Jude

I try to keep my breathing shallow and inaudible as I lay there in the frozen grass, listening to Vivi's footsteps fade away, and confusion taking hold of me. What was she up to? More importantly— who was she talking to?

I let out a breath as I rose to my knees to peer out from my hiding spot. The cold night air kept me alert, if not a little numb. The grass sparkled around me with the gathering frost, and I wipe my wet hands on my jacket. I quickly scanned my surroundings but didn't see Vivi or her mysterious friend, and the silence confirmed I was now alone.

I rose to my feet, hopped the fence to my left, and made my way back to Vivi's house. My bedroom window was unlatched as I often opened it during the day, so I decided to climb through to avoid being seen sneaking through the house. Chances were good that Vivi would still be up, carefully considering whatever information she exchanged with her friend.

What did they mean she needs to be ready? Were they talking about me? Why? Was this about Faerie? About Cardan? Does Madoc have anything to do with this? My stomach dropped into my toes and I instantly felt sick. Tomorrow I would consider the hard things I haven't wanted to think about, including Madoc and his army. And Cardan. But first I needed some sleep.

I slowly slid my window shut and peeled off my clothes down to my night gown, then crawled back into bed. I stared into the dark for a long while as I waited for sleep to overtake me. My mind was so busy I couldn't relax. I rolled over onto my stomach, my arm falling to the floor. My fingertips dance around a bit, then come in contact with something on the floor.

Ice cold metal kisses my fingers. Cardan's ring. My ring. It had fallen to the floor some time ago and I'd all but kicked it under the bed. I picked it up and brought it closer to my face. Even in the darkness of my room, with just the ghost of moonlight peeking in through the curtains, the ruby sparkled.

This damn ring flooded me with too many emotions every time I looked at it, but right now I clutch it in my hand and hold it close to my chest, tucked safely between me and my sheets, as I drifted off to sleep.

"Jude! Are you awake?" I hear someone yell from down the hall.

Silence. I groan and pull the covers over my face.

My door flies open and I'm forced into consciousness.

"I'm sleeping." I try to roll over and ignore the intrusion, but then Oak is laughing and climbing onto my bed.

"Ow!" I groan as he starts poking me.

More laughter. Then he pulls the covers down and I'm blasted by sunlight shining directly on my face. I bring my hands up to protect my eyes.

"Oak, what the hell?"

He starts bouncing on the bed next to me. "Why are you still sleeping? It's almost noon! Get up, get up!" He's hovering over me, trying to pull my hands away from my face.

I can't help but laugh as I give in and let the sun blind me. "Okay, I'm awake. What's all the excitement about?" I sit up and look at him.

"Vivi says it's going to be a nice day today, and she said you would go on a bike ride with me." He's looking at me now with pleading eyes, which suggests he didn't entirely believe Vivi's little lie, but here he is begging me to go with him anyway.

I squint at him through the blinding light. "Oh she told you that, did she? I was hoping to surprise you." My tone is playful and I hope he doesn't see through my act, but he's smiling at me now.

"Yes!" He jumps off my bed and runs out of the room. I can hear him shouting to me that he'll meet me outside.

I shake my head and rub my eyes. I was planning on another run this morning to clear my head and contemplate what happened in the middle of the night, but I guess a bike ride isn't such a bad idea.

I peel myself away from my comfortable bed and stretch. What a strange night. I change into my running gear and head out into the living room, making a stop at the bathroom along the way. I pull my hair back in a ponytail.

Vivi and Heather are out back, sitting on the porch swing together. This must be why she volunteered me to get Oak out of the house. They must want some time alone.

I head out into the garage to get my bike, and find Oak waiting for me, all geared up and sitting on his bike with the biggest smile I've ever seen. I grab my bike and walk over to him.

"Ready?" I ask as I put my foot on the pedals.

"Ready!" And we take off.

When Oak and I get back to the house, Vivi and Heather are getting ready to leave.

"There you two are! That's got to be the longest bike ride ever." Heather is looking at us with a bit of impatience. "Vivi and I were thinking we could all head to the mall for the day, so get cleaned up and let's go!" Now she's excited.

"No thanks. I have a thing I need to do. And some other things, but you all go ahead. I'll be fine."

Heather gives me a look that suggests she's suspicious, but she smiles at me. "What thing could possibly be so important?"

"Oh, just some stuff, and—" I look away. "Kick-boxing class."

Heather laughs out loud. Actually laughs. "Okay, have fun with that I guess."

I shrug and look at Vivi, and something about her expression catches me off guard. She doesn't seem to be paying attention.

"What's the matter with you?" I ask.

She looks up at me, startled. "Hmm? Oh nothing. I just didn't sleep well last night." She smiles, and the distant expression is gone.

Yeah, sneaking out in the middle of the night tends to mess with one's sleep. "No sleep, but you still want to go to the mall?"

Vivi rolls her eyes. "Of course! You know how we love our Sunday trips to the mall." She puts a hand on Oak's back as the three of them head out to the car. We say our goodbyes, and then it's just me in the house. Total silence. Perfect.

I rush to my bedroom and grab my notebook, a marker, a pen, tape, and my pouch of darts. I head out to the back yard and sit on the swing for a few minutes, trying to gather my thoughts.

I reach for my notebook and write Madoc's name on a section of blank paper in black marker, and tear it out. I grab the tape and walk over to the other side of the yard where the shed is, and where I've hung a dart board to one outside wall.

I tape Madoc's name to the center and go back for my darts. As I stand in front of the dart board I calm my breathing and focus on Madoc's name.

My fingers turn a dart over and over. The sharp tip gleams in the sunlight and I'm reminded how much I miss all my weapons in Faerie. I draw my arm back and let out the breath I was holding as I let the dart fly. It hits the exact center of the board, pinning Madoc's name to it. The satisfaction I feel almost makes me laugh out loud.

I send another dart flying and it lands next to the previous dart. Four darts later, and they're all competing for space in the center of the board.

As I walk over to pull the darts out, it occurs to me that I should be afraid of the silent treatment I've been receiving from Faerie, Madoc in particular. He has an entire army at his disposal, and a fiery rage that is most likely being directed at Cardan right now, or being reserved entirely for me, seeing as I won't allow him anywhere near the throne.

I grab the darts and march back over to the swing and sit down to make some notes.

Cardan not only has Madoc to fend off, but also an angry Orlagh, who wasn't allowed to take her revenge out on me before I was sent here. She no doubt is throwing Nicasia at him if she hasn't retreated to the Undersea to sulk and plan out her next move.

Would Madoc choose a side opposite the crown? Or would he be all too happy to rally forces to destroy Cardan? With his army he is most likely a wild card in this situation. He wants Cardan off the throne, but would he want to destroy Orlagh more? If he manages to destroy Cardan, he still has me to deal with, but nobody knows I was made Queen just hours before my exile.

I would do anything to protect you, Jude. I feel sick. It occurs to me that Cardan may have sent me here as his insurance policy.

I twist a lock of hair around a finger before I slam my notebook shut. This is too much, and all this thinking is making me angry all over again.

It feels like too much time has passed since I came out here, and I run inside to check the clock. It's nearly three in the afternoon, and I have a kick-boxing class to get to.

Perfect. I need a distraction.

I hide my notebook under my mattress, change my clothes, and head off to my class at the community center to hopefully release some of this tension. And then tomorrow the real scheming begins.

END OF CHAPTER THREE

Thank you so much for reading! The next chapter is coming very soon, and will be full of surprises. I can't wait!

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