Secret Invasion

Emma crouches next to her younger brother and watches him through narrowed eyes. He's wearing a white shirt and slim trousers. Around his neck was a water gem pendant, his hands were outstretched, and his eyes were closed.

For the past hour, Emma had been training Kai on wielding water magic. He was successful in all the other exercises except this one.

All he had to do was turn the water in the pitcher into ice. Sweat beaded his forehead and he groaned, throwing his hands in the air.

"Oh, what's the use, Em? I'll never be able to do it." Kai's bottom lip was trembling.

Emma got to her feet, brushing the wrinkles out of her dress. "Don't give up so quick. Maybe we're looking at it the wrong way."

"Or maybe I'm dumb."

"Kai, for the last time, you are not dumb. You're brilliant and handsome." Emma pinched his cheek. "Say that again and I'll let grandma kiss you all over your face when she comes over."

Kai made a face.

The door to the training room opened and a palace maid stepped inside. "Apologies for the disturbance, princess. But it is your father, the nurses fear his condition is worsening with no sign of recovery."

Emma swallowed. "Have you tried everything?"

"Yes, princess. We've called upon all the healers and no one can tell what is the problem." the maid ducked her head. "They believe he may pass tonight or early morning."

No. No. He can't leave her.

Emma raced from the room, eyes stinging with the threat of tears. She reached her father's room and burst inside choking on a sob. Her father, King Saul was dying.

He turned toward her. "Emma? Is that you?"

Emma hurried over to his side. She sat beside the bed and took his cold hand in her warm one.

"Daddy." Kai squeaked.

"How's my little champ?" their father rasped. "Come give pops some love."

Kai walked to the other side of the bed and threw his arms around his neck. "The maid told us that you're not getting better. Tell us they're wrong, Pa. You can't leave."

"I'm not ready," Emma whispered. "I can't...I'm not-" Emma broke off and started sobbing.

Her father placed his hand on her cheek. "Yes, you are, Em. You're strong, beautiful, and capable of wondrous things. And yes Kai, what the maid said is true."

He started coughing and Emma reached for a tissue. Their father put it to his mouth and pulled it back.

Emma and Kai gasped. It was soaked with blood.

How could he have gotten this bad? Was the medicine not working? What haven't they tried?

Emma grabbed her blonde curls, seconds from pulling them out by the roots.

Her father sighed. "I'm going to rest my eyes. Stay with me, alright?"

"Of course," Emma said. "We'll be right here."

....

Emma was startled awake by screams.

She pushed herself out of her chair and saw a maid struggling to hold Kai away from the bed. Emma glanced at her father, his eyes were closed and there was a small smile on his lips. It looked as though he were sleeping.

"What's going on?"

"King Saul has died."

Emma stumbled and blindly reached for a wall to steady herself. The room started tilting and she pressed her back against the wall, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Daddy!" Kai screamed. "Daddy wake up! Daddy!"

First her mother, now her father. They just buried her a few weeks ago. Her death had carved out a piece of her heart. Now it was completely shattered.

Defeated, Kai sobbed on the maid's apron. She rubbed his back in a circular motion.

Emma bit her lip.

She wasn't ready for marriage. She can't run a kingdom. Emma wasn't ready for any of this.

She didn't expect this. She didn't want this.

Kai tore away from the maid and ran toward Emma. He sobbed against her chest, arms wrapped around her waist.

"H-He can't be gone. Being me him back, Em!"

Emma sniffled, tightening her grip on him. She kissed his forehead. "I wish I could, Kai. I wish I could."