by Kit Morgan
Shona smiled. “I was born on this planet, but in a different time, well in your future. My ancestors came from, as you say, outer space.”
“Holy …” Mitzi leaned her forehead against Asger’s shoulder. “This is unreal.”
“I assure ye, lass, ‘tis quite real,” Dallan said. “We’re sorry if we shocked ye, but there’s no time for lengthy explanations. ‘Twas better to show ye than try to tell ye.”
She laughed. “You showed me a brick wall.”
“Aye, but ye knew which wall it was.”
Mitzi gulped. He had a point – in 1889, that wall didn’t exist, and neither did most of Las Vegas.
Shona smiled and nodded at Asger. “And now you know. You are here for him. You belong together and always have – ‘before the foundation of the world’. Or any world.” She went to Mitzi and laid her hand on her shoulder.
Mitzi shook her head in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
Shona nodded. “You don’t have to. You just have to believe. Dallan and I are tasked with bringing people together who … belong together.”
“What happens if people who belong together don’t find each other? Nothing good, I guess.”
Shona’s smile faded. “You guess correctly. But your bonding has been the fastest we’ve ever encountered. Even faster than ours.”
“Yours?” Mitzi said. “You mean … you two …?”
“Aye, but it took a week, not two-and-a-half days,” Dallan said.
“So … you’re like us?” Asger said.
“Aye, lad.” Dallan’s face softened. “We ken well what ye two have been through the last few days.”
Asger could only stare. “None of this is believable, yet it makes sense …”
“Your heart is wise, Asger,” Shona said. “You’ll make a good king one day.” She looked at Mitzi. “Especially with you at his side.”
“But I’m no queen!” Mitzi blurted. “I’m just a security guard.” She looked at her feet. “At least I was for a few days.”
“No, Mitziha,” Shona replied. “You are so much more …”
Count Rudge, still disguised as Toleman” the king’s advisor, stood down the hall from the double doors of the Great Hall. “What are they doing in there?” he groused to himself.
“What do you think they’re doing?”
He spun on his heel to face Wilks. “What are you doing here?”
“I work here, Great-uncle”
Shouting could be heard through the doors, and the guards standing on either side of them cringed. “That sounded like King Bjorn,” the count muttered. “This isn’t going as I’d planned.”
“If it’s any consolation, I’m as frustrated as you are.”
The count pointed at Wilks. “This is your fault,” he hissed. “And I expect you to fix it!”
“Me? What did I do?”
The count narrowed his eyes at his grandnephew. “You know well what you’ve done – and haven’t done. Do you realize what will happen if Prince Asger refuses to marry Velta?”
Wilks gulped. “I shudder to think. But what would you have me do?”
“Find him, you imbecile!”
“The guards are looking for him as we speak. We didn’t locate him anywhere in the palace, so they’re searching the woods. Don’t worry – they’ll find him eventually and bring him back.”
“He’d better have a good excuse for not showing up to his own presentation ceremony,” Rudge sneered.
“I know he’s been ill of late. It could be he wasn’t feeling up to it.”
“If that were the case, he’d be easy to find. But it seems the lad has disappeared. So tell me – where is he?”
Wilks shrugged, his frustration showing. “We’ll find him.” He turned on his heel and left.
Count Rudge returned to the four Laconan guards milling in front of the double doors. “Take your men and search this dump. Find that boy!” He turned to a Dalrovian guard as they left. “I would speak with your royal physician about Prince Asger’s condition. Your lieutenant just told me he’s been ill.”
“I’ll fetch him right away,” one said, hurrying off.
“See that you do,” the count snapped, pulling a handkerchief out of his robes and dabbing his brow. He wanted to take the ceremonial outfit off and the disguise with it, but didn’t dare – his life would be forfeit if Queen Madeleina found out he was in her lands. He could change his clothes, but the others he had were in his quarters. He turned to the other Dalrovian guard. “If anyone asks for me, I’ve gone to my quarters to change. Have the physician wait for me here.”
The guard bowed. “I will, sir.”
Rudge headed for his rooms, fuming. Nothing had gone according to plan today. No sooner had they arrived at the palace than Prince Consort Andel announced the presentation ceremony would start soon. None of them were prepared, but the man insisted – maybe due to the prince’s condition. He couldn’t afford any slip-ups. If he wanted to get his hands on Dalrovia’s hidden riches, this was his last chance.
“These fools, they have no idea what they’re sitting on.” Indeed, he discovered the rich deposits of precious gems decades ago but hadn’t dared try to mine them. He’d have been caught and probably banished from the kingdom, the riches lost to him forever. Still, he’d found them – or rather, people he’d hired had found them – so shouldn’t he be the one to claim them?
It wasn’t that easy. The plan he’d hatched to marry Princess Madeleina had failed – she’d ended up with that Viking lout Andel Berg. But here he was, in the same palace with the man who foiled his plans and ruined his life. It was too early to poison Andel – he’d have to bide his time, wait for the right moment. A moment that wasn’t likely to happen if Prince Asger didn’t marry Velta.
With the princess in the palace, he could easily come and go as Toleman, checking on King Bjorn’s precious daughter for him. If it was too dangerous to come himself, he could send someone else just as easily – which he really should have done this trip. He was taking a huge risk being here, but he had to make sure things got done right. And since they weren’t, he had to flay the people involved into repairing their ineptitude.
He reached his rooms, changed and poured himself a glass of water – the day was unreasonably hot. He went to the open window to cool down, enjoy the breeze and the view of the gardens below. That harpy Velta shouldn’t have much to complain about once she married the prince and moved in here, and then King Bjorn would be in a much better mood. Lord only knew how she vexed him.
His eyes went wide, and he almost dropped the glass. “What the …?” There was Velta, strolling through the gardens with a young gentleman that wasn’t the prince! It was that Albert fellow. What were they doing still together? He was sure she’d grow tired of him within minutes and return to her chambers, have her tantrum over Asger not showing, then go annoy someone else. But there they were, chatting away happily with Lady Mildred in tow.
Count Rudge turned from the window, looking stricken. “How can this be happening? I had it all planned!” He returned the glass to the sideboard and sat on the bed. “First the ceremony is moved up, then the prince disappears, and now this! She actually looked civil.” He ran his hand through his thinning hair underneath the wig he wore. “Was she smiling?” He hurried back to the window to see. “Oh no, she is! That little witch never smiles! This will ruin everything!”
He paced – he had to think fast! It was bad enough Asger had fallen ill, drat him. But at least he had a good excuse for not attending the presentation. So long as he showed up to the dance tonight, all would be well and King Bjorn would forgive this morning’s insolence. After all, if he couldn’t attend his own presentation, he could have at least sent a message.
The count glanced at the door. On the other hand, what if he was really sick? From what he’d seen and heard, even his parents hadn’t a clue he wouldn’t show.
He rushed to the window again. Velta and Albert now sat on a bench near a hedge,
still talking. This was growing worse by the minute. “What to do?” He snapped his fingers. “Dag!” He’d have that no-good quack slip the meddling young man something, have him hauled out of Dalrovia and dumped in a ditch. Then it was just a matter of making sure Asger got well enough to marry Velta. The queen would announce their betrothal tonight at the dance, he’d push King Bjorn into making his daughter have a quick wedding and then put the rest of his plan into action.
Count Rudge sighed in relief, drank another glass of water and headed for the door, pausing only to make sure his wig was properly adjusted. He certainly hoped nothing else went wrong. He’d waited too long for this and wasn’t about to lose everything he planned because of some skinny chap from America.
He pulled the cowl of his advisor’s robes over his head and headed back to the Great Hall. They hid him well enough, but he’d have to be careful. Some in Dalrovia might recognize him – it would be disastrous if he were found out. So long as he avoided Andel and the Queen, though, he’d probably be fine. He was older now, had more wrinkles and could pass for any other little old man.
Still, Andel wouldn’t hesitate to kill him if he recognized him – not after what he’d put the chap through. Which made him think: was Andel’s father still alive? Hmm, he’d never bothered to check.
Count Rudge pondered that as he continued toward the Great Hall and, he hoped, his destiny.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Mitzi sat in shock after Dallan escorted Asger out of the room. She shut her eyes tight, part of her hoping that when she opened them, she’d be back in the Empire Casino – or better yet, home. But the rest of her didn’t want this to go away. This was real – Dallan and Shona had shown her so. They were the one thing that had shown up in both centuries. And Albert, of course.
Speaking of which … “What happened Albert?” She stood. “What have you done with him?”
Shona, now standing at the other end of the room, looked sympathetic. “He’s content.” Her eyebrows rose in curiosity. “Happy, even.”
“What? Why?”
Shona’s forehead creased in thought. “A good question.” She glanced at the doors. “To answer that, Dallan and I would have to check a few things.” She closed her eyes and, much to Mitzi’s amazement, turned back into an elf.
A minute later, she opened her eyes and her features became human again. The change was so quick, so subtle, Mitzi wouldn’t have been sure she’d seen it had she not been watching the whole time. “Well?”
“He’s with Princess Velta and Lady Mildred.” Shona’s eyebrows drew together again. “How strange …”
Mitzi laced her fingers over her head. She had to hold it together, but had the feeling she also needed to take action and quick. But what was she supposed to do, other than climb the walls screaming? She was alone in a room in the 19th century with a time-traveling space alien! A chill went up her spine as she stared at Shona with eyes the size of platters.
Shona sighed. “I know how you feel. I had that same look on my face when I found out what I was.”
“How could you not know?” Mitzi asked. Maybe she shouldn’t be so chicken. It’s not like the woman had pointed a raygun at her or anything. She cautiously walked toward her.
Shona watched her approach with bright green eyes. Alien eyes – she looked like an elf again. “It’s a camouflage instinct – it happens involuntarily as a protection. Unless I do certain things – then all my energy goes to the task at hand and the instinct switches gears. When surrounded by humans, I generally look like them. When I’m with only my own kind, it shuts off. That’s the easiest way to describe it.”
“Wild,” Mitzi said as she drew closer. “But … there are none of your own kind around right now. Just me.”
Shona studied her, silent, as if waiting for Mitzi to figure it out herself.
“So if you’re doing …” Mitzi waved her hand around vaguely. “… that, then … there are other elves around? Where?”
“One must be very close, mustn’t they?”
Mitzi was totally confused. She looked about the room but didn’t see any other pointed ears or glowing eyes around. Oh, wait – there was a similar face over by the fireplace mantle. She pointed at it accusingly. “Aha – there you … are …”
In the mirror, she saw her hand pointing back at her – and Shona approaching from behind. “Aha. There you are.”
Mitzi reached to her own ear – her own pointed ear. She blinked her glowing blue eyes, now slanted. “How … wha … oh, dear Lord.” She started trembling, even as she kept staring at what must be, but couldn’t be, her reflection.
“Take your time,” Shona said. “I know this is a shock.”
Mitzi stroked her chin, now narrower, more pointed as well. Her ears weren’t as long and pronounced as Shona’s, nor her eyes so drastically slanted. Her skin was creamier, perfect. There wasn’t a blemish on her. She turned her head side to side, examining herself. “Wow. I’m …” She couldn’t decide whether to say an alien or gorgeous.
“You’re Muiraran, Mitziha,” Shona said softly. “I don’t know from which house you come, but it is a noble one. We have eight royal houses, and many others with some royal blood. I don’t think you’re 100% Muiraran, but you have enough Muiraran blood to flux, to go from your true form to human and back. It also means you have an inner heart and must feed it.”
“Inner … heart?”
“Muirarans have two hearts. One that functions much like a human’s, the other shared with a mate. That second one must be fed. Yours is awake and hungry, though I have no idea what feeds it.”
Mitzi turned to her, tears in her eyes. “Okay, that makes NO sense! What’s going on! Why didn’t anyone tell me?!”
“Probably because nobody knew.”
Her face fell. “How …?”
Shona took Mitzi’s hand and smiled.
Mitzi wanted to pull away but couldn’t – Shona’s touch was calming, and she needed that calm right now. She examined herself again in the mirror, touched her face, ran her fingers over her ears, even sniffed her arm. It smelled good. Then she noticed she smelled other things: the ash in the fireplace, the flowers on the mantle – and the ones across the room. She could tell the difference. Another alien skill, she guessed. “Wow,” she whispered.
“I should warn you that the closer you are to joining with Asger, the stronger and more agile you’ll become. Changes are already taking place.”
Mitzi nodded. She’d noticed things changing, but thought it was because of her weird connection with Asger … she gasped and looked at Shona. “Asger … he’s my mate? The one my whole double heart is supposed to … whatever with?”
Shona smiled and nodded. “Yes. He’s compatible with your inner heart. Once joined, the two of you will share it. And before you ask, that means many things.”
Mitzi turned to her again. “Okay, give me the basics. Starting with, what does it mean to join?”
She sighed. “I really wasn’t ready to tell you this, but … okay, the short version. Joining is like getting married, but way beyond. You literally can’t live without each other.”
“That’s simple enough,” Mitzi said. “What about the pain Asger and I feel?”
“Part of bonding. Your inner heart is calling to him, wanting to unite with his. Believe it or not, you two haven’t had it as bad as some.”
“Yikes! I feel sorry for those other folks.” Mitzi laughed, heard the panic in it and tried not to let her cackles get out of hand. “That makes no sense to me.”
“It didn’t to me either.”
“Oh, yeah. You and Dallan have been through this.”
Shona nodded. “And it almost killed us. But for others, it can be very mild. It depends on the Muiraran.” She shrugged.
“Myoor-arr-an,” Mitzi said, trying out the word. If she thought things were surreal before, they were out of this world now. Literally. She shut her eyes. It was too much to take in, and yet … she instinctively knew it was
true. It was like the master key that unlocked everything confusing in her life. “And … how did you pronounce my name?”
“Mitziha. It’s actually a fairly common Muiraran name, like … Emma or Joan in America.”
Mitzi opened her eyes. “Huh. So … I have this second, inner heart. That has to be fed. Does Asger have one?”
“No, he’s human. But he’s the perfect host for your inner heart. Basically, when you join your heart goes to live with his. You share it. Even though it’s still a huge part of you. So, on the one hand, it’s your inner heart, but also known as your shared heart. Kinda like having two different job roles.”
“Sounds awfully mystical to me.”
Shona laughed. “I suppose it is. But it’s true nonetheless.”
Mitzi looked Shona over. “What does your heart feed on?”
Shona smiled. “Music. My voice is very powerful. You’ve already seen how much.”
Mitzi thought of the bright light behind the casino, the music … “That was all you? The night I came here …”
“Yes. My power, but under my husband’s guidance.”
Mitzi stopped and stared at her. “How do I find out what my heart feeds on?”
“It’s usually something you love and are attracted to anyway. I’ve always loved music and had a natural talent for it. When I was younger, I’d sometimes wake myself up singing.”
“You sang in your sleep?”
“Yes. And when I called to Dallan, I sang.”
“Called?”
“Yes, our inner heart will call to its future mate.”
“Is Dallan human?”
“Very.”
“How did you two find each other? Did you have to time travel too?”
“No, he did. A handful of Muirarans have an inner heart so powerful, it’s able to call through time and space to the one they’re compatible with. It will always find them. For the rest … in a perfect world, they wouldn’t have to go so far. But this isn’t a perfect world.”
Mitzi went to the nearest chair again and fell into it. “So you brought me here …”