Chapter 28
Ava traipsed through the bright hallways, searching for Jareth. After her failed meeting with Seraphina the other day, she’d tried again the night before last with Orion. But that dinner had gone even worse than the first one.
The king was incensed at what happened between Ava and his wife, and brushed her off every time she attempted to bring up the war efforts, changing the subject and insisting he would not risk his forces.
He was confident he could protect his own kingdom and didn’t bat an eye whenever she mentioned the hardships they were already facing.
Nothing swayed him. “You have three kingdoms fighting the daemons. If they make their way here, I’m confident my people will be safe.”
“But what about my people?” Ava had asked, barely containing her indignation.
He’d gotten offended, abruptly left, and she hadn’t seen him since.
So now, here she was…almost completely out of ideas and hoping somehow she could get help from the prince.
He wasn’t at dinner last night. In fact, none of his family had attended, seemingly displeased by how this visit was going.
Were the members of the astral royalty always this petulant?
The only reason she and the others hadn’t been kicked out was probably the fact that they were still using the archives for research.
Shame crawled up the back of her neck at her lack of accomplishment. How would she break it to Thorne that she had botched her task? How could she admit she failed him? Failed her kingdom?
Ava had searched the entire castle—well, the part she was allowed to access—and still hadn’t located the haughty prince. Deciding to try his suite one last time, she raised her hand to knock, pausing when a voice called to her from the inside.
“Come in.”
Her stomach did a somersault.
She opened the door and stepped inside.
Jareth’s suite was enormous and gaudy, full of white fabrics and gilded accents. A balcony overlooked a beautiful garden, the breeze coming in through the open door.
The prince lounged on a white couch, swirling a goblet of wine in his hand, looking ever the cocky bastard.
He raised a brow. “Princess. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
She took a seat across from him. “I think you already know.”
“Ah. Your abysmal manners have offended my parents and now you turn to me. Interesting…”
She leaned forward, lifted the pitcher from the table between the two of them, and poured herself a goblet of wine. Settling back in her chair, she took a sip and watched him quietly.
“By all means, help yourself,” he spoke sharply.
“You already think I’m uncouth. I might as well lean into it.”
“What did you say to my mother? She was quite upset, yet she refuses to speak about what happened.”
“I yelled at her. Called her a coward,” Ava said, heat flushing her cheeks.
“You did what?” He shook his head. “You really have no idea what you’re doing. You and my brother truly are perfect for each other. Unrefined. Uncivilized.”
Ava tensed at the ire in Jareth’s voice at the mention of Casimir. “What’s your issue with him? You didn’t grow up together. You don’t really know each other. Why do you hate him so much?”
He remained silent.
“You have no reason to despise him. You sit up here in your fancy castle, ignoring the evil in the world, while he’s down there fighting for his life. For all of us. You have it easy, Jareth.”
He leaned forward. “You know nothing of what I’ve put up with in my fancy castle,” he hissed, the venom in his voice hinting at deeper wounds.
He’d made subtle comments before about his father, his dislike of him apparent. She eyed him. “You’re jealous.”
“Jealous? Right. Whatever you say.”
“You don’t like your father. That’s obvious. Was he cruel to you? Are you jealous Casimir got to grow up away from being under his thumb? That he has people who love and care for him?”
His jaw ticked. She’d hit a nerve. This wasn’t her plan, but she was going to go with it. “Prove to yourself you aren’t like your father, Jareth. Find a way to help us. Convince him to join in the war. Or get some kind of information. Something. Anything.”
He still didn’t speak.
“I don’t think you’re as horrible as you pretend to be. A part of you is cruel. Exactly like your father. But there’s something else. You’re a bully. And bullies are usually hurting.” She crossed her legs.
He laughed, though anger and hurt shone in his eyes. “You’re na?ve, Ava.” He took a sip and looked away.
“Help us…” she urged, not above begging now. “Please.”
“Why should I?”
Ava pinched the bridge of her nose, weary of having to explain why anyone should help. “You know what? Nevermind.”
She set her goblet down and stood, shaking her head as she walked to the door. Seconds later, fingers wrapped around her wrist and she was yanked against Jareth’s body, his front pressed against her back.
She readied her magic, preparing to defend herself.
He leaned in, whispering almost imperceptibly in her ear, “My father has many spies in this castle. But I know where he keeps vital information. Meet me in the hallway outside your suite at midnight. Alone.”
He released her and shoved her toward the door. “Now get the fuck out.”
“Is it midnight yet?” Ava asked Luna, sitting in their private garden.
You’re quite impatient. Not much longer.
Ava laid her head back on the chair, closing her eyes and allowing the breeze to cool her off and distract her from her thoughts.
Though past secrets between her and Casimir had caused strife, this was necessary.
He didn’t trust his brother and would insist on coming along.
If Jareth had said come alone, he meant it.
She doubted he would help or show her anything of use if she didn’t listen.
Especially if she brought Casimir with her.
It's time.
Ava sat up. Smoothing her silk pants, she stood and took a deep breath. “Here goes nothing.”
Good luck.
Ava slipped into the hall, closing the door with a soft click.
Jareth appeared out of nowhere. “Quickly. We don’t have much time until shift change.”
She hurried through the dark hallways after him. They twisted and turned through the moonlit corridors, their footsteps silent. There were no guards along the way, Jareth taking an unfamiliar route to avoid them.
If someone had told her months ago she’d be sneaking around the astral castle in the middle of the night with Casimir’s arrogant and cruel brother, she would have laughed in their face.
Then again, if someone had told her she was a lost princess fated to save an unknown realm, she would have urged them to seek help for delusions.
But here she was, barely keeping up with Jareth as they prepared to likely break in somewhere forbidden.
Jareth pressed himself against the wall beside a large wooden door, Ava following his lead.
“This leads upstairs to my father’s private office. No one is allowed in there. Ever. If we get caught, you’ll be the one blamed. And I will not protect you from my father’s wrath.”
“Fine.”
“In a few moments, the guards will leave this door. We’ll need to slip in before their replacements show up. Be swift and silent.”
“Shouldn’t their replacements already be here waiting?”
“This shift is always running late. It’s why I chose it. Now be quiet.”
Seconds later the door opened. Ava froze, holding her breath. Two guards emerged, disappearing down the hallway in the opposite direction.
Jareth moved. Ava followed, and slipped through the door. Before them was a winding stone staircase, ascending into a round tower.
“We must make it to the office before the new guards enter. We only have a few seconds.”
Jareth bolted up the stairs, Ava trying to keep pace.
Glowing orbs of starlight hovered near the ceiling, illuminating white stone walls.
By the time they reached the landing, Ava’s heart felt like it would burst out of her chest. Not from the strain of rushing up the stairs, but from the reality of what they were doing.
“Luna, I thought you should know we’re breaking into Orion’s office.”
That sounds dangerous.
“It probably is.”
Contact me if anything goes wrong.
“Unlock it. Hurry,” Jareth whispered, gesturing toward the door.
“Me?”
“With your vines. Come on. Now.”
Right. Like Quinn had done. Ava extended her hand, growing a light green vine in her palm that she lengthened and slipped beneath the door. She closed her eyes to focus, making it climb the other side and wrap around the handle. She molded the tip into a sharp point and felt around for the lock.
“Hurry.”
“Shut up. I’m trying to concentrate. I’ve never done this before.”
Footsteps echoed from below, the guards making their way to the landing. She pushed the vine deeper and the door opened without a sound. They slipped through and closed it, both breathing sighs of relief.
“Now what?” she whispered.
“We search.”
“For?”
“Anything that looks suspicious. Journals. Plans. Books. But you must put everything back exactly where you found it, or he’ll know.”
“Won’t the guards hear us in here?”
Jareth shook his head. “Those two are fools. They tend to doze off. Another reason I chose this time. Just be quiet.”
They searched the massive white-walled room for almost an hour—the rustling of pages and the occasional frustrated mutter from Jareth the only sounds.
Skimming through a book, Ava said, “There’s nothing in here we can use. Nothing about Andras or Deidamia. Daemons. Portals. Nothing. It’s just political strategy I don’t even understand.”
“How are you going to rule if you don’t understand political strategy?” Jareth asked from beside a towering bookcase.
“I don’t want to rule. I’m willing to help with decisions when needed, but Thorne has it covered. Besides, I’m still learning. I didn’t grow up around this. We don’t even have kings and queens in the government where I used to live.”
He tilted his head, curious. “You don’t want to rule? Why not?”