The Heirs

Andrew and Amara: Silent Reunions

Chapter 34:

(Andrew POV) -Tangu-

I walked with Uncle Zandar to his office stunned at what I just saw. Amara was... Amara was... I couldn't even imagine what they had done to her that she came home in such a state. I didn't even realize that he had sat me down in a chair until I looked up as he started talking, "Andrew, Amara has not told me what happened yet. All she said was that she was happy to be home from her trip and that there was some news that she had to share with everyone as soon as a package arrived." I ran my fingers through my hair, "I just don't get it. There was no possible way for my not to find her in Kygrastonia but, no other place could have hidden her away for that long. All of them are your allies." I spoke into my hands, "It doesn't make sense." He let out a breath, "She hasn't spoken besides that, since she came home. She hasn't even really moved. I called for Hildegard and she is coming home from Enchancia with your mother soon. I hope they could get something out of her."

I nodded into my hands but, let out a shaky breath, "What have I done?" I whispered to myself. If I had talked to Amara, maybe this wouldn't have happened. If I had come with her when she came home that day from Albuquerque, maybe this wouldn't have happened. If I had kept a closer eye on Malcolm...Malcolm? I looked up, "What have you heard about Malcolm?" He shook his head, "Nothing. It is like he never existed. I tried contacting his references none of them have heard of him, I sent people to his home village not a soul knows who he is. I don't know what his involvement was, but you were right to be suspicious of him." "I was right," I breathed out. It was a heartbreaking reality, "I was right. I was right." He had come around and put a hand on my shoulder, "You were right." I breathed into my hands again.

The door to the office and flew open, "WHERE ARE OUR CHILDREN?" I turned and saw Mom and Aunt Hildegard bursting into the room. They looked no better than I did and for two people who prided themselves on their appearance it was a shocking sight to see. Mom ran over to me, "Andrew." She wrapped her arms around me as I still sat in the chair but I held onto her as tightly as she held onto me. "Andrew, you can't do that to me. You can't disappear without telling me. Your father sometimes has to leave but he always tells me that he is. You need to tell me. If anything happened to you..." She held onto me again, "I need to know." I nodded my head into her shoulder. I realized that Zandar and Hildegard had left the room, probably to see Amara. I would join them in a bit but, right now I needed my Mom. I heard footsteps come closer and I heard Dad's voice, "Andrew?" Mom let go of me and I stood up and turned to face him. He quickly held onto me as well and Mom stayed close to both of us.

(Amara POV)

I stayed perfectly still, though I felt like falling onto the floor. My dignity was the only thing keeping me upright in that moment. I heard footsteps working their way into the throne room, but I had grown good at ignoring footsteps that were approaching me. Hiding away any indication of what was going on was how I survived. "Amara?" I looked up and saw Mom looking over at me and Dad standing beside her with a hand on her shoulder. She came closer to me and I flinched back. It was the one thing I was never able to disguise. A hurt expression crossed her face but, I needed the safety of the perimeter.

"Sweetheart?" My lips stayed pursed shut. My throat cracked whenever I tried to speak and I preferred to be quiet. Mom attempted to come closer again and after my initial flinch she made her way closer and closer. She slowly reached out her hand to hold mine. It was shaking in hers but, I didn't pull away, "We are glad that you are home. Do you want to go to your room and get some sleep, maybe have a maid draw you a bath?" I nodded my head. "Ok," she smiled gently. She looked over at Dad, "Have a maid begin to draw a bath for Amara, I'm going to go with her to her room." He nodded his head and ran off. She then turned to face me again, "Do you mind if I give you a hug?" My heart began beating harder in my chest but, I slowly nodded my head and she wrapped her arms around me, "I am so happy you are home" she said again. She walked me to my room and besides the guards who were stationed throughout the castle I didn't see a soul.

We made our way to my room and she guided me to my bed. It was softer than I remembered. I looked up at Mom, "Someone will come get you when your bath is ready. You should rest for a while." I nodded my head. She went to get up but I held onto her hand, not wanting her to leave. She looked at me, "Amara?" I bit my lip a little as I forced my mouth open, but before I could start to try and say anything Mom smiled and knowingly nodded her head. She went over and pulled a chair next to my bed, "I won't go anywhere." I nodded my head and went to sleep. I didn't sleep long though as memories flooded my mind I shot up like a rocket and looked around the room. Mom had gotten up and came over to me, "Amara." The maid then knocked on the door, "Your bath is ready." I got up and nodded my head and made my way out. I was alone in the washroom and as I took off my gown I saw all the bruises I had collected, up and down my arms and legs, along my ribs across my stomach, I just felt sore. I washed the last few days off of me and put on a silk robe and a veil that had been laid out for me.

I made my way back to my room when I turned the corner and bumped into someone and fell to the floor. I could feel the bruise forming along my side as I looked up. A hand was stretched out to me, I followed the arm up and saw Andrew, "Amara." My hand was shaking as I gently placed it into his. He helped me up and I didn't want him to let go. I slowly retracted my hand, "What happened?" I looked down at the ground still not saying anything. "Was it Malcolm?" My eyes widened but I still didn't say anything. He put a hand on my shoulder searching for some kind of answer. I brushed of his hand and went to walk past him. I whispered, "Sorry." That was all I could manage to say to him. My voice was coarse and rough and dry. My fate was sealed and it was my own fault, but I wouldn't let it hurt Andrew anymore. I couldn't hurt him too or anyone else I loved. I had to go through with my deal. I looked down at the ring on my finger and felt the tears well up in my eyes again. I took a long deep breath making them disappear and silently made my way back to my room.

(Andrew POV)

I watched as she walked away after saying 'Sorry' and could feel a lump form in my throat. I don't know what happened out there but, Amara was not the same. I wanted to do something to help her but, I didn't know what I could do. I made my way back to the throne room where everyone else was waiting besides Aunt Hildegard. They all looked over at me hoping I had some answers or something but, I shook my head. We heard a loud knock on the door and Uncle Zandar gestured for them to be let in. A messenger came closer and handed him an envelope and quickly left. We watched as Uncle Zandar opened the envelop and waited for him to say something. "It is a wedding invitation from Krygastonia for the marriage of their prince and..." He looked up at all of us, "Amara." We heard a shuffle and looked at the top of the stairs where Amara was standing with her head bowed down as she turned to walk away.