The characters and setting are owned by the Sci-Fi channel and L. Frank Baum.
Your feedback to both Cain's & DG's actions was remarkable. I struggled with this chapter, having a hard time deciding the direction to take. I hope you think the 10th segment was worth the wait.
Let me know what you think.
As always, thank you for reading!
Chapter 10: Plans
Having fixed the silverware on the table for the millionth time, there was nothing more DG could do than to keep an eye on the clock. Ten more minutes, she kept telling herself; just ten more minutes. The hands on the clock appeared to be at a standstill. DG was excited for her dinner with Jeb, even if he was just a friend. Just a friend was better than no friend at all, and she would take what she could get. Besides, it royally pissed off Cain, which was a tremendous perk.
The knock on the door startled her; he was early. Standing up, she straightened her light green blouse and walked briskly to the door. She was not dressed up for the occasion. After all she wasn't trying to impress anyone, and while her mother was away the princess would play. Well, she would wear as many pants as she could. DG even had the royal seamstresses make her some new pairs, in protest of course, these brown slacks being the first product.
Turning the knob, she removed the barrier and was face to face with Jeb. "I thought you'd never get here," she stated as she pulled him into a friendly embrace only to see Cain in his usual seat across the hall. He was staring at the scene before him, grim faced. Quickly, DG averted her eyes and proceeded to ignore him.
"And here I thought I was early," he chided back. He smirked at her and she couldn't help but wonder if Cain had the same twist of the lips as his son; he rarely smiled.
Kicking herself mentally she promptly cursed the unbidden thought. It was damn hard to think of anyone other than Cain, especially with his constant presence. Damn bodyguards. Releasing Jeb from her hold, she ushered him into the privacy of their dinner setting and closed the door on his father.
The kitchen help had already brought up the meal on a cart similar to one used by room service people in hotels on the other side. After motioning to the chairs, they both took their seats and began their evening meal.
"Its great to finally have company," she said through a mouthful of carck, an O.Z. bird that tasted very much like chicken although it looked more like a goose. "I hate eating alone."
Jeb smiled as he placed a fork full of green veggies past his lips. "You could have company if you wanted it," he said with a shrug of his shoulders toward the door. The gesture clearly indicated the figure beyond the wooden barrier. DG shrugged her shoulders in response.
"So," eager to change the subject, DG launched into a new topic. "You mentioned needing to talk to me," waving her forked hand idly at the remark. "This about where you've been?" she added as an afterthought.
Jeb put his utensils down and folded his hands on the table. She looked at him questioningly. Apparently it was big enough to warrant an end to their meal. Damn; and they hadn't even had dessert yet.
Sighing, DG put her utensils down as well. "Out with it, Jeb," it wasn't a true order, but close enough. "It isn't going to make it any easier the longer you wait." That was true and she knew from personal experience.
"I saw your folks," Jeb replied simply, too simply.
"Which ones?" she snorted. Having two sets of parents was more hassle than it was worth. Two mothers fawning over and criticizing her appearance, two fathers who were both over protective and continued to think of her as a child; just like someone else she knew.
Blinking slightly at the question it was obvious Jeb had forgotten that DG had more than the usual number of parents. "The queen and Ahamo," he finally added. It was also clear that this was going to be like pulling teeth to get information out of the man.
DG was taken aback at the statement, surprised that Jeb had been to the other side, but let that part slide for the present. "And?" her patience was beginning to wear thin. "Obviously they told you something pertaining to me, so lets have it!"
Looking extremely uncomfortable, Jeb shifted in his seat and ran a hand through his recently cleaned hair. "They want you to marry."
DG snorted again, louder this time. "Well, sorry to break it to ya, Jeb, but I already knew that." And she did. They had been pestering her for months to start thinking about settling down. Evidently the only way for her to succeed her mother was to have a consort, and her mother desperately wanted to step down from her position as soon as possible. Not that DG could blame her, but she honestly didn't want the job nor did she want to be pressured into marriage. Back in Kansas she would have been thought to be on the young side.
Nerves were getting the better of Jeb as was demonstrated by him getting up abruptly from his seat and walking over to stare at a piece of art on the wall. "You don't understand," he said quietly over his shoulder. "They said if you don't pick a husband before they get back they'll pick one for you." It was said quickly, as if he feared the words.
"What?" she gasped as the color drained from her cheeks. Her head was reeling at the thought. Standing up she began pacing between the table and the bed. "They wouldn't, they couldn't," she began chanting to herself, completely forgetting Jeb's presence. "Who do they think they are?" She couldn't believe that they would knowingly and willingly force her into a loveless marriage.
Stopping mid stride she swung back around to be face to face with Jeb's back. "When are they coming back?" she asked, fear lacing her every word. She knew they were serious; she just wanted to know how much time she had to think of a way out of this mess.
Turning around to face her he replied, "Two weeks."
Groaning loudly, DG sunk to her knees on the intricate throw rug. Jeb started toward her but stopped when she raised her hand to him. "I'm ok, Jeb," it was more of a sigh than words. She had absolutely no idea how she would get herself out of this one.
"You can choose anyone, DG," Jeb added lightly, sounding more chipper, more than likely to make her feel better about the absurd situation. "Why don't you just pick my father? You love him."
DG pressed her palms to her eyes as she digested his words. She could do that; could pick Cain as her consort and according to the laws of the O.Z. he would have no choice in the matter. That wasn't exactly how she wanted things to go. No. She couldn't do it.
"Yes, I love him," that was plain. She had made her feelings well known to the population of the palace earlier that day. "But I'm not going to force him into a marriage he doesn't want." She pressed her palms in harder, fingers twisting the hair at her scalp. "It wouldn't be fair, and he would resent me." She stifled a sob that threatened to break through her lips. "I couldn't live with that," she concluded.
When she removed her hands from her face she was surprised to find Jeb staring at her, kneeling to her front and his face inches away. Concern was written across his features.
"No worries," she smiled, trying to give the illusion that everything was fine; it didn't work. "Maybe I'll marry someone, take the throne, and then I can divorce him." She bit her lip; it was too easy.
"What's dev-ors?" Jeb asked.
"When you don't want to be married anymore and you go your separate ways." She didn't want to elaborate, figuring that was the best description.
Sighing, Jeb ran a hand through his short hair once more. "There's no dev-ors in the O.Z." Averting his eyes from the Princess he continued. "The only way a marriage ends is through death."
Damn. She knew it; too easy.
"DG, I," Jeb paused, looking unsure of his words. "If you want," he paused again. Not the communicator, just like his father. "Listen, I'll marry you if you don't find someone else you want more." He still couldn't look her in the eye.
DG was stunned, to say the least. That was the last thing she expected, and the best-worst proposal she had ever heard. He was truly a great friend to offer to give up his freedom and commit himself to her. She couldn't let him do it.
"Thanks for the offer," she said quietly, reaching out a hand and placing it on his shoulder. "But I can't let you do that. There's a girl out there whose been waiting her whole life to meet you and I won't take that away. I won't take away your future happiness."
Jeb lifted his eyes to meet her gaze; determination lay visible in their depths. "If it saves you from having your parents choose a stranger, I'd be happy to step in." He grasped her hands in his and ran his thumbs over her knuckles. "I won't take no for an answer."
A tear fell down her cheek at his words. When he had turned into her best friend she couldn't say, but he definitely took the responsibilities seriously. If she was to marry someone other than Cain, he was the next best thing. She swallowed noticeably as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Thank you," was all she could force past her lips, but meaning it none-the-less.