“Time does not exist here.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed.”
“It exists elsewhere. Therefore, it exists here.”
I thought of Calista’s strange turn of phrases. “Po-tay-to, Po-tot-o.”
Serwin stared at me. “Take me to Mergle!” his voice bellowed through the room.
The vibrations shook my anger loose. I stewed in it, allowed it to envelop me in the heat and build to a roaring fire. The misleading, manipulative actions of those closest to me. The half-truths so I wouldn’t discover their lies. Being used as a toolfor their own means, whatever they may be…. They could shrivel to husks of their former selves for all I cared. I may just do it to them myself like I did the others.
Once his rage settled, I spun a small portal near the ground at the foot of the dais so the nearest goblin could poke their head through to see what I needed. A moment later, a big gray face with a long pipe protruding from his mouth popped through.
Smoke billowed out of his nostrils before he said, “Yes, sire?”
“I request Jessandra’s company.”
“Right away, sire. She was just next to me.” He disappeared, leaving only the aroma of everberry leaves in the air.
I increased the size of the portal and waited impatiently for her arrival. They were all in the arena celebrating with no idea Serwin had interrupted the party and their queen was trapped behind protective walls. Jessandra would know from both our absences and my wording that something was amiss.
Serwin stared at the swirling mass in front of him once again. Only this time, I caught the briefest glimpse of curiosity cross his features. It looked completely different from the portal he came through. I always wondered what it would feel like to pass through it. Would the energy feel different, too? I itched to ask him.
The portal undulated and Jessandra stepped into the throne room, her back to Serwin. She dropped to a knee, her hand resting on her concealed knife, and bowed her head, no doubt learning Serwin’s exact position. Her awareness and accuracy were terrifyingly accurate next to my own.
“You called for me, Your Highness?”
I almost smirked from her using a title while speaking to me. She never would unless forced, which was confirmation she understood our predicament. We would appear to be a united front.
Serwin took a step and hesitated. “Jessandra?”
She stood and spun on him, knife gripped and lying along her forearm. The mummified remains of a goblin peeked out of her pocket. Another one to add to the count. I shifted my attention to her and watched for any sign of deception, but only confusion etched the side of her brow.
He studied her from head to toe, lingering on her face and traveling over her long gray hair.
“Do-do I know you?”
His torso flinched, as if deflecting a blow. “I had hoped you would remember me.” He pressed his hand to his chest. “Serwin.” It came out of his mouth like he dug through his pain to find it and questioned if he even got it right.
Jessandra gripped the knife tighter. Did she remember him and refused to acknowledge his identity in front of me? She was clearly shaken. The day kept getting more and more interesting.
She squinted and shook her head. I had seen Calista wear that same uncertainty, as if random memories were resurfacing that didn’t make any sense.
Serwin came closer, and Jessandra raised her weapon. He stopped in an instant, with his palms turned out.
“Please remember,” he whispered.
She ignored his heart-aching plea and faced me. “What is happening?”
“I thought you could tell me.”
“Who is this…” Jessandra eyed him up and down. “Man?”
“Serwin.” I waved him forward. He approached and stood next to Jessandra, staring at her out of the corner of his eye. “Explain your purpose here.”
He huffed. “I cannot.”
