Five Kingdoms

Chapter 11

All six of us sit on thrones placed on the stage as the Yarrow king makes his way to the front of the room.

"Kings and Queens, welcome to the voting ceremony. In a moment, each kingdom will announce the ruler or rulers they will accept to sit on their throne, once all the kingdoms are done, the potential rulers can accept the offer they wish, but if someone wants the same kingdom, they have the right to challenge them for the spot. Are the kingdoms ready?"

Heads nod in the crowd as the chosen speakers for the kingdoms step forward.

"Let's begin. My kingdom, the Yarrows will go first. The Yarrow Kingdom selects Vance Saber, prince of the Yarrow kingdom."

A red-headed little girl comes forward holding out a piece of paper, "The Amaryllis Kingdom was looking for courage and strength and found it in our very own Ivory Fox, princess of the Amaryllis kingdom as well as Evelyn Gatlin, princess of the Heather kingdom."

The words echo in my mind, I've done it, I've been offered a way out. A smile creeps along my face and I feel someone stare at me. I turn to see Ryder, his face still but his eyes smiling; he's happy for me, and for some reason that unsettles me.

I turn to look back as a blonde, tall, muscular guy steps forward, "The Freesia kingdom would like Ryder Winstone, prince of the Begonia kingdom, to accept our offer."

Next, a girl a few years younger than me with pink eyes walks forward, "The Begonia kingdom proudly offers Ryn Sabar, prince of the Yarrow kingdom, and Evelyn Gatlin, princess of the Heather kingdom the opportunity to sit on our throne."

My mother steps up last, her eyes gleaming, "We, the Heather kingdom, ask for Ryder Winstone, prince of the Begonia kingdom, and Cara Avila, princess of the Freesia Kingdom."

Something about the way she says Cara's name sends shivers up my spine and my heart drops as the voices of the Yarrow king and queen replay in my mind

"I suppose the weak link is Cara; she crumbled the fastest, and I doubt she's good with a sword. If anything, she will only be chosen if one of the royals needs someone to manipulate."

"I agree on that front."

And then I remember last night the promise I made to Ivory

"Can you do me a favor? I'm afraid that whichever King or Queen chooses Cara only wants to manipulate and rule through her. If you believe any of the kingdoms to have bad intentions, protect her."

What can I do? The only way I can stop Cara from going to the Heather kingdom.....no. No, no, this wasn't supposed to happen. I look up at my mother and see the gleam in her eyes and the smile that lies on her lips. I look to Ivory, wishing I knew if she would be willing to make the same choice, but I know she can't. Ryder wouldn't take this away from Cara, knowing this is the only kingdom that gave her an offer. It has to be me.

"I accept the Begonia Kingdom offer." Declares Ryn as he stands proudly, shaking hands with the royals.

It is then I realize if I want to be free and leave all I've ever known I must quickly accept the Amaryllis Kingdoms offer and yet, I sit there completely still.

Vance stands up as he speaks, "I accept the responsibility of ruling the Yarrow Kingdom."

Cara stands walking to my mother to give her a hug, "I happily say yes to ruling the Heather kingdom,"

Ivory starts to speak but I bust out, "I claim the Heather kingdom on the grounds of my birthright."

The room falls silent as the king of Yarrow clarifies," In the rules, birthright does overpower desire, Eveylen Gatlin, are you sure you want to rule the Heather kingdom?"

I look up, trying to push all the fear out of my voice before I respond, I want to look strong, "Yes."

"Then it is settled, Cara, you may not accept the Heather kingdom offer, and seeing as no other kingdoms have reached out to you, please come down from the stage."

I wish to look over at Cara, but I don't. I keep my eyes nailed straight before me, staring into a wall as I hear the doors to the board room open and then slam.

"As I was trying to say, I accept the Amaryllis Kingdom," Ivory says

Ryder stands as he walks across the stage over to me, "I, Ryder Winstone, challenge Evelyn Gatlin for the Heather kingdom."

He lends his hand out to me as I look up at him, confusion running around my brain.

I take his hand, feeling callous, coat his fingers, and stand, leaning close to his ear as I whisper, "What are you doing?"

"I could ask you the same; you took away Caras's right to rule all for a kingdom you were trying to leave. Why?"

His pink eyes seem to grow a darker shade of pink, telling me he thinks I'm unpredictable, making me dangerous. I look down, realizing I'm still holding his hand as warmth spreads across my fingers. Why would he hold the hand of someone he clearly doesn't trust? I let go as I glance back at his eyes, which are still focused on me.

"Why do you care?"

"It doesn't make sense, just last night you told me you would go anywhere as long as it wasn't home, and yet once allowed to go somewhere else, you claim your home kingdom from underneath someone who had no other opportunities."

"Maybe I lied, after all, why would I trust you? I don't know you, and you don't know me."
He stills but I can't tell if he's hurt or if he understands.

"On what grounds do you challenge Evelyn Gatin?"

We both turn to the crowd, remembering where we are.

"Because I was also offered the Heather kingdom."

"Ryder we have already clarified birthright overpowers desire." The yarrow king seems as though he wishes to move forward with the morning and isn't thrilled about the challenge.

"What of the desire of the kingdom? Does that not matter?"

"You want the kingdom to choose between the two of you?"

"I want Queen Sandra of the Heathers to decide."

I freeze. I don't know who she will pick, and while this gives me a way out, I can't take it. I don't know what she would do to Ryder, but I don't wish to find out.

"Ryder," I whisper

He turns to face me, "Please don't do this, you don't understand what you are walking into."

His eyebrows shift down in confusion.

The Yarrow king clears his throat causing us to look back to him, "Unfortunately, Ryder, Evelyn's offers have already been claimed, and the Freesia still need a ruler in which you were the only one selected so I must decline your proposal."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding in, relieved that he wasn't chosen for the Heathers. However, the relief doesn't last long as my eyes meet my mother's, and fear slams into me. I've agreed to give up my freedom. It's that thought that lingers the longest as the King speaks.

"Your coronations will be planned by your kingdom. Until then, you are still only a prince or princess, you all will meet again once you are King or Queen at the remembrance ball. Until then, you will go your separate ways. Your transportation is here to take you home, safe travels to you all."