Silken hands caressed my skin. Lips tickled my neck and whispered wicked promises in my ear. My heart sang as I soared like a bird through the air. I preferred this dream much more than the first.
Chapter 11
After Aslaug had brought my first meal, she crept back down to her own chamber, claiming she needed more sleep. I didn’t blame her. My head still swam from the effects of the wine we’d drunk the night before. I didn’t tell her about my strange dream. I couldn’t make sense of it myself. That first dream felt so real. As though I were half-awake when the creature—the guardian, it’d called itself—had appeared inside my chamber.
I hadn’t taken my mother’s necklace off. I’d wear it forever, a reminder of her love. I eyed it as I sat in front of the wide, silver-framed mirror, combing the tangles from my hair while reflecting on the dream.
As though I’d summoned him, the guardian appeared in the reflection of the mirror and tucked his wings in against his back. I dropped the comb, afraid to turn around. Afraid if I did, he’d indeed be standing there in my chamber while I was fully awake and completely sober.
I turned around slowly and nearly fell off my stool. The same guardian from the night before, the one I’d spoken to, watched me with a bored expression. Not a dream.
I realized I was in my silk nightgown and crossed my arms to hide myself.
“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not interested in your type.” So mean!
“Why are you here? What do you want?” Are you here to ravish me or not? My bold question from the night before echoed in my memory. My cheeks burned.
“I’m here to help you with your magic. And to prepare you for the war against darkness.”
“Pardon me?” I gaped. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I’d gone mad. It was the only reasonable explanation.
The guardian held me with his stony stare. His eyes were the colour of stars; I remembered admiring them in my dream. No, not a dream, I reminded myself. He’d truly visited my chamber the night before. “Perhaps I haven’t explained myself well enough—”
“Certainly not.”
His gaze hardened at my interruption, but he continued, “My name is Ramiel. I am a guardian of the air element. You have air magic. The realm needs you to fight in the war against Vesirus.”
“Vesirus,” I repeated. “The Dark Lord of Mnyama?”
“Yes.”
I chuckled lowly. “You’re jesting.”
“I’m not.”
My hands gripped the sides of my stool. “You’re saying Vesirus has come to this realm?”
The guardian—Ramiel—raked his fingers through his silken, silvery hair. “You don’t believe me.”
I shook my head. “Forgive me if I don’t—”
“Let me show you.”
Before I could ask what he meant, he reached out and placed his palms on the sides of my head.
I tried to pull away, but my mind clouded over, and I was sucked into something like a dream world, only clearer.
A king sat in his chambers, with red-rimmed eyes. He clutched onto a painting of a queen, his queen. I recognized this king. The chambers were draped in blue. Tapestries of creatures from the sea hung on the walls. King Zaeden of Aquila.
“My poor wife,” the king blubbered. His grief for her… my heart squeezed inside my chest.
“I can taaaake your paaaainn awaaaay,”a voice not of this world whispered.
“Who’s there?” The king looked over his shoulder.
“I’mmm the one who can give you vengaaaance… can give you power.” This voice that he heard, it came from inside his mind. I could hear inside his mind.
“What do I have to do?” King Zaeden’s hands tightened around the painting. “What do I have to do to make them pay for my wife’s death?”
“Jusssst sayyyy yessss.”
King Zaeden rubbed his thumb over the painted queen’s face. His eyes turned cold. His heart froze into a chunk of ice. No, no, no, no, no! “Yes.”
“No!” I came out of the dream… vision… whatever I’d been subjected to, gasping for air. “What was that?” I glared at Ramiel, who only watched me with that bored expression.
“A memory of King Zaeden letting Vesirus into your world. I only showed you the beginning. He’s managed to obtain power from a sorceress with the Dark Lord’s aid. They are preparing to march on Terra with an army of soldiers possessed by dark spirits released from Mnyama.”
Frost crept through my veins. “To what end?”
“Vesirus plans to bring his dark world here. We believe he wants his sister’s mortals to himself. He wants freedom to roam this realm.”
“And King Zaeden is fine with this? I thought him a decent man when I met him, albeit that was many springs ago. Could a man change so much?”
“Greed corrupted him the moment he obtained the crown, but he lost his spirit the moment he let Vesirus in,” Ramiel explained. “Grief can change mortals if they let it.”
“Why King Zaedan? Surely the Dark Lord could have used another weakened mind.”
He pinned me with his stare. “He could have, but he needed someone who could control a full army… someone with a whole kingdom to command.”
I couldn’t believe this insanity. I slid off the stool and went to the window. Ice had crystalized on the corners of the glass.
I turned back to the guardian still watching me… waiting. “Why should I care what happens to this realm? I am but one mortal woman. And I’m locked inside this tower. Surely there’s someone else who can win your war.”
Ramiel raised his chin and looked down at me, as though I were nothing but a useless vermin. “There are other elementals. They are all about to come together. You are the last missing piece… the key to sending the darkness back where it belongs.”
I glanced at the chessboard. “You speak of me as though I’m not a person. I won’t be some pawn in the game of gods. I won’t play this game. I’m not the one. Find someone else.” I marched past him and returned to combing my hair. Maybe if I ignored him long enough, he’d disappear again.
He stayed quiet for so long I thought maybe he had indeed left. But then he said, “There is no one else. You are the only air elemental. If you don’t agree to help, Vesirus will win, and you may never see your mother’s spirit again.
Slowly, I set the comb back down. “Not even in death?”
“Your spirit could become trapped in this realm with Vesirus if he wins the war against mortals. Your mother will stay with Celestia, but you may remain with the Dark Lord.”
My hands trembled as my chest sank. “But we could still lose if I agree to help.”
“You could,” Ramiel confirmed, “but there’s a greater chance of defeating him with all of the elemental magic.”
I put my head in my hands. This was too much. The world outside had turned upside down while I was rotting away in my permanent prison. Knowing I’d return to my mother in spirit one day had been my only solace. I wanted to make her proud. I wanted to be free.
I peered through my fingers at him. “There’s no choice then. But how am I to help if I’m locked inside this tower?”
“Don’t worry about that yet. You need to learn how to fight first, starting without your magic.”
Baffled, I asked, “Why? Why do I need to learn how to fight without my magic? I thought you appeared to show me how to use my magic.” I didn’t bother telling him my power had been dormant since my first days in the tower. Likely, he already knew. He seemed to know everything.
Ramiel reached the table I took my meals at quicker than I could blink and tossed an empty teacup at me. I could only raise my arms in time to deflect the little white cup. It bounced off my forearm and shattered on the floor.
“Bastard!” I lowered my arms and scowled at him. “What was that for?”
“Reflexes and strength. That’s why you need to learn to fight without magic. And because you can’t always expect to rely on your powers.” He bent down
and gathered the pieces of the broken glass.
“You’re going to cut yourself,” I warned.
He smirked and dumped the shards into the sack I used for trash. He raised his hands to show me his unscathed palms.
“You should fight this war, seeing as how you can’t be hurt,” I pointed out.
“We guardians don’t belong in this realm. It takes a lot to maintain a physical form when you’re not alive.”
How convenient for him. “So you’re dead?”
“In a sense.” He stretched out his glorious feathered wings. “Obtain a sword. Begin practicing. I’ll return to see how you’re progressing.”
“But wait. How am I supposed to obtain a sword?”
He almost looked amused as he said, “You’ll figure it out.” He flapped his wings once and was gone.
I looked up to the ceiling. I stood up and peered out the window. I wondered how he could disappear like that. And how was I to obtain a sword?
I sat down on my bed and closed my eyes. Vesirus had come to our realm. I wondered if Star knew. Did she know war was coming to her kingdom? The realm was doomed if they were counting on me to save them.
My hand went to the diamond necklace resting around my neck. I would do this for my mother. She would’ve done anything to keep darkness from our world. For her, I’d try. And if I died fighting, I’d join her by Celestia’s side before Vesirus trapped my spirit in the darkness.
First, I needed to get myself a sword somehow.
My mind worked at a solution as Aslaug entered my chambers in a wrinkled uniform, her pinned up hair out of sorts.
“My lady.” She inclined her forehead.
I made a quick decision not to tell her about Ramiel. I didn’t think she’d believe me, and I didn’t want her to think I’d gone mad. “Good day, Aslaug.”
I went to my wardrobe and picked out a gown. I set it on the chair before turning and lifting my silvery hair so she could untie the back of my silk nightgown. While I stepped into the lilac garment, I said casually. “Would you obtain a sword for me? I wish to learn to fight.”
The line between her brows deepened. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, my lady. What brought on this idea?”
I smoothed the lacy skirt with my hands as I sat down to let her braid my hair into a coil. “I’m rather bored of everything else. I don’t see the harm in learning. It’s not like I’m going to use it on you.” I chuckled, and she laughed nervously in response. “And I never see anyone else. So, it’ll be no danger at all.”
She sighed and wouldn’t meet my eyes. She didn’t like refusing me. “I don’t think the queen will allow it.”
“Star doesn’t have to know.” Maybe guilt would work. “I thought you’d come to trust me.”
Aslaug breathed out again as she finished pinning up my hair and went to clear the dishes from my last meal away. “I’ll see if I can steal a practice sword for you.” She paused, noticing the missing teacup. She looked questioningly at me over her shoulder.
“I broke it,” I explained. “I’m feeling the effects of the wine too.”
She accepted my answer and whisked the tray of dishes away.
A practice sword would have to do. A prisoner asking for a weapon was unheard of. Training without an opponent… another problem I’d have to figure out. Ramiel said he’d return, but only to see how I’d progressed. How was I supposed to progress when I had no one to practice with? I highly doubted Aslaug would agree to train with me.
I groaned, my head swirling with thoughts. I hated waiting.
I picked up my violin. I played a simple tune, trying to lose myself in the notes. I hit the strings wrong, and they made an awful screeching. I cringed and tried again. The second time I failed, I dropped the bow and set the instrument back down.
I strode to the bookshelf and picked out one of the books Aslaug had recently brought me that I hadn’t yet read. Reading always distracted my mind.
I struggled at first to lose myself in the tale of a poor girl who could transform into a fox. I had to keep reading the same paragraph over and over. Determined, I finally focused enough to forget reality and read until Aslaug brought my evening meal.
I set the book down on the lounger beside my legs. “Did you find one?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. I couldn’t make it to the soldiers’ quarters without looking suspicious. I’ll try later tonight.”
“Won’t it look more suspicious if you’re there when everyone’s asleep?”
She shoved the tray of hot food into my arms. “I’d rather remain unseen. I have no explanation for being in that part of the palace.”
I rose and placed the tray of bison and bread on the table. “Say you’re looking for another servant. Say Star sent you there.”
“I’m a terrible liar,” she argued, obviously frustrated with me. “You’re putting me in a difficult position.”
I left my food to stand before her. “I know. But I really want to learn something new.”
“You could learn to play harp.”
“I already know how to play harp. If it’s too much, I’ll just continue to suffer of boredom.” I sat down at the table with my back to her and picked at my food.
“I’ll try tonight,” she relented.
Silence stretched as I continued taking nibbles of the juicy meat until she left.
On her way out, she muttered, “You’re much more pleasant drunk on wine.”
I felt bad for using guilt against her, but I needed her to help me. I clenched my fork harder as I thought about the position Ramiel had put me in. I ripped into the meat on my plate and whispered into the air, “Aslaug better not take the fall for this.”
No one answered.
Chapter 12
I rolled over the next morning as my chamber door opened, expecting to find Aslaug. Instead, a guard with a well-groomed golden beard brought my first meal and collected the tray from the night before.
“Where’s Aslaug?” I mumbled, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
“In the dungeon.” He didn’t bother to look at me.
“Pardon me?” Oh, no. They’d stuffed her in that horrid place. Guilt rippled through me.
“A guard caught her lurking around the soldiers’ quarters. She couldn’t explain herself, so Queen Starella said she’d spend a day and a night in the dungeon.”
Goddess dammit. “How am I to prepare for the day without her?”
His gaze turned hungry as it fell to my chest.
I pulled my blanket up higher. “Never mind. I’ll prepare myself.”
He snorted as he made to leave. “You’re pretty high maintenance for a prisoner.”
“I’m still royalty,” I called after him as he stepped out and the lock clicked into place.
I threw my blankets aside and traipsed across the cold floor to add kindling to the embers in the hearth. Poor Aslaug. Luckily, she wouldn’t remain a prisoner for long. Now how would I get a sword?
A throat cleared from behind me. I dropped the bits of wood and spun around.
Ramiel held a wooden sword in his hands, his head angled to one side.
I fumbled for the kindling and tossed it into the hearth, sparks flying and catching the wood on fire. I dusted my palms off and demanded, “If you could get me a sword, why did you make me ask Aslaug?”
“I didn’t make you ask anyone.”
Smartass. I growled in frustration and tried again. “Why didn’t you tell me you’d get me a practice sword?”
He flipped the sword with one hand and caught it. “I’m not supposed to meddle with mortals.” He handed me the sword, hilt forward.
I accepted it and let it sag at my side. “Says who?”
He widened his eyes at me. “Says Celestia.”
“Oh.”
He rolled one shoulder, his metal armour flashing in the light from the hearth. “Your handmaid had this with her in the dungeon. I took it from her while she slept. She isn’t very good at stealing.”
>
“She’s not a thief,” I spat. “How did she get the sword into the cell with her?”
Ramiel’s star bright gaze slid to the sword. “She had it strapped to her leg.”
Clever woman. But if it was strapped to her leg… I shot him an accusing look.
“I told you, I’m not interested in mortals.”
Fine. “So, are you here to train me?”
Ramiel gave me a measuring look. “No, you’re not ready. Have you ever even held a sword?”
“A ceremonial one,” I stated, as if he should already know.
“Learn some moves. Learn how to block. Let that be the start of your training.”
My brows pulled together. “How do I learn moves if no one will teach me?”
His silver eyes seemed to smile, though his mouth did not. “Instinct.”
I was about to throw the sword at him, but he disappeared before it left my hand.
I swung the sword through the air like I’d seen some of the guards do when I was a child. I spun and swung again, aiming at the gowns in my wardrobe, but I’d moved too fast and almost lost my balance.
I regained my feet and pretended to block an invisible opponent. Taking a deep breath, I lowered the sword. Ridiculous. I needed another person to practice against.
For the remainder of the day, I practiced flipping the sword with one hand and trying to catch it like Ramiel had, a harder feat than I’d expected.
Night fell by the time I got the move down.
I hid the sword beneath my blankets when the guard brought my supper.
After he left, I pretended to kill one of my chairs. I doubted any of my enemies would be that short. Before long, I stopped to catch my breath. I ran my hand across my sweaty forehead. I hadn’t had much exercise during the past four springs.
I passed out on top of my covers, fully clothed.
I startled awake when Aslaug returned to my chamber, cheeks stained with the dirt-streaked tears she’d cried overnight. “I’m sorry, my lady. I tried to get your—” She stopped talking and stared at the wood sword on the bed beside me. “How—how did you get that?”
The Elemental Diaries - Complete Series Page 79