I chewed on my lower lip. “That Earl guy, he’s…”
“Dead,” Demi confirmed. “Rigby had him hanged within the hour of your attack. You’re safe now.”
“Safe” seemed like a foreign concept these days. “Thank you. I’m having a hard time finding my center. Between Earl and the whole coronation thing, my mind’s all over the place.”
“Take a breath, Rosie. Everything will be alright.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not being sold off to the highest bidder.”
“You do have some say, you know. You can choose your suitor before her majesty most high chooses for you.” Demi looked over his shoulder to confirm my bedroom door was still locked. “I overheard her say again this morning that you would go to Duke Henri so she could expand her territory. His land borders hers, so it’s the most fertile of the other provinces. To acquire it would be most advantageous for her.” He tugged a stubborn curl up into the braid that wrapped around the top of my head like a crown. Demi always impressed me with how adept he was at doing hair. “Duke Lancelot of Province 5 is a worthy candidate. From what I know, he’s good man.”
My palms were sweating as I tried to remember I already had a backup plan. Madigan was definitely the lesser of all the evils. While Lot was a great guy, for sure, he deserved to have a wife who wanted to be married to him. Mad didn’t want to marry me any more than I wanted to go through with the charade, so I knew there wouldn’t be any feelings crushed when I split and ran back to my life up in Common. Lot was sweet, which meant he should be far away from Morgan. He should have a wife who would stay with him until the end, and I knew I couldn’t give him that. To take Lot’s offer for marriage if he tossed his name in the mix would be selfish on my part.
When Demi turned me around to do my makeup (among his many talents, the makeup thing always caught me off-guard), I saw moisture sparkling in his bright green eyes. “After I put on your lip stain, I won’t be able to kiss you.”
I reached forward and pulled him down by his collar so I could taste his tongue again. He took the opportunity to sit on my lap, straddling me like a stripper as he cupped my face. Demi smelled of peppermint oil and felt like a dream I never wanted to wake from. Part of me knew I was attaching so hard and fast to him because of the danger of my current situation, but I didn’t care. I wanted him near me. After I chose my husband, I wouldn’t be able to reconcile kissing one man with another’s ring on my finger.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“If I could marry you, I would take you away from all of this. I would build us a cabin and till the soil so we could have our own food, our own land, our own home far from this castle. I want nothing more than to be yours, Rosie.”
I pulled back, taking a deep breath and wringing my hands while I tried to get a grip on myself. “Okay. No more nice words. You have to be meaner to me, or I’ll never be able to stop kissing you. Say something mean.”
“Your mother,” Demi replied without missing a beat. “She’s the meanest thing I can think of.” His eyes darted to the door again, and he covered his mouth with wide eyes, shocked at his own daring. “Oh, I should not have said that. I apologize.”
I balked at his bravery, proud of him for speaking his mind. “For what? She’s crazy. You can be yourself around me.”
He pressed his forehead to mine, crouching to meet the height of my seated position. “I hardly know who that is anymore. I’ve had to be so many things for so many women. I don’t think I’d know what to do with actual freedom.”
“You’d run away with me,” I suggested with a broad smile. “I’d take you to Common and dress you in ripped jeans and faded t-shirts. We’d get an apartment together next to Judah and Jill, with Lane and Draper and maybe even Reyn down the hall. We’d play soccer on the weekends and watch bad TV together. You could read to me while I rubbed your feet.”
The corner of Demi’s mouth twitched upward, and he gazed at me with that adoring expression he wore when he was falling in love with me. “Could we play bowling, like we do here?”
“Oh, Commoner bowling is way better than the game I rigged here. There’s a machine that resets the pins for you automatically.”
“My, that is inventive. Could we be married, and make love all night long in your world?”
I gulped, picturing what I’d been trying to scrub from my mind. I nodded, unable to look at him anymore, lest he see the lust that threatened to burn me alive from the inside out. “There might be some of that going on, yeah.”
Demi closed the gap between us and kissed me one more time. He drew out my lower lip, sucking on it like it was a piece of candy. “You can still have me, you know. The men expect it of the duchesses by now.”
I stiffened, rolling back my shoulders and remembering who I was. “I am not my mother’s daughter. I’m Lane’s daughter, and she would freak out on me if I did what you’re suggesting. Once I’m engaged, you and I have to be over. It’s not right to marry one guy and keep another on the side. It’s not who I am.” I hugged myself while Demi silently finished rubbing delicate shades of pink and peach onto my cheeks, eyelids and lips. “Romeo and Juliet don’t end up together.”
Demi paused, pressing his forehead to mine to steady us both through our simultaneous heartbreak at my declaration.
I cleared my throat and straightened. “Can I go see my dad before it all starts?”
“Of course, but we’ll have to be quick about it. Her majesty most high wants you downstairs in an hour.”
Demi led the way through the winding stone castle, silent and professional with a straight posture. He walked slowly so I didn’t trip over the dusky rose-colored dress that had gold trim on the edges and too much cleavage to be considered ladylike. Yick. If the guys on the soccer team could see me now, they wouldn’t believe it was me. The dank stone air that hit my bosom now gave me goosebumps, reminding me that not only could Demi see the tops of my breasts, but so could strangers, the guys I’d gone traveling with if they showed up, and my potential suitors.
I needed to find those gems and get the crap out of here.
When we reached the guarded room, I kissed Demi and asked him to wait outside for me. I didn’t like sending him away, even a few feet, but Urien didn’t know he was my father, and no one knew I could hear him. I wanted to keep it that way.
With careful steps in the empty room, I made my way to my father’s side. My heart led me to him, but also my gut tugged me closer, which was a first. I didn’t understand why my Compass was pushing me to his bedside, but I went and situated my bell-like skirts so I could sit on the edge of the bed, facing him. “King Urien?” I asked quietly, hoping the magic we shared wasn’t gone. Of all the mojo I needed, the whole unknown languages thing was the one I clung to. I wanted to know my dad more than anything. I needed to know that he was truly Superman.
“Is it you? You came back for me?” The hope in his voice made my heart rise in my chest.
I squeezed his hand in mine, though I knew he couldn’t feel it. “It’s me. I wanted to see you before the day got away from me. How are you feeling? Any change?”
He let out a humorless chortle in my mind that didn’t touch his deadened facial muscles. “Nothing changes in here, except that I now look forward to you coming to break me from my endless silence. I’m so grateful you returned.”
“Sorry I can’t stay here all the time. I’m not allowed to wander around. It’s a little tense in the castle. There’s a big party happening today, and Morgan’s extra on edge. It’s better for everyone if she doesn’t see me. Just the look of me seems to make her angry.”
“You must be very beautiful, then. Morgan knows the difference between true loveliness and women who aren’t a threat.”
My father called me beautiful. I swallowed the lump of shyness in my throat, knowing that he couldn’t see me to verify that with his own eyes. “Well, I don’t know about that, but I do know she doesn’t like the look of me.”
“Yes
, you’re beautiful, then. She doesn’t bother lifting her finger for anything less than the steepest competition.”
“Oh, jeez. You with the compliments.” I batted my hand in a “knock it off, but don’t ever stop” kind of way. “Now that I’ve met Morgan, and seen what she’s done to you, I want to stop her. Can I tell you a secret?”
Urien chuckled like Santa Claus, and I half-expected his stomach to shake like bowl full of jelly. “I don’t have any other choice, dear. Tell me, what is your name? I was too shocked to ask last time.”
I fished around for a quick lie. “I’m Britney. Britney Spears.” I flinched at the first name that popped into my head. Why hadn’t I picked Eleanor Roosevelt or someone with political feminine prowess? I rolled my shoulders back and owned the lie. “I’m trying to find a way to take down Morgan. I’ve been searching for the Jewels of Good Fortune she stole from her sisters. I’m going to find them and give them back to the duchesses.” He was the first outsider I’d told the plan to, and the admission felt liberating.
He was quiet while he mulled over my plan. “That’s admirable – especially that you don’t want to keep the Jewels of Good Fortune for yourself, but plan on giving them back to the Daughters of Avalon. It’s one of the only good things about my Rosalie being gone. Elaine was always a good judge of what’s important. Rosalie won’t have to suffer the greed that seemed inescapable with Morgan and her other sisters.”
I digested the compliment as my heart swelled. There was no misinterpreting that one – my father had a little respect for me. “Thank you, sir. My only problem is that I don’t totally know where they’re all hidden. I found three so far, and gave them back. Avril has one. Lane should have the other one, I’m hoping. Heloise’s made it back to her province, plus the extra one Lane is in charge of until we can figure out our next move. Avril’s got a serious case of sticky fingers.”
“That’s four down, five to go.”
“Four, actually. Morgan’s jewel would stay in Province 1 with her.” I measured the distance around my father’s fingers using my own, examining the lined skin that looked like it had seen hard work before his life in the mansion. “One has to stay in Province 1, of course. I’m not set on punishing the people here because Morgan’s a jerk. I just want the jewels to go back where they came from.”
“Very good. That was a test, by the way. If I’m to help you, I need to know you’re of good quality.”
I smiled down at his lifeless form, wishing there was a way he could help me. “You’re a sneaky king, Urien. But seriously, what would I need with a jewel? Especially one that could help bajillions of people.” I looked down at my finger, examining the gorgeous aquamarine ring Kerdik had given me. “Besides, I already have a ring. It’s not magic or anything, but it makes me feel like I’m magic when I wear it. Pretty. The nine jewels might as well be nine lumps of pretty coal that need to go back to where they came from. The sooner that gets straightened out, the better.”
“Ah, but you’re not thinking it all the way through. As soon as the stones leave Province 1, Morgan will notice. You must sneak them out one at a time, so the plants don’t wither overnight. Send them to the furthest provinces in need first, so she can’t immediately see their prosperity grow.”
“Huh. I didn’t think about that. Good plan. Thanks, man.”
“It will only buy you a little time. Morgan will put it together and go after the duchesses again. It will be just like it was before I fell into my sleep. War until the other provinces surrender. You must make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
I frowned, bummed that my plan wasn’t foolproof. “Maybe I should find some dummy jewels or something to replace the ones I steal. That way she won’t immediately know which one is gone. Maybe she’ll just think the magic in the jewels is fading.”
“That’s definitely worth a try. But something must be done about Morgan, otherwise she’ll send her army to war again, and more devastation will occur, all over shiny rocks.”
“Crap. You’re right.” I closed my eyes. “I’m not willing to murder her, if that’s what you’re hinting at.”
“I was, but I won’t anymore if you’re opposed to it.”
“I couldn’t kill another person, Urien. It’s just not in me. I want to help Avalon get back on its feet. I don’t know how Morgan fits into all of it.”
“I’ll give this Morgan business some thought. In the meantime, we should get started on our plan.”
My lips curved into a smile that my dad and I were in cahoots, hatching up schemes. “Okay. I think I know where one of the stones is. There’s a spot in the moat she stops by once a day on her walks. It’s not much to go on, but it’s better than nothing.”
“I think we can do better than a hunch. Yes, she hid one in the moat fifteen years ago, but you’ll never find it. She’s a witch, Britney. She’s put it in a pouch that has an invisibility charm in it. She sliced open the throat of a Brownie to get the blood for the spell before Kerdik took the higher magic from the land. You could search the moat forever and never see what’s right in front of your face. You have to feel around for it. It was in a leather pouch, and then placed in a hollowed-out stone before she laid it to rest in the moat. Assuming it’s still there, you’ll want to look for a rock that’s about half the size of my head.”
“Whoa! I wasn’t expecting you to have actual intel. That’s way cool, Urien. I mean, seriously. If it’s still there? That would be the first one, done and over with. Thank you. How did you know that?”
“Morgan likes to come here to gloat on occasion, since I’m the only one who can keep her secrets. I don’t know where they all are, unfortunately.”
“Oh, that’s terrible. You’ve been stuck with this information for this long? That sucks!”
“Indeed. The gem in the moat will be your second one. The first one is here.”
My mouth fell open. “Here? Like, in this room, or somewhere in the mansion?”
“Inside my mouth. She sealed my body so I wouldn’t need food or drink. The Hemlock paralyzed me, and her spell sealed my body from needing sustenance. She said it all under the guise of keeping me safe while she searched for a cure for me, but as she’s the one who poisoned me in the first place, I hardly think that’s the case.”
“Sheesh. And I thought I had relationship drama. Dude, that’s serious.”
“Indeed. Since there’s no need for my mouth to open, it’s the perfect hiding space for one of the jewels. If you pry open my jaws, you’ll find it in a similar invisible pouch.”
I let out a string of spluttery expletives. “Are you serious? It’s been right here this entire time?”
“I needed to know I could trust you with it before handing it over. You’ll return it to one of the further provinces?”
“You have my word, sir. I can have it sneaked out today, actually. I know the jewels have to be moved quickly once they’re taken from their hiding place.”
“Keep it secret, Britney. The Daughters of Avalon weren’t always so greedy. The gems turned their darker sides loose. If it’s known you have one, you’ll be a target, for certain.”
“Yes, sir.” I stood and leaned over his mouth. “I’m sorry. I feel like a jerk opening your mouth for you like this. It’s totally intrusive. Forgive me?”
“Think nothing of it. Only promise me you’ll take it far away from Morgan. Promise me you’ll avenge me, and pay her back for all she’s done.”
I stood at his bedside and smoothed back his brown hair that had wisps of gray on the temples. Then I leaned over and kissed my father’s forehead. “I promise to do all I can to get you back, and get this jewel safely to a province that needs it.” I felt awful prying my father’s jaw open, but I did what needed to be done. I fished around in his mouth with a swiping finger, latching onto a small, damp velvet pouch I couldn’t see. My eyes were wide as saucers when I pulled it out. “I’ve got it!” I fumbled with the invisible thing, finally finding the opening and peering inside. Gli
ttering out at me was an amethyst as wide as a silver dollar. Clear and pure lavender-colored, it shone at me, finally getting its chance to show off after decades of hiding. “Wow. It’s pretty.”
“The deadliest things always are. Quick, now. Hide it somewhere out of sight, but never let it out of your reach.”
“Well, what the crap? Where is out of sight but not out of reach? I’m sort of going to a giant party today.” I cast around for an option, but of course the giant ball gown didn’t have pockets. I sighed and turned away from my father (though his eyes were shut and he couldn’t open them if he wanted to), and stuffed the pouch down the front of my dress, tucking it between my breasts. The corset was so tight, I knew it would hold the treasure in place and not let it slip down. But just in case, I tied the pouch’s string at the opening onto a gold ribbon that laced through the front of my gown. I waved my arms around to make sure it stayed in place. “Okay, it’s secure now.” I moved back to his side and scooped up his hand, wishing my touch could warm him. “Any chance you’ve got a cure that might wake you up?”
“Sadly, I can only solve Avalon’s problems, not my own. My duty is to my country, so it comforts me to know that no matter what my state, I am still the man I set out to be.”
“‘Know who you are,’” I quoted Lane sagely. “I think it’s heroic, what you’re doing. Helping me figure this out. Thank you.”
“Thank you, fair maiden.”
I kissed his hand and laid it back down, resolving that I would not give up on my father – even if the rest of the world had.
17
Formal and Fake
I thought college life had prepared me for loud music, but all the hard rock-blasting dorms, football games and pep rallies were nothing compared to the trumpets that never seemed to tire of announcing each new royal and important official who rode through the decorated stone-lined paths. The super cool officials entered on horses, some in carriages, waving to the peasants who had come from far and wide. Their chins were high and they all wore nicer, pressed clothing. Each blast made me jump in my chair. Well, to call what I sat on a chair would be doing it a gross injustice. I sat next to Morgan on a… well, let’s just call a spade a throne and be done with it. It was pure gold, encrusted with rubies. The stones caught the sun’s rays to shine pure, unadulterated light out on the hundreds of thousands of people, who milled about on the grass in various states of wonder.
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