Chapter 25
Whispers throughout the castle inform me of the events that transpired after I left; the arrival of trolls from the Southern Kingdom, the subsequent skirmish where Jewel was injured when her back was scratched by thorn branches, which left blood running in rivulets down her back as King Destine kidnapped her, and then the arrival of King Gus and the Darkland trolls.
I seek out the prince with determined steps. “Prince Timber, I’m making a formal request to go with you to the South to retrieve Jewel.”
Timber snaps, “She is no longer Jewel to you, she is Starber Jewel.”
“Yes, Prince, I realize that,” I answer, keeping my voice light with great effort. “Thank you for the correction, for I was not here for the announcement.”
Starber Jewel.
He claimed her? I must speak with Paul. Did Jewel accept his claim?
“Ash, your job is to be a Seeker, not a Royal Guard. Why don’t you spend your time locating her father?” King Forrest demands, exasperated.
“With all due respect, Your Highness, I am the one Starber Jewel has known the longest. As Seeker, I have better hearing and am equipped to be stealthier than the Royal Guard. What do you think will happen when you show up in their kingdom with a bunch of soldiers? Do you think King Destine will allow you through the gates?” I take a breath, forcibly reining in my emotions. “King Gus was here. You know as well as I do that every one of his men will be on high alert.”
Prince Timber and King Forrest share a meaningful look. “Maybe you’re right,” the King concedes, “but you’re also the best chance we have of finding her father.”
“I don’t?—”
“Enough!” King Forrest bellows. “I’m ordering you to return to the Earth Realm and see if her father has shown up.” His eyes turn cold. “You were not here to feel the dark magic pulsing in the air. Now more than ever we need to know more about the Darkland and how King Gus has obtained such magic, for it should not exist within our realm.” With a flick of his wrist, I am dismissed. But not before he gives me one final, hard glare.
Enough of this.“I know where the stone is!” I shout, knowing this is my ace in the hole for being allowed to go with them to the South Kingdom. I no longer care about the downstream impacts of the stone on our kingdom, whether it means outright anarchy, or what it means for my personal wellbeing. John said it was imperative that I go with Timber and help Jewel. I’ll do whatever it takes.
Timber’s face is ashen. “Where is it?” He takes a step toward me, stunned.
“Allow me to go with you to save Jewel, and I will tell you when the time is right,” I bargain, showing no signs of backing down.
“You will tell us now, or you will be held for treason,” Timber counters menacingly. He keeps coming towards me, stopping only when we are chest to chest.
Backed into a corner, I yell, “If you truly care for her, then you will allow me to go with the promise of a future promise kept! There is more to this madness than even you know. Since you claimed her, I’m sure you want what is best for her safety.” Regardless of the prince’s flowery words, I know their true intentions. Timber is nothing more than a puppet to his father’s wishes.
Timber faces his father with a questioning look.
“Take who you like, but make it quick. She is the only key we have to finding her father, and now the stone,” King Forrest replies, leveling me with a deathly serious glare.
Bowing to his father, Timber straightens and marches out of the room.
Duly dismissed, I give King Forrest a nod and follow Timber’s footsteps.
As soon as we leave the room, Prince Timber whirls towards me and barks, “Pack your gear and meet me at The Roots!” Without another word, he marches down the corridor, anger fueling his steps.
I find Paul packing clothes and supplies in his travel backpack. “Are you coming with us?” Paul asks. Although his smile is light, the intense look in his eyes questions how I managed to wrangle the invitation.
“Yes,” I answer simply. “I made the King an offer he couldn’t refuse.” Taking a deep breath, I exhale slowly, praying I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew. With a start, I realize what this expedition means for Paul – leaving his pregnant wife in order to storm into a hostile kingdom to retrieve Jewel. I feel compelled to speak. “I’m sorry you must leave Norell at a time like this.”
Paul, ever gracious, merely nods his head in thanks. “She feels fine and is doing all right so far, so I pray she will be fine while we’re gone.”
I clap a hand on his shoulder and squeeze gently. “She and the baby will be fine.” I smile to reassure him, but his small smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Before long, word will spread that Destine kidnapped Jewel, and other kingdoms will start to wonder why. They will chase him, instead of coming to our kingdom.”
Paul shakes his head, marveling. “Ash, it was crazy! He just walked up and snatched her in a fog of smoke.”
I’ve been dreading asking the question, but before I leave, I need to know.“Are the rumors true? Was there as much blood on her as they say?”
Paul looks away, unable to meet my eyes. “Ash, I’m so sorry I didn’t protect her.”
Although my stomach hits the floor, I answer, “Paul, there’s no way you could’ve known she wouldn’t follow Molly out. Most women know to get out of harm’s way, but she’s not from here.”
She’s also very stubborn. Something must have happened to make her stay.