Charades

Chapter 27

     Ronan, Devan, Indira and I were in front of the huge front doors of Flynn's castle. It was a grand castle - one that soared towards the sky. It was made out of fine gray stone, carved to perfection, and it almost glistened in the sunlight that shone down on us. We all waited for Flynn to come out. We sent him a message the day before and he told us to meet him at one, so we awaited his arrival.

     Soon, the door flew open and Flynn appeared. He wore his crown on his head - a gold crown that made a mess of his brown hair, and his hazel eyes were wide with wonder. Despite Flynn being twenty-one now, Flynn still had a childlike aura to him. It was like everything was some giant joke and he grinned at us.

     "Amara," Flynn said, reaching over to pull me into a hug. "I'm so happy to see you."

     I hugged Flynn, feeling a bit uncomfortable. Months ago we nearly wed. It was all my uncle's doing, but it was weird to think that this man was the man I might have married.

     Next to me, Ronan tensed and I shot him a smile as I pulled back. I waved at him.

     "This is my lover, Ronan Singh," I said. I then motioned towards Indira and Devan. "And these are his siblings, Indira and Devan."

     "Nice to meet you guys," Flynn said. He bowed towards us and even Ronan seemed surprised. "Come on in. Helena is in the throne room. She's getting ready for my coronation by keeping the seats warm."

     Flynn led us inside his castle. It was a grand castle - more grande than mine, I realized. Everything shone with a gold sheen as we walked down a hallway past guards who flanked certain doors and past the servants, who I'd seen before. I saw Marisa as we passed the sitting room and I waved, and she waved back, her eyes filled with delight.

     And soon, we stepped into the throne room. It was a giant room with a red carpet that led up to two thrones and I faltered at the sight of Helena sitting on a throne. She had one leg crossed over the other and she gazed ahead of her, a dignified look on her face. I'd never seen her look so confident and I smiled, glad to see my former friend glowing.

     "Amara?" Helena said, her eyes flying wide.

     She hopped off the throne and rushed over to me, her blue dress flying back and she embraced me. I hugged her back and welcomed her touch. Back when I lived in Graythrone, she'd been my only friend. We opened up about ours pasts and how we felt at the time, and we'd grown close in the few months we'd known each other.

     "I've missed you," Helena said, pulling back. "How have you been?"

     "I've been okay," I said, trying to smile. "A lot has happened and I need to talk to you both about it."

     "And you wanted Alexander and Diana here right?" Flynn asked. "They'll be here in a minute."

     I nodded. In the note I gave Flynn, I asked for Diana and Alexander to come as well. Because Indira and Devan had told me they were both in Graythrone - they'd left before I was captured.

     We all settled around the thrones, right below the staircase leading up to them. Flynn had settled into his throne and Helena sat in the one next to his, and they shot each other shy smiles, their eyes full of tenderness whenever their eyes met. It made my heart warm to see them like that. I knew how hard they fought to be together and to see them so in love made me so happy because Helena deserved good things.

     And I would do everything I could to make sure Queen Astoria never hurt Helena.

     Soon, Diana and Alexander entered the throne room and the door shut behind them. They joined us and I bowed towards them, and Diana bowed right back. Alexander seemed confused.