Chapter 11: Mirage

Claira stood from her fetal position on the bed and walked over to her armoire. She pulled out a white nightgown and slipped from her uncomfortable dress. She put on the night gown before clearing off her bed. She decided she would leave first thing in the morning, before anyone woke up. She blew out the lamp and stared around the darkened room, she felt so overrun with emotion she didn't know what to do with herself. She forced her eyes shut and drifted into sleep.

William sat near his window staring out at the serene night sky. He wondered how the heavens could betray him so when he was feeling the opposite of serene. He had been sitting there for hours when he couldn't take it anymore. He ran to his armoire and pulled out his crown. He wanted to throw it in the fireplace and watch it burn but there was no use in doing it, just because the crown was gone didn't mean he wasn't prince. He threw the hated crown across the room sending echoes of metal hitting stone throughout the walls. He sat down in a dark corner of his room and buried his face in his hands, there was nothing he could do.

As Claira lay in a troubled sleep, something lurked in the shadows of her room. She tossed and turned keeping her back to the door and didn't hear the small squeak the door made as it shut behind the intruder. When Claira did realize someone was in her room it was too late, a large masculine hand clasped tightly over her mouth. Her eyes flew open only to see darkness in front of her, she wished more than anything that she had kept her lamp lit. Claira was then picked up and wrapped in a pair of strong arms and carried out the room, she struggled to be free, to scream but the hand over her mouth hadn't moved an inch. She was carried across the hallway, down the stairs and into the night air. She tried to look back at her kidnappers face but he would have none of that.

The pale moonlight hit the trees and gave an eerie glow to everything it touched. Claira glanced around at the familiar sights; the garden, the stone fountain, but they were heading toward the darkest part of the land. They walked for a long while before coming into a clearing. Claira recognized this from the first day she arrived in Vinunderlig, and they were at the lagoon. She could see the slick head of the mermaid appearing on the surface of the water but when she blinked they had disappeared.

Her kidnapper set her down and that's when she saw whom it was, Jonathan. He looked different from she had ever seen him before. His eyes were dark and bruting. He almost looked like a savage pacing back and forth in front of the small pond of water. Claira watched him stand with his back to her. He took in deep breaths. She took a step back accidently snapping a twig in the process. Jonathan turned and stared at her with hurt filled eyes.

'It's okay, you don't have to pretend any more' Jonathan said walking toward her. Claira felt her heart race and suddenly found it hard to breathe.

'What do you mean, pretend?'

'I know who you really are'

Claira just stood there watching the strange expression on Jonathan's face.

'I know you're her, I know that's why you came back.'

'Jonathan it's me, Claira'

'No I told you I know. You don't have to lie to me anymore. I've been waiting for you.'

'Jonathan listen to me. I don't know who you think I am but . . . '

'Don't you remember me? I met you right here at this very lagoon' Jonathan walked over to a certain spot near the water. 'This is where you were sitting, wearing that dress you have on right now.' He ran over to a place near the bushes. 'And this, this is where I was when I first saw you. I knew I loved you and I kept the flower you dropped it'

He then ran over and pulled out the very flower he spoke of.

'I am not who you think I am' Claira said sympathetically. Jonathan's shoulders drooped as he stared at his wilted flower.

'You have to be, you look just like her and your dress . . . it's the same' Jonathan looked up tears filling his eyes.

'No, Jonathan, I'm not her. This is my night gown, I . . . '

'Your lying!' his sudden shout made Claira's eyes widen to twice their size.

'I'm sorry, but I'm not her Jonathan. I can't help that I look like her'

Claira felt tears coming and started breathing harder. She did the only thing she knew to do she ran toward the palace. She saw the strange look in Jonathan's eyes, it was the look that scared her more than his angry words. She got into the palace and locked herself in her room, the only place she felt safe.

Jonathan threw the flower violently into the water along with the elaborate wooden box he held. He couldn't control his anger now and thrashed out. He only stopped screaming when he heard Rebecca's evil purr coming from behind.

'Oh dearest Jonathan, what troubles you on such a lovely night?'

Jonathan turned toward her face red with anger. He wiped his mouth and gave her a death glare.

'You told me it was she! You told me that she would remember me'

'And you believed me' An evil growl of a laugh escaped her blood red lips.

'You heartless witch'

'Language dearest, I don't appreciate being called such violent names. I prefer the term sorceress.'

Rebecca's calm voice only worsened Jonathan's mood.

'Why would you tell me she was the girl?'

'Because I wanted to see you squirm'

'I haven't done anything to you'

'Yes and it's sad' Rebecca mocked.

'Where is she? Where is the girl in white?'

'Right here'

Rebecca waved her hand in the air and out of nothing was the girl in white. Standing near the lake like she had been there the whole time. Jonathan ran to her but as soon as he reached her she disappeared. Another evil laugh came from Rebecca. Jonathan turned to her and charged. She pushed him in the air with one wave of her hand. She sent him flying across clearing and into the water. He sat up spitting out the murky liquid.

'What have you done with her?'

'You still haven't figured it out? Well, Your more stupid than I thought. She's not real Jonathan. She's a mirage.'

'No, she can't be'

'Yes and you signed over everything just to get to her.'

'I have signed nothing!'

'You have betrayed your brother, kidnaped Claira, lied about your adopted mother and father. Not to mention what you really are. Do you really think your going to be welcome in this kingdom anymore?'

'You wouldn't tell'

'No, but I can't have you blabbing any secrets of mine so I'm forced to deal with this another way.'

'What are you going to do?'

'I'm going to get rid of you'

Jonathan tried to escape but he was in no way strong enough stand up to Rebecca's power. He was pushed under the water until he was too far gone. Rebecca grinned to herself, a few more steps and her plan would be complete. She didn't bother cleaning up her mess no one would find him. Rose took her seat on Rebecca's shoulder as they made their way back to their layer a cave in the shadows.

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A/N: I know, I felt horrible when Jonathan died too. I hope this doesn't make you stop reading because like I've said before not everything is what it seems. The good ending is coming and it will make up for Jonathan's tragic death. so please keep reading!!!!