A Gathering of Souls

by Dianne Keep

  Bree focused on the emotionless machines. Things that didn’t make her heart race and her stomach flutter. Things that didn’t bring an ache to her chest or tears to her eyes.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  The scent of spark lilies permeated the air of Bree’s bedroom, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. She loved them, but not when they came from Bayan.

  Tosha handed her a cup of jinberry tea. “How was your day?”

  Bree opened the balcony doors. A fresh breeze swept through her room. She rubbed her temples and sat in the chair next to the balcony.

  “After sparring with Khrisk, Captain Shane, and Bayan—” Bree glanced at her bedroom door, wondering if Shane could hear their conversation. “—I spent five hours touching and poking devices of all shapes. Several turned on and waited for commands, but I couldn’t make them do anything. Osling sent researchers to watch me, but none of them seemed to know anything about the relics either.” She sipped the tea. “How about you? Do anything interesting?”

  “I cleaned and prepared.” Tosha pulled the corner of the lace coverlet taut. “So, you didn’t go riding?”

  “No. I got distracted with the sparring and ran out of time.” Bree swirled the tea in its cup.

  “Good. It was probably better than riding on a stinky horse anyway.”

  “I suppose, but.” Bree heaved a sigh.

  “But?”

  “It was strange realizing I could do things without really thinking about doing them.” Bree gulped the last of the tea and jumped off the bed. “Bath?”

  “Already ordered,” said Tosha.

  “Clothes?”

  “Already here.” Tosha took her hand and led her into the dressing room.

  A gown hung from the wardrobe. Intricate silver stitching swirled galaxy patterns in the black silk, and strings of black pearls adorned the bodice. Bree remembered trying it on for Bayan and how the seamstress had gone on and on about the design. “It looks terrible with my alhor.”

  “That’s what I thought.” Tosha opened a small silver chest. “Your Honor brought you these.”

  Blue-eyed snakes made of silver and gold stared at Bree. “What is it with snakes and the rulers of Rysa?” Snakes themselves didn’t bother her but wearing them every other day did. “Why not birds or beetles? I rather like beetles.”

  “Snakes used to be on Rysa’s flag before Osling’s grandfather changed it,” said Tosha.

  “Tell me Bayan actually hates snakes and that he’s just doing this because his father is making him.”

  “I actually don’t know if he does.”

  “I thought you knew everything Bayan liked.” Bree quirked her eyebrow at her friend.

  “Uh, no, I guess I don’t.” Tosha closed the box.

  Bree allowed Tosha full creative rights with her hair and was delighted with the half-up, half-down concoction she produced. The slippers squished her toes and the snake armlets nearly stopped the blood flow to her hands.

  Looking at her purplish hands, she removed the armlets. “I can’t wear these.”

  “Of course, you can.” Tosha took them, pulled deftly on the metal, and handed them back.

  They fit better. “Thanks, but now I have to wear them.”

  Shane opened the door. “Her Highness arrives.”

  The Rishi stood in the doorway in a loose-fitting black lace dress. “Ready?”

  “Yes.” Bree tried to hide her surprise at seeing Fara instead of Bayan. “I expected the Zeir.”

  “I wanted to escort you tonight,” said Fara. “Bayan was busy with Khrisk making final plans for the Ranking.” Fara linked her arm with Bree as soon as the quad started down the stairs. “You look lovely. Bayan was pleased with the way the dress turned out. Do you like it?”

  Bree touched the shiny black pearls. “It’s very pretty.” Bayan had gone on and on at the dress fitting about the pearls. He probably told Fara all about it.

  “It doesn’t go with your alhor, but the jewelry helps with that.” Fara stroked the snake on Bree’s arm. “I heard you discovered the purpose of the disk.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “Long day?”

  “Just thinking.” The Ranking started in the morning. Bayan and Khrisk would precede the other candidates and be the first to face the wilds at dawn. “Tomorrow will be exciting.”

  Fara rubbed her forehead. “A mother is never done worrying. Knowing Khrisk is with Bayan is some consolation.”

  Bree bit the inside of her cheek. Khrisk shouldn’t have to go through it again, but he loved Bayan and probably would have volunteered if Osling hadn’t commanded it. “The Second Zeir’s gone through it before.”

  “And came out first with hardly a scratch. His father was so proud.”

  At the end of the tower corridor, Bree heard murmuring. The doors opened to the hallway lined with courtiers. Her feet faltered, and she tripped over her gown.

  The courtiers bowed as she passed with the Rishi. Bree’s quad took the long way, enabling hundreds of people to bow or curtsy. When they finally entered the dining hall, Bree’s cheeks twitched from holding a permanent smile.

  Black swathed the entire hall. No other color existed anywhere except for the food, which looked delectable. Green, red, and blue roasted swimming birds were perched in miniature black trees and in obsidian pools.

  On the patio, at a round table, Bayan pulled out her chair. “We’re away from the crowds tonight.” He touched the collar of his jacket, his eyes hopeful.

  “Your jacket is perfect.” Bree plastered on a smile for the Second Zeir Khrisk and Karra Elissa, the Resh, and Keir Ryne.

  Grinning, Bayan touched the sapphire buttons on his double-breasted coat. “It’s not as formal as the rest, but it adds to the ruggedness of the Ranking.” He turned in his chair, showing her his back. “I had a circle outlined with blue stitching.”

  Her fingers ran across the elegant circumference. Whoever sewed the jacket was an artist. “A nice effect.” Her eyes glanced sideways to Khrisk and his Honor. They whispered to each other with less than an inch between them. Her stomach lurched as Khrisk caressed Karra Elissa’s cheek.

  “I thought so.” Bayan tinkered with the silverware. “I missed you.”

  “What kept you busy this afternoon?” She leaned toward Bayan, hoping she could force herself to feel something for him. “You could have stopped by Ehre’s workroom if you wanted to see me.”

  Bayan glanced at his father. “I was in some important meetings. I couldn’t get away.”

  “For the Ranking?”

  “And other things.” Bayan glanced around the table. He whispered, “Ehre told you of the new energy source.”

  “Yes.”

  “If it works, we can close the production plants in Rysa,” Bayan said. “We can save thousands of people. Maybe even stop the mutations.”

  “But then what would Osling do for the Ranking?”

  Bayan’s met her gaze. “The Ranking would be obsolete. The war would be over. With the new power source, no one would dare revolt or rebel.”

  She saw determination in his eyes. “How so?”

  The Resh stood and moved toward the doors leading into the dining room. He lifted his glass. All the servers froze as silence cascaded down the hall and courtyard. “Tomorrow our sons prove their worth. Rysa’s merit rests on their shoulders. May every man rank his best. Victory will always be for Rysa.”

  No one cheered. A smattering of clinking glass filled the quiet. Bayan touched his glass to hers and reached across the table to tap the other goblets. Bree set her glass down before another could touch it. Her glass was filled with the same honey-colored liquid from the night before. Everyone else had black imperia.

  Fire pounced on her skin and heat roiled in her belly. Deformed faces of the crippled farmers slithered into her thoughts. How many would die the first day? How many the next?

  She couldn’t eat, so she pushed her food around the plate, and nodded or shrugged when Bayan tried to engage her i
n conversation. The Second Zeir and Karra Elissa told hilarious stories about nonsensical things, bringing lightness to the somber evening, but she couldn’t force herself to join in.

  She watched the blue clouds streak with red and purple while she waited for the evening to end. In a couple of hours, she would be in bed, not quite sleeping, but happily not in anyone else’s company either.

  Fruit tarts and crystallized sugar candies decorated the table after dinner.

  Fara set her fork down and leaned over. “Eating worry for dinner? The desserts are divine. Try some.”

  “I’m sure they are.” Bree poked her tart and broke the sugared flower into bits.

  The Resh cleared his throat. “Let us retire to my study.” He stood and nodded to Khrisk.

  Khrisk glanced at her for a split second. His expression was unreadable, but Bree felt like he wanted to tell her something. The moment broke, and he stood, took Karra Elissa’s arm, and went with her to her family sitting at the table just inside.

  Fara pushed the glass of gold liquid toward her. “You’ll want to drink this.”

  “But it makes my head….” Bree sensed Osling’s stare. “Of course.” Bree downed the entire contents.

  “I’ll see you in the morning. Good night, Bayan. My love.” Rising from her chair, Fara curtsied to both men.

  Bree’s head swam with streaks of black and blue.

  Hands gently guided Bree into the hallway.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  A rush of frigid air blasted Bree. Ehre was chanting under her breath. Bree raised an eyebrow. Had she been doing something wrong?

  Rubbing her arms, she glanced around Resh Osling’s study. What time was it? Weren’t they just in the dining hall? “Did the Rishi leave?”

  Bayan sat in a chair just off the rug. “Where have you been all evening?” He crossed his arms and slouched. “She left after dinner. Even said goodnight.”

  Red snakes coiled under Bree’s feet the instant she stepped onto the Resh’s carpet. Their tiny tongues licked her slippers. She dug the tip of her slipper into a snake’s eye. It slithered away to coil with the other reptiles. If the snakes could make sounds, they’d all be hissing.

  Nathan, the Seyh with a blue alhor came through a side door. He seemed to wear a permanent frown. Bree caught the giggle in her throat. She couldn’t laugh at a man for frowning.

  What was wrong with her? Her insides felt airy and her head completely black. Her cage of emotions hadn’t made a sound since the afternoon. Had someone slipped her something? She tried to remember what she ate for lunch. No. Maybe she’d eaten something at dinner? Her stomach growled. Dinner. She hadn’t eaten anything.

  Ehre took her arm. “Please sit next to Bayan. Your binding ceremony must be performed before the Ranking.”

  “Binding?” Bree held her ground. Flames from her charm prickled her flesh, and her mind cleared a little. The amber necklace glowed, lighting the gloomy crimson study. “Shouldn’t the Second Zeir be here with Karra Elissa then?”

  “They are having it done by another Seyh with her family.” Ehre yanked Bree from her spot.

  “Then why is Keir Ryne here?” Bree jerked her arm out of Ehre’s grasp. “Shouldn’t he be witnessing his son’s binding with Karra Elissa’s family?” She couldn’t be bound to Bayan. She wanted Khrisk, with his warm comfort and easy smile. A sour taste filled her mouth and she wished she had eaten.

  The Resh circled her. “Nathan, send for Khrisk.” He walked across the study, sat behind his enormous desk, and shuffled through some papers. “We can wait until he arrives.”

  “Why should he come if he’s at his own binding ceremony?” Bree murmured to Ehre, but her mentor just shook her head.

  “You should have eaten something at dinner,” Ehre said. “I brought this for you.” She handed her a bottle filled with clear fluid. “It’ll settle your stomach.”

  “How did you know?” She hadn’t seen Ehre anywhere in the dining hall or courtyard. Popping the cork, she gulped the contents. “It tastes like neyne.” The air swirled around her in comforting warmth. “I feel funny.”

  Ehre nodded and held a finger to her lips.

  The liquid wasn’t like the other stuff they had given her, the happy juice. This made Bree feel empty, like someone could pour themselves into her and she would become them.

  Nathan, the blue Seyh, poked his head out the door. Then he turned and glared at her. Bree returned his glare and dug her slippers into the carpet snakes that kept grouping under her feet.

  After what seemed like an hour, Khrisk walked in, and bowed to the Resh. “Forgive me for making you wait.”

  Resh Osling remained focused on the page in front of him. “She’s asking questions.”

  “Bree, come sit next to me and Bayan.” Khrisk’s voice, smooth as silk, eased her twitches. He pulled a chair beside Bayan’s.

  The urge to reach out and touch Khrisk was nearly overwhelming. Bree’s alhor had followed him across the rug and was inching up his boots. Ehre clamped Bree’s arms down and led her to the chair.

  “How did your binding ceremony go?” Bree wiggled to the edge. Keir Ryne moved and stood behind Khrisk.

  “Longer than I expected. All of her family wanted to witness the ceremony, but the room was too small, so we had to move outside.”

  She smiled but she wasn’t happy. She hated that Khrisk was bound to another. She shook her head, trying to clear the fog smothering her thoughts. “But your father wasn’t there.”

  Nathan moved away from the door. Ehre held her hand in the air. He stopped.

  “Bree, I need to prick your arm,” Ehre said. The silver blade in her hand glinted purple from her alhor. “Yours too, Bayan.”

  Bayan removed his coat, rolled up his sleeve, and looked in the other direction. Ehre pricked the tender skin inside his elbow. Red blood bubbled to the surface. “Now you.” Ehre held the knife over Bree’s arm.

  Don’t let them! The girl’s voice vaporized the fog from Bree’s brain.

  It took Bree a minute. Nothing made sense to her. It had to be the drinks. Bree crossed her arms and stood, moving away from Bayan.

  Enough of this. “No one will prick my arm and bind me to Zeir Bayan for eternity.” She might have to marry him if she couldn’t find a way out of it, but she would not let Ehre do some Seyh magic that made her love someone she didn’t want to love.

  Nathan flashed to her side and gripped her shoulders.

  “Nathan. Let her go,” Ehre said. “It’s a little slit. Nothing more.” She eyed Khrisk.

  “Bree, sit down. You’re acting like a child.” Khrisk removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeve. A small, irritated scratch donned the inside of his elbow. “It’s nothing to be afraid of. It only takes a moment.”

  We can’t. Don’t listen to him.

  Part of her wanted to comply because Khrisk asked her to. Her heart already felt bound to him. Why would he ask her to do this? How could he bind himself to Elissa when she needed him? He centered her when she felt like she was cracked in two.

  Bayan frowned while his blood dripped to the floor, forming a tiny puddle. Looking at the blood affirmed her decision. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”

  The Resh’s familiar cold disappointment raced up Bree’s back. Ehre nodded. Her tutor’s lips moved, and Bree knew she spoke words of power. An invisible lasso pulled her back to the chair.

  Bree sat on her hands, tucking her arms close to her body, but soon her muscles weakened, and she lost control of her movements. “Don’t do this. Please.”

  Khrisk touched her arm. “Relax, it’ll be over before you can count to ten.” Her muscles eased.

  Sorrow etched Ehre’s young face. “I have no choice.” She sliced Bree’s arm.

  Gold fluid seeped out.

  Gold?

  Power rushed. Roaring filled her ears. The invisible restraints dissolved.

  The hidden girl unfurled from Bree’s chest. We will be free.

  Night. The pine fore
st.

  Her people. She had to keep the shields up until her people made it to the city. She couldn’t be caught.

  Hundreds of soldiers in black surrounded her. Nowhere to go. Nowhere to hide.

  She stunned them.

  Don’t make a sound.

  A dart struck her thigh. Her chest. Her shoulder. Her arm.

  Gold blood dripped, illuminating the cover of darkness.

  Heal, heal, heal before they spot me.

  The vision cleared. The icy air of Osling’s study chilled Bree’s skin. She grabbed the knife from Ehre, turned, and nicked Nathan’s cheek. Red liquid trickled down his face.

  We’re not a Seyh.

  Not a Seyh. Bree agreed. They bleed red.

  We bleed gold.

  The amber gem sent out a lattice hotter than she had ever experienced and the knife clattered on the stone floor. She tried to push it back. She needed the memories. Needed the girl to show her what she was missing. But the room faded in a blur of pain. Her knees gave out, and she collapsed.

  Keir Ryne fell to the rug.

  Ehre spoke frantically.

  The other girl inside her recognized the ancient evocation.

  Raw, uncontrolled power launched from under her ribs. Any restraint the amber necklace held vanished. Bree pushed herself to her feet and faced Ehre.

  “You have no right to control me,” the other girl said.

  “Bree.” Khrisk’s soft touch and voice sheathed the energy rolling off her skin.

  The girl funneled into the small space in her chest.

  Bree was alone inside her body. Where are you? You can’t leave me after using my mouth. Explain what’s happening! Ice ran in her veins.

  “Look at me,” Khrisk said.

  Bree’s eyes focused on him. Her alhor covered his hands, arms, and chest.

  “Listen.” Khrisk sat her in the chair and held her face in his hands. “You didn’t eat dinner. You nearly fainted at the sight of your blood.”

  “No. No. I didn’t. I saw,” Bree mumbled. “Gold. Blood. Mine.” The words were hard to get out.

  “You’re feeling the side effects of fainting. Take deep breaths. Ehre needs to complete the binding.” He held her arm out toward Ehre. “It will only take a second. Hold still.”