by Vicky Savage
The interior of the castle is even more striking than the outside. Prisms of light dazzle from crystal chandelier, to gilt-framed mirror, to marble floor, and back again. Thick tapestries cover towering stone walls. Massive wooden chests bearing huge vases of fresh spring flowers, line the hallway. Interesting objets d’art are tucked into every corner, crying out to be appreciated but it’s all going to have to wait, because right now I only have eyes for my mother.
We enter a large room with floor to ceiling windows overlooking an inviting courtyard. Chairs and sofas are arranged in clusters around the room. Mom settles next to me on a green satin-covered loveseat facing one of the windows. Her arms encircle me again, and I rest my head on her shoulder, drinking in her wonderful amber-spice scent. I cry like a three-year-old reunited with its mother after going missing in a department store. I’m a complete puddle of ooze, but I don’t care. I have my mom back.
A dozen or so people hover unobtrusively in the background while this little scene plays out. I assume they’re servants—a fact which is confirmed when Mother subtly lifts her hand, and a uniformed butler comes scurrying forward.
“Samuel, please bring us some tea and have cook prepare a small breakfast for Princess Jaden.”
Samuel, a buttoned-up man with a pathetic comb-over and fluttery hands, bows obsequiously. “Yes, ma’am, and may I say how happy we are to have Princess Jaden back with us. Blessed be the Chosen.”
He doesn’t make eye contact with either me or Mother. She smiles vaguely in his direction. “Thank you, Samuel. Yes, we are overjoyed that our Jaden has returned safely.”
She holds me close again, rocking back and forth, not saying a word. After a few minutes, she puts a finger under my chin, raising my face to hers. “Jaden, when you feel ready, I hope you will be able to tell me what happened.”
It’s so nice just to sit here with my head on her shoulder. I don’t really want to rehash all the bizarre events of the last two days, but I suppose I need to come up with a story about what happened to me. Explaining my capture is going to be a little delicate since I can’t very well tell her I was sitting on my porch in Connecticut when a bunch of armed horsemen snatched me.
Based on things Blackthorn told me, I’m able to give her a sketchy account of my leaping from the cliff and waking up in the cave.
I act as though the bump on my head made the sequence of events a little hazy, which it did. She doesn’t question me too closely. I tell her about Ralston and our escape, and I pretty much go over everything else that happened right up to the point of meeting Drew and the patrol on the main road. Of course, I leave out the part about Ralston being an IUGA Agent and me not being exactly the same daughter who went missing yesterday.
“Did Blackthorn or any of his men harm you or treat you harshly in any way?” she asks, her eyes probing mine.
“No, Mother, he was a little scary, but he was a gentleman with me.”
“They didn’t bind your hands or blindfold you? Or make you do anything, well… repugnant?”
“No, Mother. Other than being held against my will, I wasn’t mistreated.”
My breakfast arrives, interrupting our conversation. Samuel pours tea and offers to be of further assistance. Mother waves him away.
I’m famished. I lift the silver dome covering my plate, hoping there won’t be any unrecognizable food. It turns out to be good old scrambled eggs and biscuits. I dive into my meal while mother talks.
“Darling, we were so fearful for your safety. I want to assure you that this heinous deed will not go unpunished. Young Blackthorn and all of Unicoi will pay dearly for this.”
I look up from my feeding frenzy and gulp down a mouthful of eggs. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, we know where their secret tunnels are. I have men stationed there now. He and his gang of criminals will be apprehended before they can escape to Unicoi.” She pats my arm. “If he thinks he can trespass on my land and kidnap a Princess of Domerica with impunity, he has rather an unpleasant surprise waiting for him.” Her smile is almost sinister. This is a side of her I’ve never seen. Whatever she has in mind for Blackthorn, it isn’t good.
“Mother, I wish we could just forget about it. Everything’s fine now. He made a stupid mistake. He was just trying to get help for his people. I’m sure he won’t try it again.”
“You can count on it, Daughter. That, I promise you.” She pats my arm again, sending chills down my spine.
“Now what about this Ralston character?” she asks. “Do you think he’s a spy?”
“No!” I say a little too quickly. “He’s really a gentle, kind, scholarly type of person, Mother. He’s not even from Unicoi.” I choose my next words carefully. “It is my strong desire that he be treated as a hero, not a villain, Mother. Please.”
She raises her eyebrows. “If you wish it, it shall be so.” She signals Samuel. “Bring in Professor Ralston, please.”
Ralston is escorted into the room, and he bows deeply to Mother.
“Professor Ralston, I understand I owe you a large debt of gratitude for rescuing my daughter,” Mother says. “I would like to reward you. You may take your recompense in gold if you like. Or, if you wish to make your home here in Domerica, we will furnish you with a small farm and sufficient working capital.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. You are most generous and kind. But, if you please, ma’am, I humbly request that I be given a post here at Warrington Palace. You see, I’m no farmer. I am an academic and a world traveler. I have been fortunate enough to have held posts at both Chateau de Ciel Bleu in Dome Noir and Castillo de Angeles in Cupola de Vita. Most recently I was employed at Sequoyah Hall in Unicoi.”
“My children have already had an excellent education. What else do you have to offer?” she snips.
“Mother,” I interrupt. “Ralston knows so much about our neighboring domes and their governments and cultures. In my brief discussions with him, I can tell he would have a lot to teach me.”
She looks at me oddly. I swallow hard, hoping I haven’t said anything wrong. Her eyes return to Ralston.
“If you please, Your Highness,” he says. “I am certain both King Philippe and King Rafael will recommend me to you. I am also well acquainted with your cousin, Lady Lorelei Bartlett. I am confident that she will vouch for my character and credentials as well.”
This piques mother’s interest. “Oh? How do you know Lady Lorelei?”
“I had the privilege of being her professor when she studied abroad in Dome Noir. She was one of my brightest pupils. We’ve kept in touch these many years. I’ve dined with her and Lord Bartlett on a number of occasions.”
Mother gazes at Ralston, speaking slowly, as though composing her thoughts. “I suppose your travels and your knowledge of other governments would round out Princess Jaden’s education nicely. Andrew could also benefit, I have no doubt. Lord knows even I could do with some greater insights into our neighbors to the South and East.” She seems to be warming to the idea of having a distinguished professor in residence at the palace.
“Yes. You may start immediately,” she says. “Samuel will arrange rooms for you on the children’s floor. You will find a laboratory, a classroom, and a modest library on that floor. I have quite a nice selection of literature, poetry, and biography in my office which you are welcome to borrow also. Let Samuel know if you require any additional books or equipment.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Ralston says. He bows again and turns to leave.
“And Ralston, please join us at our state dinner tonight,” Mother adds. “We are honoring our esteemed guest, Ambassador Garcia of Cupola de Vita.”
He nods. “As you wish ma’am.” Samuel leads him from the room.
“Thank you, Mother,” I say relieved.
“He seems harmless,” she sniffs. “Did you get enough to eat, dear?”
“Yes.”
“Good, now we must get on with our day as much preparation remains to be done. You look a fright
, Jade. It will take Sylvia all day just to get the mats out of your hair.”
I frown. “But Mother, I was hoping we could spend some more time together.”
“Oh, I know Jaden, I was too.” She takes both my hands in hers. “But all of this could not have come at a worse time. What with Ambassador Garcia visiting, and King Rafael still in a snit with me about our new trade agreement with Dome Noir, I have some work to do with the ambassador—you know, smooth over hard feelings. We lost all of last night. After we heard of your abduction, the whole palace was in chaos.”
I heave a sigh and form my mouth into the best pout I can muster.
“Please darling, don’t be cross with me. I know you’ve been through a nightmare, but we’ll have plenty of time together once the ambassador leaves. Why don’t you go upstairs to bathe and rest for a while? I’ll send Sylvia up later with your dress.” She kisses me on the forehead and rises from the sofa. “Oh, and Jaden, the Skorplings have been very upset over your disappearance. You know how they get. They kept half the household up all night long with their carryings on. I’ll have Drew bring them to your room for a few minutes before you rest, so you may calm and reassure them.”
My mind freezes. Who the heck are the Skorplings? “Uh, sure, that’d be great,” I say.
“Samuel!” Mother says. “Where is that man?” She strides briskly from the room.
NINE
My head is reeling from meeting my mother the queen. It isn’t quite the homecoming I had envisioned. She isn’t exactly what I was expecting, but she’s beautiful and commanding and impressive and I’m over the moon to see her again. I’m a little crushed that she didn’t want to spend more time comforting me after my ordeal, but I get it—being queen is a lot of work. I stand to leave and stop dead in my tracks. I realize, to my horror, I don’t have the slightest idea where I’m going.
The look on my face must give away my confusion, because a pretty girl in a maid’s uniform hurries to me. “May I get you something, Princess?”
“Uh, no. I think I would like to go to my room now.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She curtseys, and turns to leave.
Ma’am? Is she talking to me? I guess it’s some royal term of address.
“Uh, would you mind helping me to my room?” I say. “I’m feeling a little faint.”
“Oh, yes, ma’am.” She takes my arm and leads me from the room. The other servants gawk and whisper behind us. My paranoia tells me they know I’m not the real princess. My common sense tells me they just love to gossip.
The princess’ room is in the east wing of the family quarters, second floor, seventh door to the right. I know because I counted the doors on our way. A trick I learned when I was a freshman at Madison High, so I wouldn’t embarrass myself by walking into the wrong classroom.
When the maid opens the double doors, I nearly swoon. I don’t know what I was expecting, but this room is beyond my wildest dreams. Bright and enormous, it has everything a princess could want, including a sitting area, kitchenette and fireplace. I’m thinking that cheering and jumping up and down on the Wyoming-size bed, would not be in keeping with my princess persona, so I try to stay cool. Instead I walk over to the French doors, which open onto a large balcony and take in the spectacular view of the countryside.
“It’s a beautiful day,” I say. But then I realize that every day’s probably perfect inside the dome.
The pretty maid smiles. “I am happy you are home safely, ma’am.” She walks to the fireplace, flipping a switch to activate the fire, which is actually a pile of crystalline logs. They sparkle with gold and red light, simulating a real fire and lending a warm glow to the room.
“Would you like me to draw your bath before I go?” she asks.
“Yes, that would be nice, uh…”
“Maria. I know you don’t remember me, but I’ve helped you before when Sylvia was not available.”
“Of course, I remember you Maria. I’m just not myself today. Bump on the head, you know.” I touch the cut on my forehead.
Maria walks to the bathroom as I tag along behind. I nearly weep for joy when I see there’s indoor plumbing. The cream-colored marble floors and counters softly reflect the light from the glittering chandeliers. The bathtub looks large enough for a small pool party, and baskets stuffed with fluffy white towels sit at either end. Oh man, I could really get used to this.
Maria turns on the water faucet and sprinkles some divine smelling bath salts into the tub, while I sit at the dressing table attempting to free the rest of my hair from its badly mangled braid. Most of my thick mane has already escaped on its own, but the matted remainder isn’t coming undone easily and I’m not used to dealing with hair down to my butt.
“Let me help you with that,” Maria says. She snips the band at the bottom of my braid with a delicate pair of silver scissors, and begins to gently and expertly unplait my hair. When she’s finished she takes a golden hairbrush from the drawer to work on the snarls. In a short time my Rapunzel-like tresses are smooth and tangle free, although still smelly, filthy, dirty.
“Your bath is ready,” she says, turning off the water. “Shall I help you undress?”
“Uh, no, thank you. I’ll do that myself.” I’m not sure how pampered Princess Jaden really is, but I’m going to handle the dressing and undressing part on my own.
Maria disappears abruptly. I hope I haven’t hurt her feelings. I strip off my grimy clothes, and toss them on the floor. I’m dipping a toe into the steaming water when she reappears holding a soft ivory colored robe.
“Here is your robe, Princess. I hope your bath is enjoyable.” She smiles sweetly completely unfazed by my nakedness.
My whole body blushes. “Thank you, Maria, for everything.” She smiles, curtseys, and closes the door softly behind her.
The bath is glorious. Soaking in the warm, aromatic water makes me realize just how exhausted I really am. I finish bathing and wrap myself in the luxurious robe. After searching without luck through all the drawers in the bathroom for a hair dryer, I decide to check the closet. My weary eyes are completely unprepared for the magnificent spectacle that assaults them when I open the closet doors. It looks like a mini-Bergdorf’s in there, packed with glorious outfits and accessories. Hundreds of pairs of shoes, dozens of dresses, scads of scarves, tops, pants, and every color of fargen wool sweater imaginable to man, neatly stacked, folded and hung in a floor-to-ceiling fashionista’s dream.
I’m not able to handle the sensory overload just now, so I quickly back out of the closet, close the double doors, and promise myself to spend hours in there tomorrow exploring all the lovely things temporarily at my disposal.
I towel dry my miles of hair and pull down the coverlet on the princess’ gargantuan bed. The sheets are cool and silky, the pillow a velvety cradle for my weary head, but a knock at my door disturbs me before my eyes have a chance to close.
“Who is it?” I call.
“Jade, open up. I’ve brought Fred and Ethel.” It’s Drew.
I don’t feel like company at the moment. And who might Fred and Ethel be?
“Just a second, I’m coming.” I drag my protesting body out of bed, cinching up my robe. As I open the door, a gray furry object hurtles through the air, hitting me in the chest and knocking me flat on my back. My arms fly protectively to my face, and the little fur ball jumps up and down on top of me.
“Jay! Jay!” it cries in a little Munchkin-like voice. “Jay home.”
Drew comes over and scoops up the beast. “Fred, get off of her; she can’t breathe.”
I sit up gasping for air, gaping at Drew, who’s holding two small gray creatures that look like a cross between a monkey and a Koala bear. The one that attacked me is wearing a miniature gold, satin coat.
“Sorry Jade,” Drew says. “Fred really missed you.”
It dawns on me that these must be the Skorplings Mother mentioned. The smaller of the two holds out her arms to me. “Jay,” she says in a tiny musical
voice. She’s wearing a doll-sized pink dress, and I swear she is smiling at me. I take her from Drew. She puts her little arms around my neck, nestling her furry head beneath my chin. I instantly fall in love.
“Ethel love Jay,” she coos. “Jay pretty.”
“Ethel’s pretty, too,” I say, stroking her fur. “I like your dress.”
She shocks me by kissing my cheek. What kind of startling creatures are these? I hold out my other arm for Fred. He comes more quietly this time. “Jay home,” he squeaks, toying with a strand of my hair.
Ethel also seizes a handful of my hair. “Ooooh, wet.” She holds it up to her nose. “Smell good.”
“Thank you Ethel. I hear you two were naughty last night.”
