Souls & Spectres: The Spectral Chronicles: Book 1

by Heather Wendlowsky

  “What’s going on? Where are we going?” I press. Did he just roll his eyes at me?

  “Listen Soleil, I’m just going to come out and say it,” he stops and turns to look at me, “You and I will never work. You’re not prepared to be in a relationship, let alone one with a prince.” I just stand there in stunned silence, but he’s not done. “I could have any woman I wanted, and I have, Soleil. You? Not only is your appearance some weird fluke- I mean, let’s be honest, you’re probably genetically tainted or inbred or something- but you can’t even be touched without throwing a fit. Best case scenario is I manage to pass you off to Wren or one of the other courtiers to keep them entertained. Unlikely, though, given all that,” Reese gestures to my face and body. He turns away from me and starts walking again.

  Silent tears stream down my face at his words. “Reese, I- I don’t understand,” I choke out, “What changed? I thought we were becoming friends.”

  He barks out a laugh. “Wow, you’re about as bright as you are pretty, huh?” He says amusedly, “Nothing changed, Soleil. I never wanted this or you. I stuck around because I felt guilty about your injury, but now that you’re cleared, so am I. And please,” Reese smirks at me, “Call me Your Highness.”

  “Wait, Ree- Your Highness,” I force the words through my mouth, “What about before the Resonation? The pool? The willow?”

  “Ah, yes, the pool,” he smiles and walks into a clearing. We are standing in the meadow in front of the pool where we first met. How did we get here so quickly? “I’m glad you mentioned the pool,” he continues, “This is where our mistake began. And now, this is where it will end.” Prince Icarus walks to the rocky shoreline and takes a couple steps into the shallow water lapping the beach. “I’m going to give you a choice, Soleil: first, you can come back with me to the palace, where you and your little friend will either be a source of pleasure and leisure for my friends and visitors until some sort of ‘accident’ inevitably cuts your miserable life short.” I feel like I could throw up. “Or, you could walk back into this pool and resume the peaceful death I so rudely interrupted. Don’t worry: I’ll just tell everyone some Thalassian scout got their revenge on the sniper from the ambush while you were taking a peaceful walk through the woods. No harm done.” Prince Icarus smiles serenely at me. “Well, Soleil? What will it be?”

  For a minute, I can’t move. Tears flow freely, and the ultimatum my Soulmate just gave me swirls in my head. Slowly, I sink to the ground and undo the laces of my boots. Once those are off, I carefully pull the sling over my head and lay it gently next to my boots on the beach. I get to my feet, and the prince is giving me a sickly sweet smile. “Good choice, sweetheart,” he condescends.

  I take a few steps into the water. With each step, he takes another step back. I watch my feet through the water until I’m standing on the ledge that nearly took my life just a few days before. I look up at the beautiful sunset painting its way across the sky. When I lower my gaze, Ree- Prince Icarus is just inches from my face. His glare is deadly, and he puts his mouth to my ear.

  “You see, Soleil?” he asks, “You can’t even stand to be close to your Soulmate. You’ll never have a real relationship, children, a family… You die here, on a battlefield, or as a used up husk in the palace. You won’t make it out of this alive. It’s time for you to go.” He pulls away from me.

  Prince Icarus is right. That thought shoots through my mind, and I know it to be true. I give him a confident nod, take a deep breath, and step off the ledge. The water is much colder today than it was a week ago. What was once a peaceful death is now dark and panicked. I try to kick my legs the way Prince Icarus once described in the willow tree, but stop abruptly. He’s right. There’s no point.

  The water breaks into bubbles and foam over my head, and there’s an unfamiliar set of arms dragging me up for air. We reach the surface, and I look over in shock to see Wren. The first thought that flashes through my mind is how Prince Icarus wanted to pass me off to Wren for fun, and I automatically start fighting against him. He grabs me tighter and starts pulling me to shore.

  Suddenly, a huge wall of freezing wind slams into the two of us hard enough to toss us onto the beach. Wren lets me go enough to give me some space, but he still has my head draped across his lap. I manage to look up and the entire meadow has turned to winter. Even the pool has frozen over. My wet hair has turned to icicles, and I’m shivering violently against Wren.

  Then, I see it: floating over the pool that was nearly my watery grave is some thing. I can’t even decide what it looks like other than it’s humanoid shape. It’s as if its skin and face is constantly switching out. Every time I try to focus on one face, a new one takes its place. Oh my god. It’s a spectre. Reese was a spectre. Or- a spectre was Reese? I look in the direction Wren’s body is facing and I see a soaking wet Reese. The real Reese. I’m not sure if I feel relieved or terrified at the prince’s presence. The spectre’s words are still fresh.

  “Well, well,” the spectre speaks, and it shakes my eardrums, “It’s been centuries since a victim has escaped me.” I watch as three tendrils of mist weave their way from the monster’s form and shoot into my ears. I curl into a little ball and hold onto my head for dear life. Just when I think my head will literally explode, the mist recedes. I can feel something wet streaming down the sides of my face, but I refuse to look at what it is.

  “Ah, you’re Gifted to the Daughter,” I watch the spectre address Reese from my place on the ground, “No wonder you caught me, Prince Icarus.” Daughter? It can’t be talking about me. I’m nobody’s daughter. Literally. I don’t have any parents. “As my captor,” the creature lectures Reese, “You are given one answer.” A crazed giggle echoes in my mind. “Oh, of course. You are in no condition to ask a question,” the thing taunts, “Though, I have seen your innermost desires, so I will instead offer you an answer of my choosing.”

  The spectre releases an aura, somehow both blinding and dull. Not much light illuminates the field, but everything becomes overwhelmingly clear. It’s as if I can see every single detail within the entire clearing. Instinctively, I look over to Reese. His eyes are roaming the clearing frantically, and then his eyes lock on mine. I watch some tension leave his shoulders, and I gaze into the kaleidoscope of colors in his gray eyes. He pulls himself across the rock and extends his hand to me. I take it automatically. At first, I planned to just give him a squeeze of reassurance then pull back, but his hand felt so warm, so real. So much different than the spectre’s touch. I hold his hand hard, convinced that if I release it, I’ll lose my tenuous grip on reality. We look back to the spectre, who is hovering close to us.

  “The Gift has brought you together, but the Curse will tear you apart.

  The blade will be wielded by the Prince, and sheath in the Daughter’s heart.

  Armed with the Curse, the Gift will depart.

  The world at rest, and a choice for the Gift to restart.”

  I barely even notice the spectre disappear. My mind feels numb trying to process its words. I can vaguely hear Reese shouting at the air it once occupied, demanding answers that it won’t give. Reese looks over at Wren and I.

  “Does anyone want to explain what the hell just happened?”

  Chapter 17

  Soleil

  Wren and Reese immediately look down at me for answers. I can’t stop shaking, and I’m not sure if it’s from the words that came from Fake Reese’s mouth, nearly drowning, or the spectre’s prophecy. Reese’s pressing look evaporates into one of distress when he looks at me. God, I must look awful. He crawls across the rocks over to Wren and I and he pulls me from Wren into his lap. Unable to hold back, I burst into tears against his chest. Reese strokes my hair gently and whispers reassurances I don’t even hear. I cling to him hard. I tell myself it’s because I want to make sure he is real and not some trick from the spectre, but if I’m honest with myself, it’s because what Fake Reese said hurt. A lot. I don’t know how it happened, but I need Reese an
d his kindness. What the spectre showed me hurt much more than it should have.

  Finally, I wipe my tears and inhale Reese’s clean pine scent. I pull myself out of his chest, and look up into his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Your High- er, Reese,” I sniffle, “I didn’t mean for the two of you to get hurt.” I look pointedly over at Wren when I say that. “I’m really sorry, Wren.”

  Wren snorts. “For what, encountering a spectre?” he asks, “That’s like a dream come true! No apology necessary.” He gives me a grin and I try to throw him a tentative smile back.

  I turn back to face Reese, but I can’t seem to look him in the eyes. “I’m so sorry I let this happen, Prince Icarus,” I whisper. A warm hand cups my chin and forces my head up to meet his eyes.

  “First of all, never call me that again,” he orders. I smile a little bit, and he continues, “Second, this was not your fault, Soleil. Who would have thought a spectre of all things would have waltzed into a military encampment for its victim?” He shakes his head at me and smiles. “I swear, angel, you really do have the absolute worst luck.” Reese strokes my cheek, and I grab his hand and hold it there, relishing the warmth and comfort he gives me. “Will you tell us what happened now?” he asks.

  I cringe at the question. I really don’t want to tell them what Fake Reese said to me. What would they think of me? For one, I was fully prepared to drown myself because the guy I’ve known for just a week, what, hurt my feelings? And for another, the spectre had a lot of information. For all I know, that could truly be what Reese thinks or plans for me. I can’t stand to hear him confirm those words. I just shake my head. Reese looks disappointed that I won’t tell them, but I don’t want him to realize I’m a weak minded idiot.

  The three of us stand, and my knees instantly buckle. Reese has to catch me before I hit the rocks. “Sol, you’re in no condition to walk,” he scrutinizes.

  I force myself back up straight and give a sniff. “I’ll have you know I walked all the way here myself,” I declare, “I think I’m perfectly capable of walking myself back.” I take a step forward, and immediately start to collapse, forcing Reese to catch me again.

  “Soleil, besides the insanity you endured today, you still have a major wound in your shoulder,” Reese comments, “If we let you walk all the way back to camp, we’d be out all night.” Wren lets out a guffaw, but stops abruptly when I shoot him a glare. I look back to Reese and he’s stifling a chuckle of his own. I start to stomp forward, and Reese sweeps me up into his arms.

  “Hey!” I shout indignantly. Reese just chuckles some more and walks to the trees.

  “Coming, Wren?” he calls over his shoulder.

  “Right behind you, buddy!” I hear Wren shout from a ways away, “Just had to grab little Miss Independent’s boots and sling!” I groan and the two of them laugh. Bastards.

  “Hey, Wren, did you get a chance to discuss our leave with command before we had to rescue a certain somebody?” Reese asks with a smirk. I roll my eyes and burrow deeper into his chest.

  “Yes, I did, no thanks to you, Your Highness,” Wren bounds up next to us and we walk through the forest together, “Can you believe this guy?” he says to me, “He makes a whole deal about arranging transport, and he doesn’t even show up to the meeting! He’s too busy doing god knows what in his tent!”

  “Yeah Reese, what were you doing?” I mock to the prince holding me. He turns red and stutters random noises. Wren and I exchange an amused look and try not to laugh.

  “It’s not what you’re insinuating!” Reese stammers, “I was just cleaning up!”

  “Oh, I’m sure, love,” I pat his chest condescendingly, “I’m sure.” Wren and I burst into laughter and I look up at Reese expecting him to still be red and defensive, but instead he’s looking at me with a small smile and so much care and adoration that it stops my laughter short. Our eyes lock, and I’m engulfed in feeling. How could I have ever believed that spectre? This man looks at me with so much emotion that I feel stupid for ever thinking he felt otherwise.

  “Umm, excuse me, Mister and Missus Soulmates?” I hear Wren’s voice from ahead of us, “We still have a ways to go, and it’s gonna be dark soon…” Oh, I didn’t even realize we had stopped walking. Reese gives me a small smile, and we start walking again.

  “Anyways,” Wren continues, “The four of us leave for the Mont Tien palace at sunrise. It will be a few hours' ride, and we will be met at the palace by a welcome delegation.” Reese nods at him in thanks, and we spend the rest of the walk in silence. I’m running over every possible scenario of how I will most likely screw up at the palace when we finally come to the plateau. Wren goes up first, and then Reese sets me on my feet and walks up behind me to make sure I don’t fall.

  “I’m going to take Soleil back to the hospital tent for the night,” Reese says to Wren, “Do you mind finding Juniper and filling her in?” Wren agrees and runs off a little too enthusiastically to find my friend. Reese scoops me back into his arms and I roll my eyes again. I swear, they’re going to get stuck like that one of these days.

  “I think I’m capable of walking to the hospital tent,” I inform him. He takes a deep breath and looks down at me.

  “Actually, I was wondering if you would be okay with staying in my tent tonight? In case the spectre comes back, I mean,” the words come out in a rush, “It’s just… I was really scared today, and I’d just sleep better knowing you were somewhere I could protect you.” He whispers the last line, and any hesitancy I had melts away. I nod mutely, and his shoulders sag in relief. “I can have another cot brought in,” he says excitedly, “Not that I don’t want to sleep with you! I mean, not sleep with you, I meant actual sleep. My cot is a double so it’s big enough, so we could fit, but that might be a little much, so I’ll have another one brought in.” He carries me into his tent and sets me down on the ground. “I’m sorry, I really don’t know how to do this,” he exhales a laugh and blushes. I smile at his rambling and give his hand a squeeze of reassurance. Reese’s tent really is very nice.

  “Wow,” I say as I walk around his tent, “Being a prince really does have its perks.” I run my hand across his desk, and make my way over to a large cot against the back of the tent. It’s the biggest military cot I’ve ever seen, easily big enough to fit two people. I touch the soft feather-filled pillows, and brush the plush comforter. I’m suddenly hyperaware of Reese’s silence, and turn to face him. He is still standing just inside the threshold, watching me with the strangest look on his face. “Oh, I’m really sorry,” I utter, “I shouldn’t be touching your stuff.” He shakes his head.

  “No, no, it’s not that,” Reese takes a few steps closer to me, “It’s just that… I like seeing you here. It feels right to be sharing this with you.” He gives a small shrug, and I realize then how vulnerable he is having me in his space. I can’t help but beam at him, and a calm settles over him.

  A soldier steps through the tent then, causing me to take a self-conscious step back from Reese. The soldier carries a tray filled with food, and he places it on a table near the bed, and leaves without a word. I raise my eyebrow at Reese.

  “Wren probably sent him with our dinner,” Reese comments, “The fact that he sent it here is just a testament to how well he knows me.” Reese gives me a wink and I smile. I turn and plop down on the bed, and reach over for a cheesy roll. Reese raises an eyebrow, and I register two chairs at the table the soldier left the food at. My face turns red, and I start to stand, but Reese has already grabbed the tray of food and plops down next to me. “This is way cozier,” he says with a bite into a cheesy roll of his own. I smile appreciatively at him, and we devour the food without another word.

  Stomach full, exhaust from today’s events sets into my bones. Reese removes the now empty tray from the bed, and I lower myself back onto the soft pillows. Reese stands awkwardly. “Umm, do you want me to grab a cot?” he asks. Oh, right. I sit up quickly.

  “Oh, shoot, I’m sorry,” I apologize, “I didn’t
mean to get in your space. It is late though, and,” I take a breath and look at the ground, “We don’t have to bother anyone. We can share. If you want.” I mumble quickly. There’s a small pause, then he takes my hands.

  “I’d really like that, angel,” Reese says softly. Suddenly, I’m extremely self-conscious. I’m still wearing my damp clothes, my hair is a tangled mess tied up on top of my head… Reese seems to notice as well, and walks over to the dresser he has in the corner. He pulls out a black t-shirt and some gray sweats and walks them over to me. “Sorry, I should have thought of this earlier,” he apologizes, “You must be freezing.” He hands me the clothes, and I stand there holding them for a second. Reese smacks his head. “Oh, right, I’ll give you a minute to change,” he adds. He walks back to the dresser, pulls out some more clothes, and walks out of the tent.

  Alone again, I pull off my damp clothes, and put on the clothes Reese gave me. These are the softest clothes I’ve ever felt. The clean socks come all the way up to my knees. The shirt hangs down to my mid-thigh, and the pants are just huge. I try to find a way to keep them on my waist, but quickly give up. I march my way back to the dresser and go through a couple drawers before I find a pile of folded black boxer briefs. I place the oversized sweats on the dresser and pull on the briefs instead. Much better.

  I pad around the tent while I wait for Reese to come back. I lean over his desk and look at all the documents sprawled across the top. There’s maps, battle reports, and some letters from different companies over Mont Tien. I hear the tent door flap open, and I turn to see Reese standing there in a tight black long sleeve shirt and some gray sweatpants. I take a step toward him and stop. What if that isn’t Reese? What if the spectre is back? I narrow my eyes and cross my arms.