The Lost Princess

XXXV

Ashlyn

My eyes drifted open and I felt a sting in the back of my head. Probably from the glass. Deliah has popped open a bottle of whiskey and was chugging it down. Her dark eyes glance at me, "Ah, sleeping beauty is up."

I don't respond. Not only because I'm terrified beyond belief, but I also don't know what to say. Words are stuck in my throat.

"So you're all royal now that you can't respond to me. Tramp," she whispers and walks closer to me, bringing the mouth of the bottle to my lips, "Open."

I shake my head violently. She pushed the bottle on my lips, "Drink!" I shake my head again and she grabs my neck, causing me to gasp for air. She pours the liquid down my mouth. She lets go of my neck and I spit the burning alcohol out into her eyes. Deliah screams, "Stupid bitch!" She tried to backhand me.

I slump down, still tied to whatever it is I'm tied to and she ends of slamming her hand against the thing. She howls in pain and knees me in the stomach. I puke and hit tears run down my cheek. My stomach hurls violently. Deliah walks around and unchains me. I crumple to the floor, my body hitting the glass shards stained with blood from my head. I get up and try to run away.

Deliah follows and tackles me back to the floor. I punch and scratch her. She takes her hand and suffocates my mouth and nose. I scream as I start to find it hard to breathe. She removes her hand and pours the whiskey down my throat. It burns like the flame of a million fires. It hurts and tastes awful, I don't know how she's addicted. My stomach hurts and I puke in her face.

She growls and slaps me hard. I scream as she continues to slap me. Then she starts to punch my stomach. "That's what you get! You took everything from me!"

"Deliah! Leave me alone! Help!" I sob.

She grabs a clump of my hair, "You think they're gonna come save you! Especially that Peter is yours! He isn't coming!" She slams my head to the floor and it throbs. I feel my vision go fuzzy and the room starts to spin. My eyes roll back as unconscious overtakes me.

Peter

I ordered half the army to be on the watch. There was no way she was going missing again. Not on my watch. I wrote letters to the different kingdoms addressing the crisis, making sure they were properly delivered. I knew it was Deliah. She wasn't going to kidnap Ashlyn for another 16 years; not on my watch.

I grab a bag in my room and stuff it with some clothes and food. One of my maids walks in, "Your Majesty, are you taking a trip? May I be of assistance?"

I shake my head and stuff more clothes, "It's alright. But actually, I need you to go to my weapons room and grab a pistol and a knife."

"Yes my lord," the maid scurries out and about five minutes later she runs back in with a fully loaded gun and a knife. "I also arranged a swift horse, your majesty with your riding gear. I assumed that you would need one for whatever your journey is."

I smile, "Thank you." I run to the stables and mount the prepared horse. He had a shiny black coat with a leather saddle that could fit two people. I grab the stirrups and have the horse move. He gallops off and I grab hold. I was going to find her if it was the last thing I did.

Aaron

I sat in my office, going over the last forms for the rebuilding of the dressmaker's shop for Tom. Rose was nursing Cecilia in the other room. It was a very quiet day. It was a lot we were doing for Tom, but he is family and Cecilia has taken a liking to him.

"Your Majesty!" The message boy runs in, "Urgent news!"

"Calm down Paul. Whatever is the matter? You're as red as an apple!" I exclaim.

Paul heaves out, "It's... Ashlyn. She's been.. kidnapped. Think... it's Deliah."

My heart sinks and my ears pump with blood. I squeeze my fists together as anger circulates my veins, "Assemble the army. Set them around the borders of the town. No one is to leave the borders without my permission. GO!"

Paul's face goes white, "Y-Yes sir!" He runs out to finish my task. I run to the room where Rose is nursing Cecilia. Rose was cradling her lovingly as Cecilia had dozed off in her embrace.

"I fed her. You look angry, my love," Rose whispers before putting Cecilia in the bassinet.

"Ashlyn has been kidnapped. Again. They think it's Deliah," I fume.

Rose's eyes go wide. She walks over to me and places her hands on my shoulders, "She is strong and resilient. She found us before and she will find us again. Anger won't solve anything, my love."

I shake my head, "No. I have a right to me angry. Once I get my hands on Deliah, I'll finish her myself." I walk to the door and turn to Rose, "Until then, you are not allowed to leave the palace walls."

"What!" Rose exclaims softly, "No, I am queen and I have the right to-"

"And I am king! I make the final say Rose! You are not leaving and guards will escort you everywhere inside this palace! Understood?" I bark at her, the anger and authority in my voice clear.

Rose blushes red and nods, "Yes." A single teardrop rolls down her cheek and I turn around, then in anger; slam the door. I walk down the hallway and can hear her brokenhearted sobs from the end. I take a deep breath. I am doing what's best for her.

I march to the captain of the guard, "I want every woman in the palace to be escorted by a guard at all times. None are permitted to leave without my permission unless they have to go to their quarters. Keep an extra eye on Rose, Cecilia, and Mother. If they break the rules, send them to me."

He nods, "Yes sir."

I was going to protect my family, get Ashlyn back, and kill Deliah; no matter what it takes.