Secret Invasion

Emma crouches next to her younger brother and watches him through narrowed eyes. He's wearing a white shirt and slim trousers. Around his neck was a water gem pendant, his hands were outstretched, and his eyes were closed.

For the past hour, Emma had been training Kai on wielding water magic. He was successful in all the other exercises except this one.

All he had to do was turn the water in the pitcher into ice. Sweat beaded his forehead and he groaned, throwing his hands in the air.

"Oh, what's the use, Em? I'll never be able to do it." Kai's bottom lip was trembling.

Emma got to her feet, brushing the wrinkles out of her dress. "Don't give up so quick. Maybe we're looking at it the wrong way."

"Or maybe I'm dumb."

"Kai, for the last time, you are not dumb. You're brilliant and handsome." Emma pinched his cheek. "Say that again and I'll let grandma kiss you all over your face when she comes over."

Kai made a face.

The door to the training room opened and a palace maid stepped inside. "Apologies for the disturbance, princess. But it is your father, the nurses fear his condition is worsening with no sign of recovery."

Emma swallowed. "Have you tried everything?"

"Yes, princess. We've called upon all the healers and no one can tell what is the problem." the maid ducked her head. "They believe he may pass tonight or early morning."

No. No. He can't leave her.

Emma raced from the room, eyes stinging with the threat of tears. She reached her father's room and burst inside choking on a sob. Her father, King Saul was dying.

He turned toward her. "Emma? Is that you?"

Emma hurried over to his side. She sat beside the bed and took his cold hand in her warm one.

"Daddy." Kai squeaked.

"How's my little champ?" their father rasped. "Come give pops some love."

Kai walked to the other side of the bed and threw his arms around his neck. "The maid told us that you're not getting better. Tell us they're wrong, Pa. You can't leave."

"I'm not ready," Emma whispered. "I can't...I'm not-" Emma broke off and started sobbing.

Her father placed his hand on her cheek. "Yes, you are, Em. You're strong, beautiful, and capable of wondrous things. And yes Kai, what the maid said is true."

He started coughing and Emma reached for a tissue. Their father put it to his mouth and pulled it back.

Emma and Kai gasped. It was soaked with blood.

How could he have gotten this bad? Was the medicine not working? What haven't they tried?

Emma grabbed her blonde curls, seconds from pulling them out by the roots.

Her father sighed. "I'm going to rest my eyes. Stay with me, alright?"

"Of course," Emma said. "We'll be right here."

....

Emma was startled awake by screams.

She pushed herself out of her chair and saw a maid struggling to hold Kai away from the bed. Emma glanced at her father, his eyes were closed and there was a small smile on his lips. It looked as though he were sleeping.

"What's going on?"

"King Saul has died."

Emma stumbled and blindly reached for a wall to steady herself. The room started tilting and she pressed her back against the wall, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Daddy!" Kai screamed. "Daddy wake up! Daddy!"

First her mother, now her father. They just buried her a few weeks ago. Her death had carved out a piece of her heart. Now it was completely shattered.

Defeated, Kai sobbed on the maid's apron. She rubbed his back in a circular motion.

Emma bit her lip.

She wasn't ready for marriage. She can't run a kingdom. Emma wasn't ready for any of this.

She didn't expect this. She didn't want this.

Kai tore away from the maid and ran toward Emma. He sobbed against her chest, arms wrapped around her waist.

"H-He can't be gone. Being me him back, Em!"

Emma sniffled, tightening her grip on him. She kissed his forehead. "I wish I could, Kai. I wish I could."

A guard burst into the throne room.

"Highness! I've received word from our spy. Phase one is complete."

Brandon turned toward his father, King Benton, for an explanation. His father thanked the guard and then dismissed him.

"What phase?" Brandon snapped. "Who's lives do you plan on ruining next?"

"I plan to take Adoni."

Brandon wasn't sure if he should laugh or leave. He did neither, instead, he stood there and waited for his father to continue.

For the past three years, his father has been expanding his rule, often the leaders didn't surrender, and that pushed him to take it by force. Once his rule had been confirmed, his father would send his lackies to be sure all rules were being followed.

These lackies were an alien species capable of changing to look like humans.

"Take Adoni how." Brandon prompted when his father failed to answer.

His father smiled down at him. "By marriage."

"Excuse me?"

"Princess Emma is a stunning girl. Only one year younger, but how do you suggest we keep Prince Ka occupied? I hear he's a curious one."

Brandon's mind wandered back to the time when he accompanied his father on a trip to Adoni to pay a visit to King Saul. The memory was still vivid in his mind even though it had been years. As he strolled through the corridors of the palace, he caught sight of a young girl with a headful of curly blonde hair and striking blue eyes. It was Emma, and she was standing majestically in the throne room, looking every inch the queen she was destined to become. The sight of her left a lasting impression on Brandon, and he couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty and grace.

She was charming, but he wouldn't admit that to anyone. Much less his father.

Brandon snapped. "Marriage? I'm sure there are-"

"You are a mere child yourself. And no, this isn't a suggestion, it is an order."

Brandon opened his mouth to protest but closed it under his father's stony glare. The mark on his cheek stung from where the kind king lashed out at him when he was seven.

His father had been having lunch with King Saul and his wife, bored, he wandered the halls, his curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar surroundings. He stumbled upon a silver box left ajar. His eyes were immediately drawn to the gleaming golden dagger nestled inside, adorned with sparkling diamonds and rubies. In awe, he reached out to touch it, but before he could even grasp the hilt with his fingers, it was cruelly snatched from his hand. A sharp pain erupted on his cheek, and he felt a warm trickle running down his skin. Trembling with fear, he looked up to see his father towering over him, a ferocious look on his face, teeth bared like a lion ready to pounce on its prey.

Through gritted teeth, Brandon replied, "Of course, Father."

"Wonderful. Now, if there's anything you must report back to me get in contact with the lackies or the spy."

"Why no letters?"

"Because boy, it'll be traced back to us. Do you want that?" his father hissed. "That'll compromise everything I've worked so hard for."

Brandon couldn't help it, he snorted.

A maid then entered the throne room.

King Benton sneered. "State your purpose."

"The plots have alerted me that Prince Brandon's ship is ready. They would like to know when he plans to leave for Adoni."

The king stroked his mustache. "Tomorrow mid-day."

Brandon massaged his temples. "When you get back from the docking stations run me a bath."

"Or course."

Brandon folds his arms. "I'm going to retire to my chambers."

"Please do. Can't be prince charming without beauty sleep." his father chuckled at his joke."

Brandon stormed from the throne room. His little sister Catherine was sitting on the grand stairs with wide eyes.

Her lips were in the shape of an "O" and she clutched a stuffed bear in her arms.

"You know how father is about that." Brandon hissed. "Where's Owen?"

Catherine pursed her lips. "I dunno. I hear Princess Emma is very beautiful. I don't think you stand a chance, but if you smile more and frown less maybe."

"Well, Father says that I am marrying her."

Catherine got to her feet, blonde curls bouncing. "Once you've had your bath meet me in my chambers."

Before he could say anything, Catherine turned and started skipping down the hallway.

Brandon sighed and dragged himself into his room. Owen was flipping through a book on his bed.

The maid from earlier emerged and Brandon was surprised, perhaps he'd been in too much of a mood to notice, but he'd never seen this maid before.

She had pale skin, long silver hair, and deep-set blue eyes. Like all the other maids, she wore a cotton dress.

"Prince, your bath is ready."

Owen snapped his fingers. "Could you get my clothes ready for the light to Adon, Ashlyn?"

The maid blinked. "O-Of course."

Ashlyn quickly left the room.

"Trip to Adoni?" Brandon exploded. "What use are you there?"

"Well, pops said it's my job to keep Emma's brother occupied. Father said so." Owen tossed the book aside and frowned slightly. "But he also said if he starts getting suspicious I could use any means to be rid of him."

Brandon rolled his eyes. Imagine having a father who never held back his words, no matter how harsh they were. That's what it was like for them - his big mouth had no filter, especially when it came to his own kids. He never sugarcoated anything, and that made for some interesting family conversations.

"Why don't you go check on Ashlyn? Make sure she's doing everything fine."

Owen jumped from the bed. "Good point. See you tomorrow."

Brandon collapsed onto his bed.

What a day.

"Almost done. There."

Emma opened her eyes and stared at the stranger in the glass. She wore a white, floor-length dress and jewelry around her neck. In her hair were pearls and diamonds.

Her friend, and maid, squeezed her shoulders. "I'm sure he'd be proud, Em."

"Has there been any news back from former Queen Elizabeth?" Emma turned from the glass"No, butter was something from King Benton." Marie pulled an envelope from her pocket.

Emma took it and opened it, staring opened mouthed at what she'd read. This couldn't be happening.

Not now.

Why so soon?

"Princess?"

"King Benton's sending his son to wed me." Emma said aghast, tossing the letter aside. "This must be some joke! I'm not marrying that selfish, stuck-up, avarice."

Marie cocked her head. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear, Em. You met the prince before haven't you?"

"But that was years ago!"

"Maybe he's changed." Marie smacked her hand. "Stop, you're messing up your hair."

Emma started pacing. This was a bad dream, and she'd wake up any second now. She whimpered. The idea of marrying him was preposterous. What could this boy possibly want from her?

Not a bride.

Heavens above, children.

Her stomach churned, threatening to cause her to throw up her breakfast. She whirled toward Marie who was gazing at her with pity.

"It's not the end of the world, Em. If you're against the marriage, turn him down when he proposes." Marie sighs.

"R-Really?"

Marie snapped her fingers. "That's enough drama for one morning. Hurry, Kai is waiting for you."

...

When Emma reached her father's bedroom, Kai was already there, holding a bouquet.

He wore a white suit, and his hair was brushed to the side. Kai smiled back at her. "ready?"

She nodded.

Today, they were given time to bid farewell to their father before he was buried. Emma half-hoped he would be up working on a new portrait, but to her dismay, he was still in bed.

He looked as though he were sleeping.

Kai placed the flowers in a vase and then took a seat. He started rubbing his palms on his pants like she did when she was nervous.

"What's bothering you?"

"Don't you think it's strange father died a week after supper with King Benton?" Kai's eyes widen. "I hear his sons are coming."

Emma nods. "His health was already worsening before that, Kai."

"I know. Do I have to be there when you greet the princes?" Kai got to his feet. "I have some studying to do."

"Really?"

Kai nods. "It's a very interesting topic. I'm learning about the human body! Do you remember what p's skin looked like?"

"Of course."

"What if he wasn't sick, Em?"

Emma blinked. "What are you trying to say, Kai?" Then she gasped. "Kai Alexander! How could you suggest such a thing, why would King Benton do that? He was friends with father for years!"

"Goodness, Em! Have you been living under a rock?" Kai exclaimed. "Have you noticed how much his kingdom and influence spread across the galaxy?"

Emma opened her mouth to say something but Kai continued. "Why would King Benton do this to father? Power. And he'd be crazy enough to poison him too."

"Kai, watch your tongue. Those words could get you killed. "Emma glanced toward the door. "You mustn't say that around our guest."

Kai snapped. "You just don't want to hear the truth, do you?"

"No! I don't because hearing the truth is worse." Emma shot back. "I understand you want to figure out what happened and why, but I...I can't handle the truth right now."

Kai deflates. "I understand. If you need me I'll be up in my private tower."

Then he left, closing the door behind him.

Emma sank to the floor sobbing.

...

Since she had a few hours before the princes arrived, Emma went down to the stables.

Her horse neighed softly as she approached. Emma ran her fingers through the horse's mane.

"Hello, Butterscotch. Have you been behaving?" Emma pulled out an apple and held it up. "I've brought you a treat."

A voice behind her stated her. "What are you-?"

Before they could finish their sentence, using her air abilities, Emma sent them flying. She heard a grunt and turned.

A boy was struggling to his feet. Emma gasped and hurried over. "Oh goodness! I'm sorry. It's just that you startled me"

"Apologies I-" the boy stopped when he saw her face. "P-Princess Emma?"

"Just Emma. Who are you?"

"I'm Keith Franklin. And I'm a pilot. I also help tend the animals." Keith chuckled nervously. "I had no right to-"

Emma held up her hand. 'It's fine. If you're not busy could you alert Marie I"m going out for a ride?"

"Of course."

Emma thanked him then opened the stable door. She secured the saddle on her back, then stroked her neck.

She pulled her bow and arrow down from the wall and strapped it to her back, then secured a dagger to her leg.

Once she was suited up she jumped on the horse's back and they raced from the stables.

From the palace.

Freedom