Page 27 of Ruby Queen
Chapter 18
Rory paced the Constable’s office. Her fury was boiling over, making the room hot.
“Calm down, Your Majesty. You're going to set us all on fire… I swear it’s going to be the way I die.” The constable tried to make a joke, failing miserably.
“It’s been two months, Constable. TWO FUCKING MONTHS. WHERE IS ANTHONY?”
“We don’t know… I wish I could tell you something different, but there is no trace of him. It’s like the Diamond Queen, whoever has them, doesn’t want them found.”
“Unacceptable. Do you hear me? THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!” Rory collapsed to the ground, her sobs coming out in pants.
Captain Kris rushed to her side, lifting her from the floor, “Your Majesty. Are you ok? Constable, call Christine.”
Constable Philips babbled on his phone and set it down, “She’s on her way. Rory,” he moved to stand beside the Captain, “I know you’re upset, but you have to get control. The kingdom needs you. Anthony needs you to be strong.”
Christine rushed into the room, “RORY!” she reached out, grabbing her hand, “What happened?” Christine glanced at the men standing around.
“She collapsed after hearing the update.”
“Captain Kris, can you take her to our quarters. I’ll be there in a moment. I need a word with the Constable.”
Christine watched as Rory was carried from the room by the Captain.
“Constable,” Christine pinned him with a stare, “I am worried about Rory. She hasn’t been sleeping, and for the last three weeks, she’s been throwing up every morning.”
“I can send the doctor to your quarters and have her examined. I am sure it’s the stress of Anthony’s disappearance, plus the deterioration of her father’s health has been added to the mix.”
“Yeah… she cried herself to sleep last night. She wants so badly to give him the wedding he asked for, but she won’t do anything without Anthony. She’s even begun shutting me down.”
Christine collapsed into the seat across from the Constable, “What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know. Maybe a celebration of your union would be enough.”
“No. I can’t ask her to do this without Anthony.”
“Not a marriage. Just a party and acceptance of your love. It would give her father something to witness in the event he dies before Anthony returns.”
“If Anthony returns, you mean. We don’t even know if he is alive.”
“I have to believe he is, Christine. For your sake and Rory’s, we must believe.”
“You’re right. I’ll go talk to her. Please have the doctor meet me in our room. Keep me posted – and Constable,” Christine stood and placed her hand on his desk, “Perhaps you should have me in here for future meetings. I can help keep her calm.”
“Yes… I do think that’s wise. Let me know what the doctor says.”
Christine hurried into the hallway and paused. Resting her back against the wall, she took a deep breath. Christine had to keep herself together for Rory, but the truth was… she was falling apart inside.
It’d been two months, and still, there was nothing about Anthony’s wellbeing or whereabouts. To make matters worse, The Onyx Queen had fallen off the planet. Her mother was ruling temporarily until Onika returned. She’d left, with her former commander in tow, claiming she needed time to come to terms with the life-altering secret she’d learned in the journal. A journal that somehow disappeared from the Onyx Castle. It still hadn’t turned up… but it was just a matter of time. That book had brought nothing but devastation to the six kingdoms.
Taking a deep breath, Christine rushed toward her room. A room she shared with Rory. It was supposed to be their room – Rory, Anthony, and her. It felt empty with him gone.
Christine paused at the entrance to their quarters. Placing a hand on the cold wooden frame, she took a deep breath and went in. Captain Kris was seated on the chair near their shared bed.
“She fell asleep,” Captain Kris looked over at Rory, “I am worried about her.”
“That makes two of us. Can you let the doctor know she is sleeping and that I’ll call for him when she wakes? I’d rather not disturb her right now. She hasn’t been sleeping well, so this is much-needed rest.”
“Absolutely. A guard will be right outside the door. Call me when you’re ready for the doctor.” Captain Kris placed a hand on Christine’s forearm as he headed toward the door, “We will find him, Christine. I will make sure of it.”
Christine nodded and locked the door behind him. Stripping off her clothes, she slipped under the covers beside Rory. Tugging her body against hers, Christine wrapped an arm around her waist and rested her head against her shoulder.
“I won’t stop until we bring him home,” she whispered into Rory’s ear, “I love you, Rory.”
Closing her eyes, she let sleep take her. She needed to be strong for Rory… her happiness meant too much for Christine to allow herself to crumble.
