I looked over at Torin, his hands on his head, spinning, looking in all directions.
Then he returned to the porch. “Och nae, I think he has gone.”
“But... why would he leave you?”
He met my eyes.
I said, “He’s probably coming right back, though, right? Did he say anything to you about leaving?”
“Nae.”
We walked into the house.
I asked, “Maybe he left a note?”
I stuck my head in the first two rooms and scanned, while Torin went through to my hobby room, he called out, “I found a letter.”
I rushed in to find Torin standing in front of my desk, and Dude sitting there on top of a piece of 18 x 24 drawing paper. Torin was looking down at the paper while petting Dude.
I had started a pencil sketch on that piece of paper, years ago, of my family tree. It was unfinished. I had planned to ink it, to put the names in calligraphy, and make the tree look realistic.
I had my great-great grandparents and all the grandparents and aunts and uncles down to me written on leaves. After my parents died I started the project, thinking it would bring me solace, but instead it had made me really sad, most everyone on the tree was dead and gone, except my uncle, and me.
On that piece of paper with the sketched out names of my whole family, as I had formerly known it, was a note, written using one of my calligraphy pens:
My Dear Sister, Alexandria,
Ye hae only just been restored tae me, and already we must part. The usurper grows stronger with each day I linger. While I draw breath I must fight for our throne, our birthright.
I leave ye in the safekeeping of Torin, who has sworn his life tae guard ye. Trust him, as I do. He will not fail ye.
If fate is kind, we will stand together again, until then, be brave, Alexandria. Be safe. And know that wherever I march, I carry ye in my heart.
— Ever yer brother, Maximillian, Prince of Riaghalbane
Then small in the bottom corner he wrote.
My deepest apologies, Alexandria, I hae broken this.
It was the black plastic drawer from my DVD player.
Then another small note.
I hope ye forgive me, I hae taken the pen, as twill be useful.
I looked at Torin.
Torin looked at me and back down at the letter and lamented,Och nae.
40
LEXI
2004 - LAUREL RIDGE
Torin’s jaw clenched.
I knew, but I needed him to say it. “What did he do?”
