Page 21 of Winter Goddess
"Sorry, Your Highness," one of them apologises. "I didn't know it was you."
"Lead me to the Spring Goddess," I say without engaging in small talk. "It's urgent."
The guard nods and opens the door, motioning me to follow. The guest wing is extensive and spread over several floors with enough rooms to house hundreds of people. Not all Gods can teleport, and after a long night of drinks and delights, some like to stay here rather than travel to the closest Gate. Having a room also helps when meeting a pretty Guardian to take to bed.
Luckily, Flora's quarters aren't far. The guard gives me a questioning look and I tell him to return to his post.
I wait until he's gone before knocking on the door. There's no response, but it's the middle of the night, so I didn't expect Flora to be awake.
I knock again, then enter the dark room. With a thought, I switch on the lights. I'm in a cosy living room, made homely by dozens of flower vases dotted around the shelves and tables. It's obvious that the Spring Goddess has tried to make this place more like home. She must miss her own Realm, which according to what she's said looks very different from this one. More colours, less snow, obviously.
"Flora?" I call as a warning before heading towards the door at the end of the room. I don't want to scare her.
Actually, I could just use my magic. Silly me, I'm still not used to it. I concentrate on my surroundings, feeling for nearby auras. There's nobody here. Damn it.
I run and open the bedroom door, but as I thought, it's empty. The bed looks like nobody has slept in tonight, but there are boxes and clothes everywhere, so she's definitely been living in here. Maybe she's out partying or has found a lover. I refuse to think that it's something more sinister.
I teleport backto the entrance to the guest wing. This time, the guards don't shriek quite as much.
"When did you last see Flora?" I ask immediately and they look at each other.
"Yesterday," one of them says and the other nods. "She came back here after dinner, and a few minutes later, one of your Guardians came to pick her up."
"One of my Guardians?" I ask, a sinking feeling spreading through my stomach. Please don’t let this happen again.
"Crispin, Your Highness," the other guard supplies. "He said you'd requested Lady Flora's presence."
I teleport away from them, into my office. As soon as I'm there, I pull on the bond connecting me to my Guardians. I try to avoid doing this because they don't like the feeling of it, but I need them here, now, and I don't have time to search for them.
I open the door and tell one of the guards outside to send for Tamara. If she's surprised that I'm in the office without them having seen me walk through the door, she doesn't show it. I guess they're used to it from my mother.
"My Guardians will be here any minute. You can let them in without asking." She nods and bows her head.
I close the door behind me and look around my empty office. Yet again, I have a crisis to master, and yet again, my mother isn't here to help me. It's depressing.
Arc is the first to arrive, bursting into the room. "What happened?" he huffs, completely out of breath. He must have run here.
"Flora is gone, but let's wait for the others. We have another fake Crispin on the loose."
"Another one?" He flops down on one of the chairs. "Wasn't everyone told about the possibility of one of them reappearing?"
I sigh. "Apparently not, or he knew the passcode. I'll have to ask the guards. Actually, wait here for the others, I'll be right back."
I teleport back to the guest wing. The same two guards are still standing there.
"When Crispin picked up Flora, did you ask him for the code word?" I ask them sharply, half expecting them to admit that they didn't, but the burly one to the right bows.
"Of course, Your Highness. He answered correctly." He pauses for a moment, exchanging a look with his colleague. "Does that mean that it was an impostor?"
I nod. "It seems that way. For now, spread the word that the real Crispin will stay by my side, so if he is spotted without me, sound the alarm."
I disappear before they can respond, trusting them to follow my command.
Back in the office, Crispin and Storm have joined Arc. I can't help myself, I scan Crispin's aura to make sure that it's really him.
"I checked," Arc mutters. "It's Crisp."
"The one and only," Crispin says darkly. "Sorry for giving you so much trouble."
