Where It Went Wrong, A Red Queen Fanfiction: Completed

Chapter 8

It doesn't surprise that I almost fall asleep, knowing the comfort that I am currently in. But when I hear a throat being cleared, my eyelids flutter open rapidly. Blearily, I take in my surroundings and everything comes back.

You're waiting for Cal to arrive.... he could be here any moment now.

My eyes widen as I realize who it very well could be at the door - and I catapult out of my seat, almost tripping over the table in front of me. Turning, I see that my assumptions are confirmed. He looks older - more refined, perhaps. His hair looks longer, curlier at the ends.

Before I know it, we are running towards each other, arms outstretched. "Cal!" I shriek, unable to keep my emotions at bay.

I grin widely as two strong arms are wrapped around my waist and return the gesture. "You don't know how much I have missed you, Cal," I say, resisting the year's worth tears that are threatening to fall down my face.

"And I, you," Cal breathes into my hair, causing my cheeks to flush red. I glance up at his burning eyes, joy filling my heart that both of the boys that I love are well.

Suddenly, I remember that Maven told me Cal was with a troop during this past year. "How were things for you, with this troop you had to train?" I ask, curious as to how he has been living for the last year.

Cal releases me and ducks his head in embarrassment. He motions towards the sofas and sits down on the nearest one. I sit beside him. "The King sent me to train a group for battle. But we still haven't seen any combat - which is a blessing. But Mare, I heard that you escaped his hands, and I wasn't sure what happened to you after that. Where were you? I-I thought you were... dead," he says, voice trembling slightly.

"I was with a family who took me in. It was too dangerous, trying to go back and live with my family. I knew that he would be looking for me, and it would be too obvious if I went back to my old house. But I heard the rumours about King Maven, and I wanted to ask about you... so I came back here," I explain. "I was worried about the Calore brothers."

A brief knock sounds at the door, causing the both of us to freeze. We've both been on the edge too long to relax when even the most minuscule things happen. I turn to see the King himself leaning against the doorframe with a slight smile on his face. "How are we getting along?"

Cal's eyes begin to harden as they spot his brother, but I glance over at him and wink; thinking of the pained looked I had once seen on Maven's face when I had given him that identical look. I can't bare for any more drama. I've had enough to serve me my entire life. "Thanks for letting Cal come over, Maven."

The King strides over to us and sits on the sofa across from where we are seated. He gives me a slight grin, and then turns to gaze at his older brother. "Cal - look, I'm sorry about sending you to train the troop. But it had to be done—"

"I understand, Maven," Cal interrupts. "If you had let me go of your own accord, I might have been killed. Or you killed by your Silvers."

He grimaces. "I understand that now. Having a year to lament over my actions has told me a thing or two about my behaviour. I've almost gone crazy, having to live with my decisions. I understand if you don't want to forgive me. I mean, I was terrible to you both..."

"I forgive you," Cal and I say, almost simultaneously. I know true repentance when I see it through my many years of thievery, and I can't help but feel lucky that Maven allowed us to meet up again.

"Are we all good, then?" I ask, glancing at the two brothers before me. I love them both differently, but I love them both the same. The shadow and the flame. Both loved me when the other didn't seem to. Both helped when other didn't.

But mostly, both loved me back.

"Of course," Cal says, taking my hand and giving it a slight squeeze.

And the look in Maven's eyes say it all. No longer can I see the power hungry King, but a boy struggling to complete his kingdom's needs.

And knowing that both Maven and Cal are safe, I can finally put my mind at ease. And something tells me that I will never worry as I did before, for both of the brothers are happy with each other, and I am happy with them.

What went wrong was that we were never content with each other. Always jealous or frustrated because of the other's relationships. Never happy with what we had. And now that we are - that is all we will ever need to live happily.

But things can never stay perfect, no matter how much we want them to.

Author's note: 

Thank you so much for reading this FanFiction! Please comment and let me know how you're liking it. Cal finally made an appearance! Thank you for all the votes, comments and views on this story. They all make my day and put a smile on my face. 😊✨❤️ 

- Inkpen_Scroll