Page 74 of Save a Wish

“As far as I can tell,” Hank said, “this looks like an order for the arrest of someone.”

I had difficulty swallowing. Was Sadie wanted for a crime? Was that why she’d pretended to be someone else? Had she created a whole new identity, a whole new life to hide from the law of her country?

Had I been dating a fugitive?

Chapter Twenty-six

Sadie

I barely spoke on the flight to Ireland. In fact, I fell asleep, so exhausted by the anguish of having to leave Vermont. The boat ride to Verdalach passed with more silence from me as well. My parents and Cian talked to each other, frequently trying to add me to their conversation but not meeting with any success. With each mile of distance I put between Greenridge and myself, another portion of my heart turned to absolute stone. All that organ did now was keep me alive. It felt nothing else. Certainly no joy, no peace.

No love.

When we finally reached the palace, I had no idea what time it was, what day it was, whose life I was leading. Defeat weighed heavily on me. I’d almost done it. I’d almost created a brand new life, free from this place and its outdated ways. I’d almost been able to keep my true soulmate.

I’d almost achieved a happily ever after.

But all that was gone now, blown away like leaves on the autumn breeze. All I had now was years and years of playing princess, of enduring being Cian’s wife, of longing for that perfect life that had been within my reach in Vermont. It was strange that, although I’d been playing a role as Sadie Rodgers, being Princess Aislinn felt more pretend instead.

We entered the palace where a dozen ladies in waiting were lined up on the grand staircase.

“Transform the princess back into the princess,” my father ordered.

In the next moment, I was surrounded by the ladies and ushered up the stairs. I put on the brakes though and turned to look at Cian.

“Orla and Fionn,” I said. “Free them now.”

“Not until you marry me.” Cian folded his arms across his chest.

Something on my face, in the glare I sent him, changed his mind, however, and he let out a huff. “We’ll consider their release a wedding present for you.”

“I don’t care what you consider it.” My fingers curled around the stair railing. If it had been any other material aside from stone, I would have left indentations as I imagined strangling Cian around his stupid neck. “I want them freed and delivered to me immediately.”

Cian bowed to me, but the gesture exuded mockery. “Rest assured that as soon as your appearance returns to that of Princess Aislinn, your servants will be returned to you.”

“They are not servants,” I said. “Orla and Fionn are my friends.”

“They work for us,” my father said. “They are servants.”

The ladies in waiting urged me back into climbing the stairs. As they bathed me, groomed me, and dressed me, I caught glimpses of compassion in their eyes. They understood why I’d run away. They’d no doubt considered doing the same on many occasions.

“I’m sorry,” I finally said.

“For what, Your Highness?” one of them asked then lowered her gaze. “Forgive me. I should not have questioned you like that.”

“No. It’s fine,” I said. “I’m sorry for your lives here. For how my family has treated you.” I turned to face them. “For how stuck you all must feel.”

Shock registered on each of their faces. No one had ever spoken to them this way. As if they were real people with real thoughts and real emotions and real dreams that spanned beyond these palace walls.

I took the hands of the closest lady. “What is your name?” I’d never seen her before. In fact, all the women were new. Cian and my parents most likely had organized a new collection of ladies in waiting because they didn’t trust the old set.

“Laoise, Your Highness,” she said.

I asked the other ladies and committed their names to memory. “I promise I will treat you all with the respect you deserve. I’ll protect you as best as I can.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Laoise said, the sentiment echoed by the other ladies.

If I was going to be a captive here, I’d at least use what little power I held to improve their lives.