|🌴| Shipwrecked Princess |🌺| A Novel |🌺| Complete |🌴|

🌴 Chapter Thirty-Three 🌴

Kalirene paced back and forth in the vast room, waiting for the maid she had appointed to bring William, Jayme, Essa, and her animal family to this room. Once the storm picked up she had begun to grow worried as the time ticked on.

'What was taking them so long? Were they too late? What if they lost Essa and her animal family and weren't able to catch up? What if this was a wild goose chase? What if my ketch capsized?' She thought as she nibbled on the tip of her fingernail on her thumb, glancing ever so often up at the door.

She paused in front of the crackling fireplace and rested her head in her hand. She felt like it had been hours and perhaps it had been, she had truly lost track of time. She was so caught up in her worries that she failed to even glance at the clock on the mantle once. The floor was the only thing that was getting attention and occasionally the window.

Soon the doors opened and the maid stepped out of the way so that William and Jayme could go into the room. "What happened? Is Essa with you?" She asked worriedly, silently praying that she would get some good news. Although neither boy's face made her feel any better before they could speak, her eyes went wide.

Her worries were soon put to rest when Essa, along with her animal family, followed behind the two young men. All three were still wet and wrapped in towels the maid must've given them. "Oh thank heavens!" She rushed over to the group and beckoned for them to come towards the fire. "Oh come, come. The fire is nice and warm for you, you must be cold with that cruel wind and rain."

William smiled, walking towards the fire and standing in front. "Providence was looking out for Essa and her animal family. We were able to get them off before the doomed ship crashed into some rocks. Alex was also able to sail us safely through the storm, outrunning the eye and making it here before it got worse." He explained, running his hand through his hair, moving it out of his eyes.

Kalirene placed her hand on her chest. She was so glad that Essa was no longer in danger. "Oh my goodness, I should say Providence was looking out for you." If Jayme hadn't been there and witnessed it, no one would have known what happened to Essa. That broke her heart.

She walked over to the bed and picked up some nicely folded clothes. "I prepared some dry clothes for you three, you boys can change in the closet while Essa, you can change behind those doors in the lounge room." She pointed to the rooms then rested her hands in front of her.

William walked up to his mother and rested his hand on her shoulder. "Thanks, Mother. You've been a busy bee while we were gone, haven't you? We are very thankful for it." He was blessed to have such a caring mother. He wished that one day Essa would find her family and they'd be just as caring as his mother was.

Jayme nodded in agreement with William. She was like a second mother to him when his parents were gone. Which were almost all the time. "Very, very thankful. You're amazing." He beamed, holding the dry clothes away from him so his hair didn't drip onto them.

Essa bowed her head and gave a small little curtsey after taking the clothes Kailrene had handed her. "Thank you, your highness." She was taken by surprise at how worried Kailrene had been for her. She didn't know what to say or what to ask. After what happened, she was left feeling confused and maybe even empty?

Kalirene smiled as she watched the three young adults go to change into some warm, dry clothes. "Alright." She turned back to Essa's animal family and smiled. "And for you, I have some nice warm blankets for you." She motioned for them to come and lay down on the many blankets she had piled in front of the fire and grabbed a handful more.

She watched each of the animals take a seat or lay down on the blankets in front of the fire. They each made their respective noise a day although she didn't know exactly what they said, she figured they were saying thank you. "You are most welcome. I don't know what went on out there, but I can assure you that I truly hope you never have to go through that again."