Underwater & out of Breath: Book Three of the Prodigal Daughter Series

By S. C. Harvey

Madison and her prince, Nicholas, have waited a long time for their happy ending. Love drew them together, but duty will drive them apart. Madison must now live with the consequences of her actions as she forges ahead into dangerous waters.

Madisons companion, William, is by her side to protect her but can he protect her from herself? Having seen a glimpse of the future, he is determined to change it and save his friend from the darkness consuming her from within.

Powerful forces have emerged, threatening Thylea and its peaceful inhabitants. In the balance hangs the future of a people hidden in secrecy. Can Nicholas hold together the kingdom without Madison by his side? Only time will tell.

Underwater & Out of Breath is the thrilling sequel to The Prodigal Daughter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: May 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9781490781877

S. C. Harvey

I was born during a time of unrest. From Cambodia, my family fled to the US where I grew up in California. I attended Redlands High School. Living with my mother and my younger brother, I grew to be an independent young adult. Imbued with a free spirit, I love the outdoors, the sun, the snow, the stars, and the unexpected. Now residing in Massachusetts, with my loving husband and remarkable daughter, I teach math to an inspiring population. I believe that each of us possess a measure of the logical and the beautiful.

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Copyright 2017 Sam Chay Harvey.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-8189-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-8188-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-8187-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017905492

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Trafford rev. 05/26/2017

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Contents

Prologue

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

To my best friend and loving husband, Paul

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness,

And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

And stand together yet not too near together:

For the pillars of the temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

- The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

Also by S. C. Harvey,

Sand Castles & Seashores

The Prodigal Daughter

Prologue

There you are! called Nicholas on his approach up the hill. It’s hard to recognize his new voice now that it’s changed. It appears to have dropped and has become more serious as of late.

I looked up to see the sunset behind him, noted the golden tones shimmering against his sandy blond hair, and lowered my gaze back onto the grass below. I had been sitting on the tree swing for the last few minutes or so without actually having swung. Dinner ended moments ago, but when everyone was excused from the dining room, I snuck out to come here instead of going to the sitting room, where the adults normally gathered after the meals. I just wanted to be alone at this moment.

Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll leave you if that is what you wish, replied Nicholas, reading my thoughts.

I was an open book to him, and it didn’t seem fair. He always had the advantage of reading my mind, but I couldn’t read his. It’s just not fair.

What’s the matter, Maddy?

Nothing, I lied.

You know you can’t lie to me. Now, tell me what’s bothering you, he said as he took a seat on the swing next to me. His eyes were intensely blue, and when they wanted to find something, they had a way of piercing. I could feel his stare on me, and it only made me more uncomfortable.

Just leave me alone, Nicholas, I muttered, and I turned sideways on the swing with my back to him. I had hoped he would just get up and go, but something told me he wasn’t going anywhere. I could feel his eyes on the back of my head right now, burrowing away.

You didn’t say much during dinner, and you didn’t think any thoughts to me either. All you did was focus on the piece of tomato you didn’t eat and recite theorems to yourself intentionally to block me out. What’s bothering you? Was it something I did to upset you? Nicholas’s voice was low and subdued, and I could detect a shade of hurt over my behavior toward him. He was my best friend, or so I thought, up until this afternoon, and I didn’t want to hurt him. I was just confused and a little hurt myself.

Still facing away from him, I decided to talk about it and said, You can read minds.

Yes, and? He pushed for more.

It’s not fair, I answered.

Maddy, what happened? he asked, seeing through several layers of my intentions, not wanting to peel away at the layers one by one.

They said you didn’t want to be my friend and that you only kept company with me because you feel bad about bonding with me. They said that I was a freak of nature, which is why my hands glowed when we were little, and you had the unfortunate timing of holding it when they went off and that we aren’t really meant to be friends at all. They said as the prince, you were going to be too busy for me. When you graduate, you’ll forget all about me. You’ll get to avoid me like you wanted to, and that you confided this in them, I whispered, and tears streamed down my face at having to say the words aloud. I clutched at the rope of the swing and twisted it in my small, pale grip.

There was a long silence between us, and I took it as an admission of guilt from him. I always knew he was special, but I didn’t know how much it would hurt to lose him as a friend. I guess I was a freak of nature after all.

Now, you listen to me, Madison Knoll! exclaimed Nicholas as he walked over to be by my side. I don’t know whom you’ve been talking to, but you should know me better than to believe such lies. I don’t care if you can read minds or not. Listen to my words—I like you, a lot. You are my best friend, and I would never trade that for anything in Thylea.

My head turned to him, and through the tears, I could see he was genuine.

Truthfully? I whimpered.

The only truth that matters to me.

But you are going to be leaving the academy when you graduate, years before me. You won’t have time for me. No more study blocks or tutoring sessions together. Apart from dinners at the palace, I’ll never get to see you anymore, I reminded him.

I could punch whoever’s been planting these thoughts into your head. Take my hand, he ordered.

I obeyed and, step by step, followed him to the clearing from under the tree. He sat cross-legged and patted his lap, indicating Have a seat, and again, I obeyed, sitting down and straightening my purple dress as it billowed out. Dinner attire required a lot of work some days. Nicholas wrapped his arms around me when I was done, holding me secure. I’d never sat like this before with Nicholas holding me so. I felt safe.

Maddy, I will always find time for you so long as you still want to be friends with me. We are intended, and I am happy that you are the one. It hurts that you doubt my feelings for you.

What do you mean? I was confused. I always knew growing up that people used the word intended when referring to us, but I never understood what they meant. People tiptoed around me and dropped into whispers, so I never got to know what they were talking about.

Nothing. Now who was it that hurt your feelings today? he asked as he rested his head over my shoulder.

I didn’t want to say. I didn’t want him to think that I was a little kid that needed to be babied. All I could do was see Cora Gossamer’s churlish face as she and her goons cornered me after school, telling me the awful things about Nicholas. I saw her malicious grin before she shoved me into the dirt, stomping on my fingers and kicking me in the side. I had to heal the hand and the bruised ribs in secret because I was embarrassed at being too weak to defend myself, not to mention the sullied uniform I had to change out of before anyone saw me.

Cora, growled Nicholas. I should have known. Nicholas hugged me tighter and said, I’m sorry. I wish I could have been there for you. Don’t worry. Cora is getting what’s long overdue. The school council has decided to expel her finally. If your father had known all the awful things she’s done over the years, she would have been gone sooner.

How do you know all this? I asked, leaning back, finally able to relax at the news just heard.

It doesn’t hurt that I can read minds. Plus I was at the council meeting this afternoon. I should have skipped it to be with you had I known, he added.

You can’t be everywhere all at once—that would be silly. Besides, having the ability to heal is kind of neat. I finally got a chance to do it for myself instead of letting you fix me all the time.

Nicholas interjected, I don’t mind healing you. Nicholas was always the one to fix me after a fall or a scrape—the cost of climbing trees and playing daredevil, I suppose. They were always minor injuries, but he felt the need to heal them all the same.

At that thought, I felt embarrassed at my earlier behavior. I… I shouldn’t have doubted you. I’m sorry, I apologized.

Apology accepted, he said happily.

Nicholas was the best friend in the world, and I don’t think anything could shake my faith in him again.

Good, he said out loud, chuckling all the while. Now, tell me about your day. I missed it because of the all-day meetings. What did you do today?

I recounted all the events as they happened in my head, from the test on conics I aced, to the start of conservation of energy in science class, to playing tug-and-toss at recess with some of the older graduating students who were prepping for the next junior tournament. I left out minor details, but as I got toward the end, my heart sped at the thought of Cora and the after-school beating I took.

Just then, a wave of calm came over me. It was warm, spreading to every limb of my body. I felt as if I could fall asleep on the spot. Better? he asked.

Better, I answered.

The sun had set by this point, and twilight was bringing out its stars, one by one coming to life. The warm orange tones were gone, and a deep blue trimmed the edges of the sky, lining the black that was night. The stars lit up and lent their light in the presence of night. I looked up to see them spangled in all their magnificence, and I could feel Nicholas’s head lifting as well to see.

Tell me about your day. What did you do? I whispered. As we looked up at the night sky, Nicholas carried on about all the meetings that were packed into one day. They were condensed just so because his father didn’t wish to pull him out of school for more than one day a month for these meetings that were sure to take up his world once he was grown up. His responsibilities were great indeed, and so exposure now would prepare him for what was to come. And as I thought about this, I became very sad for him before I fell asleep in his arms.

1

T here was only darkness. An uneasy fog shrouded my mind. I tried to open my eyes, but the lids themselves seemed too heavy, and I couldn’t find the strength. It almost felt as though there was tape over them, but I didn’t possess the presence of mind to be sure. My mind was as clouded as the waters of the Ganges, and I could not find the resolve to focus, so back to sleep I fell.

There were weak sounds all around. Whispers of voices I did not know fell softly as if from a distance, but I could not make sense of them the way they hovered over me in darkness. I felt my arm for the first time and felt something cold running in the fold where I was most numb. Again, I tried to open my eyes but couldn’t.

‘Nichol . . .’

The lights in the room must have been intensely bright because my vision was now filled with a bright orange from behind my eyelids. And again, more voices I did not recognize droned. I wasn’t home, wasn’t with Nicholas. A cold assailant coursed through me. Where . . .

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Drip, drip, drip was all I could hear amid the room full of humming.

‘Nicholas?’

No response.

I couldn’t resist the urge to fall back asleep. Why was I so tired?

Drip, drip, drip . . .

When I awoke, with all the strength I could gather, I willed my eyes lids open but managed nothing. There was tape over my eyelids. But through the thin membranes of my lids, I sensed one light above me and the sound of blipping beside my bed. I was not in my room—that much was for sure. It felt like a hospital room of some sort; the smell gave it away. The clinical scent registered with my memory, and the dread of a repeat performance from ruthless doctors came flooding back to me before I slipped back into darkness.

When I became aware of my alien surroundings again, I fought for clarity, but it was a losing battle. In addition to being strapped into this bed, I felt paralyzed, sedated. All I needed was a moment of resolve, of perspicuity to free myself, but I couldn’t find it. I was helpless.

‘Nicholas?’ I called out, with the fear of a repeat doctor’s visit washing over me.

Darling, we are on our way! We are coming for you.

‘I’m so sleepy, so tired . . .’

The sleep itself was not restful. It was filled with fear and trepidation. All sense of time was lost to me, and no dreams came to relieve me from my mental prison. My senses were dulled, and my body was numb. I could feel all the energy floating through the room but may as well have chased after it like chasing a butterfly with a stick and no net. I could not even will the straps that bind me to release their hold. I wondered how heavily guarded my room really was, if they knew whom they were holding? Who were they?

Noises came from outside my room, sounding like scuffling and gunfire. Then the rigid door that was my prison opened as I heard it swing open.

Darling, said a voice. I felt a hand brush against my brow and cheek, but I couldn’t open my eyes to see him. It was Nicholas, I was sure of it.

‘I can’t move.’

He quickly unfastened me, and I felt a tug on my arm where the needle was inserted. The tape above my eyes were peeled away, giving me some relief. If only I could will the drug out of my system as before, I could try and walk. I could escape too.

No need, love. This is one of those moments I insist on carrying you, darling.

And as he promised, I was scooped into his arms and held close to him. My last thought was the warmth of his hands against my skin as he cradled me, his sweet scent pouring off of him, washing me back into a calming sleep.

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I awoke again, but this awakening was different from those I’ve had as of late. My eyelids fluttered, and I could see the sun shining through the windows and doors of the balcony of our bedroom chamber and knew I was home. The white cotton sheets were soft and a sharp contrast to the feel of the hospital linen and straps. I tried to look around, but a sharp pain rushed to my head.

Don’t try to move just yet. The drug is still clearing from your system, said Nicholas, lying beside me.

Nicholas? I whispered as I stared at the ceiling, keeping my gaze fixed on one particular spot. My voice was raspy, and my throat was sore.

Yes? he replied.

Could you do me a favor, please?

Certainly, anything.

Despite the pain, I turned my head anyway just to see him, and my hand reached for his—which he accepted tenderly. I really needed to see his face. I would fight through anything to see him. His face was the most beautiful sight in my world. His eyes were as blue as the ocean, and they were kind and sympathetic. He managed a weak smile to greet me despite the pain I am sure he felt from reading my pain, because we’re connected mind and body.

My voice was airy and weak, but I needed to know, so I had to speak slowly. I thought I woke up in a hospital, and you know how much I love them. Would you mind telling me what happened?

I took a quick glance at my left arm, which I brought into view; the purple bruise was apparent. Nicholas reached over, and with his arm glowing; he smoothed his palm over the bruise. The soreness went away, and I was given a soothing reprieve; a warm flow of energy washed over me.

His eyes filled with sorrow, and he caressed my cheeks with his other hand. After a moment of thought, he began, You were kidnapped. Somehow, they managed to contaminate your favorite brand of tea that came in to Thylea, and several people were reported to have lost consciousness from drinking the contaminated supply. We were all on high alert, and our forces were spread thin, investigating its cause, but you were having tea with my mother. He paused.

I remembered that part. Is she OK? Tell me she is not hurt.

She is fine. I will bring her to see you when you are much better. Let me finish the explanation. It wasn’t until we returned back to the palace that we noticed you two were missing. A note was left behind. In exchange for the both of you, they wanted my father to step down.

Who are they? I asked.

They are the rebel separatist group that has grown over the years. Their aim is, as cliché as this may sound, to take over the world, not just Thylea but the outside too. If they had our special forces, all the subjects’ support, and our technology at their disposal—with the right strategy, they may even topple some key governments. They feel that Thylea has not grown or evolved as it should have. They’ve become seduced by the power of the outside world. They want it for themselves and used you as leverage.

How did you know where to find us? I whispered as we both lay still, just staring at each other, hand in hand.

Actually, it was your friend William that proved invaluable to your rescue, he hedged.

Will? I asked. ‘Oh, the irony of it all.’

Nicholas let out a small laugh as he smiled at the same thought I had. Will was a character with a history of failing me. It was refreshing to see him stepping into the role of a hero and see me out of a kidnapping instead of seeing me into one.

Yes, Will. He knew what would restrain you, and so we investigated the pharmaceutical companies that produced the components of the drug that sedated you the last time. We were sure that the rebels had done their homework and would have tried to mimic what was capable of subduing you. Apart from the normal shipment to hospitals, there were a few new orders placed after our arrival in Thylea and additional orders when we were married. The dates were too close to be a coincidence, so we traced the order, and Will was very helpful in tracking also. I have to give him credit—he was as panicked over your loss as I was. My mother was kept in the same building with you, fortunately.

How long were we gone for? I gasped at the realization that time moved for everyone but me.

Just over two weeks. There was a lot of legwork, and none of the thoughts about the perpetrators came through. They were very good at hiding their tracks. I tried to listen for your thoughts to give us a clue, but it didn’t help. I heard you once, but when I tried to respond to your thought, your mind had gone under and my beacon faded. That is when we had to go Will’s route.

You came for me.

Always. I will always be there when you need me, Maddy. I love you, he stated as he leaned in for a kiss, and I was more than happy to receive his lips on mine. They were soft and intoxicatingly sweet. There was nothing in the world like kissing him. All the pain I had just melted away, and I drew closer to him for more.

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Their Majesties, the king and queen, were kind enough to visit their favorite daughter-in-law when I was feeling better, and then Tresa and Lindsey, and, finally, Will came, which didn’t surprise me.

Come in.

Hey, gorgeous, said Will upon entering my chamber.

Hey, handsome, I replied. Will had developed somewhat of a reputation here in Thylea as the man to catch. Although he has no special gifts as some here do, he did have unbelievably alluring hazel eyes to catch any female’s attention, young and old. I laughed when I overheard some of the young teenage girls swoon over him at a café one day while we waited for our order in an adjacent booth. To my surprise, he was embarrassed by it, and maybe it was because I was around. He was handsome and had a nice physique. He’s even dated some of the locals but nothing serious. He didn’t fancy one over the other, and the strict rules of engagement here were a source of frustration for him. Will has never quite adjusted here to the simpler life, always missing his appliances and gadgets.

It’s nice to see you conscious for a change. The whole sedated thing wasn’t for you, he teased as he pulled up a chair and sat next to my bed.

I could see fatigue in him as he made an effort to be funny, so I smiled graciously at the effort. I heard what you did. Thank you, I said as I pushed myself into a sitting position and clasped my hands together.

I owed you. Besides, I am a selfish bloke and would eventually miss my best friend. He chuckled.

I rolled my eyes. Well, as long as it was for you, I guess that’s OK, I teased back. Thank you, again, I repeated.

His eyes glinted, and he said, You want to thank me? I take hugs.

Unable to fight him on this, I pulled the covers back and slid my feet into the waiting slippers. It took a second to steady myself, but just as soon as I was sure-footed, Will’s arms embraced me, and all I could do was wrap mine around his shoulders. I had to go on my toes to keep balance. I could feel his warmth, smell his fresh scent, and feel his frustrations buried beneath his layers of calm and cool facade. I hugged him even tighter, sorry for the trouble I caused everyone around me.

The hug lingered, and he was in no hurry to release me. It was one of his snug hugs, the kind we wished would last forever, because the reality was when it was over, it likely would not happen again for quite a while, and the sadness was mutual. We both knew it, and so we both held on just a little bit longer.

Will was the first to ease in his embrace and allowed me to put my feet back on the ground. He kissed the top of my head and breathed. Don’t you ever scare me like that again.

I laughed into his chest and said, I’ll work on it.

I could feel my energy waning, and my arms felt heavy. Will sensed my tiredness and scooped me into his arms and placed me gently back in bed. His eyes were so sad, and I knew I couldn’t leave the silence between us. The silence was a torrent of history between us, the feelings, the secrets, and the love that once existed. It was so easy to fall in love with him. His spirit was so akin to mine. But that was a lifetime ago, tucked away into memory only breathed during the silent transitions from day-to-day activities of our new lives and our new roles. For a time, he was the center of my world, and it crushed me when it was over. It wasn’t until Nicholas reentered into my world that I learned how to be happy again and learned how deep love could go. The silence between Will and me could not continue. It was hurting him, I could see it in his eyes, and I could not have that. It needed to be interrupted for the sake of our friendship.

I decided on distraction and dug for information. Whatever happened to the people who kidnapped me?

The guards they had at the building were hired security. They didn’t know anything. The people that hired them had already fled the scene, and the corporation that owned the building was a bogus one. All leads have led to a dead end. Sorry, Maddy. Maybe at some point in the future, when they slip up, we can nail them for what they did to you, he offered as he made himself comfortable again in his seat.

His explanation was not the first I had heard, but it did give me some insight on matters. One, Thylea was not as perfect as I had originally thought. Some of the wickedness from the outside had leaked in and tainted the beauty that made up this place. Two, there were dangerous people about, and I hope that they did not have a Bender on their side to aid them in this insane plot for conquest.

I am glad to see that you are on our side for this one. Thanks, I said as I reached out to hold his hand. He held mine and gripped it ever so briefly.

It wasn’t about sides, Maddy. It was about you. Like I said, I didn’t fancy the idea of signing up to be anyone’s errand boy. It was to see you safe, gorgeous. I would sign up to be one of your personal guards if you would just let Nicholas have his way, he said as he leaned back and crossed his arm over his chest.

Palace life or not, I can’t. It’s too weird for me. It’s enough to know that I have you and Nicholas looking out for me, though.

Yeah, you’re adjusting to it better than I thought. I was thinking you’d have taken up one of the maid’s jobs or something. You were always such a neat freak. He chuckled.

No, I wasn’t. Things just have their place. There has to be order. Otherwise, there would be chaos to a kitchen or any other room. Besides, I tried that at my estate, and both Erica and Beatrice threw me a look that said in a nice housekeeper kind of way, ‘Don’t even think about it, in unison," I said as I shrugged innocently.

He laughed a bellowing kind of laugh that echoed in my bedroom chamber. Cinderella tried to break out of the servant role to becoming a princess. You go the other direction. What are we going to do with you? he said, chuckling further. And for some perverse reason, perhaps assuming this light atmosphere that we were able to keep gave me permission to ask the one question that lingers between us.

Is it still hard for you to be here? I asked, trying to maintain a smile from my laugh, and he chuckled at my attempt.

His lips twisted into a crooked smile, and his piercing eagle eyes looked directly at me. Is it hard for you that I am here? he countered, raising an eyebrow.

I asked first, I said as I pulled my knees up under the blanket and rested my head on them, wrapping my arms around my legs, waiting for an answer.

He sighed and relaxed his gaze as he looked toward the balcony doors. Someday, I’ll find a girl half as special as you are, and I’m not talking about the nutty gifts you’ve got, and I will fall madly in love with her too. Until then, I am content to see you happy, even if it’s not with me. I blew my chances royally. I accept that. I am glad that he loves you the way you deserve, and I’ll stick around and enjoy whatever’s in the water. Even us normals get a longer lifespan and better health here, he finished.

Thanks, I needed to hear that, I whispered.

Now, answer mine, he returned.

I took a deep breath and searched for the words that were true but also would not seem awkward. It was a little strange in the beginning, because we were never really friends as Nicholas and I were. So at first, I had to fight the inclination to either hold your hand and cuddle or punch you for breaking my heart. It was a toss-up,—I paused—but you and I learned to be friends, and for that, I am grateful. Besides, you come in handy during a tracking expedition, I teased and threw him a wink.

He looked like he was about to say something but thought better of it. At least you forgave me. That’s all I could hope for.

Yeah, well, you were sorry, that’s all I wanted, I said as I yawned, covering my mouth.

I didn’t realize I was boring you, he teased. He stood up and returned the chair to the sitting area.

It’s not you this time. I chuckled. It always takes a little while for the residual effects to wear off completely from the drug you people keep giving me. You’d think I would develop some sort of immunity to it by now. The last time, I was able to extract most of it from my system. Anyways, it’s almost over, but I shouldn’t be operating any heavy machinery until then. I smiled and lay back down.

Under his breath, Will chuckled. Won’t find those in these parts. Now get some rest. He then leaned down to kiss me on the head and left.

2

T ime resumed from there, and years passed. Nicholas and I enjoyed the happy marriage that our love ensured. The only thing missing was a child that had not yet arrived. I wanted to give back to Nicholas for all that he has given me. I wanted to give him an heir for the future he gave me. It wasn’t just out of responsibility, but it was a gift I wanted to give, something beautiful and perfect to add to the world that he deserves. He, of course, didn’t see it that way. Nicholas saw the responsibility of producing a child to be on the husband, because there is where the seed was to come. He wanted to give me a family, one that I would always cherish, one that would permanently bind me to this world as if he didn’t already accomplish that himself. Still, he worried sometimes that my other side would creep back in and my longing to be lost to the wilderness would grow. He underestimated how strong his hold was on me. It eclipsed all selfish desires but one—to remain in his arms.

We walked the gardens, hand in hand, observing the new blossoms that had sprung forth from the wonderful sunny weather as of late, when a