The Heirs

Ethan: 5 Months Later

Chapter 15:

(Ethan POV) -Albuquerque-

five months later

It was time I thought as I felt my skates hit the ice. The Northern Kingdoms Ice Dancing Championships, I had been training for this since I was little. All the hours of training. All the time effort and blisters had led me to this moment. My entire family was here to watch and support me. If I won this I was on my way to the World Championships. I had to be perfect. But, I wasn't stressed or excited or anything really. Ever since that night I never felt whole again. I felt hollow like there was something inside of me that was missing. I kept to my vow and refused to talk about the incident but, I wished I could think about it less.

-a week ago-

I was practicing my routine just drilling it in. Every movement was uniform, precise and exact. "It looks great baby" I turned and saw Mom standing next to the edge of the rink. I made my way over to her, "Thanks. I keep over-rotating on that last spin just need to get it to the right point." She nodded her head, "I"m sure you will." She went quiet again, "Ethan," she started and I knew where this was going. "I'm going to run through the routine again." I said starting to skate out but she grabbed onto my arm, "You do not skate away from me." I turned back and nodded my head. "Now I don't know what is going on with you, but you need to talk to someone Ethan." I shook my head, "Mom, I'm fine. I know that everything has been falling apart but, I promise I'm fine." She shook her head, "No, you are not. Ever since that day, you haven't been the same." I looked over at her, "I don't know what you want from me. I am exactly the same person I was before all of this happened. I train all day. I try to help Alden, Emma and Mia. I spend time with the family. What more do you expect?" "Have you even said her name since..." "Mom." I said a little harsher than I intended. I softened my expression and looked back at her, "Mom, there is nothing to talk about. Now can I please get back to work." She sighed and nodded her head. She went to walk away before she added, "You need to add some feeling to it and some emotion. It looks too robotic. You are doing the moves but, you are not conveying the story." "Thank you," I said. I went back to the start and began running through the routine. I understood what she meant but, I couldn't do it. Opening up, risked letting everything out and I couldn't do that.

-back to present-

I made my way out to the middle of the ice and waited for the music to start. I began to glide along the ice moving through my routine before jumping into my first series of flips. I started thinking about Mira and how we met. No I had to stop I couldn't reopen that door, especially not in that moment. I had to focus I reminded myself as I continued throughout the routine. However, once I started thinking about her she had completely consumed my thoughts. I was making my way to my next transition and I could feel the memories chipping away at me. I was starting to feel everything. I went into my next section of flips and just tried to clear my head of everything. I don't even know how many rotations I hit before I landed but it earned a gasp from the audience. I didn't care anymore. I forgot the rest of my routine and began just going into a series of flips, turns, glides and tricks as I felt the need to do them. I needed to focus, these thoughts needed to stop. The music came to an end as I hit a final pose. I was breathless and becoming more and more aware of the fact that there were a bunch of people staring at me. I went into a bow and got off the ice as quickly as possible.

(Sofia POV)

I saw it as it happened. He opened his routine and it looked exactly the same as it did back at our castle but, then suddenly his expression changed. To everyone else in the audience it was a part of his performance but, my family and I all knew what was going on. He was clearly angry, hurt, devastated, heartbroken each emotion playing out at once as he continued to move. His breaths were getting heavier and his eyes were filled with tears. He went into his Fireball Flips. He was supposed to do 4 in a row but, I watched as he stayed in the air for longer and longer until he hit 8. He landed and then I didn't recognize what he was doing. He was going in and out of each movement with no clear plan as to what was happening next. Hugo placed his hand on mine and looked over at me. We both knew it, this was him screaming. He had been keeping it together, being calm and put together and this was his release. He finished his routine with the music, took a bow and skated away. I turned over to Alden and Andrew but, they were already getting up to talk to him. Maybe now he would finally talk about it.

(Ethan POV)

I had completely lost control of my breathing I could feel myself tearing up and my hands were shaking, "Stop. Don't do this to yourself. Remember the vow. You can't lose it." I started repeating to myself as I heard footsteps coming closer. I turned and saw Alden and Andrew standing next to each other. They didn't seem sure about what to do but, neither of them were leaving either. They came closer and Andrew started, "Ethan?" I just shook my head, "I can't right now." I said running my hand through my hair as I was trying to get myself to stop shaking for a minute. Alden came over, "Ethan you haven't talked about what happened with Dami..." "Don't say her name." I snapped. Alden came closer as I sat down in the snow, "We are worried about you. Everyone is." Andrew came around to my other side, "Yeah, you completely deviated from your routine. I mean it was impressive but, still you have been training like this for forever and you never deviate." I let out a breath, "Neither of you can ever understand. I can't let myself think about her and what happened because thinking about it hurts too much, talking about it hurts too much. I need to keep it together. I am the one who has to keep it together. Look at Mia she still hasn't spoken a word since everything happened, Emma has become more reserved, Alden you..." He sighed, "Started having panic attacks. I know. We all know. The only difference is that Emma, Mia and I are getting help. You are shutting everyone out." I exploded, "BECAUSE THE ONLY PERSON I WANT TO TALK TO DIED IN THAT MOUNTAIN RANGE!" I sighed, "I know that I didn't know her that long and I know that neither of you can understand but, she... I..." I let out a breath, "I can't talk about this."

(Alden POV)

-a few days ago-

I made my way through the castle one last time that night before going back over to watch over the girls. Even after all those months I still felt the need to see that they were safe and I think that they liked having me there as well. I walked over and saw Ethan making his way into the castle. His skin was pale and cold but, he wasn't wearing anything that would keep him warm. "Ethan?" He turned to face me, "Are you just getting in?" He nodded his head, "You know that I have to keep training competition is coming up. I have to be perfect. You know we are Albridge's best of the best" I nodded my head but, wanted to keep him out here longer, "Ethan I think that you should go and see Emma and Mia, they have been asking about you... Well Emma has but, I think Mia wants to see you too." He thought about it for a moment before placing down his bag and walking with me to their room. He walked over to Emma's bed where both of the girls were. They looked over at him, "Ethan." Emma smiled wrapping her arms around his neck. He held her for a second and I thought I saw a smile, but that was short lived because Emma then asked, "Have you heard anything from the lady that saved us?" Ethan looked over at me before taking a breath, "No. I haven't. Good night girls. If you need me you know where I am." "But, you just got here," Emma started but Ethan was already checked out, "Sorry Ems I'm just tired." He left the room and I went after him, "Ethan are they talking about..." He just turned to face me, "It's not important. Good night." He walked faster away and turned the corner.

(Ethan POV)

"All participants please make your way back on the ice" The announcer's voice echoed. I looked over at both of them, "I have to go back out there." "Ethan we still need to talk..." Alden started but, Andrew stopped him, "We'll see you after." I nodded my head and made my way back out. I stood on the ice with all the other competitors and waited. They were announcing the top 10 and they made their way to the top 3. If I didn't place in there then all that work was for nothing. Third place was announced. Second. "And your overall champion of the Northern Kingdoms Ice Dancing Competition is Prince Ethan Albridge of Albuquerque." I made my way up and heard all the cheers for me but, it didn't feel right. I couldn't even bring myself to smile as they handed me the trophy.

I thanked everyone and skated off. I went to pack everything up, I had to get out of here and get everything back under control. I was throwing things into my bag when I heard a voice from behind me, "You know for someone who just won the Championship, you don't seem very happy right now." I groaned, I didn't want to deal with anyone right now, "Look..." I snapped but, I was stunned. It couldn't be... It wasn't possible... It couldn't be real... "Mira?"