Mountains Vast and a Kingdom So Red

Chapter 38

Priamus and Soroya are the last people to hug me good bye. Though they do not know my father is sick, they know I have a pressing matter to attend. She says for me to take care and her whiskey eyes are smiling. Urisis and I grab hands and recite the spell to get to Aux Duvrex, precisely at my estate. Each thinking of home.

Once we make it back to the estate; Tess flies through the door and practically shoves me inside. My escort's eyes are wide and I call to her to report back to camp. She and I will write, we will be well.

Tess, who usually has rosy cheeks and a fashionable tunic, looks a mess. It is if she is nervous to speak, but manages to ask me to visit my father in his quarters.

He hugs me, lying prostrate on the bed, then coughs into a rag profusely. For some odd reason, I cannot cry, I take his hand and plant a kiss on it.

"Your symptoms of sickness, what of them?"

"I cannot walk," he responds.

Half tempted to throw of the duvet to see a wound, I say to him: "Since when?"

"Two days ago. Let's get to the matter because I have to take my herbs and rest."

I wait for his words.

"Summit was going well at their palace, your mother and I gained as many insights we could. A birthday party for one of the fairies' had an after party, and her brother gave me a spoonful of soup when I announced I was hungry, and the elixir was timed. It had to be; because I began to feel ill after your mother and I were passed to servants, separate from parliament. I cannot prove it was them. I am an old man."

"Yes, you can. Goodness, it was them. Why even give them the barest of courtesy?"

He coughs longer. "My father lost the nerves in his legs."

"You are blind." I seethe, forgetting who I am angry with. "That is why they targeted your means to walk, and the atrophy could begin elsewhere." His face, his arms.

"There is no limit to their torment." I trail off. "Where's mother?"

"Off on a wild hog's chase. For a cure." Well, that is one bright spot.

"What about a magic spell?"

"Magic cannot cure illness. Nature must supercede the stones in some element."

"This isn't fair. This isn't fucking fair! Father, you have a century's worth of fight left in you." I beat my hands against the bed, and stare at the King. Right in his lightless eyes.

He raises his hand and strokes my hair. "The world does not play fair, daughter. The world plays in interest. Pour love into your brother and sister. I cannot chain you here, but I ask for your reason. No traveling."

I nod, watching his hand grasp two capsules and depart.

It is a notice I receive from the tutor I laugh at. Automatic fail on the speech portion of the exam; the due date passed while I was deep in harmonious snow. I lay on my bed, facing Damien and Winter who sit on the shag carpet of my bedroom. Orders clang in my head, my uncle's voice. "You have to give a speech in the third bow to the citizens. You have to say your father will recover, your mother will return, and in the meantime you will act as queen regent. You say we will strengthen our borders, you do not frighten them..." Still, I do not cry, the dread is just a corset cinched too tight.

"Tess hasn't baked her scones today," Winter remarks.

"Ask her to make some."

"She said we do not have all the ingredients."

I do not know what to say. I'm not going to the market; she is too young to go on her own. Winter continues. "Have you seen my rubber ducky?"

Now I groan. "One moment." I compel my wand, which sits on the desk, to hover to me, and I concentrate. Since the wand does not respond to my thoughts, I say "Pika Luff." And the rubber duck bonces on Winter's head.

"Hey!" She exclaims, I laugh, hoping my sullen brother joins in. He does not.

"It was an accident," I share, feeling myself grow hungry.

"Damien, do you wish to play junKet?"

"No," he grumbles. His maroon glasses are perfectly suited for a...my brother has aged.

"You're thirteen." I tell him, even knowing this will not evoke surprise.

"Fuck you," he answers. Winter's mouth opens which she immediately cups.

Flinching, I ask him where he learned that curse word.

"I leave the estate grounds, find friends, despite what you think."

"But Simmons always escorts you." Even as I say it, I am not sure. My brother deserves friends, a life outside these imaginary walls.

"I am so sorry I missed your birthday."

"I received the best present...Father's illness."

Taking a few deep breaths, I prevent myself from confronting him. I just sigh.

"You know what, I'm going to be the chef today. I'm going to stop by the market quickly, and make scones." With that, I shoo them from my room, and change into stylish clothes, my best cotton sweater and shorts with silver faux skirt to keep me warm. When I position my fingers on my wand, and state his extension, Ryder picks up.

"Mikah... What do you need?"

"A companion. I need flour and blueberries I think."

"Shopping for a baked good recipe? I suppose I can come, but I get dibs."

"Just get to me."