Ryder Read online

  "How about your Princess?" Mother asked.

  "With the way Rosalina is excelling in her magical growth, Winterlya said she potentially will have to be trained when she turns six cycles," the Queen revealed.

  "It makes sense with the prophecy, correct? Nightmare did state her powers would awaken on her birthday and her knights would be chosen. Has she shown any signs?" Father asked.

  "Nothing major, but she can switch between Rose and Hope with ease. If it wasn't for the fact her eyes change, it would be difficult to tell them apart. We're just dealing with a little problem," the King pointed out.

  I glanced over to the side, noticing something poofy move in the corner of my eyes. What was that?

  I leaned over to the side to get a better look, my eyes widened at the sight before me.

  A little girl made her way toward us, holding a teddy bear in one arm and a sippy cup in the other. Her brown hair was in loose curls and wore a small gold crown with pink jewels. Her dress was pink with gold sparkles and puffed out. It was short enough to see little bare feet.

  Her eyes locked on mine — the exact vibrant turquoise eyes as the Queen stared at me, causing my jaw to drop. She was like an exact copy of the Queen, but a mini version.

  Anya looked similar to Mother, having the same eyes, but she had different characteristics like her hair being dark brown instead of purple. This little girl however matched the Queen with every detail and my heart beat against my chest as I felt my cheeks grow warm; realizing that this little girl was beautiful in every way.

  Her eyes looked as if she was staring out into space, returning to look at the floor as she stood still for a moment.

  She shuffled toward me; I froze in place, worried she'd notice me.

  "Problem?" Mother asked, her voice sounding worried.

  "Ah, it’s nothing big. It's just Rosalina—" she began, but her voice trailed off as they noticed my leaning position.

  The little girl reached where I stood, looking to stare at all of us.

  "Rosalina?" the Queen asked, her voice a little softer than before.

  The girl named Rosalina blinked at her mom before she turned her attention back to me. We stayed locked in a stare for a long time before she shuffled to my side, placing her teddy bear on my lap. I glanced down at it, confused as to why she gave me her teddy bear.

  Before I could ask, she walked away; all of us turning our heads to see her shuffle to the corner of the room, sitting quietly as she gripped her sippy cup.

  "That's our little problem." The King smiled.

  "She sleepwalks?" Mother asked.

  "Yes. It's been happening for a while, but only increased in frequency recently. It's become a bit of a hassle honestly," the Queen admitted.

  "What worries you? She seems aware of her surroundings," Father pointed out.

  "Indeed. She's aware of her surroundings, but it's hard to keep her in a designated room. Every night this week we've placed her in her bed, only to wake up to her sleeping in ours," the Queen explained.

  "Isn't your room on the other half of the private corridors?" Mother asked, looking surprised.

  The Queen nodded.

  "That's our concern. It doesn't matter what lock we use. We even had Winterlya place a spell on her door one night and she was still able to get through it," the King revealed.

  My parents exchanged a glance, looking impressed.

  "Amazing. Are you concerned she'd leave the castle?" Mother asked.

  They both shook their head.

  "Nightmare follows her when she sleepwalks, so we aren't worried that she'll leave the castle. We've had a few scares, but nothing serious. She also likes to drink milk," the Queen noted.

  "While sleepwalking?" Father questioned.

  "Yup. We've had to make a fridge dedicated to milk in her room so she wouldn't travel downstairs to the kitchen, move the stepping stairs and retrieve it herself from the fridge," the King replied.

  "Very impressive." Mother smiled.

  I stared at the teddy bear, lifting it up to inspect it. "Why did she give me her teddy bear?" I wondered, realizing I had interrupted their conversation. "Oops. Sorry, your Majesty," I quickly apologized, bowing my head.

  The King and Queen laughed.

  "Ryder, please. Call us Arthur and Catherine. Maybe Rosalina wants you to be her friend?" Catherine proposed.

  I blushed, looking at the teddy bear. "But...isn't she sleeping?" I asked.

  "Yes, but Rosalina only gives her teddy bear to people she finds interesting. I guess she likes you," Arthur pointed out, shrugging.

  "She's beautiful," I admitted, blushing.

  My Mother and Catherine exchanged looks, big grins forming on their lips making me feel embarrassed.

  "I'm glad you think so, Ryder." Catherine smiled.

  I nodded, rising to my feet before glancing at Rosalina who was still sitting quietly in the corner. "I'm going to go sit with the Princess so she's not lonely," I announced, not waiting for a reply before I headed over to her. I took a seat next to her, leaning forward to glance at her peaceful face as she slept. I smiled, her cute peaceful expression reminded me of Anya when she was asleep.

  I sat there for a while, Rosalina eventually leaning to one side as she slept. I shuffled to sit right next to her, letting her sleep on my shoulder as I sat quietly, lost in own thoughts.

  I was fighting off sleep when a loud popping noise startled me awake; Rosalina jumped as her eyes flicked open. We both looked back to see a boy with blonde hair and turquoise eyes, holding a weird device.

  Another boy ran from the corner, reaching his side before huffing— his short brown hair was styled to one side and his turquoise eyes reflected his anger.

  "Xavier! Mom said you can't play with that when sis is walking around!' the boy yelled.

  "She's not here!" Xavier argued.

  Before either of them could continue, a loud cry broke out, my body flinched at the sound that came from next to me.

  "Mommy!" Rosalina began to cry, tears already rolling down her cheeks.

  I heard Catherine sigh as she rose to her feet— Kade and Xavier both glanced at her with fear in their eyes.

  "Xavier," she said sternly as she crossed her arms.

  He lowered whatever he was holding and bowed his head in shame. "Sorry, Mom," he whispered.

  Kade moved away from him and headed toward us, his eyes lingering on me for a moment before returning to Rosalina. "It's okay, Rosalina, don't cry. Xavier is sorry. Come, you want a hug?" Kade tried to console her, but she shook her head.

  "I want Beary!" she cried.

  I glanced down at the bear in my hands. I switched from my sitting position to my knees, gently rubbing her head to catch her attention. She sniffed, opening her glossy eyes to stare at me. "Here's Beary! Don't cry," I consoled, rubbing her head soothingly. It was a technique I always did with Anya to calm her when she cried for Mother.

  Rosalina glanced at the bear, returning her attention back to me. "I want a hug," she announced.

  I opened my arms. "You can have a hug," I reassured her.

  She walked into my hug, resting her head on my shoulder. I rubbed her back, hoping it would help calming her down. We stayed like that for a moment till I noticed her breathing slowed.

  Kade moved around me, checking on Rosalina. "She's asleep," he confirmed, smiling.

  He rubbed her head softly before he picked up Beary and Rosalina's sippy cup.

  I slowly stood up, picking Rosalina up and making sure I didn't wake her. I glanced at my father and mother who had wide smiles on their faces; Arthur and Catherine also looked pleased. Kade and I made our way to Catherine. She knelt down.

  "Thank you, Ryder. See, Rosalina does like you."

  "Really?" I asked, looking at the sleeping Princess in my arms.

  "Yes. She doesn't calm so quickly, even with me."

  "She's cute," I admitted.

  "You can't like my sister," Kade announced.

  I turned to
face him. "Why not?"

  "Because you're not old enough." He replied.

  "I'm nine. How old are you?" I countered.

  "Eight and a half!"

  "So…I'm older than you," I stated confidently.

  "Well...she's my sister. I get to decide who she likes," he argued.

  "Kade, stop being silly. And I'm ten so I get to decide who Rosalina likes," Xavier announced.

  "Or, you two can let Daddy decide and go finish your homework like you were supposed to do. Or should I call Karen?" Arthur threatened, raising his eyebrow.

  They both gasped.

  "Bye Mommy and Daddy. Sorry for interrupting." Kade bowed before racing down the hall he came from.

  "Ah! Kade, wait for me! Um, sorry Mom for making Rosalina cry. Sorry for interrupting. Have a good afternoon." Xavier bowed, running after his younger brother.

  I blinked, glancing up at Arthur who chuckled.

  "Sorry. My boys are very protective of Rosalina. She doesn't take an interest in many people. I guess the boys noticed," Arthur suggested.

  "Here, I can take her." Catherine knelt down to take Rosalina but her hands tightened around my neck.

  "Mine."

  We all stared at her.

  "Is she still asleep?" Father asked.

  "It appears so," Mother replied.

  "She talks in her sleep too." Catherine sighed.

  I smiled, looking at Catherine. "I can hold her. I don't mind." Something inside me was excited to get to hold and carry the princess, as if I'd found some type of purpose.

  Catherine looked up at Mother and Father who both shrugged.

  "He's very protective of Anya, so I trust he should be okay with Rosalina," Mother reassured them.

  My father nodded. "Ryder. We're leaving you with the responsibility to care for Rosalina and carry her till we reach her room. Can you do that?" Father asked.

  I nodded a few times. "Of course!" I declared.

  "Alright. Why don't we go put Rosalina to bed and we’ll continue our discussion later?" Arthur announced.

  The other adults nodded in approval.

  I glanced back down at Rosalina and smiled.

  The sleepwalking Princess of Heila.

  "Ryder."

  "Rydey."

  "Hmm. I feel like you're doing this on purpose."

  "No. Hehehe."

  I sighed, a smile formed on my lips as I stared at Rosalina who was laid flat on the floor, her hand moving swiftly across the once blank page which now was plastered with crayon.

  Mother and Father needed to conduct a serious discussion with Catherine and Arthur and having entrusted me to watch over Rosalina. I was now in her room, watching her as she drew.

  "What are you drawing?"

  "A unicorney."

  "You add 'ey' to everything?" I wondered.

  "No," she replied, stopping for a moment to grab the pink crayon and continued to draw what appeared to be roses.

  "It's a habit. She does it to everyone," a voice announced.

  I glanced over at the doorway to see the boy named Kade enter the room, closing the door.

  "KADEY!" Rosalina beamed, dropping the crayon before running over to hug him.

  He returned her hug, lifting her up. "Hello, Princess. How do you do?" he greeted.

  "I'm fine, Sir Kadey! Look! This is Rydey. He's my knight." Rosalina wiggled in his embrace, prompting Kade to lower her back to the ground before she pointed to me with a wide smile.

  "Oh is he? Do you like him?" Kade asked.

  "Yes! He's my knight! You can't tell?" she asked, looking confused.

  Kade and I exchanged looks, not understanding what she meant.

  "What do you mean, Rosalina? He's your pretend knight?" Kade asked, kneeling down to face her.

  "No."

  "No as in?"

  "He's not pretending. He's real," she pouted, looking sad.

  I didn't get why my heart sunk the moment she appeared sad. I rose to my feet and walked over to her. "Kade knows I'm not pretending. He just wanted to make sure I was your knight. He needs to know who assigned me," I explained, trying to think of a way to get more information from her without her thinking she was wrong.

  Rosalina eyed both of us before she walked back over to her bed, climbing onto it and pulling her blanket over her head.

  "I'm sleepy," she announced.

  Kade frowned, walking over to her bed. "Rosalina," he said sternly. She moved beneath the blanket, poking her head from beneath it.

  "Am I in trouble?" she whispered, blinking her eyes.

  "No. But I need to know why Ryder is your knight." He knelt down so he was at her level from where she laid under the sheets.

  She looked puzzled, as if thinking. I watched her eyes bleed to a royal purple, the temperature dropping. She has a demon spirit?

  I felt my spirit nudge into my mind— Stryker, my demon spirit. Her purple eyes locked onto mine as she eyed me cautiously.

  "Rosalina doesn't want to get in trouble," she announced.

  "Rose. You, Rosalina, and Hope aren't going to be in trouble," Kade confirmed.

  "Hmm..." She rested her head on the sheet, closing her eyes. When she opened them, bright gold eyes locked onto mine.

  "You promise?"

  "Yes, Hope. I promise," Kade reassured her.

  "Nightmare told us," Hope revealed.

  I titled my head in confusion. "Nightmare? The Starlight god?" I asked.

  Hope and Kade both glanced my way as if forgetting my presence.

  "You haven't seen her familiar, have you?" Kade asked.

  "No," I replied.

  "MEW!"

  We glanced at the window, a ball of white fur sitting on the ledge. Hope's eyes turned back to turquoise— Rosalina taking control as she threw the covers away, standing on the bed to reach the window.

  "Nightmare!" she called out.

  Kade stood up, placing his hands on Rosalina's waist and lifting her off the bed.

  "Hey," she pouted, as she kicked her feet.

  "You can't be near the window. Dad gets upset and it freaks Mom out. I'll let her in, one second." Kade placed her next to me, making his way to open the window for the small fur ball.

  Rosalina glanced at my hand, slipping hers into mine. "Mine," she said proudly, glancing up at me with her wide blue eyes.

  I didn't understand what the gods had to do with anything, but I didn't mind the fact she'd apparently placed a claim on me. "I guess I am," I replied, squeezing her hand.

  Her smile widened, showing her white teeth as she giggled.

  "Kade? What's taking you so long?"

  We glanced at the doorway behind us to see Xavier walk in, his eyes landing on me before his sister. He noticed our locked hands, frowning.

  "What's Carter Jr. doing here?" he asked.

  "It's Ryder," I stated, a hint of irritation leaked off my voice.

  "It's Rydey and Hi, Xaivey," she confirmed before greeting her brother, letting go of my hand to go hug him.

  He sighed, but smiled at his sister, hugging her before lifting her up into his arms. "What are you up to?" he asked.

  She turned her head to Kade who opened the window, the ball of fur jumping onto the bed. It made its way to the edge of the bed, sitting patiently till Kade stood and picked it up, lowering it to the ground.

  "Kadey letting Nighty in, but he wouldn't let me do it because Mommy gets scared and Daddy gets upset. I want down now," she explained before wiggling in his embrace.

  Xavier smirked, shaking his head, but lowered his sister down to the floor. She walked over to the little pet; her white fur looked soft and fluffy. I noticed the appearance of one tail, followed by two others— the ends having grey fur instead of pure white like the rest of its body.

  The moment Rosalina picked it up, the grey markings began to glow a light pink as it purred, rubbing its head against her cheek as it hugged her.

  Rosalina looked over at me, turning her body to present me the familiar in her ar
ms. "Rydey, this is Nighty. She's a Foxshier. Nighty say hello."

  "Mew," she responded; her bright turquoise eyes matched Rosalina's, making me take another look at the both of them.

  "A Foxshier?" I asked.

  "She's a hybrid mix of cat and fox. Rosalina just added "shier" to it because she's always wanted a Yorkshire as a pet cause they're cute," Xavier explained, leaning against the door.

  "Ah," I responded, glancing back at Kade who made his way to us.

  "Rosalina. Nightmare said Ryder is your knight?" Kade reminded, steering the conversation back on topic.

  She glanced at Xavier who looked confused.

  "What do you mean Carter Jr. is her knight? You mean knight as in from the prophecy knight?" Xavier asked, looking pissed.

  "That's what I'm trying to find out." Kade rolled his eyes.

  "And it's RY-DER," I stressed, glaring at him.

  Xavier huffed, crossing his arms. "Whatever," he mumbled.

  We turned our attention back to Rosalina who was not standing where she had been.

  "What the..." We all glanced around the room, trying to figure out where she vanished off to.

  My eyes glanced at the window that was still open, the breeze moving the curtains lightly. She did not...OH NO.

  I didn't think before I was already at the window, poking my head over to see Rosalina making her way into what looked like a garden, her giggles could be heard from here.

  "SHIT!" I cursed, jumping out the window.

  "How was she able to get down there! We're on the fourth floor!" Stryker roared in my head.

  I heard Kade calling his mom, but I paid no mind, landing on the patio of the third floor before hopping over the ledge and landing in a bush.

  I huffed, quickly getting out of the leafy mess. Thankful, it wasn't a thorn bush.

  I raced into the garden, following the trail of Rosalina's pink sparkling dress. I turned into the maze garden, noticing the end of Rosalina's ribbon disappear at the corner.

  "You gotta be kidding! ROSALINA!" I called out, rushing forward before turning left. I thought I'd see her little frame, but she was gone.

  "Let me take over," Stryker announced.

  I nodded my head, taking a deep breath as I let go of my mind— Stryker taking control as I lingered in the background.

  We had just learned how to switch roles without either of us falling unconscious, but this would be our second time trying it.