Page 97 of The Thief
He wondered where they came from, and what their stories were.
They were all so different, but all had a common goal—to live a happy life.
The islands thrived as a whole and for someone to come in and try to destroy their unity made Everett very angry.
Kidnapping the queen, stealing the purification serum?
It seemed like one of the islands was trying to become self-sufficient, even though they couldn’t truly. There were too many things they would still need.
He only hoped they could stop them in time before they figured out how to obtain them.
His thoughts were interrupted when someone called out to him. Seeing it was a guard, he realized that he’d reached the end of the bridge and had arrived on Cobalt Lagoon.
“Everett, for? What are you doing here?” Jacob asked, coming up to him through the crowd.
“Some business came up. I’m off to see the princess.”
“Be careful, lad; they’re saying the princess has been in a foul mood for a while now,” he warned, Everett was unable to stop the guilt from riding up.
“Not to worry,” Everett piped up, “I can handle her.”
Jacob laughed at the younger man’s certainty.
“Good luck, my friend.”
“Thank you, Jacob.”
He was going to need it.
They said goodbye and Everett headed off, getting on his horse to complete his journey. As he rode, he couldn’t help but feel at home, the surroundings comforting and inviting.
Quit thinking like that. This is not your home.
He sighed and kept walking, his heart slowly pounding faster as he rode closer and closer to Stormhelme. Hours later, he arrived there, the large blue castle reminding him of the storm that lay inside. He pushed forward and headed to the gate, the large entrance pulled forward, away from the castle. The gate was at least forty-stone thick, making it almost impossible to break through.
Once inside the gate, there was a large stone staircase, leading up to the main hall and housing section of the castle. It veered off to the right to where the gardens and Brigid’s personal lab resided. She had managed to create a waterfall in her gardens that went off the side of the castle into the sea.
He had been amazed to see it the first time and they had enjoyed many hours together out in the garden after that. Everett shook his head to clear his mind as he rode into the castle, halting his horse and getting off, letting the stable boy take care of his horse and get his bags inside for him.
He walked up the staircase two at a time, heading to the main hall. He knocked on the door and had to contain himself when the door opened and Brigid’s butler Horus, saw him. A look of shock came over his face, and he quickly hid it, opening the door and letting Everett come in.
“Hello, Horus. Is Brigid here? I need to speak with her about a very private and important matter.”
“Absolutely, sir. Give me just a moment. She should be in her study.”
“Thank you, Horus.”
Horus bowed and headed towards the study at a brisk clip, leaving Everett to re-familiarize himself with the foyer of the castle.
It was not a large space, and the entrance to the stairs was not in this area, but it was tastefully decorated with white walls and light wood flooring. Except for one or two art pieces on the wall, they were tastefully bare otherwise.
Horus reappeared down the largest hallway and said, “My Lady is ready for you.”
“Thank you, Horus.”
Everett followed Horus to Brigid’s study, waiting until he had announced him to enter the room. His heart stopped as he looked across the room and saw her, her untamable red hair barely confined in a bun and her green eyes alight with barely concealed anger. She had never looked more beautiful than she did right now.
“Hello, Brigid.”
The End
