Warnings: torturing readers with lots of suspenseful scenes will probably get me in trouble one day…

Chapter Thirty: To Truth

Evadne's carefully constructed façade of pleasantry fell as the glass did, and her true emotions were written clearly across ever inch of her face. "You fools!" She hissed at us. "You guileless, pathetic idiots!"

Adrian's air of thinly veiled triumph bloomed into a wealth of confusion. "Evadne?"

Her icy eyes darted wildly around the table. "Quick! Everyone, hurry!" She stumbled towards the towering columns that framed the egress. "Don't sit there! Move!" My eldest sister hastily scrambled back across the glass-strewn floor, wincing as the shards cut into her feet through the sad remains of her slippers.

Twenty-four shock-frozen faces stared back at her, uncomprehending.

"Up!" She screamed, gesticulating wildly. "Get up!"

Adrian was the first to actively respond to her commands; he strode gallantly across the floor and grabbed my arm. "Listen to your sister. Follow her," He said gruffly, giving me a rough kiss on the cheek.

"But…what about them?"

"They'll come," he reassured me.

I informed him stubbornly, "I'm helping."

Adrian shrugged, "No, you're not. Get out of here this minute." Just as I was about to protest, he pointed to Johan, "Take him with you, and get the hell out of here." I received another kiss, and then Adrian said, "Don't worry about me, love, I'll get out."

"Right." I saw that I had no choice, really, as I leaned down over Johan. "Prince Johan, get up out of your chair and get to your boat," I told him.

"Of course, milady." Johan nodded sharply and we joined the stream of my sisters and their Princes who were hurrying out into the night. "Milady, take my hand and I will help you in," Johan gently took my wrist and handed me into the swan-shaped-craft, making sure I was seated before he joined me.

"Johan, what do you think is happening?" My fear and confusion crept into my voice and he smiled reassuringly.

"I'm not sure. I think, milady, that we'd best get out of here as quickly as possible." He picked up the oars and began rowing as if there was no tomorrow.

I looked around and discovered that the other princes had similar thoughts to Johan; many boats were already well ahead of us, and only Evadne's boat lagged too far behind.

I didn't see Adrian anywhere.

I had no time to fret, though, as our boat suddenly bumped against the opposite shore. "Elensar, take my hand." Johan didn't wait for me to answer, but grabbed my limp fingers in his own and pulled.

Fearfully, I took one last look over my shoulder, searching for Adrian.

Nothing.

I did, however, see Evadne with an absolutely petrified expression freezing her face, turning back from a last look at the castle. "Faster!" She screamed at her poor prince. He was rowing as hard as he could, but seemed to be gaining no ground.

Johan dragged on my hand, hauling me forward into the forest that glittered with diamonds. We stumbled through the brush, snapping branches and stepping on gemstones as we fought our way to the path we knew was there.

I could hear my sisters calling to each other worriedly, and I tried harder to make my way through the bracken. Johan gently pushed me aside and forged the path for me, breaking the foliage to make my way easier.

Suddenly, we were out on the track and engulfed in a swarm of silk-clad men and women.

"Elensar!" Alyssa swept over to me and wrapped her arms around me, lovingly smothering me in her puffy tulle sleeves. "Oh Elensar, I was afraid you hadn't made it!" She hugged me closer, pressing my head to her at quite an uncomfortable angle.

"Why wouldn't I have made it?" I mumbled into the pearls that edged the gown.

Alyssa looked at me strangely, and then I heard it.

It was a great rumbling, like the sound of stones falling. It was very loud, too, as if this avalanche of sorts was very close to where I was standing.

"Don't you feel the ground shaking? Can't you hear it?" Alyssa gestured wildly in the direction of the great ballroom where we had danced so many nights away.

I listened. I looked.

The avalanche grew louder, and I grabbed onto Johan for support. It terrified me to think that castle, which had been a part of my life for almost eighteen years now, was gone. I didn't want to believe that the luminescent cloud of dust rising from the ground was the place that I had just been dancing in. It couldn't be! Evadne would never let such a thing happen.

As I stared, shock paralyzing me, Evadne burst through the trees, sending diamonds flying, dragging her poor prince behind her. Her hair was disheveled now, and her fine gown was torn in some places; the hem was absolutely ragged.

"You idiots!" She shrieked. "What are you still doing here? Move! Run! Save yourselves!" Evadne lunged at Isabel, who was standing closest to the bank. "You goose! Move!" She was angry, but with an undertone of fear.

She scared me as she swept past me, skirts kilted up as far as they could go, "Go!" She screamed again.

"Elensar, come on!" Alyssa tugged at my arm, and I turned and followed the aristocrats in their flight through the forests.

Adrian…my mind repeated his name over and over again. I didn't see Adrian…

I ran on, Alyssa on my right and Johan on my left. My feet ached with the abuse that they were taking, and my slippers ripped further. I felt each pebble, each fallen gemstone as I stepped on them, and with each one I winced.

My poor feet weren't used to this kind of work; they much preferred the carpeted or marble floors of the rich palace in which I spent my days. I fell several times, and Johan had to catch me and drag me the next few steps until I regained my footing.

I could see from the prints in front of me that my sisters' feet were bleeding and I supposed that mine were too. The bricks in the path were a mottled red-brown now, although they bordered more on red by the time the last of the dancers ran through.

Alyssa cried as she ran, and I could see her wincing with each step she took. The blisters that had formed on the dance floor that night were growing and popping as she ran, but she continued on.

We had no choice, when I really thought about it. If we stayed where we were, or in the ballroom, we certainly would have died as it collapsed around us. Even if we lingered in the forests, my intuition told me that harm would befall us there as well, although in what form, I knew not.

As my last sister, Wren, stepped into the forest that was alight with golden light, I found out what dangers would have been ours if we had stayed. One by one, the trees collapsed with creaking groans that went on forever but ended in great booming crashes. They all fell, one by one, shedding their glittering fruits with the clearest bell tones. The diamonds bounced across the bricks, and into one another, all the while shimmering innocently at us.

"Run!" Evadne grabbed the collective attention of our little herd, which had wandered at the sight of the jewels. They had mesmerized us, catching us in their seductive spell.

We ran on, and behind us, the massive trees continued their deafening descent into death.

As I stepped into the wood that was spangled with silver, I realized that I had fallen to the back. The trees shook the ground that stumbled across so hard, that I fell to my knees.

"Elensar, no you don't." Johan scooped me up in a single, graceful motion and set me on my feet. He was tired as well, but I more so. He had not spent the entire night dancing. Johan glanced at me, taking in the haggard expression on my face that I could not mask, and grabbed my hand, taking charge of me and pulling me behind him.

"Not too much farther," He muttered between ragged breaths. "Soon, Elensar. Soon."

He couldn't know how much farther. He hadn't traveled this way for a long time, so how could he know how much further it was? Did he remember?

I found that thinking took too much effort and raised too many questions for the present moment, so I stopped worrying and placed m trust fully in his judgment. "Soon…" I wheezed to myself, "Soon."

We hurried onwards, except that the mad sprint we had had before had tumbled into a lopsided, shuffling jog. I could hear people sobbing for breath, trying to suck in any air they could. I realized that I was doing it too. My throat hurt, and tears welled in my eyes. Desperation suffused my entire body.

I couldn't go onward. I couldn't. There was no way that I could. It wasn't possible. I would just fall right here and wait for the trees to come crashing down on me.

Then Markus was there beside me, catching me as I fell and running with me. Johan cast him a grateful look before focusing all of his attention on forward momentum. I clung to Markus, letting him carry me along, wrapping my arms around his neck and falling into exhaustion.

"Is everyone…here?" Evadne clutched at Aermil, her partner as of late. "Please," she gasped, "Tell me that no one is missing."

I looked around, fatigue clouding my vision. I couldn't see anyone missing. All my sisters were there, and all were matched with royals. There was something, though, something that plucked at my thoughts, as if trying to grab their attention.

"No one?" The Eldest practically fainted with relief.

I dug deeper into my mind's meanderings, following the little note of discord that was being unmercifully repeated over and over again. "Evadne…wait. There's someone…" My brow furrowed in concentration…trying to remember whom it was.

"Elensar?" Evadne's face was suddenly fraught with worry-lines. "Who? Who is it? I see you, and I see Johan. Who is…"

"Adrian."

"Oh, god." My sister's hand flew to her mouth to stifle a scream. "I've lost one."

Markus dropped me unceremoniously on the ground and melted back into the shadows without warning. I let a little moan escape my lips before I gave up and cried. "Adrian…" I clutched at the tatters of my skirts, wishing that I could rip them to show my sorrow like the actors did in plays. The people of the old world could have expressed themselves to their heart's content and beyond, but I just had to remain fully clothed for decency's sake.

Evadne's voice, when she spoke, was broken and caught on the smallest of words. "Come, my sisters. We must go. It is almost dawn." She turned around, determination setting her shoulders firmly square, and trudged up the stairs.

We filed, in order of age, up the stairs, taking each one deliberately and with heavy feet. Johan stood beside me, helping me as I stumbled, and encouraging me forward. As we, the final pair, stepped onto the last steps, the final, silver tree fell into place, barring the doorway to the ballroom, and our secret. Forever.

"Adrian…" I whimpered wretchedly. I let Johan navigate the stairs for me, trusting him not to let me fall.

This was not the triumphant homecoming that I had imagined; this was all…wrong. It was supposed to be happy. It was supposed be Adrian laughing and smiling and helping me up the stairs. There were so many things that it was supposed to be.

It was supposed to be a tale to tell our children when we grew old, a legend, a lasting romance, and overall, it was supposed to be wonderful. It was not suppose to end like this, so heart-breakingly awful. Johan was not the one to hold my arm. Not Johan, or Darius or Aermil for that matter, were meant to reveal our secret and marry one of my sisters. It was supposed to be Adrian.

He had done everything right until he had stayed behind. He had broken the enchantment that was upon everyone, he had finished our game! He had won! Now, he was gone, and it was all going awry.

The stairs gave way, one by one as the last foot left them.

But there was one more set of feet that needed to walk these stairs…

No. I wouldn't think of that.

I would remember, I had to remember, that happy endings were only for the good children. The magic children. They were not for me.

My feet felt the soft plush of the carpet before my mind knew what it was. I could feel each and every fiber on the sole of my feet, biting into the lacerations and reminding me of pain.

The halls of the palace were filled with silence, in the predawn hours. The servants let us pass, deferentially saying nothing. We said nothing. We were completely silent but for the muted swish of cloth on carpet.

As we arrived at my father's rooms, Markus was waiting there to open the door for us, with a sleepy herald in tow. All twenty-four of us, and my heart-broken thoughts wailed, it should have been twenty-five, waited until the herald had all of our names and went in to announce us, one by one.

I knew my father would still be in bed, still wearing his nightclothes. He would not have shaved, nor eaten, only just woken up.

"Princess Evadne Kelledy…" Evadne, somber in mien and manner, stepped into the room.

He would be propped up against twelve embroidered pillows, one of them my handiwork. Mine was a picture of a unicorn rampant, gold thread stitched into a field of white.

"Prince Aermil L'Chambry…" Aermil entered, close on Evadne's heels.

Father would wonder what was happening. He would be confused at first, and then ecstatic as understanding set in.

"Princesses Lark Kelledy and Wren Kelledy…" The herald's voice carried into the hallway, echoing on the bare stone.

"Caliph Alfons le Leonie and Grand Duke Cheren de la Gauthier…"

The King would not be himself without his royal crown, at least not officially. He would still have that aura about him, though, that aura of power. He was a King, through and through.

The herald called again, "Princesses Faelyn Kelledy, Jeanette Kelledy and Isabel Kelledy…"

My father, the King, would be glad to know that his daughters could finally be paired off to eligible suitors that could bring wealth to the kingdom.

More names, "Princes Deccan Archaumbault and Darius Archaumbault and Lord Chancellor Veradyln D'Artagn."

My father, the father, would be glad to finally be able to see his daughters happily married to fine men, regardless of wealth or prosperity.

"Princesses Carmen Kelledy and Carina Kelledy…" Carmen made sure to go first, as was her right as the elder twin.

"Roya Palanis del Sol and Prince Menas Tierney…" The two men looked enough alike to be twins, but I knew that they were from opposite sides of the world.

"Princess Alyssa Kelledy…" Alyssa stumbled in, weariness covering her face like a badly cast plaster mask.

"Princep Teylen Tostyalvic…" A pale blonde man had entered even before he was called, and before the door shut again, I saw him steady Alyssa before she could fall.

"Princess Johanna Kelledy…"

My father would have had a serving boy bring in a glass of water and notify the kitchens that food was to be brought up immediately.

"Igemonas Paris Cassandri…"

He would have the tables near the big stained glass window that Alyssa's mother had ordered when she had reigned as queen. It was very pretty, representing all the elements in one, large, fragile circle.

"Princess Maria Kelledy…"

Father would wait for us all to be there before any questions were asked. There would be silence until the last person arrived in the room. Only then would the questions begin.

"Marquis Richard Coeur de Lion..."

He would have everyone's attention at all times, and no one would dare think to even so much as day dream. That was his royal demeanor showing through. It was just so compelling.

"Princess Elensar Kelledy…" Me. I stepped forward, and for a moment, I thought my legs would not hold me. Markus, ever the concerned servant of the royal family, held the door open for me and gave me a small smile.

I tripped slightly as I went through the great wooden door to my father's private chambers, catching my foot on the edge of his fine rug. It was one that my mother had installed. I kept my eyes on the pattern, hoping to force any stray thoughts from my mind.

"Prinz Johan von Koln…" The herald let his voice trail off as he announced the final guest.

Johan stood, resting his fingertips lightly on my elbow, letting me know subtly that he was there if I should need him.

"Girls, Your Highnesses," Father rumbled, looking at us each in turn. "There seems to be a matter that we need to discuss."

Markus slipped into the already crowded room and closed the door with a soft snick.

"I've a young man here," Father continued in his deep voice, "Who thinks he can tell me your secret. He says he can prove it." He chuckled then. "As if it needs proving. What with all these young men here, we've proof enough it seems." He sobered then, donning his kingly air again. "Still, I did say that there must be one to tell me, and he his here."

I glanced dully over at Markus, assuming that he would tell, especially since he had ranted at me just last night.

I didn't notice that everyone else was looking the other way.

Author's Note: It's almost one a.m. for me, so this might not be entirely coherent or concise. I just finished writing this chapter, and I am so very pleased with the ending part of it. The beginning is not so great…the first couple paragraphs took me about a week to write. I'm sorry I didn't update sooner- I thought I had my summer free, but instead I had to get up at six each morning for two weeks to go to Driver Training. I now can theoretically drive a car. Go me. I ended up, over the past two weeks subsisting on five hours of sleep a night or less…so I was in no condition to write. I'm sorry about that…but now that it's over…I can stay up until the time that I can write, and write a lot, which just happens to be nowish…early morning…I wrote most of this tonight (this morning?) and I hope you like it. I haven't checked it or anything, and I really wanted to get this up because it's been so long…okay, I'll shut up now. This must be getting boring.

Wow. Thirty chapter. And I was happy when I made twenty…

Thanks to the best people in the world!

HolmesismyHomie: How about some more suspense? How would that work out for you:oP

Lilred-07: I want to get it published! I just have no idea how (yet). I'm in the process of finding out how…Thank you!

Tortallan-Fairy-Tale: I think I could use a nap too…:o)

Glaze: Even this chapter is not the last chapter…so yay for that!

Glitterpoison: I totally love Adrian…he makes me so proud!

Mistyqueen: Thanks for all the compliments! Now that I've got time…I will be able to go and write and all that fun stuff!

V: Ooh thanks for your suggestions. I will definitely work on that scene some more…it is rather important after all.

Panemonium: I haven't really decided how the King feels about Evadne…I guess we'll find out next chapter, won't we? Do you have any suggestions for it?

Zagato: Thanks :o)

ElvisLivesAgain: Lucky you! You can drive! No, this isn't the end. I can easily see three more chapters coming. I hope.

Tamaran Girl: I liked the old Johan too…he seemed like a really nice person.

Eleatie: Don't cry! Please don't cry! I'm glad that I can introduce you to one of my favorite fairy tales!

HalfBludPr1ncess: Thanks for the pretty flattery! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :oD

Fireworksinmybackpocket: Thanks!

Rainkisser: bows to manager Somehow…your reviews always incite me to update. Maybe it's because of the style…demanding instead of asking. Hmm…whatever it is…it works! So yay for that! I think I've got this C2 thing figured out now too! At first I was so confused but now…I think I've learned how to you it! (Technology and I don't mix very often. And if we do, it's not well…) But it's not the end yet!

You guys are totally the best and now I think I'm going to go and get some sleep…happy reading to you all!