Chapter 9

“Well, here we are, ladies and gentlemen, the Darkness Realm!” Rose’s cheery greeting didn’t get a response, nor did she expect one.

“It’s so...so...dark,” Jean finally said. “I can sense sadness and anger everywhere.”

“Hence it’s name, Jean. An interesting place to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live here.”

“Is it just me, or are those two guys staring at us?” Psylocke asked. About twenty feet away, two men stood silently watching them.

“It ain’t just you, darlin’,” Wolverine remarked.

“We are not staring, sir,” one said, “only being cautious. The Darkness Realm doesn’t get many visitors, and certainly not ones that appear out of thin air. Besides that, you are standing before the Dark Palace, and we are the royal guards.”

“In that case, could you tell the king that we’re here?” Rose asked. “I’m sure he’ll see us at once.”

But the guard shook his head. “Sorry, ma’am, but the king sees no one that isn’t invited.”

“He’ll see us, bub,” Wolverine said, unsheathing his claws, “or else we just might get a bit unpleasant.”

“Is there a problem here, Morris?” a voice asked calmly as a tall man appeared. His long, black hair fell onto his shoulders, and his eyes seemed almost vacant.

“No sir, Darkness, as long as they obey the rules.”

“I don’t remember these rules being here the last time I came,” Rose said irritably.

“You must excuse the guards, dear lady. They’re only doing their jobs. I am Jackie, head of the Imperial Guard. How may I serve you?”

“We’re here looking for a friend, but these guards stopped us,” Rose said, pointing at them.

Jackie’s eyes flashed as he asked, “Excuse me, dear lady, but may I see your hand?”

“Well...um...yes, I guess so,” Rose said, extending her hand. Jackie gently took her hand, staring at the black-jeweled ring she wore. Then he kissed her hand and fell to his knees. “I apologize for the delay, my Dark Princess. You shall be admitted into the palace at once.”

Rose blinked and said, “What are you talking about? I’m no princess; you must be mistaken.”

Jackie shook his head. “There is no mistake, for you wear one of the two Jewels of Darkness upon your finger. Only the rulers of the Darkness Realm have them. Come with me, and I shall explain.” He turned and guided them up the stone steps into the palace.

Kory walked down the long tunnel, wondering where it could lead. Before she knew it, she had reached the end. She stepped up into the light, and the sight that greeted her eyes took her breath away.

The garden was unlike anything she had ever seen before. It was arranged in five sections. The north corner held red flowers, the west held yellow, the south held violet, the east held white, and the center held black. It took Kory a moment to realize the flowers were all roses. “Even the black ones in the center,” she thought as she sat down next to them. Each had been carefully planted equidistant from another. Their beauty almost hypnotized Kory, and she reached out to touch one.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” a voice said. “The Prince is easily upset when the garden is disturbed.”

Kory looked back and smiled. “Hello, Peter, I didn’t hear you come in.”

“I know, my dear,” he said, walking up to her, “no one else does either. But I must insist that you refrain from touching the roses.”

“Fine,” Kory replied, “but why is the garden separate from the rest of the palace?”

Peter smiled and picked up his watering can. “When Prince Nathan dug out this tunnel, its original purpose was to serve as a private room for him. However, during its construction, he changed his mind and decided it should be a garden. Few in the kingdom know of its existence.” Peter slowly began watering the black roses, careful not to waste a drop.

“Will he ever come back, Peter?” Kory asked.

“Of course, young lady. After all, he wouldn’t be much of a ruler if he never ruled his empire, now would he?” Kory silently agreed. Peter placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I know that you miss him, but if he promised you would see him again, you will. It’s no good to sit here and torture yourself thinking about him.”

She sighed and said, “You’re right, Peter, thank you.” Kory got up and flew out of the tunnel, waving as she went. The old gardener smiled and went back to his work.

“So you see, your Uncle Thomas was king of the Darkness Realm. He named this young man his sole heir, so he now rules here. But because you possess a Jewel of Darkness, and you are related by blood to the former king, you have the option of ruling by his side as Princess of the Darkness Realm.” Jackie waited for Rose’s reply, but he only received yet another question.

“You say Uncle Thomas named someone else as his heir, but who is this guy?”

Jackie smiled and answered, “He is a man of great virtue and kindness.” Then, spreading his arms wide, he gestured to a painting that hung high upon the wall. All eyes locked on it for several moments, and silence filled the room. It was Rose who finally found her voice and said, “It’s...it’s really him. It’s Nathan!”

The others stared at the painting, the very same that Kory had stared at for so long. Jackie pointed to the depicted sword hilt. “He also possess a Jewel of Darkness, the very same that your uncle gave to him. He is Prince of the Darkness Realm, and should you choose to, you would be his Princess, equal to him in power, and joint rulers of the Realm.”

Rose stood in silence, considering this. “If I did become Princess...would I have to...well....marry him?”

“Of course not,” replied Jackie, “though it would strengthen the Realm if you did. But it is not, nor has it ever been, mandatory.”

Rose thought for a moment and asked, “Where is Nathan now?”

“He has gone to visit his family and friends,” Jackie said, “but I would assume by your presence here that is now unnecessary.”