52. King Kennian
1505 Words
The next day, they get another call out for Fane. The boys and Jenny go again. The girls and I go through the clothes and think of presents for Luke until they get back.
Alden comes in first and slams a chair into the wall. I jump a bit. "Sorry baby. He had already left when we got there. We couldn't pick up a trail. It's frustrating."
I give him a hug. "I'll calm you down later. I remember how." His eyes go dark.
Then everyone else comes in. "I don't think he was gone that long. We just have to keep trying."
Nothing happens for a couple of days, then Fomek stops by. "Your dad is waking up."
I jump up, hit my leg on the conference table, fall to the floor, jump up again, and run out to the shuttle. I get it to the ship as fast as I can. I run all the way to the medical area and my dad is lying on the bed with his eyes open.
"Daddy."
"What happened, princess?"
"That is a very long story. But you're here now."
"Where is your momma?"
"She's recovering too. You were both hit on the head. She should be awake tomorrow. The doctor said she needs another day."
"Head trauma can be different. Another day or 2 would be acceptable."
Fomek walks in behind me.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Dr. Fomek. I'm the doctor on your case."
"Where is Dr. Odis?"
"He did not make it. I'm the new doctor. I'm being implemented at the castle."
Daddy stares at me. "What did your jackass brother do now?"
"He tried to kill everyone, daddy. He nearly succeeded."
"My daughter is queen."
"Yes, she is."
"Daddy, why don't you wake up a bit more, and we'll get you into a nice chair."
"Yes please, this is not comfortable." He tries to move. "I can't even sit up. How long was I unconscious?"
Me and Fomek stare at each other for a second.
Daddy stares. "That long?"
"Yea daddy. It has been that long."
"Tell me."
"500 years. You, momma, and me. He attacked us and locked us away. We've been gone for 500 years. He was on the throne for 500 years. The place is bad."
Fomek nods. "It's been a constant celebration since she was found, Kehlani has the throne now. We were able to find you, Queen Lily. Everyone is rejoicing."
"Is he dead yet?"
"Not yet."
"What's the hold up?"
"Having problems tracking him down."
"I'll help." He sits up.
"You should really take more time than this, sir. It took Kehlani weeks before she could walk around again."
"Nonsense, I feel fine. Kehlani, put your veil on and let's go to my office."
My eyebrows shoot up and me and Fomek stare at each other again.
"Yes daddy." I shrug my shoulders at the doctor.
He rubs his eyes and nods. "We'll shut the windows on the shuttle."
I run for a box. I get a princess dress on with gloves and the brain hands me a veil. I throw it over my head before I get to the shuttle bay. Then I climb in the shuttle with them. Fomek has the blinds down, so we can't see out.
"Did he find the crowns?"
"No. I haven't been able to either."
"They're in my office."
"You must have a hell of a good hiding spot, daddy."
"Language princess."
"Of course."
"Don't give me attitude."
I roll my eyes. "Nothing has changed."
We land and I run for Alden's office. I run in and pull him out of the head seat. I move him over and throw Victor out of the way. I sit Alden in Victor's spot.
Victor cracks up laughing and sits down. "Daddy's awake."
"Sit down, Kehlani. Alkawn, why is he still alive?"
"Having problems tracking him down, sir. And it's wonderful to see you again."
"Wonderful to be back. We can celebrate later. We must finish this first. Kehlani sit somewhere."
I sit in the empty seat by Tim.
"Tim, stay away from my daughter."
"She sat there."
"BOY."
I move down a spot.
Fomek puts his hands up. "Let's assume, for a moment, that some things have changed in the last 500 years."
"I'm sure they have, sir." Daddy suddenly realizes there are other people in the room, "Who the hell are the rest of you people?" He doesn't wait for anyone to talk. He goes over to his desk and walks to the wall. He flips a hidden switch and a panel comes down. Then he gets out a big box that has the crowns in it. I know it. I've seen it before. "Here Kehlani, before I forget."
I stand up and fall over. Tim helps me up.
"TIM."
"I'M NOT LEAVING HER ON THE FLOOR, SIR."
"AND HOW IS YOUR MATE?"
"DEAD."
I stop shaking. "I'm so sorry."
"I am too, Tim. That's horrible news. She was a lovely person."
"Yea she was. Your son killed her trying to kill me, I guess. Or maybe just because he could."
"The child?"
"Never born."
I wrap my arms around him and start bawling.
"You're alright." He rubs my hair.
I shake my head. "That's so horrible." I can not get control of the tears.
Daddy pulls me off him. "I know it's terrible, Kehlani. That was hard to hear. Bless your precious little heart. You have to try to calm down, so we can get revenge now. We can cry later, baby."
I pull the veil off my head and wipe my face off with it.
"I suppose that's fine in here. Both of you sit down. Now, who are the rest of you people?"
Alkawn chuckles and opens the crown box. He pulls out the queen's crown and puts it on my head. "My queen." He motions to the king's crown and winks at me.
I smile and take it out of the box. Then I go to Alden. I put it on his head. "My king."
Daddy stares at him for a minute. "Why is Fane not dead?"
"He's always 1 step ahead of us. We hear a tip and go immediately, but he'll already be gone."
"Get better tips."
Alden points at Alkawn.
"I'm trying sir. The intelligence we're getting is good but slow. We leave that second, but he's already gone."
"Is there spy equipment in the office again?"
Alkawn and Tim glance at each other, then dive under the table.
Tim pops up first. "Doesn't appear to be sir."
"Can never be too careful. Check into that some more."
"Of course."
I sit on Alden and relax with him. He rubs my back and I feel myself falling asleep. The crown gets lifted off me and I hear daddy, "She is young. You'll have to take care of her for a while."
I wake up and stretch. I'm on the couch. Alden is the only 1 here. "Where did daddy go?"
"Chasing Tim and Alkawn around. Did you have a good nap, baby?"
I sit on his lap. "I did. I was sleepy."
"Am I a good king?"
"You're amazing. You're kind, honest, fair, strong, protective, focused. I couldn't ask for anyone better, love. Why do you ask that?"
"He's so much different than me. I know he's a good king. The people love him."
"They love you too." I give him a little kiss. "You're an amazing king. Everyone can see that."
He smiles and gives me a real kiss. "As long as you think that, I'm happy."
"Do you think I'm a good queen?"
"You're amazing at it baby. You really were born for it. You love your people and take care of them. You're protective and strong. You're everything."
"I don't know what else to get Luke."
"I got a few ideas, baby."
"Like what?"
"I don't think they have crayons. His age might really like them. Then we have guns that shoot fake bullets. Boys love those. Maybe some remote-controlled cars. He also likes those little animals. We have huge ones here. I'm sure we can find a big dinosaur that stands 2 feet tall. And lots and lots of batteries. I don't think they can charge anything."
"So how many is that? Dinosaur, crayons, guns, car, gold, zoo, I want to get him little animals off all our animals we take too. That's 1. Need 1 more."
"Write your letter, baby. Let him pick something to do with you. He'll love that if his parents ever tell him he can't do something."
I laugh and snuggle with him. "That would be good. I need to pick out the animals soon. And find the figurines."
"Let's get out of here and go shopping. I think we need to wind down."
"Can I drive?"
"You can drive until we get to the city. I need to work with you more on city driving."
"Ok." I give him a big hug. "You're the best."
- Writer
