Chapter Thirteen

Pudge caught my arm and pulled me to my feet. The crowds were in chaos. Whole families were in tears; others shoved to get closer to the king to hear what happened.

All I could think of was Dorian. How could he have been bested? He was such a strong warrior…it didn’t make sense. My eyes welled, burning. None of this could be true. I didn’t believe it, and yet his absence made it all the more evident that something had happened.

Was it like Vane had said? Was Dorian being held for ransom by humans? If so, what was the cost to free him? Should we even barter with them? Mind reeling, I tried to focus on the dais.

My throat went dry as I shifted my gaze back to Honour, who leaned down to whisper in the king’s ear. King Starshooter replied, and Honour nodded, then disappeared into the background.

“Good citizens of Gob Hollow, I’m afraid this evening’s ceremonies are cancelled,” Councilor Wayfarer announced as guards rushed the king and some of the council from the dais. “Everyone is to return to their homes. As soon as we’re able, we’ll dispatch messengers throughout the kingdom with news.”

Father turned to me, eyes filled with worry. “Ivy, you go with Pudge and his mother to their palace quarters and stay there until we know it’s safe. I’ll send for you as soon as I can.”

He hurried away, and the guards started to disband the crowds. Margenta Wayfarer, Pudge’s mother, stepped in front of us like a large ship blocking port. She was easily twice the size of Pudge.

Disbelief overwhelmed me. This wasn’t reality. It couldn’t be.

“Come along, you two. Let’s get to the palace.” She looped one beefy arm around each of us and began to plow through the throngs of goblins. For a big lady, she moved quicker than a dragon with its arse on fire.

“Grr,” I hollered over my shoulder.

Margenta glanced at the dog. “He won’t relieve himself in my house, will he?”

“No. He’s housebroken.” Well, at least when Cook wasn’t around to antagonize him.

Numb, I allowed Margenta to guide me through the crowd, going over what Vane had said as if maybe I’d misheard it.

Once we got to the quarters, I sat with Pudge in the dining room while one of the servants bustled to ready a pot of tea. Margenta moved to the window and watched the activity in the streets and courtyard below.

“What do you think happened?” Pudge bent his head closer to mine.

“I don’t know. Dorian’s a strong fighter; I can’t see him being captured by humans. Also, it doesn’t make sense. How would a human know to grab the one royal goblin out of the group?” I picked at my lacy dress sleeves, tears burning the backs of my eyes. If the rumors were true, I’d have to go after Dorian. No way did I trust his safety to Vane Girt or anyone else. I was his betrothed, and I intended to bring my future husband back safely.

My mind conjured all the possible tortures Dorian could be going through while we sat here waiting, doing nothing. We needed to leave at once—why was it taking so long? My body trembled as nervousness settled in.

“Don’t you two go worrying about a thing. I’m sure this has been blown out of proportion.” Margenta let the curtains fall back into place and headed toward the kitchen. “I don’t want to hear another word about it. Just relax while I check on the tea.”

Margenta couldn’t be serious right now. How did she expect us to sit here and relax?

Grr trotted over to me and rested his head on my leg, staring at the hallway that led to the front door. His ears perked up, and he stood straight, just before a knock resonated from the door. Margenta came out of the kitchen and hurried past us to answer it.

Muffled voices sounded from the hall. A moment later, Amos entered the dining room, worry lines etched on his face, mouth drawn into a frown.

“The king has asked that you come see him at once,” Amos said to me.

My chair slid back as I hopped up, followed by Pudge.

“I’m sorry, but not this time, Pudgeons. The king has asked for Ivy.”

Eyes narrowed, I said, “I’m not going anywhere without him.” Whatever was to happen or be decided on, I needed my friend with me. Pudge didn’t know it, but sometimes he was my backbone—the one who gave me courage when I faltered. Grr nudged me, and I grabbed hold of his collar. “Or my dog, either.”

“Ivy, now is not the time to be pigheaded,” Amos warned.

“I want them in there with me.” I held his gaze. “Please.”

“Maybe that’s not such a great idea.” Margenta’s eyes widened. “I don’t want Pudge dragged into more than he already has been. He’s my baby.”

“Mother,” Pudge groaned. “I’m not letting Ivy go in alone. And I’m not a baby.”

“Fine, but I’m telling you the king will not be happy with this.” Amos led us from the Wayfarers’ quarters, down the hall, and into the library.

Once inside, Amos stepped into an enormous fireplace.

Pudge caught my arm. “Okay, why is he stepping into a fireplace?”

“Good question.” I was just about to ask Amos when he grabbed a hold of a handle lodged inside the brick and opened a hidden door.

We were met with a damp smell, and I stared at the spiral of stairs leading down.

“Hurry.” Amos waved us in.

My stomach knotted as we descended. What’s so secret that the king has to bring us down here? When we reached the bottom of the stairs, Amos took a torch from the wall and moved down a narrow passageway. The walls seemed to close in around us, each footstep echoing off the stone.

At last, we came to a heavy wooden door barred by guards on either side.

They moved aside and let Amos knock on the door. First three taps, then two, then four.

The door swung open with a low groan. My father looked up from pacing the room as I came in. This couldn’t be good. He seemed so ruffled. I’d never seen him like this before.

The only other goblins in the room were the king, Cook, and now Amos. King Starshooter noticed Pudge and frowned.

“I’m going to have to ask Pudgeons to wait outside,” he said.

I reached for Pudge’s hand. Not that I couldn’t do this alone; I just wanted him there with me. “Whatever you have to say, your highness, can be said in front of him. He’ll find out either way.”

“Ivy,” Father snapped.

King Starshooter sighed. “I’m sorry, but not this time. Pudgeons. If you would please wait outside the door.”

Pudge gave me a nervous glance and moved back out of the room. “I’ll be right here when you’re done, Ivy. I promise.”

The door groaned shut, and King Starshooter moved around the large mahogany table at the center of the room, firelight dancing behind him as he maneuvered to a place in front of me.

“Ivy, there’s something I need to tell you,” he began. “And I need you to promise to hear me out, no matter how difficult it may seem.”

My pulse hammered in my ears. A part of me wished he’d just come out and say it, but the other part wanted to run. “I’m listening,” I said, voice shaky.

He reached for my free hand. “I’m your father, Ivy.”

“What?” I squeaked. Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. My father? Just like that. No. I shook my head—it wasn’t possible.

“It’s true, Ivy,” Archer said, his eyes welling with tears.

It was hard not to think of him as my father. He’d raised me. He’d been there to encourage me and to punish me and to teach me. My throat constricted. But then this led to another thought… Dorian.

Oh Hag. That meant he was my brother. Was that what he’d wanted to tell me? The true reason he’d written the letter? I swallowed hard. But they allowed him to propose to me. Why? Was this all a huge game to them? Did no one care at all how this would affect me? “Dorian’s my brother?”

“Half brother,” King Starshooter said.

I jerked away from him. “You knew he was my brother and you told him to make it look like we’d been caught in a compromising position? You encouraged him to ask for my hand in marriage, knowing we’d never truly be able to be together?”

The king’s expression was pained. “We had no choice, Ivy.” He grabbed my arm, pulling me closer.

Tears slid down my cheeks like rain on glass. “If you’re my father, then how come you never claimed me? Why did Archer raise me?”

“Because you’re half human. Your grandfather never would’ve approved,” he said. “I did what I thought was best for both of us. And best for the kingdom.”

I gasped. My suspicions had been right. Archer knew it. The king knew it. And they let me believe otherwise. That I was just a foolish child with a wild imagination. Was I the reason the king’s father had put the laws into place regarding humans seventeen years ago? I clutched a hand to my chest. How could they do this?

“You were embarrassed by me,” I shouted, pain radiating through me as if I’d been struck by a bolt of lightning. “You’re just like everyone else.” A parent was supposed to love their child, not give them away.

“No, that’s not true. I love you. You’re my daughter,” the king said. “I was married to Dorian’s mother when I found out your mother was pregnant with my child. If I had brought her here, then claimed you, my father would’ve put you both to death. He did not want our blood tainted.”

At the mention of my mother, I went still. What had she thought of this? “My mother…is she alive?”

King Starshooter’s face crumpled. “No. She died in childbirth. Her sister sent word to me and indicated that I must retrieve you at once. I loved her very much. And had things been different, I would’ve brought her home with me.”

My mother had been human. No wonder Archer didn’t want me carrying on about them. But as I stared around the room, I realized the people I loved most had all betrayed me. My heart ached at the knowledge that my real father was ashamed of me. That he’d shipped me off to live with his advisor. There were so many questions I wanted to ask, but the need to get away won out.

“You all lied.” I sobbed. “How could you keep the truth from me? I trusted you.” Backing away, I turned around and rushed out the door.

“Ivy? What’s wrong?” Pudge said, reaching for me.

I turned my tear-filled eyes on him, then reached for his hand, dragging him with me.

From behind me, I heard the king tell the guards to let me go. I had no idea where I was heading until I found myself standing outside the Archives, in front of the statue of the Hag, with Pudge next to me.