“Right on time.”
Alex spun around and grinned at the young woman waiting for her. “Jeera. Good to see you.”
The Warden smiled back, the resemblance between her and Kaiden startlingly obvious now that Alex knew they were related.
“You as well, Alex,” Jeera said. “Though, I have a suspicion I won’t be feeling that way when you leave.”
Alex looked at her in question.
Jeera’s lips rose up at the corners. “Call it intuition.”
Before Alex could ask, D.C. stepped out of the Bubbledoor and Jeera bowed deeply.
“Princess Delucia,” the Warden greeted.
“Jeera, how many times have I told you to call me Dix?”
“About as many times as I’ve said how inappropriate that would be,” Jeera returned, her blue eyes sparkling. D.C. only had time to utter a longsuffering sigh before the Warden continued, “Don’t shoot the messenger, Your Highness, but I have some bad news.”
Both Alex and D.C. looked warily at Jeera.
“The king and queen wish to speak to Alex alone,” she said, pulling a Bubbler vial from the folds of her fitted black uniform and holding it out.
D.C. didn’t take the vial. “My parents… don’t want to see me?”
While Alex knew little about her friend’s upbringing, the one thing she did know was that her family loved her more than anything. There was no way they—
“Of course they want to see you,” Jeera quickly reassured D.C. “It’s just… Given the nature of this meeting, they want to be careful to avoid any distractions.”
D.C.’s eyes narrowed. “I’m a distraction?”
When others might have swiftly backpedalled, perhaps even begged forgiveness, Jeera instead held D.C.’s stare and said, “Think about it, Princess. You’re their beloved daughter and the news they anticipate hearing won’t bode well for anyone. They need to focus on solutions rather than fearing how the ensuing discussion might affect you.”
Alex wondered how the king and queen had any idea what she was there to share, since to the humans of Medora, Meya and its inhabitants were still nothing but a myth; a legend long lost to the past. While the mortal rulers knew more than most—thanks to Alex’s misadventures and their daughter’s role in them—she doubted the news she brought had yet reached their ears. But she couldn’t think of that now, not when D.C. looked seconds away from storming through the palace and demanding answers from her parents.
Alex placed a hand on her friend’s arm and said, “It’s fine, Dix. I’ve spent enough time around royals to be comfortable speaking with them on my own.”
D.C. looked as if she wanted to argue, but then she loosed a deep, frustrated exhale and grumbled, “I’ll definitely be talking to them about this later. Feel free to tell them that.”
Alex nodded despite having no intention of doing so and watched as D.C. took the Bubbler vial, smashed it on the ground—with considerably more force than was necessary—and stepped through.
Hearing a chuckle, Alex turned to find a smirk on Jeera’s face.
“Jordan’s going to have his hands full with that one,” the Warden said, prompting Alex to wonder just how much Jeera knew about their lives—and how.
Before she could ask, the Warden turned and began leading the way through the palace’s opulent hallways. The home of Medora’s royal family was beautiful, but it didn’t come close to competing with the brilliance of the Meyarin palace. Where once the golden staircases and crystal chandeliers of the Tryllin palace would have wowed Alex, she now felt only a stab of nostalgia for all she’d left behind.
… And for who she had left behind.
The very reason she was even striding through the Tryllin palace was because Aven was no longer the friend she had once known. He was now her enemy. And if he ever discovered that she was Aeylia, he would never stop until she and everyone she loved were dead. She’d seen it. And she was determined to do everything in her power to prevent that future, even if it meant forgetting the Aven who once was and seeing him only as the enemy she needed to defeat.
But that didn’t mean her heart hurt any less, knowing what was ahead. And what was behind.
Lost in her melancholy, Alex didn’t realise Jeera had been speaking, only focusing in time to catch the Warden’s last words, “… and they’re all ready to hear what you have to say.”
“All?” Alex repeated as they turned a corner and stopped in front of a large, gilded door. “It’s just the king and queen, right?”
Alex couldn’t read the look on Jeera’s face, just that it was partly amused, partly sympathetic and partly something else entirely. And when the Warden opened the doors, Alex understood why.
The circular room was bordered by arching gold panels reaching high up to the ceiling like stained-glass windows. The walls were covered in maps and ancient scrolls—some written in languages Alex had never seen before—and displayed an array of bejewelled weapons that would have had Jordan and Bear whimpering with glee. But Alex didn’t have time to marvel, since she was frozen in the doorway and gaping at the people within—all of whom were seated around an oval table and staring directly at her.
“Alex, welcome,” King Aurileous said, motioning her over to him. As he rose, the rest of those at the table stood as well, their chairs scraping back as they took to their feet.
Eyes wild and heart pounding, it took a pointed shove from Jeera to propel Alex into the apparent war room and approach the king.
“Hello, Your Majesty,” she said with a respectful curtsy. She repeated the gesture to the smiling queen who, unlike the others, remained seated by his side. “I, um… Am I interrupting? I can wait outside until you’re done here.”
The king’s eyes, as unique as his daughter’s, were kind and steady as he looked at Alex, but they were also darkened by shadows that hadn’t been there the last time she’d seen him.
“I understand you wished to speak with the queen and myself, but it has come to my attention that what you intend to share today should be heard by key members of my council,” the king explained, moving his arm to indicate the table. “Those in this room are my most trusted inner circle of advisors, the ranking human leaders of Medora.”
Once again, Alex wondered how he could possibly have any idea of what she needed to tell him—let alone who would need to hear it. Darrius had sworn not to breathe a word when he’d given her the Bubbler vial, just as D.C. had promised to be vague when she’d contacted her parents to arrange the meeting.
“If you’re certain, Your Majesty,” Alex said, if hesitantly. It was one thing to convince the king and queen of the impending threat—and now without D.C.’s support—but another entirely to convince a group of strangers.
But as Alex glanced around the room, she realised most of them weren’t strangers. Aside from the king, queen and Jeera, there were five others in attendance, only two of whom Alex didn’t already know.
“If you would like to take your seat, I’ll make the introductions and you can get started,” King Aurileous said.
Jeera touched her fingers to Alex’s elbow and motioned for her to follow towards the far end of the table. As they moved, Alex couldn’t help making eye contact with those she had met before. Major Tyson was there, as was General Drock, whose scorching gaze narrowed dangerously as she passed him.
Alex knew the general’s ire was well deserved, thanks to the ruse she had pulled when she and her classmates had infiltrated the Soori Outpost during Hunter’s overnight SAS trip. As for Major Tyson, being Hunter’s inside man meant he’d known Alex wasn’t the princess she’d claimed to be—a feat he still found amusing, if his poorly concealed grin was anything to go by.
Moving her eyes quickly past them lest she start blurting out apologies and excuses, she fixed her attention on the last familiar person in the room—a welcome face, thankfully.
“William,” she greeted, surprised—and relieved—to see Bear’s father in attendance.
“Long tim
e, no see, Alex,” he joked. To his mind, he’d seen her just a week ago. Regardless, he still wrapped her in a quick but warm embrace, his casual affection—and lack of formality—soothing her nerves. When he let her go, he kept his hands on her shoulders and his eyes roamed her face. “You must’ve been in the sun a lot this week. You’re much more tanned than when I last saw you.”
Alex forced out an awkward-sounding laugh in an attempt to deflect any further observations from the keen-eyed Warden. She then took the seat between William and Jeera at the opposite end of the oval to King Aurileous and Queen Osmada.
Not wasting any time, as soon as everyone was seated, Aurileous began his introductions. He gestured to the woman seated next to the queen who, like Jeera and William, was dressed in the familiar Warden uniform—head to toe in black with the golden emblem of two swords crossed behind a crown stitched over her heart.
“This is Commander Nisha James,” Aurileous said, “who is in charge of Medora’s armed human forces—both the Wardens and the standard military.”
Alex examined the commander. “James?” she repeated, her gaze flicking between Jeera and Nisha as she noted the similarities between them, from the bright blue eyes to the dark hair, fading slowly as it was to grey in the older woman.
“I believe you’re well acquainted with my niece and nephew.” Nisha’s face remained stoic, but there was a familiar spark in her eyes as she looked at Alex. “They both speak very highly of you, Alexandra Jennings.” That spark brightened as she finished, “My nephew in particular.”
Feeling heat flood her cheeks for no logical reason, Alex stammered out her thanks and turned back to the king.
“Next is General Alan Drock who heads up the western half of Medora’s active military. I believe you’re… acquainted.”
Alex bit her lip as she took in the king’s twinkling gaze before turning to the general. “Uh, hello, General. It’s… good to see you again.”
Drock’s eyes were narrowed. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t drag you out of here and have you imprisoned for fraudulent misconduct, trespassing upon a high-security military base and identity theft—of a royal, no less.”
Alex curled her fingers under the table, her nails pressing into her palms. “I can’t give you one,” she admitted quietly. “But I can say it’s in your best interest that you don’t.”
Drock crossed his arms over his chest. “Confident little bugger, aren’t you?”
Despite the situation, Alex still found humour in his response. “I see your language hasn’t improved since we last spoke.”
Wonder of all wonders, Drock’s mouth twitched. “If you remember, Princess,” he mocked, sounding amused rather than remaining enraged, “I seem to recall owning up to my bad habits.”
“And I recall you agreeing to refrain from such habits when I’m around,” Alex returned light-heartedly.
“Unfortunately for you, that agreement was for Princess Delucia, not Alexandra Jennings.”
Alex dipped her head in acceptance, mostly to avoid letting him see the hope in her eyes. Despite the cantankerous general being an intimidating man, Alex had come to see him more as a kind of uncle figure. She only hoped he might move past her deceit and give her another chance to earn his forgiveness—and his respect.
“Perhaps one day Alexandra Jennings might wrestle the same agreement from you, General,” Alex said softly. “Until then, sometimes a combination of letters can be more powerful than a sword, so I’ll look forward to hearing some of your more… creative descriptions and expanding my own arsenal of words. You never know when a well-placed expletive will come in handy.”
General Drock surprised Alex with a chuckle, his fierce features softening. “Get ready to take notes, kid. I’ll have your ears burning in no time.”
Alex grinned at him and then the king spoke up again, continuing his introductions.
“Warden Jeera, you already know,” Aurileous nodded towards the woman seated to Alex’s right. “She’s here to represent the Swords branch of the Wardens.” The king repeated the gesture to Bear’s father, adding, “And Warden William is here on behalf of the Shields.” The king paused. “Do I need to explain…?”
Alex shook her head and assured him, “I already know the difference.” She called to mind what Kaiden had once told her—that the Shields were responsible for intelligence gathering and analysis, while the Swords were field agents who acted on that intelligence and neutralised any threats to the kingdom.
Aurileous accepted her response and moved to the next person along. “General Tyson is another acquaintance of yours, or so I hear.”
Alex raised her eyebrows at the new title.
Catching her look, Tyson offered a humble smile and said, “Promotion.”
“Indeed, General Tyson has recently been promoted and now oversees the eastern half of Medora’s military,” the king confirmed.
“Congratulations,” Alex said, returning Tyson’s smile. She then winced and added, “I think.” When Tyson cocked his head in question, she shrugged and avoided his eyes while saying, “Now’s not the best time to be a soldier—leader or otherwise.”
Unable to repress the memory of the future she’d seen, Alex shuddered as she recalled the Library’s vision of both his and Drock’s deaths.
“You’re wrong, Alex,” Tyson said, his voice quiet but firm. “Now is the most important time to be a soldier.”
He had a point. But she still couldn’t ignore the mental image of him lying amid a pile of the dead.
“Lastly, we have the advisor to the throne, Jaxon Stirling.” The king indicated the elderly man seated at his side, his grey hair coupled with a thick moustache leading into a bushy beard, all of which covered a wrinkly, weathered face.
“Any relation to Declan Stirling?” Alex asked.
“He is my grandson. And I’ll thank you to leave out any personal anecdotes regarding him, as you’ve already wasted enough of our time today.”
Alex recoiled at his caustic words. But judging by the way everyone else suddenly looked away and attempted to hide their smiles, it seemed he was an abrasive man by nature. She decided to roll with it and follow the lead of those around the table—those of whom she actually liked.
“Your loss,” she said, determined to keep her voice casual. “But if you change your mind, I have loads of entertaining stories about him.”
Jaxon’s eyes narrowed into slits. “Duly noted.”
Coughing slightly—to hide what Alex was certain was a laugh—the king jumped in again. “Now that the introductions have been made, I believe it’s your turn, Alex.”
Leaning forward, Alex placed her hands on the table as she scanned their faces. “Since you’re all here, I gather you’ve already heard something about what I have to say.” She waited for their nods before she continued, “Then I’m sorry to confirm that last Sunday, Aven Dalmarta took control of Meya and all those who didn’t manage to flee in time.”
Murmurs rippled around the room, but Alex pressed on.
“King Astophe was killed,” she said quietly, hearing gasps in response. “And Prince Roka has been…” She looked down and had to take a steadying breath before she managed to finish, “He’s indisposed. Indefinitely.” She raised her eyes again. “I’m sure I don’t need to explain just how dire the circumstances are, but it gets worse. Worse than you could possibly imagine. And that’s why I’m here today—because I need your help.”
The room was silent and brimming with tension. Finally, the queen spoke, her voice a calming balm against the raging storm within Alex.
“Why don’t you start at the beginning, sweetheart,” Osmada said. “None of us will interrupt you. And once you’re finished, we’ll come up with a plan to make everything better. Don’t you worry, Alex. Everything will be all right.”
Alex had to blink back tears in the face of the queen’s kindness. But despite Osmada’s words, Alex knew no such assurances could be made. Because unless she found a way to
change the future, nothing would be all right.
Start at the beginning, Alex repeated in her mind. That was asking a lot, given the many secrets she held. But in order for them to trust her, she needed to be as honest as she could. So she took yet another deep breath, opened her mouth and began her unlikely tale.
Three
“Forgive me for being the voice of reason here,” Jaxon said, sounding anything but apologetic, “but you’ve just told us that not only are you from another world entirely, you also overcame a blood-bonding ritual that has—supposedly—left you with the same abilities as an immortal being. A ritual you claim has been performed on an entire city of Meyarins, all of whom are now under the mind control of their evil overlord.” He raised his eyebrows and glanced around the table. “Does anyone else have difficulty believing this preposterous account of teenage fancy?”
“In my defence,” Alex said, struggling to keep her tone diplomatic, “I never used the words ‘evil overlord’. You came up with that on your own.”
The advisor glowered at her. “Indeed. Though the implication was there.”
“Oh, I’m not arguing,” Alex returned. “That’s exactly what Aven is. But you already knew that, otherwise none of you would be here for this meeting.”
As promised, Alex had told them everything—or at least, everything they needed to know, leaving out her visit to the past just as she had with her teachers.
“Let’s say we believe you,” General Drock said in his gruff voice. “What exactly would you have us do? If Aven is the threat you claim he is, we’re already as good as dead.”
Alex grimaced, knowing he wasn’t far off the mark.
“I’d rather go back to the vision you saw,” Commander Nisha cut in, her focus solely on Alex. “You said the Library showed you a possible future and claimed it would come true if you—specifically you—fail to stop Aven?”
When Alex nodded, albeit reluctantly, it was Jaxon who spoke up again.
“How ludicrous.” His weathered face was filled with scorn. “The child obviously has delusions of grandeur. I don’t know why we’re listening to her when she’s clearly an attention seeker of the worst kind.”