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Gina was there at noon when Randall came to pick me up. I’d done a lot more crying than I’d wanted to, but now I felt I was finally back under control. It helped that Gina deleted all the messages Martin kept leaving. “He just wants to talk. That’s all he keeps saying.”
I didn’t speak.
“You’re sure you don’t want me to come?”
I gave a wry smile. “I’d love for you to come, but I just don’t think you’ll be able to go. If you can’t see them, you can’t cross the barrier, or so they tell me.”
She sighed. “Maybe. Maybe I’ll see them.”
I doubted it. If she couldn’t see my tattoo, then she wouldn’t be able to see them. I wished wholeheartedly that she could.
Her eyes widened. “Whoa.”
I smiled. “That’s Randall.”
Randall was coming down the street in the Bugatti. Gina knew a lot about cars, and she was already itching to look under the hood. I knew everything about cars from her.
Randall parked in the driveway and climbed out, and I made introductions. “Gina, this is Randall Winters. Randall, this is Gina Maniton.”
She shook his hand. “So, you’re the other godfather.”
Randall smiled. “You know?”
“She knows. She took it better than I thought.”
“Is he invisible?” Gina whispered.
“No.”
“Darn,” she said in disappointment.
“She’s hoping she’s a freak like me,” I told him.
He kept smiling. “Is everything packed?”
I nodded. “Just inside the door.” We started to load everything into the car. As Gina picked up the last bag, I said, “Randall, is there going to be room for Cathy?”
Gina looked around in confusion.
“There will be plenty of room,” Randall replied
Gina stared in the direction I was looking. I could see Randall clearly, but she couldn’t see him at all. “Drat,” she sighed.
Randall must have become visible, because she jerked and sighed again.
“Sorry,” I told her.
She handed me the bag ruefully. “That’s okay. I probably wouldn’t fit in there anyway.”
I gave her a hug. “You’ll keep your phone with you?”
“Whenever you need to talk,” she promised. “Have fun in Valeria. Go show off your black belt.”
“Black belt?” Randall repeated.
I flushed as Gina answered. “Joan has a black belt in Tai Kwon Do. Didn’t you know?”
“I didn’t tell them,” I muttered.
“That explains quite a bit, actually,” Randall said, staring at me. “Why didn’t you say?”
“It seemed like showing off, and I got enough of that with the knives and being from here.”
Gina laughed at my red face. “She can’t stand a show-off. So she hates being one.” Gina’s phone rang, and she made a face. “My boss, wondering where I am.”
I hugged her again. “Thanks, Gina.”
She hugged me back. “Call me, tell me about everything.”
“Promise.”
She beamed at me and turned to Randall. “Thanks for having her let me in. Take care of her.” Then she bounced over to the car and drove off with one last cheery wave.
“Why does everyone assume I need taking care of?” I protested in a wail.
Randall smiled. “Because you’re not invincible, and we recognize it when you don’t.” He rested his hand on my shoulder. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
I gave a weak smile. “I believe I’m invincible, remember? If I don’t know I’m not, then I can handle it.”
“If it’s any consolation, he’s not himself.”
“He apparently hasn’t been himself for a while now,” I said softly. Then I shook myself. I wasn’t dwelling. “I need to go to the police station to say good-bye to Jim and take him my car.”
“I’ll follow.”
I locked the door, climbed in my car, and drove off. The town wasn’t too busy at the moment. We crossed over the railroad tracks that marked the good side of town from the less-good side of town. I refused to call it the bad side of town since I lived there myself. It was true my neighbors were poorer, and that we tended to get more of the less-trustworthy people, but we also had hard workers, and none of the snobby, money-hoarders who thought themselves better because their jobs didn’t require dirty hands. We were blue-collar, and proud of it. Those who were of the criminal element knew to stay away from my house, as anyone who caused trouble for my family or my friends found themselves without any support from my neighborhood and cops nipping at their heels. As my father used to proudly say, we took care of our own.
The police station wasn’t too far from the tracks, barely a mile from my house. It made commuting easy. My godfather, Jim was sitting at his desk, staring at a pile of paperwork sitting on his cheap, metal desk with irritation and dislike.
“Where are the doughnuts?” I asked in a teasing tone, sitting across from him in the uncomfortable chair reserved for his partner. “Is Marley out getting more?”
“We ate them already. I don’t suppose you want to go get a dozen more boxes to last us to the end of the shift? Marley’s getting more of this blasted paperwork.”
I laughed. “As if you actually ate doughnuts.”
His lined face that could soften in love or harden for duty looked mournful. “Only because they were left out of the budget. We can’t afford them.”
“Yeah right. I know the secret. Police run on coffee. How many cups today?”
“Three. Light day.” He finished his cup and stood. “You’re going, then.”
I nodded. “Car’s in the lot.” I dropped the keys in his hand.
“You need anything, you let me know.”
I nodded. “I know, Jim. Thanks.”
He gave a hug. “Keep out of trouble now. Call me every once in a while to relieve the boredom, or just for kicks.”
“I will. Love you.” I smiled at him, then I left, leaving the fresh cup of coffee on the desk that I’d brought with me. He grinned and saluted me with it before taking a drink.
Cathy bounced happily out of school and ran straight to me. Others nearby were sending envious looks to the car they knew was worth more than some of their houses. “Hi, Randall! Let’s go!”
He chuckled. “Hi, Cathy. Been busy today?”
“No,” she responded instantly. “We watched movies all day.”
“So you’ve done nothing today, have you?” I chided.
“Not true,” she defended. “I studied Valerian stuff. I’m still going with you, right?”
“Of course,” I said firmly. “You come with me, and Mari will be glad to have you.”
“So I can save her from the witch?”
“That too.”
“The witch?” Randall asked.
“Charlene.” I turned to Cathy. “It would be best if you didn’t refer to her as that anymore.”
Cathy sighed. “Fine. What do I call her?”
“Charlene.”
“Is she my governess too?” She wrinkled her nose.
“No,” I assured her. “You’re on vacation. If you need to learn anything, we’ll have Tatum teach it.”
“But I have to obey her.” She frowned, displeased.
“Just be polite. Consider it a lesson in how to be diplomatic.”
Cathy sighed again. “Fine. I’ll behave.”
Randall was quiet. I didn’t say anything either, and Cathy bounced happily in the back seat, thrilled to be going back to Valeria. We’d visited occasionally over the year, but we hadn’t been able to visit since spring break, which was when I guessed everything had changed. I hadn’t been able to see Martin then, he’d been gone, but we’d called. It apparently hadn’t been enough.
“Where are we going first?” my sister chirped.
“To see the king and queen,” Randall answered. “They want to know of your arrival. Then, you can go find Mari. She will either be in her room or the library, most likely.”
The closer we got the Valeria, the tenser I got. Mixed feelings were causing cramps in my stomach. I was seriously considering taking up smoking; it seemed to calm everyone else down. Randall’s hand covered mine, which was clenched into a fist on the arm rest. I took a deep breath and relaxed, although it did nothing to ease the tension inside me.
When we went before King Alan and Queen Florinda, they weren’t in the throne room; they were in a room I’d never been in before. It seemed to be their study. There was a beautiful mahogany table in the middle of the room, papers and books strewn on it, but the rest of the room was neat and orderly, in shades of blue and green that blended together in places and made the entire room soothing. Cathy and I curtseyed in unison. King Alan nodded once to us both, then went back to his writings.
“It’s good to see you, Catherine,” Florinda said with a smile. “You are coming with us to travel?”
Cathy nodded immediately. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Florinda nodded, satisfied. “Mari is eager to see you. Why don’t you go find her?”
Cathy bobbed a curtsey, hesitating in the doorway when I didn’t follow.
“I would like to speak to Guardswoman Joan alone.”
Cathy nodded and disappeared, the door closing behind her.
“My dear, is there anything you would like to say?” The smile had left the queen’s face.
I locked my hands behind my back. “No, Your Highness.”
She walked towards me. “None of that,” she said gently. “I’m not here as your queen, but as your friend. What happened between you and Martin?”
I kept my tone even. “Things just seemed to be different now.”
Alan glanced at me briefly, blue eyes speculative, then turned to his writings again. Florinda stared at me, a wrinkle in her brow. “My dear, I’m not going to pry, but don’t you think this is a mistake?”
“I’d rather not discuss this,” I replied in a low tone. “If there’s nothing else, I need to help my sister move our things in.”
She seemed to want to say something else, then let it go. “You start tomorrow morning.”
I curtseyed. “Yes, Your Highness.” Then I quietly left.
When I arrived at Mari’s room I found Charlene there, scolding Mari and Cathy. I noticed that both of the girls looked simultaneously annoyed and resentful.
“You cannot run around like heathens. You are a princess, Your Highness, and you must act like one.” She turned on me. “And you need to keep your sister under control.”
I stared coolly at her. “Charlene, my sister and how she behaves is none of your business. I will handle her behavior and her actions. She does not answer to you.”
Charlene’s face colored and she was about to speak when I cut her off. “Mari, Cathy, go.”
“Stay,” Charlene commanded.
They obeyed me and left, all but running for the door and practically slamming it closed behind them.
“Let’s you and I get something straight now,” I said flatly. “If you know anything about me, then you know that I don’t stand for anyone hurting children.” My gaze was flat. “I don’t care what kind of power you have; you don’t get to push Cathy around, and you had better watch your step with Mari. She is a child, no matter that she’s a princess, and she will behave like a child no matter how often you lecture her. If you step out of line, I will be the one putting you back in line, and I promise I won’t be gentle.”
Charlene strutted forward, her look condescending. “Now we see just how jealous you are,” she said with satisfaction. “You don’t like that I’ve replaced you, with the princess or with Martin. You aren’t needed. You’re just the trophy for the kingdom.”
She reached out to poke me, and I slapped her hand away. “Think what you want. Your opinion doesn’t matter to me any more now than it did when you were a kitchen maid.” I leaned forward. “And if I’m a trophy, then I earned my status as one. I’m good at what I do, and I have a diamond arrow to prove it. If Martin wants you, then he can go. You’re welcome to my leftovers.” Then I walked out.
“Guardswoman Ilion!” She shrieked, coming after me, all arrogance gone. “How dare you speak to me in such a way? You will follow the orders I gave you!”
“If you want respect, then you earn it,” I said in a hard voice. “I am Mari’s guard. My orders come from the king and queen, and Sir Gonhiad. When they give me an order, I will follow it. I not only have the right not to follow your orders, I refuse to.”
Neal grinned broadly at me as I strode off. “Good to have you back.”
I felt immensely better. “Good to be back, Neal.”
I found Mari and Cathy in the hallways, giggling madly and running around. “Hey, you two,” I said affectionately. “What are you doing?”
“Being heathens,” Cathy said promptly.
I swallowed a smile. “Heathens don’t go to Geidy with us. If you continue to act like heathens, then both of you will be staying, understand me?”
They nodded instantly, eyes wide at the prospect of not being able to go with us.
“Go play then. Cathy, after supper you need to unpack.” They nodded again and ran off together, chattering in excitement. I continued where I was going, saw Martin, and immediately turned down a different corridor, heading towards the kitchens instead.
I went to the cellar and stayed there, hoping Martin wasn’t following. When he didn’t, I figured I’d been granted a reprieve. There was the possibility Charlene would try to get revenge on me though Martin. It was going to be hard enough with just Charlene to fight against, but if Martin joined in, it would make my life absolutely miserable. It wasn’t going to be easy working with either of them, and of course it would be the two people that I had to be with most often.
I did eventually leave the cellar. I didn’t worry about the time, since I knew I didn’t have any duties today. I needed time alone to think, which I hadn’t had since I’d discovered Martin with Charlene. Between Gina and Cathy and all the packing we’d done, I hadn’t had time to myself, or time to just sit still. When I finally felt like some of the stress had gone, it was the middle of dinnertime and everyone was either eating or dealing with the food. I made my way to Mari’s room quietly and unpacked. I’d just finished when Cathy and Mari came into the room. “Joan!” Cathy looked surprised. “We’ve been looking for you.”
“Was there a problem?” I asked.
Cathy shook her head. “No, but no one could find you and we looked in here twice.”
“Who was looking?”
They shrugged. “Mostly the guards when you didn’t come for dinner,” Mari said.
Cathy chewed on her lip for a moment. “Martin was looking too,” she admitted hesitantly. “At least for a little while, until...” she trailed off, the rest a mumble.
“Until what?” I asked, already figuring out what the answer was.
“Until Charlene found him,” she muttered, instantly looking up to see if I was going to be upset.
I kept my gaze blank and my face calm. “I’ll see them all later. Cathy, you have unpacking to do.”
Mari stayed still. “Mom wants to see you too,” she said. “She knew I’d see you. I’m supposed to tell you to go find her.”
“I’ll go do that,” I said. “Why don’t you help Cathy unpack, then you two can play, but stay in here.”
They both agreed as I slipped out the door.
“Joan,” Yal said, his voice as deep as ever as it resonated from a massive frame that would have made football coaches weep for joy. Yal was a big man who liked big weapons. But for all his fierceness in his protection of Mari, she terrified him at times, especially when she went into a tantrum. To the relief of all of Mari’s guards and most of the castle staff, I’d essentially broken Mari of the tantrums. Yal didn’t have children and he didn’t know how to handle their fits.
“Hi, Yal. I’ll be back soon, I think.”
“Missed you at dinner.”
I shrugged. “Wasn’t hungry.”
He didn’t reply to that as I walked down the hall to the king and queen’s study.
“You asked to see me?” I said, curtseying to Florinda when she called for me to enter. She hadn’t yet changed out of her robes, but she’d removed the circlet from her hair. It didn’t demean her appearance or the authority that exuded from her, because such things were natural to her. She looked like a queen in royal garments or battle gear. King Alan wasn’t here, so it was just the two of us.
Her dark blue eyes were grave. “How are you, Joan?”
I shrugged. “Well enough.”
Her mouth twitched slightly. “Joan, the castle runs on gossip. Every time you come, a fresh surge of chatter comes with you about what you’ve been doing, what you’re saying, how you look, and how you act. I would have to be very dull to miss the chatter about you today. Where did you go that no one could find you?”
“Is that a question I have to answer?”
“Only if you want to.”
I debated a moment. “I was in the cellar. It’s the best place to be alone, as we all learned last summer.” We shared a semi-humorous look.
“And if I were to ask you how you are again, would you respond honestly?”
I didn’t think she wanted my completely honest answer.
“My dear, you’re not yourself,” Florinda said softly.
“You already knew that,” I said quietly. “I think everyone knows that.”
“If it would make it easier, I can remove you as a guard for the peace conference.”
“No!” I cried. “Please, Florinda, I like working here! I like taking care of Mari and I know she likes it with me. Let me stay and keep guarding her.” I was practically begging. I knew what to do as a guard, and if I didn’t have that job, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. “I promise Mari will be perfectly safe...”
Florinda cut me off. “Joan, it’s not Mari I’m worried about.” She sat down in a velvet-covered chair and motioned me to sit as well. “I don’t think many people know why you broke up with Martin,” she said gently. “But it won’t be long before they do. I want you to be happy, and if you’ll be happier not working with both of them every day, then I can make it so you’re only focus is the peace delegation.”
I grimaced. “And do what, exactly? Practice my flowery speech?”
Florinda smiled now. “Everyone has preparations to make for the conference, you most of all.”
“Let me stay with Mari for now,” I pleaded. “I want to at least try it.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’ll obey Martin’s commands to the letter,” I said steadily.
“And Charlene?”
“I’ll do my best to get along with her,” I said after a moment.
Florinda studied me for a minute. “You’re sure you want to do this?”
“Positive. I want to stay with Mari.”
Florinda studied me a moment longer. “All right then. It’s your decision. But Joan,” she said as I rose. “As your friend, I’m very sorry.”
I shrugged, as if this was something trivial. “I’m from the Flip Side. It wouldn’t have worked out anyway.”