Whole in the Clouds

by Kristine Kibbee

  “That’s where my parents are?”

  “Why yes, miss. Where else would the king and queen live?”

  “Wait…What?”

  “You heard me, Princess Cora,” Celius declared with a bow.

  Cora found herself fighting the urge to faint again.

  “You’re just telling me this now?”

  Celius shrugged and grinned impishly, and Motley gave a bow as Cora regarded him with suspicion “I don’t suppose you knew anything about this?”

  “Not until yesterday,” Motley replied with earnest.

  “Some friends you are,” Cora grumbled just loudly enough for them to hear.

  “Please, my lady, they’ve only done as your mother and father have asked,” whispered a delicate voice. “After all, we’ve all sworn to protect you and in that effort your parents are the most diligent of crusaders.”

  The voice was like music on the wind and called to Cora from a rounded white carriage sitting just back from the cottage that shone like a great pearl. A delicate, gold door on the side of the carriage slowly opened to reveal a raven-haired beauty tucked inside. Cora marveled at the statuesque woman as she gracefully stepped down and made her way over to them.

  “So nice to see you again, my lady,” the beauty said as she approached. “And in true form, no less.”

  “I’m sorry, have we met?”

  “For certain, sweet child,” the woman returned with a knowing smile. “It’s me, Beatrice.”

  Cora’s mind drifted back to the woods where she’d first encountered Celius’s bride. The woman that stood before her now was a stark contrast to the haggard, ugly witch that she’d met in The Backworlds, but the voice was undeniably identical.

  “As you’ll see, my dear, things are quite different here,” Beatrice offered. “But I hope you’ll come to find it’s for the better.”

  “Aye, she’ll see that in no time at all,” said Celius. “But she won’t see her kin any time soon if we don’t leave soon!” He made a motion toward the carriage, which Cora now realized was being drawn by two creatures that she’d only ever seen in storybooks. “You’re not seeing things,” Celius reassured as she gazed in awe toward the two magnificent white beasts.

  “Are they really—” Cora fumbled.

  “For certain, Miss Cora. They’re a fine pair of pegasuses.”

  “But I thought they were only make-believe,” Cora replied, stunned, unable to take her eyes from their delicate silver wings.

  “That’s just a Backworlds way of seeing things. The pegasuses came to live here on Clouden a long time ago. Heck, if you could fly away from Backworlds, you’d do the same!” Celius said with a chuckle. The pegasuses appeared to understand and agree wholeheartedly as they threw back their glorious heads and shared in the moment.

  Determined to get underway, Celius urged them toward the carriage again, this time with an impatient wave. From the outside, Cora guessed that the carriage would be quite a tight squeeze for anything more than one or two people, but once inside she found that it was larger than any vehicle she’d ever encountered.

  After they took off for the castle, Cora felt so overwhelmed at each passing peculiarity that she began to fear she’d exhaust herself before she’d seen everything. At every new view she would repeat to herself, Things are quite different here. Cora was resolved to expect the unexpected and nothing less.

  After all, this wasn’t The Backworlds.

  Eight: Welcome Home

  The castle’s details filled out as they neared it. Cora stuck her head out of the carriage window to better catalog her new surroundings. Unlike the earthly castles Cora had seen photos of, this one was soft white, and seemed to be built with massive marshmallows. A gentle glow surrounded the entire structure, and, even though it was huge, it beckoned them. Cora felt welcomed and content as the carriage approached the colossal set of doors that swung open as they approached.

  A man and a woman in royal attire stood just inside the doors looking eager and excited. Cora didn’t need to ask who they were. She quickly pulled herself back into the carriage and tried to find her breath as the pegasus slowed and then came to a stop. Swallowing her fear, she felt as though her heart might jump right out of her chest.

  “Don’t worry, darling, they love you already,” murmured Beatrice, softly patting Cora on the knee.

  Celius was first to leave the carriage, offering his hand in assistance to Beatrice as she made her exit. Motley followed close behind, leaving Cora alone. For a moment she contemplated hiding inside, never coming out. She took a deep breath, and then willed herself to stand. Making it out the door was a different matter altogether.

  “Coming?” Motley called out.

  This is ridiculous, thought Cora, just go! Her frozen legs ignored all encouragement as her eyes fixed on the exit. Yet just as she felt she’d never have the confidence to move another step, she caught a glimpse of herself in the reflective walls of the carriage. She was no longer a tubby, pimple-faced child who had to be afraid of mockery and rejection. There was no need to hide anymore.

  Just as suddenly as they had become numb and immoveable, Cora’s legs were gliding out the door and into the sunshine.

  “My sweet girl,” her mother wept, enveloping Cora in a hug.

  “Our Cora, truly home at last,” her father proclaimed proudly, his voice full and rich.

  From the sidelines Celius introduced “Queen Serene and King Thomas,” but Cora was too stunned by their beauty to acknowledge him. Her father had a short beard of deep red and sparkling blue eyes. He was vital and strong, with a wide, full chest and shoulders that looked as though they could carry the weight of the world. In contrast, Cora’s mother was delicate and wispy. She had waist-length chestnut hair and a pair of green eyes that mirrored Cora’s.

  Before Cora knew it she was linked arm in arm with her mother being pulled inside the castle walls. A trail of sparkles, similar to what she’d seen left by the stardust inside the Invisivator, followed her mother’s every step, as did the sweet smell of honeysuckle and roses. Cora could not have been more enchanted.

  “I’m overjoyed to have you home, honey,” Serene whispered warmly. She’d no doubt seen her daughter gazing at her and Cora began to worry that she’d made her mother uncomfortable. “I’ve missed you so,” Serene continued. “Watching you grow up away from me broke my heart each and every day.”

  “So why did I?” Cora blurted.

  “It was, and still is, dangerous here, Cora. I’m sure Celius told you about the war,” her mother said, leading Cora through a golden foyer and down a grand hallway just inside the castle doors.

  “Yeah, Celius did say something about fighting. I don’t get it, though. If things are so great why would anyone want to mess that up?”

  “Good question, dear!” Serene responded with a dazzling smile. “You see, there are some here who have a desire to fuse the worlds of Clouden and The Backworlds, as it was centuries ago. We’ve not been able to defeat them, just hold them at bay. Your father hopes—” she paused, glancing back at Thomas “—that with your presence and strength here our family can finally bring peace back to Clouden.”

  “Me? Strong? I think you’ve got the wrong girl, Mom,” Cora replied with a somber air, adding the “mom” on just to see how it felt. She liked it.

  “Oh, no, my dear, you are stronger than you know. That’s why your inner light shines so brightly to beautify your outer self. Why, just look at you, my lovely girl.” At this Serene stopped walking and pointed Cora in the direction of a large mirror with an ornate, braided silver frame. Cora looked into the mirror, just as she had so many times at the request of Mrs. Catlin.

  “I keep forgetting,” Cora said, smiling at her reflection.

  “Don’t forget, dear. This is you. This is your strength and your compassion and all the love inside of you. This is you as you truly are and for all my life I will never forgive myself for having sent you to a place where you were made to think otherwise,�
�� Serene replied. Her voice was suddenly filled with sadness and regret.

  “Please, Mother, it’s okay.” Cora said, turning to look at her. “Celius explained it to me. I understand that it was done to protect me.” Cora couldn’t bear to see Serene anything but joyful. Celius, hearing his accolades from a just a few footsteps behind spoke up. “It’s true, Lady Serene. I told her just as you asked me to. I told her about the good fight and all. She’s a quick one, that girl, but is loving to ask all kinds of questions.” He gave Cora a wide smile with one of his special winks.

  “You’ve done a fine job, Celius. You’ve brought my daughter right to my door just as you promised and for that I am ever grateful,” Serene praised. “Must be that twist of elfin blood running through your veins that makes you so fearless!”

  “Yes, Celius, fine job indeed,” Thomas agreed.

  Just when Cora thought the hallway might go on forever, they came to a massive open room with high walls and no distinguishable ceiling. In the center of the room Cora laid eyes upon the largest tree that she had ever seen. It seemed to reach out to the heavens. There was a circular stairway that wrapped around the tree and followed its trunk straight into the sky. It looked as though one could climb it for days and never reach the end. Heavy, thick limbs jutted out from the base of the trunk at various points, hanging into the pathway. They were covered with nettles and bore small oblong objects that resembled figs.

  “And this, my dear, is the Tree of Life and Balance,” Serene announced while gesturing with her arms.

  “Okay,” Cora replied with a look of confusion. Serene seemed dismayed by her daughter’s response.

  “You didn’t tell her about the tree, Celius?” Serene asked with a scolding tone.

  “Ah yes, the tree. Well, there is a slight chance that I forgot about that. She was just asking so many questions that I forgot what exactly I was supposed to tell her about,” Celius defended, guiltily scuffing his feet at the ground.

  “I see,” Cora defended playfully. “When everybody is complimenting you I’m inquisitive and ask thought-provoking questions, but when you’re backed into a corner…” She trailed off giving him a look.

  Celius only smirked, shoved his hands into his pockets, and rocked back and forth on his heels.

  “All right then, Barnsworth, since it was your job to begin with, I’ll leave this one for you to explain,” Serene decided. Cora could see the motherly buds sprouting already.

  “An’ I’d be perfectly happy to do just that,” Celius replied.

  Just as Celius gathered his breath for what was certain to be a long-winded explanation filled with the type of colorful details that only he could relay, Thomas spoke up. “Perhaps over a meal,” he said, patting his stomach. “I’d venture Cora’s quite hungry by now. I know I am!”

  Cora sensed an immediate connection as she imagined her and her newfound father raiding the castle pantry at all hours. “I suppose I could eat something,” she admitted. She suddenly wondered how little she’d have to eat to maintain the body that Clouden had given her.

  Thomas latched on to Cora’s arm and began leading her down another corridor. “A true Clouden meal will set you at ease,” he merrily declared. Serene linked Cora’s other free arm in her own. Sandwiched between them Cora felt warm and safe.

  “Wait up!” Motley ran down the corridor in pursuit while Celius and Beatrice kept their distance. They were so entangled in one another’s embrace that Cora wondered how they were able to walk at all.

  Noting Cora’s curiosity as she cranked her neck around to spy on the Barnsworths, Serene interjected, “Don’t mind them, dear. They’re planning a family soon and are quite wrapped up in the magic of each other. The rest of us are just furniture to them!” The queen giggled and Cora found herself laughing without knowing exactly why.

  By the time they made it to the dining hall, Cora was breathless first with laughter and second with awe. It was magnificent. Several long rectangular ivory tables ran the length of the ornate hall, and the floor was comprised entirely of stained glass. A flood of colors intermingled to create a pattern of whimsical color and light beneath their feet. Natural illumination flooded in from vast skylights on the ceiling and made the entire room dance with the colors emanating from below. Cora peered between her shoes and gasped as she realized that she could see a blanket of clouds scrolling beneath them. The colors from the floor transferred onto the clouds, mimicking a kaleidoscope Cora had loved as a child.

  Thomas led the group over to a table near the center of the room. It was covered with a shimmering silk runner the color of dark turquoise. Clear beads hung from its ends and rustled slightly as Cora passed them. Their tinkling was a perfect replica of children’s laughter.

  “Have a seat, my dear,” Thomas ushered her toward a plush, comfy-looking chair at the head of the table covered in violet velvet. It was so inviting that Cora plopped down with no intent of getting up anytime soon. Had she ever sat upon something so soft?

  “Cloud filling,” Thomas said with a nod toward the base of his own downy seat. “Can’t beat it!”

  As if he’d foreseen their arrival, a short round little man came bursting out of a pair of silver double doors that Cora suspected led to the kitchen. He waddled over to the table, looking very disheveled and busy. His cook’s hat was on lopsided and his round cheeks were flushed.

  “Your Majesties, appears you have brought some company for your second feast today,” the man observed, toddling a brightly colored pencil back and forth between his fingers.

  “Why, yes, Fergie, this is our daughter, Cora,” Serene cheerfully announced.

  Fergie looked at Cora with visible awe, clearly taken aback. “Why, she’s back!” he shouted, excitedly tossing his pencil into the air. “It’s an honor to meet ya, princess,” he said with a curtsey. “I’ll be certain we prepare an extra special meal for ya today.” Cora nodded kindly, meanwhile wondering if she’d ever become accustomed to being referred to as a princess.

  “Hey, don’t forget about me,” Motley chimed in. “Got any juicy steaks or anything back there?”

  “Of course, Motley. I’m so sorry,” Serene apologized. “Yes, Fergie, this is the gallant Motley who has been a true friend and companion to our daughter while she was trapped in the horrid Backworlds. Please bring him the best meal in all of Clouden!”

  “Yes, ma’am!” Fergie said and with a spin of his heels, he headed back toward the direction of the kitchen. Following fast in his footsteps Cora spied three tiny fairy-like creatures who had previously gone unnoticed. Each was wearing a chef’s hat so small that it resembled a mini-muffin. The trio galloped to keep step with Fergie and walked right under the double doors to the kitchen as they closed behind him.

  “Ah, Fergie,” Thomas called out. “Any chance you’d like to know what the rest of us want?”

  Fergie was grinning sheepishly when he returned, fairies still glued to his heels. His bulbous cheeks had turned an unnaturally deep shade of maroon.

  When it came Cora’s turn to request her meal, she was confused as to the protocol. Everyone else had simply shouted out their order, obviously aware of what the strange names they announced entailed. Cora was not. She looked to her mother and whispered, “How do I know what I can order?”

  “Oh dear,” Serene replied, drawing her hand over her open mouth. “I’m sorry, dear. Just think of whatever it is that you most desire and Fergie here will get it for you!”

  “Whatever I want?”

  “Yes, whatever you want.”

  Cora tangled with the image of her newly trim waistline and though she fancied it beyond measure, she’d never been a champion of self-control. “Well, I guess if I could have anything I wanted, I’d have a big hot fudge sundae with everything on it!” she blurted with honesty.

  “Than that’s what you shall have! One Top of the Mountain with the works!” Serene announced to Fergie.

  “With pleasure, my Queen.”

  Cora was alre
ady guilt-ridden before the confection had even touched her lips. “I really shouldn’t have asked for that,” she whispered, more to herself than anyone but apparently loud enough for Serene to hear.

  “Why ever not, Cora?”

  “Well, I guess you know, since Celius said you were watching me and all, but I was pretty…big when I was in The Backworlds. All I wanted was to be like all the other girls, and now that I am…just look where I’m headed!”

  “Oh, sweetie, never fear! Truth be told, I’m sure if I lived in that place I’d be so gargantuan that I’d need to be cut out of my house just to get out and about! There’s no need to fuss over such things in Clouden. Here, things are right. We don’t live under the yoke of consequences that exist in The Backworlds,” Serene happily explained.

  When Cora’s sundae was placed in front of her, she gobbled it up with supreme satisfaction and utter abandon. She watched with glee as the entire party munched away on everything from ooey-gooey lasagna to mile-high caramel cake. She felt totally free for the first time in her life—free to enjoy the pleasures of the world without tormenting herself for doing so. “I think I’m going to like it here,” she said, scooping up the last few bites of her dessert.

  Celius gulped down his final mouthful of caramel cake and spouted, “And you haven’t even heard about the best part yet! The tree, that’s the root of it all.” He smiled at his own pun and continued. “My family watched it grow from just a wee sprig. Why, it was my great, great, great grandfather who was charged as its water boy. And his own child was one of the first to sprout from its seeds. Why, you could almost say it was my family’s green thumbs that have made Clouden what it is today!”

  Unsatisfied with Celius’s embellished start, Thomas interjected, “You see, Cora, what Celius is trying to get at, amid his…details…is that the tree is the center of Clouden. All of life and balance that exists here emanates from the tree. It’s what makes our world the parallel of The Backworlds. It brings harmony and life, thereby continuing the generations.”