Chapter 7

I’m wearing a black, ankle length, dress with matching colored shoes. In a few moments, Alrich is going to pick me up to go to my our father’s funerals. He insisted on picking us up considering how spooked I was earlier today. Talon and Katy are going to ride on a couple of stallions.

In all honesty, I’m not ready for what is about to happen. I don’t how I am going to say goodbye to Daddy. I was never as close to Mama as I was him. I continue to brush my hair in silence. Daddy brought me this brush from another kingdom. He and the King have been friends since childhood.

He went to other Kingdom’s with the King sometimes. Daddy didn’t even have to do anything for the Kingdom. He just went, walked around, and shopped for Mama and me. The King just wanted him with him as friends.

Speaking of the King, he’s going to be at the funerals but, Erin says, that he’s not doing too well. He’s weak and barely able to stand. She even said that he’s going to be rolled out to the platform.

Apparently, her parents helped create a special platform just for him. I sigh. I haven’t talked to the King since Chris left. I just can’t bring myself to look into the eyes that hold the same color. I feel guilty that I should have at least went with my brother, when he went to check on him, and gave him my well wishes.

Mom startles me when she takes the brush from my hand. I notice the black under her eyes and offer her a gentle smile. As hard as this is for me, my mom is struggling even more than she shows. I close my eyes, allowing her to brush my hair like she used to do when I was little. We don’t say anything, for a few moments, just enjoy the peace of nostalgia.

“You’re very beautiful, Rae.” Mama whispers. “You’re not even full grown, yet, and you have boys fighting for you.” She chuckles. I can hear sadness in her voice. “I guess that’s part of our curse, though.”

“Our curse, as in women?” I ask.

“No, honey.” She pauses. “Something worse, much worse.” She whispers so softly that I can barely hear her.

“What?” I ask, suddenly turning around.

She offers me a sad smile. “Another time, baby. Right now, we need to go. Your ride is here.”

I widen my eyes. “Mama, you can’t just say that and take off.” I snap.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.” She tries to grab me into a hug but I pull away. “Baby, you’re not ready. I can’t tell you yet.” She puts her arms down, sighing. “I just want to tell you one thing, though. Don’t be so hard on Chris.”

That did it. First she says that I’m cursed and refuses to tell me what she means. Now, she wants me to go easy on Chris?? I guess that she forgets that it was Chris who left me! Chris who broke my heart and trust! Chris who told me to leave him alone and that I was a nobody, that I was too clingy, and that he couldn’t stand being around me! I rush out of the room and into Alrich’s arms. Everything is too much.

“Whoa! What has you so worked up, Rae?” Alrich asks as he helps me onto his stallion.

I freeze for a moment, unsure of what I should say. I sigh. “Nothing. I’m just not ready for this.”

I feel him nod as he pulls me closer to him. “I’m not either.” He whispers, softly.

I can feel it. I can feel his sadness seeping into my bones. We ride in complete silence as my mind keeps wandering over everything that has happened in the past few years. I remember things that daddy and I loved to do together. How he taught me to control the horse and not let the horse control me.

How I would ride on his shoulders, when we would visit the King, because I would be too exhausted. The smiles that he gave me when I learned how tame the horses or when I first jumped on a horse without a stirrup.

“We’re here.” He whispers.

I look up and see that we have arrived at the castle. I take a deep breath, wipe my eyes, and look back at Alrich. He smiles sadly before climbing down to help me climb off. The second my feet touch, I’m wrapped up in a hug. He holds me tight to him.

“I’m here with you. You’re not alone.” He reminds me softly.

I look up at him. He’s trying to be brave but I can see the sadness seeping through his eyes. “I’m here with you as well, Alrich.”

He offers me his arm. “Shall we?”

I nod and place my arm inside of the crook of his elbow.

My heart stops when I feel a sudden chill in the air. I glance at Alrich out of the corner of my eye but he doesn’t seem affected. I shake it off as nerves and continue to walk beside him until we reach the pyres.

There are five of them. My father’s, and Alrich’s, were easily identifiable. The Queen decorated my father’s pyre with my mother’s favorite flowers while his dad’s was decorated in chrysanthemums.

Broken sobs tore my attention away from them. I glance towards the sound and see my mom holding onto Talon. I let go of Alrich and run over to them.

“Mama?” I whisper. When she doesn’t answer, I wrap her up in a hug. She sobs harder. “It’s okay, Mama. I’m here.”

Talon drops down with us as well. “I’m here, too. I’m here for both of you.” He says as he wraps us up in a hug.

I release Mama, turn around, and grab a hold of my brother. No longer able to hold onto my tears, I let them lose. He let me. A few seconds later, I feel Katy join us in the hug. I feel like my heart is being ripped out of my chest. I’m having trouble controlling my breathing. Reality is slowly setting in. This is really the last time that I will get to see my dad. I take a breath and stand up out of my brother’s hold.

“Baby, what are you doing?” Mama asks.

“I need to see him, Mama.” I whisper.

I don’t know what’s come over me. I just need to see him. I need to see him one more time.

“That’s not a good idea, Rae.”Talon says.

“Please, I need to.” I beg him, turning around to look at the pyre. I glance back at my brother. “Please?” I beg.

He starts to say something but someone steps in and my heart stutters.

“I’ll look after her.” He says.

I turn and see Toby standing behind us, hands in his pockets.

“It’s not safe, Toby.” Talon issues.

“I can help her. I won’t let her fall. Trust me.” He responds, with confidence.

I look back at Talon. “I need to do this, big brother. Please, let me.”

Talon looks towards Mama, who is staring at the pyre herself, before studying me. “If anything happens to her, I promise you, it will be the last thing that you do. We can’t handle any more pain.”

“I won’t let anything happen to her.”

Talon nods, wraps me up in a hug. “I hope you find the peace that you need with this, little sister.”

“I will, Talon. I need this.” I promise.

He releases me and I walk over to Toby.

“Are you ready?” He asks, gently, as he puts a strand of hair behind my ear.

His touch causes me to shiver but I don’t answer, I just walk over to the pyre and prepare to climb up. Before I can get far, I hear another angry voice behind us.

“What do you think that you’re doing, Raleigh?”

I glance behind me. Alrich is standing toe to toe with Toby. The hostility coming from both of the boys confuses me. Instead of answering, I just climb a little higher.

“Are you going to answer me?” He snaps.

I shake my head but, before I can say anything, the King appears.

“Let her be, young Sir.” He commands.

I pause at his voice and look behind me. Toby and Alrich are both on their knees. The King looks up at me and smiles. I nod my head to him in respect and continue my climb.

“I’ve known that little girl all her life. You won’t be able to talk her out of it, anyway. Just best that you allow her to do what she feels she needs to do.” I hear him say.

“Yes, your Majesty.” They reply in unison.