Page 28 of Lost Starlight
“Second star! Second star to the right!” they chimed.
They moved about, each of them holding onto pieces of my clothing, and I began to float, my feet rising from off the ground. I was carried by them out of the window and into the air.
With one last look at Walden and my castle, I prayed to the Creator that Gwen would not give up on me.
“Second star to the right,” I said softly, looking at the stars as the pixies pushed me along. “And straight on till dawn. Please forgive me, Gwen.”
Chapter Thirteen
Gwendolyn
Present Day
“Mother, I doubt that is the case,” I heard Michael say in irritation.
“You have seen her; you know how she is. Oh, why did the Creator give me such a daughter?”
“Mother, Gwendolyn is a fine lady, and she is betrothed to the prince. You do not give her enough credit.”
“Betrothed, and now she has lost him. He has run away from her. That is what they shall say! And what am I to do with all these plans for the wedding? It was going to be so marvelous,” my mother wailed.
What on Terra is going on?I wondered.
Mother had been so much more reasonable than usual after Peter and I became engaged. Had she heard that wehad not been able to spend much time together recently? Peter was just busy with things for the kingdom. I thought back to those kisses we shared, just the night before. Peter loved me, and I loved him.
I stepped from the hallway and into the sitting room to see Michael standing beside my mother.
“Oh!” Mother cried into the side of the couch when she saw me.
Michael rolled his eyes and walked over to me.
“Michael, what has happened?” I asked my brother.
He placed a hand on my shoulder. “Gwendolyn, it seems Peter is gone.”
“What do you mean? He is ‘gone’?” I asked, looking into his eyes. He had to be joking, but it would explain Mother’s wailing at that moment.
Not very ladylike,I thought.
“I mean, no one at the castle has seen him this morning.”
“Only just this morning? Well, that is no cause for true alarm, is it?” I sat down on the sofa, looking at the light blue fabric that danced with small pale pink flowers.Peter would not just vanish, but still, fear raced through me.
Is Peter okay?I questioned.
“You have lost him! I should have known!” Mother wailed, and I was proud of myself for shoving her from my mind.
Where could Peter be?
“He is probably at the beach or sailing with William,” I said, looking hopeful.
“William came here to tell me this morning, himself. He cannot find him, and the queen is beside herself, too,” Mother said.
“What about The Crown Prince and Princess Meria?”
“They are also out searching, but no one has been able to find him.”
“I am so confused, Michael. Now, I am worried for him, too. I was just with him last night.” I clenched the sofa arm with my fingernails, trying to use my training to remain a demure lady as best I could. However, my fear of what might have happened to Peter pressed painfully against my chest. I had to know what happened. I could not think straight as Mother continued to drone on. My head was pulsing as if I were about to get a headache.
