“I… We’re in a hospital.”
“Where? The church said you disappeared, they don’t know where you are. Why haven’t you called in?”
“They didn’t let us.”
“They who? Where are you?”
“Kosztyla.”
Silence on the other end of the phone, and then a whimper.
“My God in heaven, what are you doing there?”
“It’s a long story—”
“Did you get my daughter in some kind of trouble?”
“No. It’s a long story, I told you. We’re okay, we haven’t…”
I was going to say we haven’t been here, but that’s not quite true.
“I’ll tell you soon. Melissa is here and she wants to talk to you. She’s been through a lot but she’s not physically hurt, she’s just really shaken up. She really wants to talk to you and—”
“Put her on. Please.”
I look at the prince. He gives me one sharp nod and steps back from the door, motioning his men away as well, so Melissa can’t see them.
I walk in with the phone.
Melissa looks up, and her eyes snap to the phone.
“I talked to the prince, Melissa. We can’t leave yet, but your mom is on—”
She snatches it from me.
“Mommy,” she wails, “is that you? Is it you?”
I hear a similar cry on the other end, and for a moment all either of them do is weep, sobbing loudly.
“It’s me, I’m okay, they didn’t hurt me, there were bad men and they were going to but Penny saved me and she’s going to help me come home.”
I flinch, taken aback.
“She’s an angel, God sent her to help me. I miss you so much, I just wanted to hear your voice. No, no they haven’t hurt me, I’m in a hospital. No they won’t let me leave. I don’t want to leave, it’s too scary outside, I’m in a room. No I don’t know what number.”
“Melissa,” I touch her arm gently, “I need the phone back when you’re ready.”
“Why? I want to keep talking to them. Mom? What?” She sighs. “She says to do as they say.”
“She’s right. You’ll talk to her again soon, I promise.”
“I will? You’ll make him let me talk to her?”
“I will, no matter what. Very soon, okay? I just need the phone for a minute and I’ll be right back.”
Melissa nods. I take the phone from her outstretched hand and carry it back outside, as if it might break if I drop it.
“Stay on the line, please. The prince wants to speak to you.”
“What? Who? Wait, you mean… Holy mother of God.”
I shove the phone at him but stay close. I can hear her, hysterical on the other end.
“Please don’t hurt my daughter, I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll pay if you want us to. We have savings…”
“I am not a kidnapper,” the prince snaps, indignant. “I demand no ransom.”
“Then what do you want? Please let my daughter go. I just want her back. Please, please please.”
He stands there in silence, clutching the phone in a shaking hand.
“I cannot let her return home. It would not be safe for her.”
“Oh God, please. Whatever she’s done I’m sure it was a mistake. I’ll do anything you want, please. I’ll take her place. Let me come there and send her back. Just don’t hurt her, I’m begging you. She’s a good child, she wouldn’t do anything wrong. She didn’t mean it, whatever it was…”
“She hasn’t committed a crime. She’s being held for her own protection.”
“I need to see my little girl. Please.”
As she descends into hysterics, the prince’s eyes go distant and his hand starts to drop, the phone pulling away from his ear.
“Woman.”
Melissa’s mom is sobbing.
“Woman,” he barks.
She goes silent. I can hear her trembling over the phone, almost.
“You are married.”
“Y-yes, we are.”
“Children? Other than the girl?”
“I have a younger son.”
“I will send plane tickets… No, I will send a full diplomatic escort. You are welcome to join her here, as guests.”
“What? You want us to come there?”
He looks at the phone. Melissa’s mom is talking to her father.
“Can we leave now? Please?”
“As soon as my people arrive. I will hand you off to one of my adjutants who will arrange the details. Then you may speak to your daughter again. When you are on the plane, I will arrange a video conferencing call.”
“Oh God, thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“It… It is my pleasure…” he says mechanically.
He hands the phone off, as he says, to one of his men, who speaks in curt, accented English.
“Everyone out,” he says in a flat, quiet tone.
It’s like someone set off an alarm. Everyone on the entire floor just vanishes, even the guards at Melissa’s door.
Everyone but me. I stand to my full height, such as it is.
“It is a shame you refuse to be a princess. You would be a magnificent one.”
I cock my head to the side.
“Maybe you’re not completely evil. Now, can I call my parents?”
“I will consider it.”
“But—”
“Enough.”
I close my mouth sharply and tilt my head down.