Chapter 12
M y body buzzed with excitement as we strolled down Main Street, barely able to hold myself back, resisting the urge to dash ahead of Ash and take in every new sight.
Each passerby greeted us with warm smiles, which I eagerly returned.
Ash had been right; there wasn’t a trace of evil in this place.
In fact, life here seemed so ordinary — a far cry from the monsters I’d imagined inhabited Gardonia. When I’d gone to bed last night, I could’ve never imagined that by morning, I would find myself somewhere so similar to The Meadow back home.
A refreshing breeze swept through the streets, cool across my skin; I hadn’t realized how warm I’d gotten until the wind hit me. The temperature here really was much hotter than up above; it felt like the middle of summer. I wiped away the beads of sweat beginning to form on my brow, and kept moving, my eyes devouring every new sight.
To the left, we passed a gym, then a doctor’s office. On the right came a dance studio and a donut shop followed by a bicycle shop. Farther down the street was a bookstore and—thank God—a quaint little coffee shop.
We continued walking, passing a large grocery store and some more restaurants.
But then I stopped abruptly, my heart leaping in my throat as something caught my eye. I barely registered Ash tense beside me as my legs propelled me across the street, narrowly avoiding a cyclist as I sprinted toward the window of a small shop.
There, behind the glass, were the most adorable baby foxes. Their fur was a soft, creamy color, and their ears—oh—my—God—their ears were twice the size of their tiny faces.
My heart swelled, barely able to handle their cuteness as I pressed my hand against the glass, drawing the attention of one of the foxes. It pawed at the window, following my hand as I moved it over the surface, its tiny body bouncing with excitement.
My heart turned to mush, completely captivated by the little creature.
Suddenly, I remembered Ash and glanced back at him. He was only a few feet away now, walking toward me, his expression completely devoid of my brimming enthusiasm.
“Shit, Areya. I thought we were about to be attacked,” he muttered, clearly not amused.
“Aren’t they precious?” I cooed, ignoring his grumbling.
Just then, a slightly larger fox pounced on the one I’d been playing with, sending them tumbling in a flurry of fur and playful squeaks.
I let out a delighted squeal, jumping up and down, clapping.
“Look at them, Ash! Oh my god, I need one.”
Before he could respond, the shop door chimed, and a middle-aged man with a thick mustache stepped out. “They’re already housebroken,” he said, pointing toward the window.
“Not interested,” Ash murmured, but the man ignored him.
“I’m Carl.” The man extended his hand. “Can’t say I’ve seen either of you around here before.”
“Oh, we are just visiting,” I said shyly, shaking his hand.
Carl’s eyes lit up. “Visitors? Are the kingdoms finally open again?”
Ash shot me a sharp look, screaming don’t say another word.
“We’re here for classified business with Madam Pearl,” he lied smoothly.
Carl’s eyes lit up even more. “Oh, wow! You two must be rather important!”
“We should get going,” Ash said quickly, tugging my hand, pulling me from the pet shop.
“Nice to meet you!” I yelled back at Carl, giving him a small wave.
We hurried away down the street.
Once out of earshot, Ash stopped abruptly, turning to face me, his eyes narrowed in frustration. “Do you forget we are two wanted fugitives in a completely foreign place? We have no idea who we can trust,” he scolded, his voice low and stern.
Heat kissed my cheeks, and I chewed on my lip. “Well, I really don’t think we need to worry about Carl—with a mustache—who sells baby foxes.” I shrugged.
He opened his mouth as if to argue, but after a brief pause, snapped it shut and let out a sigh, turning back to the street without saying another word.
We walked in silence for a few minutes, passing quiet streets leading into neighborhoods filled with cozy homes. Finally, we reached Waterspout Street, an impressive blue manor sitting on the corner, its sheer size enough to make it look more like a small castle than a house.
We followed a stone path leading up to the towering front door. There, Ash paused, glancing at me with a warning in his eyes. “Let me do the talking. Don’t give them any information.”
I nodded, and he knocked.
A young woman with golden-brown skin answered the door. She wore a simple cream-colored dress and despite the scar marring much of the right side of her face, her beauty was undeniable. The burn-like scar was jagged and harsh, slicing across her cheek, over her eye, and stopping just before the curve of her brow.
I quickly shifted my gaze, not wanting to appear rude or intrusive by staring at her scar, but she remained fixated, unblinking, staring at Ash.
Her wide eyes shimmered, and for a brief moment, I was sure tears were lining her lashes. She was struggling to hold them back.
Ash’s face remained impassive, giving no indication of recognizing her.
A second later, the woman straightened, cleared her throat, and all hints of emotion vanished.
“I’m Lilly.” She introduced herself with a warm smile. “Madam Pearl is eager to see you.”
Her words were directed solely at Ash but then she seemed to realize my presence, offering me a polite smile. She led us inside and we stepped into an elegant foyer. The floors shimmered like polished pearls, reflecting the soft glow of the chandelier above, crafted entirely from glittering crystal. Directly ahead, a grand staircase climbed toward the upper floors, its railings carved from dark glossy wood molded into the shapes of tailed women at the base.
We passed the stairs, following Lilly down a hall and through a doorway into a room.
The floor here was covered in plush powder blue carpet, and the walls boasted large floor-to-ceiling windows, draped in soft pink curtains.
Outside, a courtyard unfolded, where children played, their laughter ringing in the air. A wooden playground shaped like a ship sat at the center, while a green octopus-shaped climbing gym and a swing set with coral-colored seahorses sat just beyond.
Sitting by the window, watching over the courtyard, was an older woman in a light cream, seashell-patterned chair. Her posture was straight, her head held high, hands folded neatly in her lap. The moment we entered, she stood, turning to face us.
She wore a crisp cream-colored suit, and her gray hair had been fastened into a neat bun. When her sharp blue-lagoon eyes found Ash, they softened, glistening with unshed tears. Her delicate fingers rose to cover her mouth, and a soft, almost inaudible whimper escaped her lips.
Slowly, she approached Ash, her smile growing warmer with every step.
When she finally stood before him, she raised a trembling hand and placed it on Ash’s cheek. His body tensed beside me.
“You don’t know who I am, do you, my young prince?” she asked, her voice filled with a mix of sorrow and affection.
Prince? My eyes widened as I looked at Ash.
His brows only furrowed slightly.
“No, I do not know who you are,” he replied, his voice steady and calm, though perhaps with a hint of unease.
The woman shook her head, an understanding smile on her face, before turning away to sit behind a large desk. “Please sit.” She gestured to a wide chair across from her, large enough for two. Ash hesitated, then reluctantly moved toward the seat, and I followed closely behind.
“Are you hungry? I can have Lilly ask the kitchen to prepare something for you—a meal or perhaps a drink?” She paused, her gaze lingering on Ash again as a contemplative expression crossed her face. “Though I suppose food wouldn’t appeal to you.”
“We are only here seeking answers,” Ash said rather coldly.
Madam Pearl offered a sorrowful smile, one that tugged at my heart.
“What he means to say,” I quietly interjected, “is thank you for your kindness and hospitality and if it’s not too much trouble, we have some questions we were hoping you could answer.”
I gave her an appreciative smile.
She looked at me as if just noticing me for the first time, her expression shifting into one of confusion.
“How can it be possible?” she murmured, more to herself than to us. “What is your name?”
Her gaze was intent on me now.
“Areya,” I replied, my voice quiet.
She studied me for a moment. “Do you know what you are, Areya?”
“I think so,” I answered with a nod.
“You are a healer, dear,” she said in a quiet tone. “And as far as I know, you are the last living healer—aside from Agidius, the King of Astern.”
My heart stopped. I turned to Ash, whose posture had suddenly straightened.
“Agidius is a healer?” Ash’s voice was sharp, disbelief evident in his tone.
Madam Pearl nodded.
“You’re a liar,” Ash spat, his voice thick with anger. I winced at the harshness of his tone.
“Why would Agidius dedicate his entire life to exterminating the healers yet be one himself?” Ash demanded, his voice growing louder.
“Ash,” I whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder, hoping to calm him, but he shrugged me off with his gaze still fixed on Madam Pearl.
Despite Ash’s outburst, she seemed unfazed. “I have no reason to lie to you, Prince.” Her voice was kind but firm.
Ash visibly winced at the word Prince.
“I can offer you the truth if you are ready to hear it. You won’t like everything I say but hear me out, Prince. I am not your enemy,” she continued, her voice unwavering. “I don’t know how you found this healer, or how you managed to enter Cresinthia, but I do know every person on this planet is counting on you—and that girl sitting beside you.”
A lump formed in my throat, and I found myself glancing at Ash. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, neither of us spoke.
“I trust her, Ash,” I finally said, quietly.
Ash looked between me and Madam Pearl, his expression torn. After a long pause, he gave a reluctant nod, signaling for her to continue.
“Tell me, Prince,” she said. “What do you remember, and how did you end up in my city with a healer?”
Ash hesitated a moment before beginning to speak. His voice was steady, and I was struck by how well he explained himself. He told her about waking up sixteen years ago with no memories, the years he’d spent searching for me, and the visions flooding back upon my touch. Then he mentioned the lake, the only place he had thought to seek answers.
Madam Pearl listened intently, her eyes never leaving Ash as he spoke. When he finished, she was silent for a moment, clearly deep in thought.
“When Areya settles, will you let her heal you?”
“I don’t know,” Ash answered.
“Why not?” she countered, her eyes narrowing slightly.
“So, maybe Agidius isn’t who he said he was, but he did give me power and immortality. How can I help anyone as a mere human?”
Madam Pearl’s eyes lingered on him a moment, her expression unreadable until suddenly, she chuckled. The sound was soft at first, but quickly grew into a full, warm laugh, her hand moving to her chest as if to steady herself.
Ash’s face twisted into irritation, clearly unamused by her reaction.
“I’m sorry,” she said, still smiling, “but Agidius did not give you power.” Her voice was light, almost teasing, as if the very idea was laughable. “The power I sense from you right now is merely a drop in the ocean! I can barely feel it at all.”
The muscles in Ash’s jaw tightened.
“This thing—the curse or sickness—didn’t give you power, my boy. It’s suppressing your power. You have never been a mere human. You are one of the divine, just as Areya is.”
Ash’s face became unreadable, but I could sense the storm brewing below the surface.
His eyes flickered between confusion, disbelief, and anger, as if he struggled to process what she was saying.
“What was Ash’s power like before?” I asked.
Madam Pearl looked at me, a fond smile tugging at her lips. “The whole damn ocean.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise, and Ash shifted uncomfortably beside me.
“Why do you keep calling me Prince?” he asked, his voice quieter but no less demanding.
Madam Pearl drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair, her gaze softening as she regarded him. “It’s time you remembered who you are, Sebastian Lysander Augustine, mind bender of Ambrosia, son of Nadia Augustine, and most importantly, my dear friend.”
Ash’s eyes widened, and he ran his hand through his hair, a habit betraying his nervousness.
Sebastian . Ash’s name was Sebastian, and she had said he was from Ambrosia, but Ash had called Astern his kingdom. The revelation hung in the air like a weight.
Madam Pearl, unfazed, pressed a button on a small box in her desk, and a moment later, Lilly’s voice echoed from the speaker. “Yes, Madam?”
“Lilly, could you have the kitchen prepare beverages for Areya and me? And water for Sebastian, please.”
She released the button and turned her gaze back to Ash. “Now, I’m going to tell you the story of our people and the kingdoms ruling our world, just as I did when you were a boy.”