Chapter 19: The Great and Terrible: Chapter 19

Tension pulsed from the pegacorn as they descended, but our landing proved smooth. They galloped from air to land, slowing and stopping in front of the glittering gate. Jasher dismounted and helped me do the same.

Somewhere deep inside, in a corridor of my heart open for the first time, I discerned the winged beauties intensions. They’d taken us as far as they could go and must now leave. I even recognized why. They didn’t trust the Guardian.

What I couldn’t discern was the reason for their lack of trust. If they had observed him doing terrible things, or if they simply didn’t know him.

“Did you serve my parents,” I asked, petting them both. “Do you miss my mother as much as I do? Did you witness the king’s death, as the mural indicated?”

Soft whinnies met my questions, but the answers never formed.

I nuzzled and kissed their snouts. “Thank you for shaving days off my trip and for providing such a lovely ride.” A chuckle bubbled up as a pegacorn nibbled on my hair and the other rested his chin on my shoulder. “Next time—” My smile fell as the words died. There might not be a next time. Choices paved the road of destiny, and I’d made mine. I would try to come back, but I had no guarantees.

“Thank you,” I repeated. “I’ll always remember your kindness.”

They backed up, turned and galloped toward the forest. As they neared the trees, they stretched their wings and launched skyward, soaring higher until disappearing into the clouds.

I faced the gate, suddenly feeling as if I balanced on a precipice of something great and terrible. Jasher approached my side and slid his hand into mine, giving me a squeeze.

“Don’t say it,” I rasped.

“Don’t say what?”

“What I’m going to miss if I leave.” I knew.

“If?” he echoed, and I realized my mistake.

“When,” I corrected.

“So how do we get in?” Patch asked, running her hands over the iron.

“We knock,” Jasher replied, rapping his knuckles against the center crack in the gate. The sound rang out as if it traveled through a hundred different tunnels.

I examined the dome up close. Stone, not glass. I knocked it, too. A light rap of my knuckles that produced the same discordant song.

Only seconds later, gears began cranking and creaking. The huge double doors swung open slowly on rusty hinges, and out marched a band with members dressed in a rainbow of colors, feathered plumes rising from their top hats. The scent of cupcakes accompanied them.

Jasher tugged me backward, out of the contact zone. The lines separated, one going left, the other heading right. Their bright, cheery music filled the air. When the last player found his mark, women wearing gauzy dresses danced out, each throwing colorful flower petals that twirled to the ground, creating a soft carpet and filling the sweetened air with a floral perfume.

In a mimic of the band, two lines of armed guards decked out in full silver armor, followed. The shields on their helmets hid their faces. They, too, split down the middle and branched off, joining the band while the women continued to dance all around in time to the music.

Leona laughed, clapped, and reached up to catch petals while Patch stood stiff and uncertain, as if preparing to fight everyone. Heart thumping, I inched closer to Jasher. To my great delight, he tightened his hold on my hand.

Comfort rained over me. “Is this a standard welcome?” I whispered.

A muscle in his jaw jumped. “Not even close.”

A tall, leanly muscled and very familiar man with dark waves of hair and eyes like a sunset emerged with a toothy grin, his arms spread wide. “Welcome, welcome.” He was an older version of Jasher. An exact copy, actually, aged thirty or so years, and he wore a white tunic and beige leathers. “I am the Guardian of this great city.”

Shock. Betrayal. Wariness. Those and a thousand other emotions hit me all at once. When the synapsis in my brain started firing again, I twisted on my heels, glaring up at Jasher. “The Guardian is your father.” No wonder he didn’t need a stable of sacrifices.

He released me and jutted his chin. “He is not.”

“You should have told—” Wait. “He isn’t?”

“Please, call me Ian.” The Guardian turned his focus to his younger doppelgänger. “I’m not his father, no.”

Leona squealed and waved to catch his attention. “We brought Moriah. I believe there was mention of a prize.”

“For each of us,” Patch interjected.

The Guardian—Ian—held up his hand in a bid for silence. “You’ll have your reward, ladies. We’ll discuss it tomorrow at breakfast. For now, there are more important matters.”

The mayor nodded with exuberance. “As long as we do discuss it.”

“All royal soldiers are my clones,” Ian told me. He waved a hand, and the armed men removed their helmets, revealing faces identical to Jasher’s.

I shook my head. Blinked. “You…this is…why?”

Lines of sadness bracketed Ian’s mouth. “When rebels will pay any price for your death, you can trust no one with your protection but yourself.”

Jasher remained as still and quiet as a statue, staring straight ahead.

Thoughts in my head whirled and jumbled at record speed. A clone. Of the Guardian. And there were numerous others. Countless others. Of him. The clone. Of the Guardian. The madness of it all confounded me. “You told me you were a triplet.”

“The truth wouldn’t have changed anything but the way you viewed me.” His expression revealed nothing. Still he didn’t meet my gaze.

“That you believe such garbage about me is the reason I’m ticked.” I trusted him, but he’d never trusted me. Without trust, we had nothing.

He swallowed before telling his maker, “Anders is missing.”

“Not any longer. He’s here.” Anger marred Ian’s features. An expression I’d seen Jasher adopt, too. “Your brother got drunk in a village and passed out. His uniform was stolen and found beneath a chapel, strapped to the thief. Anders must learn the error of his ways before he’s allowed to return to his post.”

I flinched at the mention of the chapel. At least we had an answer now and Jasher had found his brother.

“How did you clone so many soldiers?” I asked the Guardian.

“We might not have the same technologies as your world, but we aren’t primitive, my dear.” He motioned to Jasher. “Join your brethren.” Despite his jovial tone, there was no mistaking his command.

Jasher gave no verbal response and didn’t glance my way, just stalked to the group, taking a spot among them.

Dots connected, and realization slapped me. When he wore his armor, I wouldn’t be able to tell him apart from the others.

The Guardian clasped my hands, drawing my attention. His gaze dropped to my wringing fingers, to my heating ring specifically, and his lids narrowed. I stiffened. If he decided to take my treasure, I’d have nothing to offer him in trade for his aid.

Better to offer him a deal first. “I’d like to make a bargain with you.”

His eyes flipped up to mine, and he nodded. “Yes, you wish to return home with serpens-rosa to heal your father. I’m willing to help you do this for nothing more than conversation. However, I can’t open and navigate the portal until tomorrow evening. So. Until then, you’ll stay in my home as my honored guest.”

Suspicions immediately surged. How did he know about my father? “From everything I’ve experienced in Hakeldama, your offer is too good to be true.”

He laughed with what seemed to be genuine humor. “No reason to fear, my dear. I’m not some greedy water maiden hoping to deceive you to score an unnamed favor. Speaking of, I can have Iris hunted and imprisoned to ensure she’s never able to collect.” He lowered his volume. “I know who you are, you see, and I believe it will be better for all if you return to the home your mother chose for you. A final act of gratitude for the pair who once led us.”

But that made no sense. Why not demand the ring the water maiden claimed he despised?

“Just say the word,” Ian prompted, “and Iris will be dealt with.”

“I…no.” Maybe Iris, in her hatred for him, had lied about his intentions toward me. “I don’t want her punished. She offered her terms, and I accepted. Besides, a strike against her would be considered a crime, bringing a storm.”

“Not necessarily. Just know you aren’t the first person she’d taken advantage of, later demanding they slay me. None have survived, taken out by my loyal guard, so she continues to try. If she tells you to strike, I hope you’ll inform me. There are ways to combat such manipulations.” As he spoke, he hooked an arm through mine and led me forward, away from Patch and Leona. The latter beseeched me with a watery gaze.

“Don’t worry about your friends, my dear.” Ian patted my hand. “I’ll see to their comfort and care.” Lifting his free arm, he snapped his fingers, spurring two guards to rush over. An escort for each woman. Neither of which was Jasher. Something I could tell only because he wasn’t wearing armor. Yet. Would I ever get to speak with him again? Did I want to?

Regret clogged my throat. Yes, I did. I needed to speak with him. We had unfinished business to settle. He’d done his job, and now I would pay up.

I swallowed and forced myself to move on. “We’re searching for a woman named Claudia. She was sold at a governor’s auction three months ago.”

He arched a brow, so much like Jasher I floundered. “And you wish me to buy and free her?”

“Yes.”

“Then I shall.”

The simple statement threw me for another loop. How could he be this kind? This good? He must be acting. But to what end?

Ian escorted me down the center of the band members and soldiers. We walked along a gold brick path, and I cut off a snort. Well, well, well. The infamous yellow brick road Dorothy traveled with her crew.

I cast a final glance the Tinman’s way. Or tried to. He’d already disappeared in the masses, one of dozens. My stomach twisted.

“How do you know who I am?” I asked the Guardian. “I only just found out.” Jasher couldn’t have told him.

“There are no secrets here. Not from me.” A four-eyed bird landed on his shoulder. It glared at me, then chirped in his ear before flying off. Ian’s smile slipped the slightest bit. “There’s been a development.”

A new realization dawned. “You commune with animals.”

“Only with the birds. If I’ve learned anything from your father, it’s to listen to what’s being whispered in the shadows, else rebels will catch me unaware and harm my people.”

So he spied via birds? Did Jasher communicate with the creatures, as well? He must. Too well did I recall the time he’d issued a command, and the birds had obeyed.

“You don’t resent the former king and queen?” I asked. “I’m told history doesn’t paint them in a favorable light.”

Ian waved, unconcerned. “Rumors are often exaggerations and distortions told by those attempting to paint themselves in a better light. Besides, I have a journal written by the king,” he admitted, verifying what Jasher told me. “I know how good he and his wife were. How much they loved the people. If you’d like, you can read the passages in the morning, after I’ve taken care of kingdom business.”

He seemed to entertain zero fears that I intended to seize control of his crown. However, my suspicions of his motives were far from alleviated. Appearances could be deceiving. That Ian was so accommodating, while the ring remained warm…

Yeah, best to keep my defenses raised and ready.

“That would be lovely,” I muttered. “Thank you.” I’d waited days to see the journal. I could wait one more.

Ian led me to what looked to be a sheet of glass laid upon our path. We stepped upon it, and the pane lifted off the ground. I marveled as we rose several inches above the golden bricks and swept forward magic-carpet style.

“Technologically advanced, indeed.” I glanced back to see Patch and Leona atop sheets of their own, each clinging to their guard.

“Isn’t it wonderful?” Ian asked, indicating the landscape as we surged forward. “The higher up you are, the more you see.”

The splendor of our surroundings registered. Flowers of every color covered the dome’s ceiling. Buildings made of tinted stone-glass came in a multitude of shapes and sizes, some towering, some sprawling, but all glorious. People abounded, each laughing and dressed in exquisite finery—velvet, brocade and satin. Not a potato sack to be seen.

Once we passed the lively town, the flying podium picked up speed. The gold brick road ended at a great mountain topped by a breathtaking crystal palace, with a top that disappeared inside the dome’s greenery. Before I could wonder if I should risk getting trapped up there, we ascended.

I had a choice. Go up or jump. I went up. Those rainbow birds watched from the crystal perches, and yes, they still creeped me out.

Ian gave my hand another pat, his fingers lingering a little too long on the ring. “I wish to hear all about your adventures through Hakeldama. Especially your run-in with the monstra and lost a crimen. But first, you must be eager to see the male who raised you. I’m happy to say I can show you what he’s doing right this very moment.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Yes.” That. What I longed for more than anything. “Please.”

With no directing on our part, the sheet docked on a flat balcony near the top of the palace while my friends docked somewhere below.

Ian led me onto the balcony, through a set of arching double doors, and into a spacious room. The only things inside it were an elaborate throne made of crystal and a marble pool. Mist curled from the water, glittering. Even without a breeze, ripples moved over the surface. Energy charged the atmosphere, at odds with the soft, subtle scent of sweetness in the air.

Our boots thumped against the shiny floor as we approached the pool. The closer we came to it, the more my stomach churned. Fine hairs on my nape stood at attention.

Ian anchored a knee upon the ledge, bent over, and scooped water in both hands. Water he tossed into the air. Shockingly, the droplets didn’t fall. They drew together, forming a shimmery veil. Colors sparked inside it, an image forming.

How was this even happening? According to Jasher, Hakeldama had no magic.

“Daddy,” I cried when the image finished forming. He lay in bed, covered by the pink comforter, staring out the window. He’d lost weight he couldn’t afford to lose, and his eyes were sunken, his skin sallow. “Where’s the portal? I need to get home.”

“In good time, my dear,” Ian replied. “Good time. Look.”

I took in the rest of the scene. A uniformed policeman sat in the chair across from the bed, a notepad and pen in hand. Reading from the paper, he listed locations around the diner where I worked. “My deepest apologies, sir, but though we found her vehicle, we haven’t been unable to locate her bo—her.”

The cop almost said “body.” They thought I was dead. My father thought I was dead.

“You can see yourself out,” Daddy intoned. He sounded as if he’d given up the will to live. Looked it, too. Grief etched every line of his being.

I pressed a hand over my mouth. His lips parted as he geared to say more, but I never heard the words. The water droplets fell into the pool, and the image of him vanished. “Bring him back,” I croaked, a command as much as a plea.

“I’m sorry, my dear, but I can’t. I probably should have explained this beforehand, but the waters only reveal an individual once, for a specific amount of time.”

Homesickness seared the center of my chest.

“Thankfully,” he added, “I’ll be opening the portal tomorrow and personally ensuring your return to him.”

The Guardian’s eagerness wasn’t lost on me. Yeah, he was absolutely ready to be rid of a political rival.

I couldn’t blame him for taking such a route. Easy, quick, and done, no harm, no foul.

He held out his arm in invitation. “Until then, allow me to show you to your room. You can clean up, eat, and rest. In the morning after breakfast, I’ll take you to King Ahav’s journal and Queen Sandrine’s secret room, which we discovered mere days ago.”

The ring buzzed, something it had never done before, and I gasped.

“Moriah?” he asked, concerned.

“I’m fine,” I assured him. But what did the buzz mean? The fact that a “secret room” had been unearthed only after my arrival in Hakeldama, just like the private oasis, proved extremely curious, too. A coincidence that couldn’t be a coincidence. “Would it be possible to see the journal or ring now?”

He winced. “Unfortunately, a band of rebels was hot on your heels, and they must be dealt with before they manage to enter the city. You understand, I’m sure.”

“I do.” Having seen firsthand the cruelty of the rebels, I comprehended it was better to deal with them sooner rather than later. I forced a smile and accepted his offered hand. “In the morning is perfect.”