Tamporlea (Tamporlea Trilogy, Book 1)

by Tiffany Lovering

  “No, thank you. Have a seat, I have something to tell you.”

  “Alright.” I was suddenly concerned at his tone.

  “Miss Jasmine, the votes for Queen are tallied.”

  “Oh, okay,” I said trying to hold in the tears threatening to fall. Obviously from Orion’s demeanor, the vote hadn’t gone the way we were hoping for.

  “We weren’t planning on telling you and everyone else until tomorrow but certain circumstances have forced me to tell you now. We’ve chosen you as the next Queen of Tamporlea,” he said without an ounce of excitement in his voice.

  “You chose me because Lilliana left,” I quickly assumed. “Is that right?”

  “No Miss Jasmine, not at all. I think we all knew it was going to be you from the beginning, it was just a matter of making it official. Queen Aella and Lilliana left before having been told what we had decided.”

  “Why would they leave if they didn’t know?”

  “The Queen’s assistant is a bit of a psychic, but not a very good one. They probably knew before the last vote was cast. They left to save face I would think.”

  “There’s something you’re not telling me. What’s going on?”

  “Miss Jasmine, we have to have the crowning ceremony as early as possible. It’s been set at sunrise tomorrow.”

  “Why so quickly?”

  “We think that Queen Aella could be planning an attack on us after you are crowned.”

  “So why would you want to have the ceremony so quickly? Wouldn’t you want to prolong it? I mean the longer we wait, the more time we’d have to plan a counter-attack. Or maybe it would be best if you didn’t have a Queen at all. I mean you’ve survived before without a Queen.” The words came out in a rush as though I was pleading with him.

  “No Miss Jasmine. That wouldn’t change a thing because we have rejected Lilliana.”

  Tamporlea was changing because of this situation, and the truth was, I still wanted to be Queen. Even now, knowing that there could be an attack on Tamporlea I still wanted to be Queen, even more so. I knew that I would do what I felt was best for Tamporlea when I was crowned, and apparently Orion and the rest of the Heads felt the same way.

  “Miss Jasmine, it’s still your decision,” he said looking to my packed bag. “If you wish to return home to your mother, you may do so.”

  “I would like to stay here. This is my home now and it would be an honor to be your Queen.”

  Orion looked relieved and even smiled before saying, “Okay then. I must let people know what needs to be done. I will send Miss Calalilly here in the morning to help you get ready. Try to get some sleep ok?”

  “Alright Orion. I will see you in the morning then.”

  I was going to be Queen in less than eight hours and I knew there was no way I could sleep. I tried watching television to calm myself, I made a pot of tea which didn’t help me in any way but to keep be busy. An hour had gone by and I still was too excited to sleep. I thought about unpacking my bag again, but that wouldn’t make any sense since I would be moving to the Queen’s quarters tomorrow. Finally, I decided that I had to go wake up Cali and tell her the news.

  I practically ran to her room and knocked on her door. When Cali answered, she was surprised to see me and immediately asked what was wrong. Her hair was a tangled mess from sleeping but she was alert at seeing me.

  “May I come in?” I asked.

  “Yes, what’s wrong?” she asked frantically.

  “I can’t sleep.”

  “Jasmine. It’s okay. Things will work out,” she said.

  “No Cali. I can’t sleep because my crowning ceremony is happening in 5 hours!” I said excitedly.

  “What?! Oh my goodness! Are you serious? What happened?”

  I told her the whole story, even about me trying to take Lilliana and leave the kingdom, which she didn’t like at all. By the end of the story she was wide awake. She was glad that I woke her up and didn’t just wait until morning.

  “So we need to do something to celebrate,” Cali said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, I’m sure that the ceremony tomorrow isn’t going to be as fun filled as it’s intended to be. It’s not fair to you. We should do something fun.”

  “I don’t think we can. I mean I am positive Tyran is lurking around here somewhere. I’ve had a Guard around me all the time since Orion and Queen Aella’s argument. Actually probably longer than that.”

  “Ugh, I’m not going to let him or anyone else spoil this. What do you want to do?”

  “How are we going to get around the Guard?”

  “I don’t know, and I don’t really care to be honest. What do you want to do?”

  There was only one thing I really wanted at this moment but I was nervous to ask. “Cali, I’d really like to see my mom.”

  I could see the wind come out of her sails when I said this and I felt so bad. “Jasmine, I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I told you that her memory is going to become clouded. That mirror may not even reflect anything.”

  “I know, and I’m prepared for that I think. I just have to try. I mean tomorrow I will be Queen and I may never see her again. I couldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t at least try.”

  “Alright, give me five minutes and we’ll go.”

  I sat on her couch and waited for Cali to get dressed and brush her hair. When she came back she looked flawless.

  “How do you do that?”

  “What?”

  “Take five minutes to get ready and look perfect?”

  “Oh stop, c’mon let’s go!” She said pulling me along with her. We ran down the incline and toward the door to the tunnels. We were being as quiet as we could as we made our moves. As we went through the door Tyran stepped in front of us.

  “Hello girls.”

  “Ugh, go away Tyran,” Cali said.

  “Where are you headed?” he said ignoring Cali.

  I shifted uncomfortably on my heels and said, “Uh, well. I just wanted to go for a walk.”

  “Seemed like you had a pretty specific destination in mind.”

  “Fine,” Cali said with all confidence in her voice. “I’m taking her to the Sacred Space to see her mother.”

  “You know you can’t do that. I’m not even talking about the fact that Jasmine isn’t supposed to even know about that room.”

  “Tyran, I know it’s a slim chance that I will be able to see her. I just want to try,” I pleaded.

  “Do you mind if I come with you?”

  “I suppose we don’t have much of a choice, do we?” Cali said.

  We continued to the little room and I sat in the folding chair as Cali handed me the box with the mirror. As I picked it up, I saw my mother lying in her bed, watching the television on her dresser. Cali and Tyran were both looking over my shoulders into the mirror as well. Mom was still awake and Jinx the cat was curled up on the foot of her bed.

  “That’s not possible,” Tyran said. “What do you think is causing this?”

  “I don’t know. I never would have thought things would be this clear. Especially since she isn’t even doing anything that has to do with Jasmine. If she was dwelling over her absence, maybe that would explain it, but she’s just watching television.”

  “My mom and I have a strong bond. Her memory of me won’t ever fade I don’t think,” I said as I kept staring at my mother.

  “I suppose it’s possible,” Cali said.

  “Maybe the spell that Orion cast wasn’t strong enough.”

  As Cali and Tyran continued speculating, I watched as my mom drifted off to sleep with the light of the television casting on her face. I didn’t even pay attention to what they were saying to each other. I didn’t really care what the reason was for being able to see my mother right now. I wasn’t going to take it for granted and the two of them let me continue to stare into the mirror until it went back when the television shut off by the sleep timer. I handed the mirror to Cali who put it back w
here it belonged.

  “Cali, can I have a minute with Jasmine?” Tyran asked.

  “Sure, I’ll meet you back in your room okay?” she said to me.

  When she left the Sacred Space, there was an overwhelming silence between Tyran and me before he could finally speak. “Jasmine, I need to tell you something.”

  “Okay,” I said nervously.

  “I tried telling you this before Orion and Aella got into that argument.”

  I felt awful forgetting about the conversation that Tyran and I never finished. “Oh, I’m sorry Tyran.”

  “Don’t be. I just need to get this off my chest. I’ve done something awful.”

  He hesitated for a moment but I interrupted before he could continue. “You know what Tyran, I don’t want to know what you’ve done. I have been through a lot in the last twenty-four hours. There’s no way you could have done anything worse than what Aella did by kidnapping my sister…”

  “But…”

  “No. Whatever it is, you obviously feel bad and I give you credit for wanting to confess to me. It’s just whatever you’ve done, it hasn’t gotten in the way of me being Queen. Nothing else matters right now. Whatever it is, I forgive you,” I said looking into his eyes. “I was just able to see my mother when you and Cali didn’t think it was possible. This morning, you kissed me, you told me you loved me. I saw my twin sister for the first time in my life. I was voted Queen of Tamporlea and I’m to be crowned in the morning. I know there are bad things that happened as well, but right now I just want to focus on all the good that is happening around me.”

  “You’re sure you don’t want to know right now?”

  “Positive. Not tonight, and not ever.”

  “Alright. If you’re sure.”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Okay, well, I think I will take you back to Cali then.”

  “No.”

  “What do you mean no?”

  I stood up from the chair and faced him. I reached out to hug him and he held me in his arms. My head was against his chest, and I could hear his heart beating a comforting rhythm.

  “We have longer than a few minutes,” I said referring to the morning’s quick meeting before the ceremony.

  “Yes, we do,” he whispered as he continued to hold me.

  “You can have that time if you want.”

  “Jasmine, what are you asking me?”

  “This might be my only chance to really be with someone I love.”

  “You don’t believe in sex before marriage.”

  “That was before I knew my marriage would mean nothing.”

  He took my hand and led me out of the tunnels. We walked past my room and continued up to his home where he opened the door for me. I looked at him nervously before stepping in. I knew what I wanted, and I didn’t care that it had only been two weeks since we met. I couldn’t imagine ever feeling this way for anyone else and I didn’t want to lose my virginity to someone I didn’t love.

  Tyran lifted my chin to look me in the eye and said, “I love you more than life itself.” He kissed me with passion and intensity as he led me to his bedroom and laid me on his bed. He kissed my neck, my cheek and my lips as he hovered on top of me. I unbuttoned his shirt and pulled him close to me, desperate to feel the warmth of his skin against me. My hands twisted in his hair pulling his lips to mine, unable to get enough of him.

  He pulled my leg around him and I knew that he was feeling just the same as I. He touched my lips with his fingertips, so gentle I could barely feel it but it still sent chills up my spine. I touched every part of his face, his back and his chest, trying to commit it all to memory. He took off my shirt and pulled me close to him again, wanting nothing between us. Overwhelmed with the emotion of love, I unbuttoned his jeans and he looked into my eyes as he kissed me again.

  “Tyran,” I whispered. “Make love to me.”

  He answered not with words, but with action. Pulling off the rest of our clothes as he kissed every inch of my body. I reached down and touched the length of him, ready to help him find his way inside of me.

  “Jasmine,” he said quietly as he took my arms and pinned them above my head playfully, but there was something different in his eyes now. “Jasmine, we can’t.”

  “Yes, we can.” I urged trying to pull out of his grasp.

  “No,” he said as he lay next to me. I was tempted to climb on top of him to finish what we started but my heart was too crushed to move. “Jasmine, I love you, you know I love you but we can’t do this.”

  “Why not?” I asked barely able to get the words out. I pulled his comforter on top of me, wanting to hide, feeling ashamed that I so badly wanted something I couldn’t have. He pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead.

  “If we are meant to be together, we will find a way. But I know how much your virtue means to you and I am not going to compromise that. I know you love me Jasmine, and that is enough right now. There has to be a way for us to be together.”

  “There’s not. You know there’s not. Not with me being crowned tomorrow.”

  “So change the laws when you’re Queen.”

  “You make that sound so easy. With everything else going on, I can’t be so selfish.”

  “I’ll wait then.”

  “Tyran, there’s no way I can justify us being together.”

  “No,” he argued. “I won’t accept that. True love is so rare Jasmine and that’s what makes this whole world go around if you think about it. If we are meant to be together, we will be. We will do this the right way.”

  I didn’t respond, I couldn’t. He was wrong. This was our only chance and he was giving it up. I cried as he held me. How long we were there, laying in silence, I wasn’t sure. I didn’t want to leave his arms ever, but to continue to stay would be torture on me. As I started to get up, he pulled me close to him again not wanting me to move.

  “I can’t stay Tyran.”

  “Please.”

  “No,” I said as I moved again and got dressed once I found the way to my pile of clothes. When I was finally clothed, I sat down next to him. “I love you Tyran. Please don’t ever doubt that.”

  “I won’t if you don’t,” he sat up and kissed me for what would be the last time. “I’ll walk you to the door then.”

  “No, its ok,” I said as I stood up. “Goodbye Tyran.”

  I ran back to my room as fast as I could and slammed the door as I collapsed on the floor. “Jasmine?” Cali said as she came to my side. She pulled me in to hold me as I cried on her shoulder. She didn’t ask what happened, she just comforted me the best she could without knowing why. She eventually helped me to my room where I fell asleep with her by my side, in case I needed her. She really was the best friend I could ever ask for.

  Chapter 13

  The Fourteenth Queen of Tamporlea

  “Jasmine, wake up!” Cali yelled.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked startled out of my restless sleep.

  “We only have an hour before the ceremony begins. We need to get dressed.”

  “Oh,” I grumbled.

  “Hey! I don’t know what happened last night, but don’t let it stop you from being happy today. Jasmine you are about to be our Queen!” she said excited. She was right, I was happy that despite all the obstacles in my way, I still somehow managed to be voted Queen. I was determined to focus on that as I jumped into the shower, got dressed in the beautiful green gown again and sat in front of the bathroom mirror to do my make up. I noticed that my eyes were red and bloodshot as I stared into the mirror. Cali knocked on the door.

  “Jasmine? I brought someone for you.” I opened the door and Healer Rebecca was with Cali. “I thought she could help heal your eyes and help you feel more awake if you’d like.”

  “Oh, I…do I look that bad?” I asked.

  Cali looked at me sympathetically and said, “It’s just really obvious that you’ve had a rough night.”

  “Ok, sure, as long as you don’t mind Rebecca. I
know this can’t be your usual healing duties.”

  “Oh, you’d be surprised at how many times Queen Holly has called on me to help her with these exact same ailments,” she said comfortingly. “Here, sit back down and close your eyes. I’ll be done in just a few seconds.”

  I did as she instructed and she placed her ice cold hands over my eyes. After about five seconds she removed her hands and I opened my eyes that were no longer stinging. I looked into the mirror and saw that there was absolutely no evidence of last night’s tears. “Thank you,” I said as I continued to stare in amazement.

  “Any time Miss Jasmine. I will leave you two to finish getting ready.”

  “Thank you,” Cali said as she walked her to the door.

  “I don’t think you have to worry about anyone interrupting today’s ceremony,” Cali said as she sat next to me on the couch.

  “Why’s that?”

  “All of the Enchanters have heightened security around the kingdom. They don’t do it very often but today it seemed appropriate.”

  “You mean they don’t use all their powers for our security all the time?”

  “Oh no, not even close actually. They use a certain amount of energy on everyday enchantments, but the high security stuff takes a lot out of them. They’ll be exhausted by the end of the night.”

  “Oh no,” I said feeling awful about the situation.

  “Oh, don’t worry about it. The Healers will do their thing and they’ll be good as new in the morning.”

  “If you say so.”

  We didn’t have to wait too much longer for Orion to show up to escort Cali to the garden. I was told once again to wait for Tyran. He was the Head of the Guards so I guess it made sense that he would be the one to escort me, but I was still nervous about seeing him again. When he knocked on the door I jumped and called for Casper to come with me.

  “Jasmine, you look beautiful,” he said.

  “Thank you. Casper and I are ready,” I said avoiding his eyes. Unexpectedly, he pulled me in for a hug and kissed the top of my head.

  “Don’t worry about anything, ok?” he said smiling at me.

  “Whatever you say.”

  He offered me his arm which I took as he led me once again to the gazebo in the middle of the garden. As I started to pull away from him, he whispered in my ear, “You will always be my everything. Love you Jazz.” I smiled weakly at him as I took my seat next to Cali.