Jase

When we turned around, we both beheld Queen Bria, the one thing that could break our hearts. She had been silently observing for an unknown amount of time—long enough, I realized, to witness our kiss—but no door had closed and no sound of her entrance had reached us.

With my heart pounding, I took an automatic step back. Then Queen Bria spoke in a very composed tone, "So... What are you doing here, Jase and Camryn?"

Jase was the first to answer, his voice wavering, "So that she wouldn't be busy when they arrived, I was, uh, asking Camryn to bring me and a guest some tea later."

I hurriedly added, "I was sweeping, Queen Bria," but her sharp eyes made my voice tremble.

“Yeah.” Queen Bria took a step closer, her presence threatening. "Let me try this again now," she commanded. "Why did you two share a kiss? Don't tell lies."

Jase stood up straight, his will strengthening. "Ma'am," he stated, "Camryn and I have gotten to know one another rather well and have fallen in love. It goes without saying that this is the reason we were kissing."

I remained silent as her scrutiny weighed heavily on me. In the one step Queen Bria took forward before stopping to give us a withering look, her rage was evident in the tight clench and release of her fists, and her frown grew deeper. The silence lasted so long that I was unable to contain myself any longer. I walked past Jase and spoke to Queen Bria, my voice shaky but earnest. "We sincerely apologize for our actions, Queen Bria," I began. "We should have told you about our feelings for one other, but I know we can't take them back. We didn't mean any harm, Queen Bria, so please pardon us."

She reacted quickly and viciously. She reached out and slapped me across the face. I staggered back, letting out a gasp as my face blazed with a stinging sting. Jase grabbed me by the elbow and drew me close. "Mother, I won't let you do that!" he screamed, his voice flaming with resolve. "You must not hit this girl because I love her."

With angry eyes, Queen Bria shouted, "You dare speak back to me?" She continued fiercely, "Before I see you with that girl, I'll slap her a hundred times!" She sprang forward and grabbed my wrist tightly. "Now release her and head back to your room," she ordered Jase.

Jase's grip increased, but I pleaded with him, "Jase, please just leave! I'll see you later; go to your room! She can't cause me enough pain to stop loving you. Simply leave!"

He paused, then threw me into a tight embrace, expressing all of his love in that little moment. He turned and departed after giving me one more grudging look, leaving me to face Queen Bria's anger.

She started by dragging me to the tower room where I had been imprisoned. Queen Bria growled, "It wasn't enough, was it?" She spat, "You didn't avoid Prince Jase even after I had you remain there for three days! You can't marry Jase! I will not permit it, and I cannot." With a loud smash, the door slammed shut behind me as she pushed me inside. I collapsed to the floor, crying uncontrollably as the latch clicked and I was thrown into the dark, overcome with fear for Jase and myself.

With each cry piercing my heart, I heard faint yelling emerge from the floor below. Even my biggest concerns were little in comparison to the scene that I could only envisage when I came out.

Queen Bria came back, opening the door with a chilly look on her face. "You can now come out," she stated.

I got up and trailed behind her into the dark hallway. Her voice was flat as she turned to face me. "How about taking tonight off?" Queen Bria proposed. "I'll take care of you tomorrow because I'm exhausted from everything."

I said in a robotic voice, "Yes, Queen Bria; thank you, Queen Bria." She left, and I hurried to Jase's room as soon as I was positive she was gone. I knocked frantically, but nobody answered. I pushed the door open and looked into the dark inside. "Sir?" I called out. "Jase? Are you present?"

I was met with silence. I lit a lamp with shaking hands and looked around the room. It was deserted. My chest ached from panic—what had happened to him? I rushed over to Queen Bria's room and knocked. A voice – Queen Bria's – yelled out, "Come in!" with enthusiasm.

"Queen Bria, may I inquire..." I started, then stopped. Given how furious Jase had been, how could I inquire about her? However, her expression had changed from one of anger to one of unnerving pleasure. Finally, I asked, "Where's Prince Jase, Queen Bria?"

"Prince Jase?" Queen Bria replied casually. "Oh, Camryn, he had to be disciplined. Did you think I'd let him go so lightly? Obviously not! He was sent to The Shadow Woods by me. He will stay there, protected and observed, for a year to the day, along with The Spire of Shadows."

My knees gave way under me, and I almost passed out. No one ever came out of the Shadow Woods, which everyone knew was Death Wood. Even on the brightest day, the gloom was impenetrable due to the densely intertwined branches of its towering trees, which reached the clouds. It was a place of constant horror, and I had read of Spekters and Drakons roaming its depths. "How could you, Queen Bria?" I sobbed, my voice breaking with fear.

"How could I?" Queen Bria challenged angrily. "If there had been two towers, I would have dispatched you as well. This is an excellent teacher, and you and that boy deserve to be trained."

"You're terrible, Queen Bria!" I cried out. "The Shadow Woods is where you sent your own son?"

"Don't you embarrass me, girl!" Queen Bria snapped back. "He should have known better than to get close to you because he is my son."

"Queen Bria, you are unbelievable!" I retorted.

"Well, you have to," Queen Bria stated firmly, "because he's gone and it's finished. Go get me some tea now."

"No," I refused. Her eyes narrowed as she turned abruptly.

"What?" Queen Bria demanded.

"Queen Bria, until you bring him back, I won't get you anything," I declared, standing firm despite the second slap. I refused to back down, though. Even if I had to go out and get Jase myself, I would have him back. "As much as I would like to, Queen Bria, I must step down for the time being. Until Prince Jase returns, I am unable to serve as your maid. I will serve you forever if you bring him back, Queen Bria, but I won't give you another minute if you don't."

Queen Bria answered coldly, "Go, girl, because I will not bring him back." She added with scorn, "And don't be so proud of yourself that you believe you can't be easily replaced, because you can."

"Excellent, Queen Bria," I replied steadily. "Deliver the remaining items that are owed to my room. Tonight, I'll pack and head off."

"It will be sent," Queen Bria said sarcastically. I gave a nod and walked away, my resolve growing stronger with each step. I would track out Prince Jase, bring him back, and marry him. I loved him more than I ever imagined I could, and his incarceration had shown me how deeply I loved him. How I longed for him to be secure in Castle Rivenmoor!

With my determination unwavering, I went back to my room to pack, got my money, and left for Rayston.