Page 34 of Ruby Queen
Chapter 23
Rory barely let the SUV come to a stop before she was out of the backseat and running up the steps of the castle. Christine was on her heels, telling her to slow down and wait.
Sarifena was there, waiting with the door open. Rory leaped into her arms and hugged her, “Thank you for finding him.”
“Actually... he found us, but he promised to tell me his story once you were here. Come on, I’ll take you to him.”
“Wait,” Rory tugged on Sarifena’s hand, “I need to introduce you to Christine.” Rory grabbed Christine’s hand and smiled. “I’m in love with her and Anthony. I’m tired of hiding it and wanted to tell you the truth.”
Sarifena glanced at the two women, “I kind of wondered if there was more than friendship between you two. But I’m surprised you’re in love with Anthony as well. If it makes you happy, who am I to judge. Hell, what I thought was truth this whole time was a lie. Let’s go. I’m sure he’s eager to see you both.”
Sarifena led them through the castle towards the back. The medical wing was at the rear, hidden deep inside the castle.
As soon as they walked through, Rory gasped. Anthony was lying on a bed, I.V.’s and monitors attached to him. His side was bandaged up, and his face was littered with cuts and bruises.
“Anthony!” Rory rushed to his side and laid her body on his.
“Umphf,” Anthony grunted, “Rory…” his eyes welled with tears.
“I thought you were dead,” Rory wept against him as Christine walked up beside them.
She leaned down and embraced Rory and Anthony, “Anthony… you saved me.”
Anthony laced his fingers through Christine’s hair and held on to Rory’s arm. He squeezed them tightly against his chest, even though it hurt.
“I love you, Anthony.” Rory pressed a kiss to his lips.
“I love you, Rory. And you, Christine. When I was being held, all I could think about was coming back to you both.”
“Where have you been?” Christine stood, glancing at the Sapphire Queen, “And how did you find your way here?”
Rory moved, pulling a chair up beside him. She kept her fingers laced in his, “Anthony… what can you tell us?”
“First… Dimitra is alive. They were holding us together in a cell.”
“Dimitra? Where is she?”
“Gone. The man who took her has people working for him through force and blackmail. The man, Jason Castor, set me free but had to move Dimitra to a new location. His own sister, who is only nine, is being held captive. If he doesn’t do whatever the man says, his sister will die. They have some sort of metal bracelets on Dimitra that keep her from using her magic. Jason promised me he’d look after her – he doesn’t want to be doing this… he saved me. They were going to kill me because I wasn’t useful.”
Rory sucked in a sob, “What?”
Anthony squeezed her hand, “But he told them I was already dead and that he left my body to rot. Dimitra made a big scene – so I think they bought it.”
“But where did they take her?”
“Jason was afraid to tell me too much. All he said was they were taking her to the place where the fire meets the water and is covered in darkness. Does that make any sense to you?”
Sarifena spoke, “My mother spoke of something similar when I was a child. I remember her telling me about the deadlands or something.”
“Can you ask her? Maybe this means something to her. I know you aren’t talking to her, but this is important.” Rory smiled, tears spilling down her cheeks.
“Yeah… I’ll go see her later. She moved out of the castle. I think she feels shame for the lies she told.”
“Your Majesty,” Doctor King interrupted her, “I am sorry to interrupt you, but we need to take Commander Blake for some more scans. We want to be sure there isn’t anything embedded in his side.”
“Really? Now you want to do this?” Sarifena snapped.
Rory glanced at Christine, “It’s ok, Sarifena. I want to be sure Anthony is well. Thank you, Doctor, we can wait for him to get done.”
