No.  This shouldn’t have happened like this.  I look at the Queen and Uncle Charles as a wave of panic washes over me.  My heart races and thunders within my chest, while my breathing becomes quick and shallow.  Loud voices swirl around me, but I pay attention to what they are saying. As my eyes roll back into my head, the one voice that pulls me back from the darkness is Shane’s deep, frantic voice.  “Deloris!  Baby, stay with me!  Please, I can’t handle not having you here with me.”  My heart aches with the amount of pain he has woven through each syllable.  I try to take a steady breath as I whisper, “Shane.” The darkness that was closing in on me just moments ago slowly fades away and once again, I’m looking at my handsome boyfriend while his warm hand grasps mine.  His warmth comforts me and with my eyes locked with his, I ignore the other people in the room as they scurry around the bed.&

I glance over at my mother as she stands staring at us for a second, while fear creeps into her eyes. I may have been briefed on what has happened, but my mind has gone blank.  However, one thing that keeps repeating in my head is a little voice reminding me not to tell Irene the truth.  With that thought, I slowly shake my head. The Queen clears her throat and looks back down at her phone.  “I’m sorry, Irene, but I haven’t talked to him since he left.  He said goodbye to his brother and Katherine, before he left on his mysterious trip.  He wouldn’t even tell me where he was going.”I smile and nod at her. Irene sighs.  “Oh.  I guess I shouldn’t worry about him then.”My mother shakes her head.  “No.  Don’t worry about him, dear.  I’m sure he will return when he has gotten your surprise.  Knowing him, it is prob

I lay down on the bed beside Deloris, who is sound asleep.  Soft little snores fill the air as I stare at her and gently brush her hair out of her face.  Even with the scratches and the bandages, she is still the most beautiful woman that I’ve ever seen.  I lean towards her and kiss her forehead and then nose.  Deloris doesn’t move, while still softly snoring.  A faint smile spreads across my lips as I gaze down at her.  My mother’s voice doesn’t even break my trance.  “Son, she did a good job today, and so did you.  I’m so proud of both of you.” I nod and turn my head towards my mother.  “Thanks, mom.  I’m sure Deloris will be happy when she wakes up.  I wish she was a little more awake during the coronation, though.  I don’t even think she realized you were here.” She sits down on the other side of the bed and reaches across and pats my arm.  “Dee doesn’t need to know t

I sit up straight in bed, as Page adjusts the laptop on the tray in front of us, so we can see everything clearly.  More equipment is off to the side on another table next to my bed. Luckily, my staff found Chris shortly after my battle with my uncle.  I knew my staff is amazing, and it didn’t take long for them to do what they do best and find the man.  Unfortunately, he didn’t come in willingly and my staff had to be rough with him.  Regardless, we are one step closer to proving who the mastermind is.  With my eyes locked on the laptop, I fidget back and forth on the bed.  “Is it all setup now?  Can we see what is happening?” Page shakes her head as she reaches behind the laptop with a cable.  “Not yet.  I have a few more things to hook up.  We want to make sure that we have a secure line so no one can hack into our feed.  So, be patient.” I know that, but I can’t help myself.  I want answe

I lean forward and with venom, I growl, “PRINCESS DELORIS, I LOVE YOU!” Her eyes nearly bulge out as she sinks into the chair like someone just knocked the wind out of her.  Her pain soon etched on her face as she grabs her chest and gasps for air.  A wave of satisfaction courses through my veins as I turn and walk out of the room.  Charles’ booming voice follows me down the hallway.  “Take her to the jail and don’t let anyone talk to her.  Absolutely no one.” A timid voice asks, “How about the Queen?” My footsteps slow down as I churn my head to listen.  Charles pauses for a moment.  “If the Queen wants to see her, we can’t stop her.”  He doesn’t wait for a reply as his heavy footsteps echo through the hallway behind me.  I, once again, pick up my pace with my fists swinging at my side and my heart pounding in my chest.  I would like to revel in my victory and the pain my words have ca