Palace of Princes II

Chapter One - Savannah's Perspective

Gabe steadily reached for Savannah’s hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing her palm. Butterflies erupted within her stomach, blood rushing into her face and a blush igniting her cheeks. She smiled, allowing Gabe to climb into bed with her for the night.

Gabe remained silent as he settled himself next to her and continued to shower her with affection. Savannah wasn’t quite used to his touch, the feel of his fingers as they traced up and down her arms, the feel of his thin lips pressing delicate kisses on her neck and jaw. But she wasn’t opposed to it, not at all.

Savannah turned to face Gabe, winding her arms around his sturdy shoulders and burying her face into the nape of his neck. The warmth of his body permeated into her skin, making her feel safer than she had in weeks.

His body was lean but strong, and it took all Savannah’s will power to hold back her tears as he held her like this. All the minutes, all the days, and all the weeks of worrying were now over. Gabe was back from the palace and safe in her arms. Forever.

Oh Gabe I’ve missed you.

Gabe shifted his body away from her, tipping her chin up so she could meet his gaze. His face looked happy enough, yet his deep brown eyes were drowning with untold sadness, making her heart ache in parts she never knew existed.

“What is it?” she whispered, as if the sound of her voice might drive him away.

Gabe’s lips turned up into a half-hearted smile as he shook his head. He traced his first two fingers across Savannah’s cheeks, over her eyes and finally down her lips. Placing a light kiss on the tip of her nose, he pushed himself away from her, climbing off the bed entirely.

Where is he going!?

She was panicking she knew, but she couldn’t help it. She didn’t want to be away from him. Not even for a second.

Savannah grabbed hold of Gabe’s hand, a silent protest to prevent him from leaving. But when her fingers should have met his, instead they went straight through them.

Savannah flapped her hand wildly, uselessly, as she tried to grab a hold of Gabe’s hand. His arm. Anything. She tried to get up, to convince him to come back to her. But the more she tried to move, the more her body stiffened. She was paralyzing herself by the minute.

Savannah called out for him, begging him to come back and lay with her. Her cries were muted, her voice nothing more than a meek whimper of despair. She looked at Gabe, unable to move.

He reached a hand out to her as his skin began to pale. His lips turned to a light shade of blue, goose bumps breaking out over every inch of his skin.

And then finally, piece by piece, he disappeared.

…………………………………….

Hot tears sprang from Savannah’s eyes as her arms and legs regained feeling, reality once again taking control of the forefront of her mind. She waited for the dull throb in her heart to subside, but it didn’t. It never did.