The Avarian Chronicles: A Tear In The Veil

by K. M. Randall

  The clearest part of the video was the end, when the Impius jumped on me. It didn’t show me stabbing it, but it was clear the moment it died. It dropped over me as I shimmied away. Whoever filmed it zoomed in on my face. I had blood all over me and looked… insane.

  “It’ll get taken down,” Blaine said quietly. I turned the video off and continued scrolling, my throat dry. “Ashley, stop looking.”

  Most of it was the same stuff, but seeing that video had made me feel nauseated. Blaine took my phone off me and turned the screen off. I didn’t stop him, just stared across at the TV, which was now focused on a reporter who was describing the aftermath of the attack.

  When the reporter mentioned how several people had been torn apart and mutilated beyond recognition, my stomach flipped over, recalling what happened to the man at the door, and I had to rush to the bathroom. I didn’t even bother lifting the toilet seat up, just leaned over it and hurled.

  I felt my hair being pulled back when I was hit by another wave of sickness. It was a good thing I hadn’t eaten much the night before. When I was sure I was done, I wiped my mouth and flushed.

  Blaine released my hair. I leaned back against the wall, letting the cold tiles soothe my hot skin.

  “Here.”

  Blaine offered me a glass of water. I took it in my shaky hands and took a sip. I swilled it around my mouth then spit into the toilet again. I shuddered a little then took a proper sip. Blaine held the back of his hand to my forehead.

  “Feeling better?”

  “There’s no way my dad won’t see that video,” I whispered.

  “What does it matter if he does?”

  I didn’t reply. My father tried to shelter me from a lot of what happened in our realms and though I was a lot more clued in than he thought, I knew this video would affect him more than it did me.

  “Do you have any mouthwash?” I asked. He offered me his hand and pulled me to my feet. I crossed to the sink and looked at my reflection.

  My hair was a mess. I’d not combed it after washing the blood out the night before. There were rings under my eyes and I was still wearing Blaine’s shirt. I certainly didn’t look like a Princess right now.

  “My dad will be here soon,” I said after I’d swilled my mouth out. “He’s going to freak when he sees me wearing this.”

  Blaine snorted.

  “I think he’ll have more on his mind than what you’re wearing.”

  “You’d think so,” I muttered. I splashed some water on my face. “But I’m sure he’ll have questions.”

  “He wouldn’t think that we…?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Does he know what’s going on?” he asked, sitting down on the edge of the tub as I tried to detangle my hair.

  “I haven’t really talked to him about it,” I admitted. “He asks…”

  I trailed off. It would probably relieve my dad to hear that I didn’t intend on marrying Blaine at all. I had a feeling he wasn’t his biggest fan right now.

  Blaine held something out to me. I glanced over my shoulder and raised an eyebrow.

  “I didn’t think you owned one of these,” I said, taking the comb and running it through my curls.

  “Still haven’t figured out how it works.”

  “I can see that.”

  He fell silent as I combed my hair. For a wild moment, I thought about what it would be like if we did get married. Combing my hair in his bathroom after spending the night felt weird, but not uncomfortable. Now we were over the early bumps, I was used to his presence, even though he was often grumpy and liked to scowl.

  “Were you seeing someone before this arrangement?” I asked.

  “That’s a random question. Why?”

  “I’m guessing that that moisturiser isn’t yours.”

  I pointed to a tube on one of the shelves.

  “I was seeing someone,” he said slowly. “But it ended before… this.”

  “How long ago?”

  He shifted a little.

  “A few months ago.”

  “What happened?”

  “We just drifted apart.”

  I felt like there was more to it than that.

  “How does she feel about this?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to her.”

  I didn’t pry anymore. It wasn’t any of my business.

  “What about you?” he asked.

  “I’ve dated a few guys,” I shrugged. “But it was never serious.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because there was no point. I was always going to have an arranged marriage.”

  I saw him frowning in the mirror so I turned to face him.

  “So you’ve never had a proper relationship?” he asked. I shook my head. “That’s… actually pretty sad.”

  “It is? Why?”

  “It just… is.”

  “I prefer to think of it as practical,” I said, placing the comb on the side of the sink.

  He stared at me.

  “You’re looking at me like I’m a child.”

  “I’m just trying to understand.”

  I knew the question he really wanted to ask.

  “You want to know if I’m still a virgin?” I guessed. He didn’t flinch or look embarrassed. “Yeah. I am. It’s traditional for royals to wait until they’re married.”

  “So you’re saving yourself for someone that you don’t even get to choose,” he said slowly, as if he was trying to understand a different language.

  “I’m not just some girl,” I reminded him, folding my arms and leaning against the sink. “I’m the heir to Avaria. It might be different in this realm but it’s always been tradition in my family.”

  “Why though?”

  “I guess…” I tilted my head as I thought back to the conversations I’d had with my mother. “It’s to give the impression that I’m pure. And also that any child I have is legitimate. I thought you grew up in Avaria. Don’t you know all this stuff?”

  “My training didn’t include anything to do with the sexual habits of royals,” he said dryly. He looked a little perplexed.

  “Did you think I was a slut?” I asked with a smirk.

  “I didn’t really know what to think. I guess I figured you and Rick…”

  “Ew,” I said, then covered my mouth guiltily. “No. Rick is just a friend.”

  “Is he?”

  “Yes.”

  “So nothing has ever happened between you?”

  “No. Nothing.”

  “Not even a kiss?”

  “Not even a kiss. Why would you even think that?”

  “He’s… obsessed with you.”

  “He’s not obsessed. He… has feelings for me. I never gave him any reason to though.”

  “You don’t need to give him a reason.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re a beautiful girl, Ash. I’d be surprised if he didn’t feel anything for you.”

  I eyed him unsurely. It was the first time he’d really complimented me.

  “I’m not blind,” he said, quirking a smile. “And neither is he.”

  I lowered my gaze, thinking about Rick. I’d seen some messages on my phone from him but I hadn’t even read them. Guilt churned inside me. A few weeks ago, he’d be the first person I’d want to talk to about what happened. I missed him. I missed our friendship.

  My feelings must’ve shown on my face because Blaine shifted closer, his knee bumping mine.

  “He’ll come around eventually,” he offered. I met his gaze.

  “I don’t know,” I sighed. “We’ve never argued like this before.”

  “He’s hurting. But it’s not your fault.”

  “I’m sure he sees it differently.”

  “You’d still be betrothed to me, even if you did feel something for him,” he pointed out. “He’s not the first person to like someone who doesn’t feel the same way. Give him some time.”

  I rubbed my eyes, knowing that everyth
ing he said made sense. It didn’t make it any easier though.

  “Hey,” Blaine said, tugging on my arm. I lowered my hands from my face. “Everything will work out.”

  Before I could reply, a loud ringing made us both jolt.

  “That’ll be your dad,” he said, scratching his head. “Should I be concerned that he knows where I live?”

  “I’d be more worried about him seeing me wearing nothing but your shirt.”

  “It’s longer than the dress you were wearing anyway.”

  “It’s really not.”

  It was probably about the same, but it wasn’t fitted. A light breeze would probably lift it up to my waist.

  “Hang on…”

  He quickly darted into a cupboard near the front door after buzzing my dad up and pulled out a coat. It wasn’t exactly long but it was better than just wearing his shirt. I pulled it on and zipped it up. He handed me my shoes which were lying by the door.

  “You look nervous,” he stated as I pulled the shoes on and untucked my hair from the coat.

  “This is not going to be a fun car ride,” I said. He handed me my phone which I slid into the coat pocket.

  “It’ll be fine.”

  I glanced around the flat to make sure I hadn’t left anything then turned back to him.

  “Thanks for… staying with me.”

  He didn’t answer, just tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. It was only a small gesture but felt weirdly intimate. His fingers brushed my ear and I tried not to shiver. His eyes dipped to my lips so quickly I almost missed it.

  A knock on the door tore his gaze from me.

  Chapter 13

  The car ride was quiet. I heard my dad take several breaths as if he was going to say something but never did. When I finally had enough, I turned towards him.

  “Are you angry with me?” I asked him. I knew he wasn’t but it was an easy way to start the conversation.

  “I’m not angry, Ash.”

  “Are you angry at Blaine?”

  “I can’t say I’m pleased with the way he handled last night.”

  “He was just doing his job. He was going to stay but I told him to go. They needed him more than I did.”

  “You were attacked.”

  His mouth was a thin line.

  “So were dozens of other people,” I reminded him. “I may not be a trained fighter but I have magic to protect myself. If he hadn’t gone out there, the death toll might’ve been higher.”

  “You’re the heir to Avaria,” he stated. “You’re too valuable to be left defenceless.”

  “It was just crappy luck, dad.”

  “I saw the video.” I winced. “It’s been removed from the internet now but thousands saw it.”

  “Oh.”

  “Seeing you so close to death… It was more than I could take.” He cleared his throat. “But I’m proud of what you did. You saved a lot of people in that restaurant.”

  “Thanks?” I asked unsurely. There was a pause.

  “What happened with Blaine?” he queried, sounding just as uncomfortable as I was.

  “He bandaged my leg,” I said, gesturing to the bandage. “And then I fell asleep.”

  “Why are you wearing his clothes?”

  “My dress was ruined. This is all he had that would fit me.”

  “Hmm.”

  “You know we’re doing this just to keep the media’s attention, right?” I stated.

  “I’m aware.”

  “Are you? I told him that he could walk away once the attacks stop. We’re just pretending.”

  He gave me a sideways glance.

  “Then why are you wearing an engagement ring?”

  “I figured now would be a good time to distract the world,” I shrugged, running my fingers over the gems. “He gave this to me but we haven’t done anything yet.”

  “So you have no intention to marry him?”

  “I… I don’t know. Things were tense at first so I told him that if we kept this up until this is all over he could walk away. It made it easier between us. We’re… friends?”

  Dad let out a long breath.

  “I was going to tell you,” I said quickly. “I just… I didn’t want to let you down.”

  “You haven’t let me down. It’s been a long night.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed.

  When we reached our flat, there was a stream of reporters waiting for us. Dad had to slow down to drive through them to reach the car park. Security guards were stood outside the gates, attempting to keep them at bay.

  “Princess!” someone was shouting. “How does it feel to be a hero?”

  “Mr Romar!” someone else yelled. “Why do you think the attacks are getting worse?”

  We made it into the car park unscathed. The gates closed behind us and we parked out of sight.

  “I’ve got a press conference this afternoon,” he sighed as we climbed out the car.

  “Any idea what you’re going to say?” I asked.

  “Nothing that will ease their fear.”

  “Everyone’s scared,” I said as we walked over to the door. “You can’t just erase their fear. You just have to let them know that you hear them and you’re helping.”

  “Actions speak louder than words,” he said, quoting what I’d said to him when I helped him write his last speech. “But we’re no closer to figuring out why these attacks keep happening.”

  “You just need to bend the truth. Tell them we’re getting closer.”

  “It’s not enough.”

  We took the lift up to our flat. As soon as the doors opened I froze.

  Rick rushed me, wrapping his arms around me and crushing me against him.

  “Why haven’t you been replying to my texts?” he demanded when he released me. His eyes dipped to my outfit and his brow creased.

  “It’s been a shit night,” I offered weakly.

  “I’m going to get some sleep,” dad said. “If you have any bright ideas about what I could say this afternoon, I’ll be all ears in a few hours.”

  He gave me a one-armed hug before dragging his feet to his room. Once the door was shut, I strolled into the kitchen and flicked the kettle on.

  “What happened?” Rick asked, sitting down on one of the stools.

  “Have you seen the video?”

  “Yeah…”

  “That’s what happened.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’ll live.”

  Rick fell silent as I set out a few mugs.

  “Did you spend the night at Blaine’s?” he asked after a while. I closed my eyes tightly before answering.

  “I slept on his sofa.”

  “In his clothes?”

  “My dress was covered in blood and rips. Is that really what you’re concerned about right now?”

  “I just… It doesn’t matter. How are you feeling?”

  “Tired and sore.”

  “Have you seen the papers this morning?”

  “Not yet. Is it bad?”

  “Some of it.”

  He pulled his phone out and showed me a picture of the front page of The Sun. It showed a picture of a woman sobbing in the arms of a policeman as a body bag was rolled away. The title stated: Impius attack devastates London.

  “It’s mostly the same stuff,” he explained, pulling his phone back to him. “But they’re all asking what the government and Fae Council are doing about it.”

  “That’s a good question,” I sighed. I poured us both a drink then sat down opposite him. There had been no news about the Fae who went through the portal still. I ran my fingers through my hair absently. “Dad’s stressed. He’s got nothing to offer the public right now.”

  Rick said nothing, looking to be deep in thought. My phone buzzed so I pulled it out of my pocket.

  Are you home?

  It was from Blaine. I replied: Yes.

  What did your dad say?

  Not a lot… I told him about our deal.

  Bet he was rel
ieved about that.

  He didn’t really say anything.

  I’m sorry.

  You don’t need to be sorry.

  I do. You deserve better.

  I frowned at the message. What did that mean?

  “Who are you texting?” Rick asked, his tone clipped.

  “Blaine,” I said. “He wanted to know if I got home okay.”

  “Where was he last night?” he asked. I rolled my eyes.

  “Don’t you start as well. He was doing his job.”

  Rick let it go, luckily. I didn’t want another argument. He stared at his phone, flicking through news articles.

  “People have set up memorials,” he said, showing me a picture of people placing flowers and candles on a fountain. “Imagine losing someone that way.”

  I resisted a shudder as I thought about the man who’d been ripped apart. I swallowed hard, hoping I wasn’t about to throw up again. Over twenty people were dead. All those families had lost someone. Some were in critical condition and might still die, bringing the total deaths up. I could’ve been one of them. My dad would’ve been in pieces.

  “How much does a funeral cost?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. Thousands?”

  “That’s a lot of money.”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  I tapped my fingers on the table.

  “These people are mourning,” I said. “They’re not looking for excuses or answers.”

  I glanced at my dad’s door, wondering if I should speak to him first. It might not be a good idea.

  I shook my head and stood up, deciding to let him rest.

  “I’m going to change,” I said. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  An hour later, I was walking through the streets with Rick. He was looking deeply uncomfortable though he hadn’t dismissed my plan outright. I wore a simple black dress and carried a modest bouquet of roses in my arms. Trafalgar Square was just ahead. Despite my fame, we went mostly unnoticed at first. The security guards outside my flat had insisted on driving us but I’d told them to wait by the car.

  We neared the memorial Rick had showed me earlier. It had doubled in size now; flowers, candles, stuffed toys, photos… It seemed that hundreds of people had put stuff there. A lump rose in my throat as we approached.

  People started to notice me the nearer I got. I heard whispers but didn’t bother trying to listen to them. A few flashes told me that there were reporters there, taking photos or trying to get quotes from people mourning.