Bells simply leaned over and put the end of a dry, hollow offshoot into her ear. Right away, she heard someone moving around. When Jaekob had followed her example, she said, "It sounds like he's in the kitchen. I think I heard dishes rattling."
Footsteps retreated, walking to the other end of the house.
Jaekob whispered, "I hear muttering. It sounds like they're talking to someone in there. Can your plant get closer?"
"Yes, I think so." She focused on the vine again, and it was more than happy to oblige, growing impossibly fast thanks to the energy she was siphoning into it. The conversation grew louder almost immediately, and in seconds, Tallon's voice became audible. She also heard a woman's voice.
Before Bells commented, Jaekob said, "That would be his wife, I'm sure. He doesn't talk about his personal life much, but it's almost impossible to get a seat on the Crown of Pures without proving you can be a stable leader by having a stable family, first."
Bells nodded, but her attention was on trying to catch the gist of the conversation. The woman once mentioned Shmsharatsh, startling Bells, who tilted her head to get a better angle on the vine.
Woman: "You don't know it was that blasted sword. I mean, haven't any of the other mind slaves done this?"
Tallon: "No, not yet. But he was fine before that upstart fae used Shmsharatsh on him. She killed the part of him that made him who he was. I'll never forgive her for that."
Woman: "We don't know for sure it's a side effect of her enslaving him with that sword, and I bet she didn't know, either. Don't forgive her, but don't let that eat you up. You need to keep your head on straight, now more than ever."
Tallon: "I’m well aware."
Woman: "Yeah. I just hate that we can't discuss this in front of him—I hate to leave his side."
Tallon: "So you tested the idea while I was gone? Our boy has those seizures when we mention the sword in front of him?"
Woman: "Every time. But I fear other topics may do the same."
Tallon: "That's what I thought, but I didn't even consider other topics doing it, too. Dammit, he doesn't deserve this. First, he gets dumber than a fae on dew wine, standing wherever I leave him until we tell him what to do, and now, this?"
Woman: "You've been saying this since we got here, but maybe now the rest of the Pures on the Crown will listen to you.”
Tallon: “The Crown needs to do more than just listen. I believe in the Crown and what they have accomplished so far, but it isn't enough.”
Woman: “What more do you want from them? They have all the power they need from over half the people on this planet.”
Tallon: “I think we have a duty to use that power wisely, but that means we actually have to use it."
Woman: "You think that will bring our son back? Or is it that you think people have too much freedom, and they might be better off if they let someone else make their decisions for them, like fae? I think the Crown owns more fae than it needs without making everyone else become step-fae."
Man: "You say 'fae' like the word burns your tongue. Don't blame them all for what one country bumpkin girl did to our son. Speaking of which, if I can get the Crown members to start seeing things the way I do, one of the first things we'll do is talk about a bill to make their equality a little more... equal."
Woman: "I really wish you wouldn't. I'm sorry, and I know I can't tell you how to do your job. I know this is all coming from a place of trying to do better for our people, so I can't even really be mad at you."
Tallon: "Mad at me? Whatever for?"
Woman: "For what happened to our son, of course. Or for thinking you and the rest of the Crown should make all the Pures live like fae."
Tallon: "Don't be ridiculous. First of all, even if we were weak enough to accept being treated like them, we'd never be like them. Everyone knows fae do better when someone tells them what to do and how. That's why elves took on the burden of leading them in the first place. So what's the real reason you have a problem with the Crown doing a better job of leading?"
Woman: "I don't mind them doing a better job. But the way you're talking, it makes me afraid. I don't think the Crown should be allowed too much power or else all our people will start to fear you instead of respecting you. Fear and respect are not the same things."
Tallon: [pause] "I see where you're coming from, darling. Thank you for not questioning my motives like the rest of the Crown representatives, but you don't know them like I do. The people on the Crown are people I trust, people I believe in. They could never be corrupted by power. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to spend time with our little boy before I go back to work."
There was some faint muttering, then the sound of heavy footsteps moving away and then going upstairs.
Only a couple of seconds later, the woman's voice came through the vine, soft yet clear as a crystal goblet: "Oh, Tallon, you noble idiot. You're right to say they can't be corrupted, because in truth, they already are. It is already too late."
There were lighter footsteps, then the sound of running water blocked out every other sound coming through the vine.
Bells looked at Jaekob, her eyes wide with shock. She said, "I'm not sure how to process all of that."
Jaekob shook his head, pulling the vine tube from his ear. "Process which part?"
"Where should I even begin? The all-knowing Crown of Pures that rules fae daily life didn't basically enslave my people out of greed, or even some quest for more power over anyone they could take it from. That, I could have understood."
"No? Then, why?"
No," she said, her voice rising. It felt like the temperature had spiked upward by twenty degrees. "They thought we were too stupid and too flighty to manage our own affairs, and they thought they were somehow uplifting and civilizing us by stamping out our entire culture and every freedom—except the freedom to serve them like slaves."
Jaekob's jaw muscles stood out like taut wire and his eyes narrowed and turned red. "You once said it bothered you not to know where the separation began. Now you know, yet I'm sorry for that. "
For a moment, Bells' blood pressure spiked and her forehead grew damp, but she forced a smile the best she could, hoping desperately that he would smile back. How ironic. She was the one who had been insulted, and there she was trying to make him feel better.
That thought ruined the righteous indignation she had been nurturing. She broke out laughing, covering her mouth with both hands to silence the noise. He was amusing her and he probably didn't even know why. That thought made her want to laugh even more.
Then she remembered what the two elves had said and it ended her brief moment of levity. She let out a long breath and said, "Come on, Jaekob. Let's get back before anyone misses us, shall we?"
Jaekob
Bells awoke to the early morning light streaming in through the window and the sounds of morning birds outside, singing their morning songs. The comfortable weight of Jaekob's arm was draped over her. She smiled. It was a good morning.
She looked back over her shoulder at Jaekob, who still slept atop her covers where he'd fallen asleep talking late into the night. At some point, he had ended up curled up behind her as she snuggled against him. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept so well.
He was still sleeping, so she slid out from under his arm and her blankets as gently as she could. Goosebumps rose on her bare arms and legs in the refreshing morning chill. She rubbed her arms briskly, then let her black silk camisole fall to the floor. She dressed in a simple blouse and all-cotton jeans, said a quiet thank-you to the staff, who had kindly remembered to set out only all-natural fabric clothing, and allowed herself to spent a moment relishing the return of warmth that real clothes brought.
When she turned back around, she saw Jaekob still laying on his side, but with his head propped up on one hand, resting on his elbow. He looking at her with the faintest of smiles and no hint of embarrassment or any attempt to hide the fact that he was enjoying wa
tching her.
Her cheeks flushed, growing hot and red. "How long have you been awake?"
"Just since you climbed out of bed," he said cheerfully. "Why?"
As her cheeks discovered a new shade of red, she resisted the urge to cover herself with her hands. She was already dressed, after all. "I just... I didn't know you were awake, that's all."
Still smiling at her, he sat up and put his socked feet on the floor, running one hand through disheveled hair. "I sometimes forget how ridiculously modest you fae are. Although, I must say, you look adorable in such a lovely shade of blushing."
Bells laughed nervously. "We aren't modest. It's you dragons who are 'ridiculously' immodest. How you all can walk around with barely a stitch of clothing and not be embarrassed is a mystery."
As she walked over to sit on the bed beside him, he replied, "I don't see why. Believe me, you have nothing to be embarrassed about."
Too much embarrassment. Bells found herself fighting not to giggle. She covered her mouth with one hand and shoved him on his shoulder with the other. "Well, thanks. I think."
It didn't matter that she was morally embarrassed or that she had just broken two serious taboos among her kind. Her heart still soared at his words. Maybe the fact that it was not something decent fae did only made it more exciting...
She shoved those thoughts roughly aside. He found her attractive—so what? In the end, he was still a dragon and a prince, and she was only a fae farm girl. Nothing could ever happen between them, nothing serious. Still, it was exciting to think about things that could never be. Just because it was foolish didn't change the fact that, deep inside, she was a woman who knew exactly what she wanted, even if she didn't know how to get it and likely never would.
"I'm hungry, are you? We could get breakfast." At least breakfast was one thing she wanted that couldn't get her into trouble.
Nodding, Jaekob stretched, reaching for the ceiling. "Yes, I could eat a horse. Let's go see what Chef has whipped up for us. After that, I need to go get changed and find out what my schedule is for the day.”
"Yeah, sure, whatever. You did say food first, though, right?" Whatever Chef cooked up for breakfast would be delicious and probably something she had never tried before. He got creative with breakfasts.
"Of course." He stood, grabbed his shoes without bothering to put them on, and motioned at the door for her to go first.
Bells headed for the door, imagining him watching her every step, and wanted to smile and put a jacket around her waist at the same time.
As soon as she opened the door, she came to an abrupt halt and her smile vanished. Two armed Guardians stood outside like sentries. There was a red glow on the wall next to the door, and she didn't need to turn to look at him to figure out it was from Jaekob's flaring eyes. It seemed he hadn't been aware of their company either.
She said, "Let us pass, please. I'm hungry."
The two Guardians clicked their heels and popped into the position of attention at the same time. They both saluted and one said, "No, ma'am. Our orders come from the First Councilor himself, along with a message for you both—"
Jaekob interrupted, saying, "Out with it, soldier. Where are we to go?"
"Yes, sir. You are both needed in the conference room." The Guardian stood rigidly, eyes locked forward.
Jaekob nodded. He looked frustrated, but when he replied, his voice was calm and even. "Very well. You have done your duty well. Please have Chef deliver breakfast for us both in the conference room." He turned to Bells to say something, but the Guardian interrupted.
"It is this Guardian's duty to inform the heir that isn't possible. The orders state specifically, the heir is not to be unguarded at any time until further notice."
Jaekob looked frustrated, and Bells caught a wisp of smoke emerging from his nostril, but his tone of voice stayed calm as he replied, "Fine. Just stay out of my way, then."
He held out his hand to Bells, and she took it. He led her toward the conference room and his hand, wrapped around hers, felt greatly reassuring despite the sinking feeling in her stomach about the meeting that awaited them.
At least her day had started out well.
Two guards led Bells and Jaekob through the manor at a brisk pace. Along the way, she saw more soldiers posted at hallway intersections and windows, and two at every door to the outside—doors that had been barred and chained.
When they got to the conference room, Jaekob led her in by her hand, but when he crossed the threshold, his grip tightened for a second and he almost missed a step. Then she saw why. The room was packed with people she didn't know. She had seen some of them at the strange meeting two days earlier, before she and Jaekob followed Tallon to where he had secured his family. At the head of the long conference table sat three chairs, Mikah in the middle one. His posture and expression radiated irritation, and Bells gripped Jaekob's hand even tighter.
Jaekob spoke first, in a loud, clear voice. "I thank the First Councilor for inviting us to this important meeting, and I greet the Crown of Pures and members of the Dragon Council."
Bells marveled at how he could sound so calm, so genuinely appreciative, when she knew how he must really feel about the entire situation.
Mikah motioned for her and Jaekob to sit in the chairs beside him, and Jaekob took the one on his right hand. Bells took the only remaining chair, silently wishing she could sit next to Jaekob.
Tallon said, "Thank you for coming. We have much to discuss."
"I'm sure we do. For one," Jaekob said, "I'd like to know why there are so many Guardians in my home, and why there were two awaiting me first thing in the morning. Please, explain what's going on."
Mikah said, "Obviously, the Guardians stationed here are under my orders, but I agreed with the Crown of Pures and their assessment that guards are needed. We have representatives of the Crown here, as well as the Dragon Council. Given what's going on outside, it seemed prudent. Sorry for any inconvenience, son."
Jaekob said, "What's going on outside? I haven't been briefed." That was the question that had jumped into Bells' mind, too. She was glad not to be the only one in the dark.
Tallon said, "I'm supposed to believe you haven't heard what's going on? Fine, I'll play along. All over the city, people are falling down. It happened suddenly, with no warning. Those affected fall into seizures, which then come and go with no regard for the doctor's treatments. It's vital we find out how to protect our citizens. The victims only have one thing in common, but I'll let the First Councilor explain that to you."
Bells was surprised to hear the earnestness in Tallon's voice when he spoke of protecting the citizens. She reached out with her senses to examine his aura, but it showed he wasn't lying, either about what was going on or about how important it was to him. Oddly, she also noticed there was no more blackness in his heart. She wondered if that meant his son was fine, after all.
Mikah looked at Jaekob and said, "It seems the victims all have the Sword of Fire in common. They are all enemies overcome by the blade. Tallon asked that we spare their lives and try to reintegrate them into society, as they posed no more threat. He had a sound point."
Bells glanced at Jaekob and saw him looking back at her at the same time. Tallon's uncharacteristic request for mercy on those who had attacked the city made a lot of sense, given what she and Jaekob had overheard two days earlier. Her first instinct was to reassure him that they would find a way to his afflicted son, but then she thought better of it. She would leave that to Jaekob to decide, in case the information could be better used without it being public knowledge.
Wow, she was picking up the whole diplomacy thing rather quickly since being around Jaekob and Mikah all the time.
Jaekob replied, "I see. There was no way to know of this possible side effect from the sword—"
"Possible? What other explanation is there?" Tallon blurted, interrupting.
"—And it's equally obvious that these new victims are better off afflicted than dead,
which was the alternative." He stared Tallon in the eyes as he said that.
Bells resisted the urge to smile when she saw Tallon physically flinch. Too bad everybody else was watching Jaekob.
Tallon cleared his throat. "Of course. That's a given. Nonetheless, we now face a new challenge, one connected to that ancient artifact, the Sword of Fire. Shmsharatsh has powers no one even knows of yet, and it's important we find out what those powers are and what the consequences may be, before using those powers."
An alarm bell began ringing in Bells' head. Something big was happening here and she didn't know what it was. She only knew that she didn't want to find out.
Mikah cleared his throat. "I have no argument against expanding our knowledge of the sword and its powers, as well as the consequences of using them. I'm going to go out on a limb, here, and guess that you have a solution in mind already?"
Tallon nodded. He stood from his chair, and his face beamed with the most pleasant smile as he bowed to Mikah. "The Crown of Pures thanks the Dragon Council for a reasonable and cooperative response. We do have a solution to this problem, if it please you."
Bells' anxiety rose another notch. Anytime a diplomat used the Imperial 'we' in conversation, it didn't bode well. She had learned that in her time with Jaekob, as well.
Tallon continued, "As King Eion's voice at the Crown of Pures, I propose in his name that we mandate the sword be placed with someone who can more properly evaluate its abilities and side effects. The current bearer would have to surrender the weapon, of course, but I think we all would hope that she would respect the voices of the Crown of Pures and the Council of Dragons, speaking as one on the matter. All those in favor, please raise your hands."
Bells stared at Tallon, shocked, as one hand after the other went up. The only hands in the room that stayed down were hers and Jaekob's.
Mikah stood, then put one hand on her shoulder. He looked down into her eyes, and she thought she could see a sadness in them as he said, "The mandate has been passed by both of these respected bodies. Bells, only one question remains."
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