Chapter 21
Evoldo trudged with heavy legs across the lawn, squinting against the sun, glancing back to ensure that neither Rosemarie nor her staff tracked where he was heading.
Back to the crypt that he’d only, a couple of hours prior, just emerged from.
He wished to ignore the summons, but one simple act of defiance could destroy everything he worked for, everything he was promised. Back down into the earth he would go.
Through the central heart of the tomb, the passageway that lay hidden behind the crypt, dug out by the reeking gnomes, waited, as did the mine cart upon the perilous track that would pull him, rather swiftly, to the inside of the mountains of Ev.
Evoldo hopped into the cart, the demented smiling gnomes shuffling impatiently, and, before he could lean his head back, the two began bounding on the seesaw-like bar that worked the rope pulley system.
Preparing for the two-hour ride, Evoldo closed his eyes as the cart rumbled into the cool dark of the mountain.
The rickety cart slammed into the rock blockade at the end of the track.
“Easy!” Evoldo shouted after the unruly gnomes, but they were already too far away.
He climbed out, shaking off the rough ride, and approached the enormous slab doors that led to the Crystal Palace.
He held his fist up and pounded on the head of the “Z”-shaped serpent on the “Oz” etching.
Muffled gurgling and spitting sounds came from the other side—more filthy gnomes.
A moment later, the doors groaned open, and a gnome led him through the gleaming corridor of polished crystal.
Evoldo stepped carefully, wary of the copious drool pooling from the creature’s mouth and slicking the floor.
Torches lined the walls, their flickering light illuminating the fresh trail of saliva.
At last, he reached the throne room. The vast cavern of crystal and otherworldly sculptures of rare gemstone reflected the torch firelight. From the far end, a deep, rumbling voice called out.
“Come, Evoldo.”
Evoldo exhaled sharply and pushed forward, his tired legs carrying him to the towering figure seated atop the dust pink crystal steps. He dropped to his knees, bowing his head. “My Lord.”
Lord Roquat’s gemstone cloak shifted with a sound like rocks tumbling down a mine shaft, the glittering shards suspended from his shoulders by an unseen magic.
As he descended the steps, the stones tumbled over each other like pebbles in a stream, rearranging themselves with every movement.
When he finally stopped, his massive jewel-encrusted hand hovered before Evoldo’s face.
Evoldo pressed his lips to the emerald set upon Roquat’s ring finger. Though his hands looked like solid stone, they were warm, strong, muscular.
“Rise.”
Evoldo obeyed, lifting his gaze to meet Roquat’s silver illuminated eyes.
“You have something I want,” the gnome king said. “Something I have waited for.” What now? Evoldo thought. The frequency of the summonses was becoming difficult to hide.
Roquat turned and began walking toward the entrance from which Evoldo had come. Evoldo hesitated, then followed.
“What is it, my Lord?” he asked.
“Alice.”
Evoldo stopped dead in his tracks. Roquat turned, gemstone fragments shifting behind him like falling gravel. Evoldo knew better than to ask questions. He should have remained silent. But he couldn’t help himself.
“Why Alice? Who is she?”
Roquat’s narrowed eyes gleamed. He took a step closer, towering over Evoldo. The silence stretched, and Evoldo’s regret surged. He should just get the hell out of there.
Evoldo swallowed hard. “Forgive me, my Lord, but by the time I return through the tunnels, Alice will be well on her way to the port of Ev.”
Roquat turned away, surveying the cavernous throne room. Evoldo followed his gaze.
“You cannot see it, can you?” Roquat murmured. “The light—threads of Lurline’s magic—trapped within crystal and stone. Most of it far too fragile to extract.”
Evoldo knew exactly what he was referring to: lurlicite.
The true mining operation beneath Ev. The foundation of their arrangement.
In exchange for allowing Roquat and his gnomes to strip the land as they pleased, Evoldo received a fortune in emeralds—a bribe, and the key to his wealth.
Ev had become the single supplier of emerald to the Capital City, which now, thanks to Evoldo, had been renamed the Emerald City.
Still the income from the emerald supply was second only to Rosemarie’s roses, for now.
But Evoldo harbored no delusions. The pact with Roquat was nothing more than a leash around Evoldo’s neck.
The gnomes could take what they wanted with or without him.
He told himself he maintained the alliance to protect Rosemarie’s rule.
But he was never great at lying to himself, only to her.
The truth was, when Death inevitably returned, he wanted to ensure Roquat spared him—and that he endured as the King of Ev, no matter what happened to Rosemarie.
“No, my Lord,” Evoldo admitted. “I cannot see it.”
Roquat’s lips curled into something resembling a smirk. “It taunts me.” His voice was sharp and swelled in the space. “And, trapped inside of Alice is the purest of this power, undiluted and directly from the source.”
Evoldo stiffened. “You mean to kill her?”
Roquat continued walking, the gems of his cloak clinking like shattered glass. “That is not my intent.”
“Then what is?”
Roquat reached the open doors of the throne room.
He stopped, turning slightly. “I intend to walk in the sun. Finally. After centuries.” His voice was like grinding stone, heavy and powerful.
“And reclaim Oz. With her, I can. I will join with her, our gifts as one, and our blood will populate the lands.”
Evoldo’s mind raced. The gnome king, after so long, wished to pursue another bride. Evoldo quickly overcame his repulsion at the thought, for his standing with Roquat would be considerably bolstered by securing her for him.
“And if this one runs?” Evoldo winced as the words fell from his mouth. Roquat’s eyes brightened as darkness loomed around him.
“This one is different. She holds the key to my freedom. If she runs, I will cage her, and I will ensure she will never escape.” Roquat’s piercing eyes did not blink or shift from Evoldo.
“My Lord. She won’t be there by the time I get back,” he said cautiously. “But I will take a carriage and follow them to port.” Evoldo hoped his servitude would smooth his misstep in questioning Roquat.
“Do not bother. The gnomes will fetch her. Wait for my summons.” Roquat turned without a glance to return to his throne.
What summons was Evoldo to wait for? Was he to be punished now for not having known Roquat wanted Alice in the first place?
Or for questioning whether Roquat could hold onto a bride?
Or perhaps the entire summons had been just to see how high Evoldo would jump for Roquat.
Evoldo looked down. Two gnomes stood at his sides, their drooling, deranged faces staring up at him with empty hunger. They would gnaw his leg clean off if Roquat demanded. He shuddered, imagining their clawed hands dragging Alice into the depths of the earth.
There was nothing he could do about it.