Unlocking Adeline (Skeleton Key)

by J. D. Hollyfield

  I have no idea at what point I got so sucked into this story that I began to cry.

  “Oh dear, I didn’t mean to upset ye.” I wipe the tears that have fallen down my cheek. “You haven’t upset me, that story was just so beautiful. I hope to one day find someone that is willing to love me as much as William does you.”

  Faith grabs for my hand and offers a strong squeeze. “Darling, I believe ye will. And ye never know, ye may already have.” She winks again, and I hear the happiness in her words. It makes me frown; knowing the end of my story is not going to be like her and William’s.

  “Faith, I’m sorry, but I don’t belong here. And if you are referring to Locke, thinking he is my one, he’s not. We come from two different worlds. I mean, he isn’t even nice.” I stop, feeling bad for insulting her son, but she only smiles wider.

  She pats my thigh “He is who he is. And for so long he has had this overbearing chip on his shoulder. He bears a lot of responsibility. It isn’t easy to be in his position. He refuses to believe his life allows for love. He is a warrior at heart. Just like his father. But as his father, he also has something inside him aching to be loved. His heart beats for someone. He just fights to acknowledge it.”

  I think about her story. “Faith, do you think I am Locke’s match? Is that why I have been brought here?” I hope she doesn’t say yes, because it will make me feel bad when I leave. She lifts my hand and turns it over, my palm facing upward. “Ye both bear the crescent moon. Ye aren’t just matched with my son, ye are destined for him.”

  That damn birthmark again. If I’m so destined to be with Locke, why the continuous mention of her other son? “Then why…” I don’t really know how to finish that question. These strange people, in this strange era, keep speaking in circles.

  Faith simply laughs, tapping my thigh. “Locke, as ye have learned very quickly, is a bit rough around the edges. He knows the way of life here. He is just refusing to accept it. He thinks he is not good enough to take on the king’s seat. He is being foolish by trying to offer ye to Christof. But we all know that’s not what this world has planned. The book never lies, my sweet child. All we have to do is dangle ye in front of his brother and then we wait until he breaks.” She smiles widely.

  It was shortly after Faith’s admission that I asked to return back to my room. I felt semi sick to my stomach, and I knew that I needed some alone time to take all this in. In a short amount of time, I have come to realize that my dad, still being my dad, was not who I thought he was. He actually comes from a different world, which he left because he fell in love. He broke an alliance with a family who had dibs on their first daughter, aka me, and when he left, he left a lineage open to die off and an entire land without a future King and Queen. As for the rest of Faith’s babble walking back up to the castle, she explained that, per the book of Wren, the next born children who bore the crescent moon would be the next to take the thrown. Locke bears the mark in his iris. I bear it on my wrist. Bingo. And here we are.

  The problem is, not that it matters in the end since I’m so outta here first chance I get, but if it’s not obvious, Locke doesn’t like me. Which is fine because I certainly don’t like him. He has clearly made it known that he has no interest in marrying, which will end up working in his favor, since no female will be attracted to that rude, angry attitude he carries with him. He might be very attractive. Okay, so maybe he’s the hottest guy I have ever laid eyes on, but bring his attitude into the picture and it makes him one big ole jerk.

  Faith ended our walk back with a few more kind details about her other son, Christof. He sounded completely opposite of Locke. Maybe sticking by this one until I leave sounded like a better plan. She returned me as requested to my room and said how she looked forward to seeing me at dinner.

  Stepping foot inside, I started toward the bed where I planned on face planting, but Ellie, hopping on one foot and anxious to get me dressed, had other plans. She stressed that we were lacking in time to prepare for the big Welcoming Ball, which was set to begin in less than three hours. Three hours? What in the hell did we need to do that took three hours?

  I bang my head into the bathroom wall. “Ouch.” I rub at my now sore forehead. Not only did that hurt, which means this is not a dream, it hurt bad, meaning that wall is real wood and not cheap drywall they use for houses nowadays.

  I can’t go down to that dinner. I need to find a way out of here. Wherever I am. How could my dad do this to me? Lie to me my whole life I mean, seriously! How can you be from a magical realm, a time traveler and told that your daughter will be the next princess and keep it all that to yourself!? The hurt sinks in. I thought he loved me. He promised to always take care of me. To keep me safe. But he’s been lying to me this whole time. And to allow Locke to just take me. Is he going to come for me? Was that the last time I will ever see my family? I hope they’re okay.

  When I enter back into the bedroom, a dress has been laid out on the bed. More like a poof ball. “Who in God’s name is wearing that?” I gawk at the obnoxious dress that has to be like a million years old.

  “Miss, this is for ye. Sir Locke picked it out.”

  “Well, tell Sir Locke I want my Converse back for starters, and I am NOT wearing this. Is this a joke?”

  “No ma’am that is actually a mighty fine dress. It was personally handcrafted by the best seamstress in all of Wren.”

  I turn to Ellie. “Ellie, answer me one thing. I know I’m not in Kansas anymore, as we like to say, but where the heck am I really?”

  “Ye are in Wren, Miss.”

  “Great. But that means nothing to me. Like is it a small town in Iowa? Mexico? What sort of cult are you people with, and can I please speak to your leader?’” Because I seriously want to go home. I want to go home and take a good solid swing at my dad.

  “Miss, this is Wren and ye are not in Kansas. I’m not so sure I know what a Kansas is.”

  I stopped letting Ellie speak after that. She seemed sweet. Strange when she tried to dress me, which I freaked out at and told her to get out, but sweet. I then quickly asked her to come back in when I had no idea how to put the damn thing on.

  Three layers later, I was dressed in an ice blue evening gown. It wouldn’t have been so bad if it wasn’t layered with a corset, bustle, stockings, and Jesus, I can go on forever! Ellie had curled and pinned my hair, and while I looked in the stand-alone mirror, it freaked me out because I kind of looked like a princess.

  “My Miss, I must say, ye look stunning. Sir Locke will be much pleased with ye.”

  “Sir Locke can—”

  “Sir Locke can what?” We both turn to see Locke standing in the doorway. His fight gear gone, now dressed in black slacks and a white button up shirt that nicely hugs his muscled chest. His broad shoulders rest under a blazer, while his hands are tucked away in his pockets. I bring my eyes slowly up his body to his tanned neck, next to his now shaved chin. Once our eyes connect, I witness the noticeable fire in his eyes.

  “See something ye like?” he purrs, calling me out. My foggy mind quickly clears and my anger sets in.

  “No, more curious why we’re both dressed so funny. Why am I in this? Where are the rest of my clothes and shoes?”

  “Gone. Ye won’t be needing those anymore.” I turn to pick up the brush, ready to fling it at him, but that look in his eyes is warning enough. I huff and release my grip. “Are ye ready for dinner? My family and brother are ready to meet ye.”

  What in God’s name is wrong with this man? His family? His brother? Does he really think he is going to kidnap me, bring me to a strange warp zone, and seriously act like I should be excited to meet his ever-loving family!?

  “You’re insane.”

  “No, Adeline. I’m hungry. Now, ye can behave and meet yer new family, or ye can stay locked up in this room. It will be a shame to miss such a lovely evening. It’s up to ye.” I want to defy him. But I also think about having to stay in this room, alone. I want answers. I cannot be caged
up any longer or I will go insane.

  I let out a huge burst of air, showing my defeat.

  “Good, now shall we?” He sticks out his hand, offering his arm to me. I think about taking it and snapping it off. Sadly, instead, I lift my hand and drape it through the opening as he guides me out of my cage and down to the hall.

  Locke doesn’t seem to care that I am not used to walking in seventeen layers of fabric nonsense. “Can you please slow down? I’m going to trip on this costume.” I complain. Shockingly, he does, allowing me to steady my pace. “So what am I really walking into down there? Is it like some sort of execution? Cult like stuff? I mean, it’s not normal to just kidnap people, and then take them to a family dinner party.”

  He stops abruptly, and I run into him. Turning to face me, he still grips my arm. “Yer father left his home. He left his mother. Her husband had died just the year before. How do ye think she faired when her son abandoned her? How do ye think this village faired when one of their own left one day on a privileged mission and never returned? Yer father knew his mark in this world. He denied this village. Trust me, I saw how ye lived. Ye should be thankful the luxuries ye are being given.”

  I rip my arm away from him. How dare he? “You can go ahead and insult my dad all you want. Or the way we lived, but this still has nothing to do with me. I didn’t leave anyone. I knew nothing about this, so you can ditch the attitude with me. I’m not my dad. I didn’t promise anything to anyone, and I may not have had all these riches you speak of, but I had a family who loved me.”

  My rebuttal does not sit well with Locke. He begins to back me into the wall, lowering his head so our eyes fully meet. “Yer father left his rightful duties to be with yer mother. He left behind a lot of responsibility, wounding his own mother. Is that the love ye speak of? That key appeared for ye that day. Yer father, as selfish as he is, took it and used it for himself. He knew that key had made itself known to bring ye home. Is hiding who ye are, love? Ye may not have chosen this life; but yer father did for ye. Now he must give up what he owes: a daughter to birth the next heir.”

  HA! Birth? “Like, as in have a child? Dude, lay off the special sauce. I’m not having sex and having anyone’s child here. Especially yours.”

  His eyes light up, that fire once again. “Well, then I am glad we are on the same page. I do not wish to take a wife. So I will gladly hand ye over to my brother.” He turns to continue walking, but I snatch at his shoulder. “Wait what? Your brother? Why your brother?”

  He turns, looking annoyed. “Christof. The Book of Wren states that ye are to choose the one to marry and carry on the lineage. It is of yer choosing. Ye would have been given the right to be courted at age sixteen and chose on yer own. But yer father took that away from ye, as well. I am going to make it easy. I want no part in this, therefore he wins. Simple.” He turns again. He doesn’t know. His own mother didn’t tell him that it’s only him?

  “But wait!” I scurry after him. “I thought the Book of Wren says only the chosen are to marry?”

  He stops and turns once again. “And somewhere there is a clause, I’m sure. No one will blink an eye if ye choose Christof. He is the more suited one. Now let’s go, before everyone begins to wonders what is taking their long lost princess so long.”

  He doesn’t say anything more. He also doesn’t stick to a speed I can keep up with. Before we know it, we are heading down the wide staircase, into a main entrance. Before we hit the main ballroom, I shout, “Wait!”

  Looking just as annoyed as before, he turns. “What is it now?”

  “Well… what if they don’t like me?” He takes in my nervous fidgeting and his eyes shockingly lose some of their fierceness.

  “Ye remind me of yer grandmother, Berta. Fierce. Too yappy. Not much for taking orders. And ye have her eyes. Ye will do just fine.”

  “I have a grandmother?” I ask, my throat locking. I never knew I had any living relatives. My mom’s parents died young so we never really had any family. It has always been just us.

  “Ye do. Now, let’s go.”

  Locke guides me into the large ballroom. For a second, I forget what I am walking into as I take in the stunning scenery. The ballroom, double the size of my old high school gym, is filled with more ancient art. Between the statues stand tall stained glass windows, allowing the moon’s light to shine through. It may be the most beautiful room I have ever been in. As I look around, I take note of the massive amount of people that are gathered. Some sort of folk music is coming from a group of musicians tucked away in the corner, and people are chatting, drinking, and seeming to enjoy themselves. It’s when someone gets a glimpse of Locke that the room quiets and the whispers begin. The area suddenly transforms as bodies turn and eyes focus on us. I try and hide behind Locke’s large frame, but he grabs at my bicep, holding me in place. “Why are they all staring like that?” I lean in and whisper. It’s like walking around school with toilet paper stuck to your shoe or leaving that seven foot size sticker on your jeans.

  “It’s because they are intrigued.”

  “At what exactly?”

  “Ye.” He turns and gives me a devilish smile. Oh God, the ogre can smile. How can he look so scary, but so good at the same time?

  With no care to take it slow, he begins to walk. Digging my heels into the ground, “Oh no. I am not going in there. They look like a bunch of hungry wolves ready to maul me.”

  And they do. Some look curious. Some are smiling, but more than most are looking at me with distrust. This doesn’t seem right. Who rips someone out of their world, drags them into another realm, and throws them into a dinner party without any preparation? I’m starting to panic, possibly get sick.

  “I think I’m going to be sick, Locke, please. Just take me back upstairs. I changed my mind. I’ll choose jail over this.” I tug at his tight hold on me. Before I am able to get free, Faith approaches us with a warm smile crossing her face.

  “My how lovely ye look in that dress, Adeline. I must say, ye are truly a full comely creature on this evening.” She brings her hands up and cups my face. I’m not sure how to respond because I don’t speak in code. I’m not sure that being a comely creature is a good thing.

  “Well, thank you bu—”

  “Adeline is looking forward to meeting all the people of Wren, aren’t ye, Adeline?” Locke speaks, looking at me while his grip squeezes my bicep.

  “Ouch! Geez, yes, I am out of this world excited.” I give him my meanest glare.

  “Wonderful Adeline, everyone is beyond thrilled that ye have returned home to us. I hope that everything is to yer liking. Before we overwhelm ye with introductions, please do let me introduce ye to my other son.” Fearing another Locke, I grunt as I turn and notice a handsome man approaching us. This cannot be his brother. He isn’t scowling or looking like he wants to rip people’s heads off.

  “Ahh ye are correct, Mother. She is as beautiful as the summer’s morning.” The man approaches, offering me his hand. I reach out to give him a handshake, but he takes my wrist, and places a soft kiss to the top of my hand. “It is a pleasure to finally meet ye, Princess Adeline. The stories are held true that ye will truly take a man’s breath away.”

  Well shoot; I could probably say the same about him. His charm definitely hits me instantly. He looks nothing like Locke: his features a lot kinder, his hair a softer brown, and a smile that looks perfect on him. “I… um… I…” I forget Locke is still holding my other hand until his death grip reminds me, snapping me out of my fog.

  “Well, it looks like ye two will have no problems getting along. This is where I depart, Mother.” Locke lets go of my hand; well more like flings it as if it is on fire, and bends forward to kiss the cheek of his mother. He turns to Christof, showing no emotion. “Brother.” He nods, and off he goes.

  Next to us, Faith claps her hands together, breaking the awkward stare of us all watching Locke storm off. “Well, I must attend to the guests. I will let ye two get aquatinted.” She b
ows to us and turns, making her way over to a hovering group of women.

  Leaving us alone, I face Locke’s brother. “I am not marrying you, or bearing your child,” I say bluntly, wanting to get the facts on the table.

  Christof grins, applying a soft squeeze to my hand he has yet to release. “Ahh, very up front. I like that in a lady.” Definitely opposite from his bipolar brother, and I have to admit his charming features are not going unnoticed either.

  “Well, I just thought we should get that out of the way, and we will get along just fine until I leave, got it?”

  “Loud and clear, Princess Adeline.” He gestures by bowing to me.

  “Oh, and don’t call me Princess. I’m not five.”

  He responds to my request by laughing. “But in this land ye are. Ye are the greatest treasure to Wren. The one who will one day rule this Kingdom, and heir the next king or queen.”

  I don’t think anyone is listening to me. “Look, I just learned about this place. Well. I kind of knew, but I didn’t know it was real. Which I’m still deciphering if it is or not, but that’s beside the point.” There is still a small glimmer of hope I was roofied at that bar, which means the hallucinogen should wear off sometime.

  “How about this? I promise to act like a perfect gentleman, unlike my brother, who seems to look murderous right now.” We both turn to see Locke, who indeed looks just that.

  “God, what’s his problem?” I ask, not that I don’t already know it. Being a jerk does probably tend to be rather boring.

  “Oh, I’m sure he is not happy that I am still holding yer hand. Or that I am going to do this again,” he says, as he lifts my hand back to his mouth, placing yet another kiss to the top of my skin. Once he pulls away, our eyes meet and I sense the mischief in them. I think I’m going to like this brother a whole lot better.