Chapter 18
Ruins
Not even a week later, Rhys and I are boarding the royal jet for North America.
Apparently, part of being the new King and Queen of an important nation means travelling to other important countries to “make friends” as Craig put it.
He did not find it funny when I asked who needed friends when all my enemies keep trying to kill me.
Rhys was also not impressed.
Personally, I think keeping a sense of humor while my life constantly teeters on the verge of imploding is important.
It makes me remember my dad, someone I haven’t thought too deeply about in a long time.
Not because I don’t miss my parents every day, but because it’s been so long since they left me.
Dad always had a sense of humor. He told terrible jokes and loved a good—or bad—pun.
Our first stop is Mexico.
“Don’t look so mad,” my husband says from the seat across from mine.
“I’m not mad.”
“Liar.”
“I’m not,” I repeat. “I just want things to die down. We don’t know where Maeve is or if she’s all right.”
“She was gaslighting you into believing Suzanne was alive and working to turn everyone against you,” he says with a straight, unimpressed look on his face.
“But why? That’s what I don’t get,” I ask. “After all this time?”
“I don’t know.”
“Your Majesties,” the pilot says over the loudspeaker. “It’s an honor to fly you. We’ll be landing shortly. Cabin, prepare for landing.”
I buckle my seatbelt and yank it tighter than normal out of sheer frustration. “But that’s what I mean. We don’t know anything and now here we are, halfway around the world with no answers in sight. This is pointless.”
“It’s no’ pointless, hen,” he says with a measured tone. “We are here to remind our friends that we are still strong and our enemies that we’re stronger than ever.”
“I don’t feel very strong right now,” I admit.
“That’s silly,” he says. “Because you’re one of the strongest women I know.”
“That’s sweet but don’t placate me.”
“I’m no’,” he says. “It’s true.”
The wheels touch down and we taxi around to where stairs leading down to a deep red carpet await us.
The press and a solid who’s who of dignitaries are gathered for our official welcome.
It’s not often that dignitaries from Isle of Saints make the rounds but since we didn’t immediately after our wedding, I’m told now is the time to strengthen our relations.
When the hatch is opened, we step down together, Rhys just one step ahead of me, and we smile and wave. The wind whips my skirt around my legs and I begin to panic. The last thing I need to do is flash the whole world while disembarking from an airplane.
We make it to the tarmac and shake everyone’s hands and smile for pictures. Then, finally, we’re taken to the capitol where we will meet more of the government and sit in meetings all day.
· · ·
The meetings are awful, mostly powerful men posturing in front of other powerful men. Honestly, it’s a miracle they ever get anything done. I’m so tired here, the jet lag is brutal. Afterward, we’re taken to our hotel where I fall into bed and immediately pass out.
Fortunately, today we’re being taken to see some of the ruins in the jungles. I’ve always heard about the pyramids and I’m excited to see them. We get up early and have a quiet breakfast together before dressing in hiking pants and boots with t-shirts and a lot of sunscreen and bug spray.
Before I found out the truth of my parentage and my future, I thought hiking was sweaty and messy.
Now, I’m in a full face of makeup with my hair up in a perfectly styled ponytail.
We’re driven out to the ancient location and a guide talks about the history of the pyramids and the Aztec people.
I love learning about all of their advancements in science and math long before anyone else. It’s fascinating.
When we get there the giant stone pyramid rises from the ground with a column of stairs on each side going all the way up. For a moment, I stand in awe that no machines or electronics were used to made this. People carried each stone and placed them where they’ve sat for countless years.
“Well shall we go in?” our guide asks.
With a broad smile on my face I nod and say, “Absolutely.”
· · ·
If it was possible, I would have stayed at the pyramid all day, studying every nuance and detail. There’s so much to see and discover, I’d never find it all.
Being here makes me feel oddly close to my parents.
I knew them as archeologists and I believe that to be true, even if they were also a crowned prince and his wife.
I could see myself falling as deeply in love with histories and cultures as they had.
If they had lived would I have learned from them first hand?
I like to think so. I hope they would have been proud of me and the choices I’ve made thus far.
Instead, I’m forced to attend another formal event.
My evening gown scratches against my sunburn. I’ve covered it as best as I can, but the day in the hot sun eventually got me. I’ve covered the bulk of my redness with heavy makeup and a dark green dress. My emerald tiara and earrings are in place, and I feel about as ready as I’ll ever be.
I both love and hate state dinners. On one hand, I feel out of place, dressed up like a prized pig at auction.
But then on the other hand, I’m not considered super important, so I usually get placed with someone of a lower station who is so terrified they’re going to make a mistake that they end up telling me every little thing in their minds and it’s hysterical.
We sit at a long table all through dinner.
I steal glances at my husband who’s as far away from me as he can get, sitting with the President.
My dinner companion makes some slip about hating my uncle and I can’t help but laugh at the horrified look on their face when they remember my relation to the man.
The rest of the night progresses smoothly and tomorrow we leave for Canada.
I just have to hope that we get through the whole adventure and that this trip doesn’t leave me like the pyramids I saw today. In ruins.