Erondale

Chapter 15

Christopher

I watch as Erin walks off with her body guards. What she just said to me doesn’t sit well with me. Something that I need to talk to my father about before it’s too late. Thinking of my father makes me want to cry. I know that crying isn’t supposed be something that I do since I am a prince but I’ve always been emotional.

I take a deep breath and prepare myself to intercept my father. I know that he’ll be angry that I am not in my barracks at training but I need to see him before it’s too late. When news traveled to me of his near death, I almost stopped training and went straight home. Mother convinced me to stay.

I heard some horses coming and made my way towards the sound. Thankfully it was my father’s entourage. I step out.

“Ho!” I heard the footman say. “Who goes there?”

“It’s me, Jeffery.” I holler out.

“Young prince?”

I chuckle. He’s always called me young Prince. “Well, I’m not so young anymore, Jeffery.” I smirk. “It is I.”

“Wh what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in training?”

“I am. Actually, I am supposed to be in my barracks but I need to see Father.”

On que. “What’s going on here, Jeffery?” I heard a guard say.

“It’s the Prince.”

“The Prince?”

“He’s here, in front of us.”

The guard comes around, looking confused, and freezes when he sees me. “What are you doing here?”

“I need to see my Father.”

“He’s not going to be happy to see you.”

“That may be so but I need to see him before it’s too late.”

I make my way towards the cabin and the guard flanks me.

“Make it quick, please.”

I glance at him. I’m the Prince and he is telling me what to do? I almost say something but my father’s voice stops me.

“Son?”

I rush in. His voice sounded so weak. “Father!”

The paleness of his face makes mine pale. He looks like walking death.

“What has happened? Why are you not getting any better?”

“I don’t know, Son. Why are you here? It’s not safe.”

“I’m here because I need to see you before it’s too late.”

He sighs, “I know. Come here.”

I walk over to the cab, and jump in, and seat myself beside him. “Father, I don’t know if I’m ready.”

He reaches over and grabs my hand. “I know that you think that you aren’t, Son. I felt the same way when it became my time.” He gave it a little squeeze. “I was hoping to be able to pass the crown down to you and spend the rest of my life roaming the territories with your mother. I guess Fate has other plans.”

Fate. I hate that term. Ever since I was informed that I would have a fated, I have hated anyone saying the word in my presence. I guess my father felt my irritance.

“Christopher, I know how you felt about Rae. However, I know that the feeling will go away once she comes into your life.” He looks a little like he’s keeping something from me but I choose to ignore it.

“You are ready for this. No matter how you feel. It will come naturally. However, that is why I sent you to training. How is it going?” He asks, effectively changing the topic.

“I have surpassed all the other Prince’s.”

“Any allies?”

“New allies?” No. Old ones. Yes. Eric and Preston.”

There is pride shining in his eyes. “Good. At least, you know someone there.”

We sit in comfortable silence for a little bit. I can hear his struggle to breathe and it takes everything in me to not cry. I don’t know when we started moving but I felt the carriage come to a stop.

“Father, I must go. I just want to tell you that I love you. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself knowing that the last time you saw me would be us arguing.”

“Chris, I know that you love me. I just want you to know that you are ready.” He reaches out and touches my face. “I am proud of you. I have always been proud of you. I know that you will make the right decisions and I have never second guessed making you my successor.”

“Father, before I go, do you know who’s committing these murders?”

He looked taken aback a little. “How do you know about those.”

“I have my ways father.”

“No, we don’t have a clue. Or, why it seems to always happen on Alrich’s property or near him.”

He pauses and seems to be weighing whether or not he should continue with his thought.

“We do think that it might have something to do with Raleigh. We think someone is threatening her. She isn’t getting the message though. I won’t allow it.”

I see red but I control my facial features.

“Alright. I will keep my ear out and see if anyone knows anything. Oh, and one more thing. Don’t let Alrich marry Rae. She deserves better.”

Determination set in my father’s eyes. I know what’s coming.

“Chris. She deserved better than what you did to her before you left. It broke her, the way you treated her.”

Sadness creeps into his eyes.

“Her father worried about her all the way up until the day that he died. That was your doing. If she is happy with Alrich, I am not going to stop her.”

“Father, please. I can’t bare to see them together. It will kill me.” I beg him.

“That really isn’t up to you, Christopher. You will have your queen. Let her be happy.”

I don’t reply because I didn’t want to have another argument with my father before he dies. My heart palpitates fast and I feel as if I can’t breathe. I hate my fate.

“Okay, I’m going to go now. I love you, Father.” I pause for a minute. I really don’t want to leave. “I hope that you are still around when I graduate.”

I lean down and give him a kiss on his forehead.

“I love you, Son. I will pass your regards to Rae.”

I don’t answer. I give him a tight smile and step out. I can hear the party going so I step around to an area that I won’t be noticed.

I want to see her just for a minute. Whoever set up the party did a great job. The colors are purple and gold. I’m not sure how they pulled it off but there are purple roses hanging along ivy vines that are draped across the ceiling of the tent.

About ten tables are set up with five chairs around each table. She must be expecting a bigger party. Of course, there is a table set specifically for my father. It has a little crown made out of paper napkins. My mother is already here, standing beside the table. I can see her nervousness.

In the middle of the tent seems to be a dance floor. It is situated directly in the middle of the tables. On the dais, sits a single chair. For my father or Rae? I don’t know. On the sides of the walls are purple carnations with golden leaves. They are weaved in with vines as well. Little fairy lights are strung up all across the tent causing it to be brightly lit.

There are several sections of planted flowers along the walls. The tent looks like a gigantic garden. It’s very beautiful for a beautiful girl. Speaking of beautiful girls, Rae walks in holding Alrich’s arm and my jaw drops. If I thought she was beautiful before, it is nothing compared to her beauty right now.

She is absolutely stunning. Her raven colored hair is pulled back away from her face in a half pony tail. It’s shaped to look like a tiara on the top of her head. The hair that’s hanging is set in soft curls.

She looks like a princess. Her make up looks natural but the purple color on her eyes match the purple floor length dress. I feel my feet start to move but, before I get two steps in, someone grabs me and turns me around.

“Chris? What are you doing here?” Tobias asks.

“Toby. Long time no see.” I’m sure if I wasn’t the prince he’d be hitting me right now. I can see the anger in his eyes. “I just came to say good bye to my father. I was about to head out.”

“That isn’t what it looked like to me. It looked like you were about to enter the party.”

Hot flashes of anger surge through me. “What if I wanted to join.” I challenge.

He shrugs a shoulder,  nonchalant. His aloofness does not match the glare in his eyes. “Then, by all means, join the party. Stop sneaking around. You should know that our security has stepped up with all the murders.”

I can tell that he doesn’t like me much. I’m sure it has to do with his sister. Again, guilt floods me. He’s right. I shouldn’t be sneaking around.

“I’m going back in to the party. Do whatever you want.” He steps forward a little bit and levels me with a hard stare and a threat. “I am going to warn you though, if you come in, don’t hurt Rae.”

With that he storms off. So, now she has someone else to defend her now. It sets off a little jealousy in me but, surprisingly, I’m actually glad that it’s Toby. I will figure out who is murdering these women and what is has to do with Rae. For now, it’s time to go back to training.

I look one more time at Rae. She’s smiling while talking with my father, Alrich and Toby standing at her side. Toby glances  in my direction so I wave before I turn around and make my way back to training.