Sorry for the long wait! I tried to make this chapter a little bit longer. We're almost close to the end! Let me know any ideas you have for my next work. I might go back to one of my old ones... Either way, enjoy!
Evelyn POV:
Gran patted the withered leather couch, inviting me to sit beside her. I was still slightly shocked and moved slightly to sit, my mouth still slightly agape.
" You know," Gran said slowly. " When you were born I had this feeling. That you would be like me, that you would want to make things change. I guess I was right." I was silent, though I wasn't sure if it was shock or fear that kept me silent. Gran puta frail hand on my face and smiled. I leaned into her a little.
" I'm glad that vicious Queen didn't get her hands on you."
" She couldn't have actually done anything."
Gran laughed. " I know."
" Where are we?"
" Northern Rebellion."
" Aren't they...bad?"
" Good and bad are such strange terms. The Northerners, we call ourselves Stellae. Stars that burn bright. That try to instill hope. So many in this country have lost hope. We want to bring it back."
" How?"
" Stopping the Southern Rebellion. Then helping the monarchy to change the country."
" To a democracy?"
" Maybe one day." I grinned. One day. Part of me always resented the part of me, the me that was a Three. I didn't understand the things my grandmother went to, or anyone who was a 7 or 8. But I had been there before. Grandmother had started a fund to help them and everytime I went down my heart twisted. Those people deserved so much more. More than anyone. I turned back to Gran who was giving me a strange look.
" What?"
" How are you and Holden?" I blushed profusely, reaching for the water Gran had set on the table and gulping it down. Gran just laughed, a melodic sort of laugh that I hadn't realized I had missed.
" I like him," I admitted.
" I thought you would." Suddenly our conversation was cut short by a knock on the door. Standing before Gran could, I moved towards the door and opened it. A stout man with thick frames and wiry brown stood at the door and smiled wide as I opened it.
" Hello, Miss. Evelyn."
" Hello?" The stout man hobbled by me. My Gran seemed to recognize him and gestured for him to sit. He did so gladly and began slurping down the glass of water that was supposed to be Gran's.
" I should've known not to tell her," he said, humour evident in his voice. He wiped sweat from his forehead. The man hadn't stopped smiling the entire time. I sat beside Gran delicately.
" She's so stubborn you know," he continued, turning to me. " I told her I wanted to lose weight and now she makes me walk everywhere." I nodded, hoping I looked intrigued although I was still colossally confused. Excluding my Gran, I still knew nothing about this place I was in. I had no idea if Holden was alright, and worst of all, that Queen was still walking around.
" The Lady would like to see you at noon." Gran looked at me, sizing up my expression. She always read me so easily.
" Mr. Peters, why don't you start without us. We will take the bikes." Mr. Peters stood, nodding. A goofy grin still plastered on his face as he tipped his hat toward me, then disappeared past the door. Gran gestured for me to follow her. We walked out and then around the stout mud house. I gasped as I saw what leaned against the far walls: bikes. I jumped up excitedly, running towards the shiny blue bike. I had only ever read about these in books Gran had stolen from a place she refuses to name. I hear Gran laugh as I gently pet the bicycle.
" But how am I supposed to ride it in this," I asked, pulling at my tattered gown. Gran looked alarmed.
" My, I almost forgot. I guess old age is getting to me." She quickly ushered me back inside to a room I guessed was the bathroom. I could understand how they had running water underground but I didn't question it. A hot shower was a hot shower. Not a minute after stepping in I learned that it was indeed not a hot shower. The highest it went to was a lukewarm, like water that had been out for too long on the counter. I didn't complain. It did it's job, sweeping away the dirty and grime that had caked me in my few hours as the Queen's prisoner.
Soon, I was dressed in loose fitting pants and a tight top. It was strange to be in pants again. I felt normal. But the good kind.
" You ready?" Gran asked, holding her bike. I nodded. " Alright. These metal things are the brakes, use the brake for the back wheel when you want to slow down. Try to keep your balance. And go slow, it's your first time." I nodded, taking the bike excitedly. How hard could it be?
Hard. It could be hard. I had crashed into two walls and one vendor already. Gran had laughed at the walls but scowled hard when I crashed into the vendor and she had to pay for the eggs that had fallen. Just my luck, spiraling into an egg cart. Despite that, biking was amazing. The wind was flowing through my air and everything seemed to fly by me. It was exhilarating.
" We're almost there!" Gran called from ahead of me. The building we were approaching was not much different from all those we had passed. It was mud and three stories tall. The door was the only thing that gave away its importance, the beautifully engraved wooden door.
Parking our bikes at the side of the house, we knocked at the door. A tall gangly man with sharp features looked down at us.
" She's expecting you," he said. His voice was more high pitched than I expected. He moved out of the door frame to let us in then began walking in front of us. I followed, examining the halls on the way. They were photos of children, playing, laughing. I froze as I reached the end. It was the royal family. Holden looked to be about eight, with his toddler sister holding his arm. The King stood behind the, grinning like I had never seen him before. And beside him, with her curly hair in a bun was the Late Queen. We rounded the corner where a woman stood.
Not the Late Queen. The Queen.
" Hello." The woman said, smiling and gesturing to the couch in front of her. " It's nice to meet you Evelyn."
Holden POV:
I sat there, trying to still my foot that had begun tapping away as I waited for the Queen. No, not the Queen. The traitor. The… I couldn't seem to find a better word. Thr truth is I had little to worry about and for this to work, I actually needed to look more nervous.
" What the hell are you saying?" Jake smirked as I yelled at him. " What?"
" I've never heard you curse. Didn't think you had it in you."
" What are you saying?"
" No need to be rude"
" This better not be a joke," I mean to make it sound threatening, powerful. But I sounded weak. I collapsed into a nearby ottomon, rubbing my aching forehead. My dad used to say I got from my great grandmother.
" It's not a joke," Jake said. I closed my eyes. My mother was alive. Alive. Living. Something bubbled inside me, happiness and hope. Maybe Father would stop drinking if he knew. Mother was alive! Iwould have someone to talk to again. The country, would have someone to look to. And the Queen, we could banish her. I looked up, my eyes swimming with tears.
" How?"
" The Northern Rebellion saved her. She's our leader now."
" But why…"
" Holden, I don't have a lot of time."
I sighed, my heart racing. Rubbing my forehead, I nodded. " What do you need to tell me?"
" We weren't allowed to tell you." My mind drifted to more questions: we? my mother?Instead, I nodded putting on the face I always made when I had 'princly' duties. It was a trick my father had taught to get focused and never look bored or confused. Before mom died. But I guess it was before mom disappeared. " But the circumstances required it. The Queen. As you guessed, tried to kidnap Evelyn." My heart froze. I knew it. If she touched her…
" She's safe," Jake interrupted, easing the nerves that had began clawing up my throat. "But the Queen will try to hold it over you. Play along with her. We just wanted you to know."
" Thank you, Jake. But...is there anyway I can see her, and...and my Mom."
Jake sighed, his eyes darting around the room, a slight fear in his eyes.
" Yes."
I thought about the Queen hurting my father and my grandfather and the nerves hit me. The door opened and I straightened my back, clasping my hands together.
" Hello, Holden," the Queen said smiling, her voice icily happy. Two bulky guards followed her, but this time I felt neither helpless nor angered. Because now, I had the upper hand.
Helloooo. Hope you liked it! Comment and favorite for faster chapters and if you have any ideas. Happy almost summer!