With only a few inches between the surface and the ceiling, I take in a large breath and dive down into the murky water, grasping with my hands. After several long moments, I swim back to the air pocket to take in another breath. Again I search beneath the water, unable to see anything beyond my reach. I poke my face into the small space of air that is left. Suppressing the panic that threatens to consume me, I slow my breathing, taking in as much air as I can before there is no longer air to take. When the water seeps into my mouth, I plunge beneath the surface, swimming frantically around the room. Still, I can’t find the Queen. With my lungs aching, my heart imploding, I swim toward the door of the captain’s quarters. As I reach it, an angel floats before me, her long locks haloing her pale face. She is still unconscious, and I know she doesn’t have much time. Pulling hard with my hands, I swim toward her, grabbing her from underneath her arms. Thankfully, the door is ajar and I maneuver her through the opening.
We burst through the water’s surface where only the remains of the zeppelin reside. Outside the captain’s quarters is a war zone. Flames scorch the air around us, giving me the sensation of being in a furnace.
With the Queen in my arms, I abandon my ship, kicking with all of my strength. The Queen’s chin rests in the crook of my arm as I pull her onshore and lay her in a grassy field. She is cold to the touch. I watch for the rise and fall of her chest, but it never comes. Choking on water myself, I clear my own airway and press my lips against the Queen’s, pinching her nose closed. After a few breaths she doesn’t respond. I try again, but she does not stir. Resting my hands on her chest, I give her quick compressions, feeling the bones beneath my palms crackle.
I give her two more breaths, and she lets out an involuntary cough. Relief washes over me as I roll her to the side to let the water spill from her mouth. Although she remains unconscious, I’m grateful to see her attempting to fill her lungs with air. She stills, but the rise and fall of her chest assures me that she is very much alive.
Sighing, I roll onto my back on the soft, grassy riverbank. Ash falls over me, reminding me of my last day in Everland. I sit up. The magnificent tree is a fiery beacon, flames dancing in the darkening sky.
Suddenly, a man emerges from the forest with an arrow trained on me. I reach for my daggers, but they’re missing. I must have lost them in the river. Instead, I hold my hands up and study him cautiously. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen an adult.
“Why, you’re just a boy,” he says as he draws closer, dropping his weapon. He approaches, taking in me, the Queen, and the sunk zeppelin. He cracks a smile. Wisps of silver sprinkle through the dark hair at his temples. Wrinkles line his warm eyes. “Mighty fine landing there, lad,” he says. “How’d you learn to maneuver a ship like that?”
“It’s like riding a bicycle. Once you take the handlebars, it’s all downhill. And in this case, quite literally,” I say, watching the Jolly Roger burn.
He chuckles. “I’ll say. My name is Hunter,” he says with an outstretched hand.
“Pete,” I reply.
“And who is this young lass that you so admirably rescued?” he says, peering down at the Queen.
I press my lips together. Surely here in Germany, the English Queen would not be welcome. Before I can answer, shouts erupt from the forest. My crew from the Jolly Roger emerge from the trees, calling my name. Upon seeing me, Gwen breaks into a sprint and throws her arms around me, panting as if she’s run a race. “Are you all right?” she whispers urgently into my ear.
Hunter clears his throat. When I turn my attention to him, he’s got the Queen in his arms.
“I don’t suppose you both could hold off your reunion until we get back to the village,” Hunter says. “This one is in need of warm blankets and medical attention right away.”
Gwen pulls herself away from me and stares in surprise at Hunter. “Village?” Gwen asks.
Nodding toward the setting sun on the western horizon, he grunts. “Won’t be much longer before the sun is gone. The Labyrinth is nowhere to be wandering around at night. You and your crew will be returning with me. Come along now.”
Gwen gives me a wary look and mouths, “Who is he?”
I shrug. “It’s better than freezing out here. I’m sure we’ll be fine,” I say. I hope, anyway.
“Pete!” someone shouts. Duchess Alyssa emerges from the trees. Maddox limps toward us, his arms slung over Alyssa’s shoulder.
“Duchess!” I say, relieved to see her relatively unharmed.
Pickpocket races over to help her hold up Maddox.
“And what are we going to do with this bloke?” a strange man asks, emerging from the trees carrying an unconscious Jack.
“Will you look at that, the traitor lives … for now,” I say, shocked to see the former Lost Boy so far from Everland, along with another adult. Finding two different adults alive seems suspicious, especially when one of them is carrying the enemy.
“I found him lying on the ground like this. Nearly tripped over him while chasing down the boy in the pod ship,” the man explains.
Gwen brushes past me, her eyes wide with shock.
“Dad?” Gwen gasps, staring like she doesn’t quite trust her eyes.
“Daddy!” Mikey and Joanna say at the same time.
The three of them rush to the older gentleman. Upon seeing them, he falls to his knees, setting Jack gently to the ground, and opens his arms, delight evident in his brightened smile. Gwen, Joanna, and Mikey throw their arms around him. Tears flow freely as they shower one another with questions and affection. Warmth fills my chest as I take in Gwen’s pure joy.
Doc limps over to Jack to assess his condition, I assume.
“It appears this party just gets bigger. The more the merrier,” Hunter says.
Gwen’s father rises to his feet and hurries over to Hunter, taking in the sight of the unconscious Queen.
“The Queen?” he says, dropping to one knee.
Hunter’s brows rise. “Queen, you say? Well, that’s even more reason to get her back to the village quickly.”
Rising, the Colonel peers at Hunter, seeming to gauge whether he is friend or foe. “I’m Colonel George Darling of the Royal Guard. I insist on accompanying the Queen to your village.”
“Colonel, you say? Welcome to the Labyrinth. I have no idea what brings the lot of you here, but I’m sure it’s a fascinating tale that would do well with a full meal and some brew,” Hunter says. “Follow me.”
Hunter trudges off into the forest, and we trail closely behind. Who knows what awaits us, but we’re free of Katt. Which is something. At least for now. Glancing one last time over my shoulder, I bid farewell to the Jolly Roger, thanking her for saving my Lost Kids not once, but twice. As she smolders in the muddy water, grief burns within my gut. Loss has been so prevalent in my life that it ought not to faze me, but even the burning ship feels like the death of a close companion. Finally, I turn my eyes forward, never looking back.
As the sun glazes the dusk sky in brilliant pink, orange, and yellow hues, I breath easier now that this day in the Labyrinth has finally come to an end. After a short hike through the forest, Hunter brought us to an elaborate treetop village bustling with survivors of the Bloodred Queen’s cage. Equipped with coal-fueled lifts, chain-and-wooden bridges, and lights energized by steam turbines, this town is thriving in spite of its imprisonment.
My heart hurts for my home. Tears sting my eyes as I imagine Alnwick and my people overrun by Katt’s army. I’m grateful to see those who made it out alive—as few as there are.
A sweet melody from a flute lifts into the evening sky. I’m seated on a wooden deck surrounded by the branches of fir and pine trees. Lamplight twinkles from the boughs, illuminating dozens of treehouse cabins made of timber with thatched roofs. Walkways circle through the limbs of the trees, leading in almost every direction. Smoke rises from a bonfire in the hub of the forest town. Pete sits, staring at the dancing flames, a bamboo flute with multiple pipes held up
to his mouth as he plays a sad tune. Joanna, Mikey, Lily, Maddox, and several of the Lost Boys sit sleepy-eyed, listening to the sad song.
“Are you okay, Your Grace?” someone asks. Resting a hand on my shoulder, the Colonel stands next to me, genuine concern in his expression. My last memories drive my response.
“Just call me Alyssa. I am the duchess of nothing now. With Alnwick overtaken, I no longer rule. Here in Germany, we’re all equal,” I say.
The scowl on the Colonel’s face fades. He lowers his eyes and nods respectfully. “Okay, Alyssa. Are you all right?”
“Well, my home, my country, has been destroyed, what’s left of my people are stuck in the Labyrinth, and we’ve lost the Professor’s notes. I’m far from fine,” I say.
He waves a hand toward Doc and Gwen. Doc grips a poison apple while he talks endlessly. Gwen scribbles notes in a leather-bound notebook.
“He’s sharing what he knows before he loses it. Gwen is recording what she can,” the Colonel says, smiling with admiration.
Gwen turns toward us and smiles as her gaze falls upon her father.
“I’m glad you rescued those apples before I torched the tree,” he says. “I didn’t realize their potential importance in everything.”
Grateful the apples are in safe hands, I lean against the wooden railing. “How’s the Queen?” I ask.
A crease forms in his brow and he points to the highest cottage in the treetop city, far away from the hustle and bustle of the population. “She’s resting.”
The Colonel shifts awkwardly. “There is one tiny … well, maybe no-so-tiny complication,” he says warily. “You’d better follow me.”
Reluctantly, I follow him. I’m not sure how much more bad news I can take.
He leads me through a series of walkways, makeshift lifts, and swinging bridges. Finally, we reach a torch-lit landing. Vines of flowers wrap around a bier where a raven-haired boy lies as still as death. His clothes are torn, his hair disheveled, and a key with a faint smudge of dried blood hangs around his neck. I’m not sure what the key is for, but I decide I’d better hold onto it for safe keeping.
“Who is this?” I say, unclipping the chain from the boy’s neck and tucking the key in my pocket.
“It’s the good king of Germany’s son, Prince Jack,” the Colonel says bitterly.
Although the Everland kids shared stories of Jack’s betrayal both of them and the Marauders, I still can’t believe it’s possible.
“Jack’s dad was a kind and gentle ruler. Peace resided between our kingdoms during his reign.”
“Is Jack … dead?” I ask.
The Colonel nods. “It’s complicated, but for the sake of the argument, let’s say yes. At least for now.”
“For now?” I ask, confused.
“Again, it’s complicated, but he’s obviously in no condition to rule over Germany, and from the stories I’ve heard from your Alnwick crew, that may be a good thing,” he says.
“They don’t lie,” I say, feeling defeated. “He’d be a terrible king.”
“Not necessarily,” he says. “According to Hunter, Your Grace, Jack was kind back when Germany and England were allies. Rumor is that the disappearance of his father broke him. He was never the same again.”
“Disappearance? You mean the assassination of the king?” I ask.
“No, I meant disappearance.”
“The German king is alive?” I ask, flabbergasted.
“If there is truth to the stories, he is indeed alive,” the Colonel says, folding his arms.
Excitement rushes through me, filling my heart with hope like a breath of fresh air. “Where is he? Why hasn’t he taken his throne back?”
“I think we ought to join the others for a drink. Hunter can explain it to you better than I can,” the Colonel says.
Soon enough, the villagers and what is left of the kids from England venture off to bed. The Colonel, Pete, Gwen, Doc, Bella, and Lily sit by the bonfire. Maddox, although very groggy, also joins us, insisting on wanting answers himself since Lohr was once his home. Hunter pours beer into tin cans for each of us. When we are all served, he clears his throat.
“What can you tell us about the king?” I ask eagerly.
“Exactly where he is, I don’t know. However, I do know where the ship was headed when they carried him off,” Hunter says.
“How do you know?” Gwen says.
“Because he was the king’s huntsman,” Maddox says sluggishly. Although he’s heavily medicated, he winces as he sits up a bit straighter, his leg bandaged and propped up. “Hunter was close to the king and my father’s best friend.”
Hunter smiles warmly. “Ah, so you remember me, Mayr? I was afraid you’d forgotten me.”
Maddox smiles. “It’s Maddox now. And how could I forget you? You taught me how to hunt squirrels with my bare hands when I was barely out of nappies. My parents were always sending me to you when I’d get bored.”
“They were a fine couple. I miss them terribly,” Hunter says.
“Me too,” Maddox says with downcast eyes.
There is a solemn moment of silence for all of those who’ve gone missing since the Bloodred Queen’s reign. Finally, Hunter breaks the quiet.
“Of the story you know about the king, what is true is that he was poisoned with the very same type of apple that was used to create the Horologia disease. And it appears young Jack also ingested the apple. It suppresses respiratory function, giving the illusion of death and inducing the victim into a deep sleep. However, the Bloodred Queen then figured out a way to use it and make it lethal. Now that Doc managed to share what he remembers of the Professor’s research, my physician and Doc should be able to come up with an antidote in a timely fashion.”
Doc nods. “We’ll work as fast as we can. Hopefully, I can develop something to help our young prince, too,” he says begrudgingly.
“We should just let him sleep forever. He’d be less trouble that way,” Pete says bitterly.
“Pete,” Doc says wearily. “You know I have to help if I can. I took an oath.”
“Your oath is about as good as a shilling these days,” Pete shoots back. Doc glares at him but doesn’t have time to respond before Pete carries on. “That said, I’m sure he’s got quite a bit of dirt on the Bloodred Queen that can be useful. And if he made it back, who’s to say that Hook didn’t make it back as well?”
“You don’t think Hook is still alive, do you?” Gwen says, horror spreading across her face.
“Hook’s alive,” I say. “I saw him escaping the Labyrinth.”
Shock darkens everyone’s faces, but no one says a word.
“He’s the least of our worries,” Hunter says. “As long as the Bloodred Queen reigns, peace will never abound. Not here, not England, not anywhere in the entire world.”
Pete leans on his knees, suddenly attentive. “So what is your solution?”
“There’s only one solution,” I say softly. “Kill the Bloodred Queen.”
Hunter nods, the bonfire flickering in his green eyes. “That’ll be tricky,” he says. “The castle is impenetrable. The Bloodred Queen has a vast army guarding her at all times.”
“London was once my home, until the Marauders took over. Pirates, disease, crocodiles. A few soldiers and some weapons won’t stop us. It will be an honor and a pleasure to rid the world of that evil queen,” Pete says.
“But with Jack and his dad under the apple’s spell, who will take the crown?” Gwen asks.
“Oh, trust me, the king will rule again. It’s only a matter of rescuing him,” Hunter says confidently.
But I don’t feel so confident. I know we have to stop the Bloodred Queen, and the only way to do that is to kill her. A few whispered stories that the German king might be alive—it’s a lot to stake a future on. If there is even a future to be had. Doc still has to see if the apple can actually create a true cure to the disease. But we have no other options.
A gust of wind carries the hush through
the branches of the trees, rustling the needles in the pine trees. I shiver in the breeze and at the tasks that still lie before us.
Pete cracks his neck. “Count us in. Just show me and the Lost Boys where to go.”
Gwen hugs her knees and leans on their father. “I’m in,” she says.
Doc scratches his unruly blond hair. “Me too.”
Lily nods from next to him. “Count me in.” Bella cheers in agreement.
Hunter smiles. “Brilliant! What about you, Alyssa? Maddox?”
Maddox reaches for my hand, and I marvel at its warmth and reassurance. Most of all, words cannot express my relief as I look into his golden eyes, which, although tired, are very much alive. Maddox squeezes my hand and pulls me to him. A burst of strength spreads through me as I look around the camp. And I see hope. There’s still something worth hoping for.
“Down with the Bloodred Queen!” I say.
Umberland would have never come to fruition without the love, support, and encouragement of so many.
My three sons continue to be a source of inspiration and joy. Thank you, Gavin, Keaton, and Riley for being the perfect cup of tea in my life. You all make me proud.
Stu, thank you for believing in me.
Again, I wouldn’t be here today without the love and constant support of my family, especially the king and queen of my heart, my mom and dad. I appreciate all the ways you’ve encouraged me these last few years. Also, much love to my in-laws, Bob and Harriet.
To my awesome BBB’s critique group, Jennifer Fosberry, Erika Gardner, Amy Moellering, Cameron Sullivan, Georgia Choate, and Jerie Jacobs. Without the ongoing support of my Bacon Babes, Alyssa and her peeps would be only a mad thought in my head.
I can’t leave out my sweet online critique partners, Ashley Hearn and Monica Hoffman. I cannot wait to celebrate your very own book launches.
To my closest and biggest fans, Department 384. Our days working for the Mouse continue to be a source of inspiration. I miss the tea parties.
Jones, I’m simply mad about you. Thank you for being my beta reader.
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