Chapter Twelve

Madeline woke up, lying on a bed. It was softer than her own, with lavender blankets of down, and much bigger. She briefly wondered where she was. Sitting up, she noticed some of Corona’s signature lanterns hanging from the ceiling. It was a mammoth room, with a tall, arching ceiling, with hand-painted pictures. Madeline couldn't make out any specific people or places, although she saw many golden streaks and suns.

She slowly sat up, walking over to the curtained, giant windows. Pulling apart the drapes, she gasped as she realized that she was hundreds of feet above the ground- in the palace!

“Are you okay?” a kind woman’s voice asked. Madeline shrieked and pulled the drapes shut, whipping her head around.

She had brown hair and eyes, and a smile that made the room ten degrees warmer, but what she noticed most was her signature deep purple gown and moon-white pearls.

She sucked in a breath and curtsied. “Queen Arianna? Did you bring me to the palace?”

She laughed. “No, dear. Varian rushed here for my daughters’ help. *They* brought you here.”

“Varian… he *told* you about me?”

The queen nodded. “He told all he knew. Apparently, his father has told you both little about your origin and birth family, but he explained your adoption and Moonstone powers.” Madeline stared, shocked that he had told, but the queen said, “He was desperate. You were half-dead, and don’t worry, we haven’t told anyone else about your abilities.”

She walked across the room, kindly placing a delicate hand on Madeline’s shoulder. “You’re all right. Would you join my family and I for dinner?’

“I’m not hungry-” Madeline immediately realized who she was talking to. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I’ll come.”

She smiled and hugged the shocked girl. “It’s not an order. It’s a request.”

Madeline took a deep breath as the queen released her. “Thank you, Your Majesty, but I’d prefer to get home and make sure my friends are all right. That Varian is all right.”

“Please call me Arianna! And your friends are here. They’re waiting for us. Do you want to come?”

“Thank you, Your- Arianna,” she replied. “I’ll come.”

Rapunzel embraced her immediately after she stepped foot into the royal dining room. “I’m so glad you’re okay!” She pulled the shocked sixteen-year-old into a chair. “We made lots of food. How do you feel about ham sandwiches?”

The food made her think of Varian, and it was as her thoughts- or maybe just the mentioning of his favorite food- had summoned him, as he burst into the room, grabbing her hands and pulling her out of the chair, kissing her hard.

“I was so worried about you,” he mumbled as she pulled away.

Kyler, Brylee, and Annika surrounded her, hugging her tightly. “Madeline!” Annika shrieked, which for no reason caused the group of friends to start laughing.

Leandra sat on the side, almost looking glum- though when anybody turned to her, she replaced it with a perfect princess posture and smile.

“Madeline!” she said when her friends were done embracing her. “I am so glad you are fine.”

Madeline tried to suppress a hateful glare. She still hadn’t forgiven her for her possible relationship to Varian.

Just then, the chefs brought out silver platters of finger sandwiches, and everyone was silent for five minutes as they ate. Finally, Varian spoke.

“Dad wanted to come, but he had to stay home.”

Madeline smiled. “It’s okay. He knows you told other people about me?”

“Maddie, he was worried about you. *Really* worried. *He* was the one who told me to get Rapunzel.”

She swallowed, a lump in her throat. “Oh.” Quirin was the closest thing she had to a father, but he had always been distant from her. She had been close to Angel, but that was before she died. When Madeline was four, she was mostly on her own, at least emotionally. But seeing that he cared this much about her… she didn’t really know what to think.

After they finished eating, the royal family offered to take them home in a carriage. “You’ve already done so much for me… how can I ever repay you?” Varian asked Rapunzel.

The princess leaned down and whispered into his ear, “I don’t know Madeline very well yet, but she I can tell she really loves you. Give as much love as you take, and you’ll be fine.”

“That was advice-”

Rapunzel smiled. “If you follow it, you’ll have repaid me, okay? Because everyone deserves the chance to be loved. Especially an isolated girl with powers she doesn't understand and can’t control.”

\*\*\*

They boarded the carriage, and everything was fine until they heard a thump on the side. Madeline and Varian were thrown awkwardly against Rapunzel, who in turn was squished into the side of the vehicle.

“What was that?” Madeline asked.

“I-I don’t know,” the queen said, flustered.

The thump happened again, this time threatening to overturn the entire carriage. Madeline caught a glimpse of grey fur and screamed, as several wolves jumped onto the carriage.