The Mage's Son

10

I get up and out of Avalon's bed. I rush to Askari's guest room. I have one minute left. I yawn and open the door. I didn't see her. The door closes and she claps her hands.

"Congratulations. You are as dumb as I thought. You fell in love with the prince. That's why he has been so distant lately." She pulls me by the arm. I was dragged on her easy chair. She looks angry.

"Ma'am, I didn't....."

"Shut up! Listen here. Avalon and I are going to get married. I will be future princess of Valkyrie. You are not going to get in the way of that. Got it?" She pokes my chest.

"Technically I don't have to listen to you. You aren't royalty." I smile.

She grabs her chest then grabs mine, "Really? They don't know that. You will cooperate with me."

"What could you possibly have on me?" I fold my arm.

"Power. I have the power to put you in the dungeon. You will pretend not to like him or I will get you fired. The prince can't do anything about it. Especially if I tell him you are trying to kill him. Or I could kill you now. But either way is effective." She laughs.

I couldn't do anything about. Wait a minute. Yes I can. This isn't an ordinary kingdom. Magic.
"I'll tell him tomorrow."

"You will tell him. I will be there. Don't try anything. Even better, I will move the wedding up one day. You will hate him. Got it?" She smiles.

I nod. I already had a plan. The mage said stick to my instincts.
******************************
The next day, everything was in place. The wedding was in two days. I had to avoid Avalon for five hours. He noticed the first hour. It wasn't until I went to the garden that he caved.

The garden is pretty. Three rows of roses, four of lilies, five of marigolds, and six of gumtrees. I had to pick a dozen roses for each bouquet. Twelve times twelve equals 144.

Askari was following me. She was hiding behind a Gumtree. I pick a rose. Someone grabs my hand.

"What's wrong?" Avalon asks. I stare at Askari peeping through the tree.
"Look at me." He opens and closes a fist. I don't know what happened but everything was soundproof.
"Speak."

"Long story short, your fiancée wants me to break up with you." I say fast.

"Okay...... No surprise there. Why are you avoiding me?"

"If I am seen around you, she will kill me or throw me in a dungeon. I thought I was scared but she's dumber than she seems. And I know you have to marry her so let's just make this goodbye." I huff. You could hear things now.

"Noooo. I don't have to get married. I'm not leaving you either." He kisses me.
"I love you. Don't ever try to avoid me again. Clear?"

"Yes sire." I watch him walk away. I sigh.

"Nothing gets by you, does it? You knew this would happen. You lead me on. You lied to me. And lying is a felony. Boys!" Askari calls from the tree.

Two giant men march towards me and pick me up.

"Take her to the dungeon for perjury. Never let her out. Don't worry maid. In his eyes you'll be dead." She laughs.

I knew I would go into the dungeon. Just not this dungeon. When I open my eyes, I was in a purple room. There was light purple swirls. I could touch the walls.

"You thought I was going to put you in a regular dungeon. Nope. I want something you can't get out of. I'm the princess! I WILL PREVAIL! Welcome to the mage dream world. Everyone can get in but only mages can get out. Bye bye." Askari's voice rings in my head. There was nothing here. Nothing.
******************************
In the regular world. The next day.

Avalon was running through the halls of the castle. "Have any of you seen Haven?" He asks all of the maids.

None of them knew where I was. Now none of them will ever know.

"My lord! You have to get ready for your wedding tomorrow." His tailor pushes him in the sewing room.

"Wait! What if I don't want to get married?"

"My lord, she's a princess. You are destined to marry her. Remember what your father said."

"Yeah yeah yeah. Get on with it then."