Chapter Two #2
“I got us out!”
Chancey said defensively. “You should quit complaining and be glad you got a ride. It was hard enough squeezing your big ass Familiar on the bus.”
Tahoma let out a sullen bray, and I asked, “Are the keys safe?”
“Yes. They’re in a royal vault here in Ilamanthe, protected by Elven guards. I made sure I didn’t lose them,” Ez said.
My shoulders sagged. I was more than grateful the Warden hadn’t gotten his hands on the Divinity Keys we had, because it’d taken a lot of sacrifice to obtain them. “What happened next?”
“We just kept driving until we hit land. By the time we pulled onto a beach, your dad was waiting for us,”
Opal informed me.
“My dad?”
I tilted my head curiously.
“Our parents are here. Everyone’s parents are here, actually,”
Ez stated. “We’ve got a bit of bad news… Kinpago and Octavia Falls were taken by the Warden.”
“What?”
Marcus asked, and my stomach twisted.
“They couldn’t hold up. The Warden was going to destroy both cities if we didn’t let him have them, so they decided abandoning the towns was the best way to preserve what was left,”
Alistair said. “The priestesses and the chieftains got everyone out they could. The elementals and witches that survived are currently living here, in Ilamanthe.”
Then Alistair scoffed, and he mumbled under his breath, “Or at least, everyone who isn’t a traitor is here.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Some elementals and witches surrendered to the Warden and joined The Mission when the cities fell. They didn’t see a point in continuing to resist,”
Ez clarified. “As far as our side, we don’t have many strongholds left. Hok’evale is safe, but we don’t know for how long.”
“Where did the Warden take all these prisoners of war?”
I questioned. “If Kinpago and Octavia Falls have fallen, those supernaturals that didn’t get a chance to flee had to be taken somewhere.”
Eddie gave a heavy sigh. “Unfortunately, we believe they’ve been taken to the same camp the Warden had attempted to move me to. From the intel we’ve gathered, we know it is even larger, and more dangerous. The Main Facility is somewhere in the contiguous United States. It has many more Elves in captivity, and it is also where the Warden holds his prisoners of war. There are all kinds of supernaturals being kept in that camp, some even of the Warden’s own race, angels who didn’t support his cause.”
“Then what are we waiting for?”
Charlie demanded. “Let’s go there right now to destroy it and liberate the prisoners.”
“I wish we could, but it is very well hidden. We’ve been trying to find it for some time, but have so far been unsuccessful. It is a highly concealed secret of the Warden’s, and until we locate where it might be, a rescue mission is impossible,”
Eddie said.
“I’m betting the Main Facility has to be near California. Darke Island is off the western coast of the United States,” I said.
“Six hundred miles off the coast,”
Kallie objected.
“Yes, but it’s still easier to transport people across the open ocean rather than thousands of miles across land where they might be spotted, and we know the Warden used Darke Island as his base for years,”
I said. “He’s probably been building this camp for a while, waiting for the right time to use it against his enemies. The West Facility was just a holding center on the island he could use until the Main Facility was finished.”
“What about the witches? Connecticut is a long ways away from the west coast. If the Main Facility is on the other side of the country, you must’ve found clues as to how the captured witches were being transported,”
Marcus asked.
“Unfortunately, we did not,”
Eddie replied. “The Warden must be using some type of magic we aren’t aware of or don’t have access to in order to transport all these prisoners from one side of the nation to the other.”
“Why couldn’t the Warden just conjure portals, and move people that way?”
Charlie questioned. “They’re harder to trace.”
“Moving a lot of people through portals is hard. It’s not easy magic, especially not across hundreds of miles,”
Kallie said. “Only the best supernaturals can pull it off, and the Warden doesn’t have any Elves helping him.”
“That we know of,”
Charlie mused. “He could be forcing prisoners to do his bidding.”
“You would need many, many portals to transport that number of prisoners,”
Eddie explained. “Even if it was possible, which it could be, it’s unclear as to how he could create so many portals without leaving supernatural traces that we could follow. But from what we can guess, the facility must be somewhere near the west coast, just as Ava predicted.”
“That still doesn’t narrow it down,”
Marcus grumbled. “The western United States is huge. There’s massive sprawls of open desert that go on forever, without a soul in sight. The Warden could pick a million places to put this camp. It’s like locating a needle in a haystack.”
“We’ll find it,”
Kallie said firmly. “And once we do, the soldiers who are torturing those poor people are going to beg for mercy.”
“Which we aren’t going to give them,”
Charlie added coldly, and Oberi gave a growl. I whole-heartedly agreed.
“I just don’t know how the Elves managed to find somewhere so efficient to hide,”
Kallie said. “This area is perfect to hold the city of Ilamanthe. How’d they locate such a well-concealed area after Forevermore was sieged?”
“Your family, actually,”
Ivy stated. “Turns out that King Ethan and Queen Emmaline were the ones who found the island after Forevermore fell, and they helped the Elves build a city here with illusion magic. They’ve been busy doing that in secret while your brother and his mate have been running Malovia.”
“If Kazim has ascended the throne, why are Ethan and Emma still referred to as king and queen?”
Marcus asked.
“My parents aren’t reigning monarchs anymore, but they still retain their titles,”
Kallie explained, before turning back to Eddie. “How are things in Malovia?”
“Apparently, after Octavia Falls was taken over, King Kazim aligned himself with the witches and officially declared war against the angels,”
Eddie said. “The fae have been providing endless resources to Ilamanthe to get the Elves back on their feet. Although many fae have sought refuge in Ilamanthe, their country is still standing— for now.”
I was glad that the fae had chosen to side with us, because they were powerful allies. They were just as rich as the Elves used to be, and since the Malovian Revolution had been over for twenty years now, the country had plenty of time and resources to recuperate and help others.
Kallie nodded. “Kaz would do that. Is my brother here?”
“He is. There are many individuals waiting in the council room to speak with you all,”
Eddie noted.
“Then let’s talk to them right away,”
Charlie said.
The room began to clear out as the group headed into the hallway. I went to follow, before I felt a light touch on my shoulder. “Princess, may I speak with you in private?”
Eddie appeared wholly somber. Charlie paused at the door, as he was the last to leave. But Oberi nudged his hand, and he continued after the others.
After the door shut quietly behind us and we were alone, Eddie hung his head. “Princess, I… I feel so much guilt.”
“Why, Eddie? You didn’t do anything wrong,”
I insisted.
“While you were sleeping, Charlie informed me of what happened. You and the others ventured into the Infernal Underground to find me. That attempt to rescue me led to you losing your ability to walk,”
Eddie choked. “I am no guard, but a coward. My duty in life is to protect my master and his princess, and you have sacrificed a part of yourself to protect me. There is no greater shame for an Emperor’s guard. I am worth nothing if I cannot serve you. My failure to defend my life’s purpose is what led you to this predicament.”
“The Warden took you, Eddie. You did all you could, but you didn’t have a choice,”
I pressed.
Eddie shook his head violently, and tears flung from his eyes as he fell to his knees before me. “You don’t understand, princess! I deserve to be punished for my insolence.”
“Oh, please, Eddie, get up.”
He was making me emotional, and I didn’t blame him for what had happened in the slightest. “I’m not going to punish you— that’s ridiculous. And please don’t tie your self-worth to Charlie and me. You’re worthy just by being alive. You don’t need to prove yourself.”
“I understand, but this is my culture, and how I was raised. I was born to serve, and be a good guard,”
he whimpered.
“You are a good guard, Eddie. You’ve never let us down, and I’m sure you won’t in the future, so long as there’s anything you can do about it.”
“My princess is too kind.”
Eddie wiped at his face and sniffed as he staggered to his feet. “But if there is any way to repay this debt and make it right, I will.”
“There’s nothing you have to repay,”
I said kindly. “But if you want to escort us to the council room, it would probably be helpful. This palace is massive, and I don’t feel like getting my ass lost.”
Eddie laughed lightly. “Of course. May I?”
I gestured that he could touch my chair. He pushed me out of the room and into the hallway, where everyone else was waiting. Eddie pushed me at the front of the group, carrying on as he explained everything the palace had to offer.
“The servants are here to feed and clothe you, as well as clean your rooms and tend to anything you don’t desire to do yourselves. We have a grand dining hall, magnificent private pools, theaters, magical creature stables, and a temple to our goddesses all within the palace walls, as well as a hospital, should anyone fall ill,”
Eddie stated. “Everything you need here is accommodated for, though if you wish, you may venture out into the city to explore.”
The decoration of the palace was ornate and carefully styled. Every furnishing appeared elaborate. It felt so odd, leaving the despair and filth of the Institute to be welcomed into such a bright place that was clean, shining, and full of light wherever you went. I almost felt uncomfortable… like I didn’t belong here.
But that wasn’t true. I was an Elven princess now. I belonged here more than anybody. I just had to get used to living comfortably again. Here, the guards wouldn’t bully and stalk me; they’d follow my orders, and protect me with their lives.
The Elves we passed in the hallway gave delighted noises, bowing and curtsying with glee. A couple of Elvish ladies had sparks in their eyes as they watched me roam by, whispering to each other in excitement.
Overwhelm settled in my bones. These people were looking to me to become the mother of their race. There hadn’t been a female Elvish monarch in decades, and now that I was here, I gave them hope. I didn’t think I was worthy of having that responsibility, but it was on my shoulders now, so I had to perform my duties to the best of my ability.
“You’ll do well,”
Kallie murmured beside me, and she reached out to lay a hand on my shoulder. She knew what it felt like to be a respected princess, with a whole country waiting for her to make the right or wrong moves. I wish I could say I’d gotten better at making good choices over the past few years, but I wasn’t so sure I hadn’t gotten worse. Now my decisions affected more than just Charlie and me, or my friends. They affected a whole nation.
This was very different from being the daughter of a chieftain. I hoped I’d make the Elves proud. Or at the very least, that I wouldn’t mess it up too badly… because I was good at destroying whatever I touched, including my own life. I didn’t want to ruin the lives of the Elves as well, and I already had once, back in Forevermore.
I couldn’t afford to screw up this time.
Eddie took us to a set of golden double doors, where a pair of guards were waiting. They bowed to Charlie, then to me, before they pulled the doors open.
The council room was absolutely massive. It was a circular marble room, with a glass ceiling that opened up wide to the sky. At the end of the room was a gigantic tree, with twisting limbs and large, multicolored fruit that hung off its branches, Elvish designs formed into the bark as if with magic. The tree reached upward to the high ceiling, framed by a lovely indoor waterfall that pooled around its roots. Someone was playing a soft flute nearby, but I couldn’t see who. It looked more like a greenhouse to protect this beautiful tree, rather than a council room.
A massive round table stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by high-backed chairs. Gathered in front of the table were a large number of people, most of whom I knew.
“Daddy!”
I cried happily. I threw my arms out, and he rushed forward to give me a hug.
“It’s wonderful to see you, peanut. We had no idea where you were,”
Daddy said, giving me a kiss on the head.
“Though we were sure you were safe,”
Mama added, and she stroked my hair. “We had faith you and your friends made it out of the Institute.”
“Yeah, seeing as how we weren’t completely convinced you didn’t cause the fire.”
Daddy laughed.
I cringed. He’d meant it as a joke, but it hit closer to home than I wanted to admit. I hadn’t started the Institute fire, but I had let it burn… and that was still a decision I wavered on from time to time.
I noticed a certain red dragon was missing— my father’s companion, Julian. He almost never left Daddy’s side, and that worried me. “Did Julian make it?”
“Yes, peanut,”
Daddy said. “Julian is too large to navigate most of the castle, so he’s spending most of his time with the Elvish military defending the city, but rest assured he is safe.”
“Are the others here?”
I asked them.
“Your siblings are staying with us right here in the palace. The Emperor has provided us, as well as Kallie’s and Marcus’ parents, and your grandparents, with the finest suites in all the castle,”
Mama said. “Your Aunt Imogen and Uncle Jonah, along with their families, are all in Ilamanthe. They have their own apartments in the city. We managed to get everyone out, even though some people couldn’t be saved.”
Mama gave Daddy a sad look, and I didn’t ask about home. I didn’t want to know what the angels were doing with Kinpago now that they had it under their control, because it would make me too sad.
Whatever the case, I was an Elvish princess. This was my home now.
My parents weren’t the only ones I knew. Everyone else’s parents were here, too. Nadine and Lucas were in the room, and both of them reached out to give Marcus a hug. King Ethan, along with Queen Emmaline, greeted Kallie warmly, pulling their daughter into an embrace.
Emperor Cassiel was surrounded by members of the Emperor’s Guards, two of which I recognized. General Ibrahim and Colonel Amilda, whom we had met in Forevermore, stood guard at his side.
Cassiel approached Charlie. His grandfather gave him a gentle welcome as Cassiel reached out to shake Charlie’s hand.
And Cameron. He was hanging back. I stared Charlie’s father down. Although he glanced away from my glare, it was only for a moment.
“We’re grateful to be together again,”
Emperor Cassiel said, clapping Charlie on the back. “I had hoped our reunion would come sooner, but you are here now. Your father is here as well, Charlie.”
“Hello, son,”
Cameron said softly.
Charlie’s tone became cold. “You haven’t earned the right to call me that. You left us in Forevermore! You just fled, so that we could be captured by the Warden, and we remained locked in his prison for another year. How could you?”
“Charlie,”
I said gently. My husband wasn’t on the best terms with his dad, but I didn’t think it was fair of Charlie to blame Cameron for leaving us in Forevermore. “I told them to leave. They were standing by the Mirror of Ingress, and there was no way we were going to reach the portal with them by that point. They had to get out while they still had the chance, even if we didn’t. They didn’t need to be captured alongside us.”
“I never would’ve left if I had a choice,”
Cameron replied, but Charlie only looked more disgusted by his response. “You had the chance to come with us, and you broke my arm to get away from me.”
“To get to Ava,”
Charlie spat. “You may feel comfortable leaving your family behind, but I would never do such a thing.”
By the ancestors, Cameron wasn’t helping.
Emperor Cassiel quickly stepped in. “We wanted to take you with us, but we had to make a decision at that precise moment. As Emperor, it was a choice I had to make for my people. I realized as Forevermore fell that three Elvish royals were in danger, and if all of us died, the monarchy died with us. Our people would be completely unprotected, and left vulnerable in our absence. It was our job to lead the Elves to refuge here in Ilamanthe. One of us can die, but not all three, otherwise, our nation will die with us. Believe me Charlie; as my grandson, you are precious to me.”
Charlie relaxed slightly.
“I knew the Warden would keep you alive, and there was nothing that would stop us from rescuing you in time,”
Cassiel added. “We’ve spent the last year building Ilamanthe and getting our people back on their feet, so that we could come back and get you. We had an extraction plan in place and returned to Darke Island the first chance we got, but by then, the Institute had already caught fire, and you and your friends were gone. We’ve been tracking you ever since, and were lucky enough to gain the narrow opportunity to portal you back here. I know you’ve felt alone, and had to go through a lot of things by yourself. But you were never truly alone, because I’ve always been trying to bring you back to the family, even if I wasn’t successful. Can you ever forgive me for the decision I made that day?”
Charlie’s hesitation was evident through the bond. It was clear he trusted his grandfather far more than Cameron— respected him, even. “I believe I can forgive you and learn to understand why you made that decision. We’re all here and safe, so I guess it all worked out in the end.”
I looked to the other people in the room, to those I didn’t know. There was a small brunette girl that had to be Marcus’ little sister. She appeared confident and held herself tall.
“I missed you, big brother.”
Erica gave Marcus a one-armed hug. “I want to hear all about how you busted out of prison. I’m sure it was epic.”
“Hi, Erica,”
Marcus said. “Sorry about… home.”