by Sarah Noffke
It appeared that in an effort to find their father’s ring, Liv had searched through various decorative boxes from different places in the world. They were souvenirs Guinevere Beaufont had brought back from her travels when on Warrior expeditions for the House of Fourteen. Clark had told her fondly about how their mother’s return was always marked by two things. First was a flood of relief on Theodore, their father’s face. The other was usually a gift for her children. Their mother apparently loved boxes because “there was always a reason to hide things.”
Sophia didn’t dig through any of the boxes on the shelves in the living room. If Liv had been through them, then Sophia didn’t expect to find what she was looking for.
That was just the thing. Sophia didn’t know what she was actually looking for. Of course, Plato wasn’t going to tell her. He didn’t even share with Liv that her father’s ring wasn’t here. It was the way of the lynx, and there was hardly any reason to question it.
“What am I looking for?” Sophia asked the lonely space, the sound of her voice strangely making her feel better.
Purpose, Lunis offered in her head. A sense of direction, maybe? Or possibly the meaning of life?
Sophia snickered, grateful to have his presence reassuring her in his own strange way. I was thinking more along the lines of an object, she told him. Something Liv would want for her wedding.
I’ve heard that one needs a veil to get married, Lunis supplied. Well, and also a dress. Maybe you can find your mother’s old one.
That’s a great idea, Sophia remarked, excitement erupting in her chest. Although I don’t think Liv would be caught dead in a veil, she’d probably wear our mother’s dress.
Sophia turned to face a room she hadn’t entered for a long time. It was the study, but no one had ever gone in there to read or do work. Ian had just moved all their parent’s most personal artifacts in there after their death and closed it up.
Sometimes, when Sophia was younger, she would go in there and play, but Clark usually gently persuaded her to find another area for her spells and such.
Holding her breath, Sophia tried to open the door and found it stuck, probably from disuse. If she thought the Beaufonts’ living area smelled of dust, she was sorely mistaken. This place had such a pungent mustiness in the air, it made Sophia sneeze three times in quick succession.
How long has it been since someone’s been in here? she asked Lunis.
It’s hard to go back to places that remind you of the people you can’t go back to, he offered sensitively.
Sophia loved that dragon more than air.
He knew how to be funny when she needed it, and he saved her butt when she was in peril. More important than anything, he knew how to give her comfort when her heart was fracturing. Lunis had the knack of giving Sophia what she needed when she needed it.
There was an old writing desk in the corner. It wasn’t her father’s, she knew. Sophia had found the desk in a plantation house in Louisiana when searching for his journal. She’d gotten the journal but left the desk.
From hearing Reese’s stories, she knew the writing desk had belonged to their mother, who played with the idea of writing down her many adventures. Apparently, she’d taken a page out of Stephen King’s book who had said, “It starts with this: put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down there to write, remind yourself why it isn't in the middle of the room. Life isn't a support system for art. It's the other way around.”
Sophia’s mother had always looked for ways to humble herself. She’d told her children often it was the sign of a good Warrior. “As soon as you inflate your ego, the villain strikes you down. Stay modest and they’ll never see you coming.”
Smiling to herself, Sophia vaulted the words in her memory, knowing they’d save her more than once in her lifetime.
Beside the desk were rows of books that belonged to her parents. There were also various pieces of furniture: armchairs, coffee tables, old rugs, and an armoire.
For a moment, Sophia wished it was the wardrobe that took one to Narnia and she could be off on another adventure.
You really picked the right calling, didn’t you, Lunis observed.
Sophia grinned. I guess so. I’m my mother’s child.
And your sister’s sister, Lunis stated, referring to Liv.
Although I didn’t so much pick being a dragonrider, she argued. It sort of picked me.
Any regrets? he asked.
She shook her head, a grin on her face. Not a one, Sophia replied.
Good, he said. Because you’re stuck with me.
I’m okay with that, she assured him.
Forever, he added for good measure.
Sophia’s smile widened as she approached the wardrobe. She pulled at the door and of course, found it locked. Sighing, Sophia deflated.
It had to go like this, she grumbled to her dragon.
He laughed. Would you have it any other way?
She shook her head. Really, for once could the mysterious lynx just tell me what I’m looking for and how to get it?
As he would say, where would the fun in that be?
Sophia grimaced at Lunis’ reply and looked around the room. “Where is the key?”
How do you know what you’re looking for is in there? he questioned.
It’s in there, she declared. It’s always in the locked cabinet.
He chuckled. Yeah, I know. Just testing you.
It was weird to find something locked in the Beaufont home. Sophia thought back and realized nothing was ever locked. All doors were always open and there were no keys around. Even their family home was not locked since for the most part, one could not enter unless they were a Beaufont. Adler Sinclair, the corrupt magician who had nearly destroyed the House of Fourteen, had found a way to break that law when he stole Lunis’ egg.
Maybe you don’t need a key to open it, Lunis offered.
Sophia slumped. How about a riddle? I really prefer those over obvious solutions.
Good to know, he teased humorously. Now I know what to get you for your birthday.
Yes, please ensure my gift is wrapped in a riddle I have to work out before I can open it, she said.
Remember your family cottage on the coast, Lunis reminded her.
Sophia thought back, remembering her dragon had access to her memories. That usually made things convenient. Sometimes it made things embarrassing depending on the memory. However, she’d given up trying to feel separate from her dragon. They were two of the same, and feeling embarrassment from him about her feelings or memories was like feeling that way about herself.
Yes, she said, recalling the place where Ian and Reese were murdered by the same man who had stolen Lunis’ egg—Adler Sinclair. The lock was undone by an incantation.
Now that Sophia was studying the wardrobe, she realized there actually wasn’t a lock.
So, it is an incantation, she stated, appreciating that Lunis probably already noticed this.
You can try an unlocking spell, he offered.
She shook her head but tried one anyway.
The wardrobe didn’t open.
As I suspected, she said. It can’t be that easy.
You just need the magic password, he said with a laugh.
“Please open,” she said, jerking on the handle. Again, it didn’t open.
Try “Open sesame,” he commented. That one always works.
By always do you mean, never?
He laughed again. Of course I do. You could also try abracadabra.
Sophia shook her head. It’s something obvious.
Like a family motto everyone in the Beaufonts knows by heart, Lunis supplied.
Sophia’s eyes widened. It can’t be that easy. It’s never that easy. She reached out again and tugged hopefully on the wardrobe door as she muttered, “Familia est sempiternum.”
Right on cue, the wardrobe opened, showing her a whole new world she never would have expected to find inside it.
Chapter Eleven
Enchanted by what she saw, it took Sophia a moment to understand what she was looking at.
This wardrobe didn’t lead to another world like Narnia. However, it wasn’t a typical armoire either.
Wow, Lunis said, awe in his tone. It’s bigger on the inside.
A laugh fell from Sophia’s mouth. She should have expected it. Much like the Tardis, the inside of the wardrobe was much larger than it should have been on the inside. It was another room exactly like the one where she was standing.
Turning, she checked to ensure she was right. For a moment, she thought she was looking into a mirror, but there were a few items in the wardrobe room that weren’t in the room where she was.
For instance, there was a double bass sitting in the corner. There was also a large chest in the middle of the room.
Sophia paused before stepping into the wardrobe, finding the space chillier than she’d expected.
What do you make of this? she asked Lunis.
It’s storage, he answered.
Why does it look exactly like the room where the armoire is? she questioned.
I think it’s a safety measure, he mused. It isn’t really the same as the room where you are. That’s just camouflage.
How do you know?
Try to pick up one of those books on the shelf, he ordered.
Sophia did as he instructed, and the book wasn’t in her hand for more than a second before it turned to dust and slipped through her fingers.
She spun to survey the room. I don’t get it, she said to Lunis.
It’s a security box of sorts, he observed. Only the things that aren’t in the room where it resides are in it.
Sophia ran her hand over the double bass, remembering Clark had said their father once played the instrument. Unlike the book, it didn’t turn to dust under her fingers.
Her eyes skipped to the large chest in the center of the room. Excitement built in her as she approached it. It dissipated when she opened it to find the chest was completely empty.
Well, that’s disappointing, she said with a sigh.
That’s where I left that, Lunis exclaimed.
Left what, she asked.
My whole lot of nothing.
Sophia laughed. Again her dragon was making her feel better in his own weird and wonderful way.
I guess if we ever need to hide something, we know where to put it, he offered thoughtfully.
Sophia nodded. Good point.
She glanced out the door of the wardrobe at the almost identical room. The musical instrument and the chest appeared to be the only things different between the two spaces.
Not so fast, Lunis stated, sounding victorious.
What, Sophia asked, searching the other room for what he was referring to.
On the shelf, he told her.
Sophia glanced at the shelf in the real room and then the one in the wardrobe space. It appeared identical, but then she saw it.
Sitting next to the books on the far end was an antique jewelry box. It was large and made of mahogany. Inlaid on the front was an intricate carving made out of ivory.
It’s beautiful, Sophia observed, approaching it carefully afraid to touch it, thinking it would turn to dust.
The jewelry box had to be another gift her mother brought back from her travels. Asia, she thought, studying the design.
To Sophia’s relief, the jewelry box didn’t evaporate into thin air when she opened it. The inside was somehow even more beautiful than the outside. It was lined with emerald green silk with more intricate designs done in embroidery. It was definitely from Asia, Sophia thought.
Even more beautiful than the jewelry box were the items within. For a moment, Sophia thought she’d find their father’s ring, but then she remembered Plato had said he’d had it on him when he died.
There was a large pendant that was no doubt full of magic. There were also a few diamond rings, various mismatched earrings, and a broken watch. Sophia combed through the jewelry, wondering what she was looking for. The jewelry was all nice, but nothing jumped out at her as something Liv would “need” for her wedding.
“You sneaky lynx,” Sophia muttered to herself. “What did you have in mind for me to find?”
Yeah, none of that stuff looks like Liv’s style, Lunis observed.
He was right, Sophia realized. Liv wouldn’t wear rings or a pendant. She wasn’t a jewelry kind of person, but for her wedding, she needed something.
Combing her fingers through the various earrings, she looked for pearls or something simple and understated, like the Warrior for the House of Fourteen. Her finger found a rip in the seam of the jewelry box.
At first, Sophia didn’t think anything of it, but as she pulled it back, she once again found something she wasn’t expecting.
Exactly like the wardrobe, she was looking into another jewelry box.
Well, I didn’t see that coming, Lunis said. It’s a security box inside a security box.
Sophia laughed, feeling exhilarated by the experience. In this hidden jewelry box, there was only one item, and it was what Plato had intended her to find. She knew it without a doubt.
Sophia was certain as she reached for the sapphire necklace, not just because it was extraordinarily beautiful and reminded her of Liv. The gems lining the necklace were the color of the Beaufonts’ eyes. The whole family had those trademark blue eyes. It was the tag attached to the necklace that confirmed what Sophia knew already. She turned it over and read the words neatly printed on it aloud.
“For my daughters on their wedding days.”
Chapter Twelve
“You belong with me.”
Those were the words engraved on the back of the necklace. Next to them was a single initial: T.
Sophia knew it stood for Theodore Beaufont, her father.
He gave this to my mother, I bet, she thought, running her fingers over the sapphires.
She probably wore it on her wedding day, Lunis added.
Something blue, Sophia said, a giggle popping out of her mouth from elation.
It’s something old, too, Lunis stated.
Now I just have to get Liv something new for her wedding day.
Well, her dress will be new, Lunis commented.
Sophia laughed. I highly doubt I can get her to wear a dress, even on her wedding day.
She’ll wear a dress, he told her. You just have to find one that’s her style.
One with a sheath for her sword, Sophia replied.
Something she can throw a roundhouse kick in, he joked.
Sophia held the necklace close to her chest, feeling a strange warmth radiating from the object. She looked forward to giving it to her sister on her wedding day. However, it would have to wait.
She had more pressing issues. Most important was getting to the bottom of the disappearance of the magicians. She needed to track down Trin Currante. When all that was resolved, there was the Ainsley and Hiker business.
Since Sophia had no clue where to begin to look to unravel these mysteries, she knew there was only one place to go.
With a fondness in her chest, she left the wardrobe and made her way out of the old Beaufont family residence, hoping to return soon and explore some more. For now, she needed to pay her fairy godmother a visit.
Chapter Thirteen
Blank space stretched between where Sophia stood and Happily Ever After College.
She had started for the pink door at the front of the building when a group in the distance caught her attention. Among the students in uniforms, she recognized Mae Ling, her fairy godmother bobbing around the crowd, pointing wildly.
For being under five-foot-tall, Mae Ling had a presence that made her appear larger than most.
Many of the students had their mouths covered when Sophia approached. She thought this might be cause for concern, but when she was closer, she heard many excited gasps.
Mae Ling snapped her fingers in the air and shook her head, a stern expression on her face. �
�They aren’t cute cuddly creatures…well, they are, but more importantly, for your purposes, they are tools.”
On the grass in front of the group were little baby bunnies, mice, chicks, and sparrows. The birds hopped around, not taking flight, which was surprising to Sophia. All the young animals seemed to be paying attention to Mae Ling, the instructor, as if they were the students in the class.
“Now,” Mae Ling began, her hands behind her back as she charged one way and then the other. “You have a Cinderella, and she needs an entourage to attract the attention of a Prince Charming. Which of these tools would you employ?”
Multiple hands shot up into the air, waving excitedly.
“Go ahead, Jaz.” Mae Ling pointed to a girl with short curly brown hair.
“It would depend on the Cinderella,” Jaz began. “If she’s a bit shy, I’d use the bunny. A more outgoing type would be matched well with a squirrel.”
All heads swiveled to Mae Ling, looking for approval from their instructor. “Although that’s a logical answer, it’s not correct,” she began, continuing to pace. “A fairy godmother has to work with what she has available to her. You will need to learn to adapt your magic to the situation. Not the other way around.”
Mae Ling waved Sophia over to her. “Look, we have a wonderful model right here. Now let’s pretend this Cinderella needs to go to a party, but she can’t like this obviously.”
Peering down at her armored top and black pants, Sophia shrugged. It wasn’t really party attire. Mae Ling pointed to one of the girls standing nearby. “Torrie, put our Cinderella into an appropriate outfit using what you have available to you.”
A very tall girl with long blonde hair stepped forward, furrowing her brow. “What I have available…” Her eyes scanned the area. She did a double-take when they ran across a bed of roses nearby. A spark of excitement filled her face before she swiped her hand in the direction of the roses.
They disappeared, and a weird constriction took over Sophia’s body. Her head jerked down as her clothes were replaced with a tight dress covered in a rose pattern. It was elegant and yet fashionable.
