Whispered Music (London Fairy Tales 2) (30 page)
Read Whispered Music (London Fairy Tales 2) Online
Authors: Rachel van Dyken
The guide waved toward her. “Yes, sir. She is here.”
The older man wore an amazing costume. Even from across the room, she could see its detail. Tan leggings peeked from beneath a dove gray, woolen tunic. Red and green linen bands encircled his neck and wrists. A leather pouch swung from his waist.
He gaped at her.
“Merciful heavens,” he finally said. “Where are her clothes?”
The young man shrugged. “It is the time, sir. They all dress in this manner.”
“Merciful heavens,” he repeated.
“Excuse me,” Lexy said. “Are you talking about my clothes? Because I didn’t know the roller coaster had a dress code.”
The older man closed his mouth and motioned toward a wooden chair. “A thousand apologies, my lady. Please. Sit down.”
Four chairs were placed in a half circle. It made no sense to have four chairs. With large groups of guests expected, most people would be forced to stand. But the positive thing about not catching up with the other group was she could sit down. Lexy sank into the nearest chair.
“I shall leave you now,” the younger man said and walked out.
The older man sat down beside her and smiled. “I am Ebbe Bixby, my lady, and your assistance is needed here in Dresdonia.”
Ah, the missing princess. “Sure, no problem,” she said. The sooner they got through the pre-show, the sooner she could go home. “What do you need?”
Ebbe’s eyes sparkled. “You are too kind. May I be so forward as to ask your name?”
“Lexy,” she said. Sparkling eyes or not, the show was a drag so far.
“I fear I am not yet able to explain your role. For now, you must come with me to a nearby inhabitance where we will wait for the remainder of our party.” He stood and beckoned her to follow.
About time. The roller coaster.
They left through the same door Ebbe had entered. But instead of joining a line of park guests, they stepped outside.
She followed him a few steps and stopped. It was dusk. A glance at her watch didn’t help. Two-thirty.
How was that possible?
She hurried to catch up. They must be inside a large building designed to mimic the outside. A breeze tousled her hair and rustled the leaves on nearby trees. Or was it air conditioning?
But there were too many trees and they were too tall to be growing inside. She peered into the space between a cluster of oaks. Where was the roller coater?
“Is the ride nearby?” she asked and felt foolish afterward. Of course the roller coaster was nearby. She saw it when she entered the castle.
“The house is not much farther,” he said without looking at her. “There we will find you more suitable clothing, and Reynard will arrive soon with the horses.” He came to a stop. “You do ride, do you not?”
“Of course I ride. This is Texas.” As nice as the guy seemed, he acted offended by her outfit. Truth be told, compared to what other park guests wore, she looked like a nun. “Wait a minute, you expect me to change clothes?”
He didn’t say anything. She glanced back, but couldn’t see the castle. Something about the man bothered her, but she couldn’t put her finger on exactly what. Not his manner—he was kindness itself. Not his actions either. He’d done nothing inappropriate outside his comments about her outfit. What was it?
Finally, she spotted a crude two-story house in the distance. She glanced at her watch again. Two thirty-seven. The roller coaster should be visible somewhere. Her heart pounded. Where was it? More importantly, where was she?
Lord, I don’t know where I am. I don’t know what to do.
She tried to decide if it’d be smarter to turn around or to seek assistance from someone at the house.
Ebbe looked back and waved.
A nametag! That’s what it was! He didn’t have a nametag. Did the younger guy have one? She couldn’t remember.
It’s always the nice ones you have to look out for.
And Ebbe had played her from the minute she met him. She knew better, blast it!
She bent over, rested her hands on her thighs and forced herself to breathe.
‘Daughter.’
She straightened.
Lord?
‘My thoughts are not your thoughts. My ways are not your ways.’
Closing her eyes, she meditated on the words coming from the stillness of her heart. Everything was fine. She couldn’t describe how she knew, but she knew. Her place was with Ebbe.
Peace replaced panic. Her breathing returned to normal.
She squared her shoulders and walked to Ebbe. He knocked on the door.
While they waited, she tapped his arm. “I’m not going to be riding a roller coaster, am I?
Astraea Press
Pure. Fiction.
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