Chapter 3

The next morning they are abruptly woken up by Agneta as she burst through the door. “Come, the Queen wants to see you all.” As they head toward the grand room they see Queen Yolandi standing on a small platform pacing back and forth in a long silver dress, wearing a crown of diamonds and pearls. 

           “Who touched him? Who touched Prince Raiden?” She protested rubbing her forehead. “Answer me now or I shall hold you all in…” A hand gently touched her shoulder and she stopped mid-sentence.

           “The Queen will take a moment to compose herself, I shall be taking over for her majesty.” The man was an older gentleman with a beak-like nose and long face, his voice very low, slow, and uninviting, to say the least. He was tall and slender, and his hands looked coarse, he had shoulder-length black hair and pale skin, and his thin lips were met with long sharp teeth. He liked to show them as he enunciated each word in detail. “Come forth on who touched his royal highness and there won’t be any repercussions.”

          “Zornan, we must confront the intruders!” A voice from the back spoke up. Zornan quickly glanced at Yolandi as she waved her hand, he gave a quick nod and one of the guardsmen grabbed Bridgette. 

          “It was me, I touched the ice, I mean his highness it was an accident, I tripped and used it for balance. Besides, how do you know someone touched it?” Bridgette yelled out frantically. 

          “How?! How?!’’ The Queen’s voice spiked as she stood up from the ice-looking throne.

 Zornan placed his hand back on her shoulder as he spoke up, “His royal highness is beginning to thaw, he will be awake tonight.” He quickly waved his hand and the guardsmen herd them back into their rooms. The Queen and her people stayed behind in the grand room. Alone in her room, Bridgette contemplated what will happen next as she sat up on her bed picking up a book to ease her mind.

          “You’re the one!” Agneta burst through the door, her bright red hair pulled back into a bun with a bright smile from ear to ear.

          “What? What one?” Bridgette replied standing up from the bed and putting down a book. “Like his true love?” 

          “Yes, but also our savior,” Agneta said quietly as she sat on the bed.

          “Savior, I’m no savior.” Bridgette protested as she sat back down next to Agneta. 

          “With you touching the ice that held Prince Raiden, it started to melt, you are the one that will save us from the queen.” She held up her hand before Bridgette could speak. “Before the Fae, Magdala was killed by Zornan she spoke of a prophecy about Raiden,” She continued grabbing onto Bridgette’s hands. “He would be encased in ice just like the one around his mother’s heart until the one would set him free. Once Raiden is awake and has claimed his love he will take the throne and free us, but he has to kill his mother.” She held up her hand again as she anticipated her comment while taking a deep breath in. “Queen Yolandi is not all she seems, she locks us up and waits weeks to feed the ones under her torture. She beheads us just because she’s bored. This is real Ms. Bridgette Hawthorne and I’m so glad you’re here.” Agneta hugged her tight, then pressed on, “What the Queen didn’t tell you is that the late King Rodan, Raiden’s father, was my uncle. My father, Seti, is the younger brother to Rodan and when the King died after Raiden was put into ice he was to be regent until Raiden came of age.” Agneta sighed as she wiped away tears. “But, Queen Yolandi had him thrown into the dungeon three days after King Rodan died, she claimed he made advances on her.” Just as she finished, Dr. Hawthorne and Mrs. Watson came into Bridgette’s room. “I should go, the Queen would be looking for me.” Agneta quickly wiped her eyes and headed out of the room. Bridgette grabbed onto her uncle as she told them everything Agneta had told her. As Raiden started to wake, Queen Yolandi is present barking out orders at everyone.

         “Darling, I’m so glad you’re out of that ice.” The Queen said desperately while helping him up and draping him in towels.

         “Mother, I wish to dress and see my love!” He recited, his voice deep but soothing. He grabbed the towel and started to dry his shoulder-length light brunette hair, he had stubble on his face but not too much to not make out his chiseled jawline. He was tall and brutish, his nose favored his mother’s but it complimented his square jaw. His lips were small but soft, and he had a timely look.

        “Well, darling, there will be plenty of time for that. I wish to talk with you.” Yolandi speed walked to stay ahead, with a shroud of servants following behind them.  

        Raiden stopped as he stared at Agneta, in the middle of the hallway. “Cousin!” He opened his arms wide and grabbed her up. 

        “You remember me?” Agneta questioned as she was up in the air, her face bright with delight.

        “I’d know you anywhere, twenty-seven years on ice won’t change that. It wasn’t you that touched the ice was it?” He joked as he sat her down. But before she was able to open her mouth Queen Yolandi quickly pushed her aside. 

        “Darling, let’s get on a shirt seeing as how you’re half-naked.” She quickly snapped her fingers and he was dressed by one of the servants. Beside her as always was Zornan and her minions.  

        “I wish to see my beloved, mother. I know she is here, I can feel her.” He started walking down the hallway and through the grand dining room. “She is close, I feel it.” He walked faster getting closer to their rooms, his brown hair flowing behind him with each step.

        “She left, I mean it was Itzie!'' She snapped her fingers to summon the blonde girl walking down the hall. Raiden stopped and gave his mother a discerning look as he reached a doorway. He opened up Bridgette’s double doors and everyone was standing inside while Bridgette was in the back hidden. Queen Yolandi quickly moved in front of Raiden, flowing out her long sheer silver dress. “Raiden, darling there’s no one in this room but men.” Mrs. Clara clears her throat. “And an old woman.” 

He gently pushed his mother aside as he stepped toward Bridgette. But Jasper quickly stepped in front, Raiden smiled and put his hand on Jasper’s shoulder. “I mean you no ill will, nor any of you, I’m here to meet my one true love.” Jasper reluctantly moved aside as Bridgette touched his arm. As they are face to face he gently brushed the curly locks out of her eyes behind her ear. “You are beautiful, my love.” He quickly grabbed her chin and then kneeled, grabbing her hand while gently kissing it. “I’ve been told of our meeting since I was a boy. My heart,” He stopped and put her hand on his chest. “Can you feel it?” He nervously chuckled as he didn't break eye contact. “This heart is yours and will forever beat this way.” 

         “No, Darling!” Yolandi screeched out, stepping forward, but she was stopped by the guardsmen. As she looked on, disgruntled and shocked. 

          Agneta whispered, “You are no longer the Queen!”

         “I promise to love you until the end of my days, to protect you, to care for you, and always put you first. If you’ll have me?” Raiden protested his love as he awaited her response with a smile, his light blue eyes looking up at her. She quickly looked at her uncle as he nodded his head in approval.

         “Yes!” She squealed as he stood up and hugged her tightly. Yolandi stormed out along with Zornan and some of the people who were still loyal to her.

         “We must tell Mother she will be pleased,” Raiden said as he began looking around the room, not realizing that his mother was no longer there. Bridgette grabbed his arms and quickly sat him down on the bed, with a smile still on his face.

        “You don’t know do you?” She asked with a concerned look, as she searched the room. “Agneta will explain.” His cousin told him of his mother’s behavior and ways. She also told him of the ending of Magdala’s spell. Raiden shook his head and pushed her aside. 

        “No, I can’t, that must be wrong. I want to talk to my father, he will know everything.” Raiden stood up and started to walk off.

        “Raiden, he’s dead, two days after you were frozen,” Agneta replied, stopping him by grabbing onto his arm. “And my father was imprisoned, three days later.”

        “What?’’ He quickly rebutted, shaking away her arm. Bridgette walked over to Raiden and put her hand on his back, he slowed his breathing and looked at her smiling. As he grabbed her hand he spoke, “I believe you, as much as it pains me I believe you.” Still holding eye contact with Bridgette he kissed her hand softly. “I apologize to have to leave you my love but I have to fulfill the prophecy, and make you my Queen.” He turned to leave and yelled out to the guards.