The lion lifts an eyebrow but says nothing else. My uncle winks at me, then opens the door and rushes inside. I rub thepalms of my hands on the side of my jeans because I’m nervous. Which secret should I tell??"Does the secret count if it is not my own but is someone else's? Or would you prefer I tell you something about me?" I ask shakily.
The lion stares at me for a long moment, Hadar seems torn between what type of secret he wants to hear. His mind finally made, "Usually, it doesn't matter. Today, however, I will only take a secret about yourself." I grow pale. Somehow, I knew that would be his answer.
"When you introduced yourself, you said you were the keeper and giver of secrets. After I tell you my secret, will you tell me one in return? Does it work like that?" I ask him curiously.?
Hadar licks his lips and contemplates an answer. He is very methodical, which I like.?“Arabella, after much contemplation, I have decided that if you tell me a secret worthy enough, I will tell you one in return, and it must be something that no one else knows. Not even Merrie-Beth."?
That’s not possible, Merrie-Beth knows everything. I rack my brain and come up with nothing. Then, out of nowhere, a thought occurs to me—a long-buried memory from my childhood. One I don't like to think about and haven't in years. A lump forms in the back of my throat. Taking a deep breath, I concentrate on keeping a steady voice.“The night after my seventh birthday, I had a dream. Now, I’m not sure it was a dream, because it felt so real. A woman with the voice of an angel called my name, waking me up. My first thought was that it was Aunt Georgia, but it wasn’t. A woman who looked exactly like my mother stood by my bed and smiled at me, but even at age seven, I knew that was impossible. She smelled of jasmine and vanilla, the coziest of smells, and something about her put me at ease. She whispered my name once more and then brushed a hand against my cheek. As my eyes opened again, I caught aglimpse of her sad smile. It was then that I realized that she was my mother. I quickly sat in bed and silently prayed that I wasn’t dreaming. She chuckled at my enthusiasm."I continued to tell him of the conversation with my mother.
"Mama?" I whisper.
Mama nods eagerly. "Yes, my love, you’re so beautiful. I'm so very sorry, baby, but Mama doesn't have a lot of time to talk. I must tell you a secret."
I smile because I love secrets. Aunt Georgia tells me I’m the best secret keeper. "What is it? I can keep a secret, Mama."
She sits down on the bed beside me and holds my hand. "I know you can, baby girl, but you must promise not to tell anyone this secret, not even your aunt and uncle. No one must know. It’s a secret just between us."
I like the sound of that. With my free hand, I take my index finger and cross my heart. "I promise, Mama."
She smiles, and then her expression changes to one of worry, I grab her other hand. I don’t want her to worry, she may have to leave me again if she’s upset, but she can’t go. She gives me a reassuring smile. "Baby girl, when you are older, you will go on a grand adventure. You will meet many different people, but not everyone you meet will truly be your friend. Not everyone will be what they seem. Always remember it's what's inside the heart that matters. Some may appear nice when they are really mean. Some may appear to be bad, but they're really good. Ella, Mama must warn you, don't trust the one with the ice dragon tattoo."?
I start to ask her a question, but I never get the chance. We both hear a noise coming down the hall. By the sound of the great big footsteps, it has to be Uncle Josiah. Aunt Georgia barely makes a sound when she walks. She whispers for me tolie down and close my eyes, and I do so quickly. Mama moves to the side of my room and hides in the shadows, drawing her sword as she goes. I hold my breath. Surely, she won’t hurt Uncle Jo. She must think it's somebody else. Who can it be??
My heart pounds in my chest. I want to cry because I don't understand what's going on. My uncle opens the door to my room, and I am relieved. Mama drops her sword and slides further into the shadows. He comes into my room and checks on me like he always does. I close my eyes again and try my best to look like I'm sleeping. He kisses me on the cheek and swiftly closes the door behind him. She comes back over to my bedside.?
"Ella, it's almost time for Mama to leave. I can't stay, baby. Mama loves you, forever and always."?
She hugs me tight, and then a smile appears on her tear-stained face. I smile back at her because I don't want her to be sad. Why does she have to leave me again? "Please, don't cry, Mama. I love you, always and forever." I whisper.?
"Always remember what Mama said about the ice dragon tattoo. You must remember. Now sleep, baby girl." She whispers back. Mama puts her hand in her pocket and opens a small gray packet, pouring a golden powder into her hand. She brings her hand up to her lips and blows the powder in front of my face. Making me drift back off to sleep. That night, my dreams are filled with colliding ice and fire dragons.
Hadar wears a blank expression, while I feel the need to justify my secret, so he doesn’t think I’m crazy. "It’s very confusing.” Hadar shakes his head. "Very much indeed, and I cannot tell you whether it was a dream or reality. However, I can tell you that I knew your mother. She was strong and very wise beyond her years. Isabella was my friend and told the bestsecrets. However, until today, nobody has ever told me a secret good enough to receive one, not even your mother. I assured her when we met that I would relay a message back to you only if you were worthy enough—well done, my dear. Not only will you get that message from me this day, but you will also receive a secret. I'm suddenly feeling rather generous."
My heart falls to my knees, and I’m nervous and scared as hell. After what feels like an eternity, Hadar begins. "One cold winter's night, your mother came to me all in a panic. You see, she was usually the very definition of calm, and for the first time since our meeting, Isabella was evasive about why she needed to go into this room. She usually told me everything about her adventures but told me for my protection, it was best I didn’t know this time. Sadly, three short days later, I was informed of her death. It was very distressing. Mayra is the epitome of evil. Arabella, I must ask you. Can you remember what your mother wore when she came to you?"
I furrow my brows and frown. My expression quickly changes to a smile when I think of my mother. She was graceful. When she moved, it was like she was dancing. Funny, after all these years, I still remember every detail of my dream like it’s embedded in me. I not only remember what Mama was wearing but can still hear the sound that her pants made as she walked. "She wore black leather pants and a gold shirt that shimmered in the moonlight.”
Hadar shakes his head. "Peculiar, but all things reveal themselves in due time, and I do not speak of things that can’t be fully understood. That is not the message nor the secret I will tell you this day."He stops my protest before it can form on my tongue. "I know this frustrates you, Arabella, but it is for the best. Secret keepers deal in facts, not myths. I have not yet all the information, but I will find those answers. I always do, my dear.”
Sensing that arguing will get me nowhere, I ask him a question instead. "Can you tell me what Mama wore on the night in question?"
Hadar raises one disapproving eyebrow, I don’t think he will answer, but he surprises me. "The outfit you described to me, shimmering gold and all."
Chills run up and down my body, and a million questions float to my mind. How could she have had the same outfit? I’m beginning to believe our encounter wasn’t a dream. Some things aren’t adding up though. Hadar said it was three days before her death, but that makes no sense. My parents died when I was four. When I saw her, I was seven. Nothing about this is adding up. What if my parents aren't dead?
As if he can read my thoughts, Hadar gives me a look of pity. "Arabella, your parents are dead. As I told you before, I deal with facts, not myths. I have no explanation as of now. All I ask is for you to give me some time, and I will find out exactly what transpired on the night in question."
Within my heart, I know that he’s right. My parents are dead, but I don't want them to be. “It's weird. I barely knew them, but not a day goes by that I don’t miss them.”
Hadar gives me a sympathetic smile. "I understand more than you know. However, the hour is growing late, and I can feel your uncle's growing impatience. Would you like the secret or the message from your mother first?"
I shrug my shoulders. "It doesn't matter. I'm excited to hear both."
Hadar nods. “Isabella asked me to relay the following message to you upon our first meeting. Arabella, when you find out who will deceive you, do not let them know that you have figured out their betrayal. You must not tell anyone of thetreachery until the time is right. Only you can bear the burden, and you must do it alone. Do not be discouraged, for it will only be for a short time."
Taking a deep breath, I let her warning soak in, not everyone can be trusted. After a moment, Hadar continues, "When thinking of what secret I should tell you, I chose one that will be most beneficial in helping you in the journey to come. I'm sure you have heard that the current King of the Kori is not the true ruler. Although accounts vary on how he stole the throne, one thing is certain: no one stopped him. He rules with an iron grip, do not trust him. You must remember, all that glitters is not gold, Diodyous has instilled a fear in the people unlike any I've ever witnessed in my thousand years. I do not know the horror that he keeps within the attic of his castle, but I have been told on more than one occasion that it keeps the people in line. It is how he can keep ruling from his icy throne and why no one has challenged him. Stay out of that attic, Arabella. No one who ascends those steps has ever come back down them alive. Stay no longer than necessary in their capital city of Barrowice Falls. No good thing has ever been able to stay there for long and leave unscathed. It can blacken even the purest of hearts."
His words place an unbearable weight on my shoulders. "How can I defeat such an evil man? I am only an ordinary girl who’s never done anything extraordinary in her short life.”
