Chapter 30
Iarrive in Destine’s ornate library, surprised to find Ash there in addition to Destine and Timber.
“Please have a seat, Jewel,” Destine invites, patting the couch where he sits. “We need to discuss a matter of particular importance, and we need your complete honesty.”
Looking around the room, letting my eyes rest on Timber, Destine, and Ash in turn, I decide to take a seat next to Ash on the loveseat. The matching looks of disappointment and chagrin on Timber’s and Destine’s faces elicit a very unladylike smirk. That’s what they get for thinking they can mark me like a dog!
Destine begins the examination. “We’d like to discuss your necklace. We know it’s from this realm, but we don’t understand how you got it. Now, we need you to be honest with us. No one knows but your father and the three of us that you have it.”
“You can trust us,” Timber adds.
Looking at Ash, he nods, encouraging me to tell them what I know. “I didn’t realize it was the stone, or that it came from this realm until Ash told me that the reason I was sick was because I wasn’t wearing my mother’s necklace. He said I needed to get it back from you to help me feel better.” I glance around the room. “My dad told me that my mom gave it to me when I was little. I never questioned it, and I’ve never removed it.”
Destine nods his head, but I can tell he’s looking for me to reveal something else. “We know all of this already. Ash came to us both after hearing your health was failing and insisted I return the necklace at once. What we need to know is, what else can you tell us?”
Two can play at the twenty-questions game. I straighten in my seat. “I agree with you, Destine – being honest is important. Speaking of being honest, why didn’t you tell me that Darkland trolls have been spotted around your kingdom?”
The men glance at each other in surprise before Timber speaks up. “Jewel, we didn’t want to worry you. We thought that with you being so sick, you should focus on getting better instead of worrying about what King Gus has up his sleeve.”
“But my father is from there!” I argue. “Are you saying he’s evil just because he was born there?”
Obviously agitated, Ash stands and paces the room back and forth. After a long exhale, he kneels in front of me. “Jewel,” he begins, followed by “Starber” by Timber and “Belovedine” by Destine.
Pointing my finger in their direction, I charge, “You don’t get to correct him! He can call me whatever he wants. Besides that, you should both be ashamed of yourselves, trying to claim me like I’m a thing or a possession! And trust me – we’ll get to that later,” I threaten, the outburst causing me to breathe heavily. Piss on them. Ignoring their downcast eyes, I give Ash an encouraging nod to continue.
“Timber and Destine have been filled in, and now you should be, as well,” Ash begins. “When I first discovered you and your father, I knew he was a troll. When I first heard your name, I thought it was an ironic choice because he had gone out seeking a jewel.” He smiles, dipping his head. “After spending time with you, I realized you brought a sense of peace and calm to me.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Timber and Destine both nod their heads in agreement. “You’re a genuine person, always putting the needs of others before yours, and your laugh can brighten the dreariest day.” Ash clears his throat, struggling to get back on track, and then proceeds to tell me how he developed a friendship with me and my father. He explained about the necklace, and how he discovered the link between the necklace and my health. Then, Ash kneels in front of me and grabs my hands. “I took an oath to protect you until your last breath.”
Reeling from this new discovery, I start thinking back to events that didn’t make sense at the time, but now, like puzzle pieces clicking into place, do. I chastised him for lying to me all those years, but now I see he was protecting me. He directly disobeyed King Forrest’s orders to search for the stone, instead, spending his time watching over me. His habit of always tucking my necklace underneath the collar of my shirt makes sense. A smile creeps up on my face. He really does love me.
Destine abruptly stands and walks towards us, reminding me of his and Timber’s presence. “Where did her father find the stone?” he inquires curiously.
“From Marian,” Ash replies, looking at Timber pointedly.
All eyes snap to Timber, and the look of shock on his face would be comical if it weren’t so serious. “Where’s Marian?” I ask.
Ash walks around the back of the loveseat, directly behind me, and faces Timber. “Marian is a person, not a place,” he explains. “John told me how he searched and searched for the stone, throughout every kingdom and realm, but inevitably, every lead fizzled out. Meanwhile, his wife was pregnant and became progressively sicker, and his attentions and loyalties were divided. He’d heard of a Healer who was willing to heal anyone, no matter who or where they were, so he met with your mother,” he nods at Timber, “because he thought she might be able to help.
“Queen Marian travelled to a remote cabin in the Earth Realm every night, trying different things to help Jewel’s mother during her dangerous pregnancy. After many months of Healing, Jewel was delivered, a healthy baby girl. However, Jewel didn’t stay healthy for long, and Queen Marian returned when she heard of Jewel’s lingering sickness. To my knowledge, no one ever learned of Marian’s Healing expeditions.”
Timber’s shock beginning to recede, he asks, “How did my mom go back and forth so many times without being missed or noticed? My father always guarded her well…” His voice is distracted, almost like he’s thinking out loud. “The tunnel,” he breathes, answering his own question.
Ash nods his head, confirming, “There is a portal right outside the cabin that always seems to remain, and a tunnel that leads from the Northern Kingdom to Earth. When Marian’s Healing powers stopped working on Jewel, she approached John with the necklace. Never in a million years did he expect the Queen to give the stone to someone not in our realm, but we’ve never been more grateful.”
I feel Ash’s firm hand on my shoulder giving a gentle squeeze.
“My mother had it all along.” Timber’s voice is but a whisper.
In that moment, I fully realize the extent of the love that surrounds me: my father’s love, Ash’s love, and Marian’s love, all focused on helping others, no matter what or who they are. Gripping the necklace tightly, I walk over to Timber and place a hand on his shoulder. I wait until he meets my tear-filled eyes and say with gratitude, “Your mother saved my life, and her gift keeps me alive today.”
I suddenly understand why Timber’s eyes have always made me feel safe. He has her eyes.
Timber wraps me in an embrace and kisses the top of my head. The room is silent as we each try to process everything we’ve learned. Timber squeezes me hard and walks me back to the loveseat with him. I don’t release his hand, although I don’t know if that’s for his comfort or mine.
“Destine, what do you know about the stone from the collected memories of the Elders?” Timber queries, breaking the silence.
Destine stares off into space as if struggling to remember before his eyes meet mine. “You must understand that the memories trickle in slowly. You don’t just get them all at once; something must trigger it.” Breaking eye contact, he switches his attention to Timber and Ash. “We can all agree that Jewel needs the stone to survive, but in doing so, the realm will never thrive. The memories of long ago show me that the stone was pressed until it broke into several pieces, creating a silver film over each fragment. That’s why the blue color we’ve come to understand the stone is comprised of, doesn’t show.”
I stand and begin to pace, following Ash’s earlier path. “I don’t understand. How do we fix this?” Everyone stays silent as we ponder what other solutions could be made. The only one I see is giving them the necklace. I don’t want an entire kingdom to fail just because of me. I reach behind my neck, knowing what I must do. I feel the clasp unlock and hold one end of the chain in each hand. I extend my hands for one of them to take it. Destine is the first to register my intentions.
He walks over and grabs me by the upper arms. “Relax, Jewel, no one is going to take the necklace away from you. We don’t want any harm to come to you. Breathe.” He gazes into my eyes and inhales, trying to get me to breathe with him. “We’ve searched for hundreds of years, unable to locate another shard of the stone. From the shared memories and knowledge I have, this is the first piece of the original stone I’ve seen. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to panic.”
I glance towards Ash and Timber, noting that neither of them approached me for the stone. They shake their heads, vehemently agreeing with Destine. My shoulders slump as I release the tension I was holding.
Just then, a knock sounds at the door. Destine calls out for the person to enter.
It’s Miko. His movements are slow, but at least he is standing. “Your Highness, Jackson saw ten Darkland trolls near the border on the North side.”
Ash steps in front of me protectively. “They’re here for Jewel, but I’ll die before I allow that to happen!” he seethes, turning towards me and wrapping me in his arms.
Timber speaks up, “If King Gus gets Starber Jewel, she will be lost forever.”
“It’s a two-day march to the Northern Kingdom from there if they’re heading to the castle, though we must plan as if they will be here sooner.” Destine turns toward me. “Excuse me, Belovedine Jewel,” he announces, shooting a pointed stare at Timber, “but I need to prepare the kingdom.” His tone is clipped as he walks out.
“I am not Belovedine!” I shout at the closing door. I turn to Timber and add, “Nor am I Starber! My name is Jewel.”
Appropriately chastised, Timber offers, “I’m sorry, Star- I mean, Jewel, but I must send word to my father about the Darkland.”
I see Paul hovering by the door and my heart sinks. Norell and the baby. He nods in my direction, his eyes saying what words cannot. With him dispatched to the Southern Kingdom, he fears for their safety.
I keep rehashing the meeting from the night before. I know that one day, all the missing fragments of the stone will be found, and when they are, I’ll have no choice but to give up my piece. Deep down, I wonder if somehow Marian knew the necklace was actually a piece of the magical stone, but even so, I don’t know how she obtained it, much less why she chose to give it to me.
Why me? Did she know what I am? Heck, I don’t even know what I am.
Ash didn’t admit to knowing anything else about my genetics, though I know he thinks I’m part troll. The truth of the matter is that there’s only one person who knows the answer, and that’s my father. I wish he would have told me something.
Timber and Destine both agreed that if King Gus’s army invades, Miko and Ash will spirit me away through the hidden passageway underneath Destine’s castle. From there they will lead me to Calla’s, where I can try to contact my father.
A soft knock on the door heralds the entrance of Destine, who shuts it quietly behind him. He positions a chair in front of the door and calmly meets my eyes.
Before he has a chance to speak, I declare, “Ash can watch over me if you need to be out there with your people. He’s been doing it all these years, remember?”
It boggles my mind that Destine is willing to endanger the lives of his people by going to war for me. Well, not for me, but rather for the stone. My piece of it, anyway. I know all will be lost if King Gus manages to take possession of it, because he’ll no doubt use it to twist the entire Troll Realm. All will be lost to the thrall of the Darkland. As Destine opens his mouth, I roll my eyes as his given title for me slips past his lips.
“Belovedine Jewel, I will be where it matters most. We don’t even know if they’re planning to attack tonight.”
“What do your instincts tell you?” I counter. Mine are screaming at me to run. Run until I reach my father. Get away before anyone in the Southern Kingdom gets injured or killed. Fear grips and twists my insides until I can’t even think coherently anymore.
He gives me a smoldering look and then steps away from the door and kneels at my feet, placing my hands in his much larger ones. “Everything in my mind and body tells me I must stay by your side and keep you safe. He is coming for you, my beloved.” Destine bows his head over our clasped hands and places a warm kiss upon my hand.
A traitorous shiver runs down my body.
“Destine, I know you didn’t share everything about your shared memories from the Elders, and I understand why you guard them close, but tell me: should I fear King Gus? Because for the life of me, I can’t figure out why my father would work for someone who is so evil, he would torture and kill children.”
Destine appraises me, admiration shining in his eyes that I was able to detect his omission. “Your father didn’t turn you over to King Gus; instead, he struck a deal. Like you, the bits I’ve heard about that deal don’t quite make sense to me. King Gus is powerful, which means he could have taken the stone forcibly at any point. I don’t understand why he waited until your eighteenth birthday to come and get it.”
Frustrated, Destine stands and looks down upon me. “What I said about my Elder memories is true; they trickle in at a slow place. The day I brought you to my kingdom, I saw a memory of the fire that cracked the stone. That night, I found the necklace. I don’t know what the Elders know, but if there’s one thing I do understand, it’s that the memories come to me when I need them most.”
I sense the exhaustion and irritation wafting off him in waves. The circles under his eyes are darker, and the tense V of his brows have yet to be released. My tone softens. “You look exhausted, Destine, and the chair you’ve slept in the past couple nights can’t be comfortable. If you’re going to lead your kingdom to victory, you need a better night’s rest than the chair can provide. If you want, you can sleep on the other side of the bed, on top of the sheets,” I emphasize. “There’s another blanket in the cabinet.”
His face relaxes into a smile and the V releases. He walks over to the wardrobe, pulls out a blanket, and fluffs it out over the bed. Fully clothed, he lays back with an oddly satisfied expression on his face. I curl up beside him and face the opposite direction, and he rolls over and puts an arm around me, pulling me back against his chest.
“I will always protect you,” he vows.
Though his words ring true, I feel like I’m betraying Ash.
It’s still dark outside when I wake up. The room is colder than usual, the fire having burned down to smoldering embers. Destine’s arm is still wrapped protectively around me, and I allow myself a quick feeling of peace at the intimate gesture. Slipping out from under his arm, I tiptoe across the floor to the bathroom. The stone floor is icy on my toes.
On my way back, I stop and gaze at the embers in the fireplace. I step closer and my palm gravitates toward the cinders. I haven’t wielded the flame in so long, I miss it. Before long, I get lost in the comforting glow of embers and forget my surroundings. Warmth runs through my body and energy flows down my arm. Flames leap from the coals, burning hotter as fluid blue flames take over the molten red and orange. I flex the blaze from side to side until I hear movement behind me. Snapping out of my haze, I drop my hands quickly, guiltily. I slowly turn around and see Destine staring at me, then at the fire.
He caught me! What will he think of me?
I wrap my arms across my middle and look back toward the fire. The sound of his boots get closer and I sneak a glance at him. He’s still wearing his clothes from the night before, but his boots are back on his feet. He grabs my hands and turns me to face him. He flips my hands over to see my palms and looks back at my face curiously, but without disgust.
“How long have you been able to control fire?” he asks, inquisitive.
I shake my head and turn back to the fire. “My dad told me no one could find out. I’ve kept this secret since I was five.” I turn to face him. “Do your Elder’s memories show a troll wielding fire?”
His eyes hold mine intently. “I don’t know.” He steps behind me with his arms around my shoulders. “Please let me see your Gift again.”
I hold my palm out and show him the slow build of blue and the way I can manipulate it in all directions. Coming back to myself, I return it to normal and rest my head against his chest.
“I’ve only seen the flames get that blue when the stone was broken in my vision,” he admits.
“Was it an Elder who broke it?”
“No, a Fallen.”
The sudden blare of alarms causes my heart to jump to my throat, aware of what they mean. Destine positions himself in front of me. Moments later, someone pounds on the door.
“King Destine! We are here to take Jewel to safety.” Recognizing Ash’s voice, Destine shoves the chair away from the door and opens it, revealing Ash and Miko. With the open door comes the accompanying smell of rot and decay, the telltale scent of the Darkland Kingdom.
“Jewel, it’s time to get dressed,” Destine instructs hurriedly. Turning to Ash and Miko, he commands, “You are not to leave her under any circumstances! Take the safe passage to the forest, and then to the North cabin.” He turns as I stand after putting on my shoes and frowns. “Jewel, why are you in pants? You must wear a dress so the soldiers don’t mistake you for a male troll. Everyone knows female trolls are not to be harmed.”
Ash rushes to the closet, picks a dress that looks suitable for moving around in, and helps me pull it over my current outfit. I make sure the necklace is tucked underneath my shirt. For the first time, I notice Miko’s gray, lackluster attire.
As if reading my mind, he says, “They will think you are less important if you are guarded by two who are not perceived as higher up in the kingdom’s ranks.”
Destine grabs my face, his thumb caressing my cheek. Desperation flickers in his eyes as he kisses me, knowing this could be his last. I tense with the knowledge that Ash is in the room, witnessing the spectacle. Destine finally pulls back, but I can’t meet his gaze. With one last peck, he vows, “I will find you.”