The warmth radiating from the yellow rays of sun on my cheek wake me. I turn onto my back and wipe my tired eyes, releasing a yawn. Jack shifts from his position at the bottom of the bed and comes to lick my face in greeting. I scratch him fondly behind the ears, thoughts of his owner consuming my mind.
I have struggled sleeping every night since being separated from Nicole, despite currently being in the most comfortable bed I have ever known.
The archer's absence leaves me with a constant feeling of worry and longing. I wonder if Beth had managed to get to her, to help her escape from the clutches of those bastards? Was she hurt? Was her heart aching for me as much as mine was at the mere thought of her beautiful smile? I release a frustrated sigh, feeling so utterly useless and empty from not knowing the status of the woman that I am hopelessly in love with.
Jack releases a whine at my show of emotion, licking my fingers in an attempt to comfort. I pat his head gently. "Sorry, boy. Just missing her fiercely."
A knock draws my attention to the door. "Come in." I call, causing my visitor to turn the handle and enter my room. I sit up straighter when I realize the person is Lady Chrissy Nedley.
"Your Highness, to what do I owe this honour?" I ask, unable to keep the surprise out of my voice. Lady Chrissy giggles. "Please, there is no need to be so formal. You are the sister of my father's most trusted guardian. Feel free to call me Chrissy when we are not amongst the common folk."
I smile and nod at her in acknowledgement. "Thank you, Lady..." I start, but immediately stop myself when Chrissy raises an eyebrow at me. "…thank you, Chrissy." I correct. She nods at me with a satisfied smile.
"Good. Now onto the reason I came to see you. My father has finally returned from his hunting trip and would like an audience with you this morning." My eyebrows raise in surprise, then my mouth turns up into a happy smile. I was finally going to be able to speak to Duke Nedley.
It has been four days since we had arrived at Purgatory Castle. Four days since I learned that, not only was my sister the head guard at Purgatory Castle, but she had also saved the life of Monument's lost daughter, Rachel Valdez. After everyone's initial shock at learning this, Jeremy pointed out that Rachel could be the very thing that could bring down Countess Eleanor Haught for good.
If the people of Monument had to learn that their own Countess had plotted and ordered the murder of one of the town's most beloved families…well, no amount of fear could stop an angry and heartbroken mob of townsfolk. We just had to figure out the best way to reveal the truth of what happened the night of the Valdez fire. That's why I had wanted to speak to Duke Nedley as soon as I could.
My ambitious plans had been halted when Wynonna informed me that the Duke was still away on a hunting trip near the Western Marshlands and his return date was not certain.
I spent the majority of the past four days with Wynonna, learning about everything she had gone through since I had last seen her. I learned that Nedley had appointed her as the apprentice to his previous head-of-the-guard, Xavier Dolls. Xavier had taught Wynonna everything she knew: how to fight, leadership skills, how to make weapons and armour, as well as how to upkeep them. The two of them become very good friends eventually.
But one day the infamous Bandit King, Bul-Shar Clootie, gathered his army of outlaws and attacked Purgatory Castle. Duke Nedley's men fought hard, but they were caught completely off guard. Xavier had tragically been slain when trying to protect two unarmed townspeople from the onslaught of the bandits. While his back had been turned to shield the young woman and child from an arrow attack, he was mercilessly impaled by Bul-Shar's lieutenant.
Wynonna had seen it happen right before her eyes. Heartbroken and enraged by the loss of her friend, she had rushed straight towards the unsuspecting lieutenant and drove her sword right into his blackened heart.
Fuelled by adrenaline and rage, she continued fighting a myriad of bandits, slaying many as she went. Then she witnessed Bul-Shar moving to attack the Duke. Without any regard for her own life, she had jumped between them, and ended the feared Bandit King's life with one swell blow to the neck. The fierceness of the impact had broken her previous sword, hence why Matt the Blacksmith had to make her a new one.
As what happens when you remove the head of the snake, the battle was won once Wynonna had killed Bul-Shar. His remaining bandits took one look at Wynonna's bloody armour and battle raged eyes and fled for all they were worth. The townspeople cheered for Wynonna, claiming her to be their warrior. Duke Nedley appointed her as his head guard on the spot.
My heart overflows with pride at what Wynonna had accomplished, at her bravery and strength. Bravery and strength which had disappeared in an instant once I finally told her of our mother's death. Wynonna looked at me in disbelief before the heartbreak overtook her strong features.
She had walked silently through the doors of the Great Dining Hall and broke down into desperate sobs at the top of the steps. I was there to catch her when she crumpled into a mess of sorrow and grief. I rubbed her hair gently and uttered reassurances that mother was at peace and that there was nothing that she could have done.
Eventually the sobs turned to sniffles and we were just two sisters in a desperate embrace, finding respite in the comfort of each other's presence.
After that, Wynonna made sure to spend as much time as possible with me, taking me along with her on her daily routine of training the other guards (including Rachel, who has become Wynonna's protégé), checking and planning the Castle's defence mechanisms in case of attack and overviewing the armoury and weapon inventories.
Throughout the four days of my stay at Purgatory Castle, I also met and befriended Lady Chrissy Nedley. I had taken an instant liking to the young Lady due to her kind nature. She would invite me and the gang to join her for lunch and we would very quickly be in deep conversation about the various adventures we had been on in our respective lives. She had also asked if I had a suitor and, given my very obvious blush, she had made it her daily task to ply me for information on the person who had me react that way. I would just smile at her secretively every time she asked, my heart longing for Nicole Haught.
"You coming?" Chrissy's voice snaps me from my thoughts and I hurry to fall in step with her en route to the Counsel Hall, where I would finally get to speak to Duke Nedley.
We reach the oaken doors leading to the hall. A guard opens it for us, bowing his head respectfully at Chrissy. Once inside, I see more tapestries along the grey stone walls and a red carpet leading to three steps. On the top of the steps are two thrones, the largest of which is currently occupied by Duke Nedley himself, dressed in his royal blues. His eyes are kind and observe me curiously as I approach. On his right side, Wynonna stands proudly to attention in her guard uniform, giving me a wink. I smile at her briefly, before bowing respectfully before the Duke.
"Your Highness." I greet as Chrissy takes her seat to the left of her father. There had once been three seats, but the Duchess had also fallen ill to the Sickness two years prior. Perhaps the fact that we had both lost our mothers the same way had been another reason for Chrissy and I to get along so well.
"Ah, Waverly Earp. It is a great honour to finally meet you. Your sister has told me very good things about you." At his words, I feel a humbled blush creep up my neck. "Thank you, Your Highness. I have also heard of what a wonderful ruler you are from every inhabitant of Purgatory I have come across and even some from elsewhere. I am so very glad to finally have this audience with you." I say, trying to keep the awe in my tone to a minimum.
The Duke smiles at me and nods. "Chrissy mentioned that there is an important matter you wish to discuss with me?" He asks.
I nod and take a deep breath. "Yes, Your Highness. I have travelled from the town of Monument, where I had crossed paths with one Nicole Haught." I pause to gauge his reaction at the mention of the archer. His eyebrows raise in clear recognition. "Did you say Nicole Haught? As in the red headed daughter of the Late Earl William?"
I nod, my eyes darting briefly to look at the confusion on Wynonna's face. I have not yet told her that Nicole was the daughter of the Countess. Or that she was my girlfriend. So of course, Wynonna is going to want answers. I give my sister a look that says, I'll explain later and return my attention to the Duke.
"That is correct, Your Majesty. I believe you would have heard that Nicole Haught had gone missing a few years ago. Turns out that she had been living as a recluse in the woods surrounding Monument, acting as a vigilante by saving people from the clutches of Bobo del Rey. Bobo del Rey has been appointed by the Countess Eleanor Haught to oppress the very people who placed their trust in her."
I pause to allow input from the Duke. He looks deep in thought for a long moment, running his hand over the stubble on his chin. "Ah Willie, it appears your baby girl turned out to be extraordinary like you always said she would."
The Duke has a far off look in his eyes as he whispers this. Then he turns to face me again. "William Haught was one of my closest friends. But that damn wife of his…I have always known she would ruin Monument after William passed. I did not realize how bad it has gotten. Tell me, what exactly does she do to oppress her people?"
"Your Highness, she does not care for her people at all. All she wants is their money and for herself to have more power. The town is in disarray, with poverty rampant. The people are terrified of her and are left without any hope. Nicole Haught has been trying her best to change that, to help her people. But the situation has become so dire that she has sent me here to ask you for assistance in taking the Countess down for good."
A calculating look crosses the Duke's features before he addresses me. "Where is Nicole? Why had she not come herself?" He asks. I take a deep breath and am about to relay the awful events that led to Nicole being taken from my side, when the doors to the Counsel Hall fly open. A guard enters hurriedly. "Your Highness, apologies for my intrusion. There is someone here who wishes to speak to you post haste."
As the guard moves to the side, I am surprised to see Doc Holliday of all people enter the room. The dentist holds his hat in his hands and moves to the side to allow two more figures to enter the room, one of which is Beth. The other one…the other one has me gasping from overwhelming relief and happiness flooding every cell in my body. With complete disregard to the royalty and others in the room, I run into the waiting arms of Nicole Haught. Finally, we were both home again.