Maldows Isles

Chapter Three

Amaria's POV

I hear the clanging of metal as I go in and out of consciousness. Suddenly everything goes quiet and warm arms are wrapping around me. My blindfold is pulled off and I see Ash. I was so relieved. Then I remembered what my dad said.

"Don't trust anyone." I hope he is okay.

"It's okay, Amaria, you're safe."

I move away from him still, "How do I know you can be trusted?"

"I saved you from all those guys. Why wouldn't you trust me?"

"I don't know. Maybe you're playing good cop bad cop to earn my trust." he looks pissed that I even said it, but it's true. What if this is all just a ploy to earn my trust. I look at him again, like really look at him and I feel it. It's a really small connection, but it's there and I smile at him.

"I can trust you. Don't make me regret it."

He throws his hands up in the air in defense, "I won't, I promise."

"Now, who were those people?" I can't say guys because I see a few women among the fallen, "And are they dead?"

"First, no they're not dead. Second, they are a part of Queen Sariyah's guard. They're looking for me and possibly you."

"Me? What have I done to deserve kidnapping, and who the hell is Queen Sariyah?"

"Queen Sariyah of Maldows Isles. She's looking for her lost niece. She wants to be rid of her so she can rightfully ascend to the throne."

He looks upset by that statement. I place a hand on his shoulders to reassure him. "I need to find the princess or all hope is lost for Maldows."

"Where would she be? What are the Maldows anyways? I haven't heard of it before."

"You wouldn't have, not here anyway. Maldows Isles is in another realm. It was taken over by Sariyah eighteen years ago. On the eighteenth birthday, of the lost princess, she will come into her powers and rule the realms as the rightful queen."

As I sit there and listen to him speak I can't help but wonder what girl was he looking for. It couldn't be me. I've lived here all my life. If I was a princess wouldn't my dad have told me? If he was trying to protect me from Queen Sariyah he wouldn't. That's the only sensible reason not to.

ASH"S POV

I finished talking a while ago, I've been watching her think. She doesn't know who she is. Maybe I should tell her about me. No, I shouldn't because there is still a small chance that she isn't the princess. I cup her cheek into the palm of my hand and speak firmly.

"I will keep you safe. You may not be the princess, but I put you in harm's way. I will protect you and bring you home to your father safely." She's staring up at me with those blue globes. I want to kiss her so badly, but I know I shouldn't. It would only hurt her in the end if she isn't who I want her to be. I belong to someone else.

"First things first, we have to move. If Sariyah finds out that her troops were defeated she'll double the patrol."

"We need to head back to my home. I have to check on my dad."

"Were you attacked there?" She nods, "Then it isn't a good idea to go back there. I know where we should go."

I take her hand and lead her towards the tunnels. It's the only place I know we will be safe. You never set foot in the same tunnel twice. It's charmed as so. You have to know what you're looking for.

"I think I know where we're going." She says cheerfully, "My dad takes me here all the time. He told me to come here and wait for him."

"What's your dad's name?" I'm hoping his name is Stallin, the lost king.

"Leonardo," She says calmly, "The guy we saw at Murphy's called him something else though, I can't remember."

I am disappointed, but I still have a tiny shred of hope. What if he changed his name to protect them both?

We arrive at the tunnels uneventfully, thank the goddess for that. We enter, but it's not the one I had in mind I look at Amaria. "Did you choose this tunnel?"

"Choose? What do you mean? It's always been the same tunnel since I was little." She makes herself comfortable. That's strange, you can never summon the same tunnel more than three times a year. It's a way to keep everyone and the other realms safe. It looks like they frequent this tunnel a lot.

"We can't stay long. Sariyah could find us."

"I know. We just have to wait for my dad. He said he would meet me here." She stretches out and leans her head against my shoulder and is soon asleep. I love the feel of her body next to mine. I stroke her hair and wait for her father. I must have dozed off too because I was startled awake by a crash. It was a man and all of my senses were on high alert. He was hurt severely.

"Dad," She's crying now, moving to help the man. She's cradling his head. "What happened?"

I lean closer to listen to him speak, "Find Calissa."

My heart was pounding, she is my princess.

"I need a little time to heal, I don't think I can, but promise me you'll find Calissa."

She starts to nod but I speak up, "Your highness, King Stallin, I am Ash, son of Calissa. She sent me here to find you."

"King Stallin? Dad, what is he talking about?" She looks concerned.

"Ash, take care of her, take her to your mother. I will soon follow. Your mother will know what to do."

I nodded and helped her stand. "I knew you were who I was looking for."