“I’m fine,” she said, and yawned. “This spot of dirt is softer than it looks.” But she writhed for a few minutes before settling down.
“You’re always so positive, Jade.”
“That’s not a bad thing, is it?”
“No,” Rex spoke up. “In fact, it might save us.”
An hour later, after Jade had fallen asleep, Alina listened to Rex wiggling on the ground and thought it safe to ask him a question.
“Rex?”
He grunted as he shifted. “Yeah?”
“What did Sampson mean back in the dungeon, about my father being dead? What was he talking about?”
Rex stopped moving and went quiet for a moment.
“Do you know what a father is?” he asked.
“I’ve only heard Sampson referred to as Father. That’s why I’m confused.”
Rex pulled himself to a sitting position against the log. “Remember Alina, you were born, not manufactured in the Gordian laboratories. You had a real mother and father, something no one in Pria can claim, except Sampson himself.” He paused, and a broad smile stretched across his face. “It’s called a family.”
“A family?”
Rex went on, as if he didn’t hear her. “Camden told me about families at times, when it didn’t pain him to talk about them. He wondered why Sampson didn’t banish him from Pria sooner, considering the threat he was.”
“Why was he a threat?”
“He knew the truth about life in Carthem, before Pria.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve been taught Carthem is an awful place. But this world has many beautiful things that can’t be experienced in Pria. Camden had a wife and family when he lived here.” He paused. “Do you know what a wife is?”
“No.”
“Of course not, because you’ve never heard of marriage. Here in Carthem, when a man and a woman love each other, they get married. I suppose it’s similar to how women and men live together in Pria, except, as Camden explained, marriage requires commitment—solemn vows of loyalty. The two are bound together until one of them dies, or at least they’re supposed to be. One of Sampson’s arguments in favor of dissolving the family unit was it created so much heartache. People couldn’t stay true to each other—they were too selfish. He claimed it was better not to make the vows in the first place so they couldn’t be broken.”
Rex smiled again. “But Camden’s marriage was a happy one. He got emotional when he spoke of his wife, so he didn’t share much. I always wanted to hear more, though. I could tell his relationship with her was different.”
“From what?”
“Well, from those in Pria. People there can’t think beyond themselves. They go from lover to lover without moving past the physical aspect of love. Sure, that part is fun, but passion can’t sustain itself forever—believe me, I’ve tried. Camden never had a relationship in all his years in Pria. How could he, when he knew what real love was like?” Rex shook his head. “I’m afraid I couldn’t settle for a shallow relationship either. Not that I didn’t try.”
Alina asked, “Is it true Sampson killed my father?”
Rex paused. “I don’t know. But—” he took a deep breath, “most likely.”
“And my mother?”
In the darkness, Rex crossed his arms and rubbed them. “She didn’t make it.”
Rex finally drifted to sleep, and though Alina could see well in the dark, nothing could stave off the boredom. She kept her eyes peeled for any movement around them, but the night was still. How strange that the trip had been uneventful. Maybe Sampson didn’t have as much power here as he claimed. The thought lifted her spirits.
Stan’s snoring halted, and he shifted on the ground. Alina glanced in his direction and saw him sitting up.
“Alina, are you there?” he whispered harshly.
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Oh, wow, I can’t see a thing—can you see me?”
“Yes. My eyes are pretty good in the dark.”
“In that case, I think I’ll go behind a tree to do my business. Can you direct me?”
“Come on, Stan,” she rolled her eyes. “I won’t watch you.”
“No, no, I’m new at this, and it makes me self-conscious. I need to know no one can see me.”
She sighed. “Fine. Stand up and move to your left. Start walking straight. Good. Now stop. Reach out to your right and you’ll feel a tree.”
He found the trunk. “Thanks,” he said, and disappeared behind the tree. After a moment, Alina heard the sound of urine hitting the ground.
She expected he’d need help walking back, and as she waited, she ran her hands through her hair. The fine strands slid through her fingers like silk. No matter what Rex said, she looked different. Her legs were trimmer, especially around her thighs. Her face felt smooth, without blemishes, and her teeth straight and even. She chewed on her bottom lip, wishing she had a mirror.
After several minutes with no sound from Stan, she looked at his tree. What was he doing?
“Stan, are you okay?”
Silence.
“Stan?” she called louder. When he didn’t answer, she stood up, feeling nervous. She’d heard nothing, not even a rustle since the urine stopped. She crept toward the tree.
“Stan, you still there?”
She stepped over a rock and peeked around his tree. No one was there.
“Stan!” she called out. She scanned the area, then looked at the ground. She saw a wet spot in the dirt, the only indication he’d been there at all.
Alina hurried back to the others, trembling. What happened to him? She thought of waking Rex but decided not to. It had taken him so long to fall asleep, and besides, what could they do? They couldn’t search in the dark, and she wouldn’t leave them alone. They’d have to wait until morning.
She searched the woods for any sign of movement. Something dangerous could be lurking nearby, ready to take those she most loved. She might not be able to protect them.
She looked at the dark sky, littered with stars. Come quickly, morning.
She didn’t have to wait long. Within an hour the sky brightened, and Alina relaxed her shoulders. They’d encountered no serious dangers so