Hi everyone. I love writing these chapters, but I don't think anyone is reading them. It hurts to open this every time and see that out of the hundreds of people on the website, not one has left a review. I don't want praise, I just need a sign that someone out there actually wants me to continue. I take time out of my week to continue this story so guys can read it. I'll post until I run out of the chapters I've already written, but there's a good chance I'll be stopping soon. If you've been on this journey with me, please just take a minute to write a review. I only need one to have the motivation to keep going.
- Silver
Apollo -
"You asked to see me, Dr. Greene?" I ask, entering her office.
Austin, June, Mom and Dad are already there. She nods solemnly, and I look at Austin for any sign of what she could want to talk about. Amber. He mouths. My heart stops. If anything happens to Amber, I don't know what I'll do.
"Dr. Greene, what's the diagnosis?" Dad asks.
She purses her lips, not a good sign.
"The princess has Aplastic Anemia." She says.
What?
"She needs a blood transfusion." June whispers.
Her voice is hoarse.
"No," Mom breathes.
Dad places a protective hand on her shoulder, and Dr. Greene flinches.
"What if we cannot find a donor?" Dad asks.
I want to shield my ears, but I can't. I know I need to hear this.
"She's only guaranteed three months to live." June says.
"You knew?" I ask her.
She nods. Her eyes are puffy and red. This is bad. This is very bad. No one in our family has Amber's blood type. She got it from Grandma Schreave, but all her relatives that had have passed away. Great Aunt Adele doesn't have it either.
"Well, what about the results from the selected girls' physical?" Mom asks.
She looks more scared than I have ever seen her in my life, more scared than when the doctors thought June wouldn't survive the pregnancy. Dr. Greene gathers a sheaf of papers and hands them to Austin.
"Prince Austin, here are the results. I trust you know what to do with them." She says.
She's remarkably calm about the whole thing. Perhaps the shock has faded. I wonder how long she's known.
"Let's go, darling." Dad says softly.
He begins to lead Mom out of the office. June and Austin leave too, and I follow them. My sister is dying.
-o-
"Apollo!" Austin calls.
I turn to see him running up to me, waving a sheet of paper.
"Did you find a match?" I ask nervously.
He nods, handing the paper to me. It reads: Dusk Willow. Her blood type is O negative. She could save Amber's life.
"There's only one problem." Austin says.
"What could it possibly be that is more important than Amber's life?" I ask him.
"What if she doesn't want to donate?" He asks me.
My stomach drops. I never thought that someone might not to be a donor. I just automatically assumed anyone would step up to help.
"I mean, it's not like we can just trust her with why we need it if she doesn't trust us first." He goes on.
My heart stops.
"What if you keep her in the selection, in the elite? Make her believe you're in love with her, she'll do anything you ask!" I say.
There's a long pause. We both know what I've suggested is an awful thing to do to someone, but I'm not above anything anymore. If saving Amber's life means causing one girl heartbreak that she will eventually get over, I'd do it a million times.
"I hope this works." He mutters, running his hands through his hair.
"It has to." I reply.
Dawn -
Nina is ecstatic. She says the date went well, and I can't help but smile every time she swoons over something he said or did. Her happiness is infectious, and for the first time since I came to the palace, I feel no guilt. I hope she marries Austin. Illéa could use more happiness.
"Did you guys kiss?" I tease.
Nina sighs. "No, but I wish!"
I giggle again. Nina has a talent for coaxing laughter out of me.
"Do you ever wonder whether you'll ever find love?" She asks me.
Her face is suddenly serious, amber eyes drilling into mine.
"Yes." I admit. "Always."
She grabs my hand, her body heat warming my cold palm.
"Me too." She says.
She leans her head on my shoulder and I let her, basking in the silence.
-o-
"How was breakfast?" Iana asks excitedly. I grin at her obvious curiosity.
"The prince asked someone on a date." I say.
Her face falls, but not for long. I determined scowl crosses her face and I wince, not liking where this is going.
"Worry not, my lady!" She exclaims, pulling Violet out of the bathroom.
Lilac follows, clearly invested in what could be going on. Iana whispers something to Violet and she nods, walking over to the wardrobe. She opens the door and slips inside, not letting me see anything. I groan, dragging a hand down my face in mock irritation. Lilac looks giddy with excitement, and Iana looks dangerously smug. When Violet reemerges, it's with a beautiful dress. She lays it on the bed so I can see what it looks like.
"Did you guys make this?" I ask, in awe.
Lilac nods feverishly. "We made your entire wardrobe, Miss!" She squeals.
The dress is black and strapless. From the looks of it, it would hide my feet when I wear it. It's made of chiffon and is soft to the touch. I've never been this close to anything so nice in my life.
"It's gorgeous." I say, and I mean it.
Then I look down at my hands, rough and calloused from all the work I've put them through. Violet frowns at me, then pulls something out of a pocket in her maids' uniform. Two black, silk gloves. They're short, ending at my wrists, and match the dress perfectly. I cover my mouth and try them on, gasping at how perfectly they fit.
"How?" is all I can ask.
Violet smiles shyly. Iana gapes at her, clearly not knowing about this.
"I see the way you glance at your hands, Miss." She explains. I smile, starting to tear up. I will be so sad to leave these girls.