That Kiss (Revised)

Chapter Eleven - The Clearing Pt. 2

                “Is this where you started, too?” Savannah asked as they finally reached the clearing. She was breathing heavy, and thoroughly frozen. She snuggled deeper into her coat.

                Donnie nodded. “I’m not sure why, but this seems to be some kind of portal. I’m not really sure how it works. That’s why we have to find out.” He paced, looking around like the answer was going to magically appear.

                “I understand the importance of figuring out how to send us back, but in the meantime, can you give us a little insight on what is going on here?” Joey asked.

Donnie stopped and faced Joey and Savannah. “I’ll explain it all, just try and follow this crazy train.” He smiled before taking a deep breath. “Our father married Edith about ten years ago. He loved her. The first five years Edith wasn’t the same person as she is now. They actually loved each other. It wasn’t until they moved here that Edith became obsessed with power. She wanted to be Queen. So, she began scheming. At first, Dad thought it was just a phase. He thought that she’d get over it after she realized that in order to be royalty you basically had to be born or married into it.”

He sighed, “After two years or so, right about when I got here, Edith was pushing Dad to a breaking point. She accused him of not loving her because he wouldn’t participate in helping her get to the thrones. She told him that if he really loved her, then he’d do whatever it takes. That led to the mishap that Edith refers to as Dad’s failure. Dad landed a job at the castle managing the King’s finances. He managed all the treasures and basically dealt with anything the King deemed valuable. He took that opportunity to strike. He bribed people inside the castle, with the King’s money, to execute him. There has always been a small uprising against the King. He figured out who was in the castle and involved with the uprising as well.”

“Obviously, he was successful. One of the Kings guards caught on to the plan before they had a chance to act, and Dad was executed. We went through a lot of grief after that. People accused us of being traitors, but good old Edith is smart with her words and claimed innocence; that Dad planned it all without her knowledge and she wouldn’t dream of doing anything to harm anyone in the castle. After many hearings, the King finally spared Edith and the rest of our family. In the time the King spent questioning Edith, he actually became fond of her. I’m not sure if there was a relationship, but I do know that Edith spent many nights in the castle. I’d sometimes catch her sneaking back home early in the morning.”

Savannah and Joey stared blankly at Donnie. This was a total overload of information. They were just trying to keep up.

“Since then, she’s remained close with the King who basically cleared her name to the public and became one of the towns’ aristocrats. She was invited to all the balls, garden parties, and royal events. Edith would bring you, Savannah, to all these gatherings. That’s where Michael first laid eyes on you.”

Savannah interrupted. “She only brought me, not you?”

“After our fathers’ mishap, and whatever she was doing at the castle late hours, I knew she hadn’t given up hope about stealing the crown. I wasn’t going to have any part of it. So she left me to do my own thing. We stayed out of each other’s way. As long as I didn’t ‘interfere’ with any of her diabolical plans, she’d leave me be. But you, you were her princess. You were her key to the crown. She noticed the way Michael looked at you. Michael is the biggest sleaze in the kingdom. His reputation is notorious for the biggest player. But you, Savannah, you didn’t like him.” Donnie smiled at this, “You had your eyes one someone else.”

Savannah gaped. “Who?”

Donnie’s smile widened. “Michael’s best friend.” His eyes flickered over to Joey whose expression was unreadable. “Joseph.”

Joey’s mind was whirling. So, before they got here Savannah was interested in him? He felt a pang of nervousness and avoided her gaze.

“Michael knew this, as did Edith. That’s when the real scheming began. Edith pretty much put you,” he looked at Savannah, “on lock down. You weren’t allowed to see Joseph anymore. Instead, she took you along on her trips to the castle. Granted, you and Joseph weren’t official, but there was definitely something brewing between you. It was obvious to anyone who watched you together. Like Michael.”

“Michael is a very interesting character. Some of the things he does, I don’t quite understand. He’s the one that’s unpredictable. I’ve been trying to figure him out since I got here, and I haven’t had much headway. I do know one thing, the fact that Joseph was interested in you, Savannah, made Michael want you that much more. And being the Prince of Eddington, meant his wants came before Josephs, or even Savannah’s.”

“The King loved Savannah from the beginning. As soon as Michael shared his interest with the King, outings were scheduled, the kingdom began gossiping, and it had become official. Savannah was Michael’s property. Joseph was outraged, but he had to bottle it. He couldn’t go against the Prince, his best friend. Michael pretty much threw a bucket of water on whatever fire was between you two.”

                “Edith’s scheming continued. She coached you. What to say, what not to say, how to act. It was then her plan to kill the King flourished. All she had to do was keep you appealing to Michael, and make the kingdom fall in love with you as well. She succeeded. And here we are. You’re engaged. It’s all happened so quickly. Edith is becoming impatient. She wants the crown and she’s tired of waiting for it. As the wedding comes closer, Edith is getting antsy, desperate even. It makes me nervous the lengths she’s willing to go. You two have got to be extremely careful-”

                Donnie stopped and his eyes darted into the darkness were the snap of a branch caught everyone’s attention. The silence enveloped the three of them, almost hurting their ears as they strained to hear anything more. Nothing.

                Donnie’s eyes stay on that spot as he continued to speak, in a softer voice. “You two have got to be extremely careful. No one is your ally. Let’s get out of here. We’ll figure out the portal situation later. It’s getting colder.”

                Joey led this time, becoming familiar to the pathway. Donnie stayed behind Savannah, constantly looking around them. Ever since he heard that branch snap it seemed he was on high alert.

                Joey split from Savannah and Donnie with promises to meet up tomorrow sometime. Savannah’s brain hadn’t stopped processing everything Donnie had shared.

                Noticing Savannah’s quiet state, Donnie spoke. “Don’t worry Savannah. Everything will work out. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.” He wrapped and arm around her shoulder and pulled her into him. “I promise.”

                She looked up at him. “I know.”

                “So, how exactly did you and Joey get here?”

                Her heart rate quickened. “I went to one of his parties. It was at the same house he is in now.”

                He nodded. “Is there something going on between you to or something? I thought you’d still be with Michael?”

                She sighed. Great, now her brother was going to think she was a whore. But she had to tell him. Maybe it had something to do with how she got here in the first place. “I am – was? We’re still together. I, uh, kind of drank a little too much and we were playing seven minutes in heaven and Joey kissed me, that’s how we both ended up here.” She blurted out.

                He just looked over at her and smiled. “My sister, a cheater.” He laughed, squeezing her shoulder. “Boy how things have changed.”

                Savannah opened her mouth to object, but shut it.

                “I think you like him.”

                “Just take me home, Donnie.” She laughed, pushing him away from her.

                “You know you missed me!”