A Crystal of Time (The School for Good and Evil The Camelot Years #2) - Soman Chainani Page 0,112

have noticed my absences, since dogs are needy, odious beasts. But cats . . . we slip in and out of your life like old memories.”

A gnome guard brought Reaper a goblet of spice-dusted cream, which he lapped at, before the gnome took it away.

Agatha went quiet, her face changing.

This is real, Tedros realized.

The cat is king.

“My father was ruler of Gnomeland before me. He, my mother, and my three brothers were beautiful, majestic black cats. I, on the other hand, was born like this,” Reaper explained, nodding down at his scrawny, hairless frame. “My father was ashamed and had me exiled deep into the Woods, a defenseless kitten, where Callis found me and made me her pet.” He smiled fondly at Agatha. “Sound familiar?”

“That’s how my mother found me too,” Agatha breathed.

“Your mother couldn’t help loving those that others couldn’t,” said Reaper. “But even when she escaped from the School for Evil and hid in Gavaldon, Callis never kept me penned. I was free to return to the Endless Woods and venture back and forth as I pleased. Then your mother brought you home and I found myself feeling quite protective of you, despite my suspicion for humans. Meanwhile, I kept track of my father and brothers, the king and princes of Gnomeland, who had grown increasingly loyal to King Arthur, even going so far as to act as spies for Camelot. Wary, I returned to Gnomeland and appeared before my father’s court. Cats should know not to serve humans, I told him, otherwise we are no better than dogs. I remember the way my father looked at me, perched on this very throne. He called me a traitor. If I ever returned to Gnomeland, he said, I’d be killed on the spot.”

Reaper sighed. “Then Merlin deserted King Arthur and Arthur retaliated by banishing magic from the kingdom, including the fairies and gnomes who had been his steadfast allies. After Arthur expelled the gnomes and destroyed their kingdom, my father and brothers were run out of Gnomeland for aligning with a man who had betrayed the entire gnome race. My father’s deposers found me and said I’d been right to warn my family about humans. Ironic, since my love for you and your mother had only deepened by then. Then the gnomes asked me to be their king.”

He leaned back on his throne, his pink belly wrinkling like an accordion. “At first, I rejected the idea. I was happy on Graves Hill with you. But I realized I’d made the same mistake as the gnomes: I’d grown too trusting of humans, even ones I loved. Being king would let me live between worlds, belonging to neither. A selfish reason to take a crown, perhaps, but in the end, it’s made me a better king. I’ve taught the gnomes self-reliance, for I’m never here very long. And the gnomes have never been happier. They idolize me, name streets after me, worship me at their temple, none of which matters to me, of course . . . but in truth, the illusion of a king is all they needed to govern themselves. Not so different from you,” the cat said to Agatha. “I was your first friend, long before that other one knocked at your door. Without me, you might never have thought you even deserved a friend. Things have changed, of course. You don’t need me the way you once did, and that makes me proud. But I’ll always be with you, Agatha, even when you can’t see me. Like Merlin to Tedros, I’m watching you every step of the way, coming in and out of your story like only the best wizards can.” Reaper smiled. “Or the best cats.”

Agatha wept into her sleeve.

Her pet’s tale had moved her, Tedros sensed, but more than that, Agatha was relieved: they had a friend here in Gnomeland. A true friend. Tedros thought about all the times the cat had saved them: delivering Callis’ message to the League of Thirteen . . . rescuing them from Graves Hill when guards came for them . . . helping Agatha find Excalibur in the war against Rafal . . . protecting Tedros at Camelot when Agatha left on her quest. . . .

“I’m sorry,” the prince said, looking up at Reaper. “For the way I’ve treated you.”

“I’m sorry too,” the cat confessed. “I felt you were a poor match for Agatha. You reminded me of my father and brothers: too handsome and arrogant to ever