Sparks of a flame

9. Mixed Feelings

VIOLET'S POV

Alexander had been driving for roughly ten minutes. 

Though the car was moving at a fast pace, we were yet to see the other Cadillac which held the rest of our party. I had calmed down and let go of Alexander's hand and I sat quietly as he listened to directions from the guard who had joined the car,  introducing himself as Jeffery. He knew which way we should go and he gave clear instructions, still yielding his weapon on the window.

"Are you okay, Princess?" Jeffery asked, distracting me from the silent prayer I had been offering.

"I'm fine, thanks," I said, turning my head back to offer him a small smile. I saw Alexander's discreet glance in my direction, quickly turning his attention back on the road when he noticed I caught him looking. 

"Are you two okay?" I asked both of them, and as though they had rehearsed it they both answered, "Yes, Your Highness."

"I am still trying to get a hold of Philip and the others, Your Highness. I'll let you know as soon as I hear from any of them," Jeffery said and I expressed my appreciation. It did not seem like we were been followed, but we couldn't relax just yet. Worry pooled in my stomach as I thought of the two drivers and Daniel who had bravely gone into the woods to see if they could get a hold of our attackers. 

Beside me, Alexander sped dangerously, eyes focused, mouth in a thin line. "Put on your seatbelt," I said softly and he turned to look at me. "The last thing we need is..."

"Okay," he said, silencing me before stiffening a second and saying, "Yes, Princess." 

If Jeffery found our interaction odd, he kept it to himself and said nothing.

As Alexander sped along the road, I noticed that the trees on the side of the road were becoming sporadic. Flowers had started showing up and the faraway sound of vehicles could be heard if you strained your ears. Like magic, a mobile phone I had not noticed, wedged in the cup holder began to ring. Jeffery picked it up quickly, and the relief he felt was evident in his tone when he heard the person on the line. "We will soon be there. No word from Daniel yet. Okay," he said.

"That was Philip, Your Highness," he said. "They have made it to the palace and have dispatched an emergency security detail. We will be met by one team and escorted to the palace. Another set will continue to the site of our encounter. Everything is under control," he said and I sighed. I could relax a bit. Alexander sat back in his seat, relaxing a little too.

"Thank you, Jeffery," I said.

Soon enough, the trees disappeared completely from the road and buildings began to show up. Alexander eased off the accelerator a little. Cars could be clearly heard honking now in the not-too-far distance. A few kilometers later, Jeffery pointed out two black SUVs that were parked to our right on the road. "That's our escort to the palace," he said and Alexander slowed down. Getting closer, we noticed men standing to attention beside the car, pistols in each one's hand. When Alexander stopped the car, Jeffery got down and the men instantly saluted him. One person, who I guessed was their leader, moved to my side of the car and bowed before asking if I and Alexander, in that order, were fine. 

He turned back to Jeffery. "We are ready, sir." Jeffery gave some instructions, before coming to sit back down. One of the SUVs moved in front of us, the other behind us and we began to move.

"We are heading to the palace now, Princess" Jeffery briefed me. We were safer now. I knew that. Yet I couldn't stop the tears that fell from my eyes. I kept replaying the third bullet that looked like it was coming for me and my body shook as the sobs threatened to turn into wails.