“You doing okay?” he asked in between slurps and bites.
With a shrug, I said, “About as well as I can.”
“Well, you definitely told the prince a thing or two. I bet he won’t try to talk to you for weeks.” Pudge stood and slapped me on the back, sending me staggering forward.
“Ivy, ye didn’t?” Cook’s hands rested on her hips.
I smiled. “I was defending my honor. Be glad I didn’t sock him in the eye or something.”
She shook her head. “Ye best be careful. The last thing ye need is to get in trouble with the king.”
“Don’t think I can get into much more trouble than I’m already in.”
She snorted, moving to a small liquor cabinet. “I’ve heard that before.” She poured herself a cup of ale, then glared at me. “Where’s yer costume?”
“Let’s just say it made for a nice fire.”
“Ivy!”
Father pushed into the room before Cook had the chance to grab a switch. He looked tired, his robes rumpled, hair coming loose from its tie.
“Good, they found you,” he said.
“If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll head for bed now.” I turned away from him.
“Ivy, we need to talk.”
“I’m not old enough to know about Mother, but I’m old enough to marry off, is that it?” I snapped, spinning back around. “I don’t know why you keep punishing me.”
He reached out to catch my hand, but I snatched it back. “I’m not punishing you,” he said. “Things are complicated right now.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that much longer. Soon, I’ll be off your hands and another goblin’s problem.” With that, I stomped into my bedroom and slammed the door behind me. I slid to the floor and sat with my back against the wall, burying my face in my hands.
From the other room, I heard the door open, and my father said, “I’ve got to get back to the Council Chambers. Pudge, watch after Ivy tonight. Don’t let her do anything foolish.” And with that, the door slammed shut.
Chapter Seven
The cool night air tickled my cheeks. Remnants of the bonfire still smoked, creating a foggy canvas for us to hide behind. It’d taken forever for Cook to fall asleep, but once she did, Pudge and I snuck out. I needed to get away. The last place I wanted to be was in the palace tonight, not after everything that’d played out at the Choosing Ceremony. When we reached Moon Quarry Tunnel, I motioned for Pudge to follow me in.
He sighed. “I can’t believe the things I let you talk me into. You’d think that you’d heed the bones.”
“What do you mean, heed the bones?”
“Remember when I read the bones? They said three bad things were going to happen to you.”
I shrugged. “Yeah, so.”
“Well, two bad things have already happened.” Pudge held up his fingers. “First, getting caught at the Archives, then the Mission and Choosing Ceremony thing tonight—that leaves one more.”
With a snort, I tugged off the jade bracelet that my father had given me during the Festival of the Waning Moon last year. “You can hardly blame these events on the bones.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Pudge said. “I told you they predict things, not make them happen.”
Our footsteps echoed as we moved farther into the tunnel. Painted scenes decorated the cave walls, a story in pictures about the Hag. At the back stood a small altar with candles burning bright.
Gifts of jewelry, weapons, coins, and fabrics were piled at the feet of the Hag statue.
“Tell me again why we’re here?” Pudge whispered.
“Because I needed to get out of the palace. I—I needed time to think.”
I’d visited this place more times than I could count over the last year. But it hadn’t done any good. Maybe the Hag didn’t like me…or maybe, because I wasn’t full-blooded, she didn’t hear me.
And yet, I still went forward, setting my bracelet at the foot of the statue, and dropped to my knees, bowing. “I’m sorry if I disappointed you,” I said, my throat thickening. “I tried so hard for this. So please allow me to have a future as a warrior—a protector for our people. I promise to work harder.”
I felt Pudge drop down beside me and turned to watch as he set a small bag of coins at the altar.
“Hag, if you’re really listening, I ask that you grant Ivy a chance to prove herself. That you’d stay by her side. She’s the strongest, most worthy person I know. I want to see her happy, so please don’t forsake her.”
Tears burned my eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time that night. My fingers found Pudge’s, and I held tight to him. His gaze met mine, and we just sat there in silence for long minutes.
“We should head back now,” I said.
Pudge helped me up, and we made our way toward the entrance. But before we could leave, the ground rumbled beneath us like a great quake.
“What is that?” Pudge pulled me to the side as a few stones fell from the ceiling.
“I don’t know.” My eyes scanned our surroundings.
Just then, a bright light flashed, encompassing the whole tunnel. The wind stirred, spiraling loose sand from the floor.
“Soon…” a voice echoed all around us. “Go.”
I wasn’t sure which of us moved first, but Pudge and I raced from the cave until we burst out into the crisp night air once more. Glancing behind us, I stopped when we got to the shore of the river.
“Holy Hag, what was that?” Pudge bent down, trying to catch his breath.
“I’m not sure.” But in the back of my mind, I knew the Hag had spoken. However, I had no idea what her cryptic message meant.
With my heart still racing, we snuck across the palace yard. I raised my finger to my lips and pointed up at the guard tower. Pudge nodded, and we stuck close to the wall, sliding into the shadows.
I moved toward a portion of the wall that was under renovation, the new stones not yet placed. Turning sideways, I squeezed through the large hole, then waited for Pudge to do the same.
He pushed forward, then said, “Dragon piss. I’m stuck.”
“Try to suck in your gut.” I tugged on his arm. But it wouldn’t budge.
This was why I always got caught.
Pudge managed to shove one leg and arm through, followed by his others. His face scrunched as he finally managed to dislodge himself.
Clouds blocked the light of the moon, and I thanked the Hag as we ducked behind a boxwood shrub. We needed complete darkness if we were going to climb the rope I had left hanging from my room when Pudge and I snuck out.
Slipping along the palace wall, I grabbed the second knot in the rope, then crossed my legs and began to snake my way upward. The ledge was a good twenty feet above me; statues lined most of it. At last I reached the top and called down to Pudge.
“Okay, your turn.”
Pudge grunted, and I covered my eyes with my hand. Next time, he’d be muzzled. So far the guards hadn’t even looked in our direction, which was a good thing.
After several grueling moments, Pudge’s head popped up near my feet, and he reached for a statue to pull himself the rest of the way up. Instead of grabbing its arm, he missed and got hold of its male anatomy.
Snap!
“Ivy, help!” he called, arms flailing.
At the last second, he caught the stone man’s leg, and I leaned down to tug him to the ledge.
“Hope he doesn’t need that.” Pudge glanced down to where the stone wang lay on the ground.
“Sure, because statues have to piss all the time.”
Scaling the palace, we made it to my window. I climbed in first, rolling the rope as I went. And once Pudge was inside, we hid it in a trunk at the foot of my bed, then crept into the hall.
Resting my hand on Cook’s door, I placed my
ear against the wood. Her snores echoed back, almost shaking the door from its hinges.
“She’s still asleep,” I said. “So we need to hurry up.”
We crossed the dining area and made our way to our rooms. “Good night, Pudge. Thank you for going with me tonight.”
“You’re welcome. Get some sleep.” He reached over and brushed tendrils of my hair from my face and tucked them behind my ear, then, with a yawn, he left to head to his quarters.
…
Screams echoed through the palace, jarring me awake the next day. Slipping into a robe, I bolted from my room.
“What in Hag’s name is going on?” I ran into Cook, who had thrown the door open.
I peered out around her to find the council rushing from their rooms. “I want someone hanged for this,” Birdie’s mom called, her green skin paled.
Father came up behind me and sighed. “Now what’s happened?”
My mouth dropped open as I stared at the burnt markings on each of the council members’ doors. The Dark Mark of the Hag—the raven with a dagger through its heart—a curse of sorts. My hand gripped tight to the wall.
Had this happened because Pudge and I went to the cave last night? Was the Hag angry?
Several guards hurried down the hall, weapons drawn. When they saw the markings, they stilled and sheathed their swords and glanced around.
“Someone has defaced the whole floor.” Vane’s father’s face darkened, his lips twitching in anger. “Search the grounds and see if you can find any evidence as to what happened.”
“Why search? We know Ivy Archer is behind it.” Councilor Dundry pointed a long finger in my direction.
“Um, do you honestly think I’d do something like this? I don’t have the tools to burn art into wood. And even if I did, why would I mark my own door, too?” I snapped.
She glared at me before stomping down the hall. Father tugged Cook and me back into our quarters, slamming the door shut.
“Ivy, did you do this?” he asked in a voice too calm for the situation.
“No. I promise it wasn’t me.” A chill snaked across my body.
Cook rushed to the kitchen, clanking pans around, and after a few minutes she emerged, carrying a pot of hot apple cider along with bread and jam, and set them on the table.
“I’ll get a proper breakfast on as soon as I’m dressed,” she said before disappearing.
Father poured two cups of the cider right as a knock sounded on the door.
“It’s too early for this.” I moved to answer it. Flinging the wooden barrier open, Birdie’s mother stood in the doorway. Her husband was across the hall, dragging Pudge from his quarters.
“What is the meaning of this?” Councilor Wayfarer’s voice thundered as he jerked his son from Councilor Dundry’s hands.
“Do you know what this is?” Birdie’s mother held the stone penis from the statue, right under my nose.
“You’re married, so do you really need me to tell you what it is?” I asked.
Her lips tightened. “This was found beneath your window, broken right off a statue.”
Pinching my arm to keep from laughing, I asked, “Are you accusing me of breaking it off?”
“No, we’re accusing the two of you of defacing the doors,” Birdie’s father said.
“I don’t see how a broken statue is proof of anything.” Father put a hand on my shoulder. “I advise you to quit harassing our children and get back to your quarters.”
“Why, I never,” Birdie’s mother huffed.
Father raised a hand and shooed them off.
“Well, that was pleasant.” I gave Pudge a wave before shutting our door.
“Ivy, you’d better not be behind this, or so help me…”
“I know—I know.”
We ate a quick breakfast before Father had to head out. Once he was gone, I grabbed my punishment belt and made my way for the door. “I best be going. Don’t want to be late for gutter duty. No school means more chores.”
“Oh no, ye don’t.” Cook caught my arm. “Tell me the truth about those markings.”
“Cook, I swear we didn’t do it. I mean, I snuck out to go pray—but came home right after.”
She stared at me a moment. “I don’t condone ye roaming around like that, but I understand. Just don’t leave without permission again. Too many strange things are happening lately.” Cook patted my back. “Speaking of strange things, tonight we need to sit down with yer father. I think it’s high time he knows about the tattoo.”
“Cook, I’m begging you, let’s not say anything yet. There’s so much already going on. I just need time to process everything.”
She frowned. “This isn’t something that should be postponed. I’ll give ye a bit more time, just because of what ye went through last night, but ye will not be finding excuses to dodge this.”
“So you’re not going to tell Father?”
“Not this time. Run along with ye and try to stay out of trouble.”
Pudge met me in the hall, carrying his punishment belt. “That went well.”
“Do you think what happened had to do with our going to the cave?” We hurried past the other quarters, not wanting to chance any more council run-ins.
“I don’t know. But it seems like too big of a coincidence.”
I nodded. He was right. But what did it mean?
When we got to the main courtyard, I noticed Dorian heading in my direction. “Can I talk to you?” he asked.
“Sorry, I’ve got gutter duty.” I pushed around him.
“I think I can get you excused from that,” he said. “I am the prince.”
Pudge glanced between the two of us and rushed ahead. Best friend my arse.
“I have nothing to say to you. You made your point clear last night. I was a pawn; I get it.” Anger roared in my ears all over again. I couldn’t believe I’d considered him a friend. It was a mistake I wouldn’t make again. My heart hurt, because I’d wanted us to be close. He knew almost as much about me as Pudge… The only comfort I had was that since our getting caught together had been a sham, I wouldn’t have to worry about being forced to marry him.
He’d probably wanted Birdie all along. I thought I knew him. Yet it was becoming obvious maybe I didn’t know the real Dorian at all.
Dorian grabbed my arm, tugging me toward the path that led through the gardens. The scent of roses clung to the air, and hedges lined either side of us. We didn’t talk or stop until we reached the shore of the Gob River. The emerald green water trickled by, and I glanced at the thick woods on the other side.
Dorian stared down at me. “I don’t have much time. I’m supposed to be at the palace, preparing for the Mission. We leave the day after tomorrow.”
“Then I’m surprised you’re wasting your time talking to me.” My eyes narrowed.
“Ivy.” He raised his voice. “Hag, you’re as stubborn as a mule. I didn’t bring you here to argue. And whether you believe it or not, I wanted you on the Mission. You’re actually one of my few friends. You don’t treat me differently just because I have a crown—you always tell it like it is and don’t try to kiss my arse. Well, at least I thought you were my friend.”
My gaze met his, and I swallowed past the lump in my throat. Why did he have to be so nice? And he sounded sincere.
I rubbed my temples and sighed. “We are—but that doesn’t excuse what you did.”
“I know. There’s so much I want to tell you, but I don’t have time.” He reached for my hand. “Promise me that you won’t hate me—that you’ll give me a chance to explain things when I get back?”
“What kinds of things?”
Dorian took the medallion from around his neck and slipped it into my hand. “I can’t get into that right now. There’s not enough time. But let me explain everything before you decide to e
nd our friendship.”
“Prince Dorian!” one of the guards called out.
Dorian leaned down, giving my hair a gentle tug. “I have to go. Also, I’m giving you a heads-up to not be too surprised by something I’m going to say to you at the docks before I leave.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He smiled but shook his head. “Father has me sworn to secrecy. Take care, Ivy.” He turned to leave, and I caught his sleeve.
“Wait. At least answer one question.”
He glanced at the guard, then back to me. “Yeah?”
“Did you become friends with me because of our fathers?”
Dorian smiled. “No. And just because they don’t want you on the Mission doesn’t mean I agreed with it. I told you before: you’re one of the best soldiers I know—I’d much rather you have my back in the Outer Realm.”
He twisted around and left me staring after him, more confused than ever. Damn princes anyway. Here I’d wanted to hate him for costing me the Mission. But deep down, I craved his friendship, because I liked him. I didn’t have many friends, either.
That and I believed there was something more going on.
Chapter Eight
When I got home from gutter duty, Cook was in the kitchen, peeling potatoes. Her hips swayed as she hummed a tune, dropping a cut spud into a pan. I needed to talk to her. She wasn’t necessarily the most sympathetic person I knew, but she’d be honest. Plus, this wasn’t something Pudge could help me with.
“Cook, do you have a minute?” I stepped up beside her and leaned on the counter, propping my head up with my hand.
She cast me a suspicious glance but nodded. “Sure, if ye grab a knife and help me get these peeled.” She pointed to the burlap bag filled with dirty potatoes. Sure, trust her to get some labor out of me.
I stood across from her, retrieving a blade from its wooden block. “What would you do if one of your friends did something to betray you?” I began. “Then you found out that he only did it because someone told him to?”
Cook’s knife came down on the counter with a thump, and her eyes narrowed. “I’d likely cut off his bits and pieces.”
Where There Be Humans Page 7