Chapter 18
After much fussing, Molly finally leaves so I can get ready by myself, although she promises to be right outside the door in case I need assistance. Not for the first time, I wish I had a camera so I could show off my gown. No one back home would ever believe it’s me in this mask and dress! The satin and silk gown is an A-line cut, the fabric white with silver iridescent strands woven throughout. The collar neckline features clear crystals that begin in the middle and morph into a wider band as it wraps around the back of the collar, fading into a line of green and amber jewels, topped off with trees made of lace across the back of the dress. It hides my necklace perfectly.
My mask is made of the same jewels that adorn the back of the dress. My long, russet-colored hair cascades down my back in ringlet curls, but I sweep it to the side and in front so I can show off the intricate details of the dress’s back. The designer must be brilliant.
I’m thrilled to finally be allowed to meet more people tonight, especially now that they know I entered their realm from Earth. After the most recent misadventure where the other kingdoms came because they thought ‘Jewel’ equaled ‘the jewel’, Timber and King Forrest thought it would be prudent to let everyone know about me so there would be no further misunderstandings. Molly said the people who came probably wouldn’t ask me questions, but warned they would probably stare. Prince Timber and King Forrest are respected enough to have their orders followed.
Unable to contain my excitement, I yell through the door, “Molly, this dress is amazing! I love the collar and the crystals.”
There’s a pause from the other side of the door and then Molly responds, “Uh, Jewel, those aren’t crystals; they’re diamonds. And before you ask, all the gems on your dress are real.”
Humbled, I don’t know what to say. I make my way towards the door, adding, ”Thank you so much for helping the seamstress and Timber pick it out.” He outdid himself with my running shoes, and now this.
“Actually, Timber picked it out by himself,” Molly confirms. “He found the mask first, and had the dress tailored to match it.”
I tuck that information away, intending to deal with it later. I don’t know how I feel about the fact that I’m wearing a dress that costs enough to take care of me and generations to come on Earth. Reaching the door, I swing it open and bask in Molly’s goggled stare.
“Wow...” she breathes. “Jewel, you look… You look like a princess!”
Blushing, I allow her to hold my arms out and take in the shimmer and shine of my dress. Desperate to remove my spotlight, I ramble, “I’m so glad Timber said you could sit with us! I know I’d be bored to death without you by my side.” Once Timber realized his duty would leave me alone most of the night, he graciously agreed to let Molly come with me and sit by us.
Derailed from her earlier inspection of me and my dress, Molly gushes, “I’m glad, too! I’ve never been to one of these as a guest; I’ve always had to work it. I was even more excited when Prince Timber told me the Royal Seamstress would be creating my dress, too!”
I glance at Molly, who looks positively radiant in her green, mermaid-style dress. The flared bottom is accented with tiny jewels sprinkled along the bottom hem, with scalloped patterns that work their way down from mid-thigh to knee. It’s tastefully done, not too showy. Grabbing her hands and spinning her around, I declare, “The seamstress did an amazing job on this dress. Alfred is going to love it!” I hinted to Prince Timber to place Alfred, his soldier, next to us for Molly. I’d noticed the shy glances they shared.
“Jewel!” Molly admonishes in an exasperated tone, blushing furiously.
Just then, a knock sounds at the door. “Just a minute!” Molly calls. Smoothing my hair one last time, she prances to the door and opens it, revealing Prince Timber.
My heart flutters as I appraise him, standing there in a vibrant white, tailored suit that he knows accentuates his muscles in perfect detail. His sword hangs from his side. The green and amber gems crawling up his sleeves resemble roots, which match my dress perfectly. His answering smile lets me know he likes what he sees, too. His eyes sparkle, and when he holds out his hand, I gladly take it. I blush when he brings my hand to his lips and kisses it.
“You look enchanting,” he murmurs, his eyes never leaving mine.
Heat creeps into my cheeks. I’ve never been good at taking compliments. “Thank you for the dress and mask,” I stammer, smoothing my dress and touching my mask self-consciously.
“I thought of you as soon as I saw it.” He tucks my hand into the crook of his arm and starts to walk, and I finally notice Alfred standing off to the side. He nods respectfully, and then his attention is riveted to Molly. Smiling from ear-to-ear, Alfred takes her hand and follows in our wake as we head to the ballroom.
The flower arrangements we put together are the first thing I see as we step into the room. What I didn’t expect to see is a ceiling covered with vines and white, bell-shaped flowers that resemble lilies of the valley, strewn all the way around the room. Diamonds hang from the open middle that look like a blanket of sparkling stars. It’s as if we’re standing in an open meadow, surrounded by woods instead of in the formal ballroom of a castle. The tables are constructed of giant tree trunks, thinly sliced, with the outer bark taken off and delicate carvings placed along the edges. The smell of honeyed flowers and freshly cut wood is so fragrant, I don’t notice the food until we walk further into the room.
The ballroom chatter trails off as Timber escorts us to our seats. People nod, bow, or curtsy as we walk by, and I feel like I’m in the middle of a Hollywood movie, although no one wears something this formal in any of the movies I’ve seen. I feel awkward as Timber introduces me to the assembled guests, which I guess is to be expected. Timber is at ease amongst his people, but I know I’m an outsider and I struggle to act normal. I feel hundreds of pairs of eyes on me, and I’m curious about what they’ve been told about me. While I’m sure the bowing and curtsying is all for show, I’m starting to wonder why my dress is the brightest gown here. What’s going on?
My eyes widen as Timber makes for a table partially hidden near the balcony. It’s so cleverly concealed, I didn’t even notice it the first time we were here. I thought for sure we would sit at the head table. Timber pulls out my chair and I notice Molly already sitting down. She gestures to an extravagant goblet placed in front of my chair. “It will calm your nerves,” she promises.
Smiling at her, I sip, sit back, and watch as dinner is served. She knows I’m nervous without having to say a word. Before tonight, I’ve only met a few villagers, but just in passing. This is the first time I’ve seen so many of them assembled in one place.
I’m not a drinker, but Molly isn’t joking when she says the punch will calm me. After two sips, the tension melts from my body and I can narrow my focus on a few things instead of all the things. Timber left earlier to greet more guests, and Alfred and Molly really seem to be hitting it off. Grabbing Molly’s forearm, I tell her I’m going to step out onto the balcony for some fresh air.
I place my hand on the cold railing and take several deep breaths. Even though my world has been expanded and I’ve seen things in this realm I never knew existed, I still crave the permanence of my old life. Prom night seems like forever ago, and I think wistfully that I wish I could have attended. Not that it would bethe same, I snort. Dancing with Ash one last time would have been nice. I think back to the night he asked me to the dance, spelling out the question Prom? across a shared pizza with pineapple pieces. The red satin gown I picked out for Prom is nothing in comparison to this mask and dress.
“Jewel.” Jumping at the sound of Ash’s voice, I turn to see him walking from the shadows of the balcony. I feel happy and torn at the sight of him, especially given the melancholies of my recent mood. Ash grabs my hands and pulls me into his embrace, protected within the shadows. Holding on to him, I feel the rest of my tension melt away. He smells of home, of comfort. Feeling his embrace tighten, I exhale the breath I was holding. He cares.
“I’m so sorry, Jewel.” His voice is but a whisper.
I lash out, hurt bubbling to the surface. “Why haven’t you contacted me or given Paul a message?”
He lets out a long sigh. “I’m not allowed to visit you, nor have I had time,” he admits. “I’ve been trying so hard to find your dad for you and to see if he knows anything about what’s going on. I know you’ve been kept safe because Paul keeps me updated. It’s not like I haven”t asked about you.”
“What do you mean, ‘not allowed’?” My words come out harsh, and an inkling of an earlier suspicion begins to surface.
“Jewel, haven’t you noticed how much Timber likes you?” he asks, incredulous. “How much he holds your hand? That is not a thing in this realm unless you like someone. That tradition is the same as it is in the Earth Realm.”
I keep quiet since I don’t want to think about the feelings that go along with Timber. I still can’t reconcile the safe, familiar feeling I have when I see him.
Seeing my expression, Ash nods and continues, “The King thought it would be better if I didn’t visit you. He wants Timber to be the person you turn to, not me. And honestly, even though we didn’t tell him about our history, I’m sure they can tell how I feel just by the way I look at you.”
I don’t know how to respond. I know Ash has been absent, but I never imagined he was being intentionally kept from me. I thought maybe he really was having a hard time finding my dad. Why didn’t I see it? “Ash?” My voice shakes because I’m not sure I really want to know the answer to my next question. “Are we still okay?”
“Jewel, my feelings will never change,” he answers.
Feeling relieved and guilty at the same time, I nod my head in acquiescence. Swaying in the shadows, I settle one hand on his shoulder and place my other hand in his. He curls his fingers over mine and brings it to his heart. The last time we danced was at the Spring Fling during our Junior year. Each dance since then, Ash has been ‘out of town’. As the soft melody trickles outside, I decide to simply enjoy his embrace and this dance, knowing it could be our last. Snuggling up against him, I concentrate on our little bubble: music, the moon, and Ash. Just as I’m getting lost in the moment, Ash breaks our comfortable silence.
“However, I don’t think we’ll ever be the same, Jewel. I’m truly sorry for lying to you all these years.” I look up and see heartbreak reflected in his eyes. “I don’t have much time before Timber gets back, but I promise you, I’m going to find your dad. He’s the only one who knows the full story. I’m vowing to you now – I will bring you and your father back together.” Suddenly, he places his hands on either side of my face and presses his lips to my forehead.
This feels like goodbye.
Too soon, he releases my face and makes eye contact one last time before vanishing back into the shadows.
I don’t know what just happened and don’t feel any closer to answers than I did before. Finding the balcony’s railing once more, I lean against it for support, gazing forlornly at the coral-colored moon and silently praying for answers. How will I get out of this? What’s going on? I hear a noise in the shadows where Ash disappeared.
“Ash?” I ask.
Has he come back for me?