Chapter 21: Covert Arrows

Three arrows circled the castle. Twisting around the cold stone walls, hunting for their prey. Human eyes couldn't see these three deadly arrows looming in the shadows, darting past the brightly colored flags. No one could see them but the one they sought after, Rebecca. She had long realized how close they were. She could feel the cold twinge of death pricking the back of her neck. It was so near she broke out in a cold sweat. Her dark gray dress was long on, and she sat watching her image in the reflective glass mirror. She knew that she had to do this her way.

Her long black hair was curled and pinned near the crown of her head. Her over all look appeared very strict. She stood and walked toward the room where William was being kept. Imagine her surprise when she opened that large elaborate door and there was no prince.

"ROSE" The fairies name could be heard echoing throughout the whole palace. Rebecca's anger was evident. She tensed at the sight of the empty chair, the magic chains lay limp on the floor. It was almost too much to handle. Just as she calmed down there was another tiny prick at the back of her neck. The trinity of arrows were now searching harder for her. She needed to pick up the pace.

"Rose, get in here now!" Soon the little fairy came buzzing in the room. She landed breathlessly on a nearby table.

"What is it Miss?"

"Where is William?"

Rose searched the room and then shrugged her shoulders in reply. "I don't know Miss." "Find him." Rebecca watched as Rose burst out the room. She then wiped her brow with a red cloth that she had tucked into her bodice. Her face was pale and beaded with sweat. She heard a short but distinguishing whistle. That alone was enough to weaken her knees and before she knew it she fell to the floor. Her breathing went into double time as she tried to slow her heart beat.

"Stop this." She demanded of herself. "You are Rebecca Burlington. You don't fear anything." With that solemn speech she stood and braced herself. One more wipe of the forehead and she ventured out to find the prince.

"Right up here." Claira pulled William into the secret passageway located inside the fireplace. She glanced around the darkened room. She knew this was the right place she just needed to shed some light. As soon as she found a match and lit a lamp she heard that familiar cough. Both Claira and William turned their eyes toward the old man. Claira ran to his side, automatically helping him sit up but William was apprehensive.

Hastings; William's father struggled to open his eyes. He had obviously been treated more harsh than usual these last few days. Rebecca's anger was being taken out on him by neglect. He finally opened his sleepy lids and they focused on Claira.

"Dear girl you've come back."

"Yes and I've brought. . ." Before she could finish he made eye contact with his son.

"William." The old man sputtered. He grew silent and even his breathing lingered. A single tear slipped from his crystal blue eyes and slid down his cheek.

"Father." William stated nonchalantly. Claira was shocked at how cold and distant William seemed. His shoulders slumped and his hands dug deep into his pockets. There was not a tear in his eye, not a smile on his lips. It was as if he was completely indifferent.

"Well come here. Let me good look at my boy." Hastings grinned. William walked closer and let his eyes study the old man.

"You've defeated Rebecca then?"

"No"

"Then she's still down there?"

"It seems that way."

"Are you quite alright son." Hastings asked, his concern growing.

"I'm fine."

William walked back to his dark corner in the room where he continued to baffle Claira. She watched him lean against the wall. He was acting so strange. She quickly shook this disarray and look back at Hastings. He didn't look so much confused as hurt. Tears were still glazing his weary eyes and his gentle smile seemed so broken. He glanced down at his attire. It was old and worn something about that embarrassed him. He looked back at Claira hoping he'd lose these distressing bombardment of feelings. "Are you feeling quite alright?" Claira asked the old man. He smiled.

"Good as my old bones will allow."

"That's good, you worried me."

"Don't bother yourself over an old man like me."

Claira heard William mumble something but when she looked back he seemed unmoved. His eyes were sparkling in the candle light but that didn't change how cold they seemed. "You look exhausted so we'll be quiet and let you get to sleep."Claira whispered to Hastings. He simply nodded his head. Taking one last look at his son he closed his eyes and nodded off.

Claira sat watching the old man rest when she couldn't stand the silence any longer. She stood and walked over to William, her hands perched sternly on her hips. She looked at the boy she had put up so high now sitting on the floor. Not only was he down with the dirt he was hiding in the shadows.

"Why?" She asked.

"What?" He asked as if he knew exactly what she were talking about.

"Why did you insist on coming up here if you were just going to pout?"

"I am not pouting." "Then what would you call this William? He's your father."

"Yes and he wasn't here when I needed him."

"William, he was chained up. He couldn't really come running."

"Yes but maybe if he would have told me what was going on earlier. . . He knew about Rebecca before hand and this all could have been prevented if he would have been honest."

Claira let her hands rest to her sides. Cautiously she took a seat next to him, patting his hand comfortingly. He seemed to have a point. There was a certain element of dishonesty in this whole matter. She quickly gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"I'm sorry for being the way I was with you. It wasn't my business either way if you hated your father or not." "I don't hate him and it is your business." "I'm not betrothed to you William. You really have no obligation to me what so ever." "Yes but I want you to."

Claira stared into Williams eyes, debating wether or not she had heard him right. Before she knew it her face was inching toward his or was it the other way around. Just before their lips connected in flew Rose.

"It's the spy." Claira mumbled. They both tried to catch the tiny fairy in their hands, even managing to trip over each other and land in a mangled heap on the floor. In other circumstances this would of been funny but now they watched the minuscule fairy fly back out the secret passage way toward Rebecca.

"Go children. . . GO!" The old man had roused from his sleep and was now screaming at the top of his whisper. Both William and Claira darted out the room and down the flight of stairs. They didn't think the plan through because before their very eyes stood Rebecca.

"10 minutes now come!" She beckoned William toward her.

"Stop this." Cried Claira. "I am not dealing with you child." Rebecca growled.

"Come with me now."

When William stood firm she pulled hard and before they knew it he went tumbling down the stairs with Rebecca in tow. Claira screamed after them running down to catch William but they both landed hard on the abrasive marble floor.

Rebecca stood up and stretched her back but William lay motionless on the ground. Claira did the most natural thing; knelt down to examine him. Her nerves were on end and as she saw his chest barely moving up and down her adrenalin pumped through in stride. She stood, back arched, shoulders straight and locked eyes on Rebecca.

"You lying, deceiving, putrid, little, Wench!" Claira screamed then ran toward her and grabbed around her neck. She nearly had her to the ground but then Rebecca started acting very strange. She looked around as if she saw things over her shoulder.

"They're here." She shuddered.

"I'm going to kill you." Claira had never uttered such words. "They are going to." Rebecca mumbled. Claira argued internally wether or not she heard her right. She quickly stood erect and beheld the strange sight in front of her. William soon caught his breath and stood sleepily. He took his desired place beside Claira as they watched Rebecca's odd behavior.

She was crawling on the ground, looking over her shoulder as if someone was coming after her. Soon she stood tall only to fall back down again. Her face was pale and pasty. Her shoulders twitched with fear of coming pain.

"Please don't I promise, I can't." She was hysterical. William wrapped his arms around Claira and pulled her aside for safe keeping. Claira kept her distance while still holding onto William's hand.

"What's the matter with her?" She mumbled. Rebecca was now buring her face in the rug, screaming forgiveness.

"PLEASE!!!" Rebecca screamed. Then the strangest thing happened. Blood gushed from a newly made wound. Her heart pounded ferociously through her chest as she felt the blood trickled down her back. The translucent arrow had struck her in the shoulder.

"No please, stop." Rebecca cried from her fetal position on the floor. Claira actually felt some sort of remorse. She held onto William's arm for comfort. He was feeling scared, what demon had taken over Rebecca?

Two minutes had passed by when yet another wound started to show itself. This one was located in her stomach. Bright red stains started peaking their ugly head through the fabric of her wedding dress. She closed her eyes and began to cry. Tears streamed down her flushed cheeks.

"William, please help me." Rebecca whispered. William kept his distance but acknowledged her plea.

"What could I do?" He asked.

"Please, just tell your father I'm sorry." She took in a deep agonizing breath. "Tell him I never thought it would end up this way. It was all so misunderstood. I was so young, I was so, so young."

Rebecca then started to age. Her flawless skin and glistening black ringlets began to morph into that of an elderly old hag. Years of evil spells and magic had taken away any warmth she might have encompassed. Her hair turned a dark gray. Her skin fell, losing all luster and buoyancy. Her eyes then lay on Claira who in all her young days had never seen anything like this.

Just as the old haggard woman was about to speak, a third wound opened up in her chest., allowing all the life to seep out of her quickly enough. As soon as the last breath left her aged body the trinity of arrows revealed themselves to the unknowing parties. Rebecca had been living a lie from the beginning.

"What are those?" Claira asked taking in the whole scene. "Those are the deadly trinity. It comes from selling your soul to the most evil creature that roams free this side of the door. She must have made a deal to marry into our family by this day or. . ."

William didn't have to speak another word. Rebecca was dead and that was the end of that. Claira quickly covered her with a nearby tapestry, hoping that those images wouldn't stay with her long and they didn't.

William grabbed Claira's hand and pulled her up the stairs toward the highest tower. He then closed themselves in a room where nothing could be seen except the faint stream of light made by the moon. He brought her to the window and let her see the whole kingdom , it was truly beautiful. Claira kept her eyes on the surrounding countryside but soon felt someone else's eyes on her.

"Claira." William whispered. She smiled and looked into his gorgeous blue eyes. "Yes." She replied feeling her heart would burst. "I think we both know this already, but I'll say it strictly because I think it's best. Claira Abbingdale, I love you."

Claira smiled and replied, "I love you too." William tucked a stray curl from her forehead and placed a gentle kiss on her brow.

"What was that?" He asked again sweetly. "I said I love you." She returned the smile. He then kissed her nose. "Say that one more time." He cooed. "I love you William, with all of my heart." With that last statement William placed his mouth on hers letting out all that pent up emotion out. Claira held onto his shirt for dear life, feeling as if she would slip away at any moment and be completely lost in this boy, or should she say this man.

The kiss was cut short by a loud trumpet playing throughout the halls. "The queen has risen!" The outcry of the staff was so loud it woke the surrounding town. From miles around people ran toward the castle hoping to catch a quick look at their long lost queen.

A/N: sorry it took so long. I thought I had posted and I hadn't. Bit o'l mess up and I sincerely apologize. Things have been so hectic lately. ah I hate it but w/e. there is only one more chapter after this..then you will get to see my next story. Hopefully the readers will like it. much like this one in the romance department but not so magical.. Love all your reviewers.. -P.sneakers85