Garthia: The Forgotten King

Chapter Fifteen

~Chapter Fifteen

As we're walking towards the castle, Eve walks beside me and stops me for a while, taking me out of earshot of the others.

When we keep walking she says, "I know what you think of Fera. Truthfully, she does have some anger issues, but she's great once you get to know her."

"That's what they all say." I mutter.

Eve laughs, but I can tell it's just to relive some of the tension. "But she really is. She's just had a tough break, you know? Had her heart torn to pieces more than once. I guess that's what made her so closed off." She cups the side of her mouth with one hand and whispers, "Don't tell her I told you this, but she said that she actually thinks your pretty cool."

I stifle a laugh. "Really?"

"Really." She faces the road again and we walk in silence. I glance at her out of the corner of my eye, but I don't recognize her. I don't see my best friend Eveline Watson, or as I have recently found out, Eveline Weston. I don't see the girl that I would have late night movie marathons with, or conversations about things that only we would understand.* Instead I see a stranger. In this last day, I've found out so many secrets about her, so many things that she's hidden from me, that I don't feel like I know her anymore. We can't even talk now without it being awkward.

This realization nearly brings me to tears. It's crazy how your life can change so drastically over the course of just one day. And I have a feeling that my life will never be the same.

We've reached the castle now. (It's crazy how you can walk so far in such a short amount if time.) It shines out like a beacon, just like it did from the balcony. Bright and beautiful.

Fera doesn't stop to admire it though. She keeps marching right up to the front door. This time the guards step in the way. Eve explains that Fera is with her, and they let us pass.

Fera marches straight on, up the stairs, then bursts into the throne room.

Salem is sitting in his throne talking to one of his attendants. But this time, in his hand, he is holding a long black staff, on the top of which is an orb made of clear glass. Inside of the orb is what looks like just curling, black smoke, but it radiates power. Fera stops dead in her tracks when she sees it.

When he turns to us his eyes land on her, and he smiles cruelly, which I know is uncharacteristic of him even though I've only known him for a day.

"My dear Fera. I was expecting you." As he stands up he slams the staff onto the floor, and this oddly causes the lights to dim slightly.

"I can see that." Fera says through gritted teeth, with her hands curled into fists at her side.

"Do you like my treasure?" he tosses the staff from one hand to the other. The lights flicker wildly. "It was a gift from a very close friend of yours."

"You play with it like it's a toy. How dare you-" Eve places a hand on her shoulder and whispers something in her ear. She takes a deep breath and releases her hands. "Enough about this. I-we came here to discuss the incident."

Salem continues tossing the staff without looking at any of us. "That is nothing you should concern yourself with."

"You know damn well that it is."

He sets the staff down on the ground, gently this time so that the lights are unaffected, and tilts his head back slightly and gives Fera a steady, unsmiling stare down. "I don't know why you even bother." is all he says before calling the guards to escort us out. And by "escort" I mean throw us out of the castle and onto our butts.

Unfazed by being tossed out, Fera pulls Eve over to the side and starts arguing with her in a low voice, occasionally pointing at Cam and I.

While they talk Cam and I just stand there with nothing to say, and watch them yell at each other silently. The conversation finally ends with Fera throwing her arms up and Eve giving her, I win this one, victory grin.

Fera storms over to us. "First things first," she says, shooting Eve a murderous glare when she isn't looking. "We get a goods night's rest. We'll decide what to do in the morning." Suddenly noticing how exhausted I am, I have no problem agreeing.

>>>

The sleeping arrangement is Fera on the bed, Cam on the floor, and Eve and I on the pull out mattress from the couch. After I get in my pajamas, brush my teeth, comb my hair, and get tucked in, I realize that there's no possible way I'll get any sleep. How can I after the day I've had?

Every time I try to close my eyes, visions of the creturæ obscura charging at me, screeching a high-pitched battle cry, I jolt back awake.

Finally, I give up on sleep and lie awake, staring up at the ceiling.

>>>

I wake up to someone shaking me. Wait. I woke up. So I did get some sleep. Maybe this won't be so bad after all.

Eve and Cam call my name softly and gently shake me, while Fera straight up screams in my ear and practically throws onto the floor. I push her away, and they all stop shaking me. When I open my eyes I see that they've already gotten dressed and ready for the day. They've probably eaten too. Oh no, don't think about food. Don't think about food, Hayden!

"Finally," Fera grumbles. "I thought she'd never wake up."

"What time is it?" I ask, still drowsy from sleep. Or lack of sleep. I really can't tell.

"Twelve twenty-one." Cam answers.

Against my will my stomach growls loudly. "You should probably eat." Eve says. Thank you, Captain Obvious.

I sit up and stretch my arms out. "You might want to eat a big breakfast, kid."

"Why?" I yawn.

"Because we have to take a trip to the mortal world."

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*Based on actual occurrences with Amber O'Dell, whom Eve is somewhat based on. You better be reading this! Haha love ya gurl! If anyone, besides her, is reading this, you should follow her @amber_eaton.