| Chapter 18 "Nickolas, wake up," the queen said, gently shaking him. Nick opened his eyes and looked up at her. He had spent several hours with his father, talking. And when the king had fallen to sleep, so did Nick, sitting by the bed, his elbows resting on the side. His mother smiled at him, "Come, I'll take you to your room." He nodded, standing up and stretching. He took one last look as his father before he left the room. He was sleeping peacefully. Nick walked out into the hall and noticed that it was dark. "How long did you let me sleep?" he asked. "A few hours. You looked so peaceful I didn't want to wake you," she replied. He smiled at her as she took his hand in hers, leading him down the darkened hall. There were small lights on each side, but they only illuminated it enough to keep you from running into something. Nick looked down at his and his mothers hands. She held his like she would hold that of a small child. He liked it, it felt warm and comforting. He could sense just how much she cared for him in that gesture alone. And he'd felt it with his father too. The entire time they talked, his father held his hand. Almost as if the two of them believed that if they let go, Nick would disappear. The queen stopped outside a door and glanced up at her son, "I hope you like it." Nick opened the door and stepped in. A broad smile lit up his face as he recognized his belongings. The room was large, with a huge bed, a sitting area, desk, walk in closet and bath. The carpet and the bed both held the family crest. Nick walked over to the desk area and picked up one of the framed pictures. It was his favorite one of him and Brian. He looked at the others. His brother and sisters smiled back at him, as well as Bob and Jane. The rest of the guys too. He walked over to his stereo and looked through his CDs. All of his favorites were there. He then stepped into the closet and almost jumped for joy. One side was filled with his clothes, the other with the more formal attire of a Celestian prince. He walked out of the closet and looked at his mother, "How did you do this?" "Once we found you, we sent another team to retrieve your things," she answered. "There were two ships?" he asked. The queen shook her head, "Three. The third has not returned yet." "Why three?" he asked. She sighed, walking over and sitting down, motioning for him to join her. Nick sat down, waiting for her to answer. "The third is trailing an Earth vessel. We believe they are coming to try and get you back," she said. Nick stared at her in disbelief, "They're coming for me?" "Yes, and we believe that they will try to take you by force if necessary. The third ship is following them, making sure they don't rendevous with someone before they arrive," she said. "How long before they get here?" he asked. "It will be a few weeks. Even though we gave them the technology for space travel, we never shared our more up to date information. Their ship is much slower and doesn't have the amenities that ours do," she said. Nick laughed at that thought. Even though Earth blackmailed them, they still had the upper hand. The queen looked at him seriously, "My son, your friends are with them." Nick's breath caught in his throat, and it took him a moment to find his voice, "The guys? Why?" "What better way to convince you to come home, than to have your closest friends plead their case," she said. Nick shook his head, "But they think that you wanted to kill me. Why would they let the guys come, if they thought that when they got here I'd already be dead?" "Because someone knows the truth, and has all along. They may try to use them against you if you do not go willingly. They know what the situation is, and why we need you here," she said. Nick sighed, "But the guys don't. They don't know what they're walking into." The queen shook her head, "I'm afraid they do not." Nick stared at her with fear and anger in his eyes, "What do I do?" She looked at her hands for a moment, as if what she was about to say actually caused her pain. "You have a choice to make. If you want, we will let them take you back, but you understand what will happen here if you go?" she said. He nodded solemnly. "If you choose to stay, it is your decision on what to do with your friends," she told him. Nick ran his hand through his hair, "They can't stay here forever, but maybe for a while?" She smiled at him, "Whatever you wish, that's what will be done. Now try and get some rest." Nick stood as she got up and headed for the door, "Think about what you want. But don't make a decision based on duty or guilt, make it on what your heart says is right for you." He nodded, "Goodnight." "Goodnight, Nickolas," she said, leaving him alone with his thoughts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick sat on his balcony, the warm night wind brushing his skin. He had changed into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, feeling much more comfortable, but he couldn't sleep. He tried, but ended up tossing and turning, so he just got up and came out here. He left the lights off, wanting to sit in the dark unnoticed. He could see a great distance from the palace, into the city and the surrounding country side. Celebrations were still going on everywhere. He could hear the music, and the occasional loud cheerful voice. It warmed his heart that the whole planet was celebrating because of him. He smiled at the thought, looking up at the tiny moon. The night sky here was foreign to him. His familiar night sky was a thing of the past. The moon was nothing like earths. It was smaller, and held many more creators, but it was it's color that was so different. It wasn't grey like the one he was used to, no this one was lavender. The exact same color as his eyes. It was sort of freaky, and oddly comforting. Nick gazed at the stars for a while, trying to pick out patterns of constellations. He sighed after a few minutes, when his mind brought him back to the reason he was out here, the reason he couldn't find sleep. He had a choice to make, and even though it would be a few weeks before he needed to, he wanted to make it now. He needed the time to get used to whatever he decided, so he wouldn't be easily convinced otherwise. He still had so many questions about this place, it's history and who he was. It's hard to make a choice when you're not sure where you fit in. He knew his niche on earth. He was a pop star, adored by thousands of fans. He had his family that loved him, and his friends. And here... he was a prince, adored by millions, also with a family that loved him. Both places he felt a connection to, and both places he felt something missing. He put his head in his hands, "Where am I suppose to be?" He knew what would happen to this world if he left, and he wasn't sure he could handle the loss of life that would come from that decision. He also wasn't sure if he could live here for the rest of his life, away from those he loved. Back and forth his mind went until he finally broke down. Silent tears left his eyes, as he watched the palace gates open and someone ride in on a horse. He brushed the tears away, "They have horses here?" he asked himself. But as the figure got closer he realized it wasn't a horse. His mouth dropped open, "Unicorn," he whispered. The animal was the most majestic, beautiful creature he'd ever seen, and it seemed to know he was watching it. The man riding him, headed toward the stables. The unicorn tossing its head, obviously happy to be home. Nick made a mental note to ask to tour the stables in the morning. He felt drawn to the animal, and wanted to see what that feeling was all about. He watched them until they rounded the building, then something else caught his attention. He had that feeling in his stomach, and knew someone was near. He quietly stood up and looked below him. Ana was several floors down from him, standing on her own, much smaller balcony. Her lights were on, and Nick knew she wouldn't be able to see him. He'd come to realize that his race had horrible night vision. His was much better, having adapted to a planet with a lot less light than his own. He watched as the warm breeze danced through her hair. She was in what looked like a pajama outfit, long pants and short sleeved shirt. She surveyed the city, taking in the sights and sounds, much as Nick had done. She seemed to just be relaxing after the long hectic day they'd both had. She rested her elbows on the railing and looked below her for a moment, then stood up. "Please let him feel at home here, we need him .... I need him," she whispered, then turned and walked back into her room, shutting the doors. Nick blinked a few times. He knew she'd barely whispered the words, but he'd heard them loud and clear, and she'd spoken in English. Maybe she felt him above her? She had that same ability, but somehow Nick didn't think she did. Those words were not meant to be heard by anyone, and if they were she didn't want them to know what she was saying. Nick stayed on his balcony for a few more moments, then slowly walked back inside. He left the doors open. After being on the ship for two weeks he was glad for the fresh air. He crawled back in bed, and pulled the sheet over him. Taking a deep breath, he stared out the doors into the sky. He knew what he had to do, what his choice was. After not thinking about it for a few blessed distracted moments, it came to him. He knew exactly what he needed to do, he just hoped everyone would understand. Chapter 19 |