by Sarah Noffke
A fondness crossed his face, the same expression he always got when he thought of their parents or when he spoke about them. For Sophia, there was little emotion for her at the mention of their dead parents. She used to try and make herself feel something for the people she never really knew, but it was hopeless.
Her siblings adored their parents and spoke about them like they were legends. Everyone who knew Guinevere and Theodore Beaufont were. But for Sophia, it was like idolizing someone in a history book. She could appreciate the cold, hard facts about them, but nothing else because she didn’t have her own memories to connect her to those two incredible people.
“Are you settling in?” Sophia asked, changing the subject. “I mean, besides the housekeeper telling you to throw your dinner in the trash and berating you for trying to help.”
He chuckled. “Yeah. This is a very comfortable place, although much different from the House of Fourteen.”
“You should see the Castle when it’s well,” Sophia explained. “It anticipates your needs, and if it likes you, supplies what you want. If it doesn’t, like with Evan, it deprives you. Very quirky old castle. More personality in this place than most people I have met.”
Clark nodded appreciatively. “I can see that. Although the circumstances which brought me here are unfortunate, I’m still grateful I got a chance to see the place you are a part of.”
“You won’t be staying much longer, so fill up your scrapbook with mental images before you get kicked to the curb,” Ainsley said, buzzing back into the dining hall and right past them. She disappeared into the kitchen.
Clark gave Sophia a curious expression. “How does a housekeeper who hardly leaves this place have such a modern vernacular?”
She grinned. “She watches YouTube with me at night.”
“Of course, she does. You would obviously be educating the Dragon Elite about the modern world.”
“Just wait until I pass along my Amazon addiction,” Sophia teased.
The door to the kitchen swung back open, and Ainsley stuck her head through. “Are you going to cook, or are you going to chat all day? When the dragonriders come in, they’ll be hungry, and no one likes waiting around while snotty guys in suits take forever to polish the silverware.”
Sophia kept the laugh begging to escape her mouth at bay. “I think she is referring to you.”
Clark nodded. “Yeah, she is a real name caller.” He turned and gave the housekeeper a polite smile. “I will have dinner done on time. I promise.”
Ainsley pointed at Clark as he hurried in her direction, looking past him at Sophia. “This guy is a real piece of work. I feel sorry for whoever his family is. Holidays must be a real bore fest.”
Chapter Ninety
“Are you cold?” Rudolf asked Sophia, walking past her, a baby still strapped to his front and to his back. Both were still quiet, sucking away at the pacifiers Mae Ling had given her.
She arched an eyebrow at him. “No, why?”
“Well, why are you wearing a blanket?” he asked.
Glancing down at her body, she shrugged. “Do you mean my travel cloak? Which I wear because I’m a dragonrider who goes on badass adventures, on my dragon?”
He held up his hands. “I guess. It looks to me like you are wearing a blanket.”
“Where is the other baby?” Sophia asked. “Captain Morgan?”
He looked around suddenly, anxious. “Oh, I thought you had her.”
“I have been off on a mission,” Sophia explained to him. “And you and I need to leave for the Fae Museum of National History right after dinner.”
“Because?” he asked, trailing away.
“Because we have to steal that captain’s hat,” she told him, feeling suddenly tired.
“Because?”
“Because I need it in order to remind Quiet of what he has to live for,” Sophia explained.
“Because?”
“Because if I have to keep explaining things to you, then you are going to get murdered,” she fired back.
“That is what I keep saying,” Liv said, coming into the dining hall pushing the baby carriage. “You left this in the weapons room. Not a place where I think small humans should be.”
“But she likes her stroller,” Rudolf argued, not getting what Liv was talking about.
She shook her head and looked Sophia over. “Oh, so the mission…”
“It was fine,” Sophia replied, waving Liv off.
“That is not what I meant,” Liv offered. “Something else happened.”
Sophia shook her head. “Nothing happened. Nothing. I recovered Excalibur, fought a bunch of ogres, rescued a dragon, met some assassin baker, and then found out it was all pretty unnecessary to begin with.”
Rudolf leaned over, checking on Captain Morgan. “That sounds almost exactly like the day I had.”
Liv cut her eyes at him. “You fell asleep on your side with those children strapped to you, and I had to change Captain Morgan’s diaper.”
“Well, I had a dream that was like Sophia’s day,” Rudolf protested, looking up at the tall ceiling. “It’s something about this place. It’s almost like this place is old and has lots of memories or something.”
“It’s probably one of the oldest buildings still standing,” Sophia commented.
Rudolf waved her off. “Right. Just like the Cosmopolitan on the Vegas strip.”
“Nope.” Liv turned her attention to Sophia. “You and me, we are talking after dinner about this stuff that didn’t happen.”
“No, Rudolf and I have to go break into a museum.”
“I’m always up for breaking into places that have national treasures, but I’m putting down the big sister foot,” Liv demanded. “You are exhausted and going to get some rest. You can leave for this mission with Rudolf, which will rob your soul of much joy, first thing in the morning.”
“I’m really looking forward to it too,” Rudolf chimed, bouncing around as the babies strapped to him started to fuss.
Sophia sighed. “Yeah, fine. We will leave tomorrow.”
She had to admit she was exhausted, and having some time to chat with Liv would be good for her spirit. It could also cause her feelings to come out, and that worried her. Still, there was no arguing with Liv when she made up her mind.
Chapter Ninety-One
“What is that smell?” Evan said, taking in a big inhale when he entered the dining hall.
“Your face,” Sophia fired at him.
Liv gave her an appreciative expression. “Good one.”
“Ha-ha,” he said, walking past Sophia and moving a bit better than she had seen him recently.
“Did Hester fix you up?” Sophia asked him.
“Yeah, it’s weird to have to do things the old fashioned way,” Evan admitted.
“You mean with an actual healer instead of having a sentient castle heal you while you sleep?” Sophia teased.
“Yeah, totally ‘old-school,’ as you would say.”
Sophia shook her head at Evan. “I guess you have met my sister Liv, and Rudolf and the others.”
“Yeah, and I screamed when I saw the giants because no one told me they were going to be here,” Evan said.
Liv’s eyes fluttered with annoyance. “Yeah, I had to intervene when this dimwit pulled a sword on Rory, trying to fight him.”
He held up his hands. “What? The last time I encountered a giant, they tried to knock my head off. They aren’t the most pleasant people. I thought the giant might have broken in through the Barrier and was pillaging the Castle.”
“Too bad they didn’t succeed in knocking your head off.” Sophia let out a tired sigh. “I did tell you, Evan, that the giants would be here.”
He shook his head. “We both know I don’t listen to you, Soph.”
“Isn’t he cute?” she asked Liv.
“Like a hairless cat,” her sister admitted. “I wonder if Hester can give him back that stab wound.”
“We can always ask,�
� Sophia suggested.
Right on cue, the healer entered the dining hall. “Hey, ladies. I’ve finished with Mahkah and think I should head back to the House of Fourteen now. I don’t want anyone to grow suspicious and they might with us all missing at the same time.”
“That is a good idea,” Liv declared.
“How is Mahkah?” Sophia asked.
“He is as good as new. I was able to regrow the finger. Although if he loses it again or any other parts, there is no hope. Sorry. I can only fix a lost appendage once on a person.”
“I’m sure he’ll be extra careful,” Sophia promised, although since she had known him, Mahkah had bad luck with getting injured. “Were you able to…”
The light expression on Hester’s face fell away as she filled in what Sophia hadn’t said. “I’m sorry, but for some strange reason, my healing powers don’t work on the groundskeeper or the housekeeper.”
“Oh.” Sophia couldn’t keep the disappointment out of her voice.
“I’m sorry, dear, but I think whatever this incredible Castle was doing to keep them healthy and alive is much more powerful than me,” Hester explained. “They’ll need the Castle back to recover.”
Sophia nodded. “I have an antidote for the groundskeeper. I just have to get him to take it, and that is a bit complicated. Hopefully, once he comes to, he’ll know how to fix the Castle.”
“And then it will fix Ainsley,” Evan exclaimed, mock fondness in his voice. “And this place will go back to being a circus once more.”
“Don’t be a jerk about this place,” Sophia warned. “Things might be stable right now, but that may not last.”
Liv patted Sophia on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. We are here, and we are going to help. We will keep the Gullington as safe as we can until things are back to normal for you.”
“Except for me,” Hester said, offering a smile. “I must be off.”
“Thanks for your help,” Sophia said, hugging the healer she had known her entire life. She had always trusted the DeVries. Now she did even more.
“Anything for a Beaufont.” Hester touched Sophia’s chin slightly as she regarded her with fondness. She looked around at the dining hall, her eyes dazzling with delight. “This place was quite a sight to see. I feel honored. I only wish I could have met Mother Nature while I was here. I hear she is larger than life.”
Mama Jamba hustled into the dining hall, her bunny slippers scratching against the stone floor. “Now, where did I leave my hair curlers?” She looked up at Sophia as she passed. “Dear, have you seen my bag of foam curlers? They really are the only way I can get this hair tamed, especially with all that wind you keep kicking up all over the Gullington.”
Sophia smiled wide. “You know, Hester. Today is your lucky day.”
Chapter Ninety-Two
“Lucky day?” Mama Jamba asked, looking around at the group. “Every day on my green Earth is lucky.”
“This is…” Hester’s gray eyes widened with shock as she looked between Sophia and the little woman wearing a purple plush hoodie over a T-shirt that read: “Mother Nature is My Pharmacist.”
The healer had the same expression of disbelief most did when they met the infamous Mama Jamba. She covered it almost immediately and bowed low to the woman. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Mother Nature.”
“Call me Mama Jamba,” the old southern belle said. “And Bunny, we’ve known each other all your life. This isn’t our first meeting.”
Hester blushed. “Bunny. No one has called me that since…”
“Your papa,” Mama Jamba supplied. “Where do you think he got your nickname from?”
“From you?” Hester asked.
Mama Jamba nodded. “Indeed. It’s a story for another time because a Warrior for the House of Fourteen needs your healing ability.”
“Oh, who?” Liv asked, worry suddenly covering her face.
“Not your man,” Mama Jamba said, relieving her fears. “It’s Maria Rosario. Minor injuries, but still, it’s best if you hurry off now. We will meet again.”
“Thank you,” Hester told her and offered the group a polite smile as she hurried for the exit, showing herself out.
“Mama Jamba, will you tell me what is going on at my kingdom right now?” Rudolf asked. “How is Serena doing? Is there anything calling for my attention?”
She leveled her gaze at the fae. “As always, the Las Vegas strip you call your kingdom is polluting my Earth with traffic, noise, and debauchery.”
He sighed with a relieved expression. “That sounds about right.”
Mama Jamba did not appear impressed by his reaction, and her lips pursed. “Serena is taking her afternoon nap, which will later be followed by her evening lounging and capped off with vegging on the sofa and watching children’s television, but the jokes are all going over her head so she will be back asleep before it gets too late.”
Rudolf nodded. “I hope she doesn’t overdo it again.”
“It sounds like she will survive,” Liv said dryly.
Evan very non-discreetly slid behind Sophia when Rory entered the dining hall. The giant made the oversized entryway appear normal-sized.
“What are you doing?” Sophia asked Evan over her shoulder.
“I’m hiding,” he answered, peering over her head at the giant.
From the corner of her mouth, she told him, “I think he can see you.”
Evan nodded. “Yeah, but I don’t think he’ll hit a girl.”
Liv laughed. “Rory won’t so much as give the wasp nest on his back porch a dirty look. He personifies the term ‘gentle giant.’”
Evan gave her an uncertain expression. “Giants hold grudges, though, and I don’t think this big guy is going to forget I pulled a sword on him.”
Sophia leaned over and talked loudly into Evan’s ear. “That giant can hear you.”
“Are you sure?” Evan still crouched behind Sophia, although she made a tiny shield.
“Yeah, I believe so,” Sophia answered with a laugh.
“He is going to put you in a book and kill you,” Liv teased Evan. “That is what writers do with people they don’t like, isn’t that right, Rory?”
“I have killed approximately a dozen characters who were modeled after Liv here.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Hey, Rory. Why did the writer cross the road?”
He surveyed the dining hall. “I guess Mum is still with Hiker.”
“I’m so glad you asked,” Liv said, dismissing the fact the giant was ignoring her question. “Well, the writer was supposed to be finishing her book, so she crossed the road to grab a coffee, do her taxes, and maybe buy a new panini press.”
He shook his head. “That joke doesn’t make sense. You can’t buy a panini press at an accounting firm.”
Evan tapped Sophia rapidly in the arm. “Are you serious about these people overseeing magic in the magical world? I think it’s more likely they escaped the nutter house.”
“You are one to talk,” she fired back.
Liv shook her head at the giant. “I feel like you missed the point of the joke. But I get I threw you off by making an accounting reference.” She turned her gaze to Evan. “Actuary, Rory used to be an accountant.”
“You stop that,” Rory said, cringing from the bad pun.
“I can’t,” Liv argued. “I’m on a payroll.”
The giant covered his face, shaking his head.
“Okay, I’m going to go see if Clark needs someone to taste the sauce,” Liv declared, striding for the kitchen. “Calc you later!”
That one made Sophia laugh. Lunis and Liv were a lot more alike than either one wanted to admit.
“Hey, Rory,” Sophia called. “Did you hear about the writer who jumped out of the window on the fifteenth story?”
His gaze slid up to the ceiling. “Oh, no. Not you too.”
“He could have gone to the sixteenth, but that is another story,” Sophia said with a laugh.
B
a-dum-tsk, Lunis called proudly in her head.
Mama Jamba clapped her hands excitedly. “Oh, good. We are telling bad jokes over dinner. That is a great way to ensure the conversation keeps moving since Hiker is in a real bad mood.”
“Wait, these jokes aren’t bad,” Sophia argued. “And Hiker in a bad mood? Shocking. Why this time?”
“Yes, those jokes are atrocious,” Evan affirmed. “And our fearless leader is probably mad because I discovered Post-It notes and plastered them all over his office, labeling the various things they were placed on.”
“You need a job,” Sophia said, unimpressed.
“Hey!” Evan argued. “I was out of commission, and no one wanted me to cook.”
“Well, now that you are back, you can help with strategy and do stuff that is useful,” she told him.
They didn’t have to wait to find out why Hiker was angry this time. He thundered into the dining hall, Bermuda Laurens close on his heels.
“But,” the giantess said, her tone insistent. “I was simply hoping you could explain how the Gullington isn’t on any maps when the Barrier is up and can’t be seen by anyone but the Dragon Elite and those who serve them.”
“I don’t know,” Hiker growled, stomping over to his usual seat at the head of the table.
“It’s magic, dear Bermuda,” Mama Jamba explained, settling into her usual seat.
Bermuda, who for once didn’t have an authoritative appearance about her, nodded to Mother Nature. “I understand that. It’s just it’s an unclassified type of magic.”
“And I want it to stay that way,” Hiker admonished.
Sophia thought the truth was that Hiker didn’t really know how the Gullington worked. If he did, she believed he would know how to figure out what was wrong with it. He couldn’t even get the Castle to cooperate when it punished him and redesigned his office. Ainsley probably understood the Castle better than most, and Quiet knew the Gullington, but neither was in any condition to explain anything.
Sophia agreed with Hiker on this one. She knew Bermuda meant well, wanting to record information for her reference guides and books, but it was best if no one knew the secrets of the Gullington. Already they had been punished and put on the defense simply because Hiker revealed the location of the Dragon Elite.
