“And what do you have to add about the Fateless, the dragons, and the wall, my Queen?” Ember asked cruelly, knowing it was inappropriate and biting. She wanted to take it back the second the words were out, seeing a shadow pass over the Queen’s face. Ember felt hopeless. Her only royal ally, her Oma, was leaving, and she would be left with a mom that had told her she didn’t belong and a Knight that didn’t see reason or speak to her with any sort of fondness.
“If only you knew how often my thoughts spiraled on the subject. Gone, gone, gone,” Karwyn repeated, her sing-song tone helping to carry her voice across the hall as she walked closer to Ember. She flittered her fingers into the air, creating a pattern.
“I’d very much like to know your thoughts,” Ember whispered as the Queen passed.
“Always listen to your father!” Karwyn yelled as she passed. The guards guided her farther out of the way, towards the passage that would lead her up into the tower that mirrored her own. Cindrea turned as the Queen passed, watching her back as Ember did the same.
She turned and smiled somberly to Ember.
“Can I help you with anything?” Cindrea asked as she wheeled the tea cart forward.
Ignoring the question, Ember asked instead, “Why are you bringing Jedoriah Knight tea?”
“I made tea for him and Karwyn when I was her lady in waiting. Now Jedoriah doesn’t like how the new girl does it,” she shrugged as if there was nothing else she can do about it. Nodding to Ember, she added “I’ll head back to your rooms shortly.”
Cindrea knocked on his door and then turned the knob, entering without waiting for his reply. Ember turned back the way she came, disappointed, weary, and alone.
Behind her she heard a crash and a gasp, the tea set falling behind a closed door.
“No, not now!” Jedoriah’s voice sounded through the door.
Whether the tea fell onto his papers or Jedoriah decided throwing tea was better than drinking it, Ember did not care. She’d check on Cindrea later, but this was the last she wanted to see of Jedoriah for a while.
Twenty
Structural Damages
The light of the stars lit their pathway between the trees.
“Did Jade say what this was about?” Ember asked as she adjusted her scarf, dropping Noor’s hand. Her few shirts that hid her scales were being laundered. The quality and shape of her clothes changed dramatically since joining the castle. Now there were decadent materials and a variety of cuts, most showing what she had kept hidden her whole life. Not having something to wear, when her clothes had quadrupled, was a surprise.
“No, she just said there was news,” he shrugged as if it were a normal occurrence. For all she knew it was. She hadn’t been a rebel for long.
“But why us and not everyone else?” she questioned nervously.
“You know all four of us shouldn’t attend the same meetings, it isn’t safe,” Noor assured her.
Logically she knew that was the truth, but having Amir or Wally with them calmed her nerves. Noor could protect her, but she wasn’t confident that she could protect him if anything were to happen. But she did her best to keep those fears hidden. Noor was her Knight, and she could trust his judgment.
They settled into camp in the same way they had the previous meetings. However, this time the tent held more people than an average meeting. Noor introduced her to a few people she hadn’t met yet and they all sat down together to hear Jade’s news. Her energy was palpable the second she walked into the tent.
“We’ve found them!” Jade declared to the group of seated men and women in front of her. Her skin glowed brightly in the firelight. Ember re-crossed her legs with difficulty. This floor was not meant for the long dress of a lady in waiting. She glanced at her scarf and pin, making sure it was still in place.
“Found what?” A man called impatiently. “Why did you call us here?” Another asked. If they were concerned too, maybe this wasn’t a normal occurrence. Ember absently bit off one of her nails.
“I have called you all here tonight because the inventory on the wall’s defenses is complete,” Jade said. Her eyes tracked the room as she spoke.
A hush stole through the seated crowd. Ember’s hand gripped Noor’s as he smiled encouragingly to her. Did he know about this project already?
“What did you find out?” An older woman asked near the front.
“I have brought in the scribemaster to discuss our findings,” Jade said. She turned to her left and Ember noticed the figure seated at Jade’s desk.
“Hello,” he replied with a nod to the crowd. They all seemed to know him well and Ember realized moments later that she did too.
“Isn’t that—”
“Yes, he is the scribe from the market. He is one of the scribemasters,” Noor whispered in her ear.
“What is a scribemaster? Should we be worried that he knows us?” Ember asked quietly.
“I’ll explain after. We’re safe with him, don’t worry,” Noor assured her.
“There are weak points in the wall all across the kingdom. Dozens of them, in fact,” Jardano answered the crowd, a wheeze escaping him. He inhaled deeply before speaking again.
“We have found structural inconsistencies that we may be able to exploit. Not even peiradoone is impenetrable. It couldn't be when the wall was created in a rush. Many different craftsmen and different standards of work coming together. We are lucky, very lucky, that speed was needed those almost seventeen years ago,” he said. The crowd murmured their agreement, edging closer and coming to a stand.
Could this be true? Ember’s heart beat faster. An opportunity. This was opportunity knocking for her to meet her promise to Jedoriah during their argument. When it was her turn, she could remove the wall. Or at the least, create a door. Ember felt the urge to free her scales right then, to lift her heart to these people and assert that she would do this for them. But not yet, it wasn’t safe. She had questions that needed answers first.
Murmurs rose in the crowd and questions of when, where, and how began to build until everyone was standing. They were excited, crying, and hopeful as they hugged their neighbors. They spoke of their dreams and a change of purpose, giddy that opportunity was possible for them too.
“I can go back to the sea!” The woman in the front row said. Noor hugged her then, feeling the energy all around them.
“I feel like I was waiting for this,” Ember whispered to Noor. He leaned in to hear her above the noise and celebration. People began leaving the tent to tell their families, while others came to pile in and hear what was happening. A movement of mirrored emotions surrounded them, but Ember only had eyes for Noor. He looked back at her, understanding instantly what she wanted to say before she even said it out loud.
“We have some work to do,” she said.
“It is my purpose,” he responded back, eyes twinkling with mischief.
Their lips met with a promise.
An hour later, as the meeting began to come to a close, Ember pulled Noor to the side to speak as they waited.
“Tell me about the scribemaster,” she requested.
“A scribemaster is a leader among the scribes, someone that brings together information across different provinces. They are vital to the cause,” Noor explained quickly. They whispered in the corner of the tent, waiting for the crowd to dissipate so they could have their chance with Jardano.
“And how do you know him?”
“He got me in the resistance here. Well, Amir did, but remember when we spoke to him the first time in the market?”
Ember nodded her head.
“I said a resistance code phrase, something only current members and family of them would know. Jardano told Amir what I said so that he could keep an eye on me and get me into the group.”
The conversation came flittering back to Ember.
“I’ve always been one to appreciate the guidance of the scribes,” she quoted back to him.
“Yes! That is the phrase. Most scribes ar
e connected somehow to the resistance. Many aren’t active members, mostly relaying information to the scribemaster as needed. You know, it’s natural for scribes to question what’s going on around them.” Noor beamed as he explained, happy to bring Ember into more of the world he knew.
“Brook, Emairy!" Jade called, gesturing they join her and the Scribemaster.
"Would you two be willing to escort Jardano home? Emairy, he has some info on your Princess's concern."
"Really?" Ember asked, hope and fear blossoming at her chest. Jardano smiled at Ember, "A pleasure to meet you..." He waited for her to introduce herself.
"Emairy," Ember replied, shaking his outstretched hand. He smiled mischievously, a twinkle in his eye at their little secret.
"Emairy, a pleasure. Will you escort me back to my book shop?"
"We'd love to," Noor answered for her.
“It is lovely to see you again, Embrence Dragon Daughter,” Jardano said as he, Noor, and Ember walked across the loading area to his shop. Even after the resistance wore out his voice with questions, he was still in a spirited mood. She smiled back at him.
“Thank you for letting us walk you back to your shop,” Ember said, “I wish you would let us walk you to your home.” She didn’t like the idea of him being at his purpose so late.
“I actually sleep in the back room,” he commented with some hesitation.
“Why is that?” Noor asked, treading delicately as he looped his hand through the weathered man’s arm. His hunched form straightened slightly with the assistance.
“It’s easier to get around that way, stay close to where I’m needed.”
“That makes sense,” she told him, understanding why he may want to remain close. It couldn’t be comfortable to travel this often at his age.
Once settled inside the store, Ember began overcome with jitteriness. If Jardano knew both the resistance and her true identity, he had to have the answers. Noor and Ember sat on the two seats before his desk, Jardano shuffled to get some tea.
Books surrounded all surfaces of his desk. One spot lay empty, mug rings littered its space from repeated use. If she weren’t so nervous, she would have found the stains cute. He placed two steaming tea cups in front of them before he too sat down. Ember felt like her heart was exploding out of her chest.
“I was raised by Echoris Guider and Julimore Instructor before coming to find myself in the castle,” Ember began. Sweat pooled around her neck and she fiddled with the loop. Unable to handle the droplet that was seconds away from dripping onto her scales, Ember pulled the scarf off and dropped the fabric to her lap. Her body shivered at the freedom and she opened her mouth to start again.
"I was told they died in a rebel attack. What do you know of their deaths?” Ember started again in an even tone. Her eyes stared straight into the hazel of Jardano’s.
He took a sip of tea, his hands trembling as he brought the cup to his mouth. He seemed to save his breath, waiting a moment to plan what he said. Ember began to feel choked up, unable to move or breathe. What was she about to hear?
Tears began to line her eyes, and Ember pushed them back. She had to be present right now. She couldn’t let her feelings cloud what information he could share with her.
The look she found on Jardano’s face was not a comfort.
“What do you know?” Noor asked, his body going taut with attention. Her hands gripped harder on the scarf in her lap.
“They weren’t killed in the resistance attack, my dear,” he addressed to Ember. “They were murdered by castle guards. Given what we know now, the guards might have found out about you, and they died defending the secret." His eyes softened as he delivered the blow, reaching forward to reach for her hand across the cluttered desk.
Noor’s sharp inhale drew her eyes away. Her horror reflected back at her.
"As covert members of the scribes, they gathered information and reported it to members across Ashkadance. They were researchers for the cause. Guards had been on their tail. They told me in our last meeting,” Jardano confessed.
"You knew them personally?" Noor asked.
"Yes, but I did not know you, my dear," Jardano said to Ember. “You were a treasure they were hiding. I had worked with them for four years, and they never mentioned a daughter. They got information on their travels and reported back. Their loss hurt me greatly."
His voice drifted off as he looked from her face to the visible scales on her chest.
Ember’s breath came back to her in bursts, her chest jumping up and down as she gulped in more and more. She jumped from her chair turning away from Noor and Jardano.
Was anything in her life what it seemed? Did she have any bits of truth to fall back on? Ember feared the answer was no.
“Ember, it’ll be okay,” Noor reached for her waist, trying to pull her close to him.
“No!” Ember screamed, pushing farther into the bookstore and away from him. Her life, her heart, her name, purpose, family, none of it was her own. Control belonged to everyone but her and she didn’t have a home. Shoots of pain ran up her arms and she held them, rubbing her skin violently to push away the shivers of fire.
She collapsed to the floor, holding onto the leg of the table that held religious texts.
Sobs racked her body, the truth a crushing blow to what was left of her memories. Her moms, murdered for information on her and the scribes. They were part of the keepers of this world, the researchers and readers that uncovered all secrets. Jardano said he only worked with them for four years. Had they worked with someone else before? Were they working for the scribes before they became maids in the castle? Was it all part of a plan?
They had chosen Ember, decided she was theirs. It was not from the divine blessing of Mutrien, but because they loved her purely. It meant more to Ember that they chose her. But did they? Or was she a means to learn more? She’d never know what they felt. She could only hope that they loved her the way she loved them.
Guards had killed her moms. Who? By whose command? There was one obvious suspect.
Salty tears warmed Ember’s skin, mingling with the heat of her broken heart and the shaking of her limbs.
“What’s happening in here?” Jade’s voice rang out from the door, concern, and confusion dripped from her.
Ember froze on the floor, fear stifling her anger and sadness. Her scarf lay on the chair ten feet away. Ember couldn’t move without risk of being discovered. She had to keep her back turned.
“It was an emotional evening for the dear, all the talk about the wall, you know,” Jardano said, side-stepping any mention of her moms. “Come, let’s give them some privacy.” Jardano stood and attempted to usher her aside.
Jade stood still in the doorway, but Noor did not. Quickly he was at Ember’s side, his body crouched over hers. “It’s going to be okay,” he whispered. He leaned down to hug her and when he did, Ember could feel the scarf he wedged between them. She ducked into the embrace of his wide shoulders, looping her scarf around her neck.
“Emairy, Brook, my favorite lovebird spies. Are you okay?” Jade questioned again, ignoring Jardano’s suggestions. She walked through and closed the door.
Ember tried to laugh, but it didn't sound as airy as she had hoped. Instead, she clung to Noor's side. Her scales were covered, as was their cover story. But did she want that? Noor had given her an out; she was still safe. Life had ideas to the contrary. She would no longer be pulled to the whim of others. It was time to forge her own path.
Her heart catapulted into a gallop, she knew what she had to do. Noor wasn’t going to like it.
“Actually, I’m not okay,” Ember answered honestly. Noor’s arm around her waist tightened.
“What’s wrong?” Jade asked with concern. She walked towards them, weaving around stacks of books.
“I will be queen one day,” Ember stated. Jade’s face went from shock to disbelief, her eyes widening and then narrowing again as she decided it was a joke. She opened her mouth to laugh.
The laughter died before it could gain steam as Ember pulled the scarf back off of her neck.
“You.. you…” Jade stuttered.
“I am Embrence Dragon Daughter. You have my ear and dedication,” she stated. Her moms worked for the scribes and their scribemaster. The scribes worked with the resistance. This was their mission, she was part of that mission. She had to follow it through. For them, but also for herself.
Noor smiled at her, and she felt the pride he felt through his smile. But he was also a Knight. His hand left her waist to instead sit on his hip, inches from his knife.
"Flaming stars, Brook you are a dragon turd for not telling me this!” Her voice was mystified, staring wide-eyed at Ember’s purple and green scales.
“I’m Noorworth Knight, by the way,” Noor said as he walked passed the shocked resistance leader.
“We have a lot of work to do. Sit down,” Ember said, gesturing to the chair she had exited moments ago.
Twenty-One
Two Wraiths, One Stone
“Fireheart, I have some bad news,” Oma said the next morning. Cindrea excused herself, leaving Ember alone with the Dragon Matron in her bedroom. Oma’s hair was tied in intricate braids, looping around her hair to mimic a crown. It reminded Ember of the hairstyle she wore to her debut, a subtle way to remind the people of her standing.
“Is everything okay?” Ember asked, turning away from the mirror and the jar of moisturizing oil at her vanity. Her eyes and face were swollen from the late night spent talking and crying. Noor walked into the room as Cindrea left. His training clothes were damp with sweat from his morning session with the other guards, he hadn’t wanted to miss the opportunity to exert some of his nervous energy. When he sat on the bed with folded hands in his lap, however, Ember saw that instead of feeling better Noor too was feeling more remorse. What had Oma told him?
“We received this in the post today. The guards read the letters before they come up to the rooms. I asked Noor to join me to share this one with you.” Oma's lips pressed into a line, hand angled down as she spoke.
Royalty Fantasy Boxset: Ember Dragon Daughter & Hasley Fateless (Fated Tales Series 1 & 1.5) (The Fated Tales Series: YA Royalty Fantasy) Page 17