True Love's Cry

Chapter 15

 I don't know why, but I don't like knowing the queen is dead. I mean I didn't really know her and honestly I am perfectly okay with the whole I'm going queen thing. So, why is this bothering me? Just because she technically is my mother who I recently met. I mean the woman I always thought of as my mother is already gone. I don't even like the royal family. Parker is mean, the king is well the king, and River...she is not that bad. I mean I don't secretly love the idea of having them as family. Right?

 When we step inside, Parker is waiting for us. We stop, but no one says anything. Parker keeps looking towards the door.

 "Did you tell Nakayla?” Cole asks.

 Parker shakes his head. "She didn't answer her phone.”

 I ask, "Where is your sister?”

 Parker turns to me and shrugs. "She ran away and I don't know where she went. We just hope she comes back eventually. No one can ever find her, except you.”

 I ask, "Do you want me to look for her?”

 "If you don't mind.”

 I don't know why, but Parker seems nicer right now. However I have noticed, he actually does love his sister. I'm not sure about anything else, but from the few occurrences I have seen them together, I can tell Parker would do anything for River.

 I turn and walk out of the castle. I notice that it stopped raining at some time, but it could begin to rain again. I look around and try to figure out where River might have gone. Last time, she was hidden in an area that was not noticeable, which honestly are the best places to be alone. I decide to look there first, but she is not there. I run around the castle and I am about to give up looking here, when I see something down by the water. I admit I'm not entirely sure if saw anything, because there are quite a few trees and bushes down by the water. I decide it is worth checking out.

 I start going to the river. It is strange, because I am used to the river by the colony, not the castle. Somehow it is different here and yet exactly the same. As I am thinking this, I see River out of the corner of my eye. She does not seem to notice me. She is sitting on the riverbank looking out at the river. I make my way over to her and sit down.

 "So,” I begin, "River is at the river.”

 She doesn't look at me or reply.

 "I know, it's stupid.” She finally says.

 I look at her. "No it's not. I love the river. Something tells me you do to.”

 She nods and is quiet again. After a few moments she turns to me.

 "Kierra...”

 "Come here.” I tell her.

 She comes closer.  I wrap my arms around her and she rests her head on my shoulder.

 "My mom died.” She says.

 I barely hear her. I am surprised she is not crying.

 "I know. Are you okay?” I ask.

 River shakes her head. "I thought she would always be here. I thought she would see me grow up and I don't know. Then she got sick and now I will never see her again.”

 This time I am quiet. I don't really know what to say.

 "Maybe she won't be here, but you still have your father and Parker.” I tell her.

 "They don't understand me. They try and I know they love me, but it's not the same.”

 I nod. "She's your mother. She's a girl. Of course no one will ever compare to her.”

 When River doesn't reply, I start to speak again.

 "I have an idea. Tell me about your mother. I want your favorite memory of her, your favorite thing about her, your least favorite thing about her, and anything else. Remember, I don't know her. This might make you feel better.”

 River takes a deep breath. "I remember this one time when I was very little and it was storming. I wouldn't leave my mother's side, not even when Parker said he would play with me, which never happened. I still hate storms, but I always think of that day.”

 I smile. That is sweet. We might be getting somewhere.

 River continues. "My mom always knew what to say. No matter what happened, I knew I could trust her and everything would be alright. Just like you.”

 River turns to me.

 "You're kidding right?” I say.

 "No. I meant what I said.”

 I didn't know she thought of me like that, but it is nice.

 "That’s sweet. Now tell me more.”

 River has to think for a moment. "My mom never trusted me right away. I'm not sure anyone does, but I guess they do have their reasons.”

 "Maybe if you didn't eavesdrop on everyone's conversations, they would trust you more.”

 "Yeah, maybe. You know she was like that too, right? Maybe not so much of an eavesdropper, but she always did things she shouldn't have when she was younger.”

 "That’s interesting.” I tell River.

 I never imagined anyone in the royal family would act like they do. However, I guess I also never thought I would be the long lost princess. Maybe no one ever knows what is going to happen. Maybe it is always the unexpected that happens. At least, in my experience, that is how life works.

 "What about you, Kierra? Do you ever get into trouble?”

 I laugh a little. "I'm not sure I have ever done anything right. I always seem to mess something up.”

 "I want to know about you.” River says, so I can hear.

 "What do you want to know?”

 I am not sure I am entirely comfortable talking about myself, but I would do it for River. Especially if it makes her feel better.

 "Tell me what it is like being a Nobudee.”

 Why? Out of all the things she could have said. Why?

 I take a deep breath. "You know for a Magestee, you don't act like a Magestee.”

 "I do too. I just think Nobudees are cool. Now, stop trying to change the subject. Tell me.”

 "It’s difficult. I mean surviving is, but I don't know. I guess it is kind of cool.”

 "Explain.” River demands.

 "Well, everyone is like a big family, even though we keep our distance from each other. You always know they will be there for you. Also, living outside is interesting, especially for me. However, when it storms it is dangerous.”

 "That makes sense. What is it like getting food?”

 I hesitate. What do I tell her? We go looking for scraps in the garbage? That is embarrassing. Not as embarrassing as being found in the garbage by a guy who will end up being your boyfriend, but that is beside the point. Surely, River knows what we do. All the other Magestees do.

 "I'm not telling. Now, how about going back inside?”

 "I can't.”

 "Yes, you can.” I tell her. "Your family is worried about you. Just come inside and everything will be alright. Okay?”

 "Okay.”

 We both stand up and turn towards the castle. Something seems odd, but I'm not sure what it is. I just ignore it and we walk back inside. There does not seem to be anyone there when we walk in. River doesn't seem bothered. She starts to run off down the hall. I am going to leave, but River comes back and gives me a hug.

 "I love you, Kierra. I know we have not known each other for long, but I know that is true.”

 Before I can respond, she leaves. I do not know what to do suddenly. I start to walk away, thinking about what River said. If s had not run off, would I have said I loved her or would I have just left her? I don't know, but that is what bothers me the most.