Day 19

Jessica Wildness was glad she had finally gotten a chance to speak with the queen. Knowing that Tẽra was from earth made it easier. However, even the other earth people treated Tẽra like royalty. It was odd.

Excited about the crystal that they now had, which would help them get home. Jessica went to the library to find Kerri-liana Jones.

The library was massive and cold. The draft in there was terrible.

“Kerri.” She called.

“I’m here, who wants to know.” Kerri replied.

“It’s Jessica, I hear you have a crystal.”

Jessica found Kerri at a desk looking through books and scribbling notes. The crystal was a large blue stone that had a strange beauty to it. It was the same colour was her earrings.

“Is this a diamond?” Jessica asked.

“No, but the Ceronio family sold it as diamonds in jewelry. It has been one of those things that Rachael and I cannot agree about. She says her grandfather would never do it, but the proof is in the pudding.”

Jessica flipped through the book the wizard had given Kerri.

“Hey your name is in here.” Jessica said.

“What?” Kerri was completely taken by surprise.

Jessica showed Kerri her name and Kerri read above it and above that and saw her grandfather was from Chayim, she already knew it but seeing the proof was exciting.

“I’m busy, please go.” Kerri said to Jessica.

“Okay.” Jessica said surprised.

Kerri followed her family tree and began to realize what had happened. Her grandfather was the slave boy who took the crystal and closed the ‘sugs’.

Kerri felt overwhelmed now that the proof stared her in the face, she was part alien.

Jessica found Drake and Yair during the break after the first session.

Jessica hugged Drake very inappropriately in public where others could see it and as Tẽra had just announced their dissolving of the betrothal it looked very suspicious.

“Jessica, you embarrass your prince. Do not hold him like he is your bond mate.” Yair scolded.

Jessica stood presentable.

“Thank you for everything. You make life better for everyone who meets you. You honor your parents by creating a legacy that’s worth remembering.”

“Where is this coming from?” Drake asked.

He knew his parents were disappointed and she was part of the problem. He was angry and disappointed with his parents for how they had treated a guest in their home.

“Please may I see you tonight, alone.” Jessica asked.

Yair and Caelin exchanged looks.

Jessica didn’t even notice them. She just gazed up at Drake like he was the only person in the room.

Drake agreed and Jessica bounced off with more than a spring in her step.

“My prince may I speak forwardly?” Yair asked.

“Yes.”

“Don’t let the girls love ruin you.” Yair advised.

“Yair, you speak nonsense.” Drake said, but he was not so sure it was nonsense.

Jessica bounced off and came near Keimoni.

“The lip perv.” She said meanly.

“It’s not nice to see you either.” He replied.

“I believe I owe you another zappy zap.” Jessica’s distain was apparent.

“I am the queen’s Viden.” He said like that was meant to protect him.

Jessica glared at him and gave him the ‘what dirty filthy thing is that’, look.

Rachael walked over.

“Hi.” She said looking at the cold chill between them.

“It’s cold enough outside, no need to make it cold inside too.”

“You look really nice. What happened to you?” Jessica asked.

“I was finally ready to heal.” Rachael replied.

“That sounds deep like something a yoga teacher says.” Jessica responded.

“Well, it’s true. I am ready to go home and be different.” She replied.

“That’s nice but what about your boyfriend?” Jessica asked being meaner than intended.

Keimoni and Rachael looked at each other than at her.

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“We are a sad story of forbidden love.” Rachael answered with drama.

Rachael was not getting sucked into the meanness that Jessica displayed. She didn’t want to hurt Keimoni nor validate Jessica.

“I am Rachael Ceronio, we are friends of Queen Tẽra. I know you know she is not the real queen but I believe the real queen is in the dungeon. Would you like to see?” Rachael asked.

Jessica looked at them, she had seen Rachael and heard of Ceronio diamonds. But Rachael was being nicer than expected.

“I have a tazzer if either of you get any ideas of throwing me in the dungeon.” Jessica said.

She was going to take pictures, a real dungeon in a real castle.

As they approached the guard stopped them. Rachael showed her seal and the guard let them past.

The smell began to bother Jessica while they were still going down the stairs. When they finally got to the people it was horrible. The cells were dirty and there was one bucket per cell. Straw was on the floor for people to sleep on and each person only had one bucket.

“Tẽra is why they have blankets and meals three times a day. Before Tẽra it was a meal every few days. The dungeon is a horrible place. This is where Keimoni and I will be if we become more than friends. At least your interests lies with a handsome prince. But not everyone is a prince.” Rachael said.

“Why are you telling me this?” Jessica said holding her nose.

“So, you understand some stories are not happy and unhappy people have stories, reasons. You are angry about that kiss. It was not personal nor was it meant to steal things from you. I guess I am saying, stop being a *ich.” Rachael said.

“And now I remember why I don’t like either of you.” Jessica said.

Tiffany saw Jessica’s red hair.

“Imposter!” she yelled “Magic wielding, face changing imposter!”

Jessica looked at the wretched woman, covered in mud and dirt with worn clothes. She looked as if she knew Jessica and hated her. Her eyes were red and spit come out of her mouth as she raged at the bars of her cell.

“Wretched witch! Even if I die you will be murdered by your own hand.” Tiffany yelled.

“What is she going on about?” Jessica asked “I do not know this woman.”

“She believes you are Tẽra and she wants you dead.” Keimoni summarized.

“Why?” Jessica asked “What did Tẽra do to her?”

“Stole her throne.” Keimoni answered calmly.

“This is the real queen. Why is she here?”

The guards have not obeyed Tẽra’s orders to have her locked in a room and treated properly. They don’t want to deal with crazy.”

“If Tẽra’s orders are being disobeyed then that’s undermining her and a coo could start.” Jessica said.

“You are way late. It’s already happened. Tẽra even had to kill a man with her own hand. She has been so grumpy ever since.” Rachael replied.

Jessica realized how her action had not helped Tẽra’s position, nor did she know what was happening in anyone else’s life. She was so caught up in her own injustice that asking what had happen during the attack she was taken during, hadn’t even been a thought.

“Guys I am sorry, I have been unfair, lashing out in my own anger and not seeing that I am not the only one wronged.” Jessica swallowed hard, “What happened during the attack that I was taken during?”

“Natrica was killed by Chris, no one knows who set him free or how he got a gun. He killed Natrica in front of Joe. Joe was…” Rachael made hand gestures and pulled faces “well she was… difficult before, after, she has been impossible. We avoid her if possible. The child Rosaleighm, now kills people and I think she likes it. Nikki and Tẽra killed a man who was trying to kill Tẽra with his bare hands. They don’t talk about. Joe killed Victoria and Griffith, and gained a bunch of men to follow her and kill for her. Like we needed Joe leading a small army.”

“Focus.” Jessica prompted.

“Tẽra gave Victoria’s land to Joe and the dragon rider’s leaving the castle to find you is why they could attack Tẽra again. She was found sleeping in a linin cupboard afterwards.”

“Most of the names you are mentioning doesn’t mean much to me.” Jessica said.

“The girl who danced was Natrica.” Keimoni said.

“I liked her.” Jessica said.

“Rachael was dragged behind a horse all the way into the City Point and left to die in the main square, skinless.” Keimoni said.

“Oh!” Jessica was completely stunned.

“You didn’t need to tell her that.” Rachael said to Keimoni.

“I did, she needs to know we have all suffered. No one is untouched.”

“They killed a lot of the wounded. It took days to scrub the blood off the walls and floors.” Rachael said.

Tiffany screamed and made threats and carried on like a crazy person.

“Can’t the dungeon get made nicer?” Jessica asked now breathing inside her shirt.

“Who is going to clean it and make it nicer while it is full of crazy? You?” Rachael asked.

Jessica scowled.

They left the dungeon and Jessica walked thought the castle. She went to Drake’s parents’ room and because Libelle had returned with the lost heir that morning both of them were there.

Jessica knocked on the door.

Dejan opened the door.

Dejan was another Viden to the Skiopia royals. He was the ruling prince and princess’ personal Viden. He followed their life but only upon their death bed would he kiss them and then he would be charged to return to the elders of his people and share the knowledge. He would then be reassigned to a new royal family.

“Jessica.” He greeted.

“Hi, I need to speak with the prince and princess and it would be great if you would translate.” Jessica said.

Dejan asked if Jessica was permitted to speak with them. They agreed as it was company and Tẽra had not lifter their house/ room arrest.

“Do you hate me so much that you are willing to sacrifice the entire world?” Jessica asked.

“Pardon?” Libelle declared.

“After you left me with Black Beard and his men, I was so angry and then having a bear feed me to her cubs and being attacked by giant spiders I thought I was the one who was hurt the most by your actions. But I just found out that while you pretended to look for me with Drake, with your whole army. There was a terrible attack that killed the wounded and Natrica the queen’s friend. Rachael was dragged behind a horse all the way into the City Point and left skinless in the streets to die. Did you let all this happen so that you could get rid of me?” Jessica asked.

“We have no idea what you are talking about?” Ryu replied.

“Do you want to know?” Jessica asked, “Do you care that once again your self-serving action has cost innocent people their lives, their sons and daughters. Do you want to know about the suffering that your actions caused?” Jessica was upset and angry.

“The queen has made it clear that she doesn’t like us.” Libelle said.

“We have been locked away we have no idea what is going on outside this room.” Ryu added.

Jessica nodded so disappointedly.

“Yeah, this is why Drake was chosen to represent your people. He has honor and he cares about more than himself and what is good for him. You are an embarrassment to the Dragon Rider people.” Jessica stated.

“How dare you!” Ryu was outraged.

“I hope that one day Drake will be happy and you will not ruin and steal that from him too. After all you only care about yourselves, not even your son is worthy of your love and care.”

Libelle struck Jessica.

“I love my son enough to protect him from swamp flies like you!”

“Even if it breaks his heart.” Jessica said.

She then left before anything more could be said.

‘That went well’ she said to herself ‘I planned on it being more of a discussion’ She sighed.

‘Jessica you are found wanting.’ She scolded herself.

It was evening when she saw Drake again. She had requested he be alone, and alone he was. But now she wanted Yair to be there to translate.

She had planned to teach him how to use her camera and they could take pictures. However, after confronting his parents she felt she needed to tell him about it before they did. She didn’t want the story to sound even worse than it already was.

Drake’s green, green eyes looked at her with concern. He could see that something was wrong. But he had few ways of communicating it.

Jessica decided she was going to teach him how to use her camera liked planned. After all she couldn’t communicate with him in words.

She held the camera out to him and indicated he should look through the lens. She pushed the button. Then she showed him the picture on the screen.

Drake picked up how to use the camera very quickly. Jessica took pictures of him and of them. It was fun and her down feelings lightened.

“I had a bad day.” She said “I fought with your parents. I was mean to people who made me feel really bad about it. I was sad when you arrived but now, I am happy. You make things better.” She told him.

Drake hugged her. He knew she couldn’t understand him but he also wanted to unburden himself.

“The queen is no longer going to bond with me. She saw how I was with you and I think I hurt her. I worry how you will react when you learn that I was going to bond with her even though we have entered into a courtship. I only hope you can understand my duty in all of it.”

He sighed “I also feel the need to apologize for my parent’s behavior. I did not want to believe they would want harm for you, nor did I believe that they would ever allow evil to befall someone who is a guest in their home. I think they somehow believe they have done the right thing even though they have caused you harm. Their actions almost killed you and I am sorry that they are not sorry.”

Jessica listened to his heart beat as he spoke. He sounded as sad as she had felt before he came. His heart beat faster as he talked faster, indicating that something was upsetting him.

She touched his face, paying attention to his handsome jawline. He was a prince, he was handsome and capable.

She kissed her prince.

* * *

Rachael sat with Keimoni in Natrica’s dance studio.

Keimoni spoke up breaking the silence “She made great sacrifices, gave up a lot and kept trying.”

“Who?” Rachael asked

“Natrica. She worked long hours every day, dancing most of the night, then going home, walking the children to school, packing their lunches, even cooking for them. She slept only six hours a day and most days it was interrupted.”

“She was a stripper.” Rachael stated like that settled it.

“Poll dancer.” Keimoni corrected.

“Same, same.” Rachael said wondering why they were talking about Natrica.

“She looked after six younger siblings, all boys. Her job is what bought them food.”

“Ok? So, her mother is busy.”

Keimoni looked at Rachael with a very serious look.

“You need to stop seeing money and start seeing people.”

Rachael was not sure what this was about.

“What are you going on about?”

Keimoni sighed “Sometimes I wonder what will happen if everyone finds out about Tẽra? Will they be happy and accept her? Will they kill her for making them foolish and tricking them?”

Keimoni sighed again even bigger this time “Natrica was a good person, she had courage and strength yet she died. She made a difference in other people’s lives. They can never repay her, nor did she want them too. It’s unfair how things have played out. Life is already hard, why does it get even worse?”

Rachael was unsure how to reply, she could see he was processing what had happened and it was not sitting well with him.

Rachael took his hand.

“At least we won’t end up in the dungeon anymore.”

Keimoni looked at her confused.

“I spoke with Tẽra, she said we can have a chance if that’s what we want. No dungeon.”

They sat in silence again holding hands. It had been a bad week.