Page 20 of Saving the Sautiitions

“Chief, I hope you don’t mind, but we did some searching to find some answers. In your office, on the desk, there was a note under the cupcake you ate.” I drag the paper from my pocket, holding it up between my fingers.

“Cupcake? Is that the name of the odd confection I tasted? I thought perhaps Willa had dropped it off, or maybe Tonya. I thought nothing of it, and I saw no note.”

“It was at the bottom of the box. The person responsible for this wants your throne. They want you gone so they can take over the village, maybe even the planet. Who knows.” My voice is calm and level despite the gravity of the situation. Vahru squeezes my hand tighter as the conversation goes on.

“What does the note say?” Criido’s brows crease as he cradles a steaming cup of tea between his hands in his lap.

“They want you to get rid of me so they can come fortheirthrone. They don’t want me to take over for you. Whoever this is wants your position to themselves with both of us out of the way.” I swallow as he lifts his chin slightly, taking it all in.

“Was there a name on this note? Any indication of who we might be dealing with?” One of his brows raises as his eyes flit between me and Vahru.

“Tavionna.”

“Tavionna? Is that all?”

I flip the paper, showing him the note. He studies it closely but makes no move to take it from me. “That is not a name that I know.”

He looks up, locking eyes with me, and I can see the truth in his eyes. He genuinely has no idea who this is. “Well, in that case, we have some research to do. We’ll need to try to track down this person and figure out their connection to you. Is there anything you can tell us that might help in our search? Any secrets you’ve never shared that might open up some doors?” I raise an eyebrow at him and wait.

He swallows, his fingers tightening on the cup in his lap. “No, I don’t hide things from my son. He knows all there is to know about me. I don’t know of any connections that can help you. I’m sorry.”

His head drops as he looks into his cup. “I’d like to rest now. I’m still very tired. Good luck with your research.” He glances back up to give us a quick but awkward smile.

I tug Vahru’s hand, pulling him with me out the door. I drag him with me down the porch steps and along the trail back toward our home. When we’re far enough away to not be overheard, I think aloud.

“He’s hiding something. Did you see the way his hands tightened on the cup? There’s something he isn’t telling us. He was telling the truth about not knowing the name, but there’s something he’s still trying to hide.”

Vahru growls, ripping his hand from mine. “Why would he hide things from me!? I’m his son! I was to be the future heir to his throne. We cannot have secrets between us!” His chest rises and falls rapidly as he pants in frustration, and I run a hand down his arm as we walk.

“Hey, I’m sorry that this is so hard on you. He shouldn’t be keeping secrets, but everyone has them. Is there nothing you’ve kept from him? Honestly?”

He stops and looks at me like I’m absolutely bonkers. “No, there is nothing I’ve kept from him! He’s myfather. I have told him everything he’s ever asked about.”

My eyebrows raise, and I look up at him. “Everything he’saskedabout? Maybe he thinks the same. Perhaps he has told you everything, everythingyou’ve asked about, that is. Maybe there’s something you’ve never thought to ask about, so he’s never said anything.”

His eyes drop as his eyebrows crease in thought. He turns and continues tromping up the path to the house. I follow him silently as he tries to work it out. I’m not going to push him or assume to know things I don’t. Maybe Criido isn’t hiding something and I’m misreading, but I don’t feel that’s the case. There’s something we’re missing. I can feel it in my gut.

We climb into his vehicle, and he peels off toward town. I glance at him now and then as his jaw ticks, his hands tight on the steering wheel. I wish I could understand what he’s feeling. A sense of betrayal, maybe. His dad is all he’s ever had, the only person he’s trusted his entire life, and now he finds out that he’s been keeping some dirty secret this entire time. It must be one hell of a hard pill to swallow.

As we glide onto the smoother road and the trees open up, the beautiful orange evening sky coming into full view, I reach over and slide a hand along his thigh. His tail lashes against the floorboard at his feet, but his grip on the steering wheel loosens at my touch.

“I know this is all hard to wrap your head around, but try to step back and breathe. I’m here for you, one hundred percent, okay? Whatever happens.” I speak slowly, my voice low and calm. I can’t take his pain away, but I can remind him that, sometimes, putting yourself in someone else’s shoes can help you see more of the picture.

He glances at me, and I can see the turmoil written on his face. “I just don’t understand why. He raised me to be honest, to not hide anything, to not do things that would create a need for secrecy or rumors because a chief is supposed to be a leader by example as well as position. I needed to be infallible, unbreakable.” His last words come out rough and from between clenched teeth as he fights his anger.

I can’t stop the half scoff, half sigh that escapes me at his words. “Oh, honey. No one is that perfect, not even him. Everyone makes mistakes at some point. One thing that strengthens us, as people and a species, is that we are able to learn from our mistakes as well as others. No one likes to take advice on struggles from someone who’s never been through it. But to listen to someone who has struggled and overcome, now that’s where true power and leadership lies. Maybe he wanted to push you to be perfect because he wasn’t at one point, and he knew it might come back to haunt him.” I shrug and continue to rub my hand along his leg soothingly.

He sighs and sinks back into his seat, his body relaxing as he deflates. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe he had good intentions and just went about it all wrong?” He scoffs, not entirely buying the story but at least thinking about it.

“Parents do that. They just want their kids to grow up to be better than they were, but sometimes they forget that sharing their struggles at their child's age can be a helpful tool. We’ll figure this out, and when we do, you’ll have the facts and can have a heart-to-heart with your dad. You’ll work this all out.” I give him a supportive smile and he reaches over, cupping my cheek in his big hand.

“What would I do without you?” He smiles as he looks at me, and my heart leaps in my chest.

“Hmmm, lose your mind? Go on a rampage? I don’t know, but you’d probably be a mess without me.” I give him a smug grin, and he laughs.

“Ouch, where’d all that faith in me go, Warrior Princess?”

I scoff and slap his arm. “Let that go! That nickname is not going to stick, okay? It’s too much. It’s also lame.” I cross my arms over my chest, and he laughs at my expression.

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