The Heirs

Ethan: Alright

Chapter 18:

(Ethan POV) -Albuquerque-

I ran off back to the shack. Maybe I wouldn't miss her or I could see where she went. I opened the door and couldn't believe what I saw. She had left. She actually left. I was too late. I was too late. I knew that, that was the plan and I knew that it was a long shot but, a part of me hoped she would still be here. I left the shack and headed back to the castle. I had no way of knowing where she went or if she would ever come back but, I had to go back. I promised I would.

I made my way back to the castle and I saw Alden waiting outside for me. He had a serious look on his face and I knew that something was up. "What now?" He sighed, "You are needed in the throne room." I wasn't sure what was going on, "Alden?" He took another breath, "You are needed in the throne room. That is all I am allowed to say." I nodded my head, "Alright." I walked into the throne room and Mom and Dad were seated in their thrones. Mom nudged her head to indicate that I was to stand next to her. I went in front of them and bowed before going to my post. I whispered, "What is going on?" Dad looked up at me, "Someone was brought in who is believed to be connected to the Cunninghams. We need to determine what to do." I nodded my head and we watched as two men walked in with a girl in between them. The guy in front went into a bow, "Your Majesties." The other one ripped off the burlap sack and I felt a lump in my throat form, "We found a Cunningham."

(Damira POV)

I watched as he left, and a part of me wanted for him to just come back. I knew that he wouldn't but, I still hoped. I heard some knights yelling that they found him. He was gone. I picked up my bags and was going to make my way out but I looked back at this place. I took a breath. I lifted up my hood and put on my mask. I ran my fingers over the pin that he gave me one more time before nodding my head and heading out. I ran through the woods, I had to get out of here quickly. I looked over my shoulder and ran into something. As I looked up I saw a man with his hand stretched out in front of me, "Are you alright?" I nodded my head, "Yeah, sir I'm fine." I took his hand and he helped me stand up.

I looked myself over and realized that my hood was down, I quickly pulled it up and over my head. "What are you doing out here? It is dangerous for a person to be out here alone," he started but I looked him in the eye, "I can say the same about you." He nodded his head, "That is fair, but I am out here looking for someone. The prince went missing last night and everyone is out looking for him." I nodded my head, "That makes sense but, I am just making my way through." I went to walk past him but, he held up a hand to stop me, "That is a very pretty pin." I smiled, "Thank you." I tried to walk away again but he stopped me, "You know it is said that the prince has one of those pins that you have on your cloak." I felt the pin and looked him in the eye. He smirked, "You know it is also said that there are other people that we need to look out for in these woods. People are willing to pay a very high price for..." he ripped off my hood, "a Cunningham." No, no, no this couldn't be happening. He smirked, "You are coming with me."

I yanked myself free from his grasp and started running back towards the shack. I had to hide and besides Ethan no one knew where that was. I had to get somewhere safe and get out. I ran and ran and saw that he was close on my heels but then i ran straight into another man. "Took you long enough," The man behind me said. I tried shaking myself free but there was no way out this time. He yanked off my hood and mask, "Oh we have hit the mother load. Now come on there are some people who would love to see you." I kept kicking and screaming and his friend began punching me in my stomach while the other one held onto me. He put a gag over my mouth and a burlap sack over my head so I couldn't see, as the other one tied my hands behind my back. "Now let's move." They pushed me forward and held a knife to my back as they guided me somewhere. Gabriel was right. I shouldn't have come here.