Touch of kindness, p.21
Touch of Kindness, page 21
“How can I? There’s an ancient prophecy that might be about me.” I don’t know why else Inquisitor Opal would have whispered it to me. And it sounded pretty darn ominous.
He sighs in resignation. “Would reading the prophecies alleviate your concerns?”
The question has my brows lifting. Then it hits me. “They’re in the library, aren’t they?” He gives me a small smile. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. There’s a whole row of prophecy books in the royal archives. I can find out who this War Ender is and most likely that they’re long gone and not my problem. Then, I can focus on my gift of kindness and the myriad of other things spinning around my brain.
We head straight to the library, but instead of finding the row of prophecy books, the shelf is empty. “I do not understand,” he says, checking the other shelves for the missing books. “Perhaps someone borrowed them.”
“All of them?” I ask. There were at least twenty books of prophecy the last time I was here. Now, only one tome remains, a dusty, cobweb-covered book written by Socros Grimini. At least he’s the guy who wrote the prophecy about the War Ender. But from the title, Grimini’s Laws & Standards of Everencian Society, I don’t think it will have the answers I seek. Still, I grab it. Better than nothing.
“Perhaps some of the historians have them on loan,” he supposes, leading me out of the giant library doors and slipping his glasses into his pocket. “I am sure they will be returned soon. Until then, can you stop worrying? When you are anxious, your forehead gets these wrinkles…” He touches them, and I bat his hand away. “And though I find them adorable, I know it means you are concerned. I hate seeing you in any kind of anguish.”
I try to relax my forehead, but I doubt it works. “Fine, but as soon as those books are returned, I wanna be the first to know.”
“Understood. But I am telling you, there is nothing to worry about. Perhaps your gift reminded the inquisitor of the prophecy because it is so strong. You are so strong.”
“If you think so…” I say, rubbing my hand on my neck.
“I do.” Garret kisses my hand outside the library doors, sending flutters throughout my chest despite my worries over this War Ender thing. “I have something I need to do. Can you find your way back to your rooms?”
“Easily,” I say, and he squeezes my hand one more time before heading down the corridor. I go straight to my room—okay, I made two wrong turns and might have had to ask for directions three times. Once I finally find it, I toss the book on my desk to read later. After a quick perusal while in the hall, it seems like something a future royal would read, and that isn’t something I want any part of. Or is it? I fall down on my bed with a groan, my face in the ruby sheets.
Turns out, I’m gifted, and based on what Inquisitor Opal said, it’s powerful. I’m powerful. I’m able to influence those around me to be kind and can force others to end cruelty with a touch. Just that would be enough to make my mind spin. Then, there’s that prophecy. It says the War Ender must choose to either stay and face their fate or return somewhere to this world’s dismay. I may not know what that means exactly, but it doesn’t sound good. Garret doesn’t want to admit I’m the so-called War Ender, and if I’m being honest, neither do I. That’s a lot of pressure. One wrong move and this world could be sent into a spiral of chaos. I don’t want that kind of responsibility.
Setting those things aside, I’ve also fallen hard for a certain prince. A man who is willing to put my needs first, put my happiness above all else. Someone who cares for me. Someone who, even when he makes a mistake, sees the error of his ways. He could’ve kept arguing with me the other day about me leaving the palace during the fire. Instead, he apologized and promised not to hinder my desire to help others, which I now know is my gift. The thing I lose if I leave this place. The gift that becomes dormant the moment I set foot through the barrier and enter the Mortalworld.
I see two paths before me, like a fork in the road. Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken,” pops into my mind. Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— Why am I second-guessing this now? I want to go home. I’ve wanted to go home from the moment I arrived in this strange world. Now, I’m thinking… No. No! I won’t go down that road. But my mind moves of its own accord and I fall into a dream of what my life could be. I go down the road less traveled by.
I see myself helping others, using my gift. My hands touch the cruel and kindness is left in my wake as I travel this world. I’m able to end suffering, grant others the joy that comes from charity. The vision switches, and I see Garret and I strolling in the garden. He pulls me under one of the trees and lays me on the ground. He strokes my hair and moves his hand lower to grab my waist. I lean into him and he kisses me with such a passion my breath catches in the real world.
I sit up and rub my face. It wouldn’t work. I have a life in my world that I need to get back to. Despite my discovery of this gift and my feelings for Garret, I have no choice. My mom’s face runs through my mind, strengthening my resolve to go home. She’ll be in hysterics by now, worrying over where I might be. I need to follow the worn, trodden path. I need to go home. Yet, the thing under my skin whispers, “You are home.”
Ignoring the voices trying to overwhelm me, I walk to the desk and pull out some parchment. Writing is always the answer when my mind’s too loud. And right now, it’s howling. It’s telling me I know what I should do. I refuse to listen. I won’t listen. My mind is made up and I’m not changing it now. I bite the scribette in concentration, composing my speech for the Queen.
Your Majesty, I wish to speak with you about my betrothal to your son. Garret is indeed a fine gentleman with all the characteristics a woman could ever dream of in a partner. He’s strong, sweet, passionate, protective of those he cares about, an amazing kisser…
No, better not mention that one. I scratch it out.
He’s an amazing person, and I’m glad to call him a friend. The reason I can’t marry him isn’t because of who he is but because of who I am.
I read what I wrote. Really? It’s not you, it’s me? That doesn’t sound right, either. Ink bleeds through the parchment as I cross out the line. I strike through sentence after sentence for what seems like hours when someone knocks on the door.
“Come in,” I call without looking up. The door opens and small footsteps come quickly toward me. I turn around just before a puppy jumps up in my lap. The little fluffball’s all white with bright-blue eyes and his precious little paws are up on my shoulders. He’s panting and trying to lick my face as I giggle. “Where’d you come from?” I say, scratching his ears and making his fluffy little tail wag harder.
“I thought you might like a courtship present,” Garret says, leaning against the doorframe.
“W-what?” I ask in surprise.
“He is a Great Pyrenees, so he will grow up big enough to keep you safe when I am not around. At least while you are here.” He finishes softly and my heart tightens at the thought of leaving him. I don’t want to leave him. I want… Not this again. I’m going home. Period.
“What’s his name?” I ask to change the direction of my thoughts, sitting on the ground to play with the puppy.
“Theo, after my father. Do you like him?” I give him an “are you serious” look and continue playing with Theo. I throw a red ball Garret hands me, and it rolls into the hallway. Theo hits the doorframe in his haste to get it, tumbles over, and then continues his pursuit. I laugh and lean back against the desk. Garret drops to sit beside me and takes my hand. That simple gesture has my heart fluttering.
“He’s adorable. Thank you! But I didn’t get you a courting present. Is that a normal thing? Getting each other presents?” My mind rushes to think of something I could get him. A new sword? A saddle for Hugo?
He brushes his thumb over the back of my hand. “I do not know, being I have never courted anyone, but I knew I wanted to get you a dog ever since you mentioned you wanted one. As far as you getting me a present, I have a solution for that.” I lift my eyebrows, waiting expectantly for his idea. “Would you join me tomorrow night for another adventure?”
I kiss him on the cheek. “Nothing in this world could stop me,” I say as Theo bounds back into the room and runs into my arms.
***
I spend the rest of the evening and the next morning switching back and forth between playing with Theo and trying to write my speech. It’s not going very well. I should already have a stellar appeal because no one has disturbed me, but I’ve got nothing. Theo’s lying on my bed taking a nap while I struggle with the paper in front of me. Every time I come up with something to say, I reread it and cross it out. Nothing makes sense. I want to go home, but I also don’t want to lose this gift. This thing that completes me, makes me strong. Then there’s Garret to add to the mix. He’s so great and so sweet and so hot and… I massage my head, trying to clear it of all the images of me being in Garret’s arms. I need food.
As if on cue, June comes in with her tray of goodies and helps me dress for the day, the same as yesterday except with a purple corset. I braid my hair myself as June plays with Theo, teaching him to stand on his hind legs for a treat. When she sees my hair already styled, she tries to apologize but I interrupt her. “I have hands and can do some things by myself. Don’t worry about it. I’ve been doing my own hair for eighteen years. Another day isn’t gonna hurt.”
With a bow of her head, she leaves me and the dog alone. But the pastries don’t clear my mind. Instead, they make me think about the bakery Garret took me to. About him holding my hand as we walked through the streets together.
Air. I need air.
“Wanna go for a walk?”
Theo pops up off the bed and trips on his little paws, falling head over heels coming over to me. He walks beside me as we go through the corridors and exit the palace for the gardens out front. The sky is crystal clear, the two suns highlighting the beauty of the garden around us. Theo has obviously been trained because he stays with me the whole walk and isn’t even interested in sniffing the dancing flowers as we pass.
“Aren’t you a good boy,” I croon, leaning down and scratching his belly. He gives a loud bark of approval before we move on down the path.
We stroll to a newer part of the garden where small sprouts are poking through the freshly tilled earth. I spy a caretaker in one of the patches and go over to ask how she works with this many variations of species. As a gardener myself, I’m very curious about these plants and flowers. The woman is wearing khaki pants and a green loose-fitting shirt with a large hat to protect her face from the sunlight. I’m about to say hello when the woman lifts her head. It’s the Queen. I wouldn’t have recognized her except for her black hair and beautiful face, her golden skin reflecting the sunlight.
“Your Majesty,” I get out, doing a terrible imitation of a curtsy.
“Hello, Dorcas.” Seeing my perplexed expression, she explains. “I like to venture here and work in the garden when ruling the kingdom becomes tiresome. Care to join me?”
Despite her being a queen and all, I can’t refuse working in a garden. That’s an invitation I’ll always say yes to. I kneel down next to her on the ground and she seems surprised.
I bite back a smile. “Your Majesty, I’m a gardener. A little dirt never bothered me.” She nods approvingly and tills the earth in front of her. “What’re you planting?” I ask as she sets some turquoise seeds in the ground.
“These will be Hermina flowers. They have small sapphire blooms that can be used for medicinal purposes, especially in childbirth. I just finished planting some Redjoys, an active ingredient in headache tonics. Here are their seeds.” I look at the minuscule heart-shaped seeds in her hands and I’m mesmerized by their vibrant color, almost the same hue as a pitcher of sweet tea glistening in the sun.
“How long have you been gardening?” I ask as she pats the earth down.
“My entire life. I was raised in Iceltier, the northern mountain region of the kingdom. We had very harsh winters and times were tough. I discovered I enjoyed gardening after I received some tomato plants from a neighbor who took pity on my starving family. I tended the plants like they were my own children and by the time they were ready to harvest, the tomatoes were big, juicy, and sweeter than honey. It was a quiet, pleasant existence until the blizzard. It was the worst snowstorm our village had ever seen. It happened two days before harvest time. Everyone’s plants and crops were destroyed, except for my garden. My plants were not only alive but thriving. It was then my parents recognized my gift and sent word to the palace of a gifted daughter. I left the next week to become the Crown Prince’s betrothed and was married soon after.”
“You were forced to get married?” I can’t believe this. The Queen was forced to marry the Crown Prince like she wants me to.
“Yes, and I was glad to do it. By marrying Garret’s father, my family was given more land and a title. I never saw them again. I heard my two sisters found husbands in the village and are happily living out their lives with plenty.”
“But…” She got married to help her family. Her reasoning made sense for her circumstances, but why is she making me do it?
The Queen senses my question without me having to ask. “Dorcas, I do not know you well, but from what I do know, you will be a wonderful partner for my son. You are gifted in a way I have never seen in this world. Speaking of, Garret told me you were going to Calynado to meet with Inquisitor Opal. Did you find the answers you sought about your gift?”
I play with the dirt, pressing my fingers in the soil. “Sort of. She told me it was the gift of kindness and that I could influence people around me.” I don’t mention the prophecy though. Maybe if I don’t talk about it again, it’ll disappear. That’s totally how that works.
She taps down another seed. “When I first met you, I will admit I did not sense it. But it was obvious at our last meeting. How you asked for me to care for my people before you even asked for your release. The people in the hall saw it as well, and many mentioned feeling empowered to help others as they left the room. It was noble and a sign that you would make a great queen. A truly acceptable and gifted bride.” I try to respond but she sighs loudly, cutting me off. “I came out here to get away from my duties. This is a safe place free from conflict. We will speak no more of this until our meeting in two days. I will listen to your case only then and no earlier. If you would like to stay in the garden, you may help me plant these Durrengeny bushes in a row over there.”
Not wanting to be sent away, I take the little blue-green bushes from her hands and plant them in the patch she indicated. We work in companionable silence while I consider her words. She married a prince and ended up being queen. But is that something I would ever want? To be a queen? With my gift, would I be able to help more people in a leadership role? Of course I would. But what about the obvious? I have a home and a life in the Mortalworld. The question is, am I willing to give up my gift to go home and go back to the way things were?
I’m still pondering that question a couple hours later. My hands are covered in dirt, a sunburn on the back of my neck. Despite this, I’m more energized than I’ve been in a while. It was amazing to work the soil again, the moist earth beneath my fingers. The Queen wipes her face, leaving a smudge of dirt on her nose. I motion to her about it and she laughs, a low sound that reminds me of Mom.
“I must get back to my duties. Thank you for your help.” She stands and brushes her hands on her pants.
“Your Majesty.” She looks at me, her expression showing she thinks I’m about to bring up my betrothal. “Thank you for letting me help. I haven’t been able to garden in a while and I missed it.”
She clasps her hands in front of her. “You are welcome to work here anytime, Dorcas.”
“It’s Dori. Dorcas is my grandmother’s name.”
“Dori,” she says, trying it out. “I like that. Less formal; more you.”
“That’s what my mom says, too.”
The Queen smiles and strolls toward the walkway. I’m getting Theo from under a nearby tree when I hear her call to me, “You may call me Cecilia. After all, I am going to be your mother-in-law.” I don’t have a chance to object before she’s out of hearing range and on the path to the palace.
20
I don’t think I can remember the last time I wore this many layers. In Texas, I’m usually wanting to take them off, not pile them on. But a servant brought a message to my room earlier from Garret asking me to wear something warm and to be ready to leave at sunset. I don’t have a clue what we’re doing, but from the amount of clothes June’s layered on me, I’m concerned it’s going to be extremely cold. She has me in black fleece-lined pants, a thick gray tunic, and a purple fur-lined cloak that weighs at least five pounds. I also have on two pairs of wool socks and warm hiking boots, plus a pair of magically heated gloves and earmuffs. When Garret knocks on the door, part of me is relieved I won’t be baked alive in this getup. The other part of me can’t wait to see where he’s taking me.
Theo, however, is none too happy when I tell him to stay while I go out for my adventure.
“Don’t worry. You can play with June while I’m gone. Be a good boy!” I croon, scratching him behind the ears.
But he still whines as Garret takes my hand and we stroll down the hallway, out of the palace, and straight to the stables. I go to mount Fuchsia, but Garret leads me over to Hugo instead. He helps me up on his unicorn’s back and sits behind me, carrying a leather bag on his shoulders. I can feel his warmth through my cloak and relish his closeness, though the heat has sweat dripping down my back. So much so, I take the earmuffs and gloves off.
We leave the palace grounds and set out west toward the Averfell Mountains. The golden road winds between tall, thick-branched trees with dark-green leaves and ripe yellow berries. Soon, we’re in a full-blown forest. Insects and birds chirp all around us, and every once in a while I’ll hear small animals moving through the underbrush. I’m fine until the road shifts to a worn dirt track and Garret leads Hugo deeper into the trees, away from the marked path.
