I struggled in the guards’ grip, throwing elbows and kicking at their shins. Except none of my efforts made any difference as they dragged me down the hall away from the throne room.
"Griswold," I screamed, my voice echoing then dying in the corridors. None of the other guards or servants stopped to help. Not one guard came to my rescue. It was as if Edwin had paid each and every one of them to pretend not to see me. I screamed louder, kicked harder, but nothing worked. Eventually, the guards rounded the final corner and tossed me into my chambers roughly like a thief in a dungeon. At least, he didn’t choose to lock me away down there.
"You'd best stay in here, Your Highness,” one of the guards said as he shut the door behind him. I kicked the bedpost and pain shot up my leg. What the hell was that? My own guards weren't even listening to me. Even at risk of death for treason they didn't seem to care. There was no way I'd ever be able to compete with that type of obedience. What had Edwin promised them to prompt such a suicide mission?
If everyone else in the castle started following Edwin's orders, he wouldn't even need to take me out himself, he could easily get one of the guards to do it and blame them instead. I needed out of this castle before Edwin tried to take my head. I glanced back into the hallway, but the guards were already gone. I ran back to the throne room, but the grabby guards had already resumed their posts and now blocked the door in its entirety. I followed around to the far side of the room, the public entrance, and a new set of guards stood watch there as well. The voices of the delegates inside continued to banter and chuckle. But maybe they could be my escape.
I bolted back to my room and ripped through the drawers of clothes, grabbing a pair of gloves and a dark brown pair of pants. From the wardrobe, I collected a plain white shirt and a dark grey jacket. I pulled the clothes on and grabbed some jewelry from the dresser. Gold instead of bronze, but it was the best that I could find. Then just before I left, I doubled back to my collection and selected a switchblade inlaid with mother of pearl then balanced the weight in my hand. It wouldn’t take down an army, but it might give me a head start if I needed it. A gift I never thought I’d ever use. I closed my eyes and slid it in my pocket, holding it tight. After pulling a sword on my father I’d hoped I’d never need to brandish a weapon again, but this time it might my life I needed to fight for.
I made my way through the corridors refusing to make eye contact with any of the other guards or servants then waited in the shadow of the staircase in the grand foyer. Eventually, the voices of the delegates trailed into the main exit. "It has been a pleasure to meet you all. I look forward to more trade talks as our relationship develops over time,” Edwin said in a saccharine voice.
A gentleman in a long cream and brown striped coat shook Edwin's hand clasping it between his own. "And we look forward to more discussions with you as well. It's unfortunate that the prince has fallen ill again, we hope it is nothing serious. It would be great to engage him as well."
“I will send your well wishes, but do not worry about the prince. I'm sure his condition will change very soon."
Likely. Instead of sick I’d just be dead.
"Make me a Forge gentleman,” I whispered in my hiding place. As the change took hold I slid into the larger group, keeping back behind the flashy head gear of the ladies.
"Safe travels to your kingdom, your excellencies,” Edwin said then nodded towards the entrance guards who opened the main doors to the outside, letting the hopeful sunlight in. As the group walked out I weaseled myself into the center of their group keeping my head straight and focused on the castle gates ahead.
"Hold on a moment,” Edwin called rushing after us.
I froze, refusing to make eye contact as he might sense something. He might be able to see past my disguise.
"I believe you haven't seen the lovely gardens yet. May I escort you."
I inched closer to the gates. More time spent with Edwin would be my own undoing.
"Thank you, Mr. Macario,” one of the ladies responded with a graceful bow. "But we really should be getting back. Nightfall isn't the safest time to travel."
I exhaled as relief washed over me. At least someone was sensible.
"As you wish," Edwin took the lady’s hand and kissed her knuckles as he caressed her fingers and held her gaze. She giggled at the attention but I gagged and tried not to bring up my breakfast.
The group moved to the gate waving politely at Edwin and the remaining guards. The iron groaned as it opened letting us pass into the city. The weight of my shoulders dropped as the gates clicked shut behind me. Finally, free.
The foam stuck to the sides of the glass as I swirled my ale around the bottom. Mr. Takka arranged stacks of cups and wiped down the bar anticipating the evening rush which would likely start at any moment. No one fussed with me as I sat along the bar rail still wearing my face from The Forge but without the heavy jacket.
The brutal sun bore down on my back all afternoon as I wandered the streets of Mosa and tried to develop a plan. After a while, the jacket became a burden and I left it in an alley for a lucky vagrant to find. Even though no one would recognize me, I needed to keep moving. The pacing helped my thoughts come together and I felt like I was moving forward even if I was no better off than when I skipped out of the castle.
The first step would be to find my parents, but I'd called Alizeh five times already and she never came. Without a way up to the mountains, I was stuck. I considered hiking the treacherous roads up to the summits, but without proper supplies, I might never make it.
So I wandered. Around and around the familiar streets until they almost became a loop. I had nowhere to go. No one to turn to for help or even just to hold me down for five minutes so my head could stop floating. The only place I had left was the tavern and without exposing who I really was, no one cared about me here either.
Veda’s table sat empty in her usual corner. Maybe it was too early for her to show, or maybe she still hadn’t come out of hiding yet. Either way, the depressing state I’d been falling into kept getting worse.
I chugged back the last few dregs from my glass and slipped a few baht on the bar. Mr. Takka grinned and quickly pocketed the bills, wiping down my spot for the next nameless patron.
The sun started to dip low in the windows. Might as well try to call Alizeh again, then if she didn’t show, try to figure out where I’d spend the night. Edwin would have deduced that I’d escaped by now, but keeping a borrowed face would give me some extra time. I might have to switch up again soon so I didn’t get too obvious, or worse, stayed in someone else’s body forever. My experiments had only been for short periods of time. Even that one long night as the fake Amir, I’d never gone more than ten hours in disguise and I didn’t have time to solve that problem if I couldn’t change back.
The sounds of the tavern muffled as the door closed behind me and I walked out into the street. The lanterns burned in the half-light of the approaching night, the world around me glowing with hope. If only I could appreciate it while everything around me crumbled.
A group of men turned onto the street ahead as I started toward the forest, my head down as I passed them. They talked and joked without a care, light and easy, not seeming to notice the mysterious stranger walking right by. A sickening feeling spread underneath my skin, hot and electric. I used to be one of them. I wanted to be one of them. Being alone had left me defenseless with few people I could turn to. My life would never truly be my own once I fully claimed the crown, but closing myself off from everyone else punched a hole in my chest that royal obligations couldn’t fill.
A familiar voice laughed among the crowd and I froze, my ears perked toward the sound. The ache to respond seared deep in my veins, paralyzed in nostalgia. He likely didn't deserve a second chance after the way he treated me, but one thing Edwin did get right was that I needed someone I could turn to. A true friend. I’d thought he was it once, but maybe not. Either way, maybe I gave up too easily. Exposing myself would
be a risk, but Edwin already knew I was gone. A few minutes wouldn’t ruin my escape.
"Make me myself again,” I whispered then turned back around. "Hey, Kalmin.”
He stopped then looked over his shoulder, his eyes wide as soon as he recognized me. The rest of the group stopped with him, a few nudging each other with their elbows and snickering under their breath.
"Falls, what are you doing here?"
"Can I talk to you for a minute?"
The other guys seem to be even more amused.
"Alone."
Kalmin nodded and snapped his fingers. The rest of his crew simmered their laughter and disappeared into Takka’s. I’d forgotten how much influence Kalmin had on his own. The son of a successful businessman; he was prince of his own empire. Maybe I should’ve paid more attention.
"Haven't seen you around much lately." Kalmin stepped forward, just a little, his hands pushed deep into his pockets.
"I've been busy. I have an entire kingdom to run and no one to talk about it with."
He hung his head as the moonlight cut shadows across his clenched jaw. “What about all your new important delegate friends? I'm sure they all keep you busy."
I swallowed and took a step closer. I hadn’t really thought this conversation through before I decided to confront him so all the words jumbled on my tongue and caught around my tonsils. Kalmin and I didn’t talk about how we felt, we were just friends. Great friends. Playing around the castle as kids. Skipping lessons to cause havoc in the market. Sitting on Kalmin’s rooftop under the stars and talking about the most useless random things. Then things changed. We changed. But now the memories plucked at my brain like guitar strings, each one striking their own note and creating a longing I couldn’t put words to.
"A bit. But no one that I can just be around, you know? I always thought when the time came to be king, you'd be there beside me, but I guess you didn't think about it the same way I did."
"If you wanted a pet, you could've found anyone else.” He huffed and glanced toward the tavern door, avoiding or simply refusing to make eye contact. “Can't you just demand someone to be your friend now? You don't need me. You never did."
"Like you really needed me? Except for bar tabs and party invitations, did you ever even like me?"
He narrowed his eyes but it wasn’t anger that resonated from his stare. “’Course I did. But then all this bad stuff happens and you don't tell me anything. Your father turned into a beast, for pixie’s sake, and I had to hear about it in the newspaper. Ignoring the fact that you put the entire city and possibly the kingdom in danger, you didn't tell me. You used to tell me everything. Then when I got angry, you just made it all about yourself. What you were going through. How hard it was for you. And it’s not new. I’ve been nothing more than your sidekick for a long time now. Not once have you asked what I might be going through. The fights I’ve had with my father. My mother’s sickness. The fact that they might ship me off to Skyla to live with my uncle and leave the only city I’ve ever known. You dropped out on me months ago, I’d just had enough.”
I stared down at the cobblestones, following the maze of lines and trying to gather the courage to look up. Maybe this was coming longer than I’d thought? Had I really been that awful? I didn’t know about any of the things he’d talked about, but from the tone of his voice he’d clearly made them known and I didn’t even care.
"Then I never heard from you again. You showed up here once and picked a fight with one of your own subjects then disappeared. How do you expect me to be friends with that?"
"Well, I wished you would have tried.”
"I wished you would have too.”
The shouts echoed around us. The accusations coming at both of us from all sides. Shame stained Kalmin’s cheeks or maybe it was the reflection of my own on his face.
"So," Kalmin pointed his toe and rubbed it along the ground, his head dropped low as he watched. "Did you want to come in for a drink. On me, and we can chat some more."
I looked behind my shoulder toward the forest, then Kalmin's remorseful face as a sharp pain poked in my chest. "I do. I really do. But I have something I need to do right now.”
Kalmin tossed his hand and shook his head. “’Course. Go do what you need to do.”
I turned around and started running down the street, then half a block away I froze. I couldn’t make amends tonight, but every small step helped, right? I’d changed from the callous prince he remembered over the past little while. I clenched my fists at my sides and closed my eyes then yelled. “My evil uncle has taken over the castle and is trying to steal the throne. My parents have gone missing and I need to find them before I lose the crown. I don’t want to go, but if I don’t leave now, my uncle might have me killed.“
"Geez Falls.”
I spun around and Kalmin stood with his hand on the tavern door, watching me standing in the street.
"You wanted me to be honest, and that's about as honest as I can be right now until I figure this all out. Promise me you'll keep it quiet for now. I’m trusting you with this because I want you to trust me again.”
He released the door handle and walked down the street to meet me. “I’m sorry things have been so awful. No wonder you’ve been in hiding. But I’ll keep your secret, I’ll do whatever you need. You can always count on me.” A smile broke across his face. Not joy or pleasure, but understanding. A peace offering. “Is there anything else I can do?”
"Unless you happen to have a giant bird in your pocket or some way to get up on those mountain peaks, then not right now. But when this is all over, I might need a friend if you're willing?”
"Yeah. Come find me and I'll be there." He extended his hand and I took it then he pulled me close and tapped me on the back.
"I really missed you, Kal."
"Me too. Now do what you gotta do.”
I peeled myself away and started to run again, but skidded to a stop after two steps. “Oh, one other thing. That girl that's always lurking in the corner of the tavern. The one with all the books."
"Yeah, the awkward-looking one? What about her?”
I cringed at the description but didn't have time to set it straight. "Have you seen her in the last few days?”
Kalmin looked toward the sky and tapped his lips with his index finger. "Not really, not for the last few days. I hadn't been looking for her either though.”
"Okay, thanks. "
"Why?”
“That's another story for another night. But this time I'll make sure to tell you. Only after you tell me what’s going on with you first.”
I raced off toward the forest and called Alizeh then hid in the shadows under the canopy of leaves. Within minutes, Alizeh bounded through the clouds.
Finally. Time to find some answers.
7
9th June
Alizeh glided through the stars, each one glimmering around me like a swarm of fireflies that I could reach out and trap in a jar to keep beside my bed. A beautiful night taunting me in my mission. Such a waste of perfection when my head seemed stuck in a dark cloud.
I'd headed straight for the temple, but as we flew I redirected Alizeh for a quick stop at Veda’s cottage. We would pass her mountain on the way regardless, so I saw no harm in a small detour. Besides, maybe she could fill in some of the blanks still left in Edwin's story.
We landed in the usual spot and I jumped off Alizeh's back before she'd come to a full stop. Not a breeze blew tonight. The eerie stillness crept into my bones and drained the wetness from my throat. No lights. No sign of life anywhere on this peak. Again.
I swallowed against the growing thickness and headed to the door, the feeling of déjà vu hitting hard.
Like so many times before, I knocked and the noise of my fist echoed through the cottage, loud and booming.
I waited. No answer. Not like I actually expected one this time. If she'd wanted to disappear, she had perfected it into an art.
I glanced over my shoulde
r as if anyone could even see me here then tried the doorknob. The door pushed into the cottage and I followed into the kitchen.
Very little light streamed in through the window and I stumbled on the rug nearly crushing a small table near the couch. Nothing moved at the sound of my clumsiness. My own breath the only noise for miles. I flopped down in a chair, trying to avoid wrecking any more of her furniture and clasped my hands in front of me, my elbows on my knees. I soaked in the hush of the obscenely early morning and scanned the dark corners of the room for something I couldn’t seem to place. What exactly did I expect to find? Either my head or my heart had drawn me here--maybe both--neither satisfied by the vacant cottage. Two very distinct and conflicting reasons.
The first time I had come here had been to escape, and now I wanted nothing more than to be found. I didn’t know about the sins of the past and I didn’t have this gnawing urge to be near her. And then everything changed. One night. The briefest passage of time and my world flipped upside down. If I had the chance to do it again, would I? Would it have altered everything that happened since?
I glanced up at the space where the diaries I'd stolen once sat. For all the thinking about Veda I’d done, I’d forgotten one small detail. She was still her father's daughter. He said he kept the magic from her but did he keep his plans for usurping the throne to himself as well? Or had all this been a delicate ruse?
A thought grew in my brain. Slow and careful like soap expanded into a bubble, getting bigger and bigger until it released fully formed. I’d never considered if Veda’s attention had been an act. Approaching me in the tavern. Taking me to see her father. Maybe she'd been playing me all along? If her father became king it would make her a princess, even though that didn't seem like something she cared about. At least not the Veda she showed to me if that person even existed. Maybe she’d been plotting to take the throne from me while I spent my time dreaming about handing it to her as my queen? Maybe I didn’t know her at all?
Fallon: Son of Beauty and the Beast (Kingdom of Fairytales Boxset Book 6) Page 24
