty.” Valtar said, close to the speaker. “Meraviglioso!” Gabriel said. “You two are always welcome at my home…….” Valtar concentrated on Gabriel’s voice and all faded away, then became loud and clear as they reappeared next to Gabriel in his office. It was a large library like Valtar’s, but decorated with rich, warm honeys, tans, and browns that covered the walls and furniture. Valtar’s was more conservative with mahoganies, grays, and black. A huge, beautifully woven Maroon carpet lay on the stone floor, Gabriel’s Royal Seal woven in gold in the center of it. “Welcome to Tuscany, King Valtar,” Gabriel said, shaking his hand. “Queen Ara, a pleasure to see you.” He took her hand and kissed her palm.