AN: I thought the collage was a fitting way to end it. Say Hi and bye to Malika.
*************************
"You don't think?" The FBI Agents questioned the man.
"You asked for a psychiatric evaluation, these are my observations." The man continued.
"Stockholm patients are usually submissive to the sub and outright uncooperative. She was
dominant and never displayed fear of retribution at any time. She also analysed her decision
before she chose to leave and is aware of his failings. At this point, I can't clearly say its
Stockholm."
"So, you're saying her mind is sound." Agent Lyons scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"I didn't say that either..." The doctored hedged. "Obviously, there was some serious trauma,
and she clearly needs psychiatric care."
"I will take care of that." Vlad put in.
The doctor shook his head, "I wouldn't recommend continuing this relationship and you should
seek help as well. From what I heard, living with your father wasn't an ideal situation."
Vlad opened his mouth to protest and the doctor put up a hand, "I know you two are married
but this started very...unhealthily..."
I wasn't in the mood to get psychoanalysed by anyone but now knowing the full history of what
happened in that castle, I knew Vlad needed it, so I spoke. "We can use a psychiatrist closer to
home, they can provide updates if you wish but I just want this to be over. Plus, if I resurrected in
the US, the press will have a field day and I just want a normal life...."
"As a Russian Princess?" Agent Reynolds as with a wry twist of his lips.
"It's what I know." I said quietly then I asked, "What about my kids? I know enough of the law to
know if I stay here, you'll put them in foster care until I'm deemed 'fit'..."
"It will just be temporary..." Agent Lyons assured quickly.
I shook my head. "I'm going back to Russia. There's nothing for me here."
"You do have a friend that misses you." Agent Reynolds said. "We can set up a meeting..."
I shook my head again remembering what happened to my mother. "No. I don't want any of this
to reach her. I'm going back. It's better that way."
"I understand." The doctor conceded. "The press would make things difficult and too much has
happened and to have it bandied about would make your lives unbearable."
"Let's not forget, this group has ties to the highest office in America. Such tidings would forever
taint the leadership of this great nation." Vlad pointed out as he made his not-so-subtle threat.
I sighed, "You couldn't help yourself, couldn't you?" I gripped.
"I don't know what you mean. I only speak the truth." He said with a nonchalant grin.
"Oh my!" The doctor remarked in alarm.
"So far! No wonder the first suspect was killed before the trial." Agent Reynolds mused aloud.
His partner voiced her shock and fear by asking "What do we do? Do we investigate this? Should
we investigate this?" Then she narrowed her eyes at Vlad "You're lying!"
Vlad just shrugged and responded calmly "Test me and you'll find out."
The director ended all deliberation by declaring "Go home Your Highnesses, we'll forget this
little chat and do our best to keep things clean on our end."
Vlad nodded in understanding, but the Agents and doctor looked at him like he was a traitor.
Vlad shook his hand in gratitude "I thank you for your prudence." Then turned to his wife "Let's
get Irena and go home."
When the Vlad and Azura had exited the room, the director faced the Agents and doctor saying "I
retire soon, and I'd like to do so in peace. Just remember you all have families to go home to."
There were no more questions after that.
**********************************
Five Years Later
It was almost a bittersweet feeling walking into my bedroom. When I ran away from Vlad all
those years ago, I never got to see my bedroom. It was just as I left it, nothing's changed. Even
the red hoodie I wore to school that fated day was still thrown across my desk chair. Apparently,
Vlad had bought the house some time ago and kept everything as it was.
"Only you get kidnapped and ends up marrying Russian nobility." Malika teased.
"Trust me, he's not that noble," I assured her.
"I wish you could stay, Z."
"I wish I could too, Lika."
"How is it you're a princess and you can't do what you want?"
"Neither can the prince, it's part of the perks," I replied sarcastically.
"I can't even tell people about you..."
"What would you say about a dead child?" I asked my finger trailing over the green sofa my mom
and I sat watching reruns of her favourite shows. At least there was no blood on the floor from
where the henchman died, I mused.
"But you're not dead!"
"I died fifteen years ago when I got into Brian's car. The person you see now isn't that little girl. I
am who Vlad made me and I think it's what I was always meant to be."
"Do you love him?"
I hedged, "Doesn't every girl love a fairy tale prince?"
"He doesn't seem the type."
I chuckled, "Sometimes, Lika you can be quite astute."
"Does that mean no?"
I smiled. I was nuts to love someone like him. "He's grown on me."
"Uh," She groaned, "and I missed the wedding!"
"It wasn't one without you," I told her truthfully.
We hugged, and she apologized. "I should've never let you go with Brian. Z, I'm so..."
"Don't!" I said cutting her off, I was close to tears as is. "It was years ago, stop beating yourself up
over it. Besides, it worked out." I assured her.
But my words didn't stop her tears. I found out, she drank and did drugs after I was kidnapped.
She was clean now but the effect that night had on her changed her future as well. She wasn't
married and worked as a waitress trying to pass a few college courses. When we were younger,
we had planned to go to college together, but with me gone, she thought there was no point.
"Live your life, Lika." I told her, looking into her eyes. "We...we were just kids. Things have
changed...and even though we can't be as close as we were...you'll always be my bestie."
We hugged and cried some more until a small voice interrupted us. "Mama!"
"Hi honey, say hi to Auntie Lika." I told Viktor.
"Hi, Auntie Lika." He said, but in Russian.
"He says, Hi." I translated with a roll of my eyes.
Malika laughed then she grew quiet as she watched Viktor. "He's adorable. You really are lucky Z.
Maybe I should've gotten kidnapped." She said with an uneasy chuckle.
Remembering the Latina, I paled and warned. "I definitely wouldn't recommend that journey as
a way to get a husband, Lika. I was a fluke. That's not what happens when they take you."
"What happens then?"
Looking at Viktor, I replied. "Very bad things. Coming back...isn't an option...it still isn't."
"That's why you can't stay." She whispered, and I nodded. "Goodbye, Azura King." She
muttered, and we hugged, holding tightly for one last time.
With Thanks
You have come to the end of "Ill-Fated Journey" and I thank you for reading and supporting me.
This is a stand-alone novella and I hope I could look forward to your continued support as I
launch other books in the future. If you're interested in getting the full e-book, let me know in
the comments!
I hope you enjoyed reading it!
Many Thanks Again
M. Brereton