Carved
Page 25
Arden says, “That’s amazing, I’m never going to forget that, Kendra. You probably need some water, though. Even though your skin is naturally red now, you have some dry spots. Stay here I’ll see what I can find.”
He’s right; I’m very thirsty.
One of the TASS soldiers says, “Representative Jared Macbard. We’ve cleared the entire compound. We’re now collecting any prisoners and are trying to find any useful information. Do you and the Ceorfan Queen mind the wait? We can make it back to the plane in a few hours. It won’t be much longer. Is this Don Manuel Jessup?”
We tell him it is. He takes a kit from his pack, collects blood and tissue samples. Then he snaps a picture of his burnt body before he walks off.
Arden brings me a bottle of water. “I’ll get you something better when we get to the plane, but for now, this should help.”
He’s right; I need the water.
“Dana, can you deal with these remains.”
“Sure, Sis.”
We move away from the body. As we do, the grotto near where Jessup lies, crumbles. Thousands of tons of rock, iron, concrete, and dirt bury Jessup in an unattributed tomb. Dana says, “Well, that saves some time. The piece of shit’s buried. That’s more than he deserves.”
“Jared, am I going to stay like this or can we look human?”
He chuckles and tells me, “You’re beautiful either way. I really like the red.”
Dana takes over and says, “The same way you pushed your dragon blood, push your human blood.”
I do, and in seconds, I look human again. At least what I can see. I lean back into Mica’s hard chest and take a deep breath. “The first thing I want to know is, where is everyone else and how did you find me?”
Mica answers, “Everyone is safe at the castle. They all sleep as high on the parapets as they can. They’re safe anyway—TASS has added to the guards around them. Anyone who works there signs a non-disclosure statement. Since you got your way with the members, they’re treating us like gold. It’s hard for Kino and Spar. They’re not happy about having to stay there.”
Arden said, “Your brothers told them they would bring you back to them or call if it was worse than we expected so they could come, even if they had sleep in the jungle. TASS had the intel that Don Manuel was needing a doctor to do testing on a new queen of the lab rats. We knew it had to be you. We figured that would get me into the compound. They had all the information we could possibly need to get to you. They must have had someone on the inside. I’m not surprised by them anymore. They did put me on staff and made me sign loads of paperwork, including a non-disclosure. They basically get everything I own if I ever tell a thing.”
I lean closer to Mica, breathing in his smoky vanilla smell. He tightens his hold on me.
It turns out I wasn’t the only prisoner in the camp. The cartel had half a dozen young women and girls handcuffed to beds in a common room. The TASS soldiers let them loose. The girls told the soldiers they were from tribes that live close to the compound. They can make it home without help. The TASS soldiers divided all the money and valuables they had found between the girls before they left to go home. We’ll take the cartel’s vehicles back to an airstrip where we’ll board the plane to go back to Scotland. Since we’re in Mexico it’ll take us about 11 hours to get to the castle. It’s almost 1:00pm so when we get there everyone will be awake.
I fall asleep in my seat while Arden tends to my wounds.
Waking up after a few hours’ sleep, I feel wonderful. It must have something to do with the dragon blood. Mica tells me all my cuts and bruises are healed too. If the others saw what he did when Arden first found me, they’d go crazy. The way I did when I thought Don Manuel shot Dana.
“Mica, did you by any chance think to bring me some clothes?”
“Yes, they’re in my bag. Are you ready to change now?”
“Yes. Is there a reason we’re flying home with TASS instead of using a portal stone?”
“Yes, Princess, I want to give you a little time. When we get back, there’ll be a lot of people who want a moment of your time. TASS will want information. I just wanted you to have a minute to yourself.”
“Oh, thank you, Mica, that’s what I need. Will you guard the door for me while I change?” I shouldn’t think I need any extra protection. What’s wrong with me?
“Anytime anywhere, Princess. I mean, my queen.”
“No, you have called me princess since we met don’t change that okay?”
He hands me some jeans and a white Henley tee-shirt, underwear and socks. “I’ll get you a pair of new boots when we get home. I forgot to bring you some shoes.”
“This is just fine. I’ll be glad to get this torn-up, filthy dress off. I liked this dress too.”
“So did I,” he tells me. “We can get you as many as you want, in any style.”
I nod my head and go into the bathroom. I remove my destroyed gown and throw it into the trash. Then splash water on my face to clean it as well as possible. I do the best I can on the rest of my body. I need a good soak.
My hair is impossible. I reach into the trash bin and tear off a piece of my gown, finger-combing my hair, I begin braiding it into a French braid. I tie the end with the torn scrap of dress. I put on the clothes as fast as I can. I hate being alone in here! I don’t want to be alone at all! In fact, I open the door, reach through, grab the front of Mica’s shirt, and pull him into the bathroom with me. Pulling the door closed, I push him against it and wrap my arms around him. He holds me tight to his chest.
My body is shaking uncontrollably. I tell him, “Mica, don’t leave me alone, please. I don’t want to be alone.” I start to cry.
He holds me and rocks me, telling me he’s not leaving me alone. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t there for you.” He thinks he let me down when the cartel took me.
“No don’t blame yourself. Just don’t leave me alone. Please, I can’t take it at all.” I clean my face up again. “Mica, please don’t tell anyone I cried. Okay?”
“There is no shame in crying, Kendra. After what you have been through, crying is normal. No one is going to blame you for crying.”
“No, they won’t blame me, but they’ll feel guilty. I don’t want that. I want to be strong, if that makes any sense. When we get home, I want to talk to you, Spar, and Kino alone to tell you what happened while I was a prisoner of Don Manuel. That way I only have to say it once, then never again.”
“You’re strong. Whatever you want is what we’ll do, Princess.” He bends toward me and kisses me lightly on my lips.
I kiss him back. Breathing in his smoky vanilla scent, my blood heats up.
The pilot makes an announcement: we are descending and need to return to our seats. I smile at Mica, opening the door.
In minutes we land and are disembarking. I can see Spar and Kino in front of a crowd of people. I must know some of the others, but Spar and Kino are who I’m looking for. I feel like I can’t get over to them quick enough. I quicken my pace. No, I’m running to them. Just like a commercial or a romance movie when the heroine runs to her love. I understand the feeling now. Only I’m running to two loves.
As soon as I reach out for them, they both gather me up together. I laugh. We must look weird to the others. I don’t care. I want them both. Mica is behind, me adding to the hugs. Perfect! They pass me to Spar, and I sink into his spicy, rainy forest smell. I’m such a drama queen—I’m tearing up. I spill a few tears on his neck. Then he passes me to Kino, who gathers me close, putting his face into the crook of my neck, his hands in my hair. He’s humming softly to me. I calm, feeling at peace. Happiness overtakes me. Taking a deep breath of his bergamot citrusy scent, I kiss him lightly on his soft, full lips.
“Thank you.”
Kino smiles and says, “You have a friend who would like to say hi, Edling.” He motions to a young boy, around twelve years old, standing beside his parents. Oh, it’s John! Yay for dragon blood.
Standing directly
in front of him, I reach out and shake his hand, putting my other hand on his shoulder. I smile, “John, I’m so happy to see you feeling so much better! Thank you for coming to see me on my return. It’s a gift to my spirit.”
He leans close to me, and whispers quietly, “I know what you did. I don’t know why, but it worked. Thank you, my lady.”
“Let it be our little secret, please, John?”
He nods an almost imperceptible nod to me in conspiratorial assent.
I take his mother Meg’s hand and give her a little hug. “Meg, you look wonderful. I take it you’re feeling better too?”
“I’ve never felt better, my lady. John is a living miracle. We’ve decided your presence in our lives has saved us. We had to be here to welcome you home. Well, our home. It’s your home if you would like it to be. We are so glad to see you back and safe!”
Stepping closer to me and taking my hand, Thurston says, “It is so good to see you safe, my lady queen. We are in your debt.”
“Never – you’re my friends. Let’s go to the castle and celebrate. I’m starving. Wonder what Chef Ron has for me?”
“I am sure it will be something wonderful. This way to the limo, my lady queen.”
I never thought, even as many times as Jared has used his limos for me, that it would feel so normal. It did, though.
Twenty-Six
Plans
Kendra
Mica is holding my left hand and Spar my right, while Kino leads our little procession. I’m not sure how we chose this arrangement. It just happened rather organically, as if it was meant to be. If it was planned Jared and Dana are in on it too. Which, now that I think about it, is exactly what they’ve done, I think… Anyway, if they did, Jared and Dana are in on it too. Jared also has his personal security force ringing the entire operation. Dana is walking behind me with his NODA look on his face.
Dana always has that look when he’s in protection mode. He developed it when we were children. We were playing in a park in Pampa, TX. Jared was at the bottom of this bowl-shaped park and Dana was near the top. I saw Dana run down the hill into a group of boys who had decided it would be a good idea to gang up on Jared. Dana was only nine, but when he hit the group, all of them went down like bowling pins. None of them ever bothered us again. We call that look on Dana NODA, for ‘NOt a DAmn thing.’ We were kids, it sounds edgy when you’re eleven.
There’s a total of three limos waiting. I’m escorted into the second with my consorts, while Jared and Dana ride in the first and third one, separately. The security force takes four black SUVs, two in the front, two in the rear. I am pretty sure I saw at least four machine pistols while they were getting organized in their vehicles. With all my goyles and friends in the limo train, we head to the TASS castle. Spar is on one side of me and Kino on the other; both are holding my hands. I could stay right here for a long while.
I thought about using the time during our ride back to the castle to talk to my guys. But it just doesn’t have the privacy or the familiarity that I want before I open up to them about what happened. I need a different setting, so if they feel the need to leave, they can, without it being so obvious and uncomfortable for them. I guess that is my real fear… I’m damaged goods, now.
I do however, tele-speak to Mega who is in one of other limos. I lean back with my guygoyles all touching me in some way and listen to Mega give me the details of my rescue mission from his perspective.
We arrive at the castle and head for the dining hall. Counter to what it seems many people believe, I am not bothered by returning here. For me, returning is validation of my victory over those who tried to ruin me. I will not be undone by men of evil intent. Mica opens the doors for me. I will not be undone…
“Surprise!” Everyone yells, “Welcome back, Queen Kendra!”
I immediately feel shock. I can’t understand what’s happening, or why. I’m just standing here, with my mouth agape, trying to process what’s going on.
Spar squeezes my hand and tells me, “Kendra, it’s ok. They want to say they love you.”
Recognition dawning, I realize how touched I am by this event. Wow. That some of the most powerful and prestigious people in the world would do this for me is incredible. Whether the world knows of them or knows that they make many of the most influential decisions every day doesn’t matter. Outside this small group, few will ever even know what happened here—doesn’t matter.
Chairman Brinker takes my hand. “Your Majesty, we’re here to celebrate your return to us. If I, or any in this company,” spreading his arms toward the others in the room, “can do anything for you, you have but to ask. This celebration is in your honor. Please enjoy. Today is not a day for details or questions. Today is a day of celebration.” He motions me to my chair and seats me.
Chairman Brinker sits to my right and Spar to my left. Mica and Kino sit at my table, beside Spar. Near the front, I see Jared with his red-headed date again. Beside him is Dana, with a beautiful brunette I’ve never seen before. These two sure have a taste for the beautiful women. Or maybe the women have a taste for wonderful, handsome men—and they better not hurt them.
After I’m seated by Chairman Brinker, a bevy of waiters magically appear. To my right, I hear a baritone voice informing me. “My lady queen, my name is Tito. I am your personal steward for the remainder of your stay with us. Chef Ron has prepared your meal. I will be out with it soon. What would you like to drink?”
I respond, “I would like a glass of water and a glass of wine appropriate for my dinner, selected by the glorious Chef Ron.” I really accentuated the word ‘glorious’ for the crowd, playing up the event.
As I order my drinks, the rest of the guests are seated. I’m amazed at the coordination that is going on with the waitstaff. They are assigned, two to a table. The drink orders are taken, and drinks are returned almost contemporaneously with mine. I watch the waiters with rapt attention.
Chairman Brinker, sensing my fascination with the functioning of the waitstaff, leaned in and said, “They use microphones and ear plugs. Notice how they lean in to each guest? It lets the microphone pick up the conversation. The bar makes the drink. The waitstaff only need remember who orders which drink.”
Tonight, Chef Ron made me salmon crepes. They are my all-time favorite crepe, and Chef Ron paired it with a Pinot d’Alsace. Its honey-ginger undertone mates perfectly with the meaty flavor of the fish. I have always been a ‘burrito and a beer’ type of girl, but Chef Ron has certainly added to my delight of food. I’ll still love burritos and beer, but I’ll also be happy to reach beyond that from now on.
The conversation at the table is unimaginative and stays within the confines of polite dinner conversation, with the only stray being how I feel about my security situation, as well as the security of TASS. The conversation never wanders into what happened to me while I was in captivity. The conversation, while it doesn’t seem forced, does feel planned. Ask her how she feels. Check. Ask her if she needs anything. Check. Ask her if she feels her security is strong enough… While I don’t feel any irritation at the ad nauseam list of questions, I do feel a sense of awkwardness.
As if on cue, as my level of awkwardness is increasing, my personal waiter returns with my dessert wine. How does Chef Ron do this? He found my favorite wine again. This time it is a Grenache, Mas Amiel 10 Ans d'Age. I have always enjoyed Grenache wines. Previously, I have maybe enjoyed this version more than I should.
Tito leans in and politely informs me that Jared had told him this was my favorite dessert wine. “Thank you, Tito, for going above and beyond. But I wish I had a piece of chocolate cake to go with it!”
Once again, perfectly timed, “Would you look at that?” I say to Spar, who is leaning toward me with his hand on my knee. Chef Ron is rolling a huge layered cake into the room, stopping it directly in front of me. I lean in a little more to Spar, in an almost conspiratorial manner. “If a man pops out and ruins my cake, he’d better be very good-looking!”
Giggling, I sink back into my seat. Loudly, I proclaim, “Chef Ron, that’s enough chocolate to keep me happy for weeks.”
With him standing beside the cake, using his best inspirational voice, he said, “Kendra, I hope this cake meets with your approval. It is sweet, sexy, and magical like you. I made it with you in mind. Made with love, my friend.”
He cuts into the cake and gives it to me. Everyone is watching so I make sure and ham it up a bit. I stick a healthy forkful into my mouth and moan, arching my back a little and titling my head back. The room bursts into laughter at my antics. I tell my friend, “You have made me feel very special. Thank you, Chef Ron.”
The cake is served throughout the room. And no, there are no good-looking men, even the small variety, who pop out of the cake. Now I see a few of the waitstaff begin to fade from view. Tito leans in one more time. “Your Majesty, a call button has been installed in your chamber. If you require anything, my job is to ensure it’s taken care of. It’s my honor to provide assistance, to such a lovely individual. I know what you have done for my nephew. You are our family now. Thank you.”
Well, I think we’re going to have to figure out what to do about that bit of information. But for now, cake!
I notice Spar doesn’t have any and I ask him if he wants a bite. He says, “Yes.”
I guess he’s thinking I’ll hand him my fork. Instead, I pick up a bit with my fingers, holding it in front of his lips. He leans forward and eats it from my hand, licking the rich chocolate from my fingers.
My heart speeds up, and I’m all but panting. Who was I teasing? Well, that backfired. Everyone is staring feeling the heat—maybe a bit uncomfortably. Kino smiles a crooked smile at me. Holding Spar’s hand, I lean toward Kino, “I think we need to go to our room. I need to talk to you three privately before the evening gets away from us.”