Forbidden Love

Chapter 27: Chance Encounter

I want to start off by saying that I appreciate everyone and their feedback. From comments to votes, it all is just so amazing and I am extremely glad that you all enjoy my book. Being a personal bookworm myself, I never would've imagined having so many people enjoy the things I write. I want to dedicate chapters like I used to but there are so many votes and comments that it seems nearly impossible to pick just one person. So this chapter is officially dedicated to all of you because without you guys I wouldn't be updating right now. 

In honor of this dedication, I figured it would be the perfect time to bring back a beloved character but this time with a different attitude than before. Enjoy :)

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I crept down the hall, consciously criticizing myself at every wail of a loose floorboard. The palace was almost pitch black and I was thankful for the clear night, allowing the moon to illuminate my path. I knew what I was searching for but I still wasn't sure on where exactly to look. 

In Riley's room I couldn't find a single document related to the wedding. Out of everyone, I expected him to have at least something. Too afraid to ask and get lied to, I decided to venture around for some clear and visual proof of the event. 

As I passed doorways I checked the bottom of the doors with slight cracks above the ground for any light. They all remained dark which soothed some of my nerves. Even with this laundry basket as my cover, it still didn't seem enough to calm me. Why would I be doing laundry at night? I began to think of a full proof alibi to ensure my protection in the rare case that I were to be discovered. 

Couldn't sleep? Not good enough. 

Behind in laundry? Perhaps. 

Threw up and needed to wash the towels that cleaned it up? Perfect!

With my excuse in hand, I began to feel a bit more confident as I strolled down the empty hallways. I came up with the idea to check the kitchen first. Perhaps the date would be listed on a calendar so that the chefs could be prepared for the overload of food. 

I reached the end of the hall and was turning into the right corridor when a door cried out. Instinctively, I froze, hoping the darkness of the shadows would conceal me. It became dead silent and the hairs on the back of my neck and arms began to raise. 

"K-K-Kaitlynn?" A tiny voice spoke into the void of darkness in my direction. 

"Yes?" I responded with curiosity towards the familiarity of the voice. 

Small footsteps padded in my direction, growing louder as they got nearer. At last a rush of force slammed against me and I stumbled backwards trying to keep my balance. The impact stunned me momentarily, until I realized the arms wrapped around me that put my mind at ease.  

"I'm so glad your back." Andrew mumbled into the ruffles of my dress. 

At once I enveloped him in my arms and held him against me protectively. 

"Please don't ever leave again." He paused and sniffled. 

"I can't...." His voice cracked and broke as he fought to say the words "I can't lose you too."

He burst into tears and tightened his hold around me. I pried his arms loose and separated long enough to bend down to eye level with him. 

"Andrew , honey, what do you mean too?" 

The dim moonlight caught the sparkle of water trickling down his cheek, creating a path of glitter. 

"Michelle is gone and then you left. I didn't think you would come back since she didn't."

"Where's Michelle?" I felt a pinch of guilt from not noticing her absence. 

"She got married to her suitor. She isn't coming back." The tears fell from his eyes one by one. With nothing to say, I pulled him closer in comforting embrace. I wasn't aware that she had a suitor but since Riley was engaged, it made sense that she would be too. With her wedding already over, I knew Riley's must be close behind. 

Andrew's sobs grew louder and the fear of being seen struck within me again. I ushered him back into his bedroom where we wouldn't be found. I scrambled for the matches and lit the candle on his nightstand. The room lightened up with a small yellow glow. The flame burned strong steady and constant, only flickering at rare times of wind disturbance. 

I saw that Andrew wasn't even in his proper pajama's and sorrow poured into my heart. This poor boy already had so much to deal with regularly. These struggles stacked onto his work load, creating an unhealthy balance of distress for the young boy. 

"Come on, let's get you tucked in." 

I fetched a silk blue pajama set, one of his favorites. I dressed him and sat him in bed while pulling up the covers around him. By now his eyes were puffy but dry. His nose was could match Rudolph's. 

I swept back his hair so I could show my affection by planting a tender and loving kiss on his revealed forehead. 

"Do you think you'll be able to get some rest?" I asked as I saw him fight back the urge to yawn.

"I don't know..." His voice shook with uncertainty and I didn't dare allow the chance of him suffering alone anymore. 

"Well, that's okay. I'll stay right here until you do." I walked around to the other side of his bed and plopped beside him. 

"Wait I know!" I exclaimed as a light bulb flashed in my head. I sprung from the bed and over to the bookshelf. 

"How about a story?" I asked as I searched for the perfect candidate. I came across the Ugly Duckling and found it to fit the real life scenario occurring. I read the words slowly, drawing out each page as his eyes began to droop with exhaustion. However, he staid awake through the entire book. 

"The little duckling felt very alone with no friends and no family to call his own." I pronounced the words with clarity and softness to help lull him into slumber. 

"At last the ugly duckling wasn't a duckling anymore. He turned into a beautiful white swan. Everyone loved him and he made new friends and a new family. At last he had everything he ever wanted, and he was alone no more." I finished the book and glanced at Andrew to see him battling sleep. His eyelids would gradually shut before springing back open. This process repeated over and over again and I decided I would stay with him throughout the night in case he were to awaken. 

I closed the book and placed it on the nightstand while simultaneously blowing a small puff of air to extinguish the dying flame. 

I rearranged the pillow and snuggled comfortably into the bed. Despite Andrew being only 10, he had a full king sized bed to himself. 

"Kaitlynn?" He called into the darkness. 

"I'm still here Andrew." I reassured. He breathed a sigh of relieve as he let his anxiety out. 

"Goodnight little prince." 

"Goodnight Kaitlynn." 

His hand found mine and he grabbed onto it immediately. I gave his hand a tight squeeze of love before my body shut down and my mind flew off into the night.