#ruby rys

Leaving Texas would be the easy part. Even with the tearful goodbyes and the knot that formed in Ruby’s chest as she said goodbye to Beau’s family, she knew there was a much harder battle looming ahead.

Everything in Cordonia was unknown.

They were headed across the ocean as prepared as they could possibly be; they tried to remain hopeful, but Ruby couldn’t help the worry that grew in her gut the further from Texas they flew.

She’d questioned herself unmercifully if she was being selfish by dragging Beau away and into an uncertain future.

Ruby shifted uncomfortably in her seat, careful not to disturb her husband. Her thumb grazed her rings -- that was one new title she didn’t question for a moment.

She was born a queen but was that the role she was meant to fill? Would her title of queen be long-lived, or would a vendetta she inherited cause her to lose all that she held close?

She let out a frustrated breath. The uncomfortable cramped seats only compounded her frustration. All the moves across the country didn’t prepare her for the journey across the ocean in a plane. Normally she’d fall asleep with her head leaning against the window, today sleep evaded her. Her mind was far too busy as she went over every worry and fear she had.

She attempted to stretch out her long legs. Even sitting in the backseat with both her brothers she had more space than she did in the moment. What she would give to simply be heading to a new state instead of across the sea.

She hated the uncertainty that gnawed at her stomach. She was used to planning and feeling confident in her skills bringing her victory. All she felt was unavoidable fear. Fear that she would lose the only family she’d ever known. Fear that she would be met with an impossible question that led to a more impossible choice.

She was still so young, her life just starting. Was she simply rushing towards the end? Could she come out the other side of this no worse for the wear and triumphant or was she doomed to become barely more than a footnote?

“Everything okay RuRu?” Beau’s voice was low and laced with sleep.

Ruby internally sighed, she was trying to not disturb anyone. Her eyes scanned over the darkened cabin, everyone else had managed to drift off into a peaceful slumber, even her parents were asleep.

If only her mind would silence and allow her a few hours of reprieve.

She turned, her faint smile barely visible in the low light. “I’m fine,” she forced her voice to stay sure and even. If Beau thought something was bothering her he wouldn’t allow himself to slip back asleep. He’s lost enough today, he should be allowed to sleep.

Guilt once more clouded her heart and mind. She could only hold onto the tiny glimmer of hope that she and Beau would soon return to his family and Texas.

“Everything will be fine, I believe in you.” He slipped his hand into hers.

Five years later and she could still be caught completely by surprise at the way he could easily read her. She wanted to believe him so badly, for the first time in her life she lacked trust in herself.

So many lives were counting on her to conquer Bradshaw and return Cordonia to its former glory. Her own family’s lives hung in the balance. Never before had any opponent made her question her own ability.

She only hoped Bradshaw wouldn’t also be the one to make her face eternal defeat ...

- - -

Ruby regarded the street lined with Parisian boutiques. The quaint shops selling anything from pastries, elaborate gowns, to antiques. She couldn’t contain her surprise at how ordinary the street appeared.

Her mind had always conjured images of cobblestone paths, with colorful awnings and tables overlooking the street.

Instead of cobblestones, she was met with paved street, nothing as magical as she had once imagined. The tables were still nestled in front of eateries, and the awnings were colorful enough, though if she hadn’t known she was in Paris she could have almost imagined she was in any other city.

“Mama, are you sure we have time?” Ruby was thankful for the prolonged layover, the ten and a half hour flight preferable to the nearly thirteen-hour it could have been, but wasn’t shopping a frivolous use of their time?

She yearned to be carefree and experience the city of lights at a leisurely pace. To be walking hand in hand with Beau down the streets, nothing more than a couple in love. The memories they could create while exploring the beautiful city.

She could wish on a thousand shooting stars and it wouldn’t change the facts.

This wasn’t a vacation. This was merely a pit stop on the way to Cordonia. A layover used to reconnect with more allies and gather intel that would hopefully aid her in freeing her country from a tyrant.

Perhaps Beau and I can return.

While her future remained uncertain it was essential she held tightly to any shred of hope. While all her plans could vanish in a puff of smoke in an instant they were necessary for her to believe she would succeed in vanquishing her enemies.

“This shopping trip is a necessity I assure you,” Olivia replied as she led Ruby into a lavish boutique.

Ruby instantly felt overwhelmed and out of place as she caught sight of gorgeous gowns. The knot in her stomach grew as she scanned the gowns, the lush fabrics, beading, and lace were so far from her usual tastes. Is this what will be expected of me?

“Ruby, breathe. I know this is new for you, I assure you we will be able to find you a suitable gown that you will feel comfortable in.”

She wanted to believe her mother, but surrounded by gowns of silk and tulle she felt like she was drowning in a world she didn’t know.

“What exactly am I looking for?” Ruby asked as she straightened her back and pushed her doubt down. She needed to act strong and sure, the feeling would soon follow.

“I’m sure you remember Papa and I telling you about the social season,” Ruby nodded for Olivia to continue. “Bradshaw has been carrying on his own version of the tradition, instead of celebrating our country, he means to break us.

The start of the social season is next week. All of the court is expected so it will be easy enough for us to slip in.” Olivia turned towards the dresses, “now let’s find you something that tells Bradshaw you are the wrong royal to fuck with.”

- - -

Ruby hung the garment bag in the closet, her fingers grazing the thick dark fabric.

Her mama had been correct that they would find a gown that made her feel like the queen she was.

She had been surprised to find something that was so perfectly her amidst all the silk and yards of tulle.

She gently placed the bag containing her new shoes and the ornate masks for both her and Beau on the ground.

She turned as she heard an unfamiliar voice mingling with those of her parents and Drake in from the main room of their suite. Ignore their stares, I may look like them but I’m me. They just don’t know how to react.

She steeled herself for the gaping looks and stuttering that would surely come as she stepped into the room.

“Ruby,” Olivia greeted, “this is Maxwell Beaumont, and … where is Hana?”

Maxwell rocked on his feet, “Uh, Hana sends her regards. She wanted to join me, but wasn’t able to leave the country.”

“Why not?” Olivia’s sharp voice rang through the still room.

Maxwell shot Drake a questioning look, “didn’t you tell them?”

“Tell us what?”

Olivia's stern tone nearly gave Maxwell pause. “Hana’s Bradshaw’s mistress.”

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“Are you sure Mama Jo doesn’t mind?” Ruby asked, worrying her lip, “I can find time to do both …”

“Ruby, she’s excited, she wants to surprise us. She said we had more important things to worry about than something as trivial as planning a wedding.”

“I wouldn’t say our wedding isn’t important … I don’t want her to think I don’t care …” she idly twisted her ring. Her heart pounded in her chest, she didn’t want his mother to think their wedding wasn’t just as important to her.

“RuRu, relax.” Beau covered her hand with his, stilling her movements, a soft smile spreading over his lips as she met his eye. “She only meant compared to saving a country from a dictatorship. Trust me, Mom knows and loves you. She’s over the moon about you joining the family and the fact that she gets to plan a ‘surprise wedding’ as she calls it. The only thing she’d tell me was that it’s going to be held at Nan and Pop’s.”

“That’s perfect.”

“That’s exactly what I told her. Now, tell me everything I need to know about Cordonia, this asshat, and the country that grew the asshat.”

Ruby fought to keep a straight face. “Did you really just call King Bradshaw asshat?”

“I’d say Asshat suits him better,” Beau replied with a shrug.

Ruby shook her head as her hands smoothed out the large worn map. “Okay, so Mama said that originally Cordonia was five separate kingdoms; well actually more than five but the first five, Abanthus, Fydoria, Stormholt, Bellmere, and Ebrimel were united under one queen, Queen Kenna Rys.” She pointed to five large duchies on the map. “They are now known as Lythikos, Krona, the Capitol, Castelsarreillan, and Portavira.”

Beau nodded for her to continue as she raised her head.

“Aurelia, the Blackspine Mountains, and an area called the Foundry were later united under Kenna’s leadership forming the entirety of Cordonia.” She circled three large areas on the map with her finger. “They formed Ramsford, Domvallier, and several other duchies.

This,” she pointed to a large country across from Cordonia, a large span of ocean the only ‘border’ between, “is Auvernal. That’s the country that King Bradshaw is from.

Auvernal was called The Iron Empire or Ductoria when Kenna united The Five Kingdoms.

Ductoria was led by Empress Azura. She was called ‘She Who Shines Brightest’ or ‘Her Radiance’ by her people.

Mama said there are a lot of stories about The Five Kingdoms, Blackspine Mountains, and Ductoria that include wielding powers of fire, powers of electricity, and even humans who could transform into dragons.

It was said that Empress Azura had powers and ruled Ductoria for over one thousand years. She was able to maintain both her youth and abilities by siphoning the life force from her subjects who saw it as an honor to give their life for hers.”

“She sounds twisted.”

“She does. Fifty years before Kenna united the Five Kingdoms Azura approached each of the leaders and ‘peacefully offered’ a share of Ductoria’s wealth if they pledged allegiance to her. The leaders declined and Azura declared war against the Five Kingdoms which Mama says was the beginning catalyst for Kenna to unite the kingdoms.”

“Okay, twisted and power-hungry, bad mix.”

Ruby fought back a giggle. “Very bad mix. So Ductoria and the Five Kingdoms fought for fifty years before Kenna united them. The king of Abanthus had tried to ‘unite’ the kingdom’s in his own way, though he used force. After uniting the kingdoms, Kenna was able to defeat Azura with the help of Azura’s daughter and heir, Lia.”

“Wait, Azura’s daughter helped Kenna?”

“Yes, she wasn’t power hungry like her mother and saw the importance in each life. She was said to also possess abilities though she rarely used them, and never the way her mother did. After Kenna killed Azura, Lia pledged both her allegiance and her wealth with no stipulations.

Just as Cordonia grew and prospered under Kenna, Ductoria grew and prospered under Lia.”

“But Ductoria is known as Auvernal now.”

“Yes, one of Lia’s descendants changed the name to distance the country from Azura.

Mama and Papa said that every year there was a Five Kingdoms celebration to honor Kenna and her allies who helped end the violence with Ductoria and unite the kingdoms. The stories of magic and dragons were told through every generation.

Queen Eleanor, King Liam’s mother, and my grandmother was from Auvernal and just as Cordonian children learned the history through stories of magic wielders and dragons, so did Auvernalese children.

Eleanor said some of the stories told about Kenna and Azura were told in a much darker context. To some, Kenna was the villain who took their majestic empress and left them with one they deemed weaker.”

“So that’s what Asshat was told, that Kenna was the villain and Azura was what, an innocent victim?”

“Most likely, apparently to some the magical abilities that Azura was said to have were revered and just as she had compared herself to a goddess, so did some of her subjects who of course passed it on through the generations.”

“So all of this, your parents dying, all the devastation Cordonia faced since then was because of a ‘wrong’ committed centuries ago?”

“That’s what Mama and Papa believe. We can’t know for sure why Bradshaw was so determined to have a betrothal alliance that he then murdered my parents, but they suspect that Bradshaw was merely using the alliance to gain Cordonia and when my birth parents refused … he killed them.”

“Shit, okay. How do we do this?”

Ruby blew out a breath, she’d been asking herself the same question since deciding to reclaim her country and birthright. “I’m not sure. … Mama said knowing the past would help us unearth any weaknesses. She also said she had some loyal contacts who should be able to help us understand the current state of Cordonia which will help us in planning.”

“So,” he pulled her into his lap, “after you Kenna his ass, then what?”

“Then you and I get to decide what we want.”

“No matter what you choose I’m in, all in, always.”

- - -

“Awesome! Swords!” Lovett exclaimed as he tore across the basement they used for training.

“Lovett, remember, they are weapons.”

“And they should be treated with respect.” Lovett heaved a sigh as he dropped his outstretched arms to his sides. “But it’s not like these are real.”

“They can still really hurt someone, remember my cracked ribs?” Ruby said, ruffling his dark auburn hair.

“Oh yeah, I think Beau was more upset than you were.”

Ruby shrugged, “wasn’t my first broken bone, probably won’t be my last. Besides you know what Mama always says.”

“If you can breathe, you can stand. If you can stand, you can fight.” Lovett replied, standing prouder and straighter with every word.

“So do you really think a few cracked ribs could keep me down?”

“I guess not,” Lovett replied with a shake of his head. “So … swords … are we dueling? Can I duel Ruby?” His dark smokey eyes sparkling with excitement as he bounced on the balls of his feet.

“We are dueling. Papa and I thought it best you go against Beau while Ruby faces off against Papa,” Olivia said, lifting a practice sword from the table. “Papa and I are still trying to form a strategy, but I remember from a ‘friendly’ visit to Auvernal that Bradshaw is more bark than bite, so being able to duel might come into play.”

“What do you mean ‘he’s more bark than bite’?” Ruby questioned, the more she knew about her opposition the better.

“Your mother and I went on a little ‘girls trip’ that Bradshaw’s wife Isabella planned. It was merely a show of their strength, nothing more than a thinly veiled threat while trying to humiliate your mother. Isabella failed, your mother was more capable than many of the court had thought.

Over the course of the evening we learned that while Bradshaw would brag about his medals he won, that he had never seen battle. I’m sure as the crowned prince he had learned to duel, but he is arrogant and I’m sure he would be an easy enemy to defeat one on one.

While Ruby is the rightful ruler and would make the challenge, Bradshaw is a sexist piece of shit who will likely refuse to duel against a girl. As her spouse, the role would fall to you Beau, so we need to make sure neither of you are rusty.”

- - -

Ruby shifted in closer into Beau’s warm embrace, in a few short weeks they’d be leaving Texas behind and heading toward an uncertain future. In that moment everything felt safe and perfect, snuggled into his side encapsulated in his woodsy scent, her brothers sitting on the floor laughing and joking.

Would she and her brothers still have moments where they could be happy and free or would everything change the second they all boarded the plane? So many questions hung in the air nearly casting her decision to reclaim her birthright in doubt.

“Ruby,” her youngest brother's voice pulled her from the depths of her thoughts. “Are you and Beau going to have babies now?”

Ruby stifled a groan, she knew she’d be getting asked that soon enough, but from her younger brothers? “That’s not polite to ask Lovett, not everyone who gets married wants kids and sometimes those who do can’t and the question just reminds them of what they wanted and couldn’t have.”

“Oh …” The silence hung just long enough that she thought the subject was dropped. “Well you guys do, right? Why aren’t you planning the wedding Ruby?”

The urge to scream and tell her brother all the ways he was being rude bubbled up. “My mom thought Ruby and I had enough on our plate.” Ruby looked up at Beau with a grateful smile.

“Okay, but —”

The doorbell chimed breaking through the awkwardness. “I’ll get that,” Ruby said as she quickly stood, thankful to be pulled away from her brother’s incessant questions, though she could sense him following close behind her.

Ruby opened the door, her eyes quickly sweeping over the unfamiliar man on the other side, “Can I help you?”

The stranger’s mouth fell open in surprise as he took in Ruby’s blonde hair and  sparkling sapphire eyes. Olivia wasn’t kidding.

Ruby’s brow furrowed as the man stared unspeaking and slack-jawed. “Wolf, go get Mama.” She casually moved her hand around her hip as she heard her younger brother rush off.

“You’re a spitting image.”

“Should I know you?” She asked, her hand ready to pull her hidden dagger. He didn’t seem to be a threat, but the way he left each of her questions unanswered left her on edge and ready to act.

“Sorry, I’m just …” he brushed his shaggy chestnut locks from his face. “I wasn’t expecting …”

“Do you have a name?”

“I’m Drake … I knew your dad.”

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Ruby stared at the man who raised her, hope inscribed upon her face. “Papa please,” she repeated.

She loved him, he was the only father she’d ever known, but sometimes he acted as if she was still a child. Both her parents had ensured she could protect herself, and yet they treated her as though she’d easily break like glass.

Bastien sighed. “Goose …”

Ruby rolled her eyes at the nickname, proof he still saw her as a child. “You know I can take care of myself, Papa. Beau is sweet, he wouldn’t try anything, but if he did I’d make him regret it.”

He raked a hand over his face, he’d expected her to say that. She didn’t understand, she couldn’t understand without him telling her how her parents had died. Olivia and he agreed, the facts of Carolyn and Liam’s deaths would only lead to too many questions they wouldn’t be able to answer without her finding out that she was royalty.

She was too young, not ready for what knowing her position would mean. Ideally, she’d choose to return and take back her kingdom from Bradshaw, she still had two more years. Two more years and she could know. Will two years really be enough time to ensure she has the skills and knowledge needed to shoulder the responsibility?

“I know you can take care of yourself, that’s not the issue, Goose.”

“Then why? Why do I have to be driven around like a little baby when Beau could easily pick me up and drive me?”

Bastien stared at his daughter, gone was her cherubic face, the small innocent child who ran to him with her problems. Before him stood a young woman who fought him and questioned him. Her ability to stand her ground and stick up for her own beliefs would take her far as a leader. He was proud of the young woman she was becoming, but he found himself torn. He could still see the small child he clutched to his chest, the little girl who ran to him with tears in her eyes, but he could also see the strong woman she would soon become. “Goose, Mama and I would both be more comfortable if a more experienced driver took you.”

It wasn’t a complete lie. It was close enough to the truth that she would hopefully drop it. They had never allowed any of their children in a car with anyone other than them.

Her face twisted in indignation, reminding him once more of the small child who had a fiery spirit and strong will. His heart clenched and he nearly folded, nearly saying the words: sometimes even experienced drivers fail at keeping you safe, I know because I was unable to save your parents. He couldn’t, she would only question what he meant, it wouldn’t be long until she then figured out who her parents were.

“Papa that’s not fair.”

“What’s not fair?” Olivia questioned as she walked into the living room.

Ruby’s sapphire eyes lit up, if anyone could convince her papa it was her mama. “Mama, tell Papa he’s being overprotective.”

“She wants Beau to drive her on their date.”

“Absolutely not, out of the question.”

“Mama!”

“Just tell us where he’s taking you and we’ll drop you off and pick you up.”

“Well …” Ruby bit her lip, “he said he wanted to surprise me … maybe I can get him to tell me.”

Olivia and Bastien shared a look, both knowing what the other wasn’t saying; this didn’t feel right. “No, give me his number and I’ll find out.” Olivia replied.

Ruby grimaced, her mother talking to the boy she liked certainly didn’t bode well for her, though she knew if she didn’t comply she wouldn’t be going at all. She wasn’t sure what was worse, telling him her parents changed their minds or allowing her mother to call him. Each of her ‘options’ would result in the same outcome: complete social suicide.

She heaved a sigh as she passed her mother her phone. Please don’t embarrass me too much.

- - -

Ruby sat back in the cracked leather seats of the old blue and white pick up. She still didn’t understand how Beau had been able to change her mother’s mind. Her mother rarely changed her mind, even for her father.

She caught sight of Beau continually glancing down at the speedometer. Her eyebrows knit together in confusion. “Why are you doing that?”

“Doing what?” Beau responded, not taking his eyes off the road.

“Why do you keep checking the speed?”

He gave a nervous laugh. “Well, I promised your mom I wouldn’t go over the speed limit.”

Ruby twisted her body to face him. “That’s how you convinced her to let you pick me up?”

She’d been dying to know what he’d said to convince her headstrong mother. She had hoped to learn when he picked her up but both of her brothers’ had to make sure that Beau knew not to make their sister cry. At ten and seven they were both well on their way to be as apt at defending themselves as she was. Both boys were fiercely protective of their sister, it was sweet, but sometimes they went overboard.

“Yea …” he lifted his hand from the wheel to scratch the back on his neck, better not, he thought, replacing his hand on the steering wheel. “I also had to give her my number, promise to call when we got there, told her where we’re going, she has my mom’s number as well as the number of the place we are going and I have to call her when we leave.”

“Oh. My. God.” Ruby exclaimed slumping forward, her face falling into her hands. Her mother had gone too far. She surely would never live this down at school. “I’m so sorry.” Her words were muffled by her hands.

She had never before felt such embarrassment. She willed the floor beneath her to open up. Bouncing along the paved road sounded so appealing at the moment.

“Relax Ruby, it’s fine.”

Her head snapped up, “really?” The words escaping her mouth a second before she realized that she was in his car; he had agreed to the conditions.

“Yea, I mean my parents nearly lost it when my older sister started dating. It was slightly better when I did, and it took forever for them to allow me to drive by myself.”

She looked at the window, taking in the landscape as it passed by. Large stretches of fields, occasionally dotted with a home or barn. Her eyes widened as he turned down a long dirt lane. “So where are we going?”

“This is my grandparents' property, they let us practice shooting out here. Your mom said I shouldn’t be too upset if you school me.”

Her sun kissed cheeks tinged pink. Of course her mother would brag about her ability. She was usually proud to show off and show any boy up. The girls at school teased her that she’d never get a boyfriend if she insisted on being better than them. Her mother always said any guy worthy of her wouldn’t feel insecure if she outshined them. She was torn, should she give it her all or hold back?

She glanced over at him, could he handle her showing him up? He’d planned this date before speaking to her mother, so maybe he could.

“She did tell me I better have you home in time for your birthday dinner … I’m surprised they let you come out. My parents always insist we stay home on our birthdays.”

“Yeah,” she tucked her hair behind her ear. “They let us pick one thing to do for our birthdays. Plus Papa made his special birthday pancakes that Mama hates. He started making them when I was eight and Galen was three. He wanted something special for breakfast and it just became tradition for all our birthdays.”

- - -

Ruby slowly lowered the shotgun, a small smile playing on her lips as she pulled the noise canceling headphones off. Beau’s excited hoots and hollers filtered in spreading the smile wider.

“Look at you Eagle Eye, I don’t think any of the grandkids ever hit that target with such accuracy.” Beau said, his hazel eyes shining brightly.

Ruby shrugged, “I’ve had a lot of practice.”

Beau stepped closer. “Why do you do that?” He asked carefully removing the safety goggles from her face.

“Do what?” Her mouth suddenly grew dry at how close he was to her.

“Deflect my compliments. You do it at school too.”

“Oh.” She fought the urge to lower her gaze. Would he understand or laugh if she told him the truth? Sometimes it’s tough being good at almost everything and having all eyes on me.

“You don’t have to do that with me.”

She stared up at him in awe, the sincerity on his face clear. For a moment she envisioned the following year walking in the halls with him laughing.

Would she still be there in a year? She pushed the worry away.

She’d deal with it if and when the time came. For now she’d live in the moment, have fun getting to know a guy who liked her and didn’t want her to hide herself.

This might be the best birthday yet.

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Ruby’s hands shook as she slid the letter opener under the flap of the sealed envelope. She’d always questioned her name, with golden blonde locks, and sapphire blue eyes she had always found her name to be more fitting of someone with crimson locks, like her Mama. Her Papa always told her he’d promised to give her the name moments before she was born.

She knew her mother died shortly after or before her birth, her Papa wasn’t clear on exactly when, he always grew quiet when asked. She heard her mother was strong and brave, and had a wonderful singing voice, but not much else.

She carefully pulled the crisp white paper from the yellowed envelope. She had been puzzled when her Papa handed it to her, all he or her Mama would say was it was time to learn the truth, her truth.

She ran her fingers over the elegantly scripted words.

Our dearest child,

We’ve been looking forward to your arrival. We’ve been counting the hours until the day you are born. We can’t wait to hold you and see your face for the very first time.

Most importantly, we’re going to be a family. Always there for each other. Ready to understand and believe. We will always be there for you if you ever find yourself in need of a guiding hand or a loving hug.

Life is full of surprises. Ups and downs. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but we’ll love and support you no matter what.

Ruling Cordonia will seem like a big job, but your mother and I have every faith in your ability. Know that you come from a long line of people who once walked a similar path. Though things may seem daunting, we know that you shall preserve just as those before you have.

Ruby paused. Cordonia. The name felt familiar, like she should know where or when she heard it. Her mind falling blank. She pursed her lips as she continued to read. She could work on placing how she knew the country later.

You have so much strength and courage and you aren’t even here yet, but I know this because all I have to do is look at your mother to know you will take after her. You will be strong and courageous just as she’s always been and have the kind and loving heart we both contain. You will be the best of both of us.

Please remember times aren’t always easy, but you can do anything with the right people by your side. We have both learned that from each other and the love of our friends.

In spite of the hardships you may face, know that Cordonia will appreciate all the creativity and heart you bring to each challenge. Because we know you will be ready to take on anything. There are lots of twists and turns in life, and you need to keep your head on a swivel and your mama on speed dial.

We know that we can teach the lessons you’ll need to weather any storm.

We’re already so proud of the wonderful things we know you’ll do, of the person we know you’ll be. And we couldn’t be more proud to call you ours or love you more.

Love,

With all our hearts

Mom & Dad

Ruby watched as fresh tears dropped on the page, mingling with those dried tears of her parents. Her parents. She always knew her Mama and Papa weren’t blood, but they, along with her siblings were all she ever had.

She stared down at her father’s elegant script, watching as the fresh tears blur the once-crisp black letters. She felt as though she understood who they were even in a few lines.

Her eyes retraced the words, falling on two that made her heart race; Ruling Cordonia.

Cordonia. She couldn’t get the word out of her head. She knew she heard or saw it somewhere before. Maybe at school. She laid the letter on the bed and picked up her phone quickly typing Cordonia into the search bar.

I know this place. She could feel it in her bones that she had a connection to this place she was apparently set to rule before today.

She clicked the top link and slowly scrolled down the page as she scanned the words. She let out a gasp and her heart clenched when she reached the picture of the last king.

Her lip trembled and tears welled in her eyes. She did know this country, she read about it when she was ten, she could remember the strange connection she had felt as she had read about the royal family before.

She had found it odd that she shed tears for a family she never knew. She scrolled down further stopping at a picture of the king and his queen on their wedding day, beneath was the only family portrait. The queen wore a peach and gold gown and she was visibly pregnant. King Liam and Queen Carolyn one week before the accident, heir unborn and unnamed.

Tears silently streaked down her cheeks. These were her parents. God, I look so much like both of them.

Something isn’t right. She survived, yet the page clearly stated that none of the royal family had survived. Why do they think I’m dead?

She glanced at her letter, the one her parents had given her. They had told her this would reveal her truth, they knew. She wanted to be furious that they had lied to her all her life, but there had to be a reason. Her mama always told her that the reason may not always be clear but it’s always there.

She picked up her letter standing, she needed answers and she wouldn’t get them from some website. She needed to speak to her parents.

- - -

“Mama, Papa, can we talk … ” Ruby held up the unfolded letter, “about this?”

Olivia nodded, shooing away Ruby’s younger brothers with a look. “Come sit, and tell us what questions you have.” She patted the seat next to her.

Ruby slowly walked towards the only mother she ever knew, a great ache in her chest. Her stomach twisted in knots, all she’d ever known was about to change, didn't it already? Since learning who her parents were she had felt like a hundred-pound weight had been placed upon her head.

Was she really ready to have the only life she ever knew crash down around her like a simple house of cards? Was she ready for her life to change completely?

She swallowed as she sat beside Olivia on the couch laying the letter on her lap. Her sapphire eyes glanced down at the letter, though she nearly had it memorized. “Umm … ” suddenly her mouth went dry. She looked up, her eyes locking on the familiar steely grey of her Papa. “Is — is this real?” She stumbled over the words, she began to question if she was fit for the title she was born to. I’m not cut out to be a princess, I can’t even speak to the parents who raised me. Wait, my parents died … am I already queen? “Am — am I really a — a princess?”

“Ruby’s a princess?!” Lovett gasped, his head peeking from behind the door.

Olivia’s eyes narrowed as she gave her youngest child a warning glare. “Lovett, you and Galen go and wait in your rooms, we will explain everything later.”

“Fine,” Lovett replied, shoulders slumping as he stomped off, he never got to have any fun.

Olivia turned back to her daughter, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You are a queen.”

A million questions ran through her head in a millisecond. What really happened to her parents? Why wasn’t she raised in a palace? Why did everyone think she was dead? Only one question slipped past her lips. “How?”

Bastien and Olivia locked eyes, a silent conversation shared between them before Olivia told her how she’d been best friends with Ruby’s father, watched him fall in love with her mother and both of them fight any obstacle in their way, together. Ruby sat silent, occasionally nodding as she processed every word.

She listened as they recounted that a king and queen of a neighboring nation wanted to force her parents into marrying her off to one of their children before she was even born. How her parents refused, stating their child would marry for love, not alliance. They tried to come to some sort of agreement without a betrothal contract, but the king persisted. He was foolish with his own country’s funds and wanted Cordonia’s, no matter the cost.

Her breath caught in her throat as her Papa explained that he was her father’s head guard, that they had been on their way to the hospital when they were run off the road. Tears silently slipped down her cheeks as he told her that her father died trying to protect both her and her mother upon impact. He spared her the details but told her that her mother only lived long enough to tell him to name her baby Ruby and to protect her.

Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks as she truly felt the painful loss of her parents for the first time in all her life. She lost out on knowing her parents because a king couldn’t stand being told no. The part she read about him being a dictator finally made sense. He killed them, took them away from me.

She wiped her cheeks and took a deep breath. She needed to hear more, exactly what had happened to her family.

After she urged him to continue he told her how he had cut her from her mother. He told her how every thought had been: be alive. He told her the relief he felt as she took her first breath. She sniffled as she was told she was wrapped in her father’s jacket, which they later found her letter in.

She looked up, surprised to see the man who was always calm in any situation was silently crying himself as he spoke. “I’m sorry Papa, I didn’t mean to —”

“You deserve to know Ruby,” Olivia said. “Let me take over.” She took a deep breath. “Papa walked to where I lived, he was a guard, I was a duchess. Where I grew up, we had more snow than sun.”

“That’s why you always loved the snow.”

Olivia nodded with a soft smile that quickly drifted away. “There was a storm that night, and it was a wonder you and Papa didn’t freeze to death. Papa arrived covered in blood, clutching you to his chest in the middle of the night. He nearly scared my majordomo half to death.

When I saw Papa holding you to his chest I instantly knew. He asked me for help getting you out of the country, we both knew you would be safer elsewhere. I quickly decided it would be safer for you if I went with you both. We’ve used more aliases than I could possibly recount, we moved a lot when you were little. We always posed as husband and wife with a beautiful daughter.” She looked down at her hands. “At some point, I’m not sure when the lines blurred, we got closer, and by your fifth birthday I was pregnant with Galen.”

“So that’s why we always changed names when we moved.”

“Yes,” Olivia patted her hand, “to keep you safe, to keep us all safe.”

“What does it all mean?”

“Well, you are the rightful queen, there might be some pushback but with the head guard and a duchess backing your claim, it would be harder for them to contest.” Olivia pushed back a wave of golden hair. “Besides you look so much like both your mother and father, no one could deny that you are theirs, a Rys.”

“Oh.” Ruby looked down at her hands. When she woke in the morning she never expected her life to change so drastically.

“Of course, you don’t have to claim your title. Papa and I would completely understand if you wanted to continue being a Johnson.”

“No.” Ruby shook her head, the answer coming automatically surprising even herself. Once the word was out she knew she couldn’t answer any other way. “You said I’m a Rys, I’ve always been a Rys — no matter what name I used. Cordonia is my home and I have to take it back.”

Olivia smiled again at Ruby, proud at the Nevrakis strength she was exuding. “Let’s get ready to go home.”

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Ruby looked down at her birthday pancakes in thought. She still had time to convince her parents to let her compete. It wasn’t like it would be her first tournament, she couldn’t understand why they had said no this time.

She needed to compete. She was the youngest, just turning ten and already the best in her studio. All she needed was the yes, she already laid her gi and belt out on the bed, all her guards and pads including her hogu packed away in her gear bag. She just wasn’t sure how to get them to say yes.

She looked up as her mama walked into the kitchen, her nose scrunching in distaste as she looked at all three of her children eating the strawberry and chocolate filled pancakes. “I thought the birthday pancakes were only for the kid celebrating.”

Bastien chuckled as he placed a plate of pancakes in front of her. “Galen asked for them and then I couldn’t deny Lovett.”

Olivia rolled her eyes. “Galen only had to wait a week.”

Galen looked up with a chocolate ring around his lips. “But they are so good Mama!”

Olivia bit back a sigh. She could tell him he was too soft with the children, but the truth was she was too. After all that Ruby had lost, all the moving they all had to endure they tried to give them as much joy when they could.

“These don’t have strawberries in them do they?” She eyed the stack of golden pancakes topped with fresh strawberries.

“No mon coeur, I know how you don’t like fruit pieces in your pancakes, no chocolate chips either.”

“Mine have extra chocolate chips, and Papa added bacon too!” Ruby exclaimed before shoving another large bite into her mouth. “It’s so good!”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

“Sorry, Mama,” Ruby replied shielding her mouth with her hand. She swallowed, leveling her mother with a hopeful stare. Now or never.

“Mama, can’t I please compete today?”

Olivia paused, her scarlet lips pulling into a thin line. She knew this was coming, Ruby didn’t understand they said no for her safety. They had no issues with her competing in tournaments, but this one was too large, too televised for her to participate.

She froze as her daughter stared at her with her father’s, Liam’s eyes. Every day she looked more and more like her parents. Her mother’s golden waves and smile, her father’s nose and sapphire eyes. It was too risky to allow her to participate in a televised event. If footage were to make its way into the wrong hands it would be nearly impossible to deny who she was.

“I’m sorry Ruby, not this time.”

“Mama!” Ruby cried.

Olivia flinched at her shrill tone. It’s for her own good.

“It’s my one thing I want to do!”

“Goose …”

Ruby’s face contorted as tears rolled down her cheeks. She failed. She didn’t want to admit defeat, she wanted to continue to argue until she was granted permission to compete. Her parents’ stern looks told her that there was no winning.

- - -

Ruby aimlessly scrolled through the search results. She was fascinated by politics ever since the subject was introduced to her at school. She could spend hours on end reading about the different countries and the types of governments they each used.

Her eyes paused on a link she’d crossed before but never checked. She couldn’t explain the sudden draw to read this page that she’s overlooked countless times before.

She waited with bated breath as the new page slowly loaded. Her eyes drifted over a diagram of the country.

Cordonia- a once free and prosperous nation in the Mediterranean located near Greece. It was the last functioning monarchy in Europe until it was taken over by a neighboring country. Cordonia is now considered a region of Auvernal and is under the rule of King Bradshaw who many compare to a dictator.

Before falling to another country it was ruled by the Rys family. The royal family could be traced back more than 500 years. The country known as Cordonia was once five kingdoms before being united under the rule of Kenna Rys, the first monarch to rule all five kingdoms that would be known as Cordonia. Liam Rys was the last of the line to rule Cordonia, falling just over a year after taking the throne. King Liam, his queen, and future heir were all claimed in a fatal crash.

Ruby blinked back the forming tears. She had no connection to these people and yet she felt an overwhelming sadness as she read the words. Pull it together, people die all the time. Your parents died and you haven’t shed a single tear for them.

By the time she was six, she had noticed she didn't resemble her parents the way her friends did. Her baby brother looked more like them and he wasn’t even a year old. When her mama and papa sat down and carefully explained that she was adopted and her parents had died she hadn’t even flinched. She didn't know why, she just hadn't. So why now?

She skimmed the remaining facts, skipping over a section dedicated to the former nation's love of apples. She finally paused at an image of a man standing in full regalia. She’d never seen him before, but his wavy blond hair, strong jawline, and striking blue eyes seemed eerily familiar. King Liam at his coronation.

“What country are you reading about today Goose?”

“Cordonia,” she held up the tablet showing her father the portrait of the fallen king.

Bastien’s throat constricted and his hearing faded out as he stared down at the piercing blue eyes of the man he’d failed. He struggled to focus on his daughter’s words. Even with her love of politics they had never expected her to learn of Cordonia like this. Why didn’t they expect it?

“Isn't it sad Papa? The king, queen and their baby all died and the other country just took over. I didn’t know countries could do that.”

He struggled to stay composed, if he reacted too strongly more questions they weren’t ready to answer would surely follow. “It's very sad Goose, very sad indeed.”

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Olivia gazed at Ruby, a soft smile on her lips as she took in the young woman before her. Ruby was a vision in the simple white wedding dress and braided bun with delicate blue wildflowers tucked between the twists. Even the cowboy boots that had made Olivia roll her eyes looked absolutely perfect on the young bride.

It was hard to believe that this was the same child that Bastien had rescued twenty-one years prior. Back then she had thought herself weak for fleeing the country, now she knew she had made the correct choice for everyone.

“You look stunning Ruby, as beautiful as your mother on her wedding day.”

“Thanks Mama,” Ruby gave a soft smile, “was she as nervous when she married my father?”

“She didn’t have time to feel nervous, there had been a few attacks, there was one, well two on the day your parents married.

The first one was when we were getting dressed, your mother kicked ass, got dressed and went and married your father. Then in the middle of the reception your mother and I were abducted, we managed to free ourselves from our bonds, but that wasn’t the end of our fight.

Your father came to rescue your mother and together they were a force like no other. They fought back to back and won, then we all went back to the reception.

You have the same fire in you that both your parents had, I can see it in you during every tournament.

You will be victorious in taking down Bradshaw, you and Beau have the same connection your parents had. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that together you shall prevail.”

Ruby nodded, she’d long ago gotten used to her mama knowing exactly what was bothering her without asking. While she was still concerned about the fight to come she knew better than to argue with the woman who raised her.

“Now that we have that out of the way I have a gift for you. I wish I could give you one of your mother’s pieces of jewelry but we couldn’t risk returning to the palace to retrieve them. We didn’t know how long we would have to escape before Bradshaw started to look for you.” Olivia looked at the small box in her hands, “while it’s not your mother’s I did have her favorite earrings replicated for you.” She lifted the lid of the box revealing four small round rubies clustered around a tiny pearl. “Your mother’s were gold and sapphires, I thought these would suit you better. Your father gifted your mother many pearl pieces, so it felt more fitting than gold.”

Ruby looked at the earrings in awe, tears pricking at her eyes, “they’re beautiful Mama, thank you.”

- - -

Ruby gave her appearance one final cursory glance at the sound of a soft knock at the door, “come in.”

“Oh Ruby,” Ellie said with a gentle smile. “You look absolutely beautiful. Beau won’t be able to take his eyes off of you.”

“Thanks Nana,” Ruby blushed at the older woman’s words. “for everything — hosting, allowing us to use your space.”

“Don’t even mention it dear.”

Ruby shook her head; Nana would always welcome anyone into her home and family. What if I fail, never see them again? I’m taking Beau away from them … She turned away as tears welled in her eyes.

“What’s got you down today?”

Ruby quickly wiped at her eyes, thankful for the waterproof mascara. “I just don’t want to fail. I’m taking Beau away and —”

“Hush now, none of that.” Ellie soothed, hands clasping Ruby’s as she pulled her to sit by her side. “First, you are doing no such thing, I knew Beau would be the first to marry since the day he brought you here.

The way he looked at you, and you looked at him, I knew he’d follow you to the ends of the earth.

Second, you won’t fail,” Ellie raised her hand as Ruby went to speak, “you might not succeed in regaining your country, but that doesn’t mean you failed.”

She brushed at her lavender skirt, “take it from an old woman, failing is not even trying, not losing when you’ve done everything in your power to overcome obstacles.

Crown or no crown, your birth parents will be proud of you.”

Ruby gave a grateful smile, “I needed to hear that.”

“I’m sure your mother has already told you the same.”

“She has,” Ruby nodded, “I don’t know it just seems different hearing it from someone else.”

“Oh yes, it’s harder to believe a parent.” Ellie patted her hand. “Now, I think it’s about time for your father to walk you down to my Beau.”

- - -

From the second Bastien walked Ruby down the grassy aisle to Beau time went lightning fast.

As she tried to recall the ceremony she was met with flashes of colorful wildflowers lining the aisle, and tied to the wooden arch. Beau’s vows to her were the only part of the ceremony she could remember; his heartfelt words touching her deeply.

Ruby, I never thought I would meet the love of my life when I was only seventeen. You have always surprised me and kept me on my toes from the moment we met.

You are the perfect mix of sweetness and knock you on your ass. There isn’t one thing about you that I would ever want to change.

You are strong and fierce and love with your whole heart. Anyone who is loved by you knows just how special that is.

You are selfless and kind and take every pain those close to you feel as your own without a second thought. You are amazing and you take my breath away every day.

Who knows exactly what our future will look like, but I know that together we can conquer any adversary we may face.

If there had been any remaining doubt in her mind that Beau felt forced to leave behind the life he knew, his words pushed all uncertainty away.

- - -

Ruby smiled as she finally scanned over the barn turned reception space. She could see small details that showed how hard Mama Jo had worked to blend her and Beau into the wedding in only a month's time. The quickness of the wedding felt natural, after five years together there was no reason to have a long engagement. Mama Jo really does know best.

Twinkle lights in mason jars hung from the rafters, small centerpieces of wildflowers adorned each table, the most surprising touch was the pressed wildflowers on each name card, only her mother and father knew she saved each and every flower Beau gave her in that exact way. She wasn’t usually one to be so sentimental but she couldn’t bear to watch the flowers he brought her wither and wilt, so she took to preserving each one.

She quickly looked away before tears could sting at her eyes. Today was a celebration, the last time she and Beau would be able to see most of their friends and family for the foreseeable future.

She let out a laugh as she spotted Beau dancing like a fool with her younger brothers to a pop song she couldn’t quite place. While Beau and Lovett danced like nobody was watching she noticed that Galen was a little more reserved as always.

She quickly crossed the large barn to the dance ‘floor’, her boots thumping against the wooden floor with each step. “Come on Galen, let loose a little,” she grabbed his hand lifting over her head and giving herself a twirl, “it’s a party.”

“Only for you RuRu.”

Ruby stuck out her tongue, “you don’t get to call me that … but I’ll let it slide just this once.”

“Whatever you say Ru-by.”

Ruby shook her head, allowing herself to get lost in the music she was positive Lovett must have picked. Her sapphire eyes sparkled as she danced around with her brothers and husband.

She watched as her family, both old and new, the people she always had and those she just found enjoyed themselves. She couldn’t help but think, maybe everything would be okay.

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Sakura (cherry blossom)-in Japanese culture, the cherry blossom is a symbol of new beginnings and a fresh start. “Mama!” Ruby shouted as she ran into the home, her feet pounding against the hardwood floors, blonde pigtails bouncing with each step. She wrapped her arms around Olivia as best she could, her sapphire eyes shining bright as she looked up at the only mother she ever knew. Olivia grinned down at the excited girl. “There’s my birthday princess. Did you have fun at school?” “Uh huh! They gave me a paper crown and sang to me.” Olivia smiled, her heart feeling a tad lighter. She had been worried about sending Ruby off to school, they had been cautious her entire life just incase Bradshaw came looking, now it was time to settle down, at least for a few years. The thought of staying in one place so long set her on edge but it was the best thing for Ruby. She looked around the sparsely decorated home, that for once was all theirs. A home, a place that finally felt permanent, even though it too would be temporary and abandoned with time. All essentials easily accessible if they needed to leave in a hurry. “Sounds like you had a big day.” “Yup.” Her eyes fell on the plate of cupcakes on the table, her face breaking out into a broad grin that reminded Olivia of Carolyn. “My cupcakes! You made them by scratching right?” Her face hopeful as she looked up at her mother. Bastien chuckled, his warm laugh reverberating through the small space. His grey eyes sparkled, he knew if Ruby looked, the boxed truth would stare up at her from the trash can. “It’s from scratch,” his eyes met Olivia’s. “And yes, mama baked them herself,” he said handing her a cupcake with a generous swirl of frosting. “Oh right.” She patted Olivia’s round stomach with her other hand, “I wish brother would come outside so he could celebrate with us.” “He’ll be here soon enough, and we can celebrate him with more cupcakes together.” - - -

MORALE AT ALL TIME LOW Five years have passed since the last of the Rys line was found slain. The kingdom which once prospered now simply exists to fund another. Once there was hope in the hearts of the citizens, hope that has long since left Cordonia. Once a prayer that the heir lay in wait to fly once again laid on everyone’s lips. Now with the bleakness surrounding us for so long all hope and joy has faded from the once lush and rolling hills of our nation. It is feared that even if an heir existed that it would be far too late for our country to be saved when they finally came of age. We cry today as we do every year. We cry for our fallen leaders. We cry for the heir that never had a chance to grow. We cry for the future that could have been.

Olivia sighed as she placed the tablet beside her on the bed. She regretted clicking on the link, while she knew things back in Cordonia were bleak she didn’t think they’d lost all hope of being reborn. Maybe I shouldn’t have left, I should have stayed and fought.

She rubbed gentle circles over her large belly. So much weight would press down on Ruby in thirteen short years. She knew that weight, that pressure, the fear of failure and having no one to lean on for support. She will have me.

“What’s troubling you?” Bastien questioned resting his hand on top of hers.

“If I say nothing will you believe me?”

“No.”

She looked down at their hands as their fingers intertwined, when she’d offered to leave with him she hadn’t expected they’d evolve into anything. Even with her regrets of leaving her homeland to be ruled by a tyrant she didn’t regret anything that had occurred with them.

“It’s Cordonia …” she relaxed into him as he shifted closer, “they’ve lost all hope … I just wonder if maybe I should have stayed and fought like a true Nevrakis.”

He squeezed her hand. “First, you are a true Nevrakis, leaving with me didn’t change that. Which leads into my second and third points.

If you had stayed in Cordonia Ruby wouldn’t have you, I would have done my best, but she gets her fighting spirit from you. Not to mention this one wouldn’t be coming into the world.” He rubbed her stomach with his thumb, still not releasing her hand from his. He smiled as his thumb received a kick.

She shot him a glare. “Point taken, but what if Cordonia is beyond saving?”

He sighed, it was a fear he’d felt himself since he’d shown up at the keep with the tiny heir clutched to his chest, his hands and clothes painted red with the fallen queen’s blood. “If Cordonia is lost, it would be disappointing, but we saved the most important thing, and even if we can’t ever return we can breathe easy knowing that.”

She nodded as she leaned further into him, resting her head on his shoulder. She didn’t need to ask, she knew exactly what he meant.

Even if Cordonia was lost, at least Ruby was saved.

- - -

Bradshaw stared out his window down at his Honor Guard. A smirk spread across his lips as he took in all he’d accomplished. He’d spent the past five years growing his troops, arming them with top of the line weapons. With the wealth of Cordonia at his disposal there wasn’t any country that could stand in his way.

He now had the strength and the wealth to overtake any country that might oppose them. King Liam was a fool not to align with me, now he shall serve as a lesson that I will cut down all who underestimate my power.

He could make the world bend to its knee if he wished. There was no country, no person who could stand in his way of absolute power.

Five years ago he’d questioned if the whispered rumors among the citizens of Cordonia could be true. He had questioned if it was possible for the heir to have survived. He’d cursed his instrument in his finest takeover for being so weak as to die upon impact, had he survived, he would have peace of mind. He soon pushed the fear to depths where they could never return from. He’d seen the wreckage first hand, needing to see with his own eyes that his opponents were no longer standing.

He’d smiled as he took in the crumpled hood covered in a pool of congealed blood of the former king. He’d laughed at the sight of the queen’s stomach torn open, her organs completely eviscerated by a pack of wandering wolves. The hope for a future now laid in the stomach of a top predator.

He’d felt slight apprehension at the open door and missing driver. The bloody interior of the car, and prints on the door had assuaged any lingering fear. Surely the driver had met a similar fate as the fallen queen, torn to shreds by a pack of hungry beasts.

He found it fitting that the conquered monarchs had been fed upon by a top predator, much as he would feast upon the carcass of Cordonia. He would use this insignificant nation to raise the status of his own back to the former glory it’d once held under another name and a long lived empress.

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Ruby nervously chewed her thumbnail as she paced the floor. Her response had been automatic, the answer slipping past her lips with barely a thought.

She stood by her decision, though she was nervous now that she had to explain everything she’d learned to Beau. How do you tell your boyfriend you are really royalty and meant to rule a country? Her stomach twisted in knots, she didn’t want to leave him, not when she wasn’t sure if she’d ever be coming back. She thought of inviting him to go with her, would he want to go with me?

Even after five years together she questioned if he’d be willing to leave everything behind for her. Could I really ask him? Could she actually bring herself to ask him to leave behind his family and risk his life for her? Would it be kinder to say goodbye and shatter her own heart into a million pieces?

Her heart pounded in her chest, he was the only guy she’d ever dated. He was her first love, until this morning she had thought he’d be her only love. Five years, and now she was standing at a cliff trying to decide if she should free fall or dive with him by her side. Maybe it would have been better if Mama and Papa hadn’t allowed us to stay in Texas so I could be with Beau.

The thought made her throat grow tight. She loved him more than she had ever thought possible and she never wanted to think of not being with him, I might still lose him. I can’t ask this of him, can I?

“Ruby, are you really a princess?” Lovett questioned pulling Ruby from her fearful spiral.

“Lovett!”

“What Mama? I want to know.”

“Eat your apples,” Olivia slid the plate of sliced pink ladys across the table to her youngest. How he could eat those overly sweet monstrosities she’d never understand, for now she’d be thankful they could bring a moment of silence.

“I was just wondering what it means for me!” Lovett pouted as he picked up an apple slice.

“We’re waiting for Beau, and then we’ll explain. Just be patient, Little Wolf.” Bastien gently ruffled his son’s dark auburn locks, earning a grunt in response. Patience was not Lovett’s strength.

“I’m gonna go wait for him outside,” Ruby said. She felt as though she would suffocate if she waited a second longer, the walls slowly closing in with each passing moment.

“It’ll be okay Goose.”

I really wish I could believe that Papa. She rushed outside, sighing in relief as she watched Beau exit his old blue and white pickup.

“Ruby is everything okay? I thought I was coming by later.”

“I — let’s go to the kitchen and I’ll explain.”

“Wait.” He rested his hands on her shoulders, his hazel eyes imploring her sapphire blue. “Is everything okay?”

Tears welled up in her eyes. She wasn’t sure, she had no idea how he’d react to her news. Only after she told him could she truly know if she was okay or not. When did I become some lovesick girl? “I don’t know.”

He pulled her into his arms pressing a kiss to her hairline. “Whatever it is Ruby, I promise it’ll be okay. I love you and I’m not going anywhere.”

She shook in his arms at his words. Don’t say that. You don’t know. She looked up giving him a weak, unconvincing smile. “I know.” Do I? I know he loves me, but this is life changing.

Every step towards the kitchen made her heart beat faster and her throat constrict. The fear of losing him because of something she couldn’t control had gripped her so tight she couldn’t breathe. She was sure she would strangle from the worry alone before she had explained.

“Beau’s here!” Lovett exclaimed, “can we talk about Ruby being a —”

“Lovett,” Olivia shot him a stern look full of warning, “let your sister speak.”

“Ruby, you’re scaring me. What’s going on?”

“That’s what I want to know!” Lovett quipped. “Ow!” He pouted as he rubbed his shin where Galen had kicked him.

“Ruby are you sick? Please talk to me.”

“It’s nothing like that.”

Beau's eyes darted around the familiar faces of Ruby’s family, desperate for some hint of what was going on. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”

Ruby nodded as tears streamed down her face. Please let that be true. “M—mama and Papa g-gave me this this morning.” She struggled to get the words out as she pulled the letter from her pocket.

How do I begin to explain? Do I just blurt it out? “M-maybe it w-would be b-best if y-you r-read it …”

“Okay.” Beau responded, still struggling to understand what was going on. Lovett was his normal overexcited self, Galen was calmer and more subdued watching as always. Ruby, his beautiful, strong, confident Ruby was shaking like a leaf and shedding more tears than he’d seen over their five years together.

Beau carefully took the creased paper and sat at the table, slowly unfolding it revealing an elegant script he’d never seen before. “Ruby, what is this?” He asked looking up at her.

“Read it, then I’ll explain.” Hopefully you will still be able to look at me.

“I want to see!” Lovett said, jumping from his seat.

“Lovett, sit. Give Ruby a minute. If you interrupt again you will go to your room until after she’s explained.”

“Fine …” Lovett grumbled crossing his arms over his chest.

Ruby turned away, unable to watch Beau read the words she now had memorized. She wasn’t ready to see the moment that he could no longer look at her. Please don’t hate me.

“Ruby, is —is this from your parents?”

“Yes.” She replied, back still turned to him.

“Okay, I’m more than a little confused.”

Ruby spun around, her brow knit together in confusion. “Why are you confused?”

“I’m just trying to understand how one letter from your parents could make you this upset.” Beau glanced back at the letter. “Your parents were royal, I just don't know why that made you so upset.”

Ruby swallowed as she took the seat next to him. “Mama and Papa explained to me after I read this,” she pointed to the letter that turned her world upside down. This was not how today was supposed to go. When she woke up she never would have expected that she would end up explaining to Beau that she was a queen and had to leave. “They explained that my parents died in a car accident and that Papa is the only reason I survived.”

Beau carefully took her hand into his, brushing the back of her hand with his thumb. His hazel eyes were soft as he gazed into her tearfilled blue. You’ve got this, you can tell me.

She smiled weakly, would he still be so calm and sure once she was done bringing all their plans for the future tumbling down around them? “The accident was caused by the king of a neighboring kingdom … he —he wanted an alliance with our country that involved marrying me off, my parents refused. So he killed them and took the country.” Her voice shook as she recounted the details she’d just learned that morning. “Cordonia, my country, it’s destroyed … the king has destroyed as much as he could … I’m their queen,” she held her head a little higher despite the pain threatening to pull her down. “I need to help them … I have to free them.”

Beau’s hand brushed her cheek, “alright.”

Ruby squeezed her eyes shut. “I—I don’t know if or when I’ll be back.”

“Oh.”

Ruby’s eyes sprang open, her heart leaping in her throat as she caught a glimpse of heartbreak on Beau’s face. Can’t he see how much it’s breaking me?

“I just thought … what about our plans?”

“I —”

“Can we go back to Ruby being a queen?” Lovett asked, his fingers drumming the table excitedly.

“Okay boys. I think it’s time to give your sister some space.”

“But I want to know what’s going on!” Lovett whined.

“We’ll all talk later, I think it’s better we give Beau and Goose some space.”

Ruby gave her father a tiny smile as her brother’s exited the room. “I promise, everything will work out, Goose.” Bastien said, giving Beau a small nod as he left the room.

“RuRu, tell me what’s going on.” Beau said wiping the tears from her cheek.

Ruby cracked a half smile, “that’s not fair, you know I can’t help but laugh when you call me that!”

“That’s why I said it.” He knelt in front of her taking both her hands in his. “Talk to me.”

“I love you so much and I don’t know what’s going to happen and I can’t ask you to give up everything for me.”

“Ruby,” he looked down at their clasped hands, “this isn’t how I was planning …” He released her one hand brushing her blonde waves behind her ear. “Ruby, you are the strongest, most amazing woman I ever met. I never would have guessed the day I met you that you would have become so important to me.

You are smart, feisty, and never afraid to speak your mind.

You have taken me by surprise from the very start. You were always so confident, but with me you tried to shield it.

I’ve tried more than once to pinpoint when you claimed my heart and I honestly think it might have been that first date when I took you shooting at Nana and Pop’s.

Any other girl would have complained that shooting isn’t a date, but you just pulled back your hair and definitely beat my ass.

You never seem to be afraid, you just go into everything headfirst and so self assured.

When I think about my future, all I know for certain is that my place is by your side. I don’t care where we are, here in Texas or across the ocean saving your country from a tyrant; none of it matters as long as you are by my side.”

“Beau, I can't ask you to leave.”

“You aren’t asking. I know you, you would never ask. You would rather take a million hits yourself than allow anyone you care about feel a second of pain. You always put those you love first. I know you don’t want me to feel like I have to go, but Ruby I do.”

“Beau …”

“Ruby, as much as you can’t stand to see others in pain … I couldn’t stand not knowing what happened to you if you left. I know there are no promises, but in life there never are. I also know that when it comes to you, there isn’t a damn thing you can’t do if you put your mind to it.” He paused collecting his thoughts. “Ruby, I have never been happier than I have with you. I can’t see a life without you by my side.”

Ruby swallowed. “Beau … what are you saying?”

“Ruby, I don’t care that you are a queen, I love you for you and nothing would make me happier than being your husband.”

Ruby’s lip trembled. “Beau.”

“I’m saying … I’m asking … will you marry me?”

Ruby nodded as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Yes?”

“Yes.”

His hand cupped the back of her head as his lips met hers in a tender kiss. “God I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

“Do me a favor RuRu, stop scaring me like that.”

“Stop calling me that ridiculous nickname!” She playfully slapped his chest.

“Nope, it’s staying for the rest of our lives.”

“Nana and your mom are gonna kill me,” she rested her head against his shoulder, “taking you away and putting you in danger.”

“They’ll get over it.” He pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her hair. “They love you way too much to stay mad forever.”

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