Stone of Hope

Chapter 13

“Isaid enough, Father!” He still thinks Jewel should be kept secret. “Don’t you understand her life was endangered today, all because someone overheard her name and thought we had the stone that glows like a jewel? We must set the record straight!” I can’t let any harm come to her.

“I can’t believe you’d want to give away our bargaining chip by announcing her presence here! Using her as bait is the only way we’ll be able to extract information about the Darkland Kingdom!” My father throws his hands in the air, obviously frustrated. “Did you think about the fact that if we tell people about her now, others might show up with the intention of kidnapping her in order to do the same thing we’re trying to do? Even worse, as a child of the Darkland Realm, King Gus might show up at our doorstep to claim what is rightfully his!” His irritation is transferred to his feet, and he paces across the room.

My nostrils flare and I struggle to contain the anger in my voice. “You might be King, but I’m head of this army. I will not risk the lives of my men, our people, or especially Jewel. Announcing her presence doesn’t mean we need to discuss the specifics of her heredity.”

“What do you propose to tell our people – the very ones who let it slip! – so they don’t inadvertently say the wrong thing again?” he shouts.

Father is pissed, but so am I. “We tell them the truth,” I counter. “But only the parts that matter.” I rub my forehead, trying to squash the headache that is beginning its rampage. “We announce that we have a special visitor with us, a young lady here as my guest.” My father’s eyes widen, but I charge ahead. “We give them her name, and she will be officially announced at the Festival of Woods. Until then, she can be seen in and around the castle.”

“Your guest?” Father’s eyes are hopeful. “Are you telling me you plan to claim her that night?” He can’t hide his excitement.

“Not all has been decided, Father, but until now, no one else has invoked the same feelings she has. I don’t know how to explain it. I have never met someone who made me feel so at ease and happy from the short time we’ve spent together. There’s something about her that makes me feel better when I’m around her. Do you know what I mean?”

“Yes! I feel different around her, but not in the same way you are experiencing.” His eyes hold a faraway look. “There’s something about her; the word hopeful comes to mind. Do you think she feels the same way about you?”

I shrug. “Time will tell if she feels the same, but until then, this stays between us.” I give him a pointed look.

My father nods. “Have you decided on a claiming name, at least?”

“Father, she resembles a bright light in a time of need in the darkness we considered hopelessness. ‘Starber Jewel’ is what I will claim her as if the time is right.”

“It’s perfect,” my father says, staring at my mother’s picture.

Since Jewel entered my life, I can’t even sleep without her tormenting my dreams. Walking to the window, I pick up the framed portrait of my mother, remembering her beauty and kindness. Their marriage was the model of what I want; the perfect balance of love, grace, and compromise.

“You know, you have your mother’s eyes,” he says in a whisper.

“Yes, Father, you tell me that every time you catch me staring at this picture.” I hear him approach.

He places his hand on my shoulder. “You also have her stubborn streak,” he says louder with a teasing tone that lets me know I’ve won the conversation.

Replacing my mother’s photo, I turn toward my father. “Let’s head to The Roots and get this over with.”