Part 16

Carla frowned as she watched Erin play with her niece Christina and a puppy. Erin should know that playing with that child and filthy beast was no way a future queen should act. That child belonged with a nanny and the beast had no place in the Royal garden.

"Carla, just because you only had children out of duty doesn't mean that Erin believes in that. Charlie and I had the child brought here because she belongs with family. Erin's parents are not able to care for a child that young. That left Erin and her younger brother who is studying at the University." Said Thomas

"That young woman is not acting the way a future Queen should act. That child belongs with a nanny and she should be working at becoming the Queen Charles needs. She should not be acting like some simple commoner."

"I spent much time with my mother when I was young. Just because you didn't have that childhood or give that to our children does not mean others feel that way. In fact I think that being with that little girl right now is just where Erin should be."

"That beast doesn't belong in the garden much less the palace."

"Actually I had a dog as a boy. It is nice to have one around again. Carla, just because you only married me out of duty doesn't mean it is the same for others. Our son and Erin love each other. Caitlin wants to love someone and have them love her. But she is scared that if they learn about her gifts that they will see her as a monster. You and I have not shared a bed in years. But my parents rest their souls after they married spent few nights apart. I know Henry and Nora have continued to share a bed. But shortly after we learned you were pregnant with Caitlin you moved permanently into your private bedroom in our suite."

"I told you years ago if you have those kind of needs then take a girl for them. You know that other nobles do. There are doctors who make them barren for that kind of thing."

"Carla, I was not raised that way. While my family has never been very religious we do believe that wedding vows are to be honored."

"Thomas, had I had my way we never would have married. My father chose this for me. I never wanted it. Unfortunately it would create a scandal if we divorced."

"You would also lose everything. Carla, I know you have never been happy with me. But you have to know that I do care about you."

"It changes nothing."

Carla turned and headed into the palace. Thomas stayed for a few minutes watching his soon to be daughter in law with her niece before heading in to meet with is advisors and strategize their next move.


"Chrissy are you ok?" asked Erin

"Why did that mean man kill my momma and daddy?"

"I don't know. I just know he doesn't like our King and his family. He wants Princess Caitlin but she went away for a while."

"The Queen don't want me here."

"Honey it is not that. She thinks that you should only be with a nanny. That I should not be spending a lot of time with you."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Honey, I am always going to be here for you."

"The Queen don't like my puppy Snowflake."

"She is just not a dog person. But you remember what Charlie and the King said when they met him?"

"They said he is cute and liked him. Princess Caitlin would like him right?"

"I know for a fact that she would love you have a puppy. She loves animals. I know some people think she is not nice. But that isn't true. She just has a hard time letting people close."

"Momma said that Princess Caitlin is special. Why?"

Erin thought for a minute. She knew that she could not tell the three year old about why Princess Caitlin is special. It was not her secret to tell.

"She just is. She has a horse that was hurt by someone so it doesn't trust anyone but her and this new stable hand. She just seems to be able to calm animals."

"She's pretty. I want to meet her."

"You will honey. She will be back before the wedding. She is going to be my maid of honor. Just like you will be the flower girl."

Chrissy just nodded and went back to playing with her puppy.

"My sister would be out here with you and this beautiful little girl."

"I know."

"Erin, don't worry about my mother. You are right where you need to be."

"Thanks Charlie."

Charlie just smiled and kissed the woman he was going to marry.


Wally watched as Zoom's men fled from the town that they had found them in. The field medics were now going around and treating the injured. Half a dozen of Zoom's men were dead. But the evil warlord still had a rather large army. Wally entered a tent hand on his weapon. Inside he found a girl that looked to be no more then thirteen or fourteen in ripped blood stained clothes. She backed away from him crying. He stopped moving closer and looked her over. Her brown hair was matted and dirty. Her brown eyes were haunted with fear. The only jewelry she wore was a sliver cross around her neck. He glanced around the tent and based on what he saw he knew this had been Zoom's tent. He looked back at the girl and that was when he saw the chain around her ankle. He took off his helmet and spoke softly.

"My name is Wally. I am not going to hurt you. I am a sergeant in the Central Kingdom army. We came to help free your people from Zoom. If you let me I can get that chain off your leg. I can also get a doctor to look you over. There is a field hospital a couple miles outside this town."

She nodded keeping her eyes on him. Wally put his pack down and pulled out a tool to cut the chain. He also took out an extra shirt he had and gave it to the girl. She took it and wrapped it around herself covering herself. Wally then saw on frail she was. It had been close to two months since Zoom began his attack. He could tell that she had spent most of that time as that monster's prisoner.

"Can you walk? Do you need any water or anything to eat? I have water and some bread. No butter or jelly. But it would be something."

"Water." Said the girl speaking for the first time.

Wally grabbed his canteen and handed it to the girl who took a long drink from it. She handed it back to him.

"Thank you. My name is Ashlee. My father was the preacher in Winter Haven. Can you get me to King Thomas? I know the identity of Zoom. He didn't wear his mask when he forced himself on me."

"We will get you to the King." Said Wally

Wally helped Ashlee to her feet and they exited the tent. Wally told the Captain in charge of this unit he had been assigned to that she had important information for the King. Ashlee told the Captain what she knew. He then ordered Wally and another solider to take Ashlee to get checked out find her something that would fit her and take her to the King. Wally seeing how weak Ashlee was placed her on his horse and led it to the field hospital.