Franci Nuit: Chapter 29

Quickly stepping away from the door that concealed Jax and Shelly, I stand for a moment mouth agape. Turning I continue down the hall until I reach Cade's door, and softly turn the door knob, entering the room. This is the first time I have actually been in the royal chambers, and it is breath-taking. The room is filled with too many candles to count, and a huge canopy bed adorned with a silvery silk spread. There on the edge of the bed sits Cade, and he rises when he see's me. "Good evening lovely" he says softly as he approaches me. "Hey..." I manage to say. He gives me a small bow smiling up at me, then from behind his back, whips out a beautiful bouquet of flowers. "I thought I was supposed to be the one bowing to you" I say with a small laugh. His dazzling smile beams in the candlelight as he gently shakes his head, his eager eyes fixed on me. I thank him for the flowers, and smell their wonderful aroma. "I'm glad you like them" he says taking them, and sitting them on the dresser nearby.

He takes my hands in his and leads me out to the balcony. The cool autumn air fills our lungs as we step out under the night sky. Stars speckle the heavens with a sensational brilliance, and Cade's eyes dance with excitement. "Ohh.." I sigh gazing at the beautiful stratosphere. "Nora.." Cade says in a voice just above a whisper. I turn to look at him and he moves in a little closer. "From the moment I knew of your existence my heart has been united with yours. Our bond is like this beautiful night the sky revealing those gorgeous stars within it, and the stars, in turn, accentuating the magic of the vast skies. Apart both are brilliant, but together they create an indescribable ecstasy. Darling Nora, would you bestow on me the privilege of becoming your husband?" Cade asks as diamond coated words spill from his lips and he takes a knee holding out a glistening diamond ring. I feel my heart rise out of my body and soar through that enchanting star-lit sky as I bring my hands to my cheeks before answering, "Yes! Of course!!" A smile bursts across his face as he slides the ring onto my finger and scoops me up into his arms, kissing me passionately.

As he lowers me I take him by the hand, playfully pulling him back into the bedroom. Positioning myself onto the bed he smirks and delicately removes my gown before he kisses me once again. Down my neck and along my shoulders his lips caress my body, and I trace my fingertips along his forearm. In what seems like one swift motion, he disrobes and is upon me. Chills dance along my skin as he kisses me. I tenderly moan as I can feel my desire for him growing stronger. He softly whispers, "I want you Nora." I close my eyes overcome with bliss, and whisper back, "I'm yours", and we escape to a euphoric world of our own.

The next morning the sun peaks into the room, and I look over at Cade who seems to be sleeping peacefully. Suddenly one of his eyes pops open and he lets out a laugh, wrapping his arms around me. "Faker!" I exclaim before letting out a squeal as he tickles me. "Stop! Stop! Stop!" I laugh kicking my legs, and flailing. "Be-" he start to say as I roll right off the bed, "Careful. Are you ok!?" He asks. I just laugh and tell him yes. As we dress I begin to tell him about seeing Jax and Shelly last night before arriving to his chambers. Cade thinks for a moment, then suggests that as their friends we should talk with them about it. After all Shelly is a married woman. "Let's give it some time though before we go to them about it" Cade suggests, and I agree.

4 weeks later...

Cade summons a guard to invite Jax and Shelly to his study and we will wait for them there. Not long after we get situated in the study, Jax and Shelly arrive looking quite nervous indeed. Cade motions for them to have a seat with us, and explains that this is a casual conversation. I smile warmly as I speak, "A few weeks ago as I passed through the hall I heard a strange sound coming from one of the rooms, and noticed the door was ajar. Curiosity got the better of me and I peeked in to find out what the sound was, and saw the two of you together. Not sure whether or not to mention it to you all, I sought Cade's advice. "As the both of you are friends of ours, and we are aware of your current standing in relationships, we were wondering whether or not this was a serious turn of events. We are here to offer help if so" Cade kindly tells them.

Jax and Shelly exchange looks before Shelly replies, "No, this isn't serious. As I sat in my room crying Jax was passing by and naturally looked in on me to see that I was alright. He and I both shared the complications of our current relationships, and as he wiped my tears, our eyes locked. He asked if I would be alright and we shared a hug, but as we leaned out of our embrace the moment seized us and our lips met in a kiss. One thing led to another, and well... We didn't plan for this to happen." Jax opens his mouth to speak, but Tulips voice fills the room instead.

"Jax...is that true?" she asks taken aback. Everyone looks from one person to the other, and Jax rises starting towards Tulip. She closes her eyes and points her nose away in a huff. "Save it Jax, I will talk with you later. I see that I have interrupted something quite personal, but I do have news" she says stepping towards Shelly. "There is a messenger waiting downstairs for you" she tells Shelly. "Thank you.." Shelly responds uncertainly. Tulip looks at Shelly as she begins to tear up and takes a deep breath. "Remember that guy I was telling you about? It was Jax...how could you do this!? I thought you were my friend!" Tulip sputters before rushing from the room.

No sooner than Tulip leaves, a guard enters announcing that Cade's presence is requested by Novus and King Jude. Cade apologizes for leaving us like this, and leaves with the guard. Jax runs a hand through his hair and states, "I better find Tulip..." as he too exits the study. "Shelly, are you alright?" I ask her in a concerned tone. "I'm just a little worried about what news this messenger has for me. I still have family out there, and I'm deeply worried the worst has come to them" she solemnly replies. "Hey now, we don't know that. C'mon I'll go with you, if you like" I suggest taking her hand. She nods somewhat reluctantly, but follows me as we recede downstairs.

Arriving downstairs in the castle entrance, we find two men. "Luke! I just got word of the messengers arrival. I didn't know you had arrived as well, it's wonderful to see you" Shelly tells him, hugging him tightly. "Mother I'm so happy to have found you!" Luke exclaims. The messenger Roland then tells her, "Your father, King Richard of Stone Ridge sends word to you of your remaining family." "YES! What news have you of them?" Shelly eagerly interrupts. "I can report that Prince Rohan and Princess Isabelle have made it safely to your father's kingdom. The other's I'm afraid have perished at either the hand of Queen Carolin or the lycan clan" he says matter-of-factly. Obviously overcome with emotions, Shelly's knee's buckle as I help her to a nearby seat. Shelly appears to be in a state of shock, and she softly whispers, "Luna! I can't believe she's gone! My precious child has left me..." I wrap my arms around her sympathetically as she says between sobs, "Thank God the rest of them made it safely."

Luke places a comforting hand on his mothers' shoulder as the messenger continues speaking. "My condolences majesty. They have requested to remain in the safety of Stone Ridge during this dangerous time. I am happy to serve as your guide if you so chose to join them" the messenger offers. "It is my greatest wish to rejoin my family, but I am building an alliance with the kingdom of Brendlewood. If we are ever to rebuild Dragon Valley I can't abandon them now. Knowing the rest of my family is safe in my father's kingdom calms my heart. I do request that you accompany Melina and Arthur to Stone Ridge" Shelly replies. Midi arrives to escort Luke to a guest room to get settled in, and we offer to take the messenger to Melina and Arthur's cottage in the village, and the three of us shuffle off to find them.

Reaching the cottage, I am surprised to find Bonnie answering the door. "Bonnie! It's great to see you!" I greet. "It's wonderful to see you too Nora!" She smiles as she leans in for a hug. Shelly and the messenger fill Melina and Arthur in on the news from Stone Ridge, and Melina agree's to go back with the messenger. Arthur however wrings his hands a bit nervously. "Mother I need you to reach into your heart and find understanding. These past few weeks I've been spending alot of time with Bonnie in the village. It has led me to discover an appreciation for the simple life" he explains before taking Bonnie's hand and continuing, "It has also led me to discover...my true soulmate."

Shelly and I look at Bonnie and Arthur with joy on our faces and Shelly responds, "Why Arthur sweetie I just want you to be happy. If you choose to stay with Bonnie here in the village of Brendlewood that is your path, your choice. I'm so happy for you both!" "Highness, the journey is a long one, we should start while we have much of the day ahead of us" the messenger tells Melina. Arthur and Shelly embrace Melina tightly before she begins to pack her things for her journey. "I'm glad that you have found each other, and are happy" I tell Bonnie and Arthur. Then, turning to Melina, I tell her that, "It was a pleasure to meet you, I wish we could have gotten to know each other better. Travel safely."

Later that night ...

My sleep is interrupted, and I awaken quite thirsty. Laying there I debate whether or not I want to travel all the way downstairs to the kitchen for something to drink. The large castle can be a bit eerie and lonesome in the night, but my thirst gets the better of me, and I decide to tiptoe downstairs. Just before arriving at the kitchen however, a cough startles me, and I see Shelly wandering around in the castle entrance. "Now what could she be up to?" I think to myself. Uncertain of this newcomers motives, I decide to follow her. "After all, what business could she have outside the castle in the dead of night?" I wonder silently.

Shelly paces back and forth a bit in the shadows avoiding the guard, before carefully pulling open the large wooden door, and slipping outside. "Drat! There's no time to change out of my nightgown" I softly mutter. Noticing a long coat on the rack near the door, I slide it on. "I suppose this will have to do, I'm sure the owner won't mind that I borrow it" I tell myself. With that I sneak out the front door, careful not to let it slam behind me.

Outside the castle I see Shelly up ahead venturing towards the forest. I hurry along behind her but cautious to stay out of her sight. As she journey's further into the forest, there is nothing but the sound of the wind stirring in the tree's. The leaves rustle as they fall to the ground, but the sound of a twig snapping stops Shelly in her tracks. Quickly checking that I didn't cause the sound, I crouch behind a bush to see what Shelly's plan of action is. "Lestat?" I hear her call out. I see her pause listening for an answer, but the only sound is that of the low howling wind sweeping through the forest. She looks over her shoulder nervously, as she inches her way forward.

The howling of the wind increases along the way, but nothing out of the ordinary occurs. Several feet in front of me, I see her pause once again. This time she seems slightly confused, as if she is trying to find her way through the thick tree's. Well hidden in a nearby shrub, I feel the wind rush past me forcefully, and I peek out to see which way Shelly has decided to go. All at once a deep growl emerges from the brambles near Shelly, and she lets out a terrifying scream. I am shocked as to what might have scared her so. My answer is soon revealed however, as I see none other than Phillip leap from the bushes, and slash his large claw-like hand at her. The huge wereman lunges towards Shelly, but she turns on her heel and takes off running.

I quickly follow after them, doing my best to keep up, and after several minutes, finally catch them up. Shelly is cowering at the base of a large tree as Phillip towers over her. Just as he is about to strike her, I shout out, "PHILLIP! You foul beast, leave her alone!" Angrily he turns to face me, as an arrow soars through the air heading right for Phillip. Almost as if in slow motion the arrow spins clockwise peeling through the night air, until finally piercing into Phillips' shoulder. He snarls with fury, and reaches to pull out the arrow. Before he has a chance, the tree tops open up and a man plummets down. He lands right atop Phillip, sending them both to the forest floor.