The Assassin Queen (Book Four)

Chapter 6- Ryia

Terrin and I had gotten into the worst fight yet. Sure we had argued all the time but it never gotten that bad well except when I had burned Alexandria. I suppose we had been unable to get along a lot more as of late. Terrin is my oldest friend and he seemed to be slipping away from me. It made me want to cry until I could see the other side of this storm, but I wouldn't I would smile and joke as if nothing had changed even if it was eating a hole in my heart. I burrowed myself deeper into Leo's chest and sighed contentedly as he wrapped his arms tighter around my waist. His comforting warmth lulled me to sleep. I was once again in the library sitting on the couch waiting for Simon to come so we could continue the story but as always it would seem I would have to wait until after midnight. By the time he got there I was wandering around the library skimming through the book titles. "Hello crumpet" Simon whispered in my ear making me jump. "What's up Simey?" I ask giving him a noogie. To be perfectly honest in this world I saw him as a twin brother, as though we were meant to get along and read together every night to laugh together when one of us felt down. I starred at him as tears filled my eyes uncontrollably racing down my cheeks. "What's wrong crumpet?" Simon asked bending down to my eye level. "Simey" I breathed between sobs, "I wish you were like this in waking life" I sobbed into his chest. Hugging his arms around me and whispers softly, "I wish that too crumpet" his voice cracked as though he might start crying too, "more than you will ever know". I look up at him confused. "What do you mean? All you have to do is be like you are here. You always seem so happy here that I know this is how you were meant to be, what's holding you back from being happy?" I ask wanting to help. "No more of that crumpet, no more questions or won't be able to come back here and without this I wouldn't be strong enough to live" his small sad smile turned into a full on smile as he took a small child's picture book from the self and walked me back to the couch. "Today we are going to take a break from our demon book and read an old fae tail passed down for generations. "Once upon a time" Simon started and as he continued I fell into the beautiful story of the princess that cried wishes instead of tear drops the mortal kings who wished to fill their greed and immortal kings who wished to enslave her. Though to the shock and despair of all those who took and kidnapped her she never cried. She was so numb toward them that not a single tear would fall. One day she met a peasant who helped her escape the guards of the kings, as a reward she gave him a single wish, but instead of taking the wish for himself he gave it back to her and said he'd ask for it when the time was right. As time went on they fell in love and the peasant said he needed the wish now and he left town saying he'd come back soon. Three months went by without a word from him and the night she was about to leave a knock came on the door, two men inquired if she was her peasant's beloved. She said that she once was but he left her three months ago and hasn't sent word once. The men, with pained expression told her how he was ripped to shreds by a king gone mad with greed for the princess that cried wishes, her eyes widened in realization. The men were not yet done though, They handed her a small box saying it was from the peasant boy specially crafted for her. She opened the box and gasped at the masterfully carved sliver band and at the center held the crystallized wish she had given him and she burst out crying, small wishes carved down her cheeks. She wished to everyone of them that her peasant boy would come back but not even her strongest wishes could bring back the dead, realizing she could never have it her way she used the last wish to wish her soul beside his for all eternity and with that wish her soul left and she died to see her peasant boy. I smiled at Simon as he finished the story. "What a sad ending" I said leaning against Simon. "All true stories have one" Simon said almost to himself. "We had best be off now the sun has risen in the waking world" he announced hugging me close. "I wish I could be like I am in here in every realm crumpet but no one can ever truly get what they want in the end" Simon whispered as we both woke up. Leo was still holding me tight in his arms so warm and comforting I never wished to leave. Leo's eyes fluttered open and he looked down on me and smiled. "I love you" he whispers into my ear while nuzzling my neck until I let out the unexpected laugh that only Leo can pull out of me. "I want to stay like this a bit longer, if that's okay" I say hesitantly. "How ever long you need, love" Leo said letting me snuggle into his chest and just lay there enjoying his warmth and presence until a knock on the door pulled me out of my trance. "Do you want me to get it?" Leo asked sounding annoyed with the interruption. "What in your boxers? I've got it, shirtless wonder" I said getting out of bed pulling a robe on over my loose fitting nightgown. "You know you love it!" Leo called out as I headed over to the door. I rolled my eyes before opening the entrance. I was met by a maid who looked horrified with tears streaking down her cheeks. "What's wrong" I asked my voice filled with fear. "I-it's king Ro-rowan he's dead" she choked out. "Where?!" I asked horror running through me and urgency painting my voice. "Ryia what's wrong?" Leo asked stumbling out of bed pulling pants and a shirt on. "The library" the maid answered I dashed out of the room as fast as I could manage but when I got to the library nothing could hold back my tears. Rowan was lying on his back reaching out for some unknown realm his blood spilling endlessly around him. I could only see Rowan now smiling at me with hope in his eyes when he found out I was his sister or the card he had sent me for my birthday while I was at fae camp. I had only known him for two years yet he had been kinder than I had ever deserved. He was everything a big brother ought to be. So I sat right in front of him on my knees trying to figure out how I could put him back together. What I could do to see his smile one more time. Through my tears this moment in hell seemed endless.