The Kingdoms of Evernow Box Set

by Heidi Catherine

  “What did he do as an oarsman?” she asked.

  “He took the King across the ocean to see his Queen. But last time he went, he fell off the boat. That’s what they told me, anyway. Said they couldn’t find him. The ocean ate him right up. So now I sit here waiting for the ocean to spit him out and return him to me. He was a good boy. An honest one. He made me proud.”

  “I’m sure he did,” said Azrael, unsure what else to say.

  “They said he fell just out there,” said Enid, pointing. “I don’t know why it’s taking so long.”

  “How far is the lighthouse?” Azrael squinted but was unable to see any structures on the horizon.

  Enid shrugged then turned her gaze back to the water. “What stopped your kingdom from taking away your children? You said they don’t do that anymore.”

  “Lots of things happened,” said Azrael, finding it hard to explain. “But mainly it was a revolution.”

  “Revolution.” Enid turned the word over with her tongue. “What does that mean?”

  “It means all the people got together to prove they were stronger than the people in charge. We have new people in charge now. People who don’t take our children.”

  Enid’s eyes lit up and Azrael saw the young woman she must have once been. A woman with a son she’d loved and a life she’d been happy to live. Not this woman who no longer cared if she lived or died.

  “Do you have any other children?” asked Azrael.

  Enid shook her head. “Hardly anybody has more than one child here.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Hearts are all broken. Once we feel the pain of having one taken, we don’t have more. They’d just take them, too. I was lucky, really. At least I got Carson back. Most of the children die down there when the tunnels fall in. Least I had him back for a little while. You come here looking for your child?”

  Now it was Azrael’s turn to look startled. “Why do you think that?”

  “Because there’s no other reason to come to a place like this. I know they’ve been taking little ones from other kingdoms. We’re running out of children here and those treasures need mining.”

  There was an audible gasp from behind them and Azrael coughed, hoping Enid hadn’t heard.

  “You can tell your friends I don’t bite,” said Enid, not missing a beat. “Knew they were there the whole time.”

  Azrael nodded, realizing this woman was far sharper than she’d given her credit for.

  “You can come out!” Azrael called to her friends. “She’s a friend.”

  “Is that what I am?” asked Enid.

  Azrael nodded without hesitation.

  “You didn’t answer my question,” said Enid, as Micah and Raphael appeared out of the scrub. “Are you here to find your child?”

  Azrael shook her head. “A child, yes. But not a child of mine.”

  “I’ll help you find the child,” said Enid. “But I need something in return.”

  Azrael’s eyebrows shot up. “What do you need?”

  Enid smiled for the first time in their conversation. “A revolution.”

  PIP

  THE NOW

  “Wait.” Griffen grabbed Pip gently by the arm as she went to follow Raphael and Micah out from the scrub.

  “What’s the matter?” She searched his eyes for a sign of what was clearly troubling him.

  “I just… need a moment. Alone. With you.”

  It was then that she saw the problem. It wasn’t trouble in his eyes. It was longing.

  “Oh, Griffen.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Why do you love me so much?”

  “Can’t help it.” He stooped to kiss the top of her head. “Always have. Always will.”

  She squeezed him tighter, wishing she were worthy of such devotion.

  “Do you think the others like me?” she asked. “I’m not sure if Micah will ever forgive me for losing Gabe.”

  “Does it matter what they think?” he asked. “Or does it matter what I think?”

  She smiled at the way he’d avoided her question.

  “Pip, I’ve never liked anyone better than you.”

  “You like me?” She blinked innocently, aware she was digging for him to say more. “Is that all?”

  “You know what I mean,” he said without hesitation. “I love you, Pip.”

  And with those words, she felt a part of her heart heal. She looked up at this handsome, blond giant who’d wormed his way into her heart. She’d been a fool not to let him in far earlier. It wasn’t right to have judged this man on the actions of another far less worthy man who’d hurt her.

  “Are you going to kiss me?” She smiled in a way she was aware she’d never smiled at anyone else before.

  “Here?” He looked around.

  “I thought maybe here.” She raised a finger to her lips and blinked twice, waiting for him to act.

  He bent forward, gripping her tightly around her middle and urging her up to his face as his lips brushed over hers.

  Pushing up onto her toes she pressed herself against the hardness of his chest and returned his kiss, resisting the overwhelming urge to cry. She may have spent the first half of her life thinking that she didn’t deserve happiness, but she was determined to spend the rest of it wallowing in the fact that she absolutely did. And nobody could bring her happiness in the same way as Griffen.

  She waited for him to break the kiss, knowing she didn’t have the strength to pull away.

  “We need to join the others.” He kissed her lightly on her forehead.

  “We do,” she agreed. “In a moment.”

  Reaching for the back of his head, she pulled his lips to hers once more.

  “Come on, lovebirds!”

  They broke away to see Micah standing at the edge of the scrub with her hands on her hips.

  “You’ll make us all jealous.” She shook her head and turned away.

  Griffen brushed down his clothes and winked at Pip, before leading her out of the scrub. They joined the others on the sand, sitting in a circle with the sad strange woman the focus of their attention.

  “This is Enid.” Azrael went around the circle, making the introductions. “Enid’s going to help us. And in return, we’re going to help her.”

  Pip glanced around the circle to see if she was the only one surprised by this news.

  “That tower definitely isn’t the lighthouse,” said Azrael, pointing to the column Griffen had spotted from the scrub. “It’s the King’s palace. Enid’s going to organize a boat to take us to the lighthouse.”

  “And what are we doing for her?” asked Micah.

  “We’re going to… well…” Azrael rubbed at her chin and looked around at them.

  “Well, what?” prodded Micah.

  “We’re going to have a revolution!” Azrael smiled, as if this were exciting news. “We’re going to find a way to release the children from the mines.”

  Pip watched Micah nod furiously.

  “We’re going to stay in Feldspar until we find a way to make sure the children are safe,” said Azrael. “All of them. That’s the deal.”

  Griffen’s eyes shot to Pip and she nodded slowly at him, knowing he was keen to get back to The Bay of Laurel, but also knowing she couldn’t leave while so many children were in danger. She may not have been much use when her own kingdom needed a ruler, but there was a lot she could do to help this troubled island.

  Griffen nodded. A subtle nod just for her, but she appreciated it all the same. He’d stay with her, or he’d leave with her. The decision was hers.

  “First we get Lily back,” said Micah. “Otherwise, the deal’s off.”

  “Lily?” asked Enid, looking at Azrael. “I thought you said it was the Queen’s daughter you were seeking.”

  “We are. Well, at least we think we are.”

  “Carson said her name’s Angel,” said Enid.

  “It’s just a name,” said Pip, trying to calm the panicked look in Micah’s eyes. “The
Queen’s hardly going to use her real name, is she?”

  “True.” Micah’s shoulders relaxed. “So, why are you really helping us, Enid? Do you have a child in the mines?”

  Enid grimaced. Pip felt for her, knowing what it was like to not want to talk about something.

  “Her son was killed recently,” said Azrael.

  “I want his life to have meant something,” added Enid. “You need to save the children. You need to save the parents from having their children taken. We need a revolution.”

  Enid smiled at Azrael, who smiled back. “That’s right.”

  “It’s not safe here,” said Griffen, rising to his feet and looking around. We’re too exposed.”

  “We’re okay, Griffen,” said Pip, knowing it was her safety that was his paramount concern.

  “No, he’s right,” said Enid. “This beach is deserted, but if you’re seen out here, the consequences could be dire.”

  “How are you getting us to the lighthouse?” asked Raphael.

  “Go back to your hiding place.” Enid stood and brushed the sand from her skirt. “A boat will come for you tonight. And this time, don’t make so much noise.”

  “Thank you,” said Azrael.

  Enid nodded, turned and walked away.

  Pip followed her companions back into the scrub, glad they’d have some time to rest before nightfall. She’d find them something to eat while they waited.

  “Do you think we can trust her?” Micah slid down a tree trunk and came to rest on the ground.

  “Do we have any choice?” asked Raphael.

  “She’s trustworthy,” said Azrael. “I spoke to her for longer than you did. She’s a good person. I could tell straight away.”

  “Ariel can do that,” said Pip. “Our herbalist back home. She can look at someone and know if they’re good or bad. Is it like that for you?”

  Azrael shook her head. “Not quite so clearly as that. But I can usually get a sense of someone.”

  “I wish I could do that,” said Pip. “That would be a very handy talent.”

  “Speaking of talents.” Micah patted her belly. “Any chance you could see if there’s anything safe to eat around here, Pip?”

  Pip straightened her back, pleased to be useful. “I think I spotted a coconut tree not far back.”

  “I’ll come with you,” said Griffen.

  “No kissing out there!” said Micah.

  Pip felt her face flush and was about to offer a terse reply but stopped herself. Micah was only joking. There was no harm in that. She’d grown very attached to her group of companions. It felt nice to have friends.

  “I can’t promise anything,” she said over her shoulder, grinning.

  Micah burst out laughing.

  “You seem happy,” said Griffen, catching up with her.

  “I am,” she said. “I shouldn’t be, but I am.”

  “Are you homesick?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “I think Raph is right. People are our homes. And I think my home is right here.”

  LILY

  THE NOW

  “Who are you?”

  Lily, blinked, then opened her eyes to see Father bending over her.

  “Who are you?” he asked again.

  “Angel,” she said, her voice cracked and croaky. “Your daughter.”

  Her health may be compromised by starvation and cold, but her mind wasn’t. She knew exactly who she was. Or rather, she knew exactly who the King wished for her to say she was.

  She was lying down with a heavy blanket on top of her. Not in the room covered in diamonds, but another with blue quartz everywhere she looked. Mother’s room. But… how could that be? Had she passed out for long enough that Father had been able to transport her back to the lighthouse? She could swear it hadn’t been more than a few minutes.

  “You need food,” said Father, holding out a spoon.

  She lifted her head and allowed him to tip some soup into her mouth.

  It was hot, burning her tongue as she swallowed it down, but this didn’t deter her and she opened her mouth for more.

  “I’m sorry, Angel.” Father continued to feed her. “I didn’t want to leave you out there, really I didn’t. It’s just that… well, sometimes we have to be cruel to be kind.”

  Lily nodded, not caring what nonsense he spouted, just as long as he kept nourishing her with soup.

  “You’ve been very unwell, lately,” he said. “You really must start taking better care of yourself.”

  Lily cleared her throat, trying not to choke. How could she take better care of herself when people left her locked on Terraces in the sky or made her dive into freezing water to look for treasures? It was ludicrous!

  “Yes, Father,” she said, her mind already scrambling for more ideas as to how she could get off this island again. “Where’s Mother?”

  “Eat your soup.” He lifted another spoonful of soup to her lips. “Don’t worry about her for now.”

  “Why aren’t I in my bedchamber?” She slurped in the soup, already starting to feel a little stronger.

  Father’s eyebrows shot up, then his face relaxed into a smile.

  “How about I ask the questions first?” he suggested.

  “I already told you who I am,” she said. “I’m Angel.”

  The lie felt easier to say, the more times she said it.

  “What did you do with the amethyst?” he asked.

  This time she did choke on the soup, coughing madly as her body tried to stabilize itself and her mind attempted to come up with an answer to his question.

  “I know you have it,” he said. “I put it in your bed the last time you were sick.”

  “Mother must’ve taken it.” This lie was harder to tell than the last one. She wasn’t even sure why she was telling it. Was it because this information was the last bit of power she had left? “There was no amethyst in my bed.”

  “Oh, Angel.” He shook his head and set down the spoon, placing the bowl beside her bed. “I really don’t want to send you back up to the Terrace to think about this. I was hoping you might remember without that being necessary.”

  “It’s in the ocean,” she said without hesitation. She couldn’t risk going back to the Terrace. Not today and not ever. He could take the amethyst from her. He could take both of them. Just as long as she never had to see that terrace again.

  “You threw it in the ocean?” he asked.

  She shook her head and sat up, reaching for the soup bowl herself now that he’d stopped feeding her. But Father put his hand on it, preventing her from picking it up.

  “Questions first,” he said.

  “Where’s Mother?” she asked again, not wanting to risk being overheard. She may have told Father a lie just now, but she’d been lying to Mother for years.

  “My questions,” he said. “Not yours. If you didn’t throw the amethyst in the ocean, then how did it get there?”

  “I put it there,” she said. “To hide it from Mother.”

  “Interesting.” He removed his hand from the bowl, although she didn’t dare reach for it again. “The woman who loves you and raised you and you’re hiding things from her.”

  “I thought… that you didn’t want her to see it. That’s why you gave it to me in secret.”

  “It’s worth nothing on its own,” he said.

  She really didn’t want to reveal she knew where the other amethyst was, but one thought of the Terrace had her talking again.

  “It’s not on its own,” she said. “I put it next to its twin. They sit under the ocean together.”

  The King beamed at this news, wider than Lily had ever seen before. “I knew it hadn’t gone far. I knew it!”

  Daring to reach for the soup now, Lily stretched out her hand. Father had stood up and was pacing around the room, not seeming to care if she ate.

  As quickly as she could, Lily spooned the soup into her mouth, wondering who cooked it. Mother never cooked. Lily prepared all the meals in the ligh
thouse. This wasn’t a recipe she recognized, either.

  She got to the bottom of the bowl then held it up to her lips and tipped it back, wanting to enjoy every last bit of the warm liquid. Now that her stomach was full and her body was warm, she looked around Mother’s room. It looked different somehow, but perhaps that was just because she’d never been in this bed before so she’d never seen it from quite this perspective. Although why did it smell different? It sounded different, too. Perhaps her illness had affected her senses somehow.

  “As soon as I’m well enough, I’ll get the amethysts for you,” said Lily, resigned now to the fact she was going to have to give them back.

  Father nodded, thoughtfully.

  “Angel,” he said, returning to her side and sitting by the bed. “I gave you the amethyst for a reason.”

  “I don’t understand.” Lily shook her head. What possible reason could Father have for giving her his amethyst? He’d never paid her much attention in the past. Why would he give her what would have to be one of his most valuable possessions?

  “Angel, I don’t have any children, as you know. It’s only you. The amethysts have magical properties. I knew it would help to heal you if I left one by your side.”

  “But what are they?” she asked, not understanding why he’d gone to so much trouble to heal her only to almost kill her on the Terrace.

  “They’re a pair of love stones,” he said. “Handed down for generations to ensure the right people are ruling the kingdom, and that they’re doing it with their soulmate by their side so they can rule with true happiness in their heart.”

  Lily had to work hard not to grimace. Feldspar was many things, but definitely not a kingdom that seemed to have been built by rulers with happiness in their hearts.

  “I used the amethysts to find your Mother. My intention was always to pass them onto you one day, but the Queen’s actions made that impossible. She should never have thrown her amethyst into the ocean.”

  “But… why me?” she asked.

  “Because one day you’ll rule Feldspar, of course.”