Page 15 of The Healing Dragon
“Ray never returned.” My father leans back in his chair, done with his food. “For a while, I thought he had left with you, but the Oscuros would’ve never let him leave.”
“Ray is dead,” I say.
My words cut off whatever other rant he planned on delivering. He doesn’t ask me how it happened, and I’m glad I don’t have to make up a lie. Instead, he takes me in with new eyes. I can see the plans mapping out behind his eyes. The roads on which my future might take me are being paved this very second. I’m more open and freer for him to use than he expected. Or so he thinks.
“You have cost me much, Janelle, but I will overlook your shortcomings. Your time to make it up to your family will come. For now, you must earn your keep with labor. The maids would appreciate the extra set of hands.” He wipes his mouth with his napkin, then tosses it on the table. “You’re used to a life of comfort, you've done nothing to earn it. That life is over.”
The irony of that statement is humorous.
“Sweetheart,” my mother gasps appalled at the request.
My father and mother have been together for so long that many forget it’s she who comes from royal blood, not him. He seems to have forgotten about it, too. My father was only an ambitious soldier with no name or title. Being my mother’s soul bond was his only way in and has been her dismay ever since.
“Since you’re a common human now, you’ll have ordinary duties. Prove that you can be trusted with more, and you’ll move up. I have faith in you, Janelle. You were never just a pretty face.” My father narrows his eyes on me. A cloud that I recognize comes over his eyes. His voice lowers, and his tone darkens. “Don’t embarrass me again.”
Referring to me losing my powers as an embarrassment is disgusting when my brothers lost their lives. I swallow my pride and lean my head down. Playing the submissive daughter is the only acceptable role under his roof. I only have to do it long enough for me to find the Red Book. This is not forever, but as I tell myself that, sweat covers the palms of my hands.
There’s a little part inside me that fears walking back in and getting trapped. I escaped him once. Could I truly do it again?
Jesse would never leave me here, would he?
I have to believe in myself. I’ll get myself out. The girl frommonths ago isn’t here. I’ve tasted freedom and therefore I’ll never be the same again.
“Yes, sir.” The words taste sour on my lips.
The nod and glint in his eyes tell me he is glad to hear it. He raises his wine glass. “To family being back.”
My mother quickly follows his example and gestures for me to do the same. I raise my water cup reluctantly.
“The Duelo Reign will come. A setback is not the end.” He pauses, then cheers, “To family!”
“Family,” my mother says with a pitiful smile.
My father walks to the door and knocks the wood three times before calling, “Oliver!”
A guard quickly opens the door soon thereafter. At the sight of him, my heart nearly stops. I didn’t expect to see him with my father in hiding. I make sure my eyes don’t linger on him. The value of our friendship has always been a secret I treasured.
“Janelle has returned.” My father gestures to me with a smirk. “I told you she would, didn’t I?”
Oliver nods, “You did, sir.”
“She will earn her keep by cleaning. Let her start on the cells. The maids keep complaining of the stench of the place.”
Oliver looks between me and my father. “Sir, that is no place for a lady.”
My father laughs with a sinister smile on his face. He looks back at me before departing with no other words. My mother promptly follows him, avoiding all eye contact as she passes by. Maids enter the room quickly after and pick up the dishes.
“I should take you there now,” Oliver says.
I nod and follow him. Completely forgetting that Jesse is somewhere behind us. Oliver gives me a smile as soon as we are outside the dining room. When we round the corner, he stops walking and looks me up and down. In a swift move, hepulls me to his chest and hugs me tight. I fight the tears that gather in my eyes.
The warmth that envelops me is the only warmth I knew inside the Duelo home. As a young child, these were the only arms that ever comforted me from my father’s treatment. There is no doubt in my mind that if Oliver could, he would have taken me away. Sadly, he couldn’t, so instead he stood by me so I wouldn’t be alone. Choosing to endure my father just to stay by my side is the biggest act of loyalty I’ve known. His kindness towards me was never conditional.
Oliver is a big man with a protruding stomach and thick black mustache. His black hair is cut short and his clothing is neat, always smelling of lavender. He has never been like my father and I have known him for just as long. Since my great grandfather’s time, he has been a member of the Duelo soldiers. Time has changed a lot inside the Duelo home.
“You are good?” He asks with gentle concern. The wrinkles around his eyes have become much more noticeable since the last time I saw him.
“I’m good.” I assure him, stepping out of his reach.
