Stone of Hope

Chapter 28

Ianxiously pace the floor as Prince Timber stands patiently, waiting for King Destine to arrive. Neither of them has any idea what I’m about to tell them. I make sure my sword is hidden beneath my shirt, the weight of the blade resting on my back. If this conversation takes a nasty turn, if they don’t feel the same as I do, then I’ll end them. I’m a Seeker for a reason. The Gifts were provided to ensure I’m the best at what I do.

Finally, King Destine walks in and we all stand awkwardly, none of us wanting to be the first to sit.

I speak first. “I’m aware that each of you has claimed Jewel for your own. As we all know, that is not something we take lightly in the Troll Realm.” I tamp down my emotions, knowing I must play this right or else Jewel will be the one to suffer. “King Destine, I assume you have returned the necklace?” He nods his head. “How did she look this morning?”

“Better. She ate everything in sight, and for the first time since she arrived, could hold it down. She even felt well enough to cook with me,” he answers smugly, trying to get a rise from me.

Some of my anxiety ebbs when I hear she’s feeling better, but it spikes as I prepare to tell them the real reason I’ve come. “What I’m about to share will make you a target for everyone in the realm, right along with me. But before I tell you, I need to know your feelings for Jewel are true.”

“Belovedine Jewel,” Destine corrects.

“Starber Jewel,” Timber modifies.

“Enough!” I snap, irritated with the two peacocks standing proudly before me. “I don’t care which one of you is trying to claim her; I only care about her life.” My arm twitches, prepared to grab my sword. I’ll kill them both if I must. I promised her father I would keep her safe.

“I’d give my life for hers,” Destine speaks first.

“I, as well,” Timber vows staunchly.

Taking a deep breath, I gesture for them to have a seat on the couch. With no hesitation, they sit. “Then let me tell the story of how I first came across Jewel,” I begin. “As you know, I have been a Seeker for the North for many years. Word got out that a Darkland Seeker was spotted in the same Earth town several times, and King Forrest sent me to find out why a Seeker would keep going back. I soon discovered the Seeker – Jewel’s father – was living there.”

I stop, gauging their reactions. They both lean towards me, hanging on every word.

“I’ve known Jewel four years. Throughout those four years, I was drawn to her, although I didn’t understand why. I just figured she was a troll, or at least half. When I finally met John, I discovered he was her father, a Seeker from the Darkland.” Destine sucks in his breath as I continue, “By the time I met him, John had possessed the stone for many years and never once brought it back to this realm, his kingdom. Instead, he kept it to himself.”

“Why would he do that?” Timber explodes, shifting to the edge of his seat. “He was selfish! All these years, the realm could have been flourishing!”

I take a steadying breath and steel my nerves. It will be two against one if they decide she’s not worth it. “Over the course of that first year, I got to know Jewel well since John was gone a lot on his own missions, or on one of King Gus’s demands. I didn’t get to meet John for a long time. One night Jewel fell asleep, and when I went to cover her with a blanket, I noticed her necklace. I’d seen it a million times, but never up close where I could see the symbols etched on the chain; symbols of the Troll Realm. I noticed another pattern that I assumed was an enchantment of some kind, placed by the Fairy Realm.” Seeing their matching looks of confusion, I add, “I’d seen etchings just like them while searching for the stone.”

I place my hands behind my back and slide one hand under my shirt, grasping the hilt of my sword, just in case.

“I removed her necklace, knowing it had to be something of importance. I intended to leave that night, but as you can both relate, something about her draws you in.” I peer into their faces, seeing agreement and chagrin etched on their expressions. “I believed it would be my last time with her, figuring King Forrest wouldn’t send me back once I gave him the stone. I stayed with her through the night and watched her sleep, but by the next morning, she was violently ill. I realized that I’d never once seen her sick. I watched over her and took care of her, knowing there was no way I could leave her side.”

I keep my eyes trained on them as I talk. “John came through her bedroom door, and when he saw the washcloths and puke bucket, he pinned me to the wall with a knife at my throat. He told me to hand over the stone or I’d lose my life, so I gave him the necklace. He fastened it back around her neck, cleaned her up, and tucked her back in. By the next morning, she was completely cured.”

Gripping the blade handle tighter, I prepare myself to share the real reason I’m telling her story. “Destine, Timber, I gave her father an oath that night, one I’m willing to risk my life for. I vowed to always protect her, and that means the stone stays around her neck. I’ll fight anyone who stands in my way.”

I’m greeted by matching puzzled expressions. Timber asks, “What are you telling us, Ash? That the stone is actually part of the necklace Jewel wears?”

“I’m telling you that for the last several years, I’ve disregarded every order to look for the stone, and instead have been on a watch rotation with John, making sure no other troll attempts to steal the only thing keeping Jewel alive. The stone is the pendent on the necklace she wears.”

Comprehension and horror play across their features as the implications of what I’ve just shared sinks in. “I’m only telling you this because her dad finally told me the full story. He has until her eighteenth birthday to find a cure before King Gus comes after her and the stone. Her birthday is only a few days away.”

“That’s why he showed up at the Festival of Woods!” Timber explodes. “He was there to retrieve the stone, but you,” he swivels his glare at Destine, “kidnapped her right as he arrived.”

“So, he is coming for her,” Destine puzzles out, his eyes glazed over as he tries to think of a solution to our shared problem.

Looking at Destine, I nod my head. “Yes. John was never able to find a cure, and with so little time left, I doubt he will. More than anything else, he wants his daughter to live.”

Destine blurts, “Couldn’t we hide her, or at the very least, send her back to Earth?”

“You forget that she’s half troll. It might be too dangerous,” Timber speaks up. “Others will be drawn to her.”

“You both claimed you would give your life for hers,” I remind them. “I hope you will also take an oath to always keep her safe. Since the stone is back in the Troll Realm, there’s no need to take it from her to see the realm flourish. You only need to protect her and the stone.”

Prince Timber scratches his chin. “With all due respect, the pregnancies in the North were due to the women’s close proximity to Jewel and the stone; however, no one from the Southern Kingdom is expecting. Why doesn’t this kingdom thrive, now that the stone is here? Is Jewel supposed to travel to each kingdom for it to prosper?”

I swiftly draw my sword and press the point against Timber’s throat. “You will not take it off her; nor will she be used in such a way! She shouldn’t have to trek all around our realm for it to thrive. Decide now where your loyalty lies – with Jewel, or with our realm. You must choose now what you value more.”

Remaining deathly still, Timber answers, “Relax, Ash. She is my intended. As such, my loyalty lies with her. I was merely pointing out that the?—”

“Ash, put your blade away,” Destine commands airily, like he’s bored with the conversation. “I will kill Prince Timber myself if he finds his loyalty lies somewhere else.”

Timber glares at Destine accusingly. “You know more than you’re letting on, don’t you? You have the Elders’ power when it comes to memories.”

Instead of answering Timber’s challenge, Destine replies, “I believe it’s time to include Jewel in our conversation.” Without another word, he sends for the woman who stands at the center of our dilemma.