Chapter 7

Three days later Tutor had made his return, and DG found herself overjoyed to see him. After exchanging pleasantries, Tutor had retired to his room to rest after a long journey, and Azkadellia sat down to some knitting with her mother. Ahamo winked at DG and the two of them took off for the small shack nestled within the trees to do some drawing.

As DG stared out at the calm waters of Finaqua, the gentle breeze blowing her unruly dark hair away from her face, she couldn't help but think of Cain. He was always with her, a constant presence in her heart, but it was times like this, when things were quiet and she found herself alone, that he most entered her mind.

"Where are you Wyatt Cain?" she spoke softly into the wind, closing her eyes as the breeze picked up around her.

"What's that, Spitfire?"

Her eyes flew open and she turned her head to see her father coming out of the shack wiping his ink-covered hands on a rag. Connor and Rowe, her father's personal guard, were standing at attention at the back of the house. Ahamo had ordered them to stand as far away as possible as to not 'disturb the creative flow.' DG had to snicker at that.

"Nothing," she said, clearing her throat and straightening her back. Her eyes dropped down to her sketchpad and the piece of charcoal in her hand. Once her mind registered what she was looking at, she let out a small squeak and turned the book over so that the picture was hidden in her lap. Quickly she began to sketch the reeds along the bank of the lake as her father moved closer.

"What are you sketching?" he asked.

"Just the water line," she replied, moving her charcoal quickly across the parchment.

He eyed her carefully. "Huh."

She looked up at him. "What?"

Her father smirked at her. "What were you really drawing?"

She opened her mouth to speak but quickly snapped it closed. Ahamo just laughed and turned back towards the shack.

Grumbling, DG watched him walk through the door. The sound of clanking glass jars let her know that he was cleaning up his paints now. He knew her too well, either that or she was just easy to read.

Once she knew it was safe, she slowly turned the sketchpad over, and her face softened. Staring up at her from the yellowed paper was the face that had come to warm her heart, and her entire being for that matter. She had sketched every detail perfectly, down to the fedora atop his head. Small wrinkles outlined his bright eyes, and his soft lips were turned up into that all-too familiar smirk he would often throw her way.

No, he wasn't on her mind at all.

Groaning, DG closed her sketchpad and brought her knees up to her chest. She wished silently that he was on his way back to her. She wished that wherever he was, he was safe. Most of all, she wished that he found what he was searching for.

Staring back out at the water, she let her thoughts move away from Cain, as the pain in her chest began to build from missing him so much. She decided to concentrate on her sister once more. After all, Cain had told her to use this time to heal and to make things better with Azkadellia, so she would use this time wisely.

For the last few nights, DG slept beside her sister, much to Az's chagrin. Az had protested from the start, but DG would have none of it. In the end, Az simply threw up her hands in exasperation and turned over to sleep. DG stayed awake as long as she could, just watching her sister slumber. Thankfully there had not been another episode of sleepwalking. There were moments when Az would cry out or whimper in her sleep, but she remained still in bed.

The sound of galloping hooves broke DG from her thoughts as she turned to find Connor and Rowe moving closer to her. Ahamo exited the shack and joined her at her side as she stood, brushing the dirt from her dress. The horse drew closer, carrying one of the queen's guardsmen.

"Your majesty, the queen has requested you return to the manor," he reported. "General Cain has sent word ahead that he and his troops will be arriving by nightfall."

The sound of his name nearly stopped DG's heart. But it wasn't the Cain she so desperately wanted to see again. Although Jeb's return was incredibly wonderful news.

Ahamo nodded and they all returned to the manor. The queen ordered DG straight to her room to clean up and change in preparation for Jeb's arrival. DG didn't see any reason for it, but she was learning quickly not to argue with her mother.

Upon entering her room, she found her lady-in-waiting, Sarah, laying out a new dress on her bed. Sarah's eyes flew up in momentary fear as DG burst through her doors.

"Good evening, your majesty," Sarah said, lowering her head and curtsying.

DG rolled her eyes and smiled. "Sarah, how many times must I tell you to call me DG."

"At least once more, your…I mean, DG," she replied meekly.

Sarah was a quiet girl, her eyes always cast to the ground when she wasn't busy helping DG with something. If DG had to guess her age, she'd say 17 or 18. As much as DG despised being followed and bothered by people, she had to admit that Sarah was often a lifesaver. DG was still adjusting to life in the OZ, and life as royalty for that matter, and Sarah's knowledge of Ozian customs and traditions proved to be invaluable.

"That's more like it," DG said, smiling as she began to undo the fastenings of her dress. Sarah rushed to her side and helped her with the many buttons and ties. Once free of the garment, DG entered her bathroom to wash her hands and face and brush her hair.

As Sarah helped DG put on a new dress, DG couldn't help but notice her companion's pained expression.

"Are you all right, Sarah?"

Sarah glanced up at DG, her eyes showing a hint of fear. "Beg your pardon, miss?"

"You look like something's bothering you. I mean, you're really quiet, even more so than usual," DG teased, offering a friendly smile.

"Oh," Sarah said in almost a whisper, returning her eyes to her fingers working the buttons on the back of her dress. "I am quite well, your…DG. It's just…"

Sarah bit her lip. DG stepped away from the girl and turned to face her, taking her hands.

"It's ok, Sarah. I'd like it if we could be friends. You're always there for me, and I want you to know that it works both ways. If you ever need to talk about anything, even in secret, you can talk to me."

Sarah's glistening eyes lifted. DG cocked her head to the side in concern and squeezed Sarah's hands.

"It's really nothing," Sarah said quietly. "General Cain is returning this evening with his troops and another group of servants."

DG's eyes widened. She hadn't heard this. "More servants? Do we need any more? This place is already bustling with people."

"Yes, miss. Some more cooks for the kitchen, and several more ladies in waiting for you, your mother and sister."

DG groaned. "More? You're all I need. Honestly, I don't need more."

Sarah smiled. "Thank you, DG. But your mother is planning a grand ceremony to reintroduce the Gale line to the people of the OZ. It is a time of great celebration. You will need the extra help. The dressmakers will be arriving in a few days. There will be fittings, dance lessons, etiquette lessons. Pretty soon the other nobles who have come out of hiding will come to call. You will need the extra help, trust me."

DG was impressed. "I think that's the most I've heard you say in one sitting."

Sarah blushed and cast her eyes downward again. "I apologize."

DG laughed. "Don't. I kind of like this side of you."

Sarah kept her eyes down, but smiled.

"So you're nervous about the extra help around here?" DG asked, still trying to decipher Sarah's mood.

Sarah hesitated a moment. "My…my older sister will be among them."

DG furrowed her brow. "Well that's great. I mean…unless you and your sister aren't close or something."

"No, it isn't that. It's…she's just…we're very different."

DG nodded. "I can relate."

Just then, Connor knocked at the door, summoning DG downstairs. Sarah noticeably exhaled a breath she seemed to be holding.

"Come, your majesty, your mother calls," she spoke rapidly as she spun DG and finished buttoning up her back. DG was forced to push Sarah's concerns to the back of her mind for now.

Minutes later they all stood out front of the manor house as the moons began to rise in the sky. A flare was seen in the distance at the outskirts of the hedge maze, and the queen nodded to her daughters. Azkadellia and DG approached the maze and grasped each other's hands. Within moments the shrubs moved and cleared the path that led straight to Jeb and about a hundred men on horseback. DG couldn't help but smirk at Azkadellia as she pointed out that no hedges were injured this time around.

Jeb and his men made their way down the path, followed wagon after wagon, carrying servants and supplies.

"We're going to need a bigger stable," DG mumbled, and Azkadellia chuckled. "Seriously, do we have room for all these horses?"

"No, but we'll make room," her sister replied, arching a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at DG.

"Oh really? Do you have some carpentry skills you're hiding from me?"

Az laughed. DG would never get tired of that sound.

"General Cain, you and your men are most welcome here at Finaqua," the queen spoke regally as Jeb jumped down from his horse and bowed before her.

"Your highness, it is an honor," Jeb replied. As he straightened, DG couldn't help but beam at him. He was decked from head to toe in the formal uniform of the Royal Guard. He had cut his hair shorter, and his blue eyes gleamed with a sense of duty and excitement. Jeb Cain seemed to like his new job, and took to it well.

As DG stared at him, she smiled thinking of how proud Wyatt would be at that moment seeing his son like this.

"You're here a lot sooner than we thought you'd be," DG said, catching his attention. He grinned at her.

"Hey, DG," he said, and DG couldn't help but laugh, loving how Jeb blew off all rules of propriety at that moment. His father must have told him how much she hated it. DG was grateful.

"Hey, Jeb. So how was it out there?"

"We rode a long time, entered every cave we could find, every hole in the ground, interviewed countless people. In the end we found over 75 remaining Longcoats who had either not heard of the witch's downfall, or who refused to believe it. They were caravanned to the Tower where they will be tried and brought to justice for their crimes."

A wave of relief washed over the queen's face. DG couldn't help but notice Jeb's failure to acknowledge Azkadellia.

"That's wonderful news, isn't it Az?" she asked, turning her attention to her sister. Az's eyes were fixed to the ground. Jeb shifted his feet and looked at the queen.

"Your highness, these men were either former guardsmen or Resistance fighters who have joined us throughout our journey. They are all loyal to the House of Gale, and are prepared to fight to keep you and your family safe."

The queen scanned the large crowd behind him. "And we are grateful for your protection," she spoke loudly.

"I want to sit down with you as soon as possible to go over the shift schedules," Ahamo said, addressing Jeb.

Jeb nodded at him. Glitch pointed out the way to the barracks and stables, and Jeb excused himself to get himself and his men settled. The wagons of servants passed them by, heading towards the servants' quarters. The supply trucks went around back to unload.

"Well, that was interesting," DG said.

"General Cain seems like a very nice young man," Az said quietly before turning and entering the house.

DG felt a spark of anger. "How could he ignore her like that? Why didn't you rip his head off for that mother?"

"Much like she should have done at him calling you DG?" Ahamo said, smirking.

"My angel, I agree it was improper of General Cain to address you so, and to treat Azkadellia in such a manner, but I have to see this from his perspective as well. He sees you as an equal, a dear friend of his father's whom he knew before the witch's fall. Jeb Cain has led a difficult life filled with nothing but pain and suffering. He endured his father's imprisonment in the tin suit, and then his own while he watched his mother's torture at the hand of Zero and the Longcoats, only to be left for dead. He spent the rest of his young life leading a group of fighters with nothing but revenge and hatred in their hearts. And at the core of all that pain is one face, a face he will never forget, the face of the witch."

DG sighed. "Azkadellia's face."

The queen nodded, the sadness evident in her delicate features. "Give him time, DG. Now that he is here, he will see that the witch no longer resides within Azkadellia. He will come to know the gentle, compassionate creature she really is."

"I sure hope so, because I don't want to have to kick his ass," DG said. The queen's eyes widened and Ahamo chuckled.

"That's my Spitfire," he mused, leading his shocked wife back into the house.

Glitch moved to her side. "How do you think Azkadee is holding up?"

She sighed again and rested her head on her friend's shoulder. "Hard to tell. She puts on a good front, smiling and laughing, but I know underneath it all she's in pain. She's still hiding behind a mask. I just wish I knew how to help her."

Her mother's words about Jeb haunted her, hearing the retelling of his horrible life and denied childhood ripping at her chest. Sure it was the witch's orders that led the Longcoats to murder and torture him and his family, but it was her own fault the witch ever came to power in the OZ to begin with.

Tears pricked at her eyes, and she stepped away from Glitch.

"You ok, Deeg?"

She placed her fingers over her mouth to keep herself from crying out loud. All she could do was nod with her back to Glitch. He sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You know where to find me if you need me," he said, squeezing her shoulder once before moving back to the house. DG did know. Glitch had spent most of his time in the library reading and filling his half-brain with as much knowledge about the OZ and the House of Gale as he could. DG figured he was trying to make himself useful to her mother again. Nobody had brought up the subject of a possible reconnection with Glitch. They all figured he'd talk about it when he was ready.

But for now, DG wanted to be alone. Soon she'd retire to Azkadellia's room to watch her sister sleep and pray the nightmares would finally stop. Still, that thought deep inside that Azkadellia and the entire OZ would be better without her floated at the forefront of DG's mind. She felt like a menace…and a hypocrite. Here she was, the princess of the OZ, a member of the House of Gale whose sole purpose is to rule in peace and protect this land at all costs. All it took was the curious mind of a whiny, petulant child, a child that still lingered inside, for the darkness to take a hold of everything she held dear.

The tears fell freely now, and DG sobbed as she wrapped her arms tightly around her. She knew Connor was standing not far behind her, but at that moment she couldn't bring herself to care if he saw her crying. Her damp eyes rose to the heavens as she screamed inside her head, feeling the guilt consume her. Wyatt's face appeared in her mind, and she squeezed her eyes shut.

Wait for me, he had said, practically begging her. And she promised she would, no matter how long it took. But as his absence began to eat away at her heart, and her guilt eating away at her soul, she honestly didn't know how much more she could take.