"He's one of the princes of the Underworld-the opposite side to where we are now. His name is Kieran." She smiled then. "He's wonderful, really. So very handsome. I would have loved for you to meet him."
That's where my father had said there were dragons. I still couldn't believe all of these other worlds existed alongside mine and I'd never had any idea.
"I lived there for several years until recently. I wanted to spend more time with Desmond so I returned here. I knew my brother was very lonely."
I thought of how isolated my father must have been over the years. "Was there ever a queen? Did my father ever fall in love with anyone else?"
She shook her head. "Desmond has been devoted to the Shadowlands and protecting the human and faery realms. I suggested that a queen could be found for him, but he refused." She sighed. "I'm afraid he never moved on after your mother."
"He thought she was dead. All of those years."
"He loved her very much." She glanced at her gazer.
"Like I love Kieran. I miss him already. I hope that he'll come to visit me very soon."
"So he'll be able to come here?" I asked. "I know my father said that other demons can't enter the Shadowlands."
"They can't," she said. "Not without the king's permission. Or with my permission soon, I suppose. I will make an exception for Kieran, of course."
"Of course."
"Do you have a boyfriend, Nikki?"
That was a question I didn't really know how to answer. A couple days ago I would have said it was Chris, and that I was so happy about it, but now everything had changed. Drastically.
I forced myself not to glance at Michael, who stood silently behind me, but I could feel him looking at me.
"Well, Princess? Are you going to answer her question?"
I was glad he didn't use that ability of his too much. It was very distracting.
What do you think 1 should tell her? I projected back to him telepathically.
"Whatever you wish."
I shifted my weight to my right bare foot. "There's somebody I'm interested in. . but it's kind of complicated."
Her lips stretched into a small grin. "Love is always complicated, Nikki. What is this somebody like?"
Tall, dark, totally hot, and standing right behind me, I thought. However, I didn't send that particular thought to Michael.
Instead, I shrugged. "He's really cute, even though he tries to hide it. He can be annoying and stubborn but that's just part of his charm. He's protective and sweet and an amazing kisser, and when I'm around him I don't want to be anywhere else."
She looked very impressed by my description. "He sounds perfect to me."
"The thing is," I continued, "I'm not totally sure how he feels about me. Sometimes I get the feeling that he wants me to forget him, like, maybe his life would be easier if I wasn't in it. And then other times I feel like he thinks he's not good enough for me because we're really different in a lot of ways. The guy is a serious mystery."
"Well, that's not perfect." Elizabeth took my hands in hers. "Nikki, dear, don't let anyone hold you back from getting what you want. Sometimes you have to trust your heart. Trust what that little voice inside is trying to tell you, even if it seems crazy."
I let out a shaky breath. "It's hard to do that."
"I know it is. But that's my philosophy, and I've held on to it, no matter what difficult choices I've had to make."
"That's great."
She smiled. "Love is the most important thing in the universe. Like how I love Kieran and how I love my brother. Desmond should have lived for many more years to rule the Shadowlands, but when he asked me to take over for him, I knew I'd never turn my back on such an important duty. Even if it means sacrificing many things. I will make sure I'm a very good queen-for my brother's sake."
My eyes welled with tears. "You'll make a great queen."
She stroked my arm. "We should go see your father now."
I nodded. "Okay."
She glanced at Michael. "Would you please go to Desmond's side and inform him that his daughter wishes to see him one last time?"
"Of course," Michael said.
"Will you be all right, Princess?"
Yeah, I'll be fine, I thought.
There was a hesitation. "I don't want you to forget me. I just wish there was another way this could work out." Our eyes met and held for a long moment, then he turned and left the room.
After Michael left, Elizabeth looked at me with concern as my eyes filled up with tears again. I didn't think I'd cried so much in my entire life as I had over the last two days. "Oh, Nikki, my dear. So much stress at such a young age. Is it too much for you?"
"I'll be fine," I said shakily as I twisted my bracelet.
Elizabeth looked down at it. "That's very beautiful."
I looked down at it, too. "My father gave it to me. It's a dragon's tear. He told me it would help focus my Darkling powers."
"A dragon's tear? He told you that?" I nodded.
Her expression grew tense. "I'm sorry, Nikki. The pain he is feeling must be making him delusional. There are no dragons-they are only a myth." She looked thoughtful. "Our father used to tell us stories about dragons when we were young so perhaps that's what Desmond is remember' ing. It's a lovely bracelet, but that's all it is."
I studied the delicate chain and teardrop crystal and felt a stab of disappointment. "Really?"
"I'm afraid so." She walked to the entrance of the room. "Now I must go get some fresh water for Desmond. It's all he's been able to consume for days. No wonder he's so weak." She shook her head sadly. "I'll return to bring you to his room. Please wait here for me."
She left and I was all alone. I crossed my arms and tried to relax but found that it was impossible. So instead I began to pace back and forth across the cool stone floor.
I couldn't believe that nothing could be done for my father. This was the best he could ask for? Being stuck in this dreary castle as the last hours of his life ticked by? What about doctors? Or hospitals? But I supposed those were out of the question anyway, since he couldn't leave. I still couldn't fathom being trapped inside this place for all those years. Alone. At least he had Elizabeth to keep him company in these dark days.
I heard something then.
"Elizabeth?" an unfamiliar voice said. I looked around the room but there was no one there.