Saving Prince James: A James and Sofia Love Story
Set in an alternate universe, James is now 20 and usurped his father as king and conquered every kingdom to create an empire, but he has lived his years as a lonely king with only power and wealth to keep him company. When Cedric summons a banished Sofia, 18, to the castle to secretly save the kingdoms and James, something stirs in James's heart the moment he sees a grown and blossomed Sofia. Can a banished princess save the kingdoms and can a ruthless prince find his way into the heart of a princess he once lost?
Chapter 10: Those Three Words
Sofia
Sofia felt something gentle, warm cling around her as she slowly woke up. She could hear herself let out a low and small groan as she tried to regain her senses after such a good and restful sleep. Slowly she realized that she was pressed between something cool and smooth and a warm chest, she could feel arms wrapped tightly around her waist and there was a low, calm hum of breathing that wasn't her own.
As her eyes finally began to settle, Sofia looked up and was nearly startled out of her skin when she saw James's sleeping face above hers.
What the – wait, why is James sleeping so close to me? Where am I? Sofia's thoughts rambled, confused as to what is going on. Her body immediately stiffened and she tried not to move a single muscle despite how loud and fast her heart was beating.
Sofia took in how intimately they were positioned. Her back was against the dark couch while her front was pressed against James's chest; both of their legs were intertwined and tangled around each other. So close to him, Sofia found herself surrounded by his masculine and musky cologne. Both of her hands rested on his rising and falling chest as her head was on top of his right bicep and James's head rested on top of the sofa's armrest. Being so tall, James wasn't able to lay and fit entirely on the large couch while Sofia could.
Looking around, Sofia saw large bookcases and a fireplace behind James. Her mind was just calm enough to register that she was in James's private study and was lying on his soft, leather couch. Why am I not in my room? Oh my gosh, what happened last night?
And then the events of last night began to run through her mind and her nerves just slightly relaxed. Oh that's right. We kissed and ended up falling asleep in his study, Sofia calmed as the echoes of their kiss now returned to her lips.
Reaching up to touch her mouth, Sofia could still feel how powerful James's pressure on her lips were last night and it brought a slight blush to her cheeks. She remembered how tightly she clung to him, and he to her, as their kiss progressed into the night. Of how she felt like they were never close enough as to where the ache in her was satisfied.
If Sofia was to close her eyes right now, she could still feel the burning of his lips on hers. How sweet and passionate their kiss seared her and swelled her mouth. That, despite how gentle he was in the beginning, their kiss turned all too wistful and heavy.
And Sofia liked it... she craved more of it.
She could still recall feeling James's need and desperation in his lips as their tongues danced with each other. She always felt a certain safety whenever she was in his arms, but this time, there was a wanting and desire exuding from him that she liked. It made her feel wanted and loved, that she was so much more to him than a sister. The way he held onto her at this moment, how both of his arms held so tightly onto her like he was afraid that she might disappear if he didn't, comforted and exhilarated her at the same time.
Lowering her cheek back against his chest, Sofia gazed up at James and his sleeping face. His eyelashes were long, longer than hers really. His cheeks kind of had a pinkish hue to them, giving him the appearance of a child even. He looked young again, as if he didn't have a care in the world. His worry lines were gone… his face was relaxed… it was almost like he regained his youthfulness. She couldn't help but notice how, during the day, his face is so controlled and guarded whenever he was surrounded by others. Sometimes, his smiles, even when it was only the two of them, can be reserved and cautious. But, asleep, his expression was serene and peaceful; nothing like how it usually is throughout the day.
This was what she wanted to see out of James: this youthful, carefree expression. This was her James.
Sofia's eyes then wandered down to his lips, the same ones that kissed and burned her lips last night. And very gently so that he wouldn't wake, she reached out and touched them.
In the back of her mind, she remembers how soft and hungry his lips devoured hers, as if he used everything in him to possess her lips. But she also recalled how something in their kiss told her that he wanted something more out of it, just like her… but Sofia couldn't place as to exactly what that "something" was. She wanted so badly to know what it is but she just can't figure it out. At least, not yet she hoped.
All she knew right now was that their kiss was good. And it changed everything.
Sofia….
What? Sofia thought as she looked around the room again for the source of the mysterious voice. It sounded like it was in her head, but she wasn't sure.
Sofia…. I need your help….
Why am I hearing… a woman's voice? It sounds… lonely and sad, like it's been alone for so long. Sofia would have continued her train of thought if it wasn't for James's subtle kiss on her fingertips.
"James! Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." Sofia quietly exclaimed as she began to pull her fingers away from his lips, embarrassed that she was caught touching him in his sleep. But James quickly grasped her hand before she could pull away.
Sleepily smiling at her, he continued to plant kisses on her fingertips. "No, it's alright. I don't mind being woken up by you at all."
Blushing, she didn't know how to respond back and simply just looked back down so she could try to hide her reddened cheeks.
"Hell, I would rather have you as my morning wakeup call instead of Baileywick," James continued on. Sofia could hear it in his voice that his smile widened as her face grew hotter.
"James!" she exclaimed, lightly smacking his shoulder with the same hand that he held onto earlier. She continued to repeat her small attacks on him as he laughed loudly at her embarrassment.
"Okay, okay," James laughed with his left hand up in surrender. "I was just kidding, Sof."
But Sofia didn't forgive him that easily; she just pouted and looked away.
"Okay, okay," James repeated. She then felt warm fingers below her chin as they lifted her head so that she was looking at him. "I'm sorry for laughing and being mean. Forgive me?"
Not even waiting for a reply, he lowered his head and gently laid a light kiss on her lips. And like last night, the small kiss soon caught fire and Sofia felt it erupt inside them both.
After several minutes of grabbing and grasping at each other, needing to feel the closeness of one another, Sofia was the one to break the kiss between them so that they can find their breaths again. Pulling away and looking down at him, she didn't even realize that she was now laying mounted on top of James. He had his arms wrapped tightly around her waist and crushed her to him like she was lighter than air and he wanted to keep her from flying away.
Now deprived of the warmth of his lips, Sofia already found herself wanting to return to them and kiss him all over again. Oh, crud. I think I'm getting addicted to his kisses.
"James," Sofia said breathlessly, "I think it is best if I go back to my room before anyone sees me."
"Why?" James pouted, looking like a child that just got told that playtime was over and he needed to return back inside. She saw him gaze over at the clock behind her and continued to whine and pout at her. "It's only four o'clock. We still have about an hour to continue kissing!"
"Because, James, how would it look to the staff and Amber if I just walked out of here with disheveled hair and wearing the same gown from yesterday?" she pointed out to him with a giggle and raised eye. Sofia tried to get off of James, but his strong arms kept her locked in place. He's being stubborn and doesn't want to let me go.
"I don't care," James continued to pout. "At least, then people will know that we're together now and that stupid Cyrus guy won't try to touch you."
Together now… the words echoed in her head, bring with it a feeling of… anxiety? Distress? Wait, why does that make me feel upset?
"No, James. People can't know that we're together."
"Why?"
"Well for one, we're stepsiblings," she squeaked jokingly, hoping that James couldn't see her distress.
"So?"
"So, James –"
Why am I trying so hard to fight this? If people knew, shouldn't I feel happy enough to fight for whatever feelings I found for James?
"Sofia, my great-great grandfather married his cousin and my great uncle even courted his own stepsister," James said quickly, cutting her off from whatever lame excuse she was trying to think up of. "Almost all royal families marry and court one another within the family, it's no big deal. It's not as common these days, but it's still in practice."
Sofia could hear the desperation and hope in his voice, telling her that James somehow believed this made their relationship okay…. The look in his eyes, the tone of his voice, the way he looked at her like he couldn't believe that she was in his arms right now, it made her chest feel too tight. Don't I want it to be okay? Shouldn't I want it?
Sofia knew that James was only saying this to ease her nerves, and it should. Shouldn't it? We're stepsiblings and this was what I was so worried about before. So why isn't it calming me down to know that royals sometime marry and court within the family? Wait, why is he even talking about courting and marriage?
"Sofia –"
"James, I... I just... want to help you become a better king before we tell anyone about this okay?" Sofia cut him off this time. "My main priority is to help you get better so that you can be a better king to all of Enchancia and that your subjects won't fear you as much. So can you promise me that you won't tell anyone about any of this until you establish yourself as a greater and mightier king?"
There was a small moment of silence as Sofia looked back at a silent James with pleading eyes, hoping that he would understand and not try to tell anyone about their newly found relationship.
"Mmm… okay." James said with a small smile.
"Thank you, James." Sofia smiled back at him as she lowered her head back down to rest her chin on her hands that lay on top of James's chest. "As a reward for being so cooperative, I'll stay here for a few more minutes." She teased, hoping to remove some of the heavy atmosphere that developed between them.
Sofia saw James only give her a small smile and just laid his head back down and stared up at the ceiling like he was in deep thought as she remained on top of him, playing with his messy blonde hair.
This is fine. If things just stay like this, then I'm fine with it. I don't need people to know about my relationship with James. I just need it to be like this and I can be happy... Right?
But after several minutes of comfortable silence between them, James broke it.
"Sofia?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
And with those words now hanging out in the air between them, Sofia was shocked to her core. She didn't know what to say or do; she just remained still like a frozen statue on top of James. She was certain that her eyes must have been bulging out of her sockets and her mouth was open wide.
"I know that this may be a bit early to say to you, but I just want you to know that I love you. So much."
Why are you saying this James? You-you're moving too fast!
"James –" Sofia tried, her chest feeling like someone tied her corset too tight. She was having a hard time breathing, like this room was closing in on her.
You're moving this relationship too fast! I can't hear this right now!
"I love you, Sofia. More than anyone in this castle or kingdom or world. I love you beyond any feelings of a stepbrother or even friend."
No, wait! James, don't say anything else!
"James –" Her heart was beating too fast. She needed to get out, find some air and try to breathe again.
"Sof, I love you."
And without another word, Sofia ran out of the study.
Why am I running? I should be happy that he said that, shouldn't I? I just found my feelings for him, so I must be happy that he loves me. Sofia thought as she felt hot tears run down her cheeks. Her chest felt tight and her heartbeat was running at a rapid pace. I don't get it, why am I upset that he told me the three words every girl wants to hear? I found my feelings for him! So why am I not happy?! Doesn't finding your feelings mean you're in love?!
No, it doesn't, her mind said the moment she barged through her room and locked it behind her. Her mind's voice hit her like a million rocks and made her legs grow weak. Sofia then fell to the floor, hugging herself. You know that you have feelings for him, but you don't know if you are in love with him. Yes, you have feelings for him that run deeper than a stepsister's should but can you truly and madly fall in love with him and love him the way he loves you?
I… don't… know… Sofia answered back with deep despair.
And all day, Sofia locked herself in her room. She refused to open it to anyone, no matter how hard they banged on her door and demanded it to be opened. She was self-sufficient enough to not even open it up when her maids called out to her so that they can clean her up and dress her for the day.
First it was James that called out to her, begging her to open the door and talk to him. She could hear the heart wrenching sadness that coated each word of his. And despite how much she wanted to open it for him and fall into his safe arms, Sofia knew that she couldn't face him. Not yet. His yells and loud bangs at her door were so loud that it woke up everyone in the castle.
And soon, Amber, Baileywick, and their guards were at her door.
Amber was the first of everyone to arrive at her door, asking as to why James was pounding on her door. And when Sofia refused to even open it to her sister, Amber angrily yelled at James as to what he did to her. Soon, an angry argument burst between the twins that later consumed even levelheaded Baileywick and the two guards.
The fighting continued well into the afternoon, it got so loud that Sofia couldn't take it anymore and yelled back at them all. "Please! Just leave me alone! It's not James's fault!" Sofia cried, not wanting to hint at what happened moments earlier in his study and have all of the blame on him. "I-I just need a moment to myself!"
"Sofia! It's Amber! Please, just talk to me. Tell me what's wrong."
"No! I just want to be by myself right now."
"But –" Amber tried to say before being cut off by James.
"Sofia, let me in! Please!" James yelled.
"I'm fine really! Just let me have a moment to myself!"
"Sofia!" everyone began to cry out at her. James, Amber, Cyrus, Edward, each one of them began to yell and try to get her out of her room all at once. Sofia tried to cover her ears with her hands, wanting to silence them all and muffle their calls.
"I think it's best if we honor Princess Sofia's wish," Baileywick said, the only calm and collected voice that broke through everyone's yells. "It seems that she just needs a moment to cool down."
"Yes! Thank you, Baileywick," Sofia called through the door, hoping that everyone could just leave. She knew that Amber meant well, but nothing Amber could say or do would help with what she was feeling at the moment.
"Just ring for me if you need anything, Princess Sofia," Baileywick said to her through her door.
It was past lunchtime when she heard the shuffling of footsteps, telling her that everyone finally left. And finally alone in the silence, Sofia slumped back against the door. Hugging her legs, she buried her head in between her knees, silently crying to herself.
I'm so confused…. I wish Mom was here, she would know what to say. Or anyone else. Someone different that knows what I'm feeling right now. Anyone that can tell me what exactly that I'm feeling. I wish Ruby and Jade and Lucinda were here to help me figure it all out….
I can't be in this castle right now. I've been in here since I've returned and I haven't been off of castle grounds in over two months! It's all so suffocating! The pressures and stress of trying to save James has all been so crazy! I need to get out... I need to find someone, anyone that can help me. I just need to go and breathe in air somewhere, anywhere that isn't on this castle where people keep taking care of my every needs! I just need to -
Sofia then heard a little squeak beside her. "Are you alright missy?"
"What?" Wiping her eyes and looking down, she saw a little white baby bunny at her side.
"You have a lot of tears in your eyes, you know. Were you crying?"
"Yeah…" Sofia said with a lump in her throat.
The bunny's small ears had a tiny shading of brown at the tip, some other streaks of brown specked around its paws and tail. He had matching big brown eyes that gave him an innocent and warm appearance.
"Why?" the bunny said with concern as it brushed its head against her leg.
"I ran away from someone who told me he loves me because I found out that I'm still confused on my feelings for him," Sofia said with a small smile at the bunny's cute gesture.
"Why are you confused?"
"I honestly don't know," Sofia said with a pitiful laugh.
"Well can I help?" he asked, snuggling closer to her.
"No, it's alright," Sofia said with a small smile as she pet its tiny head. "You don't have to. You should probably return back to your family before they miss you."
"I don't have any anymore," it said with a heavy forlorn tone. "Soldiers hunted my family and I'm all alone now."
Sofia's throat felt tighter than it already was. "You're all alone?" How have you been able to survive on your own? You look like you could be only three months old!
"Yes, missy."
Sofia just looked at the poor, sad thing, seeing how lonely and fragile it was. He probably felt more alone than Sofia would ever feel in her life. Picking up the tiny thing, Sofia gently smiled at how he seemed to fit into the palms of her hands. "Well, you're not alone anymore. I'm your family now. What's your name?"
"Blue," it smiled happily at her, his tiny ears up and tail wagging.
"Nice to meet you, Blue. I'm Sofia," Sofia said as she nicely shook its tiny paw.
"Well, can I help make you feel better, Sofia?" Blue said in his young, squeaky voice, smiling excitedly at her.
Laughing softly, Sofia just looked at how happy the small bunny seemed to be with wanting to help his new family. "I don't know, Blue. I just need go out for a short while and talk to anyone that is not in this castle."
"You don't like the people here? They're pretty nice people. One nice lady even feeds me food once in a while," Blue said, answering her earlier unspoken question.
"Oh, no. It's not that they're bad people, Blue. It's just that I need to talk to anyone who might understand what I'm feeling and try to explain it to me."
"Well, do you have friends outside of the castle? Maybe they can help."
Sofia couldn't believe that she didn't think of that before. She'll go into the village and have her old village friends help her sort out her feelings! And while she's at it, she can give them their invitations to the ball in two days and she knows a perfect way to get them into the castle without gaining James's wrath. "… I do!" Sofia said excitedly, hugging Blue tightly to her. "Blue, there is something you can help me with!" Looking over at her room's clock, she realizes that she has been sitting on the floor and talking to a bunny for well over five hours because it was an hour before dinnertime.
"Really?"
"Yes," Sofia smiled at him. "Blue, did you enter my room through the old holes and passages in the walls?" Sofia remembers how that was exactly how Clover and her old friends managed to hide from her entire family and secretly travel through the castle before the king happily allowed her to keep them as pets.
With an excited nod from Blue, Sofia continued on. "Blue, I don't want to leave my room because then everyone will storm at me and ask if I'm okay. Then, I won't be able to leave in secret. So I need you to travel through the passages in the wall and go to my sister's room on the left and get me three envelops from a big brown and gold box? The invitations will say 'you are cordially invited to the royal ball' on it. Can you get them for me?"
"Roger!" Blue said with a mock salute and he hopped off into one of the nearby holes.
For several, nervous minutes, Sofia sat anxiously waiting for Blue's return. She refused to leave her spot on the floor and just remained seated against the door. Her mind began to fear that her new little bunny might get caught in Amber's room and killed just like his family. And moments later, Blue comes out of the hole with three big, white and gold envelopes in his mouth.
"Ah! Blue! Are you okay?" Sofia exclaimed, relief filling her at the sight of thr safe bunny.
"I'm fine," he smiles at her as he hands her the invitations. "Are these the envelopes you were talking about?"
"Yes! Oh, thank you, Blue!" Sofia exclaims as she picks him up into her hands and hugs him tightly. Gently putting him back onto the floor, Sofia walks over to her closet and tried to find anything that might not draw any attention to her.
Since all of her old commoner gowns are too small for her to wear, Sofia had to discard them. Now, all that filled her closet were new, glittery, and shiny gowns that Madame Collette had made for her. Over in the corner, safely packed into a protective bag was her "Welcome Back" ball gown with matching high heels to correlate with the theme that Amber had picked out: a simple autumn ball. She wanted it to work well with the Halloween holiday that was the very next day after their ball.
"What are you looking for Sofia?" Blue asked at her feet.
"I need a commoner's gown so that I can blend in at the village."
"You don't have one in there?"
"Actually, I do have one. My sister and I were planning on sneaking out into the village tonight. So, she hid a commoner's gown in my closet so I can have it ready beforehand. I just can't seem to find it."
"I'll help then," Blue said with a cheery tone.
Behind her, she could hear the tiny taps of his hops. Back and forth, his taps told her that he was hopping from corner to corner, helping her look through all of her new gowns and trying to find an old and worn commoner's gown. Sofia didn't know how long they were in her closet, searching and rummaging through all of the silk and satin gowns.
"Sofia, what's in here?" Blue asked as he dragged out a brown side satchel from behind some of her green gowns.
"What the…." Sofia asked as she kneeled down next to Blue and opened up the bag. And inside it was none other than a dark brown commoner's gown with a grey blouse and black boots. There was a black cloak with matching black scarf and the invitations that had her friends' names neatly inscribed onto them. "Blue, do you know that you are just amazing?" Sofia smiled wide at him, who just happily laughed at her.
After quickly changing into her disguise, Sofia placed Blue and both sets of invitations into her satchel.
"How are we going to sneak out?" Blue asked as he popped his head out of the bag's opening.
Sofia stood there as she contemplated her escape route. She knew that her room was too high up for her and blue to go through the window. And even if she did, she doesn't have enough sheets to make it all the way down. Her only option is to go out through the castle side doors that lead to the flying horse stables. Looking up at her clock again, she saw the dinner had just started and most likely everyone, including the staff, were either in the royal dining hall or at the staff mess hall.
Now was her only best chance to go or else she'll be caught if she delays any longer.
Before leaving, she had Blue peak out from below her door to make sure that no one was around. Given the okay, she dashed out of her room as quickly as possible with her hood on. Down several flights of stairs and corridors, Sofia managed to make it past the dining hall and other passing servants. But she was unable to make it close to the side doors as there were two guards standing post.
Rethinking her escape route, she had to take the longer direction towards the staff doors. And with a sigh of relief, Sofia made it out of the staff doors and toward the flying horse stables without having anyone stop her or give her a second glance. Running as fast as she could in the shadows, Sofia was breathless and winded by the moment she stopped in front of the stable gates.
"Good job, Sofia!" Blue whispered encouragingly at her from inside her bag.
"Thanks, Blue," Sofia huffed, smiling at her little companion.
Inside, Sofia looked over all of the beautiful and elegant flying horses. She didn't know which one to choose or pick as her best chance of getting to the village and back in time before anyone notices her. Normally, she would have gone to her usual horse, Minimus, but since she had left him behind back at the estate, she had to choose one of the horses available here. So, she just went with the one a purple coat that reminded her of her old flying derby horse.
"Hello there," Sofia said quietly, so that she wouldn't spook it. "What's your name?"
"Lilac, Princess Sofia," the female flying horse neighed.
"Hi, Lilac! My name is Blue!" said the tiny bunny, waving his small paw at the majestic flying horse.
"Hello there, Blue."
"Can I ask you a quick favor, Lilac?"
"Of course, Your Highness. Anything for the princess that can speak to animals," said the flying horse.
Laughing gently, Sofia smiled at Lilac. "I guess my reputation still lives on here at the castle. Lilac, can you fly us into the village as quick as you can?"
"It would be an honor to be of service to you, Princess Sofia."
And without any further delay, Sofia was up in the air and flying at what felt like the speed of light. The cold night air rushed into her face as Lilac sped faster and faster towards the village. The night stars danced all around her as she was flying with Lilac and a little frightened Blue. Not even bothering to hold onto Lilac's reins, Sofia spread her arms out wide and let the rushing air blow through her. The cold autumn night air held an earthy scent to it, and Sofia savored the tranquility of the night.
In the horizon, the village lights were fast approaching and Sofia lowered Lilac down towards the edge of the village closest to Jade's house.
Hopefully they still live in the same houses.
Thanking Lilac and tying her to a nearby tree, Sofia and Blue walked into the village and began their search for her old friends. Walking around the village square, Sofia was quickly able to locate Jade's house and ran towards it. Firmly knocking on the front door, Sofia was shocked to find a strange man open the door.
"Hello, how may I help you?" said the big, round man. His hair was grey and balding while he had a bushy beard.
"Um… does a girl by the name of Jade live here by any chance?"
"No, I'm sorry."
"Oh, okay," Sofia said despondently, dread filling her. "Do you so happen to know where the Hanshaw family might be?"
"Oh, they still live in that cottage just outside the village square."
And just like that, hope renewed itself and Sofia happily thanked the big man and ran towards Ruby's old house. Just over the corner, Sofia managed to run fast and short. Knocking frantically as the adrenaline was still pumping in her veins, Sofia waited as the lights in the cottage turned on and she heard footsteps walk towards the front door.
She almost let out a happy scream as she saw Ruby answer the door.
The same age as Sofia, Ruby was so much taller than Sofia remembered and her black hair was now grown out. Long and still in her dreadlocks, Ruby was the image of an African princess. Her cheekbones were high and graceful as her big red lips were big and plump; her chocolate colored skin looked silky and soft. Her brown eyes were big and round, but at the moment, they were only like that because she was shocked to be looking at her long-lost friend.
"Sofia? Is that really you?"
"Ruby! Oh my gosh!" Sofia exclaimed, hugging her friend tightly.
"Sofia, what are you doing here so late at night?" Pulling away, Sofia then noticed how Ruby was wrapped in a robe and bed slippers. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail. "Quick, come in."
"Ruby, I can't stay long. I just needed to talk to you and Jade, and Lucinda. And drop off the invitations to my and Amber's ball in two days," Sofia said as she pulled out the invitations. "Do you know where Jade and Lucinda are?"
Sofia then noticed how much sorrow coated Ruby's eyes as she spoke, "Jade is right here, but Lucinda…. Oh, Sofia, so much as changed since you left."
"Wait, what do you –" Sofia began before Jade's familiar voice came into the small living room.
"Ruby, who was at the door?" Jade's voice asked. "Oh, my gosh! Sofia?!"
Sofia saw how much Jade has grown. Out of the three of them, she was always the tallest, but now as adults, Ruby seemed to fill that role. Jade's dark brown hair was still cut short at shoulder level; her pale skin now had a light tan to it and her light brown eyes held a tougher glow to them. She now looked like a tough beauty that might even rival those of the Amazonian women. But even so, there was still gentleness to her tough features.
"Jade!" Sofia squealed as she ran to hug her.
"Sofia's here to deliver her ball's invitations," Ruby explained to Jade's confused expression.
"Jade, what are you doing here anyway? I was over at your house earlier and a strange man answered the door," Sofia asked as she pulled out of their hug.
Sofia then saw Jade pass a worried and sad glance to Ruby.
"Sofia… I think it's best if you sit down for this." Jade motioned for Sofia to sit on one of the living room's chairs by the fire.
"After news of King Roland II's death and your exile, many of the subjects, our parents especially, charged at the castle to demand answers. Some were peaceful about it while others were violent, they stormed the castle and it didn't turn out well. James had everyone kicked out of the castle and locked the gates. The people didn't like it, so one day they tried to climb over the gates. James then had the soldiers kill all those at the scene," Ruby explained. "Jade's parents were there, trying to calm everyone down. But James didn't care, he had them all killed."
"Oh, Jade... I am so sorry," Sofia said as her throat tightened with emotion. She gently reached out the Jade and placed a comforting hand over hers. Jade just smiled tightly at her, but Sofia could still see the pained emotions in her eyes.
"It's okay; it wasn't like you could have done anything. He banished you and your family away from Enchancia before any of that happened." Sofia could hear the hard contempt Jade had for James and the look of cold stone in Ruby's eyes. They hated James for all he's done to their families. Sofia couldn't blame them, but then she knew that she couldn't talk to them about her new feelings for James, not when they hated him so much.
And somewhere inside of her, she felt a bitter pang of loneliness. I'm all alone in this…. There's no one I can turn to and talk about this….
"So since then, my mom adopted Jade into the family… but…." Ruby tried to continue but her voice became tight and choked.
"But… last year, Mrs. Hanshaw caught a serious case of pneumonia and died," Jade finished for her as she brought her arms around Ruby. "We live together now and took over Buttercup Scouts as den mothers."
"So, it's only been the two of you guys? All alone?" Sofia couldn't believe what she heard. Two of her three best friends have been living with so much pain for the last five years. With a nod from Ruby and a verbal "yes" from Jade, Sofia continued on. "What about Lucinda? Where is she?"
"After that event, James had every magical person be transferred to Royal Prep. He converted that royal school of yours into a magical prison for all witches, sorcerer, or any being with magic in their blood. Once they grow old, he has them transferred to Mystic Meadows, the old retirement home he had converted into another prison. Royal Prep is a maximum magical prison; no one is allowed to see any of the occupants and no can get in or out. We haven't seen you or Lucinda in five years," Ruby said once she regained control of herself.
That means Lucinda can't make it to the ball… and I can't see or talk to her either…. I really am all alone.
"How are you even back here, Sofia?" Jade asked. "Last I heard, you and your family was banished to a secret location outside of the kingdom."
Changing from her original plan to talk to them about her feelings, Sofia simply switched to just explaining that Baileywick and Cedric both called on Sofia and Amber to return back to Enchancia so that Sofia may have a chance at saving James and the kingdoms. That they believe there is some hope in changing James for the better and restoring peace back into the other kingdoms. Sofia told them of her plans and how much James has indeed changed, however leaving out her more personal details. She continued to explain how she snuck out of the castle just to see them and hand over their invitations.
"So, can you two make it to our ball?" Sofia asked, changing the subject back to her original mission.
"I don't know, Sofia," Ruby said with a sad lilt in her voice. "This is such short notice, the ball is only two days away and we can't possibly come up with dresses fancy enough for a royal ball."
"And James banned all commoners from entering the castle," Jade said, the cold hatred for him returning back to her eyes.
"Oh, don't worry about that," Sofia said encouragingly, wanting to extinguish that angry fire in her friend's eyes. "I already have that all planned out."
And the two looked at Sofia with pure curiosity and confusion.
"I'm going to have a carriage pick you two up tomorrow and bring you guys to the palace so you can have your gowns fitted and made. Then, before James can protest about you two, I'm going to announce that you are my new Ladies-in-waiting! So then, you can just go in and out of the palace as you please. And we can see each other all of the time! No questions asked."
"What?!" the two of them exclaimed.
"Are you two up for it?" Sofia asked hopefully. "You don't have to agree to it. I can just have a pass made for you two for the tomorrow and the ball, if you aren't."
"Sofia…." Ruby said with sad eyes as she grabbed one of Sofia's hands. "That's very generous of you to offer such a prestigious position but I can't agree to that. Not after everything that James has done to my and Jade's family and this kingdom, all of the killing and bloodshed..."
"I'm sorry Sofia, but I agree with Ruby. I just can't look at him and not think about what he's done, even if you say that he's changing and getting better. And I don't think I can leave this place and Ruby…." Jade looked sadly at Sofia and gave her free hand a tight squeeze.
"Oh… okay…." Sofia forced a smile, not wanting to show her friends any of her tears that threatened to break free.
"Sofia, we'll just take the passes instead and promise to come to the ball. Okay?" Ruby smiled hopefully back at her.
"Yeah, okay. Thanks, you guys." Sofia continued to force her smile. "I have to get back before they notice that I'm gone."
And with that, she hugged and waved goodbye to her friends before departing. Back up in the air with Lilac, Sofia then allowed her tears to fall hard. The entire time, Lilac and Blue didn't say anything to her, not knowing what to say or do as her hot tears burned down her pink cheeks.
Sofia has never felt this alone or helpless. She had no one to talk to or even just confide in about her feelings for James. Sofia knew that Amber and everyone else at the palace wouldn't understand as they only saw her as their salvation to James and the kingdom. They would think she's only letting her feelings get in the way of their long, hard work and threaten their carefully crafted plans. She already knew that Ruby and Jade hated James and would never be supportive of her feelings. They would try to make her rethink about what she exactly felt for James and try to push her to another boy, most likely a village boy or some other lord or prince.
No one can help me…
Chapter ten! WOO!
As always, I would like to thank everyone who stayed with my series since the beginning. I can't believe that I'm already at chapter ten! Wow! All of your love and support has been incredible! And I would like to apologize for the whole chapter nine mess last week. I still don't understand what happened.
And like I promised, I am giving you guys two chapters this week because of the whole mess last week. Sorry that I didn't upload it right after the situation was fixed, I was in the middle of chapter eleven and still had to send it to my friends to look over before I actually upload it. And then she told me how much of it didn't correlate well with the previous chapters, so I had to change it all and fix it. That took longer than expected because I now had two chapters to fix up, and now it seems that I'm going to have to change my storyline a bit and I might have to remove a character I was hoping to introduce at the ball... [more detail in next chapter's author's note]
Read, review, etc. Reviews make me happy!
Thanks :)
