"CALDER! CALDER!" I SCREAMED as I jolted up from the bed. Two sets of arms grasped onto mine and tried to hold me back down and hush me.

My eyes darted around the room which appeared to be the palace's infirmary. Beds were lined with my injured staff and some holding sheet-covered bodies.

What's happening? How did I get here?

On one side the healer grasped me as Eeira assisted on the other. I tried to jerk free of them, my mind feeling dazed and Calder's powers tingling at my fingertips.

"Where's Calder? Where's Calder? Where is he?" I asked them frantically.

"It's alright Eerika, calm down," Eeira said.

"Sylvi took him! She took him! Did you get him back? Tell me you got him back!"

There was a pause and exchanged glance between Eeira and the healer before he spoke.

"I'm going to give her a sedative."

"What? No! No! I don't want to sleep, I have to find Calder!"

I watched the healer bring a long needled syringe over to the bed, making my heart speed up. "No! Please! No!"

A large sting hit my arm as it went in, and the two laid me back down.

"I don't. . .I don't wanna'. . .I. . ." my voice mumbled, trying to get the words out that my mind screamed for me to say.

"Just let go, Eerika," Eeira spoke softly, stroking my hair.

I didn't know wether she meant the drug or Calder as I fell into darkness.

For who knew how long after that first sedative I was in and out of consciousness. When I was out, I would dream about Calder. Most of the time we were laying down in a snowy meadow, kissing in each other's arms.

I was wearing a flowing plum colored dress of tulle, and he was in his white buttoned shirt, midnight blue cloak, and black pants. His fingers would tangle in my hair and his lips kissed my bare shoulders. His voice would whisper in my ear that he loved me though he had never said it in real life.

Other times when I dreamed it was of Calder being there with me. He was at my bedside and holding my hand, telling me to be strong. It was as if I could feel him, a ghost next to me. That was all he seemed to be now. A ghost in my memories because part of me knew he wasn't there. Eeira would have given me the answer I wanted if he had been.

At one point of consciousness I heard a whispered conversation between Eeira and the healer by the infirmary door.

"She's been asking for him in her sleep," he told Eeira. I knew he was talking about Calder.

"She can ask for him all she wishes. I will not allow that man anywhere near this palace again. He made his own grave to lie in," she said.

"All of the sedation her body is receiving isn't good," informed the healer. "You cannot keep her like this."

"Her strength has not recovered," Eeira spat at him. "No matter that she has Calder's powers entwining with hers, she has suffered a trauma. And I will keep her asleep until she is ready to face what she must."

"Only she can decide if she is ready," he said.

I slowly moved my hand up my side to feel of my stomach where Sylvi stabbed me, no wound present but a sense of a scar. My eyes fluttered closed and I tapped out once more.

I didn't know how many more days or weeks had passed when I was finally brought out of my vegetable state. I slowly moved my head to my right as I noticed the maid I'd saved when Sylvi's knights attacked. She smiled softly at me and bowed with her head from where she sat.

"It's so good to see you are awake, Princess. My name is Bryndis. I have been assigned your new chamber maid, since poor Astrid's death. I hope I can be of great assistance to you."

I swallowed my dry throat and tried to speak after so long. "How. . .long have I been out?"

Bryndis bit her lip in hesitancy to answer. "Three weeks, Your Highness. You. . .missed your birthday just a few days ago. So, Happy Birthday anyway."

The thought that I was finally eighteen and old enough to be queen now didn't even cross my mind. Calder had been in Sylvi's clutches for three weeks already, and who knew what she was doing to him. Or did to him. . .

"Has anyone heard anything on Calder? Is he back?"

Bryndis's face grew sad. "No, Miss. . .No word has come. Now that it is known he is the frozen queen's son, he has been ostracized. He is considered a criminal now. A deceiver to the crown."

Feeling a wave of emotions cross me that included sadness, anger and confusion all together, I tried to sit up. I noticed a needle of fluids in my arm that I didn't realize was there between my breaks of darkness, probably because I hadn't been able to hydrate myself. I ripped it out with a hiss of pain, and Bryndis objected.

"Oh, Your Highness I do not think you should do that."

"Well I'm certainly not rolling it around the castle with me," I said. "I'm getting out of this damn bed. I have to talk to Eeira."

"I can fetch her for you, Miss, there's no need to make haste. You should rest and get your bearings back before you jump into how things used to be."

I stopped mid movement at hearing her last words. I didn't know how she could even think things could go back to how they were. Calder was gone, and half the palace was dead. Nothing was ever going to be the same again. My only chance that it could be just the slightest was to get Calder back.

"I think three weeks of practically being in a coma has given me plenty of rejuvenation. Can you bring me something to wear, please? I can't go out in this gown."

Bryndis writhed her hands together nervously. "I-I just don't think Eeira or the Clan would approve of this. You must have liquids and a warm meal, with a hot bath afterwards, Your Majesty. Your face is sunken in from your deprivations. Please, let me help you."

I shoved the covers off of me and attempted to stand from the bed. My legs were one-hundred percent jello from being on my back for so long. Bryndis gasped as I faltered and had to sit back down.

"Your Majesty! Should I get the healer?"

"No!" I protested in frustration. "If you want to help me. . .bring me some clothes and get me out of this room. Please."

I watched a battle rage behind Bryndis' eyes of what she should do before finally curtsying in agreement. She hurried out of the room probably to my chamber to fetch what I needed. I placed my hand on my stomach where the wound used to be, and grasped onto the headboard as I stood once more to wake up my legs. Not even the wound from my thigh was there anymore, Calder's powers healing every injured part of me.

Bryndis quickly came back carrying a gray silk dress with long sleeves and train, along with heeled shoes.

I mentally sighed. "So we're back to dresses then. Lovely. But I guess it'll have to do. Normally I like to dress myself but can you help me please?"

"Of course Miss, that is my duty," Bryndis said. I thanked her as I got prepared to face Eeira and whatever else was outside the infirmary door.

With the blood rushing through my legs again I sent Bryndis off so I could find Eeira. As I walked down the halls I couldn't help but to imagine the blood of my staff painting the floors and walls. As if it had happened just hours ago their screams echoed fresh in my ears. I squeezed my eyes together and shook my head to make them go away, bumping into someone when turning the corner.

"Oof!" said a male voice upon the impact, placing a hand on my arm.

I froze like a statue with my eyes still closed, wishing it was Calder in front of me instead of someone else. Before we were together we always seemed to bump into each other. It was like fate knew of our feelings before we did.

"Princess? Are you alright?" the man asked, sounding puzzled probably because I still had my eyes closed like an idiot.

I opened them to look up at the stranger. Of course it wasn't Calder. Though I already knew so, my heart still fell.

He was tall like Calder and had a sharp jawline, but he looked much different from him otherwise. He was wearing armor though, which meant he was one of Calder's guards.

His black hair was scruffy with long bangs over his forehead. He had stubble on his pale face, his pink lips curled into a smile. Frankly I wanted to slap the expression off of him. How could he be cheerful while half his fellow knights were dead and his captain was kidnapped?

"I'm fine," I muttered, proceeding to step past him before he blocked me.

"We are all very glad that you've recovered," he said. "It was quite a scare at first. Everyone thought you were dead when you were found."

"Well as you can see I'm not, so can you let me pass please? I have to speak to Eeira."

"Oh, I just spoke to her downstairs. I can take you to her if you wish."

"I can manage, thank you," I dismissed, finally stepping around him.

As I briskly walked down the next hallway the man quickly followed behind me. I mentally groaned.

"Actually, I'm kind of required, Princess. I was told to stay by your side at all times after everything that happened with Sylvi's attack. We should get to know each other very well. My name is Thorne by the way, in case you were going to ask."

His cocky attitude made me want to freeze him like I had Blane. "I wasn't going to. And as princess and I assume queen within the next few weeks, I order that I'm accompanied by no one. Either way it won't be necessary once Calder is back."

A look of hesitancy crossed Thorne's face. "Uh, he's. . .kind of considered a traitor now. I mean the frozen queen is his mother and he didn't tell anyone about it. He used the crown for his own safety from her."

"He isn't a traitor!" I fired back as I stopped and turned to him. "He risked his life for me more than once, and then basically gave that life to Sylvi in exchange for my own. So don't you dare say anything against him. He's more of a man than you'll ever be."

I jerked back around and stormed off, hearing Thorne snicker behind me.

"Feisty."

Coming down the staircase I could feel wandering eyes on me from my staff. I took tiny glances at them as I kept my head down, noticing their bandages and wooden crutches which made me sick to my stomach. It was silent all around, not a single notion of my presence as they froze and stared.

Thorne joined me at the bottom of the stairs, whispering to me. "Eeira is this way. I would try to avoid the rest of this awkward situation."

Throwing Thorne a glare I took his outstretched hand and he guided me down the last two steps to head for the bottom corridor.

"Why is she in the bottom wing?" I asked puzzlingly.

"The Clan gave Eeira Gulbrand's study when he died. She's having to take over his duties now too. You may not think Calder is a traitor, but that guy sure was."

I gave a dry chuckle, "I'll say."

Coming up to what was now Eeira's study, Thorne smirked and gestured at the door.

"Your Majesty."

I rolled my eyes and knocked on the wood.

"You may enter," I heard Eeira's voice say from inside.

I quickly shoved myself in, startling Eeira at her desk. She looked up and smiled, standing to greet me.

"Eerika. I'm so happy to see you're awake."

"Three weeks late, no thanks to you," I retorted.

Thorne cleared his throat from behind me and in annoyance I turned to him. "You can leave now."

I watched him smirk and glance at Eeira as if awaiting for her orders instead of listening to mine.

"Thank you for bringing her here, Captain Halvorsen. You are free to go."

I jerked back around to Eeira at hearing what title she had referred Thorne to, eyes wide and anger flushing me.

"Thank you, Madam," said Thorne, and with a cocky grin at me he sauntered away.

"You did not just call him Captain," I growled at Eeira. "You know that is Calder's position. He's the only one who can lead those men!"

"Calder Hansen is no longer a knight of the crown guard," Eeira informed with a hard look as she sat back down. "Thorne Halvorsen is a highly skilled man who was discovered in the village the day Sylvi attacked. He saved a lot of your people, so we commended him the honor. He's a fine replacement."

"How dare you," I sneered at her. "You had no right to take Calder's position away from him! I'm the one in charge here to make the decisions of this kingdom!"

"I cannot take away a position from someone who is no longer a member of this palace, Eerika. The spot was open and needed. It is of no use to Calder now."

"So that's it then," I concluded. "You've just written him off like he doesn't even exist anymore. Calder has done countless things for the palace, the kingdom, me! He saved my life!"

"And for that I am grateful," Eeira replied with a raise in her voice. "But What is done is done, Eerika. That man is a deceiver to the crown and he deserves what fate has given him."

"He didn't do anything wrong! Yes, his mother is Sylvi and no, he didn't tell anyone but Gulbrand about it when he came here. Would you? If he had, he would have been killed, and then I wouldn't be here standing in this room."

Eeira paused, looking down at the papers on her desk and scribbling on them. "Then death shall be kind to him now."

"No!"

"Eerika!" Eeira protested, slamming her pen down on the desk and nearly spilling the bottle of ink.

"We have to go get him!" I claimed, "He's there in Sylvi's palace being tortured or worse because of me! I can't stand by and let him suffer. It's tearing me apart just thinking about it! Eeira, please!"

"I have no time to bicker and squall with you over this matter as if you are a child. I am trying to make preparations for your coronation to become queen, which will soon be upon us. That is what is important, and that is what you will focus on."

"Nothing is important without Calder here. I won't become anything until you have every man in this castle go get him. I'm the princess, which means I'm above you. You couldn't make me wear a paper bag over my head if I didn't want to, which means you can't make me wear a crown. I won't do it without him. I'll bring him back myself if I have to."

Eeira's eyes were like daggers flying at my face as she twisted the pen in her hand. She then glanced at the door and called outside.

"Gentleman."

Three knights suddenly entered, one of them being Thorne, and I didn't have to ask myself why they were there.

"Please escort the princess to her chamber, and guard the door. We want extra protection for her with the frozen queen still free."

"You can't do this to me," I told her. "You can't lock me up like a princess in her tower and expect me to comply with your ideals. The Clan won't approve of this."

"This was the Clan's idea," Eeira said, "And I support it. Escort her away, gentleman, and thank you."

Two of the knights coming on both sides of me and grasping my arms, I struggled to get away. My heels scraping along the floors I growled at Eeira before I was pulled from the room.

"This isn't over. Not even close."

A/N: Before anyone asks, NO. Thorne is NOT a new love interest for Eerika. Calder is and will be her one and only. So you don't get worried though, I'll go ahead and spoil, that he will become like her best friend. He does have a backstory and that will be explained later, and he's going to be a big help to her and Calder. So stay tuned :) His name is also pronounced like Thorn, the 'e' silent.