by Moira Murphy
“Yes, yes. Follow me, sir,” the smaller of the two men said.
Crawford lurched forward, his hand held onto Tessa’s wrist; Tucker and Niko followed. The castle was everything you’d imagine a castle of Queen Elizabeth the First would live in. Lavish, extravagant, elegant: all words that might properly describe it. Windows from floor to ceiling were surrounded with red velvet curtains. Light bounced from the light wood floors to the golden walls. Servants ran from each room as someone entered on a continuous cycle of cleaning. The Lavocs walked them in through the foyer, down a long hallway lined with portraits of the previous queens. Vases filled with exotic flowers on tables beneath their solemn faces. They passed a kitchen, a stove of four pots boiling water, the gardener from outside unloaded her haul of fresh vegetables. The next room was a great pool, surrounded by large green plants and flowers they’d never seen before. Finally, the Lavocs stopped in front of a closed door and told them to wait, as one slipped inside. He quickly reemerged.
“The King will see you.”
“Thank you, Veran.” Crawford replied.
The King stood with his back to the door. He looked out another larger window that looked over the great Alerden Ocean, so wide the end could not be seen.
“Who found them?” He did not turn. His short blonde hair shone in the sun and below his neck he wore a coat like a music composer; long and black.
“I did…” Mooney spoke confidently, “King.”
The king turned and examined the group before him; first Mooney, then Tessa, Niko, and Tucker. Finally, he looked at Crawford. He stood tall, proud of himself for leading the group to capture the humans.
“Then, why are you here?” He spoke only to Crawford. His British accent was thick. Crawford’s chest deflated and his mouth opened,
“My king… I brought the humans to you?” Crawford was shocked.
“Mooney found them and you did not.” The King was calm. It was unsettling. “You can leave, now.” Crawford gawked, but quickly recovered and let himself out.
“Snake,” the king said under his breath. He slowly walked toward a few couches pointed at a brick fireplace. He was much younger than expected; he had a few wrinkles around his eyes, but other than that; youthful. Tucker guessed he was in his late 30’s. “Please sit.”
Mooney quickly went to sit across from the king, and ushered the others to a long couch between them. Within seconds a woman with green hair appeared and looked to the king. “Coffee? Tea?” the king asked the group.
No one replied. Unsure if the King dubbed them worthy of his offerings. “Would any of my guests—“ he inflected the last word, “like a tea or coffee?—Mooney?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You all are our guests, my friends, “ He gestured toward the woman, “Please, you must be famished.” He sighed. “Ask for anything. Anything.”
“I’ll take a coffee.” Niko said quietly.
“Okay… okay… good.” The king opened his arms, “Sugar? Cream?”
“—just—uh sugar.”
“Good. Good. What’s your name, son?” The king smiled.
“Niko… Pruitt.” He stammered.
“Mr. Pruitt would like a coffee with sugar!” The king exclaimed. “Mr. Pruitt.” He quickly became serious. “I just need your help in the search for my beloved wife. Please—Please tell your friends that I, the King, can be trusted for the mere delivery of warm beverages.” He looked again to the woman. “I, too, would love a coffee with sugar,” He leaned back, but quickly jumped up, “And an apple pie!” he relaxed again, and again sat up, “with whipped cream!” He thought for a moment. “Ya know what? Just bring the whole pie. We can all share.”
He looked at Tessa. “Coffee my love?” he asked. Again, no one replied. “Okay—well—coffee for the rest of my guests as well. And don’t forget the whipped cream!” He directed the woman, and she scurried away.
“I am so apologetic for the way Crawford treated you. I have seen his handy work before.” He pointed to the slice in her cheek. “We can get that more appropriate medical attention. For now, Mooney, I’d like to know everything… from the top.” The woman returned with a silvery tray filled with coffee mugs and plates, and on a second tier was a golden brown pie. Niko’s mouth watered.
“I found these three in Blackwood, sir.” Mooney began.
“No-no, not now.” The king dismissed Mooney with a hand wave.
The woman served a plate of pie to the king and plopped a dollop of whipped cream on top. “We have other things to tend to first.” He put a small forkful of pie into his mouth and closed his lips around it. The fork came out clean. “We have a party to plan.”
He smiled after an audible swallow. The woman served the rest of the group and wheeled the cart out of the room.
“A party, sir?” Mooney asked.
Nathayre moaned quietly, indicating the pie was to his liking, “Yes—a party.” He took another bite. “Well—a ball, really.”
“You are having a ball?” Mooney asked.
“No. We are having a ball.” He licked whipped cream from his lower lip. “Yes, my new friends and I will be hosting a ball… with food and drinks and dancing.”
“To what do—do we owe the honor of hosting such an occasion?” Mooney took a sip of his coffee. He grimaced. He’d never had coffee before, and he would not be having it again.
“Well, my Camila will want to welcome her friends to Wiklow, I should hope.”
“I thought she was missing.” Niko tapped his foot.
“She is not missing.” The king paused. “She is… out. But, once she hears that Mr. Pruitt and Mr. Corrick are here to visit from out of town, I’m sure—she will want to see them.” He smiled. When he noticed the surprise on their faces, he continued, “Oh yes, Camila told me all about you. Mr. Pruitt, the brother. Ms. Cunningham,” he gestured to Tessa, “the forbidden Wiklowian love of human Mr. Corrick.” He took a sip of coffee. “While, I don’t condone human and others having relationships, it does not affect the throne.” The room was silent. Niko took a sip of coffee. “Do tell me, how are the States?” He asked. “Have you heard anything of Britain?”
“Britain?” Niko asked.
“Yes, I can tell by your accents you are American. I haven’t been home in many years, tell me any news of our world?” The King smiled.
“Prince William has kids…” Niko offered the only knowledge he had of England.
“Really? He got married? To who?” The King was excited.
“Kate something…”
“I see… what of the States?” He stared at Niko, expecting even more exciting news.
“… uhh…we… had the first black president.”
“My goodness, how things have changed. Perhaps, I’ll visit soon.” The King smiled.
“We must talk more later, Mr. Pruitt.” The King stood, cheerfully, “In the meantime, we have rooms for each of you to get cleaned up and rest until the ball—tonight!”
Chapter 21
Tessa had been locked in a windowless room, separated from Tucker and Niko. She assumed the same was true for the others. The room was nauseatingly accommodating; a large king size bed, covered in a mound of pillows and blankets, a personal bathroom with two claw footed tubs, hundreds of candles, a tray filled with snacks, and a crackling fireplace. Everyone in Wiklow was dying of dehydration and starvation, and this castle was a closed off oasis --with a pool! She felt disgusted to even be in the room. The door clicked and unlocked; the same green haired maid who had served them apple pie entered. She had a gargantuan bundle of fabric in her arms; burgundy toile.
“You need to bathe, miss,” she said, as she walked to the closet, “and rest.”
“I’m not going to a ball.” She reluctantly sat down on the bed. The woman hung the ball of fabric in the closet. Dear God, it was a dress. “And I’m not wearing that.”
The woman turned to look about the room. “No one has been in here… for a very long time.” She touched the bed
with her fingertips, “But we still clean it every day.”
“Why?” Tessa said, looking around.
“Do you know how long it takes to die without water?” she asked rhetorically, as she smoothed the dress in the closet. “Three days. Well, that’s what they say anyway.” She shut the closet door. “It took my mom four, and my dad five. They kept giving their water to me and my brother.” She recalled. “I said we could share, but they just wouldn’t.”
“I—I’m sorry.” Tessa said, she didn’t know what else to say. The girl’s face didn’t show signs of crying. Tessa felt the opposite. The girl sat down next to her, taking a tin box from her pocket and opening it; revealing a needle and thread. “I stole what I could from here, but they check us before we leave.”
“Did you know Cami?” Tessa asked, wincing as the girl put the needle under her skin.
“Yes. She gave us all the water she could get, but even that wasn’t enough.”
She pulled the thread tight.
“My point in telling you this is not for pity. My point was…” she swallowed. “... he will do anything to get what he wants.” She inserted the needle again. “He will kill anyone or anything that gets in his way.”
“So, what do I do?” Tessa clenched her eyes shut, as she pulled the thread tight again.
“Play the part.” The girl tied off the thread.
“What do you mean? What part?” Tessa opened her eyes, grateful that the stitches were complete.
“I know who you are.” She whispered. “I know that you’re human, like Cami.” Tessa felt her stomach drop, her face showed her fear. “No, it’s alright. Don’t worry. I won’t say anything. I support the Renegades.” She put a hand on Tessa’s knee. “You need to the play the part of one of us. If he finds out you’re one of them…” she shook her head, “...you’ll be the next Queen-- and that is not a good thing.”
“But, what about Cami?” Tessa released her hand. “I’m just supposed to let her be sacrificed, give her to him?”
“I don’t know. But, I do know that she’s alive. And if she knows you’re here, she will come tonight.”
“How do you know she’s alive?” Tessa stood up. “Have you seen her?”
“Not for weeks.” The girl admitted. “But, I just know.” Tessa wasn’t sure of this girl’s sanity. Her exterior seemed well put together, but her eyes spoke differently. They showed a sadness she had never seen before. “He seems to be kind…it’s all a lie. He is a lie. He’s evil. Don’t fall for his act.” She stood up and went to the door. “Bathe, rest, and put on that dress if you want to stay alive.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m nobody.” She opened the door and stepped into the hallway.
“But, what is your name?” Tessa stood.
“Lennox.” She shut the door and locked it.
Tessa turned and went to the mirror. Her reflection was not someone she recognized. The dirt caked on her face was streaked with tear tracks. She had to talk herself into looking at her cheek. It was worse than expected. There would definitely be a scar, and massive at that. Her white tank top was stiff with blood and her hair was out of control. She thought of the green haired girl and her deceased family, and how she couldn’t find the words to describe the king. She must have lost part of her soul with the loss of her parents. Tessa wondered what she might lose if she lost her friends. After all, it was a real possibility.
She decided to take a bath.
***
Tessa emerged from her room, Lennox guided her down a set of stairs and to a grand hallway in front of two large closed doors. She wore the dress that had been placed out for her and added the green necklace to remind herself of her friends and the behavior that was expected of her. Lennox gave her an encouraging smile as the King walked down the hallway toward them. He wore a gaudy large crown atop his head and a suit coat that was equally obnoxious. He came to her, his eyes wandering a bit too long on her breast, then he came to her necklace.
“Where did you get that?” he asked, suddenly angry.
“I…it’s mine,” she answered, confused.
“That is a banned object. That is not… get rid of it.” He looked around the room, for someone and laid eyes on Lennox. “Take this away, now!”
Lennox ran up behind her, reached up and unlocked the clasp. Tessa allowed it. She was intent to keep the King happy. Lennox leaned into her ear and whispered, “It’s a sign of the West Queen.” Lennox put the necklace in her front apron pocket and returned to her stance at the door to the ballroom.
As she entered the grand ballroom, thousands of people turned to look at Tessa on the arm of Nathayre. A vibrantly colored sea of formally dressed citizens reluctantly applauded her arrival. Their eyes looked tired and their cheek bones thick. They poured out onto the balcony, and upon closer inspection their formal clothing was tattered and stained. Tessa wore the large burgundy dress and golden sandals. Her hair was clean and styled up in a tight bun. She was very uncomfortable. The bodice of her dress was too tight at the waist and too loose at the straps. She was constantly tugging them back up.
“Smile, dear.” Nathayre leaned into her neck. She clenched her teeth and opened her lips, it pulled at her stitches.
“My friends!” He spoke loudly. “I’ve brought guests!” His gestures were large. “This is a dear, dear friend of mine.”
They reached the stage and took three steps up toward four high backed chairs. He put his hand on Tessa’s shoulders and turned her back toward the crowd. She wiped at her cheek, trying to hide it. “She is also a friend to my dear lost Queen. She is here to help us in the search!” The applause he had expected did not come.
A door creaked open at the back of the platform. Niko and Tucker stumbled out on the stage, followed by two large Lavocs. “Ah! My other guests!” Nathayre spoke excitedly.
The guards shoved the two of them up next to Tessa. Tucker and Niko wore matching suits with golden buttons and long navy blue coats. The color accented Tuck’s black eye; Tessa assumed he had fought the costume.
“Her family and friends have also come to celebrate our marriage!”
Tuck scoffed under his breath.
“But, as we all know, my love is not here at the moment. I am hoping. I am praying that she will come back to me.” He wiped a nonexistent tear from his eye. “And that is why I’ve invited Mr. Pruitt, Mr. Corrick, and Ms. Cunningham to...” he searched for words, “draw out Camila.” He put his arms around the group and smiled.
After a pause, he took a sharp breath and looked about the room. “This is a ball! Why is no one dancing?!” Almost immediately, the band began playing, “Eat! Dance!” he shouted happily.
The crowd slowly began moving with the music. “Now, Ms. Cunningham would you do me the honor of sharing a dance?” Tessa’s initial reaction was a resounding no, but upon remembering the green haired servant, she nodded.
“Wait… what?” Niko asked. “Don’t dance with him.”
“It’s fine.” Tessa put a hand up. “I’m fine.”
“What are you doing?” Tucker whispered. “He’s a monster… he’s a murderer.” The king was becoming impatient.
“Shall we?” he held a hand out to her.
“Tess, he’s crazy.” Niko urged her. The King’s face became flushed with anger. “Certifiable.”
“Have you no propriety?!” The king let out a shrill scream. While, the crowd heard the debacle, none turned to look. “We are at a ball. A formal ball.” He pulled Tessa to himself. “My ball, in my kingdom, and you are my guests. And you will act appropriately. You will dance. You will smile… now.” He spit through his teeth.
“Guys, please, it’s fine. Just…dance.” Tessa bulged her eyes. While Tucker was not convinced to dance, he was convinced of Tessa’s urgency. He changed his attention to the king.
“With who?” he asked. The king breathed heavily.
“That’s better.” He snapped his fingers and two women were pulled up by Lavocs. “
I’m sure these two ladies would love to dance with you.” The girls looked down to the marble floor; they had pale pink hair, probably sisters. Nathayre pulled Tess onto the dance floor, the crowd separating. He slinked his arm around her waist, slightly lower than Tess was comfortable with. She placed her hand on his shoulder and the other in his palm. He looked about the ballroom.
“I’ve got her brother, she should be here,” he said to himself.
“How did you get here?” she asked him.
“I was elected king.. after the death of the Queen.”
“No, I meant to Wiklow,” she specified.
“Ah… well. I was born where Cami came from.” He spun her.
“You aren’t American.” She said in reference to his accent.
“How do you know of America?” He asked.
“Oh…” Tessa stammered. “Cami told me about where she came from.”
“Yes… well, I come from a land called England. Much better than America, much more civilized.” He answered. “I was home for the summer from University, at the beach with family and the next thing I know, I’m here. The only human in all of Wiklow.”
“Until Cami?”
“Until Cami.” He smirked. “When I met her, I knew she was the one for me.”
“Why her?”
“Well, she knew about home and it was nice to talk about home.” He shrugged.
“Did she feel the same?”
“I think she did when I was a Lavoc.” He clicked his tongue.
“But then you became King, and…” Tessa encouraged him to continue. The band began a new song. Nathayre’s eyes lit up.
“The Krandy! Oh!” He let go of her, and clapped his hands together. “This is a group dance! Everyone! Everyone! The Krandy!” The room of people morosely separated into parallel lines; Tessa, Tucker, and Niko stood awkwardly in the middle. “Come. Come. You’ll catch on.”
All at once, the room began to synchronically dance. Tessa caught on quickly with the king’s aggressive hands guiding her. Tucker fumbled around with the pink haired girl, but eventually found the pattern, just as everyone switched partners. Tucker and Tessa came together. The dance was slow and methodical, almost hypnotizing. They joined hands and spun in a circle. Neither said a word. Niko was with the second pink sister and the king had moved down a few people. Again the music changed and everyone switched partners. Mooney joined Tessa on the dance floor. While his eyes looked remorseful, Tessa was still not fully trusting of him.