Behind My Shadow - Book Three

19. Trying to Skip Rocks on the Ocean

"Road trip, huh?" I watch the seemingly endless current of carriages flow down the drawbridge from my advantage point up here on my mentor's balcony. I anxiously drum my nails against the banister. "Think there'll be any Black Hearts waiting for me out there somewhere?" I glance at Quill and Cornelius on either side of me.

"I have a few scouts riding ahead of the caravan," Dad informs me, but I can sense his apprehension. A few isn't nearly enough to cover all the bases of this over-the-road trip. He knows that. I know that. And I imagine the Black Hearts assassins know that too.

Ever since Adarina's murder and the downfall of the Royal Riders, the Palace has lost their most formidable, versatile knights.

God, I wish Vyndren was here...

But he's not. I firmly remind myself. I can't keep waiting, hoping or expecting him to show up and save me like he always used to. But no. He trained me to be able to survive without him. They all did, I think as I glance at Cornelius and Quill.

I smile nonchalantly and pat their shoulders. "It'll be fine, guys. Besides, I don't plan on taking the Alice carriage or either of your carriages."

"You don't?" They sound surprised.

"Nah, those would be the most obvious of places I'd be. I was thinking about hitching a ride with your moms, Quill, if you don't think they'll mind."

He smiles with relief and eagerly nods. "Adara, they'd love that! Bloody brilliant thinking." He winks.

"You should still wear a disguise or something," Dad strokes his mustache in thought. "I wouldn't want anyone to spot you boarding their carriage and alert any potential threats of your whereabouts."

"I kinda already thought of that too," I grin.

"Oh, really?" Dad smiles faintly amusement. "Pray tell, my dear."

"I'd rather show you," I beckon for the knights to follow me.

A moment later I show them the steamer trunk case I've fashion out of magic waiting down in the stables by the Royals' carriages.

"Are you joking?" Quill glances between me and the trunk.

"Why not?" I laugh. "I'll be fine in here! I'll just look like luggage. It can't be too suspicious for royalty to travel with a lot of baggage, right?"

As if on cue, Adisonia's Knave -the white rabbit- hops into the stables, directing the servants to secure her seemingly endless train of luggage streaming into the stables.

"You see?" I clap my hands together happily.

♣ ♦ ♥ ♠

I rattle around in the steamer trunk as I'm hefted onto the back of the Queens of Diamonds' carriage. Once we start moving, I manage to roll over to my stomach and feel over one end of the trunk for the trapdoor that has been added last minute to their carriage. I use the light shining in from the keyhole to find the latch before I slide it open.

"The curtains are drawn, My Alice!" Queen Lyna announces as I crawl onto the seat. We hit a bump in the road and I roll to the floor. "Alice!" The Queens frantically try to help me up but I'm laughing as I pop back up.

"OMG, that was so much fun!" I laugh as I climb back onto the seat across from them.

"It certainly looked thrilling," Queen Eastyn chuckles with a shake of her head.

"Thanks again for letting me ride with you guys," I gratefully look the couple over.

"Oh, don't mention it, dear," Queen Eastyn waves me off. "It's our pleasure."

"Of course, darling!" Queen Lyna pats my hand. "If you ever need anything, love, you simply must let us know."

"You guys are the best," I smile. "So," I grin mischievously. "I don't suppose you guys are gonna go easy on me during my fifth Labor, eh?"

"Not on your life!" Queen Eastyn laughs.

Her wife playfully slaps her arm before saying to me, "now, now, Alice! We want to play a nice clean, honest game. We're certain you will do quite swimmingly without any favors." She winks.

"Although I will give you some pointers of how to crush the others," Queen Eastyn readily says. I laugh and eagerly slide to the edge of my seat to hang on to her every word.

For my fifth Labor, I will have to duel my Court's animal soul spirits with my own. We have to travel to some arena called the Oculi Aperti or something like that where our animals will have enough room to battle. At first, I was a little nervous upon learning that I'll be fighting them all at once, but Dad has since assured me they are the ones that should worry. 

Even though the Royal Court is made up of the eight most powerful bloodlines in all of Raetri, my Alice blood gives me an edge.

Or so he told me.

At any rate, by battling and defeating each of their animal soul spirits, I'll be gaining immeasurable strength and powerful from this exploit. Anytime someone's animal soul spirit is bested by a more powerful spirit, it drains a bit of their powers and gives it to the conqueror.

"But I don't wanna hurt you guys," I tell the Queens of Diamonds.

"Oh, don't worry about us!" Queen Eastyn waves me off. "We may feel a twinge of pain or whatever but we'll be fine. Besides, our strength will eventually all come back to us. That's just basic laws of magic," she winks. "So whaddya say, My Alice? You think you're ready to stick it to the Court?"

"Yeah," I smile with pleasure as I think about defeating the Queen of Hearts in front of everyone. "Yeah, I'm really looking forward to this now."