Chapter III
That's it. That was the push that I needed to know that he would never love me.
Azkadellia wrote in her journal, a single tear splashing upon the page.
It was better now, to firmly put an end to her infatuation. Another sign to put the past behind her. She would let the young resistance leader go, perhaps into the arms of another, less imperfect girl. Maybe he would even return back to the O.Z. and continue the efforts to rebuild.
She would be content in the I.Z.
Everyone deferred to her in the diner, seeing her clear leadership skills. Ash knew when best to use sweet words to persuade, or the iron tone to call those to order. She received a better price on the monthly food supplies. The building needed a touch-up, which she arranged quickly. Jeb had painted the higher parts with a paint roller, and she personally doodled some flower motifs on the main doorway.
"It looks great, Ash. You're so artistic, just like D.G.."
It was strange to be known in regards to her younger sister in this world. In the Outer Zone, D.G. was always Azkadellia's little sister. The second in line for the throne, and mischief maker must be forging a new path for herself back in Central City, the older woman thought fondly.
Azkadellia had no way of contacting her family. Every spark of magic she tried to perform resulted in nothing. Even in a fight or flight situation ("It was a giant mouse, Jeb!") was a failure. She didn't know whether to be sad or relieved.
The weeks and months sped by, their time spent exploring this brand new world.
The former ruler busied herself learning voraciously in the town's extensive library. She could see how her baby sister could get bored with the flat plains of Kansas. It was nothing compared to the mountainous Northern Island, or the green forests of Finaqua.
Jeb Cain spent his time with the elder men of the town. Gruff people who had seen things.
"You have the same look, boy, for one so young."
The blue eyed man could only nod.
Azkadellia furiously scrubbed the tables, hoping to avoid his furtive gaze.
TinmanTinman
It was one of those bad nights when the nightmares came. The screams of the poor victims whose life force was sucked out, leaving a withered husk haunted Az this night. At least it wasn't D.G.'s dead body this time.
To her surprise the young fighter was also awake nursing a cup of strong liquor.
"You too?" He murmured.
She nodded, clutching the knitted shawl tighter around her shoulders.
"It's not your fault, you know. D.G told everyone how she let go of your hand."
"She was only a child."
"So were you. We all lost our innocence due to that witch, especially you. It was just unfortunate she chose to use your face."
Azkadellia sighed. "Some days I fought her with all my strength, but most of the time, I gave in. I told her all of the Royal family secrets, where the treasury was secured, even where my own father was hiding."
The blond gave her his cup to sip from. The bitter liquid burned going down her throat but her nerves seemed steadier.
"Fight, flight, or fawn is a powerful, instinctual thing. I've seen it with my own eyes." He met her tear filled eyes with his own. "You didn't kill Ahamo or your mother."
"The sorceress wanted to see all members of the house of Gale suffer for imprisoning her in the first place," Azkadellia explained.
The man snorted. "Then your forebears were the ones to blame for not completely destroying her in the first place, or even telling anyone that she was there."
The former Princess thought fiercely.
"We were always told that no one was to build any settlements near Finaqua, only our Summer palace and the hedge maze. No one knew why."
"Poor communication," Jeb muttered. "Speaking of which," he cleared his throat, looking away from her. "When I said I couldn't separate the sorceress from Azkadellia, I meant it. All of her crimes and edicts were signed 'From the Sorceress, Azkadellia.' It was her name and face we saw every battle. I call you princess and your highness because that was from your life before your possession. I thought it would separate my feelings out from your two halves."
He took her small hands in his larger ones.
Still warm, Azkadellia couldn't help but notice.
"I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm still trying to figure all of this out myself," Jeb confessed. "Honestly after all the time we've spent here, the way you dress and act, I can only see you as Ash now, and not Azkadellia the Sorceress, or even as the heir apparent to the throne."
Azkadellia smiled for the first time after her nightmare.
The simple clothes of shirts and pants, far from the complexity of court dress and corsets, had been a revelation for her. In addition, the young woman didn't hack off her long brunette tresses. She however did leave it slightly shorter and free flowing. Getting rid of the elaborate hairstyles certainly made getting ready in the mornings a breeze!
She loved that Jeb could see this side of her. It made that small spark of hope reignite within her again.
If it was the night for revelations, the former ruler had to ask.
"You said right before we jumped that I wasn't the only one running away from something. What are you running from Jeb?"
The young man sighed, running a hand through his loose locks.
"You're going to think I'm awful, but I'm running away from my father."
"Your father? But he's such a good man."
The blue-eyed man nodded. "And that's the issue. I was always in his shadow. He was heavily involved in the resistance movement when I was a child. After he was imprisoned in the Suit, I was trained in his place."
He stared deeply at his hands. "A fat lot of good I did. Ten years with no victories, or even anything productive. Central City was Vapor-infested, the Longcoats were everywhere, and the resistance movement was a bunch of farmers with pitchforks and horses. The moment my father was released, he took charge and overthrew the Sorceress all within a few days."
Jeb met her dark eyes with his pain filled ones. "I didn't want my father to see what a failure I had been without him, and I definitely didn't want to live in his shadow in the O.Z. Jumping into the travel storm was the best thing that ever happened to me. I don't regret my life now, Ash."
Her new name from his lips thrilled her
"You're not a failure, Jeb, far from it. The Sorceress had centuries to plan how to take over the realm, and you were just one man who saw his father get brutally taken away at a young age. It never should have happened to you, but for what it's worth, I'm glad you're with me, here, now."
The former resistance leader smiled before letting out a jaw-cracking yawn.
"Mabel's going to have two late workers at this rate."
Ash grinned back. "I think I'll sleep better now."
And she did.
Thanks everyone for reading,
Grignard
