Page 34 of Lost Starlight
“Nothing, just looking for Prince Peter,” Michael said.
“No one is to be in his room; he is missing,” the guard grunted out.
“We were looking for clues,” I breathed.
“Or you were removing evidence—”
“No, she would never. This is Lady Gwendolyn Darling. The prince and she were betrothed.”
“We arestillbetrothed,” I mumbled.
“No matter. I will take you to the queen,” the guard said with a hand on his sword.
“But we are only trying to help,” I said as he pointed for us to walk before him.
“You will feel like a fool as soon as we see the queen. You must be new here; Gwendolyn is always with the prince.”
“No talking,” he demanded.
We plodded down the halls until we reached the throne room. The doors were opened, and we were harshly pushed into the room by the guard.
“These two were in the prince’s room.”
Michael and I stood still, looking upon the queen, who was speaking to Prince Dominick and Princess Meria.
“Gwendolyn!” Meria shouted, as she ran to me and then embraced me. “We will find him.” She then looked at my brother with a nod.
“Why are you treating Lady Gwendolyn Darling and Lord Michael Darling like criminals?” Dominick nearly shouted.
“They were not given admittance to the prince’s room, and that is where I found them.”
“No matter, leave. Lady Darling is and never will be a threat.” The queen waved off the soldier. Her face was sorrowful as she turned to her eldest son. “Could it be Captain Veeto? Could he have come and taken him?”
“I have no idea,” Dominick began. “I hoped that Veeto had died.”
“Your Highnesses,” I said with a curtsy, “I think I know. Peter left a clue for me.” I opened up the book and held it up.
Dominick took it from me and read it over.
“Did Peter make a deal with the pixies?” he asked.
“I fear the answer to that isyes. After seeing all the books in his room and reading his notes, I believe he made a deal. Perhaps, that was how I was able to leave Pixie Isle with all the stolen children. It did seem too easy. They wanted me there, and then Peter came, and they just let us all go. It makes sense that they got something in return. I feel like a fool for never suspecting anything,” I said. It was all my fault. He did it for me. I clenched my fist at my side. I tried to remain calm and collected before the royals, yet I wanted to cry and drown in my guilt and sorrow.
“Peter would do anything for you, Gwendolyn,” the queen said with a smile. I looked up to her. Her face changed as our eyes met. Her smile turned even softer asif telling me that it was not my fault.But how could it not be my fault?He went to Pixie Isle to save me.
“I am sorry; this is all my fault, Your Highness.”
“If he did, indeed, make a deal, it is honorable. But we do not know for certain, Gwendolyn.”
“I found pixie dust–which is solid confirmation,” I said, holding back tears.
The queen nodded. “I am proud that he saved you, and we only need to make sure he is not kept there forever. We do have a wedding coming up,” the queen said kindly.
“So, as much as I wish it were not true, I do believe the pixies took him. I must save him,” I whispered in heart wrenching pain.
“Hewouldmake a deal and then not tell anyone. That is just like him,” Dominick said with a groan.
“To be fair, one cannot speak of a pixie deal once it has been struck until after it is fulfilled. He couldn’t tell any of us,” I expressed.
