One fairy in particular catches my attention. The way her dress of flowers hangs behind her, the way a crown of flowers rests upon her head—she’s the queen. “Welcome. Princess.” She makes a sweeping bow while hovering at my eye level. Her voice is much deeper than one would expect from someone so small.
“We have long awaited, this meeting. Why doth your betrothed wait for you at the gate?” she asks. Mymees gather around.
“His haughtiness kept him. He waits in fear of falling into a sandpit,” I say, unsure what I’m doing here.
The mymee giggles. “Dear Princess, the prophecy you’ve mistaken. For your haughtiness will only get you slain. Approach me. Come forth and show me your eyes.” She beckons me.
I do as she says. “Much you need still learn. But listen carefully or the world will burn,” she begins. I almost sigh at the thought of remembering another rhyme that won’t make much sense. “Royalty is what you seek but your prince is wrong, for some are meek. Few will fight, for this battle is yours. But call upon us for we will open doors. You show bravery beyond yourself, but knowledge you need, look upon the shelf. Amber is the princess you must find, for though she fights not, she has information to save your time.”
“Thank you. But where can I find her?”
“I would begin with the surroundings of her former home. Elna was a very secretive kingdom. Be careful. Those with lives they shouldn’t be living call it their home as well. No one there questions what they do.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” I bow as she did for me.
“Shanice, you are brave and smart, but lost. Find yourself before it’s too late. Mendina will use your own fears against you if you allow her.” I nod and take a step back.
“Be safe, child. Know that Mendina has destroyed our home as well. Destroy her before she harms any more. And know that when the cry for battle comes, we await your call.” While the queen speaks, two mymees lay a crown of flowers upon my head.
“Thank you.” I bow once more before turning back. Most of what she said made very little sense to me but I know where to find more information. Wentsden is our next stop.
I couldn’t bring myself to tell Valentino I need to get inside his father’s castle. I just told him we needed to go back to Umare. Danica asked me to keep word of the pool a secret, and I agreed but without Valentino, I don’t even know how to look for it.
We ride all day, and because Valentino is angry with me, I have the entire ride to figure out how to explain to him that I need to get inside Wentsden. It isn’t a matter to be taken lightly.
Valentino will protest if he knows why I need to get in there but I know I must go to Gowell and that means first, I must see the pool. I have to try and speak with Speranza. Kajetan and Krea need rescuing, just as the other royals need finding. And if I can get inside Mendina’s fort, her lair, her home, I might have an actual chance at breaking her. Defeating her.
Magic is something I need to learn to control also. While I don’t know much, I know enough to be sure that I won’t be stopping Mendina with a sword or arrow.
While she once was a princess, now she is evil. She is darkness. She must be stopped, and the only way I will be able to that is by using her strength against her.
“Will you teach me how to use my magic?” I blurt out. Valentino slowly looks at me, still riding.
“Now?”
“When we get back to Umare. Mendina uses magic, I’m going to need to know how to use my own. Plus, I almost killed Javiar because it was all building up inside me, and if he hadn’t thrown me in the river when he did, I could have killed both of us.”
“Javiar did what?” He grits his teeth. I realize I probably shouldn’t have mentioned that.
“Javiar realized I was about to explode because the magic was building up inside me. So he led me to the water and then pushed me in so the shock would force the magic to save me, rather than kill me,” I explain, keeping my voice even.
“Does he realize that if it backfired, you would both be dead anyway?” Valentino won’t look at me now, his hatred for Javiar clouding his judgment.
“Valentino, I’m fine. Javiar did what he had to do and it saved us. I’m fine right now but I am going to need how to use my powers. I just want to know if you’ll teach me.”
I can’t keep fighting with this boy. Every time I do, it drives another wedge between us, and that kills me. I look straight ahead, unable to see what face he’s making now. But I’m surprised when his hand wraps around mine. He is riding a little closer so we don’t have to stretch our arms out.
“Yes, I will teach you. I also think you should meet my father.” Though he tries to hide it, a small smile appears on his lips.
I bite both my lips, hiding my own smile. I expect him to let go of my hand but he doesn’t, and I don’t make him. It’s the first time he’s treated me like anything but a distant friend all week.
I’m ready to fall into my own bed and allow sleep to overtake me. I long for a warm bath and fresh food. Valentino must see it on my face because the second my feet touch the ground, he takes the reins from my hand and leads both horses to the stables.
I want to stay with him while he isn’t loathing me but I’m exhausted and haven’t had a good night’s sleep in over a week. I’m sore in places I didn’t know existed, and I just want to relax for once.
I avoid all the large rooms where the king and queen might be found and go straight to my quarters. Luckily, I only pass a few servants, and aside from bowing, they ignore me. I push my door open, closing it silently behind me, and fall right onto my bed.
“Your—Shanice, perhaps we should get you cleaned up first.” Edda laughs. I grunt, not moving. But I hear water being poured into the tub, and that gets me up.
I wait for Edda to leave me before I strip, lie down in the warm water, and let the grime soak off me. It must be an hour before I finally can’t stay awake any longer. I scrub myself from head to toes before wrapping a towel around my body and stepping out of the now much-cooler water.
I slip on the nightgown Edda put on my bed. I must remember to thank her. That’s my last thought before sleep takes over.
Valentino takes my arm and leads me through the castle gates. I’m both excited and nervous. Excited to see his home, to see where he grew up, and to meet his father.
I am terrified at going off on my own to find the Pool of Tears. If it had been in Umare, I would have had so much more luck. I wouldn’t be questioned if caught while snooping around. Here, I don’t know what the consequences would be.
But despite all that, I can’t bring myself to tell Valentino. He can’t know why I need to get inside, so it leaves me no option but not to tell him. I just wish Danica had given me more information about where the pool was located.
My first thought is to look on the lower levels of the castle. Above the dungeons? Even below them? In Gowell, the pool is large enough for a dragon. Will this castle have a matching room, or is it smaller? Danica said they were identical – but that doesn’t mean the room surrounding them is.
So many questions, so little time. One chance to find the one room that can lead me right to Mendina. Then again, the dragon may not want to help me, considering she’s been a loyal companion to her princess for more years than I’ve been alive.
I think back to what Danica said about the king of the dragons. His word must be obeyed by all dragons. King Fuentes. It has a nice ring to it. I don’t know which is going to be more terrifying—asking Speranza for help, or Fuentes.
But I can’t take Valentino with me to Gowell, and Javiar already said he wouldn’t help me. That leaves me to ask the one creature in this world that has offered me endless protection.
“You seem panicked. Are you all right?” Valentino glances down at me as we continue walking.
“I’m fine,” I say, despite those words being a complete lie.
“My father was there the first night we arrived, you know? He wanted to speak with you but we decided i
t was best he didn’t. You were so tense. We all feared you wouldn’t survive here after being gone so long.”
“Gone for so long?” I look at him.
“You were born in this world, Shanice. When they took you away, they said you were miserable. They feared that taking you between worlds could harm you, as you were just a baby. But they had to protect you. You’re not the only one who visited Selma.”
“What do you mean?”
“She has prophesied to many people that you will be the one to end Mendina’s reign. It is your destiny. Your mother and father knew she wanted you dead—that’s why you’re the only one they sent away.” He looks at me, eyebrows furrowed, sadness in his eyes. I’m sure my expression mirrors his.
“Your Highness, Princess Shanice of Umare,” the man at the door yells. Valentino and I take deep breaths in sync before he leads me past the grand doors and into the throne room.
At the end on the dais sits King Palamides. His crown is slanted, his clothes are wrinkled. There are more creases than there should be around his dark blue eyes—Valentino’s eyes. His black hair is oily and short. On first glance, it would appear that he is angry.
But the closer we get, the more I realize that isn’t so. He’s sad. Heartbroken. The empty throne beside him is evidence that he still mourns deeply for the loss of his wife. And my being here is only a reminder of the person who took her away from him.
“Out!” he yells. I haven’t even met him yet, and he is screaming for everyone in the room to disperse.
“He doesn’t mean you.” Valentino lets my arm free from his grasp and turns to leave as the room empties. I’m left standing before the king alone.
“Princess Shanice. It has been a long while since those words have been spoken. Kathrena fought for the day of your return, and it cost her her life. She could have easily saved herself from the witch had she not known what she did. But it is you she was protecting when she died.” His voice is hoarse.
He stands from his throne and almost wobbles toward me. I don’t know whether to move or help steady him. But before I can react he stops, standing an arm’s length away. “My wife knew you would need to come here in order to stop Mendina. That so-called princess stormed in here, begging for the love of my life to close off the one room she knew made her vulnerable. But my wife insisted that no such a room existed in this castle.
“That secret cost her greatly. And now, you come here on the pretense of meeting me so you can search for the very room I speak of,” he says, his voice deeper than before. “You were right to keep it from Valentino. He will try to stop you, no matter what it takes. That boy loves you as greatly as I love the wife I’ve lost.”
His words bring tears to my eyes. I wish I knew what to do about Valentino. I wish I knew what I was doing at all.
“Have you nothing to say?” the king asks.
“Please show me the room. I cannot bring back your wife, but I can end the one responsible for her death.” I don’t want to know how he’s aware of my plans. It doesn’t matter. I just want to finish this.
“A certain pool is the way you hope to stop Mendina,” He laughs and turns away from me. “I’m a mind reader, Shanice. It’s my gift, my power.” A shiver runs down my spine. I immediately try to clear my mind of everything I wouldn’t want shared.
I don’t know what to say, so instead, I keep silent and follow him. Up the dais, past the throne, behind the wall I didn’t know was actually a hall.
“Very few have heard of the Pool of Tears. Many believe it is just a myth. But there are a few left who knows its power. The tears of dragons have many. This is just one of them.” He leads me down spiraling stairs, through three wooden doors, and turns right.
“I cannot enter that room. It is only open to those worthy of its power.” He gestures, showing me the door I must go through.
“Thank you.” I say before leaving his side and walking down the final corridor, the final space between me and the answers I need.
The room has a domed ceiling, and is empty except for a bench surrounding a cement wall holding a small pool of what looks like water. But I know that isn’t true. It isn’t water.
I walk toward it, amazed at its beauty. The tears are silver, reflecting the surroundings. I sit on the bench and stare into the pool, unable to look anywhere else. It’s beautiful. But then I realize I don’t know how to make it work.
Out of nowhere, I hear hissing.
“Only those who are fit to be queen are welcome here. Are you she?” the snake-like creature slithers across the floor towards me. It freaks me out but I hold my ground. I’ve visited the Oracle witch, faced mymees—I can handle a little snake.
When I don’t answer the question, it asks again. “Are you fit to be queen?” I don’t know how to reply.
He rises up until he’s eye level with me. “I cannot help you if you are not a princess fit to be queen.”
“I am!” I blurt out before he can get away.
Without another word, the creature nods and slithers off, back to wherever he came from. I realize he didn’t help me at all. I still have no idea how to speak with Speranza through the silver tears.
I run my finger through the surface, making different symbols. Because the tears are thicker than water, it takes a few seconds for my markings to disappear and for the surface to become smooth again.
“For so long, I have wished to be called upon once more. Never in all my centuries did I dare hope to believe it would be you who came.”
I nearly jump out of my skin. Staring at me through what now seems like clear water is the face of a dragon. Her scales are a bright magenta rimmed with gold.
“This is a dangerous game Mendina has started. She is trying to watch every move you make. What you are here for must be very important. Your Highness, why do you call upon me?” If I’m not mistaken, more tears drop into Speranza’s pool.
“I need your help. I must get into Gowell to save Kajetan and Krea.” It feels as if a lump is caught in my throat just thinking about it.
“The king and princess you seek have been lost a long time. What makes you think they are here?” she questions.
“Danica told me the truth. I know who Mendina is. No one wishes to speak about her but I’ve gathered enough information to know that she is bitter, she is cold, and she seeks revenge for all her losses. I don’t think I’m mistaken that they are still there, locked up while Mendina finishes with her plans.” I sound more confident than I feel.
But every word I speak is true. I know it, and the dragon undoubtedly knows it by the way she closes her eyes and nods.
“They are here. But one of them will not return with you. Krea is under Mendina’s spell, woven by magic that has been in place for years now. It will take more than what you’ve done to break her free. However, getting in here and taking Kajetan will set things in motion.”
“So you’ll help me?” I almost sigh in relief but wait until she agrees.
“I will do what you need, but know that once you are inside, I cannot help you. Mendina believes that I am hers, that I will protect her. And until you have won, I cannot compromise that trust. Do you understand?”
I nod in agreement. I hate it but I can live with it for now.
“It means, if Medina finds you, she will command me to end you, Princess. Are you willing to take that risk?” Once more, I nod, unable to speak for fear I will break down.
“Shanice, I cannot kill you. You have to promise me that you won’t get caught. This is such a risk, one that should be beyond attempting. I do not wish to think of the consequences that shall befall us. But upon seeing your beautiful face, hope has lit a fire in me.” Two tears hit the pool in sync, one belonging to Speranza, one belonging to me. In that moment, a bond was made. A promise.
“Are you all right? You were in there for over an hour. What did my father say?” Valentino grasps my upper arms, his face so close to mine. I wish I could answer all his questions. Instead, I do something stup
id.
I lean up and press my lips to his. “I have to go,” I mumble. Before he has a chance to react, I step away, turn on my heel, and run.
I run out the door and straight to Star, barely stopping long enough to mount before pushing her to run the roughly two miles back to Umare. I stop in the stables just long enough to put Star in the stable boys care before running to my room. Everything Speranza told me is running through my head. I must leave tonight. But first, I have to call upon the one who has to help me.
I change from the plain gown Edda gave me in into the trousers and shirt she has ready for me. I will not be wearing a dress for this task. I strap my sword around my waist and walk briskly through the corridors.
I am in a hurry but can’t afford the extra attention running may bring. Since returning from the Forest of the Winged, I have been able to avoid the king and queen. I do not wish to speak with them. Edda was kind enough to bring me food in my room, and since my return was not announced, no one has asked questions.
Star’s saddled and ready for me when I walk in the door. I nod my thanks and ride out the doors. Despite my deep hatred for the road leading to the home of the Oracle, I go toward it—the path we first met, a place large enough for Fuentes while still concealing him.
The path leading to the mountain is one not often used, which makes it the perfect place to call for Fuentes.
It doesn’t seem like more than ten minutes later when his shadow falls over me. I am grateful as he lands before me and bows. It makes me laugh.
“Your Highness, how can the dragons be of service?”
“I need your help,” I say, concentrating to keep my voice steady. “I need to break into Gowell.” I wish I didn’t.
Fuentes simply nods.
“You’re okay with that?” I’m kind of surprised, but perhaps that’s because I just expected a different reaction.
“Your journey will lead you many dangerous places. It is not my duty to tell you things you already know, Princess.”
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