Stone of Hope

Chapter 4

Paul is a tall troll with wavy brown hair and rich mahogany eyes. He’s lean like Ash, but his bearing is more formal and polished. His hair is slicked back and perfectly styled, not a single strand out of place. His jawline is chiseled, and I can only imagine the muscles he has. I bet his six-pack is even better than Ash’s, and that’s really saying something. My eyes roam over his perfectly pressed uniform, stopping at his sword. He looks me over, too, and I suddenly feel disheveled as I glance down at my rumpled tank and shorts. Although to be fair, when I left on my trek to the Mini Mart I wasn’t expecting to be transported to another world. Inspection complete, we both turn to Ash with quizzical expressions. The two exchange a meaningful glance before Ash nods, and then Paul turns to me and smiles as he extends his hand.

I turn to Ash. “I thought you were the exception to trolls, since you said you were the fastest and strongest.” I nod my head at Paul. “He looks more fit than you, and he’s taller, too.” Paul just laughs.

A smile plays on Ash’s face. “You’re thinking of Earth’s folklore about trolls. Most of it is false, but there are a few who got some things right. Trolls look just like humans, but we have Gifts humans don’t possess. And no, we don’t live under bridges or in caves. Most trolls from my kingdom look like me and Paul. Other kingdoms have subtle differences about them, but we all look relatively human.”

Paul moves his hand forward to get my attention, patiently waiting to shake my hand. I hesitate, unsure whether to take it. But I guess if Ash trusts him, I should, too. His hands are rough, but his grip is gentle.

“My name is Paul. I’ve known Ash since we were little.” His smile makes his dimples pop. I give a weak smile, not wanting to be rude, but I’m thoroughly freaked out by the whole experience.

We stand awkwardly for a moment until Paul gestures for me to sit in one of the chairs. He turns and whispers something to Ash, whose eyes widen as he looks at me. “No!” Ash responds vehemently. “I will not put her at risk.”

Instinctively, I move to Ash’s side. “What did he say?”

“It isn’t important.” Ash brushes it off like it’s no big deal.

“The hell it isn’t!” I fume. “I want to know. You’ve kept me in the dark for years, and I won’t allow it anymore.” My voice is stern, my eyes just as unforgiving as I turn to Paul. “What did you say to him?” I demand.

Paul’s grin widens even more and he mutters something under his breath about claiming, receiving a death glare from Ash. “Please sit,” he insists again, sweeping a hand towards one chair and walking to another, completely ignoring my question. “Jewel, I don’t know how much Ash has told you about our world, but just as with any realm, there is good and evil, and sometimes they cross into other realms. The Southern and Northern soldiers constantly patrol the area for any Seekers who enter our realm, just in case they find anything or have information that might benefit us.” He takes a seat after I finally give in and sink into the other chair.

“That’s all very interesting Paul, but it doesn’t do anything to help my panic mode,” I bite out. I put my head in my hands and take several calming breaths. Ash slides a chair next to mine and sits down, then squeezes my thigh gently and rubs my back, trying to soothe me. Inhaling his familiar scent is something I can hold onto. He kisses the top of my head. I must look like a small child about to break.

In a calming tone, Paul continues, “Jewel, I know this must be overwhelming to you, but since you asked what we’re talking about, I’m trying to help you understand how our realm operates.” He waits until I nod, and I sit up a little taller. With a reassuring glance, he explains, “It can be hard to locate realm portals because they open and close in different spots, so it’s not like we can guard one location for our Seekers. The horn alerted us that there was another being in our world, which normally means trading or trouble, but since you’re only half troll, it means the Southern guards spotted someone else from a different realm. That particular horn let us know not only that we have a visitor, but the pitch also told us what kingdom they’re from.”

“Why would others want to come to your realm and cause trouble?”

Paul leans back in his chair, nodding at my question. “There could be several explanations, which I won’t dig into here, but first, I’d like to get you back to our kingdom in the North where you will be more protected. There will be extra patrols for a while by both the South and the North.” He must see my eyes widen, because he quickly adds, “Extra patrols always happen when someone is spotted from a different realm.”

I look at Ash for comfort and he encircles me with his arms, reassuring me that there are plenty of soldiers outside and we’ll be safe until we reach the Northern castle.

Taking his cue, Paul stands and walks outside to let his men know the change in plans, giving us another moment alone. After another minute, Ash stands and opens the door, beckoning for me to follow. Outside, twenty soldiers all wearing different shades of green are waiting, almost like a sea of green ombre. Each one is just as tall as Ash, if not taller. Mountain-sized men who look like they can tear the head off a man’s shoulders with little effort all glance at me as I walk down the steps, forming a tight, protective square around me. I turn my head, trying to find Ash, and finally see him setting up his trap with the string on the door. After finishing, he offers a small smile and makes his way toward me.

I nod my head toward the soldiers. “What’s with the sea of ombre green?” I ask curiously.

“The lighter the shade, the higher your rank.” He points to Paul. “He’s the captain, so he’s in the palest shade of green, almost white.”

“I’m so mad at you right now for keeping all this from me,” I admit, still unable to comprehend the events of the last couple hours.

He grabs my hand, lending strength to my ebbing stamina. “I had to. I hope you can understand and forgive me one day.” His voice is full of regret.

I snort. “Maybe one day.”

Changing the subject abruptly, Ash leans over and whispers, “I need to carry you. I know you probably don’t want me to touch you, but it’s the fastest way to travel.”

Sensing the anxious shifting of soldiers’ feet around us, I give in and allow Ash to pick me up. I quickly realize he’s a beast, a very fast beast. No wonder he could easily carry all the metal junk I found over the years! After blurring through the forest faster than a jungle cat, Ash slows and then grinds to a stop.

“The kingdom isn’t far from here,” he pants. “But before we go further, we must find some suitable clothes for you since that,” he points at my tank and then my shorts, “is not what women wear in our realm.”

I look down at my tennis shoes, jogging shorts, sports bra, and tank top with the phrase “Move it or lose it” and smile up at him.

Ash grins back. “Paul is on his way to get you something more suitable so you’ll blend in. It’s almost dark, so by the time he returns, most of our population will be settled in for the night and your presence will cause less of a stir. Another soldier went to notify King Forrest that we’re coming.”

My heart rate picks up. “I’m actually going to meet the freaking King?” I squeak, fumbling anxiously with my mother’s necklace.

He grabs my hand, stopping me from fiddling with the pendant. “You’ll be fine,” he assures me. “King Forrest is not going to hurt you. We don’t harm females in this realm, but he will be curious about you, and will probably question you for hours.”

“Hours?” I marvel.

“Maybe I exaggerated,” he admits with a grin.

I slap him playfully, and then a thought pops into my head. “Ash, is Dad here?” I ask hopefully.

“No.” His voice lowers and his face drops. He moves his lips to my ear, and I feel his breath as he whispers, “He is not from the North.”

“Is he from the Southern Kingdom?” I whisper back. He brings his eyes back to mine and studies my face.

“No. King Destine of the South is a ruthless king. We offer the southerners who can get away refuge.” His arms encircle me, bringing us closer, and squeezes me tight, offering what little comfort he can. Closing my eyes, I hug him back, his heartbeat helping to settle my nerves. “Not many talk about your father’s kingdom, and fewer know exactly what goes on there. I’ll explain more later, but right now, there are too many listening ears.”

Why don’t they just tell me what I am and what’s going on? This “explain later” mess is getting out of hand.

Stepping away from the comfort of his embrace, I gaze up into the trees, searching for the bird singing a song. Less light peeks through the canopy with each passing minute. Time passes, and the silence between us becomes unbearably awkward.

“So, all this time you’ve been lying to me.” His face falls, but I continue. “You’re way faster and stronger than me, yet you let me win all our races.” I punch him on his firm bicep. “Had I known you were stronger, I would’ve made you carry a lot more scrap metal to the barn.”

He smiles at my attempt at a joke. “I was raised to always put females first, and no, I didn’t want to carry any more scrap metal.” He gives me a knowing smirk. “That was just me being lazy, not to mention the fact that you have enough sculptures to fill a museum for a lifetime with your art.”

“You know it’s just a hobby,” I admit shyly, scuffing the ground with my shoe. Glancing around, I realize the soldiers have moved off to the sides, giving us space. “When do you think Paul will be back?”

“Now,” Ash says confidently. Sure enough, I turn around and see Paul approaching with a woman walking beside him.

“Damn, that hearing of yours is good,” I admit incredulously.

Ash chuckles. “Did you hear that bird whistling earlier?” I nod my head, remembering I never could find what tree it was perched in. “That was Paul letting us know it was him approaching so we wouldn’t attack him.”

Paul steps up and thrusts a heap of red fabric at me. “Sorry, this is all we could come up with,” he apologizes.

I take the bundle from him and my eyes widen as I realize I’m holding a ballgown. Holding it up, I look at Ash. The expression on my face must show exactly what I’m thinking, because he starts laughing uncontrollably. “This is what women here wear on a daily basis?” I look back at the ballgown in shock.

Just then, the woman who came with Paul steps forward. I take note of her blue dress, accented with glimmering crystal beads. Her eyes are a piercing, otherworldly shade of sapphire that make me want to look away and get lost in them at the same time. Her tan skin and shiny, russet hair brings them out even more. The tremulous smile she offers appears genuine. In a small voice she admits, “Yes, every day. I am Norell, Paul’s wife.” She looks at Ash. “What’s so funny, Ash? It’s the best I could do.” Her voice is sterner when she speaks to him.

“Sorry, Norell,” he offers, looking contrite. “You did a wonderful job. I just really wanted to see Jewel’s face when she realized she has to wear a ballgown every day.”

I swat Ash in the stomach, embarrassed, and he tries to calm his laughter. I turn to Paul and take a deep breath. “Okay, now that Ash has had his laugh, where am I supposed to change into this?” I shake the mountain of fabric with both hands to emphasize my point, but Paul just shrugs. I close my eyes, steeling my nerves, and try to figure out how to step into the dress without undressing in front of a platoon of soldiers. Noticing that the bundle contains a corset that must be tightened and tied, I step into the gown with everyone watching. I walk up to Ash and turn around. “Hold the dress for me while I take off my tank and shorts.” Norell walks over to help as well.

Paul coughs. “Privacy.” As one, all the soldiers click their heels smartly and turn their backs to me.

I strip quickly and take over holding the dress, expecting Norell to tie the corset, but to my surprise, Ash steps up instead. He expertly manipulates the stays and ties, seeming to know exactly what he’s doing. I feel a twinge of something, but I can’t really place it. Has he done this before? He gives a final tug, cinching the dress tightly. “How do you know how to do that?” I ask as I turn to face him.

“I had a family, once. A sister,” he admits, refusing to meet my eyes.

“Another family? You mean the family on Earth isn’t really yours?” He shakes his head, and belated comprehension begins to dawn. “You don’t have parents that take you away on trips, do you?” I see regret in his eyes, but the continued revelations of his lies hurt. At one time, I thought I knew everything about him. Now I know it was all false.

“Who were the people I met a few times? The ones in the pictures?”

He reaches for my hand, but I pull it back. His eyes meet mine. “I’m sorry, Jewel. I paid those people. As for the photos…” He shrugs. “Photoshop.”

“Why? Why did you leave me all those times?” I ask through clenched teeth.

He patiently explains, “I am a Seeker, Jewel. When you’re from this kingdom, you work for King Forrest. You work for the wellbeing of the realm and all who live here. I have a duty and an honor to help this realm and my kingdom.” His voice is firm, like he believes every word. Lowering his voice, he adds, “I truly am sorry, Jewel. My intentions have always been noble where you are concerned, though it may not seem that way now.”

Paul clears his throat, bringing us both to look at him. “We must get going. King Forrest is waiting.”

“Paul,” Norell interrupts, “I really should fix her hair if she is to meet King Forrest.” She hurries into action, pulling an assortment of hair pins and a brush from her bag. She’s much taller than me, so I don’t have to squat down as she takes sections and pins them around the crown of my head.

All eyes are on me when I finally turn around and face everyone. Looking at Ash self-consciously, I ask, “Do I look okay?”

“You look more than okay.” He offers only a half-smile. His dimple doesn’t even show. Regret paints his features.

Overwhelmed with emotion, I grab Ash’s hand and whisper, “I’m sorry about your family.” His fingers tighten on mine and he gives me a small smile in return. Paul and Norell quickly wrap my discarded clothing in a bag and join the procession following behind us.

“My parents died a very long time ago,” Ash admits, his voice breaking. I stop myself from asking how, though the promise that he’ll tell me later is written all over his face.

Paul quickly sweeps Norell up in his arms and instructs, “Ash, you need to carry her. It’s getting late, and none of my men have been able to find the person that the South saw cross over.”

With a scoop of Ash’s arms, once again I find myself held closely with my head against his chest. I look down at my flopping feet, notice my tennis shoes peeking out at the bottom of my borrowed dress, and smile. My eyes meet Ash’s and I nod at my shoes. His eyes follow mine and he smiles, too. I feel his belly chuckle.

He picks up the pace. As the scenery whips by, I begin to feel queasy as I attempt to capture everything in the dark despite my eye strain. Closing my eyes, I try to focus on something else, but my mind keeps running over the fact that somehow, I didn’t know Ash was lying to me the whole time I knew him.

The first time I heard his voice, it didn’t hold the familiar twang I was so used to hearing from the other boys around town. This guy was a muscular giant with golden, wavy hair. Definitely not from around here.

“Ash,” he introduced himself, holding out his hand. He smelled like cinnamon and honey.

I placed my small hand in his. “Jewel.”

I wanted to do nothing more than stare at him all day and drink him in, but I forced myself to look at Mrs. Conaway’s gentle eyes as she gave her welcome speech. As long as she didn’t give Math homework, I was okay listening to her nasally voice for an hour Monday through Friday.

In the following weeks, Ash and I met every morning in the parking lot before school. I helped him with Science, and he tutored me in Algebra. Our study sessions became more frequent, which led to us trading phone numbers and having tutoring sessions at my house. He soon became my best friend in every way: workout buddy, sculpture sidekick, and then boyfriend the night I finally went for it.

That was an amazing night.

We were cooking dinner together when he reached for something and brushed against my fingers. At one point, he was standing so close to me, our legs touched. We were face to face when I reached for something behind him, and he looked me in the eyes and dropped his gaze to my lips. I stood on my tippy toes, his mouth parted, and I went for it. My hands fisted in his hair as my lips found his. At first, he didn’t reciprocate; he stood still and his lips were like stone. I panicked, thinking I misjudged the attraction we shared; all the touches and caresses while cooking dinner. I tried to pull back, afraid I’d messed up everything between us, but his hands forced my head back so my lips met his again and he finally kissed me firmly, passionately. My knees felt like rubber, and I leaned on him to support me.

Looking back, I should have known. Dad knew all along Ash was someone he could trust, someone who would take care of me and honor me. No wonder he always felt better when Ash stayed the night. They were both Seekers.

I can tell Ash is slowing down because the deafening whoosh sound in my ears begins to wane. I don’t know how much time has elapsed, but we’ve passed many farms and houses doused in moonlight. Craning my neck, I see a tall log fence surrounding the outer edges of a castle. The Northern Kingdom’s castle has towering peaks made of wood, like something from a fairytale. The facade is adorned with small, twinkling lights in countless windows. My stomach starts to flip flop the more I take in the impressive structure.

I’m about to meet a king!

Paul sends Norell in with the soldiers after giving her a chaste peck on the cheek. As we approach, Ash sets me on my feet and leans in, his breath tickling my neck. “I’m not high in rank, so at a certain point I must leave you. But don’t worry; everything will be fine.”

My heart rate picks up at his words and my already frayed nerves turn to ice.

Always tuned to my moods, he senses my rising panic and squeezes my hand comfortingly. “Paul is someone I trust with my life, so please let him guard yours. I’ll come see you as soon as I can.” With that, he releases my hand and places his hands on the sides of my head. His thumbs move in a small, circular motion on my temples, and I quickly start to calm down. I finally meet his eyes. “I promise I’ll see you as soon as I can. You will be treated well, like every woman in our realm.”

“When will you tell me what’s going on, Ash?” I ask, defeated. “I don’t understand. What do you mean your rank isn’t high? When will I get to see you again?”

The questions come out quickly, but instead of answering, Ash leans down and kisses my forehead. “I promise; as soon as I can.”

I can’t help but feel this is another in a long list of goodbyes.

Paul walks up and places a hand on Ash’s shoulder. “I will keep her safe,” he vows. His eyes turn to mine. “I will guard you with my life.”

Ash reaches behind me and unclasps my necklace. I gasp and reach for it. “Jewel, relax. I’m hiding it.” He kneels as he reaches for my foot. I pull up the bottom hem of my gown and he loops the chain twice around my ankle before clasping it. He then takes off his leather cuff and snaps it on top of the necklace. I feel my silver pendant pressing into my skin. When he’s done, he looks at Paul. “It’s the only thing she has left of her mother.” Paul’s eyes fill with sympathy, but his next words are like a punch to my chest. “King Forrest will not allow you to keep anything from the Earth Realm.”

I nod my head, although I still can’t fathom what is about to happen.

“Jewel, you can’t tell anyone about the amount of time I’ve spent with you.” Ash’s eyes are pleading, so I nod, not understanding what I’m agreeing to or why. “I know you’re confused and have so many unanswered questions, but I promise no more lies.” With that, he steps in and hugs me, squeezing a little too tight.

Paul interrupts awkwardly, “We have to go. I’m sorry to cut this short.” He holds out his arm for me to take.

I look up at Ash in confusion and he whispers, “This is for the official welcome to our realm. He will escort you, due to his higher rank.”

I roll my eyes and take Paul’s arm, leaning into his warmth. Nighttime in this realm is cold. Ash quietly follows behind us. As we approach the castle, Paul nods to the guards at the entrance. The walls are carved with intricate designs comprised of massive loops and swirls. I’m so entranced by one of the designs, my hand comes up to trace the swirling pattern as we make our way down the hall. When there are no more swirls to trace, I realize with a start that we’ve stopped in front of two massive doors. Paul pushes one of them open and gestures for me to step inside. With panic, I grasp the fact that Ash’s footsteps don’t follow, which means I’ll be leaving him behind the shutting door. Paul bows, but I keep glancing back at the door. Paul straightens and takes my arm again.

“Please come forward.” The man who spoke stands near a massive fireplace. He is the first troll I’ve seen who has a beard. His salt and pepper hair tells me he’s old. The wooden crown on his head is contrasted by the band of shiny jewels nestled around the headpiece. His attire is the brightest white I’ve ever seen, giving off a small halo effect. His sword hilt peeks out of his coat. I feel like I just jumped back in time hundreds of years, or else stepped into a fairytale.

Paul presses his hand against my lower back to urge me forward, whispering, “That is King Forrest.”

Avoiding the King’s eyes, I focus my attention on the opulent surroundings. We pass an elaborately carved table positioned near a colorful stained-glass window. My numb feet sink into a plush rug that swirls with all the colors of autumn. An enormous bookshelf filled with tattered tomes of books, scrolls, and trinkets lines the far wall. Rich leather couches and chairs form a sitting area in the middle of the room, with a table nestled inside. I finally lift my eyes, meeting King Forrest’s penetrating gaze. He sticks his hand out to take mine and Paul drops my hand, letting me continue alone.

“I am King Forrest of the North,” the King announces. He squeezes my hand and bows to me with a slight bend at the waist, gallantly bringing my hand to his lips. His beard is coarse against my skin.

“My name is Jewel,” I respond nervously. I don’t know what motions to do. Should I curtsy? Bow? Fist bump?

He leads me over to the table near the stained-glass window. Upon closer inspection, I see the pattern in the glass is made of abstract shapes with different colors. The chair scrapes against the wooden floor as King Forrest pulls out my chair. He nods his head and sweeps his arm politely, gesturing for me to take a seat. I sit on the cushioned chair and attempt to make myself comfortable, but when I lean back, the carvings on the wooden chair back grind against my spine, forcing me to lean forward with perfect posture as the King pushes in my chair. I’m swept by a desire to race back to the side of the room where Paul is standing. My eyes shift to the door where I hope Ash still stands vigil.

The King pulls out the chair right next to mine, situated at the head of the table, and passes me a wooden cup. “Water?” He nods towards the cup.

Accepting gratefully, I pick up the cup and bring it to my lips. I take several gulps of fresh, cool water before coming back up for air.

“Let’s start with the basics,” he begins. “Do you know where you are?” A soft movement takes his attention from me for the briefest of moments, and he glances at the door before it opens. The King nods at the person who enters, then his gaze snaps back to mine.

“The Troll Realm.” I turn, peeking at the man who is now standing by Paul. I bring my head up even higher and see the newcomer’s hair is so black, it’s almost blue. Like all the other trolls in this realm, he’s a giant. I note that his clothes are not as white as the King’s; they have a hint of pale green. I remember Ash’s explanation that the lighter the clothes get, the higher your rank in the kingdom is. Even if I couldn’t see what color he wore, the man’s posture and the way he holds Paul’s attention tells me his rank. He turns and I see he is also incredibly handsome. Broad shoulders fit his uniform perfectly. I let out a sigh. Holy hell, they breed models here in the Troll Realm.

As he gets closer, I find I can’t look away. I know those green eyes. I take another look at his face as he approaches. I don’t recognize him, except for those eyes. I peer into them and automatically feel better, safer. How is that possible? My cheeks turn pink as a smile comes to his face and his gaze holds mine. He knows I was checking him out.

King Forrest watches me shrewdly. “Forgive me. This is my son, Prince Timber. He is head of the Troll army. Just like your world, a war rages here in this realm between all the kingdoms. You have fallen into the Northern Kingdom.”

Timber inclines his head respectfully. I nod back, turning my attention back to the King. “Why is there a war?” I can’t help but glance sideways at Timber to take in his striking features once more. He catches me staring, but stares back all the same. I can’t fight the feeling of déjà vu settling in my stomach. I’ve seen him somewhere before.

The King gestures for Prince Timber to take the seat next to me. “The story goes that for many centuries, there was a stone that glowed like a jewel found in the Blue River. The stone was so magical, the villager who found it prospered just by possessing and caring for it. Anyone who touched it was blessed, the ill were made whole, and the blind could see. Crops grew fast and strong, and the village never suffered drought. The women were fertile and the children plentiful. The man tried to keep it secret, but no secret is ever safe for long.

“Once word spread of that town”s good fortune, the kings from East, West, North, and South sent armies after the stone. They tortured the villagers who originally found it, but by then, the stone had disappeared. None of the armies ever located it.”

“Is that why you send Ash to Earth?”

“Yes, and to the other realms, as well. Since no one has found it in our realm we search others, thinking someone else might have stolen it.”

I tilted my head, thoughtful. “And that’s what you’re fighting over – a stone?”

“The stone is more than a stone, dear,” the King chastises with a warning glint in his eye. “We fight for the stone that will restore our kingdom to what it once was centuries ago, back when the entire Troll Realm prospered. You see, there was a time when no king had to worry about their people starving. In the North we don’t starve, but we do have to ration our resources. We live longer, up to five hundred years, but we have a hard time conceiving. There are very few of us born with Gifts, let alone the Healer’s Gift.” Letting out a deep breath, his eyes wander to the colorful glass mosaic. “I feel as though our realm is dying.”

“A Healer’s Gift?” I ask. I remember Ash briefly talking about gifts with which the trolls were blessed.

“In our realm, we have Gifts. Some call them powers, but it is truly a gift, for not all have them.” The King’s mouth turns down as he pauses and looks at Timber, then his eyes return to mine. “Some find their Gift to be a burden, no better than a prison sentence.” My face twists in confusion, but he continues. “If a Healer is born, most parents try to hide the Gift. They know the child will be used, with no life to live on its own. No choices. The Healer will always be sought out. Not as a slave, but over time, they may feel as such. See, with the stone, the Kingdom would thrive just like the old village did. Out of fifty pregnancies, fifteen were Healers. Now, in a hundred-year span, there are only two to three Healers being born.”

His words about a dying realm echo in my head. “So, what’s a Seeker, then? What are their Gifts?” I remember what Ash said he did, but part of me wants to make sure he didn’t leave anything out.

“Are you asking what Ash does and what he can do?” King Forrest eyes me shrewdly.

Vocal for the first time, Timber speaks directly to his dad without glancing my way. “Not only Ash, but her father, as well.”

His father nods and turns his attention back to me. “Your father is a Seeker? Of which kingdom?” His voice rises with interest with each question.

I shrug my shoulders and glance at Timber. “I just found out he’s a Seeker today, but I don’t know from which kingdom.” I look towards King Forrest to gauge his reaction.

“From the Darkland,” Timber informs us.

King Forrest’s eyes dilate and he leans closer towards Timber, ignoring me. “Darkland? Are you sure?”

Timber nods.

I narrow my eyes at Timber. “How do you know that?”

“I already interrogated Ash.”

“What does that mean?” I screech. I stand up quickly, my chair nearly toppling over as I look at Paul accusingly.

“Relax, Jewel,” Paul responds quickly, walking over with his hands held out soothingly. “Prince Timber just meant he debriefed Ash. He merely questioned him of his findings, as Prince Timber normally does when Ash returns from one of his trips to your realm.”

“Oh,” is the only response I can supply. I slump back in the chair and put my head down on the table. This is so confusing! I reach for my necklace only to remember it’s not there. I anxiously toy with the gems on my dress instead.

“Are you feeling well?” Paul asks in a gentle tone, a reminder that everyone is still waiting for me to fall ill.

“I’m fine,” I answer more crossly than I intended. “Can you just tell me what my dad is?” I keep my head down as tears threaten to fall.

The King answers, “A Seeker is someone who received Gifts of enhanced hearing, strength, and speed. Due to their extraordinary Gifts, their sole purpose in life is to travel throughout the realms, seeking the stone. Your father and Ash travel to different kingdoms and realms based on intel we receive to point them on their journeys.”

Still confused about my father’s role, I query, “So, the Darkland is what, exactly?”

The King shakes his head. “The kingdom’s name fits the land. Gnarled, dead trees grow around the kingdom, twisting the landscape. Wickedly long, black thorns are a natural warning sign, urging you not to enter.”

“And their King?” I ask tremulously. “How does he fit the name, Darkland?”

“King Gus is feared by all, and rightfully so. He was blessed with several Gifts; speed, strength, enhanced senses, and power to influence others, to name a few. His intentions and methods are lethal. Information on his kingdom is limited, because anyone who goes in doesn’t come back out.” King Forrest leans back in his chair, contemplating. “Which is why I’m surprised your father is from there. Do you know where your mother was from?”

I pick my head up. “If you’re asking me if my mother was also a troll, then my answer is no. She was human. But she died when I was five and it’s just been me and my father ever since.” My shoulders slump as I lean back in the chair, forgetting my good posture and manners until I feel the back of the chair poke my back again.

I see sympathy briefly cross Timber’s face, but fury ignites after I hear the King whisper, Half-breed. I hate that term! I whip my head to the King and narrow my eyes.

He meets my eyes unflinchingly, but breaks eye contact as he stands, his chair scraping against the floor. “You will stay here with us until we can figure out more. Prince Timber will escort you to one of the guest rooms.” He turns his gaze to Paul, and in a clipped tone instructs, “Paul, post five guards and fill them in on the details of the latest news, as well as this discussion. Retrieve Ash. I will see you at The Roots.” Paul nods and bows to his king, repeating the gesture for Prince Timber. Formalities observed, he bids good night to me. I smile, wave, and watch him leave before turning back to King Forrest and Prince Timber.

King Forrest’s shrewd eyes and attention swivel back to me. “I hope you have a lovely evening, Jewel. I also hope you find your stay here desirable.” He looks at Prince Timber and nods.

“Thank you,” I manage to get out.

He starts to leave the room, but a sudden thought causes him to turn back to me. “Due to the nature of your…uniquesituation, please do not leave unattended or without permission. I don’t want the whole kingdom to know you are here just yet. Even without formal knowledge of your presence, I assure you, rumors will spread.” With that, he walks out, but not before sparing a meaningful glance at Timber.

I turn to look at Timber in confusion. “I don’t get it. What kind of rumors?”

Timber’s confident face falters. “Due to our nature, there are not a lot of mates to be had in the kingdoms. There are more males than females.”

“So?” I shrug, still unsure what that means.

He stands up and fidgets uncomfortably. “You are a new female troll to the kingdom, which means…” His voice trails off and a slight blush colors his cheeks.

It suddenly dawns on me. “Are you kidding me? This is like high school all over again, when all the guys wanted to date the new girl.” I ignore his confused look at my mention of high school. I can’t believe this! Without another word, I stand and take his offered arm. We make our way to my guest room in pained silence, stopping in front of a rounded doorway with decorative vines carved along its face.

“This will be your room for now.” He gestures for me to open the door. Curious, I comply.

The metal doorknob is cold to the touch as I grasp it, twist, and enter the room. Immediately, I notice the four-post, wooden bed, noting that the size is so large, it will undoubtedly swallow my five-foot eight-inch frame. My eyes sweep to the other side of the room, spotting a sitting area along the way. The far side of the room is broken by a set of French doors and a single door along the wall.

Both doors have intricate designs as ornate as the ones that grace the bedroom door. The hand-carved patterns remind me of my artwork back home. I notice one of the two doors is slightly ajar, so I pull the door the rest of the way open and gasp at the size of the walk-in closet. Several sparkling dresses hang on padded hangers with matching heels placed in an orderly row beneath them.

I step further inside, hunting for what I would consider ‘normal’ clothes; you know, hoodies, leggings, a t-shirt or jeans. I come up with nothing. I pull open the top drawer of a wardrobe tucked in the corner, then hastily close it when I glimpse an airy pile of skimpy silk nighties. Matching bras and panties are in the next drawer, making my cheeks turn a darker shade.

Timber clears his throat. Startled, I jump, but he’s standing so close, I bump into him. I didn’t even hear him come in! His arms extend to steady me and once again, I am drawn to his eyes.

“Avery is here now to keep guard. I need to go fill in the rest of the security detail on your arrival. After I return, I will escort you to dinner. I was told you have not yet eaten?”

“Timber,” I ask, ignoring his question, “where did these clothes come from? They’re even the right size.”

“Norell, Paul’s wife, was instructed to go with him to figure out your sizes. Upon arrival, she and others tried to find clothes that would make your stay here more enjoyable.”

I try to think of something clever to say, but can only come up with a quiet, “Thank you,” in response. He offers a crisp bow, and I watch him covertly as he straightens. His eyes meet mine and a not unpleasant shiver runs up my back. He takes a step toward me and gently takes my hand. My heart rate accelerates immediately. His closeness is too close. His boots are almost touching my shoes as he turns my hand up and places a kiss on the palm, his eyes never leaving mine. I hold my breath, waiting expectantly to see what happens next, but he merely brings my hand down and releases it before taking a few measured steps back. When he reaches the door handle, he turns to tell me good night with a smile, shutting the door and leaving me blissfully alone.