“Tell me more about what happened. Who is involved? How was it that you ended up leaving the pact to destroy my kingdom?”
“It was when I became your Seer. I knew that I was wrong in everything that I was doing. I knew that you were the right person to be our Queen.”
“What information did you give them?”
“I showed them how to navigate through some of the tunnels. I just showed them how to get to Tamporlea. As far as who else was involved, I can't say for sure. I know that we all met at separate times. I never knew who else other than Timothy was involved in this situation. My guess is that they sought people out and brought them as individuals into the pact. I was only brought in by Timothy because he knew how upset I was over what was going on within our kingdom.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“It is the truth. I know my word doesn't count for much right now. Jasmine I've never done anything to purposely hurt you. When I got involved in this I really thought what I was doing was right. I didn't know you then Jasmine. I only knew that someone unknown was coming to take over our kingdom. Someone who wasn't the rightful heir to our beautiful kingdom.”
“So instead of taking a chance on me you decided to take it in your own hands and destroy Tamporlea?”
“I know it doesn't make any sense and it's probably impossible for you to understand, but yes that is how I felt.”
“Alright, I think I am done talking about the situation right now.”
“What are you going to do with me?” he asked nervously.
“I'm going to have Mykel take you back to your room. Then I'm going to have the Enchanters make it so that you can't leave that room. This is something I need to think about some more. I need to decide what your rightful fate should be.”
“What are you going to tell the other Heads?”
“I'm going to have Mykel take over your responsibilities. You are no longer the Head of the Guards. You are basically nothing in my eyes.”
“Jasmine,” he said sobbing again. “Please don't do this. I've worked so hard to prove myself in your eyes.”
“I know that you have saved the entire kingdom. I will be forever grateful for that. However, you only did that because you're feeling guilty for what you had done in the past. Who knows what you're planning with a relationship with me. Maybe you were planning in vain to take over this kingdom. Was that it?”
“No Jasmine, you know that's not true. You know that I love you. You know that I would do anything for you.”
I turned my back to him and told Mykel to bring Tyran back to his room and have Kelly set the Enchantments. I also told him not to share any of the information that he heard this morning.
I knew I had to tell Cali about what was going on. I had to let her know about Tyran and we had to think of a way to explain to everyone why Tyran wasn’t in any meetings or dinners. So now, I had my sister and someone I had thought to be my true love locked up as prisoners in my kingdom. This was only further proof that I was failing my kingdom.
Chapter 7
Funeral Arrangements
As I made my way up the incline, Cali came out of her room. She had a panicked look on her face, and I couldn't help but think what now? Sebastian was standing next to her with a look of relief on his face.
“Jasmine there you are! I have been looking for you all morning,” Cali said.
“I'm sorry; I went to speak with Lilliana and Tyran. I tried to sound cheerful in case anyone was overhearing our conversation. Why don't we go to my quarters for some proper breakfast?” I asked.
“Yes, let's go.”
Sebastian didn’t say anything as we made our way up the incline again and he stood outside the door as Cali and I went in. I smiled sheepishly at Sebastian before closing the door behind me. Cali immediately went and sat on my couch knowing that the breakfast invite was just a cover. I sat next to her and she asked what was wrong. Apparently she was just upset when Sebastian went to her because he couldn’t find me.
“You need to make sure you have a Guard with you,” she stressed.
“I had Mykel with me. Listen, I’ve got to tell you something.”
I filled her in on the morning’s events. I could tell that she was hurt I didn't go to her for advice and instead went to a sister I barely knew. I tried to explain that I needed someone’s opinion who hadn't lived here all their life. I needed somebody who had no opinion on Tyran.
“I cannot believe he would do such a thing. He's always seemed to be the most loyal person in this palace. Orion thought that he was wonderful and that the sun rose and set by him,” Cali said.
“I did too.”
“We all did Jasmine. Don't feel guilty. What are you going to tell everyone?”
“I don't know. I think they need to know something. How much should I tell them?”
“I think you need to really think about what you're going to say before you tell them what Tyran has done. This was a couple of years ago; his opinion and loyalties could have changed by now. I know it's hard to believe that he would do something like this. You need to really figure out if you trust him or not, and don’t just think about it in anger. You need to make this choice with a clear mind. You can't prosecute him and then go back on your word. That is not the way things work here. If you let him leave and you banish him or you sentence him to death there is no going back. You need to remember that. His punishment is something only you can decide.”
“What do you think Cali?”
“I have seen the way he looks at you Jasmine and I don't think anyone could doubt the love he feels for you. I don't think it's just an act either. I think he really does love you. No matter what he's done in the past, he didn't know you then. I think he is madly in love with you. I 'm sure he would never betray you.”
“Do we have anything planned for the day?” I asked trying to remember if there were any meetings I had forgotten about.
“Not that I can think of. Well, the Guards are supposed to be coming back with the bodies of the Guards from Pyrencia and hopefully the mirror as well. There’s no telling what time they will be back though.”
“So what do we do in the meantime?” I asked, wishing she would have an idea to occupy my mind.
“Why don’t we just try to relax?”
“Yeah right. I don’t see that happening.”
“We could have a meeting and discuss everything with the Heads.”
“I was going to do that after dinner.”
“Well, I don’t know then. Is there something you want to do?”
“You know, I feel guilty just having Sebastian stand around outside the door,” I said.
“I don’t think he minds.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Oh, nothing. Would you mind if I left you for a while? I think I’d like to take a time out for myself as long as there’s nothing going on.”
“Yeah, of course. I’ll find something to do.”
Eventually I realized that I hadn’t eaten since dinner the night before and I decided to make myself lunch. I invited Sebastian to join me and he suggested a picnic outside. I had to admit that sounded nice, so we packed a couple sandwiches with the last of the tomatoes in my fridge that weren’t dehydrated, a bag of trail mix for us to share and a couple of bottles of water.
When we finally made it outside, Sebastian led us to the open field. There was still debris scattered around, but I tried not to focus on that. I really just wanted to get through lunch without thinking about anything negative. I didn’t think it was possible, but it was worth a try.
“I have a question for you,” Sebastian said as he passed me a sandwich.
“Okay, I’ll answer whatever I can.”
“Do you miss home?”
“Yes, I miss my mom and my friends. Not that I regret my decision, but I think it’s going to take a while for me to put what could have been behind me. It’s hard to think of my friends getting ready for college and not being a part of i
t all.”
“But you don’t regret becoming Queen?”
“Not at all. I know this isn’t what I expected when I decided to become Queen, but I love Tamporlea. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” I said before taking another bite.
Sebastian asked me several questions while we ate. He wanted to know what public school was really like, what type of technology I couldn’t have lived without, but he didn’t ask anything too personal. I think he just wanted to know what life is like away from Tamporlea. He told me what it was like as a child growing up within the palace. It was so interesting learning how different our childhoods were. When we were finished with lunch, neither one of us made a move to go inside. I enjoyed talking with Sebastian and I wasn’t in any rush to return to the stresses inside the palace.
As we were talking, we saw the Guards returning from the forest. Sebastian and I greeted them and Joelle told us that the man that Lilliana had killed, was not where the mirror was. Jack’s body was also missing which would have to mean that some of the people of Pyrencia had found the bodies and brought them back to their kingdom. Luckily, Joelle and the others were able to find the mirror and she handed it over to me. Knowing that it would no longer reflect my mother’s room, I didn’t want to look at it.
On the way back to the palace, Joelle filled me in on their trip. They didn’t run into any trouble along the way, which I was very pleased about. I wanted the Guards to be safe but also this would mean that it was even more probable that Queen Aella was keeping her word on declaring peace. I wondered if Cali and the Heads would feel the same way.
That evening after dinner, I held a meeting in the platinum room with all the Heads. I told them that Tyran was still very ill and weak and would not be able to continue his duties as Head of the Guards. I said Tyran had a long recovery ahead of him and that is why Mykel would be taking over his responsibilities indefinitely. Rebecca and Kelly hid their confusion and I could tell they were both listening intently to my cover story.
I don't know how many people actually believed the lies. I had to hope that everybody took what I was saying for truth. I was never a good liar. Even as a child when I told a little lie to my mother or father, they would know immediately by the look on my face. I would hold my head down and I would never look them in their eyes. I always had a look of shame on my face when I was lying. That was many years ago so I hoped my acting ability had improved since then. I hoped that the people who trusted me believed my lies.
“Something else that we need to discuss is something that I learned from Selvin last night. I have learned that three Enchanters as well as a Guard named Timothy are guilty of betraying our kingdom by allowing Pyrencia to enter Tamporlea the night of the attack. The problem is we cannot banish these people from our kingdom. I know that is normally what is it done when someone breaks the laws of our community, but what can be done instead?”
“The only other Punishment that has been used is a death sentence,” Storm said.
“I think that there has been enough death around us to last a lifetime. I think I would rather discuss the possibility of building a prison.”
“Queen Jasmine, I don't know how well that would work. There was a prison here many years ago, but because it was so close to our kingdom, the family and friends of the prisoners were able to get the prisoners out and they would run off to the real world, never to be seen again. That is why the death penalty has been the other option used.”
“We have acquired the land of Jarnay, what about building one there?”
“I suppose it would be a possibility. However, you need to think about what the people of Jarnay would think about that. How would you feel if your kingdom was turned into a place for law breakers?” Cali asked.
“Well I suppose we can think of other options in the meantime. For now let us bring in a few more beds into the largest just guest room we have. We will have all of those who are guilty staying in that one room.”
“Queen Jasmine, since we are talking about Jarnay, did you know that king something left early this morning?” Kelly asked.
“Yes, he could not face his people another day. He feels extremely guilty and at fault for the crumble of their kingdom. I have told him that he may return to Tamporlea if need be.”
“I will have my people bring in new beds to the largest guest room. That shouldn't take too long and everyone can be transferred to that room to night,” Storm said.
“Excellent, thank you Storm.”
I was only in my room for a matter of minutes before someone was knocking on my door. Tonight was obviously going to be another very long night. I wondered if I would ever get real sleep again or if this was the way a Queen would always live.
“Queen Jasmine, Tyran is requesting to speak with you,” Cali said.
“Of course he is. Do you have any idea what he wants?”
“I don't know. I'm sorry. Would you like me to find out?”
“No thank you. I will go to see him.”
“Will you have Sebastian go with you?” she asked.
“No, I don’t think that’s necessary.”
I probably should have ignored his request but something inside me told me to go; I wondered if I would soon regret it. When I opened the door to Tyran’s room, he was sitting at the dining room table holding on to a cup of tea. He didn't say a word as I sat across from him.
“What do you want?” I asked immediately, annoyed.
“Queen Jasmine, I want to let you know that it is really killing me not to be able to protect you. I know that Queen Aella declared peace, but you can never be too sure. I don't want to be locked up in a room where I can't protect my Queen and the rest of our kingdom.”
“Oh, you mean the kingdom that you betrayed?” I asked cruelly.
He sighed and said, “I know that I have done incredibly horrible things. I hope that soon you will be able to forgive me. I do think you know deep down inside that there is nothing that I would do to hurt you. Everything that I had done to hurt this kingdom was done well before I knew who you were. I am asking you to please let me leave this room so that I may continue my duties as a Guard under this roof.”
“Your responsibilities as Head Guard have been handed over to Guard Mykel.”
“That wasn't what I meant. I don't mean being Head Guard. Mykel is an excellent choice. What I want is to protect all the people of our kingdom. You know that I am more than capable of doing it. Please allow me to continue to do so.”
“I personally think that you are only getting antsy in this little box by not being able to leave. It hasn't even been twelve hours yet.”
“No, that's not it at all.”
“Do you have any idea how difficult it is for me to know what you have done? I fell in love with you. A man who did something so awful to our kingdom. How do I live with that? How do I live with myself knowing that I fell for all of your antics?”
“Nothing I have said to you has ever been a lie. Look at me. Look in my eyes Jasmine. You know that I am telling you the truth.”
Despite his request, I could not look in his eyes. His beautiful turquoise eyes that had me from the first time that I had seen them. I wanted to ignore the fact that I still loved him. What ever he had done in the past I still loved him. I didn't know how to make those feelings go away.
“Is that all that you wanted? Can I leave now?”
“Of course you can leave. I will not force you to stay here. Please at least consider my request. Look inside yourself and see what is true. You know that I love you and you know that I love this kingdom.”
“I will consider it,” I said before getting up and letting myself out.
I didn't know what to do. All I knew was that I didn't want to be alone right now. I didn't want to have to think about anything right now. I considered going to see Cali but decided instead to go and visit Lilliana again. I really cherished the idea of being able to talk to someone who had no real personal feelings towards anyone in Tamporlea. I wa
s definitely starting to feel a strong bond with my sister. I knew how incredibly lucky I was to have her in my life. We had lost so much time together. I was glad that we were finally in a position to get to know each other and I hoped that she felt the same way.
I knocked on her door quietly but she did not respond. I knocked again a little harder but still there was no response. I considered going back to my quarters thinking that she probably wanted to be alone. Something told me to walk in any way to make sure that she was okay. She had been so depressed the last time I had seen her. I opened the door and all of the lights were turned off. There was an eerie silence inside as I took a hesitant step forward and entered her dwelling before closing the door behind me.
“Lilliana?” I called out. “Lilliana are you sleeping?” I turned on the lights so that I could make my way to the bedroom. The door to her bedroom was locked. I pounded on it wildly trying to wake her up, “Lilliana!” I screamed.
The adrenaline I felt at this point was overwhelming. There was definitely something wrong. I used my shoulder and managed to break my way through the door. What I found would haunt me for the rest of my life. Lilliana had moved the dresser to the middle of the room. She had used it to step on it and to hang a rope around the beams that went across the ceiling. I recognized the rope as her bed sheets and she had hanged herself from them. The last thing I remembered was looking into her vacant eyes as I was screaming at the top of my lungs and then falling to the ground as darkness overtook me.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“I don't know how long it will be before she wakes up,” I heard Cali say.
I could only listen as Cali and Rebecca talked about how I had passed out and how long it would be before I would wake up. Everything sounded like distant echoes as though we were inside a cave. I tried to yell out. I could not find my own voice. I couldn't open my eyes. I was a prisoner within my own body. This was the strangest feeling I had ever had.
“She has been through so much. It is amazing she lasted so long without passing out before now,” Rebecca said.
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