Epilogue

“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, she was dominant. She never displayed fear of retribution at any time. She also analysed her decision before she chose to leave. A Stockholm patient would’ve let him make the decision.”

“So, you’re saying her mind is sound.” Agent Lyons asked.

“I didn’t say that either…” The doctored hedged. “Obviously, there was some serious trauma and she should seek psychiatric care.”

“I will take care of that.” Vlad put in.

“You should seek help as well. Living with your father wasn’t an ideal situation.” The doctor suggested, and Vlad nodded in agreement. “I could recommend someone if you like.”

I wasn’t in the mood to get psychoanalysed by anyone but knowing now the full history of what happened in that castle I knew Vlad needed it, so I spoke. “We’ll have to use someone closer to home and find a way for me to have a normal life. The press would just make it more difficult…”

“I understand.” The doctor conceded. “Too much has happened and to have it bandied about would make your lives unbearable.”

“Not to mention 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.

“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.

**********************************

It’s 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. He bought the house and kept everything as it was.

“Only you gets kidnapped and end’s up marrying Russian royalty.” 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?”

“But you’re not dead!”

“I died twenty years ago when I got in 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?”

“Doesn’t every girl love a fairy tale prince?”

“He doesn’t seem the type.”

“Sometimes, Lika you can be quite astute.”

“Does that mean no?”

I smiled. I’m nuts to love someone like him. “He’s grown on me.”

“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. “It was years ago, stop beating yourself up over it. Besides, it worked out.”

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. “Mom!”

“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 get kidnapped.”

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.