8. Screaming Goats and Hidden Truths
CHAPTER 8
Screaming Goats and Hidden Truths
Melinda Mayweather
In a room fit for a queen on Drakoné, I spent the night tossing and turning, my eyes barely closed for minutes at a time as nightmares plagued my fitful sleep.
I experienced every single hour before I was finally being whisked out of my room and dressed to leave.
Avalon . Finally .
More water-travel without getting wet.
It’s weird. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it.
We step out of the fountain into a beautiful garden, the colors of dawn just staining the sky. It was still dark enough for torches to be lit, their flickering light creating a mesmerizing dance of shadows along paths surrounded by vibrant flowers and lush greenery. The air here is different than on Drakoné. Thicker. Magick tingles on my skin.
But it’s the castle in front of us that really holds my attention. It looks like something out of an epic fantasy movie. Its walls are massive, covered in old carvings that make it like I just stepped back in time or into a Tolkien novel. I half expect to see wizards or a hobbit come strolling through the gates at any moment.
Laughter and music drift from the open gates, inviting me closer.
I look at Kellan, who's acting like this whole Narnia-on-steroids situation is just another Tuesday. "Is this really Avalon?" I whisper, still in disbelief.
“Of course it is,” Nimue says, stepping out of the fountain beside us.
Feeling bolder in my Spartan costume and standing next to my giant Drakonii bodyguard, I challenge her, “Well, you haven’t exactly been super honest with me so far.”
Nimue ignores my jab. “I need you to be careful with her. Try to keep a low profile. Find the other Drakonii guests and take her to the guest rooms. I would prefer no one knows she’s here until the Changing of the Guard ceremony tomorrow night.” She pulls a big ring off her finger and hands it over to Kellan with a super serious look on her face. “Drop this into water to send me a signal.”
Kellan takes the ring, no fuss, no questions. Just Mr. Strong and Silent over here.
And there’s this twisty feeling in my gut, like something’s up and I'm not in on it. What is he agreeing to do? What isn’t she telling me?
Nimue's hands are gentle as she fiddles with my hair and straightens my dress. It takes everything inside me to stand still, to not pull away from this woman I barely know and certainly don't trust.
“You’ll pass as a Drakonii in these clothes. Just try not to look anyone in the eye. They’ll–”
“Notice I’m missing the whole dragon-green-eyed-sparkle-thing?” I cut in, trying to sound tough instead of freaked. More pretending. Great. They’ve got me all decked out like a Drakonii wannabe, and now I’m supposed to play the part. “Why do I have to hide?”
“Mmmm,” she hums, but the sound isn’t soothing this time. It’s dismissive. “I know this is a lot, but it is necessary, Melinda.” She gives Kellan a look next. “You’re not going to do what I want you to do, are you?”
That wasn’t an answer to my question.
Kellan’s face is a stone wall. Doesn’t give an inch. He’s so hard to read.
“Fine. Keep her safe. I’ll be back to introduce Melinda to the courts officially during the Changing of the Guard ceremony. It will be better for her, safer, if the High Council doesn’t know about her until then.”
“You’re going to anger them with this stunt, Queen Nimue.”
Her grin is all teeth. “They need more than just a surprise. But this will be a good start.”
“I’m not here to surprise or piss off anyone,” I push back. The rush of emotions is almost too much, and I lean on Kellan, grateful for his silent strength. It’s weirdly comforting, feeling the power inside me simmer down just by standing next to him.
His hand gives mine a reassuring squeeze. “I’m here for you, Domina, not her,” he says softly, his tone a mix of warmth and promise. It’s crazy how much safer I feel with him by my side. I don’t really know him at all, but I trust him, and that’s unsettling. I never trust people this fast.
I nod, still trying to wrap my head around everything. Avalon. The deaths of my family. Other worlds. Other magick. It's surreal.
Nimue tips her chin, her queenly demeanor never slipping. “I have matters to attend to, elsewhere. Remember, whatever you do, discretion is key.” She steps back gracefully into the fountain, disappearing into the water like some kind of mystical mermaid.
Kellan's gaze follows her until she's completely gone. Then he turns to me, his eyes doing that movie-hero thing where they go from 'I could kill you with my pinky' to 'Hey, want to grab coffee?' in 0.2 seconds.
“Are you ready to see Avalon then, Domina ?” he asks, a hint of something like humor in his tone. “Personally I prefer Drakoné, but I suppose Avalon is nice enough. And Camelot is quite nice for a castle.”
There’s a slight smirk on his face, making him so much more approachable, less like my personal mountain of a bodyguard who just so happens to be able to turn into an enormous dragon that could eat me.
I laugh, letting go of Kellan’s hand for the first time since we’ve arrived. My arms fold across my chest as I try to take it all in. “Nice enough? This is Camelot. Like. The. Camelot. From the legends of Merlin and King Arthur, right?” The excitement momentarily pushes away my fears and grief. This is like stepping into one of Mom’s stories.
Kellan chuckles, a sound that relaxes me even more. “The stories on earth might be slightly embellished.”
I raise an eyebrow, looking back at the fountain that was our magickal Uber, then to the majestic castle. “Slightly embellished? We just traveled through a water fountain to another world. I’m pretty sure the stories aren’t even close.”
He gestures grandly toward the open gates of Camelot. The road is bustling with people, and the sounds of music and laughter and crowds are deafening. “Welcome to Camelot, Domina. Care to do a little exploring?”
“I really would.” I grin.
Entering the castle grounds is like stepping into a medieval fairytale, or a Renaissance Faire on steroids. The sprawling courtyard is filled with stalls overflowing with goods. Artisans with leather goods. Blacksmiths ringing steel against anvils, sparks flying like fireworks in the mostly still dark sky. Colorful red banners flutter in the breeze. Jewels glitter in the torchlight. Children’s laughter floats on the breeze in the background.
"Everyone is up so early."
"They never went to bed. The days before the Changing of the Guard are one long festival. People travel from every world to be here. To trade. To eat and drink and dance."
The air is alive with an energy I can't define, rich with the scent of roasting meats and fresh-baked bread, mingling with the earthy aroma of herbs and the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers.
We pass one stall where the mouthwatering smell of roasting meat makes my stomach growl loudly.
“Hungry?” He raises an eyebrow and flicks his gaze to my noisy abdomen.
“Yes, very.” I admit.
Kellan exchanges a few coins for a skewer from the vendor and hands it to me.
I take it and nibble some off one end. The taste is rich and savory, unlike anything I’ve had before. “It’s not something exotic like unicorn, right?”
Kellan bursts out laughing, his genuine amusement lighting up his face and catching me completely off guard.
Shit. Is it unicorn? I stop chewing and try to decide if I should spit it out or swallow.
He quickly composes himself, doing his best not to continue laughing at my expense. “No, it’s just venison, Domina .”
“That’s good.” The sights, sounds, and smells are overwhelming, yet exhilarating. I keep hearing his laugh echo in my head. It’s nice. Friendly. Not at all like the scary demeanor he wore back on Drakoné and when he was speaking to the water-queen-lady. Which only makes me more suspicious of her.
Kellan leads me away from the kebab stall, through the crowd, his towering presence making a path for us. People bow and back away, giving us space to approach any booth he might choose. I try to stare at the cobblestone ground beneath my feet. No eye contact. I’m not a dragon. Don’t let people see who you are, Mel.
The first booth we pass looks like a weaver, except he has a half dozen of the cutest little goats tied in the back of his stall. The table in the front is covered with beautiful scarves and wraps. I run my fingertips along one of them, awed by the softness.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaa! Aaaaaaaaaaa!
I jump out of my skin and bump into Kellan who grounds me immediately. “It’s the goats.” His voice rumbles through his chest.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaa! Aaaaaaaaaaaa! Aaaaaaaaaaa!
“I apologize, I just gave them mead.” The shopkeeper says, running toward the goats with a bucket. He shoves the bucket up at the first screaming goat who takes a long drink and quiets down.
The other goats are still screaming and staring straight at me, but each of them settles after a drink from the bucket.
“What is he giving them? And why are they screaming?”
“Asgardian goats scream at anything magickal.” He says it so nonchalantly. Like it’s not weird at all.
“Wait. Are you saying they are screaming at us? Or wouldn’t they scream at everyone here? This whole place is…” My words trail off and I laugh. “What was he giving them to drink?”
“Mead.”
“He was getting them drunk?” My eyes widen and I don’t know whether to laugh or be appalled.
“Yes. You have to keep them drunk or they’d scream constantly. They make the absolute best wool. Their hair is very valuable.”
“Some goats scream on earth. Are they?”
Kellan is already nodding yes. “They most certainly were brought to Earth. I would assume they’ve been inbred into many breeds by now, but they still scream for the same reason.”
“A magick detector.” I say, glad the Inquisitors don’t have a clue about this little tidbit.
Next, he steers us toward a jewelry booth, pieces glittering under the flickering torchlight and hanging lanterns. The jewelry is beautiful, delicate silver filigree, gold wire wrapped stones, chains of various lengths and rings and bracelets dripping with jewels.
We move from one jewelry stall to another. I sneak a peek up at him. Kellan’s scanning each display, as if searching for something specific. Finally, we stop at a stall that’s more eye-catching than the rest.
“This is Calix.” Kellan gestures forward, inviting me to look up at the stranger. So he must be safe. The man behind the table is a burly figure, his tunic richly embroidered, his eyes lighting up when he sees Kellan. “He makes the best jewelry in Olympus.”
Olympus? Like Ancient Greece mountain of the gods type Olympus? I almost say the questions out loud, but I also don’t want to draw attention to myself, even if Kellan thinks this guy is safe.
Calix’s gaze shifts to the green, snake-like tattoo wriggling around my wrist. Surprise flashes across his face, and he regards me with a mix of reverence and curiosity. “You took another bond? Well, I… Many blessings to you.”
He holds out a hand and I place my palm in his, hesitantly, but Kellan isn’t telling me not to . He’s standing there, waiting for me to do it. Calix smiles and brings my hand to his lips, kissing it reverently. “It is an honor, Domina of Kellan. You’re dressed from Drakoné, but–”
Panic rises, prickling beneath my skin like tiny needles of fear. I'm supposed to stay under the radar, invisible in this sea of magickal beings.
“No names, Calix. Not today.” Kellan waves away Calix’s question, like it’s not rude at all to keep my identity a secret.
Which I’m glad for and scared about at the same time. Why does the water-queen-Nimue-whatever want to keep my identity a secret? And why does Kellan think it’s fine for this Olympus-guy to know I’m not actually from Drakoné?
The jeweler nods, a knowing smile on his lips. “A beautiful mystery.”
“Do you feel anything Calix? Can you sense anything about my Domina? ” Kellan’s voice is tense, his eyes never leaving Calix’s.
I glance at Kellan, wondering what he means. But he’s staring at Calix, so I look back at the other man too. What does he think Calix will know?
Calix studies me intently, his gaze deep and probing. “Should I sense something specific?”
Kellan hesitates, a frown creasing his forehead. “I had to be certain.”
Certain of what? I want to yell out, but fear keeps the questions inside my head.
Calix leans in closer, his voice a hushed whisper. “You thought she might be human? Kellan, you know that’s forbidden. No human has stepped foot in Avalon since the door was sealed by the High Council.”
A jolt of fear sends ice through my veins. “Forbidden?” My voice trembles. “What do you mean humans are forbidden?”
Calix chuckles, a sound that doesn’t match the seriousness of the conversation. “If you were human, Domina of Kellan, you’d be hopelessly besotted with me by now.”
Confusion swirls inside me, stirring at my magick. “I don’t–”
Kellan shakes his head, a grim expression on his face. “Humans and Olympians have a unique chemical reaction when they meet.”
It can’t be true. My parents would’ve known if I wasn’t human. Right?
Panic grips me, a torrential wave crashing over my senses. My heart races, each beat a thundering drum in my ears. My breath comes in short, sharp gasps, each one less satisfying than the last.
“ Domina.” Kellan reaches for me.
But I can’t hear him or feel him. Everything is blurring together. The colors, the sounds, the smells, they all meld into a dizzying clamor in my head. But what if my parents weren’t human either? Did they lie to me? Are they really my parents? Who am I?
My magick roars and I bite back a cry. I wasn’t paying attention. I let myself get too worked up. I’m going to hurt people. No. No. No. I spin around looking at all the blurry faces. I could kill them. “Kellan!”
Kellan’s grip on my hand tightens. Then he pulls me closer, putting a hand on each shoulder and leaning down to look me straight in the eyes. I see the green flare of his dragon. I feel the heat from the tattoo on my wrist, but it’s not enough. I can’t grab the magick back. It’s like trying to hold an armful of popcorn. Pieces are tumbling out in every direction.
“Breathe, focus on me, Domina, ” he urges, his voice a steady anchor in the chaos of my mind. “I’ve got you.”
But he doesn’t. He doesn’t know how bad this gets. The magick surges, a wave about to break. It’s building, ready to explode outward.
Kellan moves with lightning speed, pulling me against his chest. His arms wrap around me as a shimmering aura of green magic unfurls, forming dragon wings of pure energy that cocoon us—containing my wild magick and protecting everyone around us from it’s destructive force—except him.
“Kellan, it will kill you,” I sob. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”