Unjust

by Tiffany Lovering

  “The usual,” I said. “Vegetable soup with some yummy bread.”

  “Oh, great. Sounds delicious,” he said unconvincingly.

  “I know what you're thinking; everyone else is sick of it too, but everything is preserved in some way so you just have to deal with what we have.”

  “I know, I don't mean to complain but I just really wanted something with some substance to it.”

  I filled him in on what happened while he was in a coma-like state. I told him about the meeting that we had and that the Queen had declared peace with our kingdom. He wasn't so sure that she really meant it. I told him that seemed to be the consensus. However, I still believe that she was telling the truth. I couldn't even explain to anyone how her face looked with the tears in her eyes when she said that she had lost half her troops. Even if I could describe it, I don't think anyone would believe me. I think the Queen has caused so many problems with our kingdom that they have every right to disbelieve anything that she has to say.

  Rebecca brought Tyran some food and I sat with him while he ate. When he had finished, I told him that I had to go. I gave him a hug goodbye and told him I would be back in the morning.

  As I walked up the incline to the platinum room, I saw Selvin waiting outside the doors. He smiled as I approached him and I opened the door. We sat at the table and he opened his notebook. He said he had found several people that he believed were at fault for betraying our kingdom.

  “First,” he said. “I want you to know about the Guard, Timothy. It seems as though he is very guilty for betraying our kingdom. I don't know for sure but he may be the one who showed the people of Pyrencia the way through our tunnels. Whatever his role, it was quite significant. There are also three Enchanters I believe are guilty as well. I've written everything down here. I think you should know Kelly is not among them. I don’t think she had any idea that three of her Enchanters were involved. She still appears to be quite faithful to our kingdom. I don't think she has it in her to betray us.”

  “Thank you Selvin. I know this is hard and I do appreciate your work on this. Do you think anyone has suspected what you were doing at dinner tonight?”

  “I don't think so.” He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and I knew he was keeping something from me.

  “What is it Selvin?”

  “Well it's just I know you didn't ask me to, but I went to the hospital wing because Tyran is one of the Guards and he was the last one to be evaluated.”

  “Yes, but you wouldn't have found anything on him, right?”

  “That's the thing. I did find something on him. I believe that he is guilty of betraying us in some way.”

  “What? That’s impossible. How true are your predictions? Are you sure you haven’t made a mistake?”

  “Your highness, I'm very sorry but I believe that I am correct. I don't think he is still involved, but I definitely think he had a part in what has happened to our kingdom.”

  I wasn't sure what to say to that. It was impossible to comprehend in my mind that Tyran would have anything to do with what had happened. He risked his life countless times to save Tamporlea, so how could he have betrayed us as well? That being said, for as short a time as I'd been in the kingdom I knew that the powers that were under the palace walls were strong. There is no doubting Selvin.

  “Your Highness, I'm very sorry. I know you were not expecting to hear any of this.”

  “Selvin, I want you to make sure that this stays between you and me. I need to decide what to do with these people. Were you able to figure out if anyone is still trying to betray our kingdom?”

  “The way my powers work is that I get a feeling when I think about a particular situation and look at the suspect. The degree to which they participated makes the feeling stronger when I look at them. I believe the only person who is still guilty and still completely loyal to Pyrencia is Timothy. The good news is that there isn’t one person who came in from Jarnay that I suspect as being insincere or who wants to cause us harm.”

  “Thank you Selvin. I think I'll take your notebook if you don't mind so I can look over your notes and so nobody will just happen to stumble upon it, such as your wife or anyone else.”

  He handed over his book and said goodnight. After he left, I went through his book and saw that there were mostly just scribbles and a few names written. Timothy's name appeared over and over again within the scribble. Tyran’s name was written once on the third page in small block writing.

  Chapter 6

  The Ultimate Betrayal

  When I got back to my chambers, I went through my notes and found everything that I wrote about Timothy, which wasn’t much. He seemed to be a quiet, sweet, honest man, the same as everyone else in the kingdom. I flipped to see which of the Enchanters were involved. Sabrina was only nineteen years old, unmarried, both of her parents were alive. I wanted to know what would make her turn her back on this kingdom. As I read the profiles, I just couldn’t imagine why any of the guilty would betray Tamporlea. It didn’t make any sense. I was tempted to wake all the Heads and confront all the guilty parties tonight, but I knew that I had to digest this information myself before I confronted anyone.

  I lay on my bed for the first time since coming back to Tamporlea. I saw what should have been Casper's new bed on the floor with his basket of toys next to it. I desperately wished he was with me now. I missed having his companionship, him licking my face, even him wanting to play fetch every second of every day. I started to think of how I would live my life without my faithful dog by my side. Casper had been there for so long for me. I began to cry thinking about how much I was going to miss him. I started thinking about Orion and all the people we had lost in such a short time. I allowed myself to finally break down for the first time since the battle began. I heard someone knocking on my door and I knew it was Cali. I ignored her. I would just tell her that I was sleeping if she asked the next time I saw her. I didn't want anyone to see me this way. I had to be a strong Queen; I had to be the best Queen that I could be.

  That night between tossing and turning, I had a dream. I dreamed that Lilliana and I were alone in the forest again. It was she who was about to be killed and I didn't know if I would react as bravely as she had. I sat there for an immeasurable amount of time, watching her being taken away by this big man, and I didn't know if I could save her. She was my sister but I don't think that mattered in the dream. I think all that mattered was my selfishness and my kingdom. What kind of person was I really, if I couldn't even save my own sister?

  I woke up drowning in sweat and tears and lay in my bed until I found the courage to get up. It was still too early in the morning. Nobody was awake in the palace. I decided to make myself some coffee and try not to fall asleep again. This was the first time in my life that I realized sleeping could be a dangerous thing. It allowed me to think in destructive and demoralizing ways.

  I thought of what Selvin had said about Tyran and I allowed myself to think of what it really meant if it was true. It would mean he never loved me. It would mean he never really cared about this kingdom. I don't think it could be true. Why would Tyran do such a thing? Why would he play with my emotions like that? I needed somebody with an outside perspective to tell me what they thought of the situation, but I couldn't think who could give me that. Cali and I were too close; she would tell me what I wanted to hear.

  I found myself heading toward Lilliana’s guest quarters. The circumstances surrounding Tyran made me want to ask my mom but she wasn't here. I would never have her again, but my sister was here. I couldn’t talk to anyone who truly knew Tyran; I needed someone who wasn’t too closely involved in the situation to tell me what they thought.

  When Lilliana let me in her room she looked as though she hadn‘t slept much either. She had been sitting on her couch, drinking some tea and writing in her notebook. I sat beside her and thought about what she may have been writing. Was it just a journal or was she maybe writing poetry, or maybe a fictional story she's c
reating in her mind to escape from reality.

  “Queen Jasmine, are you okay?” she asked.

  “I'm okay,” I said sadly. “I just need some advice and I really didn't know who else to turn to.”

  “Really? You're really coming to me for advice?”

  “Don't be so surprised. I really need an outsider’s point of view.”

  I went on to tell her what Selvin had said about Tyran. I told her that I didn't know what to believe. Lilliana looked very uncomfortable as I was telling her the story. She couldn't look me in the eyes and I had a feeling that she knew more than she was letting on. Then I remembered that while we were in the forest, she had told me that she had something to tell me. Could this have anything to do with what she was about to say?

  “Jasmine you're my sister and I'm going to be honest with you right now. I know this is going to hurt but what Selvin said about Tyran is absolutely true. I didn't realize it at first because

  I never saw anyone's face, but when I heard Tyran and Timothy talking, I knew that they were the same two people who were showing the Guards from Pyrencia where to go.”

  “How sure are you that it was Tyran and Timothy?”

  “I would bet my life on it actually. I'm really sorry Jasmine. I know this isn’t what you were expecting. I know this has to be hard to believe but please, please believe me. I am telling you the truth.”

  There was absolutely no doubting Lilliana, and I held back the anger I was feeling and said, “Thank you for that Lilliana, I do believe you.”

  “Oh thank goodness. I was so afraid that you wouldn't believe me. I don't know what I would do if I was sent out on my own in the real world.”

  “Lilliana you have nothing to worry about, I am not going to do that to you. You have a place here in Tamporlea , that much I can promise you.”

  “I really don't think that I could live the rest of my life here. It is my hope that over time, I will earn your trust, and at some point, you will let me leave here. I will go into the real world and somehow find my way.”

  “Lilliana, that's just not possible; you never lived in the real world. You don't know what to expect. How are you going to survive out there?”

  “I was hoping you would allow me to take some college courses while I'm here. Maybe I can get my degree in something, be able to find a job, and find a place to live when I leave here.”

  There was something telling me that she wasn't planning to stay here long enough to take a single college course, but I didn't think she would leave either, so these conflicting opinions kept going around in my head. What was it that she was trying to tell me?

  “Lilliana, I'm not sure what's going on in your mind, but I hope you aren’t trying to leave this palace any sooner than is completely necessary. I really don't want you to leave at all. I was hoping we could spend the next few years getting to know each other. Hopefully, eventually we can be like true sisters.”

  “Is that really what you want?” she asked with tears in her eyes.

  “Of course it is. It's all I’ve ever really wanted.”

  “I guess we shall see what happens. I can't make any promises to you. I don't know what this place is has in store for me. I feel like I don't belong anywhere.”

  “You keep saying that. Every time I tell you that you belong here with me in this palace you don't believe me. What can I do to make you see that what I’m telling you is true?”

  “It's not you Jasmine. It's just I know what I am to everybody else in the palace. They don't want me here. Nobody wants me anywhere.”

  I wanted her to know that I was here for her. I wanted her to believe everything that I was saying to her. However, I also knew that what she was saying was true. There wasn’t another person here who would want Lilliana to stay here as much as I did. Nobody understood the complexity of the situation. Everyone saw her as just Queen Aella’s pawn. I couldn't see her like that anymore; after she saved my life everything changed.

  I stayed with Lilliana for as long as I could, but eventually I started feeling the anger boiling inside me once again and I knew that I had to face Tyran. I had to let him know exactly what I knew. I had to let him know that I hated him for what he'd done. It was also important that I confronted Tyran before anyone else because of his powers. If I spoke with everyone at once, Tyran could easily set the whole palace on fire allowing him and the other three to escape. He needed to be detained first.

  First, I went to get Guard Mykel; I considered Sebastian but Mykel was acting as Head Guard while Tyran was ill and this was more official than simply needing a bodyguard. I knew that there was no way that I could protect myself against Tyran if he were to decide to attack. Mykel was alarmed when I came to get him. He had no idea what was going on, and I told him nothing about the situation. I only said I needed to be protected from a prisoner. I'm sure he was very suspicious and thought that possibly it was somebody who came from Jarnay. He was even more confused as we headed towards the hospital wing. At this point, Tyran was the only patient still there and Rebecca was the only Healer on duty. I told her to go to her home; that I wanted to the alone with Tyran now. She looked at Mykel and me suspiciously but made her way silently out of the hospital wing.

  Tyran was still sleeping. I hoped he hadn’t slipped into a coma again because I really wanted to get this over with. I walked over to his bed and shook him awake as violently as I could stand it. He jumped out of his bed and asked me what was wrong.

  “Sit down, I have something important to discuss with you,” I said.

  “What is it Jasmine? You’re scaring me.”

  “You don't fool me Tyran. I fell for your games before, but I'm not going to any longer. I never realized how two-faced and how incredibly cruel you can be.”

  “Jasmine what are you talking about?”

  “How about you tell me about the ways in which you betrayed me and Tamporlea.”

  I heard Mykel gasp from behind us. He was obviously shocked at what he was hearing. This wasn’t anything anyone was expecting.

  With tears in his eyes Tyran responded, “Jasmine I tried to tell you once before about this. Don't you remember?”

  Of course, I knew what he was talking about. Before I was crowned, he wanted to discuss with me about something awful he had done. However, the fight between Orion and Queen Aella interrupted us and I never did find out what he wanted to say. Even when he tried to tell me again I told him I didn't want to know. I told him that I loved him and that whatever it was I forgave him, but at the time, I couldn't imagine in a million years that it would be something like this.

  “Don't you think this is something that you should have told me regardless of the fact I told you not to? You should have ignored my request not to be told this information. You should have explained yourself right then and there.”

  “Doesn't the fact that I was going to tell you count for anything?”

  “No, it doesn't. This isn't just a simple question of something wrong. This is a matter of security. This is a matter of the war that took place with your help.”

  “You are right, I did help. I saved this kingdom if you remember correctly. Not only once but twice,” he reminded me.

  “I want to know the whole story. I want to know everything. I want you to start from the beginning, and don't finish until I know everything.”

  “It was two years ago. I was angry at Orion for making decisions that I didn't agree with. This kingdom was going to hell in a hand basket. I didn't think we had any way of surviving the next Queen. I started taking on different tasks with the Runners along with Guard Timothy. Some of them knew about what was going on and dragged me into it. I know that's no excuse. I know that what I've done is completely wrong. One day Timothy and I went to Pyrencia using the tunnels and we met up with one of their Guards.

  “Timothy knew that I was angry, and he saw me getting angrier by the day. He knew that I would probably go along with whatever he said. I'm not sure how he had found out about the plan t
o attack us, but he did. He told me that they were looking for people from our kingdom to help them attack us. I told you that I didn't agree with the idea of you coming here to take over as Queen. I sincerely thought Tamporlea should just come to an end. I thought that was to be our destiny. I thought anything else would just be interfering with what should have happened.”

  “You were one of my Seers, Tyran. How could you do this to me? How could you know me and still go along with the plan that would destroy me?”

  “I was not your Seer at this point in time. I wasn’t the Seer until the year after this plan was already being implemented.”

  “And you thought being my Seer would help in your plans to destroy Tamporlea, didn't you?” I accused.

  “Yes,” he said shamefully. “I was going to use any information that I found out about you to help Pyrencia. It was my plan all along to use you to help Pyrencia to take over our kingdom.” He was crying now. I didn't feel sorry for him at all; if anything, it just made me angrier. He wasn't sorry for what he had done, he was only sorry that he had been caught. How could I fall in love with a man so deceitful? How could I let him fool me?

  “Jasmine you know that I could have this whole place lit up with fire in the matter of seconds. I'm not trying to run away, I'm not trying to hide anything from you. I wasn't trying to hide anything from the beginning.”

  “You were too. If you weren't why didn't you tell Orion or Queen Holly or anybody else about what was going on?”

  “I couldn't tell them. I couldn't be banished from Tamporlea. I had my mother and my sister to think about. I couldn't just leave here and leave them behind. That's what would have happened. I would have been banished.”

  “You would have deserved that,” I said angrily.

  “You’re right, I would have deserved it, but that doesn't make it any easier. I wanted to be here for my family. If the plan worked as it was supposed to, when Pyrencia attacked I would be able to take my family with me wherever we needed to go.”