Chapter 70 The Finale part 2
Five days later
Queen Genevieve
It had been days since she heard about her sister Fallon and with each day, she knew that Levi was getting increasingly impatient with her; she tried to delay the wedding as much as she could, but she knew that this was coming to an end.
The good news was that while Levi and his soldiers were sleeping two nights ago, she met the ones her sisters sent over; since neither Angel nor Levi knew them, they ultimately began their attack.
When they took their spot, the soldiers began replacing the men from Levi; they tried to figure out every one of Levi's moves and then reported to Genevieve that Levi wasn't allowed in the dungeons anymore. So his men that were captured by war were sentenced to death.
There were fewer left each week, while the ones replaced by the good soldiers left in carriages tied up to her sister's castle for their sentence there.
Little by little, they were leaving Levi with fewer men; slowly, this battle would end; she would make sure that Derek's sacrifice wasn't for nothing.
"Genevieve?!" exclaimed Levi as she snapped out of her thoughts.
"What are you doing, my dear?" he asked her as she just rolled her eyes; she was glad Gabriel was with her son; she didn't want him close to Levi.
"Reading, there's a reason why I am at the library." She said and then returned to the book.
"How are the preparations for the wedding coming?" he asked as she ignored him before replying back to him.
"I have no idea, nor I care." She said as he got upset at her.
"Are you not taking this seriously?!" he exclaimed as she stood from the chair and began to yell at him.
"NO! As I told you, I don't care about this! all this is for my family. I don't want a big deal on this if u want marriage; it's a simple thing like I told you 4 weeks ago." She shouted at him as he relaxed but harshly grabbed her wrist and then brought her closer to him.
"Fine, I will wait for the seamstress to make you a dress that fits your situation. I know it must not be easy…. Especially being pregnant." He said, trying to touch her stomach with his other hand as her eyes widened.
"Let go of the Queen!" exclaimed Phoenix as he threw a small dart that made him let go of her and fall back.
"Don't you dare get closer to the queen unless you want to die?" Said Phoenix as he stood in front of Genevieve, and Levi got up.
"Be careful with what you say, Phoenix, or it may cost you your life or your mother's or even worse… Hadley," said Levi laughing.
"Levi leave my sister out of this!" exclaimed Genevieve as he left the room before telling Genevieve what he thought.
"I will give her 3 days to make you your dress no more; if not, we will get married with any dress you have to show the kingdom that you're carrying a child, and since your husband died, they'll say it's mine." He said as he left laughing.
"Are you okay, Genevieve?" asked Phoenix as she nodded at him.
"How did he know about the baby." He asked her as she sat back down, covering her eyes.
"I don't know…. Phoenix, I'm tired. I can't do this without Derek," she said and then paused as her eyes started to tear up. "Why did Derek have to die!" she exclaimed and began to cry.
"Genevieve, I don't know why Derek left all of us too soon, but I do know that he didn't die without a purpose, and you will prove this by ending the war." He said as she continued to cry.
"You're right; I must do it for my kingdom, Derek, and our children; I just wish Derek got a chance to meet the new baby." She said as he nodded.
"I know Derek is alive. I have hope, but every day it gets less and less. My heart tells me he's alive, but my head tells me he's gone, and I need to let him rest." She said as Phoenix nodded.
"I know what you mean; when my older brother disappeared, I tried to find him, but we couldn't, and no matter how hard I tried, I had to accept that he's dead, even if my mother still thinks he's alive. Since our hearts are so emotionally attached, it's hard for one to let go; just take it one day at a time." He said as she smiled.
"Thank you, Phoenix, and I'm sorry about your brother." She said as he smiled broadly.
"How old was he?" she asked as he thought for a moment before replying.
"He would be twenty-four; his birthday was two months ago." He said as she patted his shoulder.
"It's alright, though; I've learned to deal with it, plus I know I'm never alone, Derek helped me a lot, and for that, I am forever grateful to him and your sister too. Because of them, I see again and swore to protect you, Genevieve, and your children." He said, and she hugged him and thanked him.
Cole
It had been five days since the last evidence they found of them, but they weren't going to give up until they were found.
"Cole, look aren't these tracks?" asked Fallon as he observed them and nodded.
"What leads this way, Fallon?" he asked as she thought for a moment.
"The borders of Glidonia, it's what separates the kingdom from the main road, but it's odd we never knew anyone lived here." She said as he looked down and saw a piece of clothing attached to a bush; he picked it up and then observed it.
"It looks like a part of Tobias's clothing," said Fallon as he nodded.
They headed toward the borders of Glidonia, and he knew the days were coming to an end, and if he didn't find Derek alive any time soon, Genevieve would be married and soon in trouble.
"I know it's not a good time right now, Cole, but have you decided on anything?" she asked him as his eyes widened; he had to come up with an excuse; he still didn't know what to think about them.
"Like you said, it's not a good time Fallon." He said as she nodded and continued to walk in front of him.
"How far is it from the palace to the borders of Glidonia?" he asked her.
"A few hours; we're coming to an end that we probably made the trip all around, and the border is the only thing left, right." She asked him as he nodded.
"Since we were away from the castle, we should be closer than we think." She said as he pulled her back, and they fell to the ground.
She was distracted again and didn't see that the small bridge was down, and she nearly fell down.
"Thanks again, Cole, but I got this," she said as he saw her tie a rope to the end of her arrow and then shoot it across the other.
"Now we can cross." She said as he nodded, and they crossed safely; he was about to continue but was stopped by Fallon's hand.
"Wait…. Were here." She said as he looked surprised.
"How do you know?" he asked her as she began to slowly walk to the right onto a small path.
"I came here once with my father years ago after we crossed the bridge; the border was to the left with the gates, and on the right use to be nothing but a small hideout I used to play when I came out here." She said, and he nodded but then heard a noise and quickly turned and took out his bow, as did Fallon.
"Follow me." She said he continued to walk straight and noticed the same tracks from earlier.
When he looked up, Fallon started running, and he raced after her; they saw a figure running toward them fast.
Cole threw an ankle rope to the figure's feet, causing him to fall down; they reached the person with them holding both of their bow and arrows, ready to shoot.
"Who are you?" asked the figure as Cole moved in front of what seemed to be a man.
"We're the ones who ask here. Who are you?" said Cole as the man tried to stand up, but Fallon interfered.
"You are trapped, might as well speak now." She said as the guy turned his face around and saw her eyes.
"Queen Genevieve, are you, Genevieve?" he asked Fallon.
"How do you know my sister?" she asked, frowning and furious.
"Answer her!" exclaimed Cole.
"Let me go, and I'll show you." He said calmly as she looked at Cole.
"Are you crazy? Do you think we will trust you?" asked Cole as he removed the top part of the coat that hid the man's dark black hair and green eyes.
"Cole, let him go." She said as he looked at her, confused.
"Trust me." She assured him and did as she told him.
"Thank you, now please follow me, princess." said the figure as he led them to a dead-end of rocks, or at least that's what It seemed until he moved the giant rock.
"Okay enough, we let you go and followed you to my childhood hiding place now; tell me where you're taking us!" she exclaimed as she smirked.
"Impatient, is she not?" said the Figure to Cole as he rolled his eyes.
"A few weeks ago, I found some people, and I think you'd be interested to know about the princess." He said as Cole began to wonder.
"Who?!" exclaimed Fallon loudly and then became still when she saw a figure of a young man.
"Fallon?" he said as she and Cole stood there in shock.
"Tobias?!" they both said excitedly, and they ran to him.
"Are you alright, your majesty? Did this idiot kidnap you?" said Cole as Tobias shook his head.
"No, he rescued me and…Derek." He finally said as Fallon's eyes lit up.
"Where is he?" she exclaimed and followed Tobias and the man to where Derek was.
Princess Fallon
"Derek?!" she exclaimed as she saw him lying badly damaged on the bed and began crying.
"Fallon? Cole? You found us." he said, giving a small smile.
"Oh my, I knew you weren't dead!" she exclaimed and gently hugged him.
"What happened?" asked Cole as Tobias looked at the man.
"I saved them. I found them weeks ago and brought them here to cure them since they were badly damaged; Derek barely woke up two days ago, while Tobias woke up five days ago." Said the man as Cole looked at him suspiciously.
"You don't know how much you're needed, both of you and how Genevieve and Isla took the loss of both of you." Said Fallon as Derek and Tobias seemed surprised.
"How do you know who the queen's name is?" asked Cole as Tobias slightly chuckled.
"That was me." Said Tobias raising his hand.
"Really, Tobias? You don't even know him." Said Cole as Tobias rolled his eyes.
"He saved our lives as we were dying, and he could help us get back, so forgive me if I'm trying to go back," said Tobias as Fallon chuckled.
"Why did he confuse me with Genevieve?" asked Fallon as Tobias looked at them and then Derek.
"That was me." Said Derek.
"He mumbled her name before he woke up; I guess she is his strength and the reason he woke up; I described her to William, and you almost look the same, so I'm guessing he confused her with you." Said Tobias as Cole looked at the man.
"William? Huh." Said Cole as he began to get close to him, and William looked at him, annoyed.
"Cole stops it; he saved their lives; that's the important part we need to get them back to the palace, now more than ever." Said Fallon, and then Derek got worried.
"Why, what happened?" he asked as Fallon looked at William.
"How is his health, William?" asked Fallon as he crossed his arms and then answered her.
"he's stable but weak from the body; he needs to take it easy, or he may fall, and his wounds are still recovering. I'd give him two more days for the wounds but a week tops for the recovery." Said William as Fallon nodded, and Derek got a bit impatient.
"What's going on? Tell me!" he exclaimed as Cole stepped in, knowing this was hard for Fallon.
"Levi attacked the palace and is getting married to Genevieve in a few days in order to save the kingdom, but hopefully, it doesn't happen, and her plan works." Said Cole as Derek began to get up.
"No, Derek, what are you doing? You need to rest." Said Fallon as she began to get him to lay back down.
"No, I need to stop this wedding." He said as Cole stepped in to help.
"Derek, tomorrow we will all head back, but you need to rest right now, or it will only get worse." Said Cole.
"He's right, believe me; tomorrow in the afternoon, we will be there; it's not that far from here to the castle." Said Fallon as Derek finally relaxed.
"Derek, I want to go back too, but you need to rest; that way, you get better soon, you'll wake up with strength, and we'll get there faster tomorrow." Said Tobias as Derek nodded, closed his eyes, and returned to sleep.
"Is it possible for us to stay here tonight?" said Cole to William as he nodded.
"it's not much, but I'll show you where you can stay." He said as they followed.
They arrived at a small room with only one bed.
"I'm sorry, but this is all. I have one more room with a bed and your royalty princess Fallon, King Derek, is in mine, and I made a bed for Tobias. So, it looks like you'll have to share a room, but I don't think that will be a problem for you both." William smirked and then left before saying, "if you need anything, call." He said and left.
Fallon and Cole looked at each other, then the bed, and lastly to the floor. "well, I guess we better sleep for tomorrow then." Said Fallon as Cole nodded, put his stuff down, and then prepared to sleep on the floor.
"What are you doing?" asked Fallon as he looked at her.
"I'm getting ready for bed." He said as she laughed.
"Cole, I'm not going to bite. There's enough room for both of us, so just get on the bed and don't say another word about it." She said as he looked at her, confused.
"Fallon, that wouldn't be right, and you know it, plus you're a princess and need to sleep in a bed." He said as she got a bit annoyed.
"One, you need a bed to sleep in, too; we have a long day tomorrow, and you know it. And two, I'm a grown-ass woman. I don't care what people think of me because I know the truth; besides, if there's nothing to tell, how would they know." She smiled, but he nodded and went to sleep on the floor as she got into the bed and stared at the ceiling before drifting into the slumber.
Flashback
"Phoenix, what's going on? Please tell us," Said Fallon as she and Edaline seemed concerned they weren't stupid; they knew something terrible had occurred.
"Okay, but you can't tell anyone; follow me to one of the rooms closer to the exit." Said Phoenix as they went over.
"What happened?" asked Edaline, concerned.
"From what happened, Derek built this place in case they all didn't make it back alive; he told Randolph and me that if they don't make it, to watch out for you all." He said as they looked with widened eyes.
"So, you're saying that….. there's a…..a possible chance that…" said Fallon, but she couldn't finish the last sentence.
"Yes, I'm so sorry, Fallon, but there's a chance they may be dead." Said Phoenix as Fallon started crying.
"What are the chances that they're alive?" asked Edaline as Phoenix looked down.
"Not good; I'm sorry, but I think they're dead." Said Phoenix.
"They're dead." Said Phoenix.
End of Flashback
"No," exclaimed Fallon as she got up from the bed, shaking; she put her hands to her face and started to cry softly; she remembered the time she was told they were all dead, including Cole.
She suddenly felt one side of the bed lower and then a hand on her shoulder; she looked up to see that it was Cole.
"I'm sorry, Cole did I wake you up?" she asked him and avoided eye contact with him; she didn't want him to see her crying.
"It's alright… what's wrong, Fallon?" he asked, and she continued to look away, and then he used his fingers to brush away one of the hair strands that got loose from her braid and then moved her chin so their eyes could meet.
"Dry those tears and tell me what happened, Fallon." He said, wiping away her dry tears.
"it's nothing really, just a nightmare… a reminder of what supposedly happened, but… that's not how it turned out." She said as he looked into her eyes and got closer to her.
"If it's not real, then why are you crying?" he asked, looking at her worried as she looked at his eyes.
"Because I'm worried that someday it might come true, and I'll lose everyone I love, including…. You," she said as he hugged her.
"I'm sorry, I know I told you I would wait for your choice, but…." She said, but then he cut her off.
"Shhh, it's okay, Fallon; please calm down." He said, trying to calm her down.
"I promise you won't lose me; I'll be here to bug you for a long time." He said as she slightly chuckled.
She looked into his soft eyes that hid the pain; she wished he would decide for her, but there was a slight chance that might not happen, so she decided to not get her hopes up.
Until his fingers brushed her face, she didn't mind that he was being affectionate with her.
"Cole, why did you run after me when I called you so quickly the day we found tracks?" she asked as he stopped at her chin.
"Because It's my job to protect you…" he said as he looked down at her lips and then at her eyes.
"Is that the only reason why?" she asked.
"I'm not heartless, Fallon; I don't want anything to happen to you; Fallon, tomorrow when we arrive, I want you to return to the hideout with your family when we face Levi." He said, and then she frowned.
"Why? I can help you guys; I know how to defend myself." She stated, but she knew why Cole wanted her away, but she wanted him to say it.
"Fallon, it's not open to discussion. I can't have you there." He said, and she knew she was close to his real answer.
"And why not?" she said, frowning.
"Because that way, I know you're safe!" he exclaimed while walking, returning to sit next to her and touching her cheek.
"I need to know that you're safe." He said as she smiled at him; he cared for her, maybe he doesn't love her, but that's better than nothing, she thought.
"Okay, but will you stay with me tonight." She said as he took a deep breath.
"Okay." He said as she scooted to the side for him to lay down; they both lied down on the bed and stared at each other; she then closed her eyes, and as he began to brush her hair behind her ear and then his thumb landed on her lips and started to brush them.
She wanted to open her eyes but didn't want him to stop, so she pretended to be asleep.
"I'm so sorry, Fallon, you deserve better, but I can't stand seeing you with someone like Brandon or William. But if I truly love you, then I must let you go, even though it breaks me," he said as she heard him.
She wanted to talk and calm him down, but she knew that if she spoke, he would look away or deny what he had just said; later on, she felt him get closer to her until he brushed his lips against hers.
He was kissing her, and she couldn't just lay there; she responded to his kiss as he moved her closer to him to deepen the kiss; she didn't know if he knew she was awake.
When their lips parted, she didn't open her eyes; she smiled slightly as he put his arms around her and then drifted to sleep with her.
Queen Genevieve
Genevieve was staring at the moon from the balcony; her son was asleep in his crib.
From afar, she could see the wedding dress the seamstress made for her; it was a simple plain white gown with shoulder sleeves; the wedding was tomorrow afternoon.
"Derek… where are you." She said with tears in her eyes.
Suddenly she felt the baby moving, and she smiled. "you love hearing about your father like Henry, don't you, honey." She said, rubbing her belly.
"I miss him too, but don't worry, I'll make sure your father's legacy lives on." She said as she continued to rub her belly and then closed the balcony doors and went to bed.