Meggie had fallen asleep in Farid's arms as they sat on the edge of the bed together. She woke up cuddled up against him as he snored softly. She rubbed her eyes and yawned, causing Farid to turn slightly and topple over the bed. Meggie broke away before he fell, so she sat at the edge with a smile on her face as Farid laid on the floor in confusion. Gregory walked in carrying a tray full of food. He set it down on the bed and looked at Farid smugly.
"Glad to see you taking to your true place, brother." Gregory smirked and left the room.
"What's his problem?" Meggie asked as she began to eat.
"We've fought over the throne for a while, but I eventually ran off and he was next in line. Now that I'm back, he's going to be more of a jerk." Farid explained.
"I can't wait to see how that turns out," She snorted.
"He might get a little bit crabbier since you'll be staying with us for a while." He added. "He'll be envious when he sees how much time we spend together."
"You're the only friend I have here, so there really isn't anyone else I can hang out with." She pointed out.
"Do you think Gregory knows that? He still thinks you're a princess from a far away land that I happened to rescue from the clutches of thieves." He smirked.
"Speaking of the rescue, we need to get our story straight if your dad asks about it." She sighed.
"If he does, tell him that you were captured by the thieves on a journey to meet a prince a few cities away. Then I arrived and rescued you right before Dariad got his hands on you. I battled him in a dual to the death and we were able to run away, but he survived the attack and cornered us in the festival. Then you can tell him about the officials stumbling upon us and he'll know what happens after that." He finished and was sitting beside her on the bed.
"Do you think he'll believe it?" She asked.
"I'm his favorite son; of course he'll believe it." He scoffed.
"Don't get too cocky, Farid. You might jinx us," She warned. A breeze slipped in through the window and Farid went to shut it. Meggie felt breathing on her neck and she screamed out of fear.
"Meggie, are you okay?" He said worriedly.
"I-I felt someone breathing on my neck." She gasped.
"Ghosts." He muttered and looked around uneasily.
"Ghosts don't exist, especially where I come from." She insisted.
"Well in this world, they exist just like we do." He murmured. "Be sure not to anger them."
Something grabbed Meggie's arm and she snuggled closer to Farid. Farid was just as scared of the ghosts as Meggie was, but he couldn't let her find that out. Her hair blew in a breeze that circled around them and she felt her breath being lifted out of her. Farid pulled her to the window and he pried it open. The wind blew out the window, almost taking the two with it.
"Hurry, close the window!" She hissed. He slammed it shut and she stood beside him, waiting for something to happen. When it didn't, she let out a sigh of relief.
"You're world is horribly strange." She muttered.
"What was your first clue?" He snorted.
"When I first appeared...here," She said, pausing to yawn. He scooped her up bridal style and laid her down onto the bed.
"Get some sleep; you'll have a long day ahead of you tomorrow." He whispered and pulled a warm blanket over her. She smiled and drifted off to sleep peacefully. Farid smiled and slid under the covers beside her. As he put his arm around her protectively, she turned and cuddled up against him. He couldn't help but blush as he began to fall asleep as well.
Thank the gods who brought this angel to me. He thought happily, soon drifting off a few moments later.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"So you honestly think this will work?" Dustfinger asked as he, Elinor, Mo, and Fenoglio approached Capricorn's fortress.
"Yes, it will most certainly work." Fenoglio insisted. "I wouldn't have come with you unless I was certain."
"Well before we put Capricorn and his men to an end, I need to help an old friend escape." Dustfinger said.
"Old friend? Ha! I'm surprised anyone would call you a friend!" Elinor muttered.
"Her name is Resa and she is in desperate need of an escape. After that, you can kill as many of Capricorn's men as you want." Dustfinger added as he ignored Elinor's comment. Mo looked at Dustfinger incredulously and he felt his heart speed up slightly.
"Did you say Resa?" Mo whispered.
"Yes, but she can't speak. Quite unfortunate, really, but she's still a very bright girl." Dustfinger replied.
"So she is alive…" Mo muttered.
"You know her?" Fenoglio asked.
"She is his wife, and my niece." Elinor spoke up.
"Wonderful, now you only have your daughter trapped in a book." Dustfinger chuckled.
"Ssh! Someone is coming!" Fenoglio whispered, but it was too late. A flashlight shone on them and they were surrounded by Capricorn's men.
"Well it looks like we've been saved a few days search." Basta snickered as he approached the group.
"Just take us to Capricorn. I've found a passage that he'd love me to read." Mo said.
"Let me see it then." Basta instructed.
"No, it must be a surprise for all of you. Now take us to him." Dustfinger interrupted. Basta growled, but he led them into the fortress. As Mo looked around, he saw a familiar woman standing at the foot of Capricorn's throne. She was none other than Resa, Mo's beautiful wife.
"Resa!" Mo cried happily. Resa saw him and smiled brightly just like she did ten years ago.
"So you know this traitor?" Capricorn observed as his men pushed Resa beside Mo. "That make sit so much easier for me to get rid of you all."
"But I thought you'd like to hear a passage I've created for you. It involves gold, jewels, and ultimate power, but I understand if you-" Mo sighed.
"Just read it to me!" Capricorn hollered.
"As you wish, your highness." Mo said and began to read.
"Capricorn was a ruthless man who ruled as a dictator. His men feared him and woman shied away from his every glare. So on a surprisingly sunny day, he died a very unfortunate death. It was too quick for anyone to see and only a puff of black smoke was visible. As his followers rejoiced in their freedom, a stunning event occurred. One by one, his followers succumbed to the same fate as him. In a matter of minutes, his village became nothing but an empty waste land, soon turning to dust over time."
"NO!" bellowed Capricorn as Mo read. "Stop him!"
But no one did, because they were overtaken by fear. Capricorn was turning into a puff of black smoke very slowly, his screams of outrage ringing throughout the church. His men scrambled around in terror, women picking up their skirts and fleeing for their lives. Mo held Resa close in fright that she would vanish, but the church fell silent and all seemed at peace. A bird chirped outside, much to Gwin's pleasure. He hopped off of Dustfinger's shoulder and scurried to a nearby window.
"He's gone...he's really gone!" Dustfinger cheered. "Now we can save Meggie from the book!"
Resa looked at Mo with worry and he turned to Dustfinger, who was rejoicing.
"Go find the book I read Meggie into and bring it back to me." Mo instructed. Dustfinger, who was too happy to disagree, stalked off in search of the book.
"I will explain all of this to you later." Mo whispered in Resa's ear. "But I can tell you that I accidentally read our daughter into a book."
Resa nearly fainted, but Fenoglio and Mo kept her from colliding with the floor.
"Well she took that rather well. I was expecting her to attack you in some way." Elinor laughed.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Meggie woke up to the sun shining through the window and lighting up the room. She felt Farid's arms around her protectively and decided not to wake him up. Instead, she let her mind wander as a bird chirped outside.
I wonder how Mo and Elinor are doing. I hope Dustfinger hasn't been much of a bother, although he can be a bit sweet sometimes. I bet Elinor is still holding a grudge over him. She thought to herself.
Farid shifted beside her and now he was positioned with his arm all the way around her waist. She couldn't help but blush at the position. She placed her hands on Farid's shoulders and perched her head up.
"Farid, wake up." She whispered.
Farid opened his eyes and released her as he stretched out. He turned to her as he rubbed his eyes.
"So how was your night princess?" He yawned.
"It was better than all of the other nights." She replied.
"Are you hungry?" He asked.
"Sort of, why?" She said.
Farid clapped his hands and a man walked in with a tray filled with pastries, fruit, and a glass of milk for them both. He set it on a table on the bed and stood beside them.
"Anything else, your majesties?" The man asked.
"That is all." Farid replied and the man left the room.
"Wow, was life always like this for you? Before you left, I mean." She inquired and picked up a pastry.
"Somewhat, but my dad is probably doing this to convince you to stay here for a while longer." He said.
"I didn't know he liked me so much." She laughed as she took a sip of the milk.
"He just wants you to marry one of his sons, whether it's me or Gregory." He added, which caused Meggie to nearly spit out her milk.
"He wants me to marry?!" She cried.
"Most girls your age marry off, and it doesn't help much that you're pretending to be a princess. My mom was a princess and she married my dad when she was thirteen." He added.
"B-But I'll barely be turning thirteen in a month!" She whined.
"Barely? I already thought you were thirteen," He muttered. "Besides, your dad will read you out of here before you even come close to getting married."
"My mother has been trapped inside a book for ten years, even though my dad has tried to read her out many times. What makes my situation any different?" She sighed.
"Maybe this time will be different." He whispered.
After that, the two ate in complete silence.