The Lost Princess

XXXIX

Ashlyn

"Ashlyn, my love."

My heavy eyes open slightly and I look around the room. My eyes focus on the people in it. Rose, Amelia, Aaron, William, Jonathan, Mother, Father, Mia, and Lily all come into view. My eyes turn to Peter, his green eyes are red with tears.

I smile, "Hello love."

A sob chokes from his mouth, "Hello beautiful." He steps over and hugs me tight, his warm breath bringing color to my cheeks. I sob softly into his embrace. One by one everyone comes up to me giving me hugs. Rose and Amelia were definitely the tightest.

I move my foot a little and feel the stitches all over. Thank the lord I didn't get an infection. But then I thought of the little boy. "Where is Cecilia?" I ask, my voice dry and cracked.

Rose pours me a glass of water, "With the nanny," I eagerly gulp the water down.

"What happened?" Lily asks, clinging into Johnathan's hand.

I look out the window, memories filling my head and tears brimming in my eyes, "D-Deliah and Tom. I-I thought he was good, but I guess I was wrong."

Rose purses her lips into a firm line, "We were all wrong. It's me to blame, I shouldn't have given him a chance."

Aaron stands in the corner, "You did not know, love. It shows you have a good heart. It's no one fault for him fooling us." Aaron kisses Rose on the cheek and she goes bright red. She whispers something in his ear and I notice him squeezing her hand. She nods softly and returns her focus to me.

"Are we in Amster?" I ask softly.

Peter nods, "Yes."

"Tom?"

Peter turns to Aaron, who nods, "He's in the dungeon now. Peter is working on interrogation dates and execution."

"What of Deliah?" Rose asks.

I turn to her, "She died. Empaled by a stick." Everyone takes a sigh of relief and I turn to look at Lily and Rose, "Neither of you has reason to worry about her. You have a new family with us." They smile and come to opposite sides of my face to kiss my cheeks.

Peter kneels beside me, "I'm sorry my love. I would have found you sooner if I ran faster. Or rose the horse faster. Or this never would've happened if-"

"Peter," I take his face in my hands, "You saved my life. I would have died in that ditch if you hadn't come. You saved me. You saved us." I rub my belly.

Peter watches the motion and turns to look at me, tears brimming in his eyes, "But, how did you know? The doctors ran tests while you were asleep."

I let tears fall, "Before I woke up, I saw a vision of a little boy. Our little boy. I didn't know for certain but I guess that means-"

His arms wrap around me in a hug, "We're having a baby. Our own little baby." I laugh and Peter kisses my forehead.

A guard walks in, "My lords; the prisoner is prepared for interrogation." The men nod, kiss their woman, and file out of the room.

"You need to go," I say.

Peter turns to look at me, "I want to stay with you."

"I'll be fine Peter," I motion to the girls, "I have them. Go, be the king we know you can be." I rub the belly. He smiles and kisses my belly and my forehead.

Peter

The boys and I walked into the chambers. Tom is chained to a chair surrounded by a pool of blood. My mind flashed back to Sedrick's interrogation and I swallowed a lump in my throat. Aaron notices and walks over to me, "If it's too much, we can handle it."

I shake my head, "I'll be fine Aaron. I have to do this. For her."

I walk to Tom and he looks up at me. Blood dripping from all the corners of his mouth. "We let you into our kingdoms and you betrayed us. Why?" I ask, my voice straining. I'm nearly on the verge of crying.

Tom spits out a tooth but continues to stare into my eyes. Aaron grabs his neck, "We caught you red-handed. You have any last words."

Tom turns to me and smiles, "There's one more. You'll never guess."

Aaron punches Tom's jaw and he howls in pain. I step on his foot, "You'll be executed in two days' time. I suggest you enjoy whatever breath you have left." I stomp on his toe with my heel and walk out.

Aaron runs to me, "What did he mean by 'one more'?"

"I don't think it's anything we need to worry about. We're fine," I reply, "Now, to see my wife."

IM SOOOOOO SOOOOO SORRRYYY. Life's been super rough and I've had some busy months. I have been meaning to update but I just never had time. I'm super sorry. But I appreciate you guys still being dedicated. 100K reads is amazing and I never would've been able to do without those of you who keep me going! I'm soo honored and happy that I got to experience this. You guys have made this book a success.

For the sad news, there will be two more chapters after this. The book is ending. It's been a wild ride this past couple of years and I've learned to live these characters.

HOWEVER, there will be a sequel!! YAYYY!!!! I have an idea! And I will definitely be publishing it soon. (;

~ Leslie :)