Liana stared at the cliff for a long moment, then she turned to face the rest of the men, her eyes flashing with anger.
"I think that one's Corinne." Renee whispered to the others "I think."
"For the first time, I'm not sure either." Jeremy said
The tall men backed away uncertain as Liana stared at them, her hand gripped around the handle of her sword They'd just lost their king, now they had a girl glaring at them!
"Let's get out of here!" Drake shouted. Then they all ran away.
Everything became silent. Deathly silent. Then Liana dropped her sword, letting it clatter to the ground "I'm sorry."
"I'm guessing you're Liana." Aramina said gently "It's not your fault."
Jeremy went to stand by the blond "Are you alright?"
The girl looked over at the cliffs "I don't know." Why did I find my sister just to loose her again?
Louis took a deep breath "I... um..."
Renee sighed "Yeah. I'm kind of feeling the same way."
"Which would be what?"
Everyone gasped and spun around to see Corinne, her arms crossed on the ground and her chin on her arms looking at them "You didn't think I actually fell did you?"
"Well... you did!" Liana gasped.
Corinne attempted to pull herself up to the ground but was still too worn out from the fall and climb.
Liana ran over to the ledge and grabbed Corinne's hands and pulled her up.
The two girls stared at each other for a moment right before they both laughed softly and hugged. Relieved that it was finally over.
"But you did fall!" Aramina exclaimed
"Partially." Corinne answered, stepping away from her twin "Malice fell all the way."
"And once again, Paris is saved by the girls." Louis added "Only this time, five of them."
"And I have to go back home." Liana said a moment later "Alexa's probably worried sick."
Corinne managed a small smile "Yeah."
"Before you go," Louis said quickly "How about a party? Just a simple non-formal celebration in the morning. Then you can leave right after."
Liana thought for a moment "It's already late. So I guess..."
"You can stay with us." Corinne said quickly "Right girls?"
The other three walked over and linked arms with the two blonds "Definitely." then they walked away.
"Hey," Jeremy said, stepping over to Louis "Um... Can I ask you a question?"
Louis shrugged "Sure."
"Corinne. What is it about her that gets you the most?"
"Her eyes." was the immediate answer "Definitely her blue eyes."
Jeremy patted the young king on the back "I feel ya, man."
Louis chuckled "Hey, come back to the castle. You might as well use one of the spare rooms."
"Sure."
The next morning, the whole town gathered for the party. It was held in the ballroom, but everyone was dressed casually.
Liana and Corinne had agreed not to tell anyone about the sister-thing. It'd just make it hard on them all... especially their mom.
"You know." Liana said "It's relieving to know that I was kidnapped. Not abandoned."
"I know." Corinne smiled "I really do wish you could stay."
"I don't belong in the city." Liana smiled sadly "The longer I'm here, the harder it's going to be to leave."
"Well, before you go. There's one more thing I want to do with you." Corinne flashed her a wide smile "Come on."
She led Liana over to where the musicians were playing on a stage "Sing."
"How could I say no?"
Corinne picked up two guitars and handed onto to Liana.
She looked down at the instrument and started playing an upbeat tune that she knew was familiar to Liana.
The people in the ballroom turned to face the stage curiously.
Corinne started the song:
I'm blindfolded on this carriage ride that they call life
Liana - tryin' to make it through that next turn
knuckles white and holdin' tight.
Corinne - So here I go, takin' the curve
Liana - But I know that I'm never alone
I think of you
Both - and how you'd never let me go
I feel
Corinne – connected,(Liana - Connected) protected (Protected)
Both - It's like you're standin' right with me all the time
Liana - You hear me (Corinne - You hear me), you're near me (You're near me)
Both - and everything else gonna be alright
'Cause nothin' can break this, nothin' can break this
Nothin' can break this tie
Connected.
Liana - Connected inside
Heads in the audience were starting to no to the music.
Louis and Jeremy glanced at each other and grinned.
Liana - It's not an accident the time we spent apart
Corinne - But now we're so close I can always find you
right here in my heart
Liana - You've given me somethin' I need
Corinne - And I don't ever want it to end
Liana - Because of you
Both - I know I've found my strength again
"I can't believe it!" Aramina squealed "Corinne is singing! In Paris!"
Renee nodded "I like the song. It's catchy."
Viveca shrugged "You do know she'll never do it again, right?"
"Yeah." The other two answered.
Corinne - Connected inside.
Both - Every time that I breathe I can feel the energy
Reachin' out, flowing through,
you to me and me to you
Wake or dream, walk or stand, you are anywhere I am
separate souls unified
touching at the speed of light
Li-ght.
Oh-oh. Oh-oh. Oh-oh.
The two girls put a torturing pause in the music as they looked at each other and grinned.
Then at the exact same moment, they started back.
Corinne - I feel connected, (Liana - Connected) protected (Protected)
Both - Now you're in my mind, now I'm doin' fine
Liana - You hear me (Corinne - You hear me), you're near me (You're near me)
Both - And everything else gonna be alright
'Cause nothin' can break this, nothin' can break this
Nothin' can break this tie
Corinne - Connected (Liana - Connected)
Connected inside
Liana - Connected (Corinne - Connected)
Connected inside
Corinne - Connected (Liana - Connected)
Both - Connected inside
As the last notes from the guitars faded the crowd erupted into loud applause.
Liana and Corinne both curtsied, laughing as they did. Then Liana slowly turned to face the musketeer "It's time to go."
Corinne nodded "Yeah."
The four musketeers, Louis, Jeremy and Liana were all standing outside the city's gates.
Liana said good bye to the three girls while Jeremy bid Louis farewell.
Then it was time for the twins to part ways.
Liana and Corinne slowly stepped in front of each other, both had tears building up behind their eyes.
With a sigh, Corinne threw her arms around the other girl's neck.
"I don't want to go." Liana whispered "If it wasn't for Alexa, I'd just stay here." she laughed softly "Or the fact that Paris is a city."
"If it wasn't for Alexa I wouldn't let you leave." Corinne answered "But she needs you."
Liana swallowed the lump that was in her throat "Maybe someday I'll be able to meet my real mom."
Corinne slowly pulled back from her long lost twin and smiled "I wish you could meet her now. But, especially after losing dad, if she got you again, she'd never let you go." she wiped a tear from her cheek "You know. It took me being dragged over a thousand miles away to find you. If I could reverse time, I'd do it again."
Liana laughed softly "So would I. Except maybe hanging from the edge of the rock. I wouldn't mind skipping that part."
The two girls laughed right before they hugged one last time. Very reluctantly, the two finally backed away from each other.
"Good luck." Corinne said quietly.
Liana nodded "You'll be hearing from me."
"I had better." the musketeer smiled "If you ever need anything, you know where I am. Just send word and I'll be there."
Jeremy mounted his horse "We should get going."
Liana slowly turned and mounted the horse that Louis had given her so riding back would be more comfortable.
Along with the horse, they'd also been given enough money to pay for ship fares as well as food.
"Liana." Corinne walked over to the girl and pulled her sword out "Just in case."
Liana smiled and took the golden sword from her "Thanks. Got a guitar?"
"I have Renee in my apartment," Corinne laughed "I'll never have a lack for one."
"Thanks for everything." Jeremy waved at them "Maybe we'll meet again soon! Bye, Connie!"
Corinne rolled her eyes "Bye Jerry."
Jeremy frowned "Okay. Point taken. It was a pleasure getting to know you, Corinne."
"Likewise, Jeremy."
There was a small round of laughs then the two finally said good bye and rode away.
Corinne stared after them long after they disappeared.
"Come on." Aramina said gently "Let's get back."
Corinne nodded "Yeah." as she turned and started back towards Paris, she glanced over her shoulder and smiled.
She and Liana were literally Sisters by Chance. And most definitely Friends by Choice.
(Ah! Terrible at endings! Seriously! Well, there's a short Prologue to come. Enjoy!)