Stone of Hope

Chapter 26

Most of the morning has been spent in bed, nursing my sore ribs. I watch Joycelyn as she checks my injuries, attempting to use her Healing skills to heal them at a faster rate. I recognize the tingling of her magic now that they’re not as tender. She leans over me, her long blonde hair pinned along the sides, her skin almost glowing. I wonder if she glows because she’s a Healer. A soothing heat spreads throughout my sore ribs and she straightens, her Healing session finished for now. She tugs my shirt down and forces a tight smile as she stands beside the bed.

“What is it, Joycelyn? Is something wrong?” When she shakes her head no I relax a little, but something is definitely wrong. Her posture is no longer confident and she won’t meet my eyes. “What is it, then?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just been a long morning.” Her voice is shaky as she turns away.

Well, something is obviously bothering her, but she doesn’t want to talk about it with me so I change the subject. “Joycelyn, Destine said he would join me for lunch. Where is he?”

She turns back to me, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Something came up that he had to take care of right away.”

My first thought leads me back to what I overheard last night in the midst of my fever dreams. King Destine must have found out about Miko, which means he plans to execute him. A strangled gasp escapes me. “Miko?” At the sound of his name, Joycelyn begins to sob openly. “Joycelyn, take me to him. Now!”

In my panic, I lurch off the bed and race to the door before Joycelyn tries to stop me. Unfortunately, I run straight into the guard posted at my door, and trying to push past him doesn’t work because he’s as solid as a wall. I decide another tactic is necessary. Seizing the horn secured at the guard’s waist that’s used to announce oncoming threats, I bring it to my lips in a matter of seconds before he has a chance to realize what I’m doing. With a loud blare of the horn, I pray I halted Miko’s execution. The faint sound of marching footsteps gets closer with every second. Less than thirty seconds later, Destine and an assembly of soldiers are at my room ready to fight, their swords drawn.

Destine’s eyes dart wildly side to side, his nostrils flaring as he searches for the threat. He casts his eyes down, realizing I’m the one making all the noise, and snatches the horn from me, thrusting it back into my guard’s outstretched hands. Startled, I see Miko standing behind Destine. Turning my gaze away from him, I stare into Destine’s.

Directing my voice to the assembly, I declare, “I need to talk to King Destine privately, please.” Giving an awkward shrug, I broaden my smile and add, “Sorry for disturbing you, but at least now you know you’re up to speed for your next drill. Fast and efficient.” They all nod their heads and suppress their smiles as they glance toward their king.

“Leave us.” King Destine looks pissed. Once they leave, he turns to me. “You cannot do whatever you want here!” he bites out. “There are rules my people must follow.”

“Yes, yes, I know,” I scoff. “The centuries-long traditions.” I grab his hand and drag him into my room, realizing I don’t really have a plan for what I’m about to say. “Uh, I’m ready to tell you how I feel.”

He walks over to the table and pulls out a chair, taking a seat. “By all means,” he responds sarcastically, gesturing for me to sit.

“I prefer to stand.” I pause. “I’ve tried all my life not to let what others say dictate what I believe in. I told you the night of the Festival of Woods that I didn’t want to be the reason why someone died.” I give him a stern look and see he hasn’t forgotten my words. Smiling, I add, “I even try not to kill spiders or bugs. When I do by accident, I feel incredibly guilty about it and even say a little prayer for them.”

Warming up to my argument, I choose my words carefully.

“King Destine, in the case of the troll who hit me, I refuse to be the reason why someone is put to death. I’m asking you to leave it alone, because I believe that killing someone takes a part of your soul away. If you kill him, I’m convinced it will take all of mine. If you cannot handle this, then my judgment of you is that you are a hypocrite! You came to the Festival of Woods with the intention of attacking those people to find the stone. If it wasn’t for your actions, I never would’ve jumped in front of?—”

His sudden stare causes me to stop mid-sentence. Why is he staring at me like that?

Destine is incredulous. “You mean to tell me that you engaged in battle?” he marvels. “Surely, the North told you that no female should ever engage in battle. You could have been killed!”

Squaring my shoulders, I explode, “Don’t you dare lecture me! I jumped in because I wanted to help someone who was nice to me, someone who treated me like an equal – which in this realm, is a big deal.” Seeing the look of astonishment on his face, I continue. “And you know what? I’d do it again. I’d never be able to live with myself if I watched a friend die while I did nothing to try and prevent it.”

Destine abruptly stands and walks slowly toward me with something feral in his eyes, like he’s stalking prey. I step backwards until my back presses against the wall. For the first time since we met, I’m fully aware of his size and I’m scared.

Before I know it, Destine’s lips come crashing down on mine, his hands holding my head in place as he kisses me savagely. I try to pull his hands away as he leans his weight against me. “I will always keep you safe,” he murmurs, our lips still touching. My heart flutters. “You, I will always treat as more than an equal.” In the next second, he turns and leaves the room.

Oh, holy hell, what just happened?What did he mean ‘more than an equal’? Dang, it sounds like I’m the shiny new toy here!

I stand there, dumb and unmoving, with my fingers pressed to my lips until a knock on my door pulls me out of my stupor. When the door opens and a head peeks in, my pent-up breath whooshes out. It’s just Madeline, my new lady’s maid.

I decide I need a long run to process all of this. That means I need tennis shoes.

“Madeline! Guard! I need you both.”

Madeline’s eyes are startled. She opens the door further to include the guard stationed outside my door. The guard dips his head graciously. “Ma’am, my name is James. I will be stationed at your door, rotating my shift with one other guard.”

I smiled, then got right down to business. “Hello, James, nice to meet you. I need you to get me a pair of tennis shoes – I mean, boots like yours, as fast as you can.” My words are urgent, but the guard stands there with raised eyebrows as if he’s too stunned to respond. I prod him into action. “Go, James, please. I need them quickly.” Turning to Madeline, I beg, “I need your help. Since I arrived, I haven’t felt well enough to venture around, nor do I think the King wants me to, but I’m begging you to please take me out the back way for some fresh air. No soldiers, no guards, just you and me.”

Madeline’s lips turn down and her gaze drops to the floor. “I’m sorry, Miss, but I’d be dismissed for going against the King’s orders.”

Grasping her hands and holding them to my heart, I apologize. “No, I’m sorry, Madeline. I wasn’t thinking.” Dropping her hands, I turn to the wardrobe and find the pants and shirt they brought in for me earlier. I slip into them, finding they fit perfectly. Dressed except for shoes, I separate my hair and begin to braid it into a thick coil at the back of my neck, securing it with pins.

I walk to the door and grab the door handle just as James reappears with a pair of shoes. Hugging the shoes close, I thank him and breathe a sigh of relief as I slip them on.

Taking advantage of James’s obvious discomfort with being told what to do by a female, I grab his hand and drag him away from my door and down the hall. As we turn the corner, James plants his feet and refuses to move any further.

“James,” I beseech, “I need fresh air. Please take me outside. I need to feel the sun on my face. Just walk with me around the castle for a bit. They won’t even know I’m gone!”

Obstinately, he counters, “You haven’t been well since you arrived, and our Healer can’t seem to figure out what’s wrong with you. You need to go back to bed and lie down.” Placing a firm hand on my arm to turn us back the way we came, he offers kindly, “Come on, I’ll walk you back.”

“I’m going with or without you!” Spinning out of his grasp, I make a break for it and start running. His voice echoes off the stone walls right as I turn the corner and run right into Joycelyn.

Almost knocked off-balance, she grips my upper arms to catch me and stands me up straight. “What are you doing out of bed? Out of your room?” she admonishes. “Your ribs are not fully healed, and you certainly shouldn’t be running!”

Casting my eyes away from her and hearing James’s labored breathing behind me, I confess, “I need fresh air, Joycelyn. I can’t stay cooped up in there another day. I’m suffocating!” Even though I know I’m being overdramatic, I figure since I’ve come this far… “Please let me go outside. You can even come with me! At the first sign of fatigue or if you sense I’m in danger, I’ll follow your orders, no questions asked.” Seeing her expression waver, I grab her hands and give her a pouty-eyed plea.

Nodding to James, she keeps one of my hands in hers and starts walking toward the gate. I give her hand a gentle squeeze as a silent thank you.

The halls in the Southern Kingdom’s castle are much wider than those in the North, but just as in the Northern Kingdom’s castle, the detail etched in the stone walls and statues seems too beautiful to be real. After walking quietly for several minutes, I see sunlight streaming through the glass panel doors and know we are almost there.

The moment we step outside, I expand my lungs to the fullest and take in the sweet floral scent that reminds me of home. Happiness fleeting, I fight the feeling of being homesick. Joycelyn looks my way and parts her lips as if to say something, but I keep walking with her in tow.

I glide my fingers over the soft flower petals and blossoms as we walk along the gently curving stone path. Joycelyn instructs me what the name and purpose is for each flower I touch, including its uses for healing. After being cooped up for so long, I’m glad for the distraction and I sense she is, too. I stop beside one flower that’s easily the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. It looks like a cross between a Gerbera daisy and a rose with alternating layers of petals, although the size of the flower head is closer to that of a hydrangea. Although delicate, it has the most complicated whirls and spirals I’ve ever seen.

“This one changes colors depending on your mood,” Joycelyn explains with a smile. “Some can get it to be several colors at once, depending on the range of their emotions. We call it ‘Liberty’. In addition to its beauty,” she nods at me, “there are two other reasons why we keep it around. One, if you are standing next to it and tell a lie, one of the flowers on the stem will die. The second reason is that it can sense when you are pregnant. By eating it when you are with child, it is supposed to help the baby have a pure heart and become an honest person.”

Hearing a sudden commotion behind us, we both turn to find James standing in the path. Moving to the side, I peer around him and see King Destine and Miko, flanked by several guards on either side. In horror, I realize Miko’s hands are bound with ropes. I dash around James and run to Destine.

“Why is he restrained? I thought we…” I start to cry.

“You know why, Jewel.”

I plant my feet firmly in front of Destine. “I demand that you let him go!” I smack his chest. “I won’t allow you to do this for the sake of my honor!” I move to get close enough to Miko to grab the ropes, but James wraps his arms around my waist to restrain my movement.

Destine’s voice is cool as he answers, “Jewel, I know you’ve asked me not to give the death penalty, but an example must be made. No harm should ever come to a female.” With a snap of his fingers, Miko and the guards start moving again.

Throwing my weight backward suddenly, I force James to loosen his grip. I spin away from him and run to Miko.

With a pained expression, he whispers, “It’s not your fault, Jewel.”

But it is my fault. Because I wasn’t thinking, I interfered in the battle to save Timber and now Miko will be made an example. My heart begins to crumble and for the first time in a long time, I want my mom. Sensing my deflation, King Destine picks me up and swings me back around to James.

“I don’t think I’ll ever forgive you for harming Miko,” I whisper in his ear. “You just ripped part of my soul away.” His face is unreadable as he passes me to James, then he turns and watches as the guards tie Miko’s hands to a pole.

“I’m so sorry, Miko!” I cry as tears pour from my eyes. Destine is a monster! I can’t stay here and watch this unfold in front of me. More than ever, it hits me that this realm isn’t my home and these people aren’t like me. I miss my dad and the quirky sanity of planet Earth, compared to the backwards times of the Troll Realm.

Even if I manage to escape the Southern Kingdom and return to the North, I won’t be allowed to see Ash. That means I need to find my dad, instead. My mind made up, I take off running at full speed. Thoughts of finally escaping the castle causes my adrenaline to kick in, boosting my stamina. Chancing a look behind me, I’m elated by the head start I have on the guards. I pump my arms faster, focused on my goal, and then unbelievably, the gates start to open.

I can’t believe my good fortune! As soon as I get through, I need to find a portal that is blue.

Convinced my eyes are deceiving me, showing me what I want to see, I almost don’t believe it when I see Ash and Timber standing at the entrance. Good luck is on my side. I get even more pumped up as they shout at me to keep running and reach for their swords. Finally through the gates, Ash reaches for me and I throw myself at him, embracing him like a spider monkey before he dislodges me and shoves me behind him protectively. Meanwhile, Timber moves forward to face Destine’s guards.

“Let’s go! We need to get away from them!” I try to run again, but Ash grabs my hand and draws me closer to him. Timber looks back at us, his jawline tight, and ducks into a ready stance. He doesn’t know why I’m running, but he swivels around and waits for an attack.

“It’s not that easy, Jewel.” Ash’s mouth is set in a flat line.

“Yes it is! Let’s just go.” I look at Timber, knowing he’ll support me. “Timber!” He turns towards me. “Please, can’t we just go back to the North?” With every second we stand here deliberating, Joycelyn, James, and the Southern soldiers march closer. I try to dislodge Ash’s grip on my hand, but he just tightens his hold. “Ash, let’s go home,” I plead, unable to stop the tears.

Ash pauses and places his hands on the sides of my face, turning my face so I’m looking directly into his eyes. “It’s not safe for you to travel, Jewel. King Gus and his men are still out there.” Uncomfortably, he shifts from foot to foot. “Another war is starting…and it’s over you.”

Astonished, I gape, “What do you mean, it’s over me?” Ash drops his hands as I swivel my head back and forth between him and Timber, waiting for an answer, but Timber’s only response is to calmly sheathe his sword and walk towards me. The shot of adrenaline is gone and I’m fading quickly. Suddenly disoriented, black spots dance in the corners of my vision, followed by the pressure of Timber’s fingertips rubbing my cheeks as he inspects my eyes. When I start to shake, he releases me long enough to pull me into an embrace and cradle me to his chest. I hear pounding footsteps swiftly approaching, but I don’t have the strength to turn my head and look.

“Did she faint?” Joycelyn cries out, almost to the gate.

Ash spins around and unsheathes his sword. For the first time, I notice none of the Southern guards have drawn theirs.

Timber squeezes me tighter, answering, “She’s still conscious, but she appears to be weak and distressed.”

Joycelyn appraises me as she steps closer to Timber to check my vitals. “Yes, well, she hasn’t had any energy since she arrived here, and can’t manage to keep any food down. I’m shocked she managed to run this far in her condition.”

Lolling my head over Timber’s arm, I see Ash purse his lips as he eyes my ankle, the one with his leather cuff. He holds out his hands to Timber, advising, “Give her to me while you deal with this.” Ash points back in the direction of the Southern soldiers.

Timber is hesitant at first, but when he sees King Destine storming up, he quickly transfers my limp body to Ash. As soon as King Destine arrives at the gate with a scowl on his face, Ash tightens his grip on me and turns, taking several steps toward the castle, away from Destine and Timber. Even in my weakened state, I can sense the roiling tension in the air. Once we’re safely out of earshot, Ash leans down and whispers in my ear, “Is the necklace still around your ankle? I told you to never take it off.”

Staying at a whisper, I respond, “No, I moved it to my neck once they gave me dresses that would conceal it.”

His eyes rake over my neck. “Where is it now?”

I shrug and drop my eyes. “I think the chain broke when the thorn branch dragged across my back. I don’t know where it’s at.” My bottom lip starts to quiver. Ash knows how much it means to me because it was my mother’s.

Ash lifts me higher and tightens his hold. “We will find it, Jewel.” I feel his lips at my ear. “Were your wounds almost healed when you got here?”

“Yes.” I barely nod. I inhale his cinnamon and honey scent. In this moment, that smell brings me to a state of calm.

“Then my guess is that it fell off when they removed your dress to treat you,” he says thoughtfully. “Where’s the ballgown you were wearing?”

I shrug. “It was already off me when I woke up here.”

His mouth is set in grim determination. “We need to find it. That necklace will help with your sickness. I’ll explain more later, but we need to get it back.”

What is that supposed to mean? Why won’t he tell me what’s going on? I turn my head, our faces so close I can see the flecks of color in his irises. Sensing my questions, he merely shakes his head and looks away. Just like that, he becomes Ash from the Troll Realm again. Closing my eyes and breathing in his comforting scent, I ignore what’s going on around me and think of home.

Footsteps approach, shattering our momentary refuge. “We will take her to her quarters,” one of Destine’s soldiers announces, shepherding us towards the castle door. The soldier opens his arms to take me, but Ash tightens his grip.

“There’s no need; I’ll take her,” Ash announces. When he tries to step around him, the solider blocks our passage.

“Ash,” Timber calls out, “let him take her to her room. We have matters to discuss. They’ll keep her safe.”

Resistant but outnumbered, Ash slowly hands me over to the guard just as I’m gripped with a sudden bout of nausea. I scramble out of their hands and dry heave in the bushes beside the castle doors. Agonizing pain ripples through my core, reminding me that my ribs are still very much bruised. Ash leans down and rubs my back as I heave, and suddenly I hear Joycelyn’s voice.

“James, go get her a cold compress and meet me in her room.”

Ash hands me a cloth to wipe my mouth, which I accept gratefully. As soon as I can stand again, the assigned guard picks me up and cradles me gently. As I’m transported inside the castle, I give one last look at Ash, who slyly motions a half circle around his neck, reminding me to find the necklace. The last thing I remember is Joycelyn’s cool hand on my arm as we head back in the direction of my room, delivering tingling currents to my arm along the way.

Later, I wake up in my room wearing different clothes. Why are they so comfortable with seeing people naked? I think sleepily before rolling over and closing my eyes, quickly falling asleep again.

“Jewel? Jewel?”

Hearing my name and being jostled is not how I want to wake up. My morning run can wait. I’m so tired.

“Dad,” I mumble blearily, “I’ll run with you soon. Just ten more minutes.”

A woman’s voice answers, a smile in her voice. “Jewel, open your eyes. You slept for nearly twelve hours.”

When I open my eyes and see Joycelyn with puffy eyes and a blotchy face, memories of my last waking moments resurface with a vengeance. Sitting up gingerly, I hug her and start crying again. “I’m so sorry, Joycelyn. I’m sorry I couldn’t save Miko.”

She holds me tight. “He isn’t dead, Jewel. You saved him.”

Astonished, I lean back, trying to piece together the story from my jumbled memory. “Was he still punished?”

“Yes, but it...” She hugs me again and squeezes hard, crying until she gets her bearings. When she finally releases me, I see that her smile doesn’t quite meet her eyes before it disappears. “Jewel, Miko and I have been worried what would happen if Destine found out about what happened to you. We knew you wouldn’t tell, but someone else might have seen. We will ever be grateful to you for your pure heart.” She hugs me again.

I don’t return the hug. “How can you say that after telling me he was still punished?”

“Yes, but don’t you see? With my Gift, I can heal wounds, but I could not have brought him back from death. Your mercy saved him from that misfortune.”

Relieved tears stream down the Healer’s face but I can’t help the crushing sense of guilt. She pulls me in for another embrace. Releasing the tension from my arms, I my muscles soften. As soon as they do, my bladder starts screaming for release. Using Joycelyn as a crutch, I allow her to help me to the bathroom.

She shouts, “James, we need help!”

I shout right back, “No, James, we don’t!” Jerking my head to Joycelyn, I whisper-shout, “Seriously, I don’t need him to help me pee!” My shoulders droop over in defeat when I hear the creak of the bathroom door, followed by James lifting my body onto the toilet. I let out a small sigh. This is going to be a long day. “Joycelyn, when King Destine first brought me here, what did you do with my dress?”

Her head cocked to the side. “It was ruined, so we disposed of it. Why do you ask?”

I’m disappointed, but there’s no chance of getting the dress now so I try a different tactic. “I was wearing a necklace the night I came. It’s all I have left of my mother. Can you ask around and see if anyone found it? Maybe it dropped out of the dress as they disposed of it?”

She smiles. “Sure thing.”

She and James escort me back to bed, and then James nods and heads back to his post outside my door. Joycelyn has just gotten me tucked back in under a mountain of soft blankets when there’s a knock at the door, followed an instant later by Timber’s appearance. Before the door closes, I see Paul and Alfred hovering in the hallway.

When did they get here?

Deep worry lines are etched in Timber’s face, but the shadows under his eyes are what concern me when he walks over to my bed and kneels. “I’m here on two accounts, Jewel. One, I want to confirm that you’re safe and well with my own eyes; and two, I want to ensure that the troll who hit you is put to death.”

I sit straight up, forgetting my ribs. “No!” A sudden rush of adrenaline hits my head and I struggle to get out of bed, but Joycelyn stops me before I can stand.

“Prince Timber, she really does need her rest,” Joycelyn speaks out. Her face is set in stone. Her voice is no longer light, but deathly cold.

Seeing the anger written all over my face, Timber asks, “Why are you upset?”

“Why don’t you go ask Destine why?” I snarl, rolling away from him.

“Please, Prince Timber, this will only agitate her more.”

I don’t need to look at Joycelyn to know anger is emblazoned on her face as well. Her tone says it all. Get the hell out!

Answering her unspoken demand, Timber bows and quickly leaves the room. For the remainder of the day, Madeline and Joycelyn are the only ones who visit, unless James is needed to carry me to the bathroom. I doze off and on, hovering between deep slumber and light wakefulness. For the first time in days, magically, I’m finally able to hold down small bites of food.

The next morning, I realize my necklace is back around my neck. My room is covered with the intricate flowers I noticed in the garden, called ‘Liberty’. As I awaken, I notice they start changing to blue. Seeing the flowers change in the room because of my emotions is unreal.

“Are you sad, Jewel?” Joycelyn asks from a chair in the corner of the room.

Surprised, I turn and look at her. “Just homesick, I suppose.” I sit up, preparing myself for the breakfast tray Joycelyn holds in her hands. I notice the flowers on the other side, Duskin.

I can’t hide my surprise. “Who would…?”

“Prince Timber and King Destine.”

I groan. Is that what Timber meant when he said The fight has begun? I thought he meant other kingdoms would be fighting because of the misunderstanding around my name. I didn’t realize he meant they would be fighting to woo me. What’s so special about me? “Well, they can shove it. I’d rather go see if Miko is okay.”

Seeing her cringe is the first sign that tells me he’s badly hurt. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea, or even if King Destine or Prince Timber would allow it.” She pointedly glances at the door. “Plus, you shouldn’t say such things. If they overhear you?—”

Fired up, I retort, “Well, you can tell them that either he can come to me, or I’ll get out of this bed and go find him!” I pull the covers back and swing my legs out, intent on carrying out my threat.

Joycelyn sighs, exasperated. “Do you know how infuriatingly stubborn you are?” Turning to the door, she calls out, “James?”

The guard peeks his head into the room with a faint blush staining his cheeks. “I overheard. Jewel, I agree with Joycelyn on this. Neither the King nor the Prince will be happy if they hear what you plan to do. In their defense, Miko knew he was the one responsible for hurting you and didn’t say a word. He broke their trust.”

I roll my eyes for good measure and start to stand by myself. “I don’t care if they approve or not. I’m done talking about it.” Giving James my best don’t-mess-with-me face, I demand, “Now go ask, and don’t come back until he says yes.”

Without a backwards glance, James turns around stiffly and walks out. When I hear the door shut, I gingerly sit back down. Joycelyn pushes the forgotten food tray near me, but I don’t have the stomach for it. Minutes later, the cadence of stomping feet I’ve come to recognize make their way into my room. It’s no surprise when I see Destine.

“Absolutely not, Jewel.” His eyes narrow at me. “I won’t allow it! He will never come near you again,” he seethes.

Defiantly, I stand back up and stab my finger in his chest. “Don’t you ever yell at me! I am not one of your subjects to boss around.” His nostrils flare as he looks down at my finger poking his chest. Feeling slightly ridiculous, I soften my voice a little. “You’re being ridiculous about Miko. If I was that scared of him, I would have told you by now.” I pause and wait for his response, but he doesn’t budge. I soften my voice even more. ”Please let me see him. I feel awful about the whole thing! If it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with. Besides, it’s not like he meant to hit me. He was after Timber.”

The flowers that are scattered throughout the room become an even darker shade of blue. Destine’s eyes soften when he notices the morphing colors. He grabs my hand, promising, “Jewel, it wasn’t your fault. You already pointed out it was mine for attacking the Festival of Woods in the first place.”

Ashamed of my role in the whole sorry mess, I can’t look him in the eyes. “But if you know that, I don’t understand why you still hurt him! Please, I just want to make sure he’s alright. I want to tell him it was my fault because I stepped into a battle I never should have been in.”

He sighs. “He knows what you did for Prince Timber. I told him about it when he was first brought in for questioning. He told me it was too late to stop the swing, but that he tried to slow his momentum down when he realized what you’d done.”

I look up at him, aghast. “If you knew he tried to stop, then why did you still feel the need to make an example out of him?”

“Jewel,” Destine begins carefully, his voice stern, “in our realm, in my kingdom, no female troll will be harmed without consequence. Truthfully, the consequence should have been death.”

Argh! I’m obviously not getting through his thick skull. “Destine, I’m asking you to let me see him,” I demand, squaring my shoulders.

Unmoved, he looks over at the untouched food tray. “I don’t think it would be wise, in the condition you’re in.”

“Lucky for you, you don’t get to make choices concerning my health!” I retort. As I stand there, refusing to back down, he angles his face lower towards mine. I think he’s going to kiss me again! I hold my breath, waiting for the kiss, but instead, he slips his mouth past my lips to my ear.

“That, my dear Jewel, is where you’re wrong.” With that, he turns and leaves.

Throwing my hands up and letting out a huff, I stare at the door. Damn it. He won this round, and he knows it. Seeing there’s nothing left for me to do, I wander back to my bed and decide to take a nap, because tonight, I’m going to search this castle and find Miko. Once I do, I’m going to find my way out, grab Ash, and beg him to take me home. To my home.

Before I can get settled back under the covers, the door opens again and Joycelyn peeks her head inside the room. I hadn’t realized she left; she must have snuck out during my latest standoff with Destine. Suddenly, a light bulb goes off in my head.

I’ve been going about this all wrong!

“Joycelyn, have you seen Miko?” I slap my head as if I’ve just realized she’s a Healer. “What am I saying? Of course you have. Is it as bad as I imagine?”

Her eyes soften. “No, it’s not as bad as all that. King Destine went as lightly on his punishment as he could.” She reaches for the blankets I’m struggling to straighten. “You need your rest, Jewel,” she adds evasively. Leaning over and tucking me in, she continues, “Your face has color in it again. I do believe you’re starting to look better.” She offers an encouraging smile.

Seeing her dodging technique for what it is, I respond, “That’s not an answer. It’s only half the truth, so it must be bad.”

The dark circles under her eyes suddenly seem darker and more pronounced. “He’ll be fine after a while. He’s in the Healing hall.”

That must be where they took me when Destine first kidnapped me and brought me here.Snuggling further under the white down comforter, I hold my necklace and secretly plot my escape. I drift off to sleep within minutes.

My father holds a knife to Ash’s throat. “Either you surrender, or I’ll take your life!” he growls. “I won’t allow you to kill my daughter, do you understand?”

Ash’s face pales when the knife digs into his skin, causing a trickle of blood to course down the pale column of his neck. He pulls my necklace from his pocket and places it in my father’s outstretched hand. “I don’t want to kill her, John.”

“I figured as much, but know that without this, she will die. She’s plagued by something I haven’t been able to figure out how to stop. And before you ask, Queen Marien gave me the stone.”

Ash’s eyes gape as wide as saucers and his mouth opens in surprise. In the corner of the room, unnoticed by the fierce battle of wills raging in the center, I turn and puke in the bucket beside my bed.

I wake up breathing hard.