“Yes. She’s the rightful heir.”
“She was arrested for the poisoned apple,” I said. “Is there a way you can save her?”
Elias pursed his lips. “I think I might be able to… or at least help.”
“How?”
“Sereth loathed her stepmother. When things got rocky, she ran to her hidden stepsister–Malia.”
He faced the window. “And Maliadidmake the apple. She made it for her mother though, so that she would sleep for an extended period of time. Long enough that others might think them dead, but short enough that the person who bit it would still survive. The whole plan was for Sereth’s stepmother to eat it while Sereth ran away, far from the reaches of her stepmother. Malia even promised to help her run away.”
Thatwas the Malia I knew!
“But the kids,” I said.
Jonah jumped in. “We left them in the woods but she cared for them as her own. I’m forever indebted to her.”
“Then why are they so loyal to Sereth?” I asked.
“Because she lied to them.” Elias shook his head. “When they saw Malia making the apple, they really believed she was an evil witch who was going to poison and eat them. After Sereth got the apple, she told them to kill the witch. She told them to come to her when they were free.”
My insides were sick. How could Sereth do this to them? To Malia?
Elias rubbed his arms. “I’m sure you’ve seen Malia’s scars. They threw her in the furnace but she survived and fled to my kingdom. She remained hidden until I fled here too, not more than a year after my marriage to Sereth.”
Marriage to Sereth… that thought made me even more sick. I couldn’t imagine what Elias had endured.
His relationship had probably been the worst thing he had ever gone through.
And he looked like he still hadn’t healed from it. I felt sorry for him.
As if realizing our dire and timely situation, Eliasmotioned to his guard. “Prepare my horses and my ship. We’re going to the hidden bay.”
“Yes, your highness.” The guard excused himself.
Elias motioned to his other guards. “Return their weapons.” I gaped.
“You… trust us?”
“I can see it in your eyes,” the prince said.
“See what?”
“The love you have for these people in Sereth’s grasp.” He nodded, his expression solemn and honest as ever. “Let’s go save them.”
Sereth’s shipwas still anchored in the bay, much to my relief. When I wondered aloud why she was still there, Jonah spoke. “She’s probably waiting for me to report.”
Elias looked from Jonah to me. “She’ll be in for a surprise,” he said. I nodded, but no smile formed on my lips. My eyes were riveted on the ship, searching for her, Malia.
We had our plans all ready, and, though I’d only just made amends with Jonah and Elias, I knew I could trust them. I had no choice but to, because if I didn’t, we could lose Malia and the twins.
If they’re not already dead.
No.
I couldn’t think like that. Iknewshe had to be there. I could even sense it…
I’m coming Malia.
