They went down a dark hall with a light at the end. Great: Walk toward the light. She felt as if this was her death march. Since she wasn’t quite sure where he was taking her, it could very well be the end.
But when they stepped into the open, Ria felt as though she had entered heaven. There were trees and dark green grass and birds singing everywhere. They were in a large enclosure, but it didn’t feel like a cage.
“Watch.” He stuck his arms out to his sides and whistled softly.
Ria looked around as everything stilled. Then there was a flapping of small wings. Dozens of birds landed on his outstretched arms.
“Good Lord, I feel as if I’ve stepped into a scene from Cinderella.” Except Kristor had suddenly become Prince Charming. This was so not good.
She needed to change her way of thinking. Birdman of Alcatraz? No, she didn’t like that visual, either. Maybe a…a…
She stopped thinking when a little yellow parakeet landed on her shoulder. Slowly, she turned her head and they stared at each other. The bird opened its beak and a pretty melody cascaded over her. It reminded her of Fred. Tears filled her eyes. She rapidly blinked them away.
“You’re so pretty,” Ria whispered.
Thank you. The bird’s thoughts filled her mind.
“The bird talked to me,” she said.
“You only have to listen to hear them,” Kristor told her. “I think you stopped listening to the birds. When your father told me about your pet bird as a child, I knew I should bring you here, so you could reconnect.”
Ria had a feeling she was in deep trouble. No, Kristor wouldn’t force her to leave. But he was tempting her. Oh, dirty pool!
Chapter 22
Ria had five little birds on her shoulders, and she was hearing their thoughts all at once. They were like chattering children, much like Fred had been. She laughed. Another bird landed, then another. Ria looked at Kristor.
“This isn’t fair,” she said.
“Yes, I know. Sometimes when you wage a war, you concentrate on winning the smaller battles before you conquer all.” He looked around, then his gaze came to rest on her. “Did I win this battle?”
“The battle, but not the war.”
His slow grin told her that he hadn’t stopped fighting, either. A flutter of excitement rushed through her. Maybe she was glad he hadn’t.
“So, you said you would show me what New Symtaria was like.” It might be prudent if she changed the subject. Besides, she wanted to know where her ancestors had lived, even if she would never go there.
“There are lots of birds where I live, and they will stop and communicate much like this.”
“And you have your own home?”
“I have a castle.”
“You really are a prince?”
“Yes. Does that bother you?”
“I don’t know.” But then, he’d said she was a princess. No, she couldn’t wrap her brain around that. She didn’t feel like a princess. Especially when she had to clean house or wash dishes. “Do you have servants?”
“Yes.”
Okay, it might just be worth going to live there if she never had to wash dishes again.
The door opened and Frannie stuck her head inside. “You’re not supposed to be in here,” she frantically whispered. “My father’s going around checking things before the gates open. You’ll have to leave.” She stopped talking and looked around. “What did you do? Hypnotize the birds?”
“They are only friendly,” Kristor said.
“Aren’t you Ria Lancaster?” Frannie asked.
“Yes.” Ria didn’t think she’d ever met the girl. She looked as if she was still in high school.
Frannie slowly nodded. “I’ve heard about you.” She looked around at the birds. “Now it makes sense. But you both still have to scram.”
What made sense? Ria didn’t think she liked her insinuation.
Kristor gently waved his arms and the birds flew away. Ria’s birds followed. She was disappointed they were gone. She’d make a point to come back for a visit, but she didn’t think it would be the same without Kristor. It wouldn’t be as easy to get inside the cage since she couldn’t do the mind-over-matter trick that he could.
They left, going back to his motorcycle. Rather than go in the direction of her house, he went to the city. She didn’t know what he had planned, but she wasn’t too concerned because in the city they had Starbucks. She still needed a big cup of java, or a latte would be nice.
He parked at the mall. Did he want to shop for souvenirs? Maybe he just wanted to look around. He was leaving soon. Ria didn’t care what they did as long as it was together.
“Do you have malls on New Symtaria?” she asked.
“We have tradesmen, and we can get products from our database.”
“And does everyone have a database?”
“Only the royals.”
“That doesn’t sound fair.”
“If everyone had a database, then no one would have need of anything.”
“And that would be bad because…?”
He looked at her. “If you can have anything you want with the touch of a button, then you would have no need to do anything. Think about it. We have to keep the day-to-day operations running smoothly. Having everything you want would be frivolous.”
“Like your motorcycle?”
“That was needed for transportation.”
She nodded. “As opposed to say, an older model car with rust spots.”
“I’m still a royal and have a certain image to maintain. If I had things that were in disrepair, I would be deemed unworthy to have the title of prince.”
She knew he just liked the cycle, but she had a feeling it wouldn’t do any good to argue with him. They strolled hand in hand inside. The air-conditioned mall was a great escape from the heat.
“Coffee.” She aimed toward the little shop, inhaling the rich coffee bean aroma. Except Kristor pulled her hand and pointed her in a different direction. “I really need coffee,” she told him.
“I want to show you something. It’s better if your stomach is empty.”
That didn’t sound good.
They went to the end of the mall and turned the corner.
“All that’s down here is the game room. Video games, pinball…things like that.”
“I know.” He held her hand as they went inside. “This is what I wanted to show you.” He pulled her over to a machine that looked sort of like a plane, but on a much smaller scale.
She cocked an eyebrow. “Simulated flying.”
He stood taller. “It will cure you of your fear.”
She laughed. “I doubt that, but it was a nice thought. Come on, I need coffee, then food.”
But he held her hand, not letting her escape. “You’re afraid?”
“I am not.” She glared at him. Teens and kids looked their way. “I am not scared of a video game,” she said a little quieter.
“Then why do you run away?”
“I wasn’t running away. I just don’t see how a video game could cure anyone of anything. And believe me, I’ve ridden my share of roller coasters at Six Flags. I am so not scared of a video game.” He only stood there looking like a very determined warrior. “Okay, fine, I’ll try it.” No video game would get the best of her.
Ria climbed inside the one-person cockpit. What was there to be scared about? It looked like a plane, but it wasn’t like the thing was going to get off the ground. When the ride was over, she would still be in the game room. At least maybe then they could get some coffee. And food. Her stomach had started rumbling.
The fake plane sucked up the five-dollar bill Kristor put in the slot while she adjusted her seat, checking out the pedals, and the steering wheel.
“Headphones,” he said, pointing to the ones on the hook near the steering mechanism.
Of course, couldn’t forget those. She placed them over her ears.
“Ready?” he asked.
She nodded.
Kristor pulled the black curtain over the top. The fake plane wasn’t quite as cool anymore. In fact, it was a little too convincing. But she wasn’t a coward and no matter how spooky real it was, it still wasn’t going anywhere.