Read Online Rise of the Lost Prince by London Saint James - Free Book Online

man would not remember from whence they came.”
Bell placed her small hand overtop his. “It was said, after the portal was
sealed, six boys who were known to frequent this world were gone. Since they
were never found, everyone assumed they were stuck here. And due to the queen’s
magical decree, they would never know home. They would become the lost boys.”
    Petúr rubbed his chin. This made
a lot of sense as to why none of them knew of home. Knew what they really were.
    “Bell. If you were there when the
portal was sealed, how did you cross over?”
    A single tear overflowed,
streaked down Bell’s cheek, turning into glittering dust. “As time passed, your
mother weakened, and finally took to her bed. I stayed with her, hoping to
bring her some joy. I tried everything.” She sighed. “Leaving you here, and she
unable to return to you, was the cause of her continuing weakness.” Glancing
down she said, “I’m afraid there’s no cure for a broken heart.”
    “She died?” he asked, feeling a
wrenching pain stab at his chest, only he somehow knew the answer Bell would
give.
    She nodded. “Her last breaths
were for you. ‘Petúr the Just, my heir and beloved son. I bind my love to you,
and will this love with all that still dwells within me to find you. You, who
shall find a darling woman of heart, will rise up within the world of man
knowing who you are, and claim your birthright. In doing this, you shall sit
upon the throne, alongside your chosen queen, to rule justly, fairly, guiding
and protecting our people. You shall, my son, claim what has always been
rightfully yours.’ With that wish,” Bell said, “Illia held onto the symbol of
her royalty, sending her words out into the ether.” Petúr touched his chest and
remembered the searing pain which struck the instant the symbol appeared upon
him. He was ten human years old. “Her love for you was so powerful it cracked the
seal.”
    His eyebrows rose. “Is that how
you came through?”
    “Yes. I transformed into a
butterfly and flew through.”
    “Then you can take me there, go
back through? Maybe we can break the seal from both sides.”
    Shaking her head, Bell said, “I
can’t. As soon as I crossed over, the portal completely vanished as if it never
existed.”
    “Wait.” His head was reeling.
What had she said about his mother’s wish and a woman? “Tell me what my mother
said again about finding a woman.”
    “You shall find a darling woman
of…”   Bell and Petúr stared at each
other, eyes wide. “Heart.”
    He recalled Grappling Hook
yelling something about he’d never claim the human woman. Grapple knows.
    “We’ll find the portal.”
    Petúr jerked around to see Wyndi
sitting on the edge of her seat, hair mussed, bee stung lips red and pursed,
with tears streaming down her face. The sight of her, his Darlingheart, along with the sound of her sweet voice, set his
heart to pound in his chest double time.

 
    Chapter Seven
     
    Wyndi lost her breath when Petúr
grabbed her up from the chair, clutching her to his chest as if he’d never let
her go. Although, before she could make the point she needed air, he bounced
her into the cradle of his strong arms, and carried her out of Bell’s room.
    “Vibe,” he said, passing him in
haste. “Make sure Bell gets something to eat for breakfast, and have Byte check
on the progress of the nano when he goes to change her bandages.”
    “Uh. Okay,” said Vibe.
    “Where are we going?” Wyndi
asked.
    “My room.” Five rapid heartbeats
later, they were inside his bedroom with Petúr kicking the door closed behind
them. “I need to know something,” he said in his honey tones.
    Wyndi glanced up at him from
under her lashes, and shivered. He was staring at her with eyes glinting gold.
The braid he wore in his hair dangled down the right side of his cheek,
tickling her.
    “What do you want to know?”
    “This.”
    Petúr bent his head, slanted his
mouth over hers, tongue tasting the