“I think the dog wants to come,” Cook said from behind us. Grr scurried out of the house and fell into step beside me. “That mongrel better not get any dirt on ye.”
In the distance, the faint sound of flutes and drums sounded. Cheers rose as the ceremony participants arrived with their families.
“Archer,” Councilor Wayfarer called, waving him over. Pudge gave me a nervous smile from beside his father. His dark green tunic was laced with gold and silver threads, and his black breeches and knee-high leather boots had jewels sewn into the seams. For once, his hair was brushed neatly, his hands free of grime. He was handsome. The strange tingles I was starting to get used to around him fluttered in my belly. Flutters I shouldn’t be having now, since I was going to marry someone else.
“Hi,” I said, watching Pudge’s eyes grow big.
“Wow,” he said. “You look…”
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Father squeezed my shoulder.
“Yeah. Beautiful.”
“You look nice, too,” I said to Pudge. My face warmed, and I turned away.
The king glanced in our direction and gave me a smile before turning his attention to the crowd. “We will begin the ceremony as soon as the Mission procession reaches the dais,” he said. “Our kingdom has much to cheer for this night. Not only are our heroes coming home, but we will witness the Hag’s greatness as she touches those who will be joined and matched in our Choosing Ceremony. One of whom is my own son.”
The crowd shouted and cheered. But Pudge and I were quiet. He gripped my hand, and I held tight. “This is it, Ivy. You’re going to marry the prince, and who knows where I’ll end up. I’ve tried to figure out who Father might’ve made a deal with on my behalf.”
“I pray to the Hag you end up with someone kind and beautiful. You know, I would’ve been happy to have you choose me, if Dorian hadn’t spoken for me.”
He gazed down at me, then reached up to give my cheek a gentle stroke. “You should know, Ivy, I…” He trailed off as we both peered back up to the dais.
“What is it, Pudge?”
He flushed. “Um—never mind. Now’s probably not the time.”
Why was he acting so odd tonight? With a sigh, my thoughts drifted back to Dorian. Would he really be happy with me? I didn’t want to think about the prince changing his mind, and yet I couldn’t help myself. I worried about so many things, wondering if I was worthy enough to be a royal. I still wondered about his letter. But most of all, I worried about him.
Green flags waved in the distance. The Mission guard was almost there. With my free hand, I fidgeted with my dress until Cook swatted my fingers. My palms grew clammy.
The group grew closer, and I held my breath as they came into view. Where was Dorian? I gazed on each battered face. What happened to them? Their clothes were torn; their faces were bruised and cut. Honour’s eyes searched the crowd, landing on the king. He made a beeline for him.
“Do you see Dorian?” I asked Pudge. Fear took root.
“No.”
Oh, Hag. He wasn’t with them.
Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. Vane rushed forward, reaching the king before Honour.
“Prince Dorian was captured by humans,” he blurted. “They’re holding him for ransom, and if we don’t comply, they’ll kill him.”
Murmurs fanned over the crowd.
Humans. Captured. Dorian.
The words sped through my mind. It couldn’t be. A slow burn spread across my back, and I fell to my knees, screaming. The pain was too much. And Dorian was gone.
The Hag’s call. It had come.
Chapter Thirteen
Pudge caught my arm and pulled me to my feet. The crowds were in chaos. Whole families were in tears; others shoved to get closer to the king to hear what happened.
All I could think of was Dorian. How could he have been bested? He was such a strong warrior…it didn’t make sense. My eyes welled, burning. None of this could be true. I didn’t believe it, and yet his absence made it all the more evident that something had happened.
Was it like Vane had said? Was Dorian being held for ransom by humans? If so, what was the cost to free him? Should we even barter with them? Mind reeling, I tried to focus on the dais.
My throat went dry as I shifted my gaze back to Honour, who leaned down to whisper in the king’s ear. King Starshooter replied, and Honour nodded, then disappeared into the background.
“Good citizens of Gob Hollow, I’m afraid this evening’s ceremonies are cancelled,” Councilor Wayfarer announced as guards rushed the king and some of the council from the dais. “Everyone is to return to their homes. As soon as we’re able, we’ll dispatch messengers throughout the kingdom with news.”
Father turned to me, eyes filled with worry. “Ivy, you go with Pudge and his mother to their palace quarters and stay there until we know it’s safe. I’ll send for you as soon as I can.”
He hurried away, and the guards started to disband the crowds. Margenta Wayfarer, Pudge’s mother, stepped in front of us like a large ship blocking port. She was easily twice the size of Pudge.
Disbelief overwhelmed me. This wasn’t reality. It couldn’t be.
“Come along, you two. Let’s get to the palace.” She looped one beefy arm around each of us and began to plow through the throngs of goblins. For a big lady, she moved quicker than a dragon with its arse on fire.
“Grr,” I hollered over my shoulder.
Margenta glanced at the dog. “He won’t relieve himself in my house, will he?”
“No. He’s housebroken.” Well, at least when Cook wasn’t around to antagonize him.
Numb, I allowed Margenta to guide me through the crowd, going over what Vane had said as if maybe I’d misheard it.
Once we got to the quarters, I sat with Pudge in the dining room while one of the servants bustled to ready a pot of tea. Margenta moved to the window and watched the activity in the streets and courtyard below.
“What do you think happened?” Pudge bent his head closer to mine.
“I don’t know. Dorian’s a strong fighter; I can’t see him being captured by humans. Also, it doesn’t make sense. How would a human know to grab the one royal goblin out of the group?” I picked at my lacy dress sleeves, tears burning the backs of my eyes. If the rumors were true, I’d have to go after Dorian. No way did I trust his safety to Vane Girt or anyone else. I was his betrothed, and I intended to bring my future husband back safely.
My mind conjured all the possible tortures Dorian could be going through while we sat here waiting, doing nothing. We needed to leave at once—why was it taking so long? My body trembled as nervousness settled in.
“Don’t you two go worrying about a thing. I’m sure this has been blown out of proportion.” Margenta let the curtains fall back into place and headed toward the kitchen. “I don’t want to hear another word about it. Just relax while I check on the tea.”
Margenta couldn’t be serious right now. How did she expect us to sit here and relax?
Grr trotted over to me and rested his head on my leg, staring at the hallway that led to the front door. His ears perked up, and he stood straight, just before a knock resonated from the door. Margenta came out of the kitchen and hurried past us to answer it.
Muffled voices sounded from the hall. A moment later, Amos entered the dining room, worry lines etched on his face, mouth drawn into a frown.
“The king has asked that you come see him at once,” Amos said to me.
My chair slid back as I hopped up, followed by Pudge.
“I’m sorry, but not this time, Pudgeons. The king has asked for Ivy.”
Eyes narrowed, I said, “I’m not going anywhere without him.” Whatever was to happen or be decided on, I needed my friend with me. Pudge didn’t know it, but sometimes he was my backbone—the one who gave me courage when I fa
ltered. Grr nudged me, and I grabbed hold of his collar. “Or my dog, either.”
“Ivy, now is not the time to be pigheaded,” Amos warned.
“I want them in there with me.” I held his gaze. “Please.”
“Maybe that’s not such a great idea.” Margenta’s eyes widened. “I don’t want Pudge dragged into more than he already has been. He’s my baby.”
“Mother,” Pudge groaned. “I’m not letting Ivy go in alone. And I’m not a baby.”
“Fine, but I’m telling you the king will not be happy with this.” Amos led us from the Wayfarers’ quarters, down the hall, and into the library.
Once inside, Amos stepped into an enormous fireplace.
Pudge caught my arm. “Okay, why is he stepping into a fireplace?”
“Good question.” I was just about to ask Amos when he grabbed a hold of a handle lodged inside the brick and opened a hidden door.
We were met with a damp smell, and I stared at the spiral of stairs leading down.
“Hurry.” Amos waved us in.
My stomach knotted as we descended. What’s so secret that the king has to bring us down here? When we reached the bottom of the stairs, Amos took a torch from the wall and moved down a narrow passageway. The walls seemed to close in around us, each footstep echoing off the stone.
At last, we came to a heavy wooden door barred by guards on either side.
They moved aside and let Amos knock on the door. First three taps, then two, then four.
The door swung open with a low groan. My father looked up from pacing the room as I came in. This couldn’t be good. He seemed so ruffled. I’d never seen him like this before.
The only other goblins in the room were the king, Cook, and now Amos. King Starshooter noticed Pudge and frowned.
“I’m going to have to ask Pudgeons to wait outside,” he said.
I reached for Pudge’s hand. Not that I couldn’t do this alone; I just wanted him there with me. “Whatever you have to say, your highness, can be said in front of him. He’ll find out either way.”
“Ivy,” Father snapped.
King Starshooter sighed. “I’m sorry, but not this time. Pudgeons. If you would please wait outside the door.”
Pudge gave me a nervous glance and moved back out of the room. “I’ll be right here when you’re done, Ivy. I promise.”
The door groaned shut, and King Starshooter moved around the large mahogany table at the center of the room, firelight dancing behind him as he maneuvered to a place in front of me.
“Ivy, there’s something I need to tell you,” he began. “And I need you to promise to hear me out, no matter how difficult it may seem.”
My pulse hammered in my ears. A part of me wished he’d just come out and say it, but the other part wanted to run. “I’m listening,” I said, voice shaky.
He reached for my free hand. “I’m your father, Ivy.”
“What?” I squeaked. Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. My father? Just like that. No. I shook my head—it wasn’t possible.
“It’s true, Ivy,” Archer said, his eyes welling with tears.
It was hard not to think of him as my father. He’d raised me. He’d been there to encourage me and to punish me and to teach me. My throat constricted. But then this led to another thought… Dorian.
Oh Hag. That meant he was my brother. Was that what he’d wanted to tell me? The true reason he’d written the letter? I swallowed hard. But they allowed him to propose to me. Why? Was this all a huge game to them? Did no one care at all how this would affect me? “Dorian’s my brother?”
“Half brother,” King Starshooter said.
I jerked away from him. “You knew he was my brother and you told him to make it look like we’d been caught in a compromising position? You encouraged him to ask for my hand in marriage, knowing we’d never truly be able to be together?”
The king’s expression was pained. “We had no choice, Ivy.” He grabbed my arm, pulling me closer.
Tears slid down my cheeks like rain on glass. “If you’re my father, then how come you never claimed me? Why did Archer raise me?”
“Because you’re half human. Your grandfather never would’ve approved,” he said. “I did what I thought was best for both of us. And best for the kingdom.”
I gasped. My suspicions had been right. Archer knew it. The king knew it. And they let me believe otherwise. That I was just a foolish child with a wild imagination. Was I the reason the king’s father had put the laws into place regarding humans seventeen years ago? I clutched a hand to my chest. How could they do this?
“You were embarrassed by me,” I shouted, pain radiating through me as if I’d been struck by a bolt of lightning. “You’re just like everyone else.” A parent was supposed to love their child, not give them away.
“No, that’s not true. I love you. You’re my daughter,” the king said. “I was married to Dorian’s mother when I found out your mother was pregnant with my child. If I had brought her here, then claimed you, my father would’ve put you both to death. He did not want our blood tainted.”
At the mention of my mother, I went still. What had she thought of this? “My mother…is she alive?”
King Starshooter’s face crumpled. “No. She died in childbirth. Her sister sent word to me and indicated that I must retrieve you at once. I loved her very much. And had things been different, I would’ve brought her home with me.”
My mother had been human. No wonder Archer didn’t want me carrying on about them. But as I stared around the room, I realized the people I loved most had all betrayed me. My heart ached at the knowledge that my real father was ashamed of me. That he’d shipped me off to live with his advisor. There were so many questions I wanted to ask, but the need to get away won out.
“You all lied.” I sobbed. “How could you keep the truth from me? I trusted you.” Backing away, I turned around and rushed out the door.
“Ivy? What’s wrong?” Pudge said, reaching for me.
I turned my tear-filled eyes on him, then reached for his hand, dragging him with me.
From behind me, I heard the king tell the guards to let me go. I had no idea where I was heading until I found myself standing outside the Archives, in front of the statue of the Hag, with Pudge next to me.
Chapter Fourteen
Head bowed, I collapsed to the ground. How could my father—or, I guess he was Archer to me now—lie to me? I’d spent my entire life with him; how was I supposed to change my feelings? My hands fisted, and I pounded on the marble blocks.
“This isn’t fair.” My wails filled the yard.
Pudge stood behind me, stroking my hair as if to comfort me. “Ivy, please tell me what’s wrong.”
I lifted my gaze to meet his. “I’m King Starshooter’s daughter. This whole time, he never wanted me. He dumped me off on my fath—I mean Archer to raise me…he never gave two shit cakes about me.”
Pudge’s mouth dropped open. “Whoa. So that’s what Dorian wanted you to see the king about?”
“I think so. Hag, this hurts so much,” I said, clutching my chest again, like that would stop the pain. “Everything, my whole life has been nothing but a big sham. And they all knew the truth—they kept so much from me. They lied to me.”
He tugged me to my feet and wrapped me in his arms. They were like a big warm blanket—comforting me, making me feel like I wasn’t totally alone. “Things will get better. And I promise, Ivy. I’ll never lie to you. You know that.” He wiped the tears from my face. “The Ivy I know would march back in there and demand to be claimed. Then, as your first order of business, punish Vane Girt to gutter duty for the rest of his life.” Pudge laughed.
I half snickered, half cried. “Well, there is that. Hag, I’m a mess.” I pulled back, wiping at my face.
Just then, the ground rumbled beneath my feet. I
reached for Pudge to steady myself. What was going on? My gaze roamed over the ground, waiting for it to open up and swallow us.
“What’s that?” Pudge took several steps back.
I turned to see the statue of the Hag’s eyes glowing deep blue. “I—I don’t know.” The wind shifted, touching my cheek as if a ghost stroked it. I sucked in a deep breath.
One by one, the other eleven statues in the courtyard turned to look at me. Each pair of eyes glowed a different color, and each hand rose to point a finger in my direction. Goose bumps prickled across my arms and legs, and the hair at the back of my neck stood on end.
“Um, Ivy, what’s going on?”
“I don’t know.” But it reminded me of the night I’d gotten the tattoo. Fear rolled through me, but I was frozen in place.
Everything around me went quiet, and then the statues picked up their feet and moved toward me. The marble cracked beneath each footstep, and the ground shook as if someone had picked up our world and tossed it against a wall. They circled until all twelve surrounded me.
They raised their hands to touch the sky. The clouds parted, and an orb of light burst forth, falling like hail. I had no time to jump aside. Searing pain ripped through my body, and the orb struck me. My skin burned like someone tore my bones out.
A scream echoed in the night—and I realized it was me, begging for mercy. Why was the Hag torturing me?
My eyes flew open.
“Ivy!” Pudge raced toward me, but he couldn’t break through the circle of statues.
Something burst through the roof of the Gob Archives. Great wings unfolded, revealing white feathers, and an eagle the size of a dragon swooped down toward the circle of statues. It hovered above me, the Sword of Avarik gleaming in its talons.
“Scree-caw!” the bird cried out, then dropped the blade.
Instinct took over, and I reached up and caught the sword. Another jolt tore through my body. I fell to my knees once more, pain taking over, clouding my mind.
Where There Be Humans Page 11