38. Tempi

CHAPTER 38

TEMPI

T here's screaming, but it's not my own. It takes a moment for me to realize it's from Clara before it cuts off as the magic portal closes behind us. Zaven is clapping his hands in excitement, but I'm terrified of what this means.

We just stole the child of the rulers of Wonderland. Not on purpose, of course, but still. And now we're falling, and I have an almost baby in my arms.

"Protect him," I shout to Midas.

He immediately wraps around the both of us, protecting us for what's about to be a rough landing. I can only hope it's one of the safer worlds.

"Water! Water!" Zaven announces seconds before we drop out of the sky and plummet down.

He's right. It looks like we're in the Deep Seas again, but this time, we're not being dropped in the water. This time, there's a ship waiting for us or just in the right spot. Midas turns us in the air, and I turn Zaven in my arms, so Midas hits the deck first, and then I do, and Zaven lands on top, safe and sound. Midas grunts in pain when my elbows jab at him. Zaven only laughs with glee.

Something tells me that Zaven meant to leave Wonderland. Something tells me we're not the ones in control here at all.

The toddler in my arms is.

"Well, well, well. Look what the cat drug in," a voice says.

I tense and sigh. "Puss," I say before lifting my head to see the cat in question. "Of all the assholes we could have been dropped in front of it, it had to be you."

Puss grins as he leans against the mast, his sword in his hand. "You just couldn't stay away. Admit it. You like me."

"Like is too strong of a word," I grumble, carefully getting to my feet. "Please tell me we're not going to have a repeat of last time."

"No, no," he laughs. "I've learned the error of my ways. Besides, what can we really do with your pet king on your arm?" His eyes flick to where Midas climbs to his feet and dusts himself off. Then he looks back at Zaven in my arms and to my stomach. He hasn't even commented on my sudden gold appearance, but here he is assessing my stomach. "Did I miss something?"

I scowl. "Do I look like I recently pushed out a baby?"

"No, which is why I'm confused." He points to Zaven with his sword. "Besides, that spawn looks at least a few years old."

"Kitty!" Zaven says, reaching for Puss.

Puss' face splits into a scowl that shows his sharp teeth. "I'm not a kitty, spawn. I'm Puss." He gestures to his legs. "In boots."

"Kitty," Zaven says again stubbornly. "Up."

I raise my brows. Clara said Zaven is a good judge of character, so the fact that he wants Puss to pick him up relaxes me a little. At least he's okay despite everything we've been through. I don't exactly blame him for trying to survive. The rest of the crew, though, those standing around watching, I can't say the same for. I don't know them, so I don't trust them. They could just as easily backstab Puss if the whim strikes them.

Isn't that the pirate way, after all?

I look out at the horizon but all I see is endless seas. I don't know which direction Wonderland could be in, but at least we know this world rests beside it. Perhaps we can figure out how to get Zaven back to his parents.

If another portal doesn't jerk us to another world, that is.

"Welcome back, Tempest," Puss purrs. "And look at you now. All golden and shiny, too. We'll have plans for you yet."

I sigh. "And what exactly are these plans?"

"Funny you should ask," Puss laughs before gesturing to my skin. "I told you it was dangerous to have gold here, and now here you are, gold yourself."

"So? You planning on cutting me up into tiny, little pieces?" I ask.

Midas stands beside me, his hand free from his gloves, though he's careful to keep away from Zaven. Puss glances at that exposed hand, but he doesn't back down.

"Of course not," Puss answers. "We're not the monsters in this world." In the distance, a great roar echoes. "But that is. I suggest we move before we all become dinner for the sea beast."

"You think we're just going to team up with you after what you did last time?" Midas asks with narrowed eyes.

Puss grins and flashes his fangs. "You're always welcome to stay here, Your Majesty." He winks at me. "Remember the golden rule, Tempi."

"Do onto others as you would have them do unto you?" I ask, frowning. "Seems a little late to invoke that, don't you think?"

Puss shakes his head with a laugh. "That's not the golden rule here. That's the Earth golden rule."

"Then what it is?" I growl, frustrated. "Spit it out."

He steps closer to me and Zaven pets his large furry ear. He doesn't swat his hand away which tells me that Puss is probably better than I'm giving him credit for. Still, I don't back down when Puss meets my eyes and studies me.

"Here, the golden rule is simple." He grabs my hand and lifts it up between us. The gold catches the sun and sends little sparkles around the deck. "Not all that's golden glitters, Tempi." His eyes flick to Midas. "And not all kings spill secrets."

Midas tenses. "I have no secrets."

Puss snorts. "Sure. Because every god of Under is so forthcoming to those they care about." Puss glances back at me before looking down at Zaven. "Don't let him wander far from you on this ship," he warns. "Children don't belong in the Deep Seas."

And then he steps away and leaves me to stare after him.

"What now?" Midas asks.

I shrug. "We go with them. Where else are we gonna go?"

Midas scowls. "I don't like that cat."

"Yeah, well, I think he might be protecting us right now," I murmur, glancing up at him. "And what did he mean about secrets?"

Midas shrugs. "Your guess is as good as mine. I told you about my past and my role in Under. I'm not sure which secrets he could mean. But I'm not the only god of Under. I'm certainly not the only one with a dark past."

The sigh that slips out of me is tired. I'm exhausted despite getting some sleep. Going world to world is starting to get old. What I wouldn't give for some stability right now, but first I need to figure out why the portals are attracted to me.

I'm reminded again of Zaven's word and look down at him to find him already looking at me.

"Why did you want to come here?" I ask him gently. "Why leave your mother? She's probably frantic right now."

"Necessary," Zaven says. He points to me. "Celestial." He points to Midas. "God." He points to himself. "World Breaker."

My eyes widen. "What does that mean?"

"Necessary. For now," he says. "No forever."

"He was the most powerful one in that room," Midas murmurs. "I think he knows what happens when too many powerful people linger too long together. He's protecting them."

Zaven nods. "I protect." He presses his little hand against my cheek. "You protect me."

"I'm not a warrior," I say. "I'm a healer."

"Celestial," he reminds me.

"I don't know what that means," I rasp, exasperated. "I don't know what any of this means."

"You will," Zaven answers. "You will."

And then he looks out to the horizon. In the distance, the sea beast splashes out of the water and a massive tentacle curls high. Zaven laughs and reaches toward it.

"Up," he says.

Suddenly, I doubt his judgement of character completely. I glance at Midas in worry, but he's already looking at me.

"Celestial," he murmurs. "No wonder you shine so brightly."

"Because of you," I remind him.

"You shone long before my gold infected your veins," he argues. "We may not know what it means, but it'll be alright. Whatever we face, we'll face it together." He tugs me closer and Zaven giggles at the sudden movement.

"Promise?" I ask, looking up at him.

"Promise," he nods. "In this world, and every world after."

And every world after that.

"I like the sound of that," I rasp before kissing him gently on the lips.

"Stop that!" Puss calls from higher up. We break apart and I turn, finding Puss at the helm. "Make yourselves useful and get to work. No one rides for free on my ship."

I scowl. "Those boots make you look short."

Puss scowls. "How dare you! These boots are distinguished and charming!"

"A very short and distinguished fellow you are," I shout back, and his scowl deepens. "Come on," I tell Midas. "Before he tosses us overboard anyway."

Zaven giggles again at the sea beast in the distance. "Friend!"

"I don't think that thing's a friend, buddy," I tell him. "We've gotta work on your stranger danger."

He stares at me with dark gold eyes. There's intelligence there, feelings, that no toddler should be capable of. "I know," he says, pressing his hand to his chest. " I know ."

"And what do you know?" I ask, smiling.

He looks out at the ocean again, his expression so serious, it makes my bones ache, like I'm looking at some sort of ancient tomb.

He replies in his little voice, so soft, I almost miss it. "All."

My smile fades.

World Breaker, he'd called himself.

Suddenly, he feels much heavier in my arms. What sort of creature do I hold? What will he become?

He meets my eyes, and I see the knowledge there, but not the answer. But he knows it.

Dios mío , he knows it.