by Vicky Savage
“I’m so glad Asher found you.”
“As am I. My interrogation was only minutes away when he located me and offered his help. He managed to secretly shift into the equipment room and place the QP between two cabinets as if it had accidently fallen there. I had some difficulty convincing my superiors to conduct another search before drawing any conclusions. I argued that, due to the many irregularities in that department, a second search was not unreasonable. The much maligned Supervisor of Equipment strongly protested, but she was overruled. The missing QP was discovered, and I was cleared of suspicion.”
“That’s such a relief, Rals. I should have contacted Ash earlier. I’m just thankful it turned out all right. So what happened with the contract?”
He waves his hand dismissively. “That was no problem whatsoever. But how are things here? I understand your guests from Dome Noir have arrived.”
“The reception today was brutal. Be glad you missed it. I had to wear this hideous robe that weighed more than a small pony. And Gilbert was so arrogant. It was all I could do to keep from skewering him with my katana. Anyway, I’m happy you’re back. Only one more day and then … well, we find out if that QP really works. Are we going to be okay without it?”
“As long as no major variables change, we should be just fine.” He retrieves his hat and traveling cloak from the chair. “Now you’d better return to your guests. We do not wish to arouse any suspicions.”
“All right. You coming?”
“No I believe I’ll retire to my room. I shall join you for tomorrow’s festivities, my dear. The Transcenders expect to have a final briefing with you at some point after brunch and prior to the wedding eve dinner. Asher said he will await word from you on the timing.”
“Okay. We need to concoct another cover story. I’ll need at least an hour with them. See you mañana, Rals.”
I return to the dining hall in time for dessert and after dinner toasts. When the evening finally comes to a close, I’m exhausted and anxious to spend time with Ryder. But I have something important to do first.
Once we’re back in my room, I turn to Ryder. “I know it’s late, but I must deliver something to Father tonight. Will you be all right without me for a while?”
He takes my hand. “No, I’ll miss you terribly, but I’ll manage. Is it all right that I stay here?” He gestures to the room. “Prior to the wedding, I mean. Your guests may look askance at such an arrangement not knowing our marital status.”
“Who cares what they think? What are they going to do, kill me?” Ryder visibly winces.
“Sorry, bad joke. I need you here with me. We can’t be bothered by some possible backwash when we’re in the middle of a maelstrom.”
“You’re right, love.” He kisses my forehead.
I open my desk drawer and draw out the envelope I put there yesterday. “Back in a flash,” I say.
Father opens his door almost immediately when I knock.
“Jaden, come in,” he says, beaming. He’s remarkably relaxed in light of the impending battle. “To what do I owe the honor of this visit?”
“Do you have a few minutes? I need to ask a favor of you.”
“Of course. Sit down, sweetheart. How can I be of assistance?”
We sit near the twinkling fireplace.
“My handwritten will is in here.” I give him the envelope. “Not to be melodramatic, but I wanted to put a few things in writing just in case something unexpected should happen on Saturday.”
Two lines form between his brows. “Sweetheart, this is absurd. If you fear for your safety, you must go to Old Unicoi. Please. No valid reason exists for you to place yourself in such peril. I do not understand your decision to remain at the palace.”
“I know you don’t, Father, and I’m sorry.” I ache inside, realizing that when the princess’s body is found he’ll probably blame himself, as will Ryder, for not physically carting me off to Old Unicoi.
“It’s complicated,” I say, “and I really don’t think I can adequately explain it to you. So, even though I acknowledge your wise counsel, I ask you to accept my judgment. And I’d be most grateful if you would see to it that my wishes are carried out should it come to that.”
He holds up the envelope. “May I?”
I nod silently.
Opening the flap, he withdraws the one page document. After reading it to himself, he raises his eyes to mine. “Your horse and your Skorplings?”
“Yes. I really don’t think of them as possessions, but it matters very much to me what happens to them.”
“I’m touched you would consider leaving Gabriel to me. He’s as fine a horse as I’ve ever known. But I’m curious about your bequeathing the Skorplings to your cousin, especially after the falling out you had with your Uncle Harold. Is this to make up for removing Osrielle from the line of succession?”
“No. It’s because I know she loves them almost as much as I do, and she has a gentle heart. She’ll play with them every day, and she’d never do anything to harm them. It’s Uncle Harold I’m worried about. That’s why I put in all that extra stuff about their care, housing, and ownership.”
Father scans the page again, smiling. “Immediate imprisonment for anyone placing the Skorplings in a cage?”
“Well, I felt the need to spell out certain things. It has to be clear that they belong to Osrielle, not Harold. I don’t want him trying to sell them. I’m leaving Osrielle more than enough money to cover their care and feeding for several lifetimes.”
“Yes, you’ve been quite generous.” He passes a hand over his whiskered chin. “And I see you’ve set aside a rather large sum for the care and feeding of your horse also.”
“I know you don’t need the money, Father, but he is rather fond of pommeras.”
He refolds the paper and tucks it inside the envelope. “So that’s it? Your three animals? That’s all you wish to pass along?”
“They’re what I love most. I don’t care about the other things.” My hands tremble and my throat closes in on itself.
“Well then, if you are set in your decision to remain at the palace, rest assured that your husband and I will not allow harm to come to you. We have a very strong defense planned. I foresee little bloodshed if the Noirs are reasonable in surrendering under our terms.”
“I know,” I say, choking down the tide of emotion that threatens to overwhelm me. I feel a strong bond with my Domerican father, and I’ll miss him tremendously.
He sits silently for a moment, studying my face. Then he pushes out of his chair. “Jade, what is this about, really?”
I stand and hug him fiercely. “I just love you so much.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.” He puts his hands on my shoulders and holds me away from him. “Jaden, look at me.”
My reluctant eyes meet his. Tears trickle down my cheeks.
“You’re leaving again, aren’t you?”
My heart swoops. How can he know? “What are you talking about? I’m not going anywhere.”
“Yes, you are. I can sense it. I knew when you returned last month that you might not stay.”
“That’s completely ridiculous.” I wipe away my tears. “Ryder and I just got married. We have our whole lives ahead of us.” My words sound unconvincing even to me.
“Jaden, I’m no fool. I don’t know where you were for those twelve months you disappeared, but do not think for a moment that I believe the story that you lived with Outlanders until the Cleadians discovered you.”
“What do you mean? That’s absolutely what happened.”
“Don’t insult my intelligence, sweetheart. You were healthier and more robust than I’d ever seen you, and you returned possessing the skill to wield a samurai sword. Outlanders certainly could not have fed and trained you so well.”
“But, where else could I have been?”
He shakes his head slowly. “I have not the slightest inkling, but I suspect the real story may be even more remarkable. May we sit for a moment
?”
I perch on the edge of my chair, and he reseats himself, tilting toward me. “The universe is a mysterious place, Jaden, and what lies beyond is more enigmatic still. I’m not a mystic, but any educated man knows that the world we see before us is not the sum and substance of this existence. Do you suppose I honestly believe heavenly angels were responsible for these domes? And that only the chosen were saved from annihilation? Or that Cleadians are descendents of settlers from Nova Scotia? Good lord, Jaden, I know beyond doubt that your hand did not miraculously repair itself in the forest.” He reaches out and takes my right hand.
“I’m a doctor. You suffered a grievous injury. The cut was clean through.” He traces the scar with his fingertip. “I’ve never seen such extraordinary healing.”
I lower my eyes. “I … I don’t know what to say.”
“If you cannot tell me where you were or where you are going, please tell me this—will I ever see you again?” He squeezes my hand, his eyes pleading.
I peer up at him through wet lashes and slowly move my head from side to side. “No. It will appear as if I’m dead. So I can’t really return to Domerica. Ever. But I want you to know it’s not really me. Check her hand. You won’t find a scar.”
The whole truth may be too much for him right now, but maybe part of it will help to ease the pain when I’m gone.
“Will you be somewhere safe?”
“Yes. It may be the only safe place for me in the universe right now. Don’t worry about me, Father. And please don’t tell Ryder. I want him to move on with his life. Maybe even marry Erica when the time is right. Promise me, please.”
He swipes teardrops from his cheeks. “I shall make you that promise if you will make one in return.”
“What is it?”
“If the opportunity ever presents itself, you will pay me a visit. Even if only for a short time. Just to let me know you are well. I swear to tell no one.”
“I promise,” I say, choking back a sob.
He pulls me out of my chair, and we hold each other tightly. “I’m going to miss you, Father.”
“And I you, daughter. Every day. For the rest of my life.”
My conversation with Father leaves me sick at heart, but a tiny part of me is soothed knowing that his grief will be tempered by the slight hope of seeing me again.
On returning to my room, I find Ryder in his pajama pants, sprawled across my bed, sleeping soundly. I quietly slip into my nightdress and climb up beside him, pulling a giant satin throw over us. The temptation to wake him is strong, but I let him sleep. We’re both going to need all of our strength to get through these next two days.
THIRTEEN
It’s wedding day minus one, countdown to the apocalypse. My last full day with Ryder. My last twenty-four hours in Domerica. Everything must run like clockwork from here on out, or this whole plan could crash and burn. Solid determination and crushing fear take turns using my insides for a punching bag.
Before brunch, I arrange for copies of my Proposal for Resumption of Trade with Dome Noir to be delivered to Prince Gilbert and Prince Jean Louis, with a request that we all meet in my office at three o’clock. I have no intention of attending the meeting—Ralston will take it in my place—but it will provide a nice diversion so I can visit the Transcenders for our final briefing.
The moment Ryder leaves for an update from General LeGare, I lock myself in my bathroom with the polycom and send a text to Asher to expect me at three.
No one has to tell me keeping up appearances is important at this point, but my patience wears thin as three ladies in waiting—four if you count Maria—ooh and goo all over me attempting to make me dazzling for the garden party brunch.
“All right, enough!” I say. “I look fine. Where’s my dress?”
The ladies recoil at my cranky outburst, making me feel a little guilty.
Even I have to giggle, though, when Maria sweeps into the room with my new gown floating like a cloud in her arms. The dress seems befitting of a barbeque in Gone With The Wind. Off the shoulder with a lavender sash, embroidered yellow flowers cascade prettily down a full chiffon skirt. Maria makes an opening for me and I gingerly climb inside. The ladies efficiently button, tuck, and tie me in.
They work in concert to fluff out the billowing skirt to its maximum mushroom cloud shape. Maria finishes the look by securing a tall golden crown to the top of my head. A check in the mirror reveals that I bear a striking resemblance to Glinda the Good Witch from the Wizard of Oz. I didn’t remember the dress being this dramatic at the fitting, but now I have no choice but to grin and wear it.
Ryder arrives to escort me downstairs. “You look wonderful,” he says, kissing my cheek.
“Are you sure? It’s not too much, is it?”
“Not at all. You are lovely as an orchid freshly in bloom.”
I link my arm with his. His warmth and strength instantly fortify me, and I know I’ll make it through all this … for him.
Brunch isn’t horrible. Instead of being stuck sitting with Prince Gilbert again, the outdoor setting makes it easier for me to wander among the tables and visit with Father and Drew and the others whose company I will miss. Ryder and I hold hands and stroll among the guests, pausing to receive congratulations or good wishes for our future. The pleasant afternoon keeps my internal demons at bay, at least temporarily. Soon, though, Ralston reminds me of my three o’clock meeting, and I’m forced to focus once again on pressing realities.
I kiss Ryder and promise to keep the meeting short. Ralston and I cut through the bustling kitchen and make our way up the back staircase to my office.
“Try to get Gilbert and Jean Louis out of here by four o’clock if possible,” I say, “so I can reappear without scaring the bejesus out of them.”
“I shall do my best, but why don’t you land just outside the door to be safe?”
“Good idea.” I punch the coordinates for Asher’s apartment into my TPD bracelet. “See you soon.”
Zzzt.
I land in the center of Asher’s white shag rug. When he glimpses me in my garden party dress and golden crown, his eyes light up with glee.
“Do-Not-Say-A-Word,” I warn him. “I know I look ridiculous, and I’m not in the mood.”
He dips into an exaggerated bow. “You look enchanting, Miss Beckett. But where’s your magic wand?”
I glower at him. “Don’t press me, Ash. I can turn you into a toad without one. Is Narowyn here?”
“She and Captain Watterson are waiting for us in her office,” he says, still grinning like an idiot. “Shall we take the elevator, or would you care to ride in your bubble?”
“Ha ha. Let’s go.” I push past him to the door.
Captain Watterson shakes my hand as I enter Narowyn’s first-floor office. She kisses me affectionately on both cheeks, but her face is taut with worry. “Jaden, how are you? How are things progressing in Domerica?”
“Everything’s good. Outside of Ralston’s little scrape at IUGA, we’ve had no surprises.” I swivel around to Asher. “Thanks for helping out with that by the way.”
“No problem,” he says, eyes still brimming with suppressed hilarity.
“Please, let’s be seated,” Narowyn says. “Jaden if you’ll bring us up to date on everything on your end, Captain Watterson will go over his final plans for tomorrow.”
“Sure. The Noir princes arrived by ship two days ago with a large wedding party and several trunks. Unbeknownst to them, their every move was being watched. Before they reached the entrance to the dome, a number of the wagons carrying trunks were diverted to the north. Our trackers followed them to a hidden tunnel entrance we didn’t know about before. We assume the trunks are full of firearms, but we didn’t intercept them because we thought it would set off some alarms, if not trigger an immediate attack.”
Watterson pipes up. “Wise move. Better to let them have the weapons than to alert them that we’re onto their plan.”
“In any event, we’ll
seal up that tunnel prior to their planned attack,” I say. “Just to make certain no one escapes if things go awry with our plan.”
“Do you have any reason to believe they will?” Narowyn asks.
“No. According to my father, the Enclave army is ready to move tonight. A distant section of the palace fence will be temporarily removed to allow them to slip inside. They’ll hide in the trees on the outer edge of the palace grounds. Ryder tells me the Unicoi Army will arrive before dawn and take a position in the forest on the opposite flank. We have surveillance on the Noirs’ camp and will be notified as soon as they’re on the move.”