New chapter is up, and it's reeeeeaaaaaally goooooood.
The next morning, Mikayla was up at the crack of dawn to start training with the other guards. Since it was so early, it came as a shock to her when Boomer ran into their midst.
"Boomer?" said Mikayla.
"Mi-Mikayla, Brady's missing," stuttered Boomer.
"WHAT? Guards, form a search party," ordered Mikayla.
The guards consented to her behest, so she instantly confronted Boomer.
"When did you see him last?" asked Mikayla.
"When your dad tucked us in last night," replied Boomer.
"Wait," said Mikayla with a smirk. "You mean he still has to do that?"
"Yes!" responded Boomer indignantly. "Otherwise we'll have nightmares."
"Okay, anyway, that's when you last saw him?"
"Uh, duh, I just told you that! Get your ears cleaned, girl."
"I'm sorry, I'm just clarifying. You're his brother, where would Brady go to seek refuge?"
Boomer paused. He had a thunderstruck expression as a recollection hit his mind.
"I think I know what happened to him," whispered Boomer. "I'll be right back!"
"Oh, no you don't! I don't want to lose two kings in one day!"
Just then, Lanny came in with a triumphant sneer.
"Congrats to myself!" he applauded. "I have caught the great Sirocco for the last time!"
Boomer and Mikayla gasped. Mikayla approached the young man that was being forcefully pushed forward by two guards on either side. He appeared bruised and bloody, with his head slumped down in tired resignation.
"Oh, Sirocco," whispered Mikayla as she lifted his face up by the chin.
"Guards, take him to the dungeon!" cried Lanny.
Mikayla made a mental note to try to set Sirocco free once she found Brady - BRADY! Where was he? Mikayla really started to panic when she realized Boomer was gone as well.
"Lanny, Brady's gone!" cried Mikayla in despair.
"Oh, what a shame," said Lanny in a tone that suggested anything but remorse.
"This is serious! If anything happened to him, I'd - "
"You'd what?" asked Lanny with raised eyebrows.
"I-I don't know. I just need to find him."
At that moment, Brady swung open the castle door whilst eating a juicy red apple in the most nonchalant manner possible. Mikayla made an outburst of surprise & relief and ran to hug him. She squeezed him so hard that Brady couldn't breathe.
"Mikayla!" he said in a strangled voice. "Can't - breathe!"
"Oh," said Mikayla.
She loosened her grip somewhat, but didn't release him from the hug. Brady put his arms around her and inhaled her flower perfume. Mikayla was so relieved that she felt she was going to cry, and she never cried. Having Brady's arms around her was like having a solid anchor holding her down to the wonderful reality that he was still alive and well.
"You seem happy to see me," he commented breathlessly.
Mikayla frowned. That sentence sounded so familiar.
"Does this mean you've come to your senses and will now go out with me?" Brady asked in an arrogant tone.
Mikayla pushed Brady away, all thoughts of remembrance vanishing from her mind.
"Whatever, Brady," she dismissed. "Where were you all this time?"
"Uh, it's kinda personal," said Brady evasively. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to freak everyone out. I just needed some time in my getaway."
"Your getaway?"
Brady's expression indicated that he had no desire to prolong that string of conversation, so Mikayla changed the subject.
"You probably want to go back to your room to sleep in," she said.
"Nah, I actually feel energized," replied Brady. "By the way, I never knew how beautiful the sunrise was."
Brady's subtle emphasis on the word "beautiful" made a tingle run up and down Mikayla's spine.
"Well, I'll see ya later," said Brady. "By the way, I like your haircut."
Mikayla watched him suspiciously as he walked up the steps to his chambers. How did he notice her haircut? Did someone tell him, or was he just that observant? Also, why was he up so early? And why did she make such a big fuss about him when he went missing? Brady looked back at her to wink in his mirth. Mikayla couldn't help it; she blushed.
Mikayla thought to herself, "Am I crazy, or am I actually falling for King Brady?"
She shook her head and walked back into the training arena. That was ridiculous. There was no way she'd fall for a goofball like him. Right?
So, if Brady's up and about, then who the heck was the guy that Lanny dragged in? I know that's the question you're asking, but it won't be answered until the next chappy!
