Touch of kindness, p.19
Touch of Kindness, page 19
My breathing is shallow, processing this choice. I can either go home now or leave after finding out what this gift is. The thing that saved all those people. The thing that could freeze men and end suffering with a touch. The thing that is still under the surface of my skin, caressing me, asking to come out to play.
I look up at Garret. “I do wanna go home, but I wouldn’t mind taking a short trip to see this inquisitor first. Do you think your mom would agree to meet with me again? When we get back?”
His eyes darken. “She will. I will give her no choice in the matter.”
“Good.” This changes nothing. I’m gonna go home. I just need to figure out what’s inside of me first. “When do we leave?”
***
I wake to cool fingers feeling my brow and morning light pouring into my room. June’s looking down at me with great concern, sitting on the side of my bed.
“Hey, June,” I say, sitting up. Inwardly, I groan at the state of my yellow gown and dirty hands. We returned so late yesterday that I asked Garret to let me sleep instead of waking June. I didn’t want to bother her in the middle of the night.
She looks uncertain for a moment then surprises me by leaning over and hugging me tightly.
I pat her back with a small laugh. “I missed you too.”
She takes my palm in her hand and communicates the only way she knows how: mind to mind. “I was so worried about you! I found your note on the desk and I rushed to give it to His Highness. I watched as he read the letter. It was as if every word sent arrows through his heart. By the time he finished reading and took his glasses off, his eyes were glistening. He told me you had gone home, but I did not believe it. Not with the magical embers in the fireplace and the way you acted that night. I felt something was wrong. Then, a week later, people started coming out of the flames, speaking of the Netherworld and about a girl in yellow who had saved them. I knew then you were there and ran to tell His Highness. But I did not catch him before he stormed off to that forsaken place. Yet, he found you anyway, and now you are safe and sound.”
Something June said has my heart beating faster. “What do you mean a week later? I was only in that place for a few hours.”
“Dori, you were missing for almost a week.”
“A week? How? How is that possible?” She doesn’t have to explain.
Yrvis walks into the room wearing his crisp white suit and comes over to me. He does something he’s never done before; he grabs me, hugging me tight. “I am so, so sorry for what happened to you. I blame myself for not keeping a closer eye on you. Are you hurt? Do you need anything?”
I push back and say, “You can tell me how the heck I was gone for a week when it only felt like a few hours.”
He looks surprised at the question, and then understanding floods his face. “Every world works in their own time. The Netherworld, which is where you were, has a time sequence variance that equates to—”
“I don’t care about the science of it! Give it to me in plain English.”
He gives me a look that says I’m not going to be happy about the answer. “In short, more time passes here than there. Is that plain enough?”
“Yeah. That makes sense.” I was gone for a week. But that means… Another realization hits me square in the face. “Are you telling me I’m supposed to get married in three weeks instead of four?” He cringes at my tone, which gives me confirmation of my fear. “I need to speak to Garret. Now!”
After a lot of yelling, Garret is brought into my room by a tired-looking Yrvis. I storm over, anger in every word. “Why didn’t you tell me I’d been gone for a week? Seems kind of important, don’t ‘cha think?”
“Dori…” Garret sighs, rubbing his neck. “At the time, it did not seem as important as everything else. Be mad if you want, but just remember you never asked how long you were gone. Also, you left of your own volition.” I start to retort but I’m cut off. “Yes, you were tricked, but you chose to leave. You chose to say goodbye to this place. To me. Pardon me if I forgot to mention the time in light of finding the most beautiful woman in the world in the clutches of one of the most despicable creatures to ever set foot on any temporal plane.”
I let out a breath, his declaration in the air. I fight back my desire to ask about the beautiful comment and plunge on, my anger slowly fading. “Did you speak to your mother? About meeting with me again?”
His shoulders relax as he hears my calmer voice. “You have another meeting with her in four days.”
“Really?”
“I met with her last night after I brought you back. She said she would listen to your case, and I swore that if she tried to cut you off, I would personally take that travel ring off of her finger and send you home myself. She was not too happy about my threat but agreed, saying that her audience schedule was clear in four days’ time.”
“I don’t know what to say. Thank you.” I stare into his blue eyes, my anger evaporating. Only a sense of certainty in its wake. I don’t know much, but I know Garret cares about me. There’s no doubt in my mind.
“Of course. Now, are you ready to leave? The sooner we start on our journey, the sooner you can find out what your gift is. It will take around three hours by unicorn to reach the village of Fryndrie.” His voice sounds off, like he’s frustrated and doesn’t want to show it.
“Let me change, and I’ll be ready to go.” June ushers out the two men while I go take a bath. She scrubs my hair and dresses me in my go-to pair of black pants and a navy corset. As I’m pulling on the brown riding boots, she braids my hair to the side. She touches my hand as I grab a piece of jam-covered toast from the tray she always brings in the morning.
“Are you sure you want to go on this trip?”
I answer through my bite of bread, the orange jelly slightly sour. “Yeah.” I swallow. “I need to know what this gift is. There are way too many unanswered questions, and this inquisitor lady might be able to provide me with answers. Why?”
June tilts her head, her eyes out of focus. “While she may be able to tell you about your gift, I have a feeling this journey will lead you to more questions than answers. Questions of who you are and what you are meant to be. Be careful what you wish for, as you might find the answers you seek are already inside you.” She stares into space a moment before blinking quickly. “I am so sorry about that. I must be tired. Have a wonderful trip, and I will see you when you return.”
“Thanks,” I say, chewing my toast and looking at her closely. What was that? It was like she was seeing a vision. I head to the door, glancing back at June making the bed, humming as she works. Weird. Very weird. I wonder if June is gifted. If so, I’m very curious what her gift is.
***
I meet Garret at the stables, and we start our journey riding our respective unicorns in silence. Awkward silence. Pretty soon, I can’t take it anymore.
“Did you talk to Primrose? About the deal she made with K’lono?”
“I found her after I spoke with my mother about meeting with you. Primrose denied everything. Said she had nothing to do with the Netherworld and how dare I insinuate she did. I pressed her repeatedly, yet she still claimed to be innocent.”
“Well, she’s lying.”
“Obviously. I have no doubt my sister planned for you to be taken to that world. Sadly, as she is royalty, punishment for her crimes is practically impossible without undeniable proof. Which, despite your testimony, I do not have. I just do not understand why she would send you there, of all places.”
“Yeah, why couldn’t she have sent me to the Mortalworld?” I grip Fuchsia’s mane tighter. I have a sneaking suspicion Primrose will get off scot-free because she’s a princess, no matter her actions. That’s how it always works when someone in power does something despicable, even in my world.
He glances sideways at me. “Because she could not send you there. Only my mother and Yrvis have the travel rings to the Mortalworld. Unless she found a travel witch, she would not be able to send you home.”
That makes sense so I don’t argue with him. But why did she say she wanted me out of the way? And what was it that K’lono called her… Garret changes the subject before I have a chance to ask, his voice serious.
“Did you mean it? What you said in that letter?”
I glance down at Fuchsia, my cheeks heating. “Every word.”
The reason I’m blushing is because I was extremely honest in that message. I didn’t mince words, and I didn’t hold back. I can still see the tear stain blotting my name as I signed the page.
Garret,
Life isn’t fair. If it was, then you would have been born in my world. We would have met, and the rest would be history. Because I have no doubt that you and I would be perfect together. You are the most wonderful man I’ve ever known, and it kills me to write this letter, even though I know that by the time you read it, I’ll be home. I’ll be away from your world and safe in mine, never to see you again. I wish I’d had more time with you. I wish I could have said a proper goodbye. Though I doubt I ever could, I promise I won’t forget you. You will forever be my prince and I hope you’ll think of me, too. You’ll be a great king someday.
Forever yours,
Dori
Garret halts Hugo, jumps off, and strides toward a copse of gold-and-silver-leafed weeping willows a little way from the road. I slide off Fuchsia as well, rushing after him. He stops, leaning against one of the trunks and staring out at the verdant countryside.
I catch up and try to explain. “Garret, I—”
“You are right,” he starts, his voice dejected. “Life is not fair. If it was, I could ignore the beating heart in my chest. I could drown my yearnings in the sea. I would be able to look into your green eyes and not see everything I have ever wanted in a partner. Everything I cannot have.” He looks at me, pain lacing his features. “No, life is not fair. And I should be the better man. I should stay away from you. Keep you at arm’s length to not let myself fall. But the falling began the moment I met you in that ballroom. The moment your eyes locked with mine, my world shifted and has not stopped. And I…” He pauses, my heart thundering at his words. “I care for you, Dori. I know I should not, but there it is. I care for you.”
My eyes widen. I know he’s called me lovely and beautiful, but he’s never come out and said it before. That he cares for me. And based on his other words, I don’t think he means he cares for me like a friend. I think it’s much more than that. I was pretty candid in my own letter, and I have to admit a part of me is thrilled he feels the same way. But I have to go home. I can’t be falling for him. I said so in my note. Yet, a small voice in my head is begging me to respond to him. To yell out that I like him and go for it. Screw the rules. Forget about betrothals and marriage. Just do it!
I take a step closer to him and put my hand on his cheek. He leans into the touch as I speak. “You matter to me too. Probably more than I’d like to admit.” He’s looking at me with those beautiful blue eyes, his golden hair tousled in the wind. My heart beats faster as I realize what I want. What I’ve wanted to do for a while now. What my head is screaming for me to do.
If I do this, there’s no going back.
“I haven’t thanked you for rescuing me, so thank you.” Then, I take a huge leap of faith. I do something I’ve never done with Garret—or anyone else, for that matter. I reach up on my toes and kiss him.
My hand is still resting on his cheek when my lips meet his. The kiss is sweet, barely a peck. I stay close enough to his lips after the initial brushing that he leans in to continue the gentle kiss. It doesn’t stay that way for long. I feel him tense like he’s holding back, so I bring up my other hand and stroke it through his hair, bringing him closer to me. The touch seems to be his undoing. His hands find my waist, pulling me close to his muscled body, and I form myself to him. Everything clicks into place. Our mouths move of their own accord, touching, brushing, and feeling every sensation. I lose myself in the kiss and forget all my problems. The only thing that matters right now is I’m kissing Garret and he’s kissing me back.
When we part, I have to gasp for air. Garret’s doing the same thing, his eyes wide in surprise. That was incredible. I’ve never felt like that before.
He places his hands on both sides of my head and leans his forehead to touch mine. “You have no idea how long I have wanted to do that.”
I look up at him, into his stormy-blue eyes and his perfect face. My body’s burning with a new feeling that I can’t describe, but it’s all to do with him. I know that for certain. This is what I want. I want him. I think he feels the same way about me because our mouths meet at the exact same time.
Time passes and I barely notice. Garret and I are still standing under the trees. Our faces are puffy with overuse, our skin flushed. I might have never kissed anyone before but all I can think is I want more. I need more. More kissing. More touching. More him. He has the same idea and is stroking my back, trailing my spine with his fingertips and kissing my neck. Every kiss fills me with warmth, and it’s hard to have coherent thoughts that don’t involve more of him touching me.
I try to get my mind under control and agonizingly take a step back. There’s too much that hasn’t been said and the logical side of my brain is yelling at me to set some boundaries. My heart, however, is saying forget about boundaries and get back to kissing this hot guy. He tries to go with me as I move, but I put a hand on his muscled chest to stop him. The feel of him under my palm has me regretting my decision, and it is sheer will alone that keeps me from wrapping my arms around him.
“Look, I think it’s obvious we like each other. But I need to go home. I need to see my mom again. That means that whatever this is, it can’t last. I don’t want to lead you on and make you think you can change my mind. Do you understand?”
He’s looking at me longingly, but he inclines his head. “I would never expect you to give up your life to stay here with me. If you wish, I can put some distance between us, though I am not fond of that idea. Because I do like you, Dori. Very much.” Hearing those words has my heart fluttering and I want so badly to throw caution to the wind and jump back in his arms. But I have to be smart. I have to have a plan.
“I don’t want that. You’re my friend, and I’d like to keep our close friendship. I’m just not sure…” I don’t finish that sentence. I don’t want to lose what we started, but I can’t commit to him. I’m going home in four days. I don’t know where this is going or what he’s expecting. Thankfully, I don’t have to finish my statement.
“Would you give me the great pleasure of courting you until you leave for the Mortalworld?”
The question catches me off guard, and I tilt my head. “What?”
“I know you are not ready for marriage and plan to go home. But I also know you are interested in pursuing some kind of relationship with me based on that kiss. Or so I would assume?”
I nod my agreement, biting my lip and rubbing my hand on my neck.
“I am also interested in doing so. Let me court you. It is something I have never been allowed to do as the Crown Prince, and I have a feeling we will both enjoy it immensely. I know it is only four days, but I think it is worth it. What do you say?” His words stumble in my mind. I can go home and get to be close to Garret? Yes, please.
“I accept your offer of courtship, Prince Garret,” I say in my most formal voice, giving a terrible curtsy. He doesn’t seem to notice, though. He pulls my waist to him and kisses me soundly, making me ever so happy I agreed to this arrangement.
18
The Otherworld has bugs. That’s what I discovered as we made the trek to Calynado province, riding for hours down the winding forest road. I swat at one of the bloodsuckers on my arm, a resounding smack breaking the silence. “You’re telling me no one has ever tried to magically get rid of mosquitos?”
Garret reaches up and grabs a plum from the tree he’s passing under. “While there have been magic wielders in the past who have created spells to ward them off, no one has ever tried to eradicate them. Something about not wanting to disturb the natural ecosystem of the world.” He offers the fruit to me, but I decline. At my refusal, Garret takes a bite.
“Do you know any of those spells? Because I’m getting eaten alive! The last time I had this many bug bites was when I went tubing down the Brazos with Rory and Zyph.”
“You have mentioned those names before when you talked about your theatre class. Who are they?”
I lean back on Fuchsia, seeing their faces in my mind. “Elin, Rory, and Zyph? They’re my best friends. I don’t know what I’d do without them. How ‘bout you? Who are your friends?”
He strokes Hugo’s neck. “You. My sister. Or at least she was. I have not had any other friends in a long time. My mother has kept me locked away, preparing me to be king. Though, I used to have a friend. He was who I went sailing with. He was also the mate who convinced me to speak to the mermaids, betting me a hundred gold pieces that I would not do it. Those were fun times.” Garret looks off in the distance, like he’s seeing the crashing waves on his ship. “That was years ago. No more gallivanting on the high seas for me.”
“You miss it, don’t you? Being able to go sailing and having the freedom to do what you want.”
“Very much. Yet, I do not hold it against my mother. She wants what is best for the kingdom. It is my duty to focus on my studies and put aside childish ways. There is too much division in the kingdom and the worlds for me to do otherwise.”
