“There, there, Nettie. You know this will all pass,” Gavin stood and moved to pat her on the back, but Annette broke away from them both, her face flushed.
“No it won’t. You know it won’t. My career is over. The dream is dead!” she hollered at Gavin, her fists clenched. With a fresh wave of tears, Annette fled from the dining room and her half-finished breakfast. The others exchanged stunned glances.
After a collection of nervously cleared throats and awkward shuffling, Gavin and Simon took their seats at the table. Penny stared after Annette and moved to get up, but Gavin gave her a warning glance and shook his head.
“Let her be for now. Trust me,” he mumbled to Penny, who shrank back into her seat.
For the rest of the meal, Penny pushed her eggs around her plate, brooding. She proceeded to shred her breakfast into bits with the edge of her fork, and then a jarring image from last night flashed in her mind.
“Hey, Gavin? The doors and windows of this house…is there anything that stops people from breaking inside?” she asked.
Gavin looked over at her, his eyebrows raised. “Of course! Do you think Nettie would be that reckless? She is quite famous, after all. They’re all made out of a very powerful, magically reinforced material that will withstand quite a bit of force. Cost a fortune when we had it commissioned, even before the magic shortage. I shudder to think of how expensive something like that would be nowadays,” he said conversationally, then added with an undertone of worry, “why do you ask?”
“No reason―just wondering,” Penny answered. She excused herself from the table and made her retreat to the Sun Garden. Things seemed less oppressive amid the emerald leaves and bursts of botanical curiosity.
“WHERE’VE YOU BEEN? It’s late,” Penny said to Simon as he came in the front door that evening.
“Nowhere important,” he said as he whisked by, his long cape fluttering.
Penny spotted a mulberry-colored card gripped in his hand. With a well-aimed pinch, she plucked it from his fingers. Simon grabbed madly at Penny’s hands, but she danced out of reach and peered through her enchanted spectacles at the lettering on the card:
Penny snorted with laughter as Simon ripped the card away from Penny.
“You went to see that fortune teller? Simon, I’m telling you that stuff is just garbage! My mother used to pawn divination junk off to people for a living. There’s not even a shred of legitimacy to any of it. You wasted your money,” Penny told him with a patronizing smile.
Simon snickered. “I’m not interested in fortune telling. I’m interested in the fortune teller. Now go and nose around in someone else’s business―shoo, shoo!” He waved Penny off. She returned his gesture with an admonishing frown, then headed back toward the door, grabbing her traveling coat. Argent and Hector had been studying the stone all day in the guesthouse.
The grass and leaves on the trees whipped violently in the wind as Penny made for the lighted windows of the guesthouse where Argent was staying. Penny hurried to the door and wrenched it open without bothering to knock. It was a tiny building, barely big enough to be called a cottage, but Argent had managed to fit a sizable amount of clutter in his season-long stay.
Penny found Hector and Argent with their heads together, leaning over the workbench as Hector scribbled something on a pad of paper. Off to the side was the skeleton of the magic producing machine that Argent had been tirelessly trying to recreate. Hector scratched at his head and looked up at Argent. They both glanced at Penny, not seeming to really see her.
“Find out anything?” Penny tried to lean over their shoulders to see what they were up to, but they were both too tall.
“No,” Argent said, looking at Hector. “You wrote down the data from the previous trial, right? Let’s compare them to these numbers.”
“You’re wasting your time, but if that’s what you want,” Hector said patiently, flipping through his notes.
“Nothing? Nothing at all?” Penny asked, but received no response. She settled herself amidst Argent’s piles of spare parts and watched them work, but they seemed to be getting nowhere. Incensed, Penny gave up.
She stood outside the door for a long time, looking at the twin moons in the Elydrian skies. Della was supposed to give us the answer. This was supposed to give us a clear direction. With heavy feet, Penny shuffled back toward the front door, pulling her coat snug to guard against the wind. Even in her rush to get inside, a person standing still as stone in the gloom of the garden was enough to catch her eye.
“Who’s there?” Penny shouted. Swallowing up all her fear, she moved closer, but the garden was empty. Heart thudding in her chest, Penny rubbed her forehead. What is the matter with me?
A hand landed on her shoulder.
Penny screamed, whirling around in a violent motion and grabbing out for bare skin, ready to call the blinding flash of light that would usher forth any terrible memories her assailant might foster. Her fingernails grazed the smooth skin of the person’s cheek. Realizing who stood before her, Penny feared her heart might stop with surprise.
Armonie!” Penny gasped, her hands falling away from the face of her old friend.
A long moment passed while Armonie stared at Penny, looking like a frightened deer. Her honey-colored hair had grown even longer, and fell in waves all the way down her back. It took Penny yet another moment to realize Armonie was shivering with fear.
“Oh, Armonie, I’m sorry,” Penny said in as gentle a voice as she could muster. She took the quivering priestess by the shoulders and sat down with her on the back steps as Armonie struggled to find her voice.
“I thought you were someone else,” Penny explained. “What are you doing here? I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for months. I sort of began to think that you—”
“Big sister, please,” Armonie interrupted. “I must beg you to stay silent for now, for I’ve something of great importance to speak to you about and I haven’t any time to do it in. If they knew—if they knew I was here—” Her words cut off and she began taking deep, rhythmic breaths as she covered her face. Penny put a hand on Armonie’s back as the young priestess composed herself once more.
“Armonie, what’s wrong?”
“I will tell you, sister, but I implore you to answer a question of mine first,” Armonie said, looking grave. Penny nodded, a sinking feeling settling in her chest. “Is it true what they’re saying about you? Did you really drive Lord Nestor away?”
Panic whirled through her mind and Penny bit her lip, forcing herself not to lie. “Yes. I did, Armonie. But you have to understand—”
Words fluttered from Armonie’s mouth like frantic moths. “Please, it’s all right. I just wanted to hear it from you. I needed to know, for sure. At first I was just as confused and angry as the rest of the priestesses at the Cathedral when I heard the news. I couldn’t think of why you would do such a thing, but now I think I know. Something has gone terribly wrong, big sister―atrocities have come to pass, things I have not the heart to speak out loud―and it is my sisters and aunts who commit them. Something has changed their hearts and minds; something like a poison, Penny. They are not themselves. Just as I believe Lord Nestor is not himself.” She took a deep breath before continuing.
“It is why I have decided to come here tonight against my better judgment. I fear these misdoings have grown to be more sinister than I could have first imagined―and I am now certain that my own life is meaningless in comparison.”
“Armonie, don’t say things like that.”
“Hush, sister, I beg of you. I came here to deliver a warning. Cardinal Rhea is sick with rage because of your actions in Hulver.” Tears welled up in the priestess’s eyes. “I believe she will stop at nothing to ascertain that you and your companions are destroyed. They have terrible, terrible things planned.” Armonie grabbed Penny’s hands in her own and squeezed them. “Please do not tempt the Cardinal’s ire. Keep yourself protected, for she means to act soon.”
Nause
a and panic began swirling in Penny’s stomach. “What is it, Armonie? What is she going to do?”
Armonie shook her bushy head and looked away. “I don’t know why I’m so sure, but I sense there is something very different about you, Penelope. You caused Lord Nestor to flee, you incite such turmoil, and yet…I know there is light within your soul. I could see it from the moment our paths first crossed. Please, take my warning to heart. I pray that you will soon prove to me that what I have done is right.” She looked at her with such graveness that Penny’s heart sank with the weight of these words. “Before I go there is―”
Suddenly there came the noise of heavy wheels and thumping paws on cobbled stone and Armonie gaped down the road. Moments later a gilded carriage swept around the corner and clattered in the direction of the girls. With a muffled shriek, Armonie leapt away from the steps and tore off down the road, her flossy skirts and long hair flying behind her.
“Wait, please, don’t go!” Penny began running after her, but the frightened priestess was too fast, the only indication in the darkness of her direction the faint jingling of the bells on her bonnet. Penny gave up pursuit and stood staring into the darkness.
“Ah ha!” a silvery voice called from behind, and Penny realized with a fresh wave of panic that the carriage that had spooked Armonie was stopped before Annette’s manor. Noah emerged from the carriage, his golden hair still elegant even in the blustery night and his eyes glinting with mischievousness. Penny froze.
“Your Majesty. What are you doing here so late?” Penny asked, feeling a strange mixture of exhilaration and fear.
“Ah, Penny! I’ve caught you at last,” he said, grabbing her hand and giving it a quick kiss. “I came by yesterday, but you were gone. I had to spend all day with your friend Hector. He’s quite a decent fellow, I’m sure, but I’ve never met someone quite so dull, I must say! Hardly spoke a word the whole time.”
Penny frowned at this, but Noah didn’t notice and went on, “But I asked him to mention that I would visit again tonight and, as I can see, you’ve been eagerly awaiting my arrival, so I can’t fault him too much, can I?”
Penny laughed politely as anxiety filled her. Hector had forgotten to warn her, and now Noah had misread the situation.
The King reached behind his back and produced a crimson rose. An alluring fragrance wafted from its petals. “I know the festival was yesterday, but I still wanted to give you this,” he said, placing it tenderly between her palms.
“Th-thanks. This is…well, it’s beautiful,” Penny stammered.
“I didn’t want it to be too much. I know how you prefer modest gifts,” Noah said, sounding almost disappointed. “Anyway, that’s not why I came. I’m on official business, but I’ll only need a moment of your time. Would you ride with me while we talk?”
The knot of worry tightening in Penny’s chest eased a bit. Romance was paralyzing, but official business she could handle. She was anxious to tell Hector about Armonie, but getting an update from Noah would be to their advantage right now too.
“Sure, if it’ll help you out. I’d be happy to.”
Noah helped her into the carriage and it took off. Penny felt herself relax as they fell into easy conversation, Penny laughing as Noah joked about his more pompous advisors. His easygoing attitude toward what Penny imagined must be an incredibly stressful situation impressed her; much responsibility had fallen on this young king, yet he seemed almost as relaxed as their first meeting at the Jubilee Ball.
Noah drew a letter from his satchel, and Penny noticed another lumpy bag next to it. “I’ll just need you to read this statement we’ve drawn up about the incident in Hulver. I want to ensure it’s accurate before we present it,” he said, moving to sit beside her.
Penny read the letter, suddenly feeling very aware of how close Noah was to her, his steady breathing and the occasional bumping of their legs. It felt as if tight cords had constricted her stomach and lungs as she tried to finish reading.
“Seems all right to me,” Penny told Noah, handing him back the letter and hoping it was. Noah took it, but he didn’t seem interested in it anymore. Penny’s heart fluttered and she felt her cheeks burn as he inched closer.
“Wonderful, I thank you for your assistance,” he said, though his voice was low and husky, as if the letter was the furthest thing from his mind.
Penny turned her face away, noticing for the first time the carriage was headed to the Harbor District. Before she could ask why, Noah took her hand. A nervous giggle escaped her, sounding strange to her own ears.
“I’ll be honest, I was really hoping to see you tonight. Everything seems like it’s been falling down around me lately. You don’t know how wonderful it is for me to get a moment away from it all—a moment with you,” Noah said, his voice soft and rich with emotion.
“Wh-what’s been going on?” Penny prompted, hoping to change the subject. She was feeling slightly cornered, and it sat heavy in the pit of her stomach.
“Oh, it’s all different sorts of irritating business. Ever since the―well, you know. Everything has been in a huge state of disarray. The goblins can’t decide on a new king since Yulghrat had no children, you see, and the ambassadors from the Nation of Faeries are constantly talking about the possibility of militarization. Very soon I may be off to Aulbaine to discuss treaties. If you want the truth, these last few months have changed everything I knew about being a King.”
Penny’s heart gave a sympathetic twinge at this candid confession, realizing his earlier swagger might have been an attempt to cover up his anxiety. His confidence was stirring, but in reality he was only one man trying to fix the world, and not armed with the proper information to do it. She was tempted to tell him everything Armonie had said, but knew she would have to discuss it with Hector first.
“It just feels like everything’s falling to pieces,” continued Noah, “and I have no clue how to put it back together. The same people that sang my praises are now saying I’m not suited for the job―I’m too young, too inexperienced. It’s just so—well, I shouldn’t alarm you. Everything’s going to be fine, I’m sure of it. I’ve got it under control. Just a bit of a rough patch, is all.”
“Noah, you’re doing the absolute best you can, and I admire that. It’s more than I could ever dream to accomplish,” Penny praised, and he gave her a genuine smile.
“Thank you, Penny. Thank you for believing in me.”
A silence descended between them, both of them lost for words. The sounds of sloshing waves on the lakeshore sighed outside of the window, signaling that they had arrived in the Harbor District. The carriage was still moving in the wrong direction from Annette’s house.
Noah patted her knee with his free hand. “Oh! I just had the most marvelous idea. Since we’re nearby, there’s something I’d like to show you. You don’t need to return just yet, do you?”
Penny couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty that had settled in her stomach. She was puzzled over why the driver had taken them this far out of the way in the first place. “I should be getting back soon—” she started, but Noah’s crestfallen face changed her mind. “But, sure. Why not? What do you have in mind?”
“Let me tell the driver. It’ll be a surprise!” His energy regained, Noah knocked on the window and whispered briefly with his driver.
Penny watched the docks and the lakeshore fade away as the carriage turned toward the walls of the city and exited it altogether. They stopped briefly to pass through the portcullis, and then the four regal anteloos pulled them alongside the shore. When Penny poked her head out of the window to look around, she could see a dark mass of trees looming in the distance. Before long, the carriage bumped to a halt and the driver helped Noah and Penny down. Noah grabbed the peculiar satchel before exiting the cab. He thanked the driver and put a hand lightly on the small of Penny’s back, gently directing her forward.
“I visited this place some time ago, and I thought you might like to see it too,” he said as he
led Penny down a dirt trail that wove through the trees.
Beside them, Lake Olveria spread out, a black, glistening sea that mirrored the stars and the grandeur of the Iverton lights. The moons hung like glass bulbs of powder blue and lilac. All across the water and out into the horizon, small black objects bobbed and swayed on the surface, like small boats or buoys. Noah smiled at her wonderment before gently placing an arm around her shoulders and ushering her into the small wood.
Penny’s heart strained, very aware of his fingers gripping her shoulder. They tiptoed along the trail, the sound of their footfalls mixing with the melancholy cries of the wild Pimeen birds that roosted nearby. The trees parted and the trail turned into a small stone bridge that patched the way across a stream flowing from the lake. Noah stopped in the center of it.
“It’s a lovely sight, isn’t it?” he said, gesturing to Iverton.
Penny agreed with him with a silent nod, her hands knit together in front of her. Noah studied her expression carefully.
“What’s the matter, Penny? Why do you look so nervous?” he asked her in a quiet, searching voice. Penny’s eyes were at once drawn to his face, but when she tried to speak her words got caught in her throat like flies in a web. Before she could force them out, Noah laid his hand on hers. The warmth was enough to send a shiver up Penny’s spine. “You don’t need to be afraid, Penny. I’m here.”
Gently putting an arm around her shoulder once more, Noah led her down to the bank of the stream. There, tethered to a wooden pole, was a rowboat. Noah tilted his head at her questioningly. Still tongue-tied, Penny nodded again and allowed him to help her into the boat. Noah sat down across from her, laid the bag at his feet and pushed off from shore. With only a few broad strokes, they were gliding across the silvery surface of the lake.
Eden Undone (The Dawn Mirror Chronicles Book 2) Page 3
