Dreamthief

by Tamara Grantham

Thirty-three

  “You’re not hungry?” Father asked me.

  “Not anymore.”

  He followed my gaze as I fixated on Kull. I tried not to stare at him, but I couldn’t seem to stop. I’d been so naïve to think I had a chance with him. But that was partially his fault. When we’d crossed to Earth, he’d known his memories would be erased. He could break my heart and get away with it.

  “The Wult prince has returned, I see,” Father said. “Didn’t you travel with him?”

  “I traveled with him.” I tried not to let my father hear the contempt in my voice.

  “He seems quite taken with the princess.”

  “Yes, he does.”

  Stupid, stupid thing to say, Dad.

  “And she with him. It will be a good arrangement for us all, I believe. There has been so much turmoil with the Wults of late. Their wedding will bring unity to both races.”

  Was Father completely blind? Did he take social cues at all? Bill decided it for me—elves were completely clueless when it came to relationships. No wonder Mom and Dad had split up.

  “Are you well?” Father asked me.

  “Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”

  “You look pale.”

  A water pitcher sat near my platter. I grabbed it up and took a sip without bothering to pour it in my goblet. Kull had played me. I realized it now. Perhaps he’d been attracted to me, perhaps I’d interested him for a time, but he’d never meant for anything serious to happen between us. I’d known all along. Why did this come as such a surprise? I took a long gulp of water, feeling its coolness calm me.

  I’d almost dumped Brent for this guy. What was wrong with me? At least Brent was there for me.

  The rest of the evening passed with a tedious slowness. My dad made small talk, but I wasn’t interested in small talk. With my curt replies, I think he must have supposed he’d said something to offend me.

  We left the elven hall. The cool evening brought little relief to my suffering. It wasn’t Kull that bothered me so much as myself. I’d been stupid. I’d created feelings for him, he hadn’t done that. I’d wanted him. He had nothing to do with it. I was mad at myself, and I also hated myself a little for letting my heart go so easily. This would be a lesson. I would never again fall for someone who didn’t have the same feelings.

  We stepped out onto the street. A brisk wind gusted past. Father offered me a cloak, and I took it, using its cowl to hunch under. The cobbled pathways wound through the towering buildings. I started to follow Father home, but he stopped. He rounded, as if he saw someone behind us. I turned but saw no one.

  “Everything okay?” I asked him.

  He didn’t answer.

  Voices came to us from the buildings. His eyes darted in a nervous gesture. What had him so spooked?

  “There is an inn with approved sleeping chambers not far from here. Shall I escort you?”

  “An inn?”

  “I believe it would be wise if we remained apart.”

  “Why?”

  “Must I explain everything to you?”

  He sounded frustrated. Had I made him angry? I suppose I had, although this time, I really hadn’t meant to upset him.

  “Am I in danger?”

  “No. As long as we remain apart, you shall be well enough.” He pulled a handful of coins from his pocket and handed them to me. “This will cover your expenses for the night. I must return to my chambers with haste.”

  “Are you in danger?” I asked.

  He dodged my question and gave me the directions, which sounded very basic and uncomplicated, wished me luck with the pixies, and then went on his way without another word. I watched him go, his lean, willowy frame blending with the shadows, disappearing until nothing remained but an empty street.

  I breathed in the night air, wanting to be back in my apartment, wishing I’d never dealt with Wults or elves or my father. He couldn’t even extend the courtesy of letting me stay in his home. Just when I thought we were starting to get along. Why couldn’t life be simple for once?

  Elven buildings loomed over me as if I stood in some strange, alien city and not the place of my birth. I started walking, thinking more of my father’s troubled expression than his directions. Was he in danger? He hadn’t given me an answer. I could only assume that he was.

  Soft blue and amber lights shone from artfully spaced windows. I heard quiet conversations, a person or two passed me, and then the tall, graceful buildings were replaced with shorter ones.

  The streets were labeled with stone pillars on either side, the sign on the right indicated the through street, the sign on the left marked the cross street. According to the road markers, I stood on Chalandria, the cross-street was Galadian. He’d told me the cross-street would be Arien.

  Oh boy.

  I turned around. Had I missed a street somewhere? I backtracked. I must have missed it, but the streets were so well marked, I should have seen it. Homes replaced the taller buildings, their blue-tiled roofs reminding me of something I might have seen in Greece. But this couldn’t be right. I should have been in the commerce ward.

  I stopped, feeling frustrated, tired, and ready to lie down in the street and sleep on the paving stones.

  Elves are so great. Their cities are so orderly, blah, blah.

  The roads seemed to blur together until I succeeded in becoming utterly lost. I wasn’t sure which way was north or south anymore. But in my defense, the poles are switched in Faythander, and keeping directions straight after spending years on Earth is very confusing.

  Finally, I found a city park. Trees rose like church spires around a pond. Stone benches surrounded the water as it lapped quietly to shore. I heard the hummingbird-like sound of nobbinflies flitting over the water, their long-plumed tails reflecting the moonlight.

  I crossed to the pond, my soft-soled shoes crunching over the short blades of grass, and collapsed on the bench. Tomorrow’s trip to the pixie kingdom wouldn’t be easy, especially after spending the night on a bench. I curled up on the cold stone, trying to think of anything but my discomfort. The soft material of my father’s cloak fell over my face. The fluttering of the nobbinflies’ wings lulled me, yet I found sleep wouldn’t come.

  Why had my dad abandoned me? I’d felt we’d made a connection, yet once again, I was alone. Was he angry with me? Was he afraid of me or afraid of something else? I had no way to tell.

  “Lost?” I heard a familiar voice and bolted upright. The cloak fell off my face, and I was certain my hair stuck up in every direction. It had to be the Skullsplitter himself, and he just had to find me sleeping on a park bench looking like this.

  “You’ve been following me?” I asked him.

  “Of course not. I’ve been wandering this wood for hours now until you showed up and destroyed my solitude.”

  “Your ability to lie is almost as bad as your choice in women.”

  He leaned back his head and laughed, a real, deep belly laugh that scared the poor nobbinflies. They skittered away as if someone had shot at them. “Still feisty, I see, even after enduring an evening with the elves.”

  I stretched and felt my muscles ache in protest. Of all the people to show up. And at this hour. Shouldn’t he have been with his delicate elven angel?

  “What are you doing out here?” I asked him.

  “I was about to ask you the same thing.”

  “I got lost,” I admitted. “I was trying to find the inn, which I am certain does not exist. Why are you here?”

  He sat beside me. I scooted away from him. In part, because I didn’t want him getting a good look at my bloodshot eyes and mussed hair, and also because being close to him was dangerous—my racing heart and knotted stomach proved it.

  “You seemed unwell at the gathering. I assumed it was because of your father.”

  “It wasn’t.”

  “But you looked—”

  “I know how I looked. Do you have to bring that up over and over? I looked unwell. Yes, t
hank you. I know.”

  He eyed me. “I also came here to deliver a message.”

  “A message?”

  “I spoke with Euralysia about the goblin skeleton we found in Mog’s chambers.”

  I sat up straighter. This might be worth listening to. “Did she know why a goblin was buried there?”

  “Yes, she believes the Mogs were imposters. The carving we found of the ship with the goblin near the shore tells the story. They moved to the Wultlands soon after the Vikings’ arrival. They were goblins who disguised themselves as Wults and integrated into the society. Eventually, the Mogs broke away from the Wult society. There is no record of them for a time, not until the Caxon appeared. I believe the Caxon are descendants of Mog.”

  “If it’s true, then that means the Caxon are involved in my godson’s capture. Yet it makes no sense—Geth had no knowledge of my godson. His own children were missing.”

  “Geth and his followers are only one faction. The rest of the Caxon are led by someone else, someone, I suspect, much more powerful. Euralysia could not say who, but I believe they are responsible for summoning the Dreamthief and stealing your godson.”

  “But why would the Caxon go to such extreme measures?”

  “To live a better existence, perhaps. I cannot say for certain.”

  I mulled it over. “If this is true, then it means the Caxon could be anywhere, wearing any skin they choose, infiltrating governments if they wanted.”

  “I do not think so.”

  “Why?”

  “It goes against their nature. The Caxon, though in appearance seem human, are still goblins. It would be more likely for goblins to stay hidden while accomplishing their work. Becoming head magistrate might make sense to us, but for a goblin, it would be too risky. Find the cracks, break the system from the inside, this is the way a goblin thinks.”

  “It’s not altogether a bad idea.”

  “No, and that’s what frightens me.”

  The wind stirred, making the tree limbs creak. Kull’s revelation meant that goblins had the ability to plant themselves anywhere. My godson’s captors could be right in front of me, and I would never know it. I had no way of determining who they were. For now, the only choice I had was to keep going in the same direction.

  I glanced at Kull, who stared out over the lake with a brooding expression. “Are you still mad at me?” I asked him.

  He turned, brows knitted. I don’t think he was prepared for the change in subject.

  “Because if you are, then I understand. I broke my promise.” I don’t know where this came from. Obviously, I had some wires loose in my head. I hadn’t planned on apologizing. Why did I do it?

  “I was angry,” he admitted.

  “Are you still angry?”

  He took his time before answering. “You are not Wult, and so you do not understand my ways. Oath-breaking is not looked on kindly by my people.”

  I got the hint. I’d betrayed him. He came here to give me a message, not rehash our feelings.

  “Thank you for the message. I’d prefer if you left now.”

  “You want me to leave you on this bench?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “You intend to spend your night here?”

  “It’s really none of your business, is it?”

  “I will leave if that’s what you wish.”

  “I do.”

  He stood. I watched him go. I’d been rude, probably ruder than I needed to be. In truth, it wasn’t his fault that he couldn’t remember what had happened on Earth. I was angry with him for something he had no control over. But it hurt to be around him. It hurt to know I couldn’t have him. It hurt deep in my soul with a burning ache that threatened to overwhelm me.

  “Kull, wait,” I called.

  He turned. Magic lanterns glowed from sconces in the tree’s limbs, casting bluish light over his face.

  I exhaled. This wouldn’t be easy. “I’m leaving tomorrow,” I told him. “I’m traveling to the pixie kingdom.”

  “Pixies?”

  I nodded.

  He crossed back to me, looking perplexed. “You realize they are a violent breed?”

  I laughed. “You make them sound like animals.”

  “Some of them are.”

  “You’ve dealt with the pixies?”

  He hesitated before speaking. “On occasion. It never ended well. Olive,” he said and sat beside me once again, “they are fierce. They do not hold the same respect for life as you do. What are your intentions with them?”

  “I’d hoped to chitchat, maybe catch up on the weather, and perhaps beg them for their most prized possession.”

  “You are joking, yes?”

  “Only about the first part.”

  His mouth gaped. “You are serious?”

  “Afraid so.”

  “Why would you do such a thing?”

  “Because I have no choice. Because they’re in possession of a tree that contains pure magic, which is the only way I’ll break through the wall that’s imprisoned my godson.”

  “A tree?”

  “It’s the only thing left in Faythander that holds pure magic. I have to get it. Somehow.”

  “I’ve heard of this tree. Many brave warriors have tried to claim its magic. They are all dead now.”

  “You’re so supportive, Kull. As usual.”

  “I mean only to warn you of the dangers. Is there pure magic somewhere else?”

  “Not that I’m aware of. And even if there was, I wouldn’t have time to find it.”

  “Are you determined to do this?”

  I debated his question. I’d fought so long for Jeremiah, and now for all the other children involved. Quitting had never been an option. “I am.”

  He stared out across the pond. The cheerfulness left his voice. “I shall assemble my elite Wult squadron to accompany you. They are the strongest fighters in all of Faythander. The princess has perfected a shielding spell, which I can use to protect my warriors. We will be an unstoppable force. We will raze the entire pixie kingdom if need be.”

  Typical Kull—always ready to rush into battle. “I appreciate the concern, but I think charging in with a squadron of warriors would send the wrong message. I intend to go alone, and to go peacefully. It’s the only advantage I’ve got.”

  That, and Daddy’s ring stuffed in my pocket.

  “Perhaps a smaller force, then? I shall choose only a few of the best—”

  “No.”

  “I cannot convince you to reconsider?”

  “Afraid not.”

  He sighed, sounding resigned to letting me do things my way. “You’ll find the pixie king impossible to deal with. He does not understand outsiders. He is intolerant and will take any measure to keep his kingdom secluded, including executing outsiders. If you do manage to convince him to let you cross into his lands, he’ll have you followed. You will never be alone. If you take one step out of line, his bowmen will not hesitate to put an arrow through your heart. I do not understand how you intend to retrieve one of their most sacred talismans.”

  “You sound as if you’ve dealt with him once or twice, yet I see that you’re still alive.”

  “Only because I was not alone.”

  This brought back memories of something Heidel had said when we’d first met—something about Kull and the pixie king’s daughter. “Your sister saved you?”

  “Yes, though you must never tell her that I admitted it to you.”

  Heidel would love to hear this. I had to tell her.

  “Olive, do you swear it?”

  “Do I have to?”

  “Of course you do!”

  I crossed my arms. “Fine, I swear it. But only if you swear not to send a squadron of warriors after me. Heaven knows I get into enough trouble by myself.”

  He looked at me as if I’d caught him red-handed.

  “Swear it, Kull.”

  “I will not.”

  “You will. Or Heidel finds out about the
truth.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “You are blackmailing me?”

  “If that’s what it takes.”

  “And what if you should die in the pixie kingdom? Have you considered the possibility?”

  “Of course I have.”

  “You answer too quickly, which leads me to believe that you have not. You must think about the consequences first. How would your father feel if he lost you?”

  “My father?”

  “Or anyone else?”

  “Oh, Kull. Are you saying you’d miss me? That’s so sweet. Shall I tell Heidel about this, too?”

  He crossed his arms. “I feel you are becoming more bothersome than she is. And you’ve also become an expert at dodging my questions.”

  “I have not.”

  “Really?” He raised an eyebrow. The patter of nobbinfly wings returned. I guess they thought it was safe. Poor them.

  “I’m honest with you. I’m probably too honest sometimes.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Are you?”

  “Yes.”

  “If so, then tell me what happened in Earth Kingdom.”

  Uh-oh.

  “I already have. We found the dinosaur. You decided you’d rather help me than try to retrieve it. We came back.”

  “That is not what I’m referring to.”

  My cheeks reddened. I hoped it was too dark for him to notice. “Nothing happened,” I mumbled.

  He eyed me. I knew he didn’t believe me. “Nothing at all?”

  “That’s right. Nothing at all.” I glanced at him to gauge his reaction. He looked at me through suspicious eyes.

  “You are lying, Olive.”

  “How would you know?”

  “You’ve acted differently since we returned. You are more guarded around me. More distrusting. Did I do something to offend you?”

  I didn’t want to have this conversation right now. I didn’t want to have it ever. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t want you to come stalking after me anymore. I don’t want to see you anymore, actually. I think you are a nice guy, and a very excellent warrior, and you’ll make Euralysia a blissfully contented bride, but I don’t need your protection. I don’t need you. I’m sorry it has to turn out like this. But in the end, it’s the only way it can turn out.”

  He stayed silent, his eyes fixed on the water. I wanted to know what he was thinking, but also didn’t want to know. “Very well,” he finally said.

  My heart didn’t break as bad as I’d expected it to as I watched him walk away. In truth, it was already broken. In a way, this was a good thing, because I had the chance to move on, and now, so did he. I could forget him and focus on more important things—like saving my godson’s life. He could focus on his marriage.

  I lay down on the bench, wishing this night would just end already. A headache throbbed behind my eyes. I swore to forget Kull. Yet, when I finally drifted off to sleep, I heard quiet footsteps.

  Through half-opened eyes, I watched him sit beneath a tree and lean against the trunk. He stayed until morning.