“What exactly is this all about?” I asked, desperate for some clue to his intentions.
“My Lady, I have no information.” She reached for my hand. “But if you value your life, please, I beg you—submit to his commands. I have witnessed first hand, what happens to those who defy him.”
The immense gravity of the situation was thrust back in my face. Johan had me in his grasp. The vulture wasn’t circling anymore—it was salivating over our impending death. I could only hope he didn’t enjoy toying with his prey.
“Mirabelle,” I whispered, unsure how to ask what I needed to know. “Jase?” His name was all I had to say.
She froze, visibly afraid to respond. And suddenly, I didn’t want her answer.
“Have you seen Hunter or Finn? Are they alive?”
“Shhh!” she hissed. “Do not speak their names aloud.” She nodded toward the door, silently mouthing the words, “always listening.” Mirabelle cleared her throat and whispered, “Johan keeps them isolated. Only he and his guards are permitted down into the dungeons.”
“Are you… close with any of the guards?”
“My Lady, I’am but a simple servant to the house. I am not given freedom to speak to anyone outside of the staff.”
“Forgive me. I understand.” Clearly, I wasn’t going to get much from Mirabelle. I couldn’t fault her. She was as trapped in this castle as I was. It would be wrong to ask her to risk her safety simply to help me.
“I’ll be back in the morning. Try to get some sleep.” She turned down the bed and pulled me in for one last hug, whispering in my ear, “I’m so sorry you’re here. I’ll do my best to find news of your family. You have my undying loyalty.”
Hearing those words gave me an unexpected sense of peace. I had a true friend here in Mathenholm. An ally I could count on.
“There is one thing you could do for me.”
“What is it, My Lady?”
“The mirror. In the king’s room within the House of Bruin.”
“Yes. I know it.”
“I need you to shatter it. Tonight. The sooner, the better.” She looked at me puzzled. “It’s a portal to Neverland. Please—I beg you—destroy it. I’ll be forever indebted to you.”
She hesitated… then nodded. “Consider it done. I’ll head there now.”
The door latched behind her, sealing me into silence. My mind was a mess of emotion. Now, with the portal gone, I had to write my sister, one last time.
My Dearest Sweetie,
I fear this message does not hold the cheerful outcome we had hoped for. As I write, I am being held prisoner in Mathenholm Castle by Johan Vellere—the usurper of the Hiraethian throne.
Sadly, we lost Gunner in battle. Finn and Hunter are to be executed the day after tomorrow. Things here have gotten out of control, and I don’t see how we can successfully defeat our enemy.
Take a deep breath, for what I am about to tell you won’t be easy to hear. It is very likely thatI will be executed alongside the others. I know this is not what you expected me to say. I can only imagine what you are thinking as you read this letter. Maybe I’m wrong and we will prevail after all. But I couldn’t risk not getting a final letter to you.
I love you. I need you to know that above all else. I couldn’t have asked for a better sister to share this wild, chaotic life with. You always believed in me and my ability to overcome cancer. And Gwen, I almost did! I’d been working with a healer and learning how to harness the magic growing within me. Unfortunately, my skills are not nearly developed enough to get us out of this mess.
I have found real love here. The princes have shown me what it means to be cherished. I never would have experienced that type of intimacy had you not pushed me to seek a cure in Neverland. For that I cannot thank you enough.
I will think of you as I join our beloved parents in the afterlife. Live your life for me. Live it big and without regret. I’ll be watching from above.
Love always,
Michaela
I wiped the tears from my face and placed a kiss on the parchment. Tucking it back under my pillow, I wished for my princes to end this nightmare once and for all. Not just for me—but for all of Hiraeth and her beautiful people.
“Michaela?”
