Fallen Kingdom ✔️

Best Friends

Jumping out to the golden door carriage, I found that Rathelia has her hands lit up and Gwen helped by using a Wyvernth to keep them from moving. I was proud of how far Gwen had come with using a Wyvernth. She must have been practicing on the journey.

Bowen came running out behind me. "Stop!" I yelled at him.

"What is it? What's wrong?" He asked, trying to move more.

The woman went running towards us. "Stop right there, Maiden!"

"Or what?" She asked, looking like she was royalty of Servania. "That's my future husband standing behind you."

I used my Wyvernth. "Or I stick this through your throat and out of your skull. Bowen, do you know this woman?"

"Yes, that's one of my childhood friends. She would only stay in the castle. At a young age, my parents decided I would marry her, but I never wanted to. Her name is Merradath. The man is Coopska. He's my best friend and royal guard."

I let the woman by, putting my Wyvernth back into my belt when it became a metal rod before. I watched as she ran to him, hugging him tight. He obviously had no feelings towards her, but Coopska did. I could see the hurt in his eyes as he watched her snuggle into him.

Coopska walked over to me. "I know you, you're the girl from Wyverna seven years ago. What are you doing here with Servania royalty and Wyverna royalty?"

"Nice seeing you too. Let me introduce myself. I'm Vic. Short for Victoria."

His eyes widened. "As in, Princess Victoria?"

"Exactly Princess Victoria. I understand why you're here, wanting to protect your best friend and Prince, but what is that woman doing here? I've never seen her before."

"Merra? She's a shut in princess who's lived with Bowen for a years. She refused to go outside until Bowen snuck out. When I left, she followed me."

"And you had to protect her. I understand how you feel."

Bowen was talking to Rolande and Merradath. I thought he was introducing his beautiful bride to be, but instead he left her with Rolande. Heartbreak filled her. My eyes widened as that happened. Bowen walked over to us.

He smiled. "My two best friends have met now! That's great! I can't believe Merradath. I have rejected her since we met. I told my parents I didn't want to marry her. I still don't. Thanks for keeping her alive though, Coop."

"Anytime, Bow." Coopska told Bowen, their fists bumping. "So, you had a female princess guard for the last week?"

"You mean Vic, yeah. Isn't she great? A woman strong enough to fight for herself and not need a guard. She's taught me how to fight for myself as well. I'm a natural at it."

I looked to Coopska. "Bowen is not a natural at anything. Don't take his word for it because he's a prince."

Bowen pouted. "Princess, in Wyvena, is it true that it doesn't matter who you are or what you are?"

"Very true."

"So a dark skinned boy could be more than a guard?"

Coopska. I knew the name. "You're the grandson of Erska, aren't you?"

He nodded his head, taking his hat off to show his elf ears. "Pleased to meet you, Princess Victoria."

"Call me Vic. Any friend of Bowen's that would come this way just for a friend is my friend too. Merradath on the other hand, you can see she just wants power."

"You got that from the two seconds you knew her?" Coopska asked.

"I've seen others like that. For example, my friend Striker only wanted to marry me so he wouldn't be bullied for being half elf and half orc. There is nothing worse then false love."

He laughed. "There is one thing."

My head hung low, my chest swelling. It was the same feeling the day I found out he was dead.

"Oh yes, a broken heart. I've felt that a few times myself." Bowen put his hand on my shoulder, but I screamed at him. "Don't touch me! Take Coopska into the cabin."

"You won't be cold?" Coopska asked me, worried.

I took off the warm clothes. "Here, these should fit you. It will keep you warm. I'll travel outside for the rest of the trip North."

My skin lit on fire again, Jagg appearing in front of me. "Vic, you can't just be on fire in this snow storm. You'll get lost. Or freeze when your power runs out."

"Go warm your wife." I told him, getting on Jagg's back.

When the horses left where we stopped, I stayed. I knew how to get there already, even in this snow storm. Jagg could see right through it as an immortal being. I sat down, the ice and snow melting around me. How could Bowen not tell me his parents were to have him married to a princess from outside of the known lands? Was he really to marry me, or would he marry her even after his parents pay for their treason? Tears fell down my face, flames burning brighter and higher around me.

Jagg whimpered at me. "I know, we should get going soon. What am I to do though? Princess Merradath has arrived as his partner and Coopska has arrived as his guard. I have no reason to be around him anymore. I will have to keep to my job as a navigator. Just staying quite will be best."

Soon after, we rode off again. I followed the path of the cabins, tears falling onto Jagg's fur as we neared Nethurus. I would sleep on Jagg's back until I could get inside again. It would be hours and hours until we got to Nethurus. Days had already passed in the carriages. I'm shocked Coopska and Princess Merradath made it this far without freezing. She did have this aura to her of heat. Something I had never felt before. There was something I didn't like about her, and it wasn't just because she was Bowen's forced fiancé.