Well I haven't gotten any reviews for this story in a very long time and I really wish somebody out there would review. But as always I own nothing and please read, review, and enjoy.
Chapter 10
Meggie awoke from the darkness of her unconsciousness slowly at first. She blinked her eyes a few times as she tried to focus on the things around the room, but at first she just couldn't. She couldn't move though to be honest she really didn't want to and she felt weak. Meggie had never felt so weak before and she didn't like it at all. Everything was a blur for a while then as she lay still as stone on the bed; her body hurt so much she didn't want to move much. When her eyes finally focused in on something she found Capricorn there with her and smiling weakly she was so happy. She felt so much safer knowing he was there watching over her. Despite what had happened one thing had not changed; she still felt safe just knowing he was there. Capricorn sat slumped over in a chair beside the bed; he was fast asleep his head against her arm on the bed. Nothing was said as she just let him sleep, she didn't know how long she had been out for, she didn't know how long he had been there, but one thing she did know was that no matter how long it was he never left her side so he probably needed his sleep. And laying there she let her eyes leave him for only a moment to stare up at the ceiling of their bedroom closing her eyes in an attempt to remember everything that had happened. She could remember bits and pieces, but for reason that she didn't understand she couldn't remember everything. She remembered being grabbed by Mo. She remembered getting away from him and screaming and running down the hall. She remembered how he held a gun on her as Capricorn tried to talk him down, but most of all she remembered being flung away from him before he pointed that gun directly at her shooting her. But after that she could remember nothing else and looking around their bedroom she knew Capricorn must have brought her here and opening her eyes she looked at him. She loved him so much; she would never let anyone take her from him. And then she thought of Mo.
"He really shot me," breathed Meggie looking up at the ceiling once more. She had been more afraid that he would shoot Capricorn in the throne room before, she hadn't been really scared for herself because as much as she hated her father he did claim to love her, but if that were true he wouldn't have been able to do this to her. She watched Capricorn as he slept letting that all slip from her mind; she knew he would blame himself, but she was determined not to let him. He would blame himself for this just like he had when Mo grabbed her; he always tried to protect her and if something did happen he always blamed himself.
When his eyes finally opened he found her watching him and his heart soared when he saw her eyes were open.
"Meggie, you're awake. You're alive," whispered Capricorn holding her hand tightly in his quickly bringing it to his lips to smother it in kisses. Coming to sit on the bed, he held her hand close to his heart, and leaning close to her he proceeded to smother her face in kisses too. He brought his other hand to her face then looking down on her with tears in his eyes; he had been so afraid he would lose her. It was Meggie who closed the short distance between them tenderly kissing his lips her own tears falling to mix with his own. They both knew how close they had come to being parted forever. He felt her hand come to rest against his cheek in that moment as she wiped away at his tears.
"I almost lost you. You almost died; I almost lost you. I love you Meggie my beloved Meggie. I'm sorry I didn't protect you the way I should have. I should have waked you to our room, or insisted on you accompanying me to the throne room," whispered Capricorn burying his head in the hair on her pillow feeling as her arms wrapped around him.
"This isn't your fault," breathed Meggie making him look at her as she brought both her hands to cup his face.
"Yes it is; I should have made sure he could never get to you. I should have made sure he could never hurt you," exclaimed Capricorn shaking his head before she stilled him pulling him down to kiss her once more. The kiss was tender and sweet, but it wasn't long lasting. But still he couldn't help, but think that if she had died he would have longed for her kisses for the rest of his life. He would have longed for her for the rest of his life. She always kissed him like this when she wanted his undivided attention and looking down at her he gave it to her fully. He would never get tired of hearing her voice; he had almost risked never hearing it again.
"No more tears my love. I want you to listen to me very closely," whispered Meggie as she kissed away his tears making him smile for the first time since everything had happened. He could remember many a time when he had kissed away her tears when she cried.
He lay hesitantly beside her and gently he settled his arm around her giving her his full attention.
"I don't want you crying over me anymore because I'm going to be fine. And I want you to listen to me because Capricorn this is not your fault. This is not your fault; this is his fault, and no one else's. Mo is the one who shot me. Despite the fact that I am his daughter he shot me giving both of us yet another reason to hate him because he tried to take me from you. I know you want to protect me from everything, but you have to learn that that is impossible. Bad things will happen no matter how hard we try to prevent them, but even if something happens like today that doesn't mean you are to blame. You're not to blame because all you do is keep me safe, you make me feel safe, and that is why I love you. That is why I will always love you," whispered Meggie letting him lay his head on her shoulder her hand still against his cheek.
"I will always try to protect you Meggie. You are the woman I love, the holder of my heart, and my queen. I love you," exclaimed Capricorn kissing her cheek before looking down on her. With an inviting smile he kissed her lips next being careful with her as he held her close reveling in the feel of her lying safe and sound in his arms. Nothing was said as they laid there in their silence. They both kept replaying what happened in their minds despite it all and holding each other a little bit closer they closed their eyes in relief that they were both alive. They had nearly lost each other forever and the reality of that wasn't lost on them. Meggie would never be able to fully believe what had happened as long as she lived. She had hated her father for a long time, but now she hated him even more because everything he ever said truly was a lie. He had lied to her, her whole life, but the one thing she always believed was the truth was that he loved her. Now she knew that had been a lie too. If he loved her, truly loved her the way Capricorn did he wouldn't have been able to nearly take her life the way he had.
"I love you Capricorn," whispered Meggie looking into his eyes when he looked at her. He was the only one who truly loved her. She saw sadness in his eyes when she looked into them; she didn't understand that sadness.
As she had lay thinking he had lay thinking too. He didn't know how to tell her about the baby they had lost. Capricorn wished he didn't have to tell her, but he couldn't not tell her she had the right to know. She had the right to know that she had been pregnant; she had the right to know that Silvertongue had killed their baby, but he just didn't know how to tell her. And he couldn't help, but think that if they hadn't of lost their baby they might be celebrating right now. He would be making love to her right now. They might have found out about the baby the right way and they would be rejoicing right now. How could he tell her she had been pregnant and that Silvertongue had killed their baby? That news would break her heart of that he was sure, he would have to be strong for her, and together they would have to get through it.
"Meggie I need to tell you something," said Capricorn helping her sit up before sitting by her side his heart pounding as he tried to find the words to tell her.
"What is it?" whispered Meggie snuggling closer to him as he wrapped his arm around her holding her as close as possible.
"Meggie…when you were shot the doctor found that you were pregnant, but he just couldn't save both you and the baby. I'm so sorry my love, but we lost our baby Silvertongue killed our baby," whispered Capricorn watching as what he said seemed to sink in before she started to tremble her head shaking in denial. Meggie didn't say anything as she silently started to cry hard angry heartbroken tears her hands balling into fists gripping the sheets as he held her letting her cry into his chest.
His words kept repeating themselves in her head, she had been pregnant, she was going to have a baby, and now it was all snuffed away from her before she could ever even know. She just couldn't process it all, she couldn't accept it; how could she not have known she was pregnant? How long had she been pregnant and thinking back she remembered the last time they had sex almost over a month ago. She knew she couldn't be far along; they hadn't had sex since the incident between them. But soon she pushed that all away too, she looked up into his eyes, she could see he was being strong for her, and she cried harder because their baby was dead.
"I hate him more than I ever thought I could now. I hated him before, but I hate him so much more now. How could he do this; why did he do this," cried Meggie instinctively bringing a hand to rest on her stomach where their unborn child had once been.
"I don't know my love, but rest assured he will pay for it. Together we will make him suffer for bringing harm to you and for the death of our child," whispered Capricorn gently stroking the soft tendrils of her hair.
"I want him dead too. He killed our baby; he killed the child our love created. I want to kill him myself," sobbed Meggie her words nearly incomprehensible as she cried harder. Capricorn didn't say anything in response then, but she knew he felt the same way. He only kissed the top of her head as he held her doing everything he could to console her.
Suddenly she pulled away from him looking up into his eyes for a moment before looking down at her stomach where both her hands now rested. Meggie didn't say a word as she stared at her stomach her hands gently stroking it, but when she looked at him again the look in her eyes broke his heart. She looked so defeated, she looked like she had lost all meaning to her life, and bringing her hands to her face she cried again. Capricorn pulled her into his arms again and again nothing was said as they mourned their loss. And together they thought about everything; neither of them had ever considered being parents before. Meggie had never considered being a mother, she had never thought about having a child, but now knowing how close they had been to being parents Meggie couldn't help it she felt robbed. She felt like they were robbed. They had been robbed of the chance to even decide if they wanted children; her father had killed their baby before they could even know it existed.
"Where is he? Is he dead; did you kill him?" cried Meggie looking at him then finding unshed tears in his eyes too.
"No I have him in the dungeon under heavy guard. I thought we should punish him for what he has done together as we always do. And the guards are inspecting his cell in an attempt to find out how he escaped in the first place. When you are ready we will handle him together," whispered Capricorn watching as she lay on the bed once more pulling him to lie beside her refusing to let him go. And he wouldn't leave her; it would be a very long time before he ever left her ever again. Meggie continued to cry silent tears that made her face red and as her head came to rest on his chest her whole body still shaking like a leaf Capricorn finally let himself cry.
"I want to kill him; we have to kill him. He killed our baby we have to kill him too," cried Meggie feeling as his tears landed at the top of her head as they cried together. Meggie looked up into his eyes then bringing her hand to rest on his cheek both of them closing their eyes in that moment. Despite everything they had none of it seemed to matter in that moment because they had lost something so precious something that truly mattered to them. They cried their eyes out then both their hearts shattering as they thought of their child, the person it would have grown into; the life it would never have. They cried together laying there together both of them mourning the loss of something they now knew they would have wanted very much.
After a few months nothing seemed to get better for them especially Meggie. She was like a ghost of the woman she once was now, most nights she cried herself to sleep in his arms, she still hadn't seen her father, and she sat in silence most of the time. And Capricorn was doing all he could for her, but he hated seeing her like that. He tried to stay strong for her, he held her whenever she needed it which was usually all the time, and he cried with her at night. But he wished he knew some way to make her happy again. She hardly spoke anymore, she didn't like being alone except for her daily walks that was the only time she wasn't by his side. And as much as he was reluctant to let her out of his sight, he didn't fight with her when she insisted on going on her walks alone though she was constantly guarded. Most of the time now all Capricorn found himself doing was worrying after her; he wasn't sure if she would ever be the same again. He wanted her to get better, so he spoke to the doctor who she still saw on a regular basis, and after that she began counseling sessions with two to three times a week. And though she was still not the same it seemed to be helping. He didn't know what happened during those sessions; he let her keep it to herself figuring she would tell him when she was ready, but despite it all he couldn't stop worrying about her. And he knew he never would; he knew he would always worry about her because he loved her very much.
"Alright Meggie I'll see you the same time the day after tomorrow," said the doctor opening the door to the office he had been given to let Meggie out after one of her sessions. Capricorn was waiting outside for her as he always was and as she came into view he hid his sadness; she still had that same frown etched into her face.
"Meggie," whispered Capricorn as she approached opening his arms for her to walk into them folding them around her as soon as she stepped into his arms.
"Capricorn," whispered Meggie as she wrapped her arms around his waist breathing a sigh as she buried her head in his chest merely enjoying the feel of his arms around her protecting her. Capricorn kept his arm around her waist as he led her down the hallway, she stopped when they reached the throne room, it was still hard for her to go in there, but after a long moment she did. They sat together in their thrones, everything was completely silent, but Capricorn couldn't help but watch her out of the corner of his eye.
"Meggie, are you alright?" asked Capricorn after he had been watching her for a while, but she didn't answer him. She only continued to sit there staring into space and then she started doing it again. Meggie slowly brought her hands to settle over her stomach her eyes doing the same. She had been doing this over and over every day ever since they lost their baby. He watched as she stared down at her stomach her hands balling into fists and the more he watched her the more he worried. And then he watched as she started to shake uncontrollably. Capricorn never took his eyes off of her; it was like her sadness covered her like a shroud, and when he could watch her suffer no more he tried to take her hand. But the action made her jump flinching away from him in surprise.
"Meggie," breathed Capricorn finding tears in her eyes when she finally looked into his eyes.
Meggie stood up then moving to sit in his arms in his throne, she fisted her hands into his suit jacket, and then Capricorn simply held her as she started to cry. Capricorn looked up then about to tell the guards to clear the room only to find they already were. Basta left last and their eyes met; it was clear that they cared for much for their queen just as they did for him. And as they all approached the dungeon they each felt a hatred for the man they held there; they knew he was responsible for their queen's pain. That was why they were still trying to solve the mystery of how he escaped his cell; they were determined to find out because he had hurt their queen. But as hard as they tried they couldn't figure out how he could have possibly gotten free, the lock hadn't been picked, so there was only one possibility. Someone had to have opened the door, but who?
The second he entered the dungeon Basta sent half the guards to guard Silvertongue while he started inspecting the lock of his previous cell. It felt like he had done it a million times without finding anything. This went on for what felt like hours, but in reality it was only a few minutes.
"Have you found anything; any trace at all of how he escaped?" said one of the other guards leaning against the wall behind him. Basta didn't answer him at first, he was completely focused on the cell, but as always he didn't see anything. "No I still haven't found anything. He found a way out of this cell I just don't know how," whispered Basta after checking the lock for the thousandth time. And it was the same as always the lock wasn't broken, or tampered with. Silvertongue had somehow broken out of this cell, but he didn't touch the lock to do it of that he was certain. Everyone, every guard, even Capricorn had inspected the door, and each of them had found nothing. The door hadn't been closed since the reader's escape and they were determined they would keep it that way until they solved this mystery. But then one of the guards got an idea and he knew he couldn't keep it to himself.
"Basta, maybe we're going at this all wrong. We have been doing this our way, but maybe we should try to recreate the escape. Maybe we should do it Silvertongue's way," exclaimed the guard making all the other guards look at him. None of them knew exactly what he was talking about, but if it would solve the mystery of Silvertongue's escape they would give it a try.
"What are you talking about," said Basta looking at the guard now thinking that he may be onto something.
"Well let's put one of us in the cell and have them try to break free then we'll know how he did it," explained the guard.
"That could just work; good thinking. But who's going into the cell?" asked Basta looking around at all of them. He knew none of them would want to get locked into that cell and he really couldn't blame them he didn't want to either. The silence that consumed them was so thick it could have been cut with a knife, but then a hand was raised. The guard who had suggested the whole thing stepped forward then his hand rose.
"I'll do it if no one else will. I thought of it," whispered the guard and everyone had a certain respect for him then. But none of them were really sure if this would work; could he really break out of the cell the exact same way Silvertongue had. The crowd of guards parted ways then to let him walk towards the cell and with only a moment's hesitation he stepped inside.
Basta closed and locked the door before stepping away, but the minute he did the door opened again. At first, they all just stood there staring at the still open door, but then Basta tried it again. The hairs at the back of his neck were standing on end that was never a good sign; he had checked and rechecked the lock on that door so he knew it wasn't broken. And again as soon as they all stepped away the door opened again, but this time none of them missed the way it shimmered as it did so. Instantly they all went to examine the door; now they would solve the mystery of how Silvertongue had escaped his cell.
"Shhhh…my love please stop crying. I'm here Shhhh," consoled Capricorn as this was all happening he was trying to calm his wife's unstoppable tears. At the moment that was all he knew to say, he hated seeing her so hurt, so destroyed. He held her for the longest time letting her tears stain his shirt as she laid her head against his chest and petting the soft tresses of her hair he waited for her tears to slow. And when they finally had he made her look at him.
"No more tears my love; I can't stand to see you in tears. I love you; I want you to know you can talk to me about all of this. I want you to know you can talk to me about everything you're feeling because I feel it too. We are both hurting, but if we go through it together we can survive it," whispered Capricorn drying her tears with his handkerchief. Meggie only continued to cry at first, but then she looked at him.
"I don't understand why this happened. Why did this happen to us?" exclaimed Meggie her voice nearly a choking sob. Capricorn could understand her question as he looked down at her holding her face in his hands not letting her look away from him. He didn't know the answer to her question because he didn't know why this happened and as he gently pecked her on the lips he knew that was the only answer he could give.
"I don't know Meggie. I don't why this happened. You once said bad things just happen well this is one of those times I think," breathed Capricorn covering her face in chaste kisses as he kissed away her tears. She hugged him close in that moment never looking away from him.
"I know I know you're right, but that doesn't make it any better. That doesn't take away the pain. I just feel like we were cheated. I know we never talked about having a family, but I still feel like we were cheated. We didn't even get to decide if we wanted a baby, or not," exclaimed Meggie and he could tell she was getting madder with every word. Capricorn looked at her then his eyes boring into her red rimmed tear filled ones; he knew he had to tell her how he really felt he couldn't hold anything back. He had thought if he had he would be being weak instead of strong like she needed, but now he knew he was wrong. He was only being what she needed in that moment and she needed him to be open with her.
"I would have wanted the baby," breathed Capricorn.
"You would have?" whispered Meggie letting more tears leak from her eyes like rain.
"Yes I would want any child as long as you are its mother. And hopefully we can have another chance someday because I really would want a family with you," smiled Capricorn making her smile with him.
"Do you want the same?" whispered Capricorn imagining if they had found out about the baby if she hadn't of been shot. He could picture her sitting in their bedroom pacing back in forth in worry over how to tell him the news of their child; he knew most women did this when they first found themselves to be with child.
"Yes I want children with you very much. I'll be honest until now I wasn't sure, I wasn't sure if I'd be a good mother, so I was hesitant for us to start a family. Now I know that I do want to have your children; I want to have another baby with you hopefully someday soon," smiled Meggie intertwining their fingers before leaning in close to him to share a kiss.
"I love you," whispered Meggie feeling as her fingers curled around the red silk of his tie.
"I love you more; no one shall ever love anyone the way I love you," exclaimed Capricorn looking into the exquisite blue of her eyes. Their lips touched one, two, three times then before their eyes met again. Their love for each other was undeniable.
"Capricorn," exclaimed Meggie in response using his tie to pull his lips back to hers deepening it immediately. He held her as close as possible as their lips moved together in a sensual rhythm his hands gripping her hips as hers fisted in the lapels of his suit. This went on until they both needed air, but when their lips finally parted they both smiled at the other before her head came to rest on his shoulder. As he sat there with her he couldn't help, but think that maybe being open with her was better than being strong it seemed to get him farther. And then they looked at each other again both of them thinking that they hadn't shared such a passionate kiss since she had been shot.
"I know I usually go on my walks alone, but today would you mind terribly if I asked you to accompany me?" asked Meggie a smile curling her lips. Her words surprised him, ever since the shooting she liked going on her walks alone she needed the time to think she said, but here she was asking him to go with her. And he saw a faint light in her eyes that he had thought he would never see again in that moment. He had missed seeing that light in her eyes.
"Are you sure; why the sudden change?" whispered Capricorn uncertain if this was what she really wanted hoping deep down inside that it was.
"Yes very sure; I don't feel like being apart from you today. I want to be with you today," whispered Meggie kissing him tenderly on the lips.
"Alright, lead the way my queen," breathed Capricorn letting her stand before doing the same his arm secure around her waist.
They hadn't even made it out of the room when Basta came bursting through the door. He was out of breath, it appeared he had run all the way from the dungeon, and Capricorn suddenly had a very bad feeling.
"Sir I need to speak to you alone right now it's an emergency," gasped Basta looking at Meggie in that moment he knew she would not take this news well and that it was best if she not be told right away. All was silent as Capricorn turned Meggie in his arms placing a kiss to her forehead.
"My love I'm sorry, but I need to handle this. Wait outside for me and I'll be along shortly I promise," smiled Capricorn sliding his hands down her arms to take both her hands in his. Meggie sighed dejectedly as she nodded looking at Basta before looking at him leaning up on her toes to kiss his lips.
"Alright, but don't be long," said Meggie she wouldn't admit it in front of Basta, but she didn't like being alone in the castle without him. Capricorn pulled her into his arms then kissing her lips then with a fierce passion; he knew she didn't like being alone here anymore and he wouldn't make her suffer without him for long. Capricorn had a feeling as he watched her leave the room that whatever Basta had to say he wouldn't want her to hear it just yet. Immediately after she left the room he turned to Basta.
"What," snapped Capricorn?
"We discovered how Silvertongue escaped his cell," exclaimed Basta. Capricorn sighed then he had been right Meggie didn't need to hear this now and looking at Basta he listened as he started to tell the truth of how Silvertongue had escaped his cell.