-Conor-She paused for a moment as a sad but gentle smile crept over her face. “I remember almost dying when Michael lied to me saying you died when Monica attacked you in the armoire room. I wanted more than anything to be dead because I gave up on living without you. And then Eldon with his terrible illusions today- Now I finally have what I’ve wanted for such a long time. Since I was a little girl huddled under my blanket in the cold servant room. I’ve wanted to die my whole life.” Karen took his hands and squeezed them gently. “I want this silence. I want this to be my end- I have fought a lifetime of battles that have broken my will and destroyed my desire to keep fighting. I don’t want to live again. Why is that so hard to understand?”“Karen, we all live through experiences that leave deep and lasting scars both visible and invisible- I have lived through some traumatic things myself but I keep fighting for you and for our son. There’ve been so many things that have brought me
-Conor-“That’s just your opinion. There are many other opinions who think you’re a good person and that even if you make mistakes, you’re still loved because we care about you.” Conor said rolling on his side watching the wispy soul dance around without the bones this time. Her bones are scattered around the surface of the Lake… She perfectly danced a ballet that Joanne had been teaching her before she got pregnant. My love. Please come back to me. I have to hold on- I can’t just give up on you. “I love you no matter what Karen.” Even if you hate yourself, I’ll love you more than yesterday. She stopped mid-bow and looked over with a sad look on her face. “Fine. Stay here. I don’t care.” She snapped her fingers and black water rose from the lake and encapsulated her. She’s shutting me out. Conor sighed as he lay back down rubbing his face from the emotional exhaustion and strain this had put him under. He lay there thinking about the fond memories he had with her from the moment he m
-Conor-“No… I have half a mind to piss you off so you can take me out. You’d make father, Michael and Monica delighted. But no matter what happens, Alexander loses, and you know I’m right. He’s going to lose the woman who loves him the most.” Conor whispered as he lay back down and shut his eyes. “Go away Karen. Go back to your fucking bubble and shut me out like you did before. Your actions tell me that you don’t care about us. I’m sure I’ll figure it out.”An hour passed and Conor opened his eyes to see Karen still standing there. Neither of them said anything so he rolled over and faced away from her. I failed. I need a barrel of whiskey right now. About ten barrels. He shut his eyes again and hugged himself as he drifted off to sleep.He woke again feeling sick from his emotions. Ugh… I feel like crap. Conor rolled over and saw Karen still standing there watching him. He picked up a piece of bread and took a small bite. “You’ve been asleep for a couple days.” Karen said softly.O
-Karen-The sudden urge to breathe made me cough several times. I breathed deeply and felt weak. I opened my eyes and saw I was in a tent with Eldon looking down at me. I was at the Lake… wasn’t I? He said something but I didn’t hear what he said. I shut my eyes again and rolled over onto my right side. I feel terrible… I feel a deep sense of regret and sadness. I remember being at the Lake. I danced with bones… Whose bones were those? Wait... Those were my bones… I used my magic… On myself… Because of an illusion. Conor and Alexander… They were hatefully killed in cold blood. Eldon… Despite the weak feeling, I sat up and looked angrily over at him “You… You killed them…” I growled hatefully. “I’ll never forgive you!”“Kay!” Conor called from the foot of the bed. He pushed Eldon several feet away and hugged me tightly as he cried all over again. “Don’t kill yourself again! I need you baby!” He kissed me deeply. “I need my flower… Our baby needs his Mama!” He kissed me deeply for a sec
-Conor-Karen placed a hand on the Lake surface and her belly. You can do it baby! She said the spell and an instant later, “Get out!” Eldon shouted creating a portal and shoving Conor and Nathan through. The portal shut and Nathan grabbed onto Conor’s arm and held him back as he tried to get Nathan to make a new portal back to the Lake. We can’t just leave her there!After several minutes, a shock wave shook the entire camp, making Alexander start crying. Aaron brought Alexander over to Conor while everyone waited in tense silence. “Alex!” Conor whispered kissing his small forehead. He continued to cry as he looked around. Aaron brought Conor a bottle in hopes of calming Alexander down. “It’s okay Alex. Mama is going to be okay.” I hope. I don’t even know what the hell just happened…The Mages whispered around Conor until Nathan came and sat down next to him. “Did you feel that shock wave, Conor?” Nathan asked nervously. Conor nodded but Alexander became even fussier. “He can tell so
-Karen-“Karen Anne Elizabeth… Wake up my flower.” Conor’s voice whispered in my ear. I slowly swung my head over to him. I feel like stone. Heavy and stiff. “I’m up…” I struggled to keep my eyes open. “I feel horrible…” I managed to open my eyes for a couple minutes and that was the extent of my energy.I felt a hand on my shoulder. “Stay still.” Aaron said softly. “Transfer.” I felt a wonderful rush of warmth run through me though my energy level didn’t improve much. The warmth made me sleepy all over again. After five minutes, Aaron let go. “Feel any better?” I kept my eyes shut. “Yes… A little better. Thank you Aaron.” I could feel the mood in the room was rather serious. I slowly turned back to Conor and watched him. “Are you okay, Conor?” I asked softly. “I’m better now that I see you’re awake-” Conor said until we heard crying. I immediately started looking around for Alexander. “Today was the first time we could get him away from you for more than five minutes.” I looked ov
-Karen-“There you are!” Conor called from behind us. “I’ve been looking for you three.” He came over and sat down next to me. “How are you feeling today baby?” He asked kissing me sweetly. I went to answer him, but he started making out with me. “How about you let her answer the question?” Joanne quipped as we kept kissing. She started laughing when I waved her off. “Never mind Conor, the Queen has spoken.”Conor and I chuckled softly together at Joanne’s comment. “Well, she does have the final say. So, tell me, my Queen-” I narrowed my eyes. “How much do you love your Prince?”I raised an eyebrow at him. “Prince? I love Alexander so much! I promise to do a better job at being a good mother. I wanted to start by giving him a good bath.” I looked down to check on Alexander as Conor chuckled.“I meant how much do you love me, silly.” He whispered in my ear.I gave him a confused look. Prince? “But you’re going to be king… You used the wrong title.” I corrected him. He dropped his gaze
-Karen-I woke up in my apartments, but I could tell immediately that something was off. The mint-colored walls were now a light lilac with the ceiling painted black and splattered with stars just like the sky at night. I sat up in the large bed surrounded by pillows. This- This is weird. They drugged me and stuck me in- The door opened, Delia walked in with Winholt and Nathan. Uh… Two of you are dead… Is this a dream? It has to be.“My dear granddaughter, we have the most wonderful news.” Delia said warmly. “We have settled your marriage contract. I wanted to tell you as soon as possible since you will be of age next week.” I blinked at her not sure what to say. “We have made a deal with the Zargan Empire- In trade for compliance to their customs, the demand was set for you to marry a Zargan Prince along with providing a dowry. Everything has been settled so I need you to get dressed and come to my Study at once.” She snapped her fingers and several Ladies, including Lizette, rushed