Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
EZRA
It was morning by the time my guards found Princess Cressida. Word also reached me that Tavo had taken his troops into the Wailea forest, where he was already setting up camp and preparing to chop down the trees.
While my men prepared their horses and weapons for battle, I took a moment to storm down into the prison. My guards had finally found her, and I was ready to confront her.
Princess Cressida waited patiently, her belongings in a box far from where she could reach it.
“When my father hears that you’ve put me in prison, you’ll pay for it.”
“Good morning to you too,” I said and went straight for her belongings. As I dug through her bag, my skin stood on edge as I found what I’d been looking for: the golden ball.
Aulani was right.
“You’ve been stealing life from the land for this magic thing,” I said and she frowned.
“That’s a ridiculous idea–”
“Aulani found you doing it, so don’t lie to me.”
She froze, her face turning pale, before she leaned against the prison bars and said softly, “So that was her the other night.”
“Yes, and you’re going to tell me how to use this thing.”
Cressida laughed. “You don’t know the first thing about magic, do you Ezra?”
“No, but you’re going to tell me. Can this transform someone permanently into a human?”
Her eyebrows creased. “There is always a price.”
“What is the price?”
“True magic always takes something in return, remember? This ball can only take from the natural life here, including the plants and people.”
“People?”
“Transforming someone permanently into a human would require a great deal of magic. It would suck the island dry.”
My throat felt dry at that thought. “What if it took from me?”
“There is the possibility of performing a swap,” she said, then leaned over. “What are you trying to do?”
“Transform Aulani into a human permanently. She’s a–”
“Mermaid. Yes, Tavo told me.”
“Tavo?” I gaped. “Who told Tavo?”
She hesitated, and, instead of answering, said, “Tavo has had his secrets, Ezra.”
I frowned. “And you’ve been in on them all along, haven’t you?”
“No.” Cressida quickly grew defensive. “No, not at all… Well, not since he first left.” She shook her head and let out a breath. “He’s changed, alright? And so have I.”
This time, I hesitated. What was I doing trusting Cressida? She turned me into a frog… twice! And now I wanted her to do magic again? What if she did something wrong?
“Did you and Tavo have plans of your own?” I asked, remembering our walk in the garden, remembering how she wanted to carry on his legacy.
The princess looked away, her expression almost embarrassed.
“Yes. I thought he was in love with me. Before he left, he told me that our bond would strengthen foreign alliances. He had so many ideas, Ezra. They sounded so grand, and…” She sighed.
“For once, I thought I could be part of something. Thought I was actually good for something and could rule by his side. He blinded me… then he never came back. But…” She pursed her lips.
“I was sure he hadn’t died–I could feel it.
Then it dawned on me: he abandoned me.” Her fists clenched.
“So I am sorry Ezra. I did what I thought would turn the tables in my favor. I was desperate, and then he did come back. I was right. He had plans of his own… and they did not involve me.”
I froze. All along she thought Tavo was good, and that he really wanted to help Kaiora. She thought she could play a huge role in that.
Turns out he lied.
“He lied to all of us,” I said, and swallowed hard.
We stood in silence for a moment, then Cressida said, “I can transform Aulani into a human permanently, but there are limits to my magic.”
“What are the conditions?”
She rubbed her forehead. "Listen, if you transform, you can permanently transfer your human life to something else, turning it into a human forever.”
I gaped. “So you could permanently change me into a frog, and Aulani would stay human forever?”
“Yes.”
I love her. But what about my kingdom? What about the island?
It will do better with her. Yes. I would give the kingdom to Aulani, make her ruler, and transform permanently into a frog.
The people love her. They adored her, and, even without a voice, her presence was enough for them. She would rule well. I made up my mind. Aulani could not turn to sea foam. I’d do anything for her.
“Come on,” I said, grabbing the keys and giving Cressida a look. “Do I have your word you’ll help me follow through with this?”
She tipped her head. “One condition.”
“What is that?”
“If I transform you into a frog and transfer your permanent human life to Aulani, I want to live here. Punish me here–I’ll do whatever it is to make amends for my wrongs, but don’t send me to Windmere.”
“Why?”
Cressida looked away, as if embarrassed. “I do not wish to return home, Ezra.”
“You can’t live here,” I said. "I will put you on trial for everything you did to me, the people, and Kaiora, and then I will send you back."
“Please… can my punishment be here? I will never do magic again, just… don’t send me to my family.”
I frowned. She made our lives miserable, so why not make hers miserable?
“I’m sending you back to Windmere.”
Her fingers wrapped around the iron bars. “I feel I could start new here, Ezra. If I go home… father will just… betroth me to someone else, and I do not want it. It’s been a nightmare with Tavo, then you, and Tavo again…”
For whatever reason, I felt sorry for Cressida. We came from similar backgrounds: the spares to the throne, except I became king and she was still tossed around for marriage like a leaf blowing in the wind.
No wonder she tried to turn the tables in her favor after Tavo’s death.
I said, "You must stand trial first. Then I will send word to your father. If he agrees to your punishment here, you will stay and be loyal to this crown and kingdom forever. If not, you will go.”
“I understand.” She nodded, a little relief crossing her face. “I just hope he will not request me to come home.”
Home. It was a word we all tossed around. Aulani was trying to get home. Cressida was trying to flee home. Tavo was trying to take over his home. And I? Well… I was trying to protect my home. I was trying to protect her.
“Come on,” I said, unlocking the door, then paused as Cressida stepped out. Our eyes met and she sighed, holding out her hand.
“Ezra, I really am sorry for changing you into a frog,” she said, and I hesitated before shaking it.
“My father died trying to find me,” I said, and she visibly cringed.
“Yes, and I am truly sorry for that too… I suppose this is the best way I can repay you… by helping you save the girl you love.”
I nodded and an understanding passed through us. I shook her hand. This was a new beginning, a fresh start for the “spares” in their kingdoms. But we were spares no longer.