by Riley Walker
As soon as those words leave my mouth, I feel a strange tingling going up my spine. Electric shocks roll through my body and my fingers start to itch. I can feel the ground shift and the next thing I see are spidery vines coming up from the ground and wrapping around Edrik’s ankles. One moment I am looking up at Edrik, the next I am looking down at him. It seems the vines attached and then jerked him to the ground. We just look at each other, both too lost to speak.
“Chess, do you know why there is a bush attacking my legs right now?”
I just shake my head, looking in awe at the vines covering his ankles, keeping him from being able to get back up.
“I am beginning to think we just unlocked your Fey powers. Congratulations Princess. Now, do you think you could call your friends off me so I can get up?”
“Ummm, vines, could you please remove yourselves from Edrik’s legs?”
Nothing.
I squish up my face in concentration, “Vines. Release yourselves at once!”
Nothing.
I begin to wring my hands. “Vines, vines go away. Come again another day?”
Nothing.
“Really, Chess. This is not a joke. Get these things off of me.”
“I am trying! Don’t you think if I knew how, I would have removed them already?”
“Okay. Maybe you just need to calm down. They could be tied to your emotions. Try to clear your mind.”
I sit on the ground and cross my legs. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath.
“What are you doing now?”
“I’m trying to clear my mind. Now I need you to be quiet so I can continue meditating.”
“Alright. I am being silent. Go clear your head.”
“What’s going on here?” I am too absorbed in the situation with Edrik to realize Colton just walked up on us.
“What does it look like Colton? I accidentally attacked Edrik with vines, which was a huge surprise, and now I cannot get them to let go,” I cried.
Colton busts out laughing. “Are you serious? This is the best thing that has happened since I got to this crazy place. Wait. Did you say you did this? How did you attack him with vines?”
“It seems that our Princess has the gift to manipulate nature.”
“Franchesca, you mean to tell me you just thought it and the vines crawled from that tree to over there and grabbed Edrik? This is classic!”
Colton is practically rolling on the ground now in laughter. I do not find this situation nearly as funny as he does. I can feel my anger towards him rising. Once again, I watch the vines at the base of the tree creep across the ground, this time heading for my soon to be ex-best friend.
Colton's laughter abruptly stops when the first vine slithers up his leg and begins wrapping itself around his knee.
Yeah, he doesn’t think it's so funny now.
“Get it off me! Franchesca, get your crazy tree vine off me now! Please?”
“I am trying. If you could just shut up and let me concentrate.”
I try once again to focus on clearing my mind. A few deep breaths, a couple of hummmmms and I can feel the tingling sensation in my spine again.
“It is working Chess. Keep doing whatever it is you are doing.”
I stay focused on the feeling I have until it dims away. When I open my eyes, Edrik and Colton are sitting up, no longer covered in vines. In fact, there are no sign of them anywhere.
The next thing I know, two strong hands are tangled in my hair and a pair of warm lips are on mine. Edrik breaks the kiss and leans back giving me an intense look.
“You have to learn how to harness your powers now that we know what they are. They could be an asset to us but only if you know how to control them.”
I do not like where this conversation is headed.
“You know who could help you.”
“No. No way am I asking her for help.”
“You have to Chess. She is the only one with the same powers and enough knowledge and experience to teach you.”
“No. Not happening.”
“Who is he talking about Franchesca?”
“You do not want to know Colton. Besides, there is no way I am going to ask her and even if I did, there is no way she would ever agree to help me. You know this.”
“She is your Mother, Chess. She may be difficult, but she wants you to succeed as future Queen and she knows the importance of honing your powers to help you be the best.”
I huff at him. He chuckles. “Fine. I will go ask her.”
Edrik kisses me on the nose and pats my butt as I walk out of the training center. My Knight is a jackass.
I find my Mother in her sitting room reading a book. I am sure it is a riveting, ancient text about one of our ancestors who lived a hundred years ago.
“Mother, may I have a moment of your time.”
She lays her book down and gives me a once over.
“Of course Franchesca. How may I help you?”
“I have recently discovered my Fey powers. It seems I can manipulate the earth. I was training with Edrik and when I got angry, the vines moved from the tree and covered his ankles then took him to the ground.”
I think this is the first time I have ever rendered my Mother speechless.
“Mother. Are you alright?”
“Yes. Of course I am. I was just shocked to hear you found your powers and they are the same as mine. So, what do you need from me?”
“I need help learning them. I need to know how to control this.”
“I am not so sure I am the best one to be teaching you Franchesca.”
“You are the smartest person I know. There is no one else I would ever ask to help me with this.”
I figure a little groveling and kissing up would not hurt at this point.
“Very well. I will teach you what I can. We can begin next week, after your Father’s birthday party celebration.”
What is it with my Mother and all of her parties? We are in the middle of a war and anytime someone sneezes, she decides to throw a party. We do not have time for this.
“That is too late. Can we begin in the morning?”
“Why would it be too late? Is there a reason you need to learn so soon?”
“No. I did not mean it would be too late in that regard. I just mean that I am afraid if I were to lose my temper, as you know I have a tendency to do, I could do something unexpected and I would not want to embarrass you or Father.”
Mother looks at me shrewdly. Nothing gets past her. I hope she accepted my explanation.
“Very well. First thing tomorrow after breakfast I shall meet you in the garden. You can have your Knight there in case we need someone to test your powers on.”
“Thank you Mother. I will see you in the morning.”
I turn around and get out of there as fast as I can, but not before noticing the cover of the book she was reading. Is that a romance novel with pirates on the cover? I chuckle all the way back to my room.
32
Mother 101
I meet Mother the next morning in the garden as planned. Even this early in the day, she is already made up with makeup, jewelry and perfect hair.
Me? I am in my trusty yoga pants and a university sweatshirt. Edrik walks up dressed in his training attire of black cargo pants and a black tee. His boots are shined as usual.
“Morning, Mother.”
“Franchesca. Let us get started, shall we? The first thing you need to do is become one with the nature around you. The plants above and below the ground can already feel your presence. All they need is a little guidance and they will obey your commands.”
I take a deep breath, close my eyes and try to feel for the nature surrounding us. I feel a small vibration but it is gone as quickly as it appeared.
I groan. “I felt something but it left me.”
“You have to concentrate. Try to focus on this rose bush. Will it to bloom.”
I look at the bush and put all my focus on it. I see the buds in my mind and then will
them to bloom just as she told me to. When I open my eyes, I see a small open bloom where a bud was only seconds ago.
“I did it!” I jump around in excitement until my gaze shifts to Mother and I immediately stop.
“Franchesca, I need you to focus. You do not have time to jump around every time you make one small thing happen.”
We continue with the lesson of me trying to make blooms happen and when she is satisfied that I can achieve this, she announces our lesson is done for the day.
“Mother, do you not think we could work a little longer before stopping?”
“Really Franchesca, begging is unbecoming of a Princess. We will pick this back up tomorrow morning.”
Edrik and I watch my Mother walk away. “Well, that lasted longer than I thought it would.”
I look over the Edrik. “What do you mean? We could have gone longer.”
“Chess, I can see the strain of learning all over your face. You look exhausted and you have not eaten all day. Your Mother noticed it too. Believe it or not, your Mother cares about you and she did not want to push you more today. Come on, let’s get something to eat and rest. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be much more taxing on you.”
My Mother arrives before Edrik and I again the next morning. As usual, she is impeccable in her appearance and, as usual, I am in yoga pants and a tee. Oh well. Comfy before beauty is my new motto.
“Mother.”
“Franchesca. Edrik.”
“Queen,” Edrik bows with his greeting.
“Today we will work on using your power for protection. See the ivy growing on this tree? I want you to will it to crawl towards Edrik and attach itself to him.”
“Huh? You want me to make this ivy attack Edrik?”
Mother just nods her head.
“Okay.”
I close my eyes and focus on the ivy growing up the side of the tree. In my mind, I picture it crawling across the ground and wrapping around Edrik’s legs. When I open my eyes, I see nothing. Not one piece of ivy has moved.
“Again. This time concentrate harder. You have to see it happen.”
I close my eyes and focus once more on the ivy.
This time when I picture it, I start with the tip of the ivy that is attached to the tree. I see it letting go, sliding down the rest of the bush, and crawling across the ground with the rest of its limb following. I follow its movements across the dirt, over Edrik’s boots and up his leg. It travels up to his knee and begins wrapping around his thigh. When I open my eyes, I see a shocked expression on Edrik’s face and ivy twisted around him just as I had pictured.
Since I know Mother is watching, I do a happy dance in my head.
The next task for me is to have the rose bush grow and climb Edrik’s body, engulfing his torso completely. I forgot about removing the thornes before it was too late. Not only was I able to make the rose bush eat Edrik, but it also ripped his shirt, chest and back to shreds.
Oops.
“You are doing well Franchesca. You can now work on your powers all on your own. I am sure Edrik and your little human friend could continue helping you.”
“Of course Mother. Thank you for all of your help.”
“Oh Franchesca, tomorrow night we are having the Advisors with their families and the King and Queen along with Winston for dinner. Please dress appropriately.”
As she walks off, Edrik comes up and hugs me from behind.
“Do not be disappointed, Chess. I see in your eyes that you wanted her to work more with you. It will be alright. Colton and I can help you hone your powers. She will come around one day. I promise.”
“I just don’t understand her. Why does she act like the only things important are dinners and parties? Does she not care that we are at war? Maybe if I start practicing my powers in ball gowns, she will be happy with me for once.”
He kisses me on the nose and pats me on my butt. “She will come around. Tomorrow you can have a rose bush eat Colton. That should make you feel better. My days as plant food are over.” He laughs as he walks off.
Later that evening, after I covered his scratches from the rose bush in ointment, Edrik and I are sitting in the grotto, resting our weary bodies. I had no idea trying to control bushes and plants could be so tiring.
“I am impressed by how well you are learning Chess. With more practice, your power will be strong and a formidable opponent.”
I beam with pride at his compliment. “How soon do you think we can leave to go find Shelby?”
“You are not ready yet. We need to train both your sword skills and power a few more days.”
I sigh. I know he is right, but the thought of her out there, wondering what could be happening to my best friend has me on edge.
“Three days. I will give you no more than that Edrik. I do not care if I have to train day and night. Three days and I leave to go find Shelby with or without you. I will not wait any longer.”
“Three days, Princess. I promise.”
33
Slippering Suckers
Tonight is dinner with my parents, Edrik, Colton, the Advisors, King Richard, Queen Isabelle and Winston. This will definitely be a night to remember.
Colton only has jeans and training apparel so to make him feel more comfortable, I am going for the casual look as well. Where Colton is wearing jeans and a teal polo shirt, I decide on my favorite skinny jeans with rips across my knees, a pair of grey suede ankle boots and topped it off with a matching grey tee Shelby gave me that says ‘You Had Me At Tacos’. I figured it was only right since it has food on it.
I open the door to Colton’s knock and walk with him down the winding staircase towards the dining room, arm in arm. I can feel the stares on us as soon as we enter. My dad and the Advisors are in the corner along with Winston and King Richard. My Mother and Queen Isabelle are both already seated at the long, mahogany table.
I hear a gasp and see my Mother's face pale, “Franchesca, may I have a word with you?”
“Of course, Mother.”
Mother walks past me and I follow her into my dad’s study.
“What exactly are you wearing and what is that human boy doing down here?”
“His name is Colton and he is not an animal, Mother. You cannot keep him hidden in a cage. Also, these are clothes.”
“Do not sass me, young lady. I am already tolerating a human being here, do not push him on us. He is not welcome and as soon as your little human girl is found, he will be returning to the Earth Realm with her.”
“They are my best friends, Mother. For three years they were my only family. When we find Shelby, both she and Colton will be welcome here for as long as they wish to stay. I will not have you or anyone else trying to send them away.”
I stand a little taller, daring my Mother to say anything else. I am future Queen and it is time I stood up to her. I am tired of her constant bickering and belittling me.
“Why are you dressed like this? Have you no respect for me and your Father? If you have decided to act as a future Queen, then you need to present yourself as one also. Your betrothed is here. Do you want him thinking you are below him?”
I snort out a laughter. “Mother, Winston could not care less what I look like. He barely tolerates being around me. I am surprised he does not have another bimbo on his arm tonight. If you would excuse me, I need to get back to my guest.”
I turn on my heels and head back towards Colton and Edrik, who are huddled together watching everyone else.
“Boys, have room for one more?”
“Chess, you look beautiful as always.”
“Thank you, Edrik. You look yummy as always.”
Colton chokes on the drink in his hand and Edrik lifts an eyebrow at me.
Well, he does look yummy. He is wearing a pair of dark blue pants with a white button up shirt, his sleeves rolled up to his forearms. He fills it out very well.
“Princess. You did not have to dress up for me tonight.”
I feel his
hot breath as his leans down and speaks these words into my ear.
“Winston. You are missing your arm candy tonight. What is the matter? Run out of bimbos in the Dark Kingdom?”
“Do not worry about me Franchesca. There are plenty more ladies looking for my attention in the Light Kingdom.”
Winston makes my skin crawl. He also makes my mouth water. In a black suit with a sky blue shirt that makes his eye pop even more, he is a fine sight. Then he opens his mouth. Why do I have to be betrothed to an asshat?
When dinner is served, dad calls everyone to the table. My dad is seated at the head with Mother on his right. King Richard and Queen Isabelle are to his left. I am seated next to Mother, flanked on my right by Edrik then Colton. Across from me is Winston, sitting next to his mother. The member of the Advisory Board is broken up on both sides.
The table is adorned with a golden runner flowing down the center. In the middle is a large arrangement of multi-colored freccia flowers. Serving dishes of escargot, fresh green salads, roasted lamb and Gretchen's homemade breads line the entire table.
The escargot and salads are served first but I pass over the snails. I never have been able to eat the slimy things. I hear Colton asking Edrik about how to eat them and Edrik laughing softly under his breath.
“You use the tongs, place it inside of them and squeeze to crack the shell.”
Next thing I know, I see an escargot flying through the air and smacking Winston right between the eyes. The look on his face sends me into a fit of laughter. Beside me I feel Edrik’s body shaking and see Colton jump up with his hands waving around his head.
“I am so sorry Winston! I did exactly what Edrik told me to do. I guess I squeezed too hard?”
Winston takes his napkin from his lap and rubs his face, giving Colton a glare that if looks could kill, we would be burying him this afternoon.
“It is alright. They can be slippery if you aren’t used to them.”
Poor Colton just nods his head and sits back down. I would try to comfort him but between the laughter and snorting coming from me, I can’t catch enough breath to speak.