By The Skies

by J E Mueller

  I got up and donned my robe before following her down the hall and into one of the guest rooms. I was surprised to see that it was Eastyn who was injured. Well played, mother. He hardly had the title but would soon enough.

  I pushed back a sigh as I walked over and inspected the rather unsavory gash in his arm. It was wrapped poorly in bandages that had already soaked up plenty of blood. Thankfully. blood never bothered me.

  Father handed me his knife to cut them off with and I set to work slowly pushing healing magic into it as mother brought me cloth and water to clean the wound. The injury was deep, but not to the bone. Muscle was torn into, but not fully cleaved apart. This would be horrendously painful to anyone, but very survivable even without magic. Fixing it didn’t take much doing. I had seen worse from hunting accidents. As I finished I was surprised to find everyone else had left the room. I knew I was capable, but you would think the Lari would at least want to see his son healed.

  “Thank you, my dear,” Eastyn said as he sat up and inspected his arm.

  “Of course.” I bowed my head and backed toward the door. “The best thing to do now is rest, and by morning you’ll be feeling good as new.” I turned to let myself out to find it locked.

  Mother. That bitch.

  “Sorry, I have protective measures on the door,” Eastyn admitted. Ah well, Mother was free from blame this time. Sort of. She would have had to lift the wards to allow someone else to spell the room. “In case an intruder were to come, none but myself can open it.”

  The mental screaming started, but I smiled outwardly. “Of course. One cannot be too careful. I hope you see my home is well protected.” Who even used that spell as a guest?

  “Indeed it is.” He smiled at me before looking back at his arm, the only sign of an injury was a small red line that should heal without scarring in a few days. “Still, old habits die hard. Won’t you come sit with me a moment?”

  I gave a small laugh. “That wouldn’t be proper. I am in my bedclothes already, but I appreciate the laugh. Some things should wait. It’ll bring more joy to that moment later.” I beamed.

  “I’ve waited enough.” He chuckled. “How long have we been Promised?”

  “Sixteen months,” I replied without needing to think on it. It was easy enough to recall the day I heard about the arrangement. I only had some hope then that it wouldn’t be this unpleasant. Foolish hopes and dreams.

  He cast me an evil grin and I felt magic fill the room. A spell I knew too well. A silencing spell. My heart rate increased drastically in reply. I wanted nothing more than to call Soleia, but even if she was close by, my necklace was in my room.

  “I agree that you have waited a long time,” I tried to appeal to his ego, “but I’d rather wait. I’m sure you can understand that. Give it some time.”

  “You’re right,” he replied. I was caught off guard by his words and he laughed at my expression. “We don’t need to rush things. We need to take it easy with you. Come sit with me, I swear my dear Promised, all will be well.”

  I could hear the demand in his words, but my legs refused to move. “Maybe I am more shy than I realized.”

  Eastyn chuckled as he stood, removing his blood-stained shirt and casting it aside. He wasn’t that muscular but you could see his strength and it did nothing to put me at ease.

  “You see? I was right again,” he stated simply as he walked over.

  I found myself backed against the door. “It would appear so,” I agreed, hoping I didn’t sound as panicked as I felt. If there was a way to teleport through doors I wouldn’t have minded using that gift now.

  “So trust me.” Eastyn cupped my face with both hands. “Everything is fine. You’re fine.”

  He kissed me softly, as if daring me to disagree, as if he was challenging me to not give in to him immediately. I wasn’t sure which would be worse, and hoped by giving in he’d let me leave sooner.

  “You see?” he said, pulling away. “No harm.” Eastyn scooped me up in his arms causing me to squeak as he brought me over to the bed.

  “I don’t kno-”

  He pressed his lips roughly against mine, forcing my words to cease as he laid me on the bed and roughly moved on top of me.

  I froze, tears welling to the surface as panic coursed through me.

  He pulled his face away and chuckled. “No need for worry. We’re just kissing. I am injured after all and should be resting.”

  “This isn’t classified as resting,” I protested frantically, only causing him to laugh.

  Eastyn shook his head. “I feel very relaxed and hope you can relax with me. If not, we’ll just have to go through everything so you see it’s not so scary.”

  The words were so matter of fact that I couldn’t help but look at him with fear. “What do you want from me?” The words were hardly a whisper.

  Eastyn seemed to enjoy this fear far too much. “I’ll save that one for our wedding night. It’ll be my trophy. You have nothing to worry about.”

  That only crossed off one thing, doing nothing to quench my panic. “This is too much,” I protested. “I can’t relax.”

  He sighed. “Then we’ll just have to make it so you know you can relax with me.” Eastyn kissed me hard, and long. Eventually, when it was only kissing, my tension did relax a bit. “See? You can trust me. Things are strange and new, but I’m on your side.”

  “Someone on my side would be letting me go. It’s been a busy day and we should both sleep.”

  Eastyn chuckled. Of course, he chuckled. It was his favorite thing to do, being in control, having all the power. “I’m very wide awake. We’ll burn off some of this energy, then sleep. I promise nothing related to our wedding night will happen. Last night was just fine, wasn’t it? You’re fine,” he reassured me, kissing me once more.

  As he forced his way into my mouth, I gave in. If it was only like last night, I’d survive. There weren't enough hot baths in the world to make me feel better, but I would survive. When his hands began to grope me over my clothes I wasn’t surprised. Just like last night, I had expected it.

  It took him too long to finally let me go. Tomorrow I would avoid him at all costs. No amount of threats from my mother would convince me to go near him. Not an inch, nor a mile. I didn’t want to see this man again before our duel. Praise be that the letter was written, ready for him to see the moment he returned home.

  He moved from my mouth to nip at my ear. “See? Isn’t this enjoyable?” He watched my eyes, daring me to disagree, daring me to make him push the envelope.

  “It’s a bit nerve-wracking, but it’s fine,” I lied, being honest enough that he wouldn’t doubt my words.

  “You said it yourself. It’s fine.” He moved to kiss his way down before nipping at my neck. I was surprised when a small shudder escaped. “You see? Fine.”

  That was not what I wanted, but hoped it was enough to let me escape soon. Hoped and prayed. The Four were doing nothing for my luck lately.

  The next morning I feigned sickness when mother tried to retrieve me. Thankfully, she left me alone. I didn’t dare leave my room until after the men left. Too scared for my own safety. Too terrified of how it would haunt me all day. There was no hope for tonight. He’d find a way and I was determined to prevent that from happening.

  “It’s our guests’ last night here. You need to stop faking sickness,” Mother said when I skipped dinner. She knew I had raided the kitchen earlier in the day.

  I was in the bath again, not able to feel clean. “What does it matter? He’s had enough of me already, thanks to you.”

  “He hasn’t had enough. Men never do.” She laughed. “You get over it eventually. Best you learn that now.”

  Her words were harsh and more bitter than I was expecting. “No, thank you,” I replied, the thoughts of last night scorched into my mind. There was only one line he didn’t cross and there was nothing I could have done to prevent it.

  I heard her leave and a few minutes later come back. “This is
your final chance to come stroll the gardens with us.”

  “No,” I nearly yelled.

  “As you wish.” Her voice sounded too happy as she left.

  My heart froze. She wouldn’t, would she? I summoned my magic and cast it at the bathroom door just before it sounded like the knob was turning. “Unlock the door please my dear,” I heard Eastyn’s voice call.

  I made a convincing sound that resembled throwing up and coughing before finally replying. “I can’t. Maybe later.”

  There was a pause. “You really are sick, aren’t you?”

  Relief flooded through me as my plan worked. I summoned up all my memories of sickness and effects from healing class as I gave a small sob. “Yes, I thought I could eat some lunch and that was a bad idea.” I sobbed a little louder.

  Another pause. “If you feel better, please stop by my room this evening. I’d hate to spend so long without you again.”

  “I’ll try.” I sniffled before making another gagging and hurling sound.

  I waited long after it sounded like he left before I stopped the different sounds and finally got out of the tub. After carefully scanning my room, I locked it physically and with magic. I was done with him in all forms.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Their departure didn’t come soon enough. Mother was furious at me for continuing to fake an illness, knowing full well any sickness I got would be over in a few hours at most. I didn’t care if it displeased her. She did not care an ounce for my well being after all. She could scream, and I was certain she would, but there was nothing more she could do to me with it almost being time to head back to school.

  Once the Lari’s were off our property I marched swiftly to my father's office. I wasn’t surprised his door was open, it usually was if he wasn’t working on anything that needed severe concentration, but I still knocked before barging in.

  “Yes Kareia?” He looked up from the paper he was reading with a raised eyebrow and smile. “You seem very well healed now.”

  “Father, I cannot marry that man.” I sat down in the seat across from him, not waiting for an invitation.

  “I had a feeling as much when you fell ill.” He didn’t show any disappointment. “It is your choice to call it off, but the law will only allow a duel. I don’t foresee you winning that.”

  I shrugged. “I believe I can. I fear Mother will try and stop it though.”

  “She can try all she likes. You have the legal right that neither she nor I can fight against. Truth be told, I am not disappointed. He’s full of himself and I know you’re not one to tolerate such empty-headed people.”

  I nodded. “I’m sorry, I’m sure this makes things harder for you.”

  He chuckled. “You are not like your mother and everything like me. I’m not worried.”

  Both statements confused me and I wasn’t sure which was worth pursuing more. I shook my head at him, opting for both. “I’m glad you’re not worried. I’m sure finding a suitor you and mother agree on is difficult, and I am not interested in just a title for a title. Is that how I’m more like you?”

  Father straightened his papers before putting them into the desk drawer. He closed it and opened another one brandishing a paper I couldn’t see. Father waved it once before setting it back in the drawer and locking the whole thing. “There is a lot of interest in your hand. Most from your school. Some not. Some even from far from here. We can worry about that after this duel is said and done. If you win, I think that proves you should have more say.”

  The words caused my heart to skip a beat. A choice! It was dangling in front of me, just barely out of reach. Before I could say anything father continued. “As for the other part, yes. You are like me in that regard.”

  “I will admit, mother refuses to speak of her origins. Did she have a title?” I asked curiously.

  Father chuckled dryly. “Your mother was a mistake.”

  The words surprised me, causing father to just wave away my concern as he leaned back in his chair. “I was young and foolish. Traveling the lands with a dozen friends. Taking in the sights. New countries, new dishes, and a few desserts a man shouldn’t sample. But I was a fool and did. Your mother threatened to expose me and cost me my title if I didn’t marry her since I got her pregnant. I thought I could learn to love her, but I find my job more enjoyable than her company most days. Still, I wasn’t going to leave my child. I wasn’t going to leave you to rot. Your mother was a mistake, but you never were. Go prepare for your duel. You deserve nothing more than controlling your own fate.”

  It was easy to recognize the dismissal but my head swam with so many new questions. No wonder Mother wouldn’t breathe a word of it. I bit back the questions and nodded. “Thank you for your blessing.”

  Father waved me off and I left the office, not entirely sure what to do with myself next. That conversation went better than I expected. If I could avoid telling mother until the last minute this mini-vacation might be worth it. If I didn’t want to boil my skin off that was.

  It turned out I didn’t have to tell mother. I probably should have been more careful about my actions, but having father’s blessing gave me the courage to prepare more openly at home.

  “What is this nonsense I hear about you playing with swords?” Mother shot me a glare at breakfast the following morning.

  I was due to head back to school within a few hours anyway so I wasn’t too worried about how I responded. Still, I wanted to at least pretend to be polite. “I was practicing with father’s fencing foil,” I replied honestly.

  “There is no reason to play with those. Fencing is for the men.” Mother’s glare threatened to boil through my skull.

  I refused to squirm under her gaze. “It would be wrong to play with them. They are not toys. I was practicing.”

  Mother was about to speak when Father held up a hand, cutting her off. “Our daughter has decided that she wants to use her legal rights to challenge the Lari’s son to a duel.”

  “What?” Mother screamed at me, standing in a rush and knocking over her glass. “You are forbidden to do such a thing!”

  Father looked unimpressed. “It is her legal right, by the king's own court. If she can win, good for her. I don’t see why you’re worried, dear. What is one weekend with a foil?”

  Mother looked angry but it was clear the gears were turning. I technically wasn’t allowed such classes. What would one weekend, really only one day, do for me with no formal instruction? I was but a healer after all.

  Mother settled back into her seat only to notice the mess. She scoffed at the scene before rising again. “It’s foolish and only looks bad on us.” Mother left the room with a flourish.

  “That went better than I expected.” Father chuckled before eyeing me carefully. “I do not know what your plan is, and I care not. Do not test your mother, she will be on the school to make sure you are behaving. The staff there does not deserve her ire, so be smart.”

  I nodded. “As you wish, father.” I bowed my head, glad he was still for this and not making any moves to stop me.

  “If you’re finished, I suggest getting ready to head to school. Today might be a good day to leave a moment or two early.” Father winked before going back to his food.

  Permission to duel and leave early? Perfection. I was determined to leave this weekend's events behind. After having to deal with Eastyn’s roaming lips and grabby hands, all I wanted to do was escape. Now if only I could stab that dear Promised of mine a time or two… Sadly the dueling foils would cause no such damage.

  In a flurry, I rushed to my room so I could prepare to head out. The sooner I could be away from here the better.

  Of course, it didn’t take long. I packed a few different dresses, changed out some books, and made sure my jars of fresh herbs and ingredients were packed snug.

  “Are you leaving early then, miss?” I heard Elise ask from the doorway.

  I glanced over at her as I closed my bag. “Yes. I am ready to be away from this plac
e.”

  Elsie nodded slowly. “Do you require my assistance or shall I fetch the driver?”

  “Does your assistance include a sip of brandy?” I smirked.

  Elsie shook her head at me. “Of course not. I can, however, make sure something delightful is ready before you head out.”

  “Thank you, Elsie. I’ll see you for the winter holidays.” I walked out of the room past her.

  “Please be careful, miss. Your mother is in a state I’ve not seen in years. It scares me, and I know the anger is all directed at you.”

  I turned to look at her. “I cannot be with that man. She’ll just have to get over it.”

  Elsie nodded. “I don’t disagree.” She fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve. “I’m just not sure what she is capable of doing to get her way.”

  Frowning I nodded. “I’m not sure either. Thank you for the warning.”

  I headed toward my father's office to say goodbye to him. Elsie’s words flooded my head. What could she possibly do? Mother couldn’t call it off. Father knew about it so she couldn’t go behind my back and try to say I didn’t mean it. Mother could throw a fit and ruin a lot of my plants and herbs. While that would be heartbreaking, I could grow them back. The damage wouldn’t be long term.

  I wouldn’t let that pond scum touch me again.

  My skin crawled at the thought of him. I still didn’t feel clean. The phantom caresses that ran down my body would haunt me for too long. Hopefully being away from here would help. I rubbed my arms and frowned as I noticed his office was empty. Where could he be?

  “Kareia?” I heard Father call from behind me.

  I turned and smiled but frowned as I noticed mother coming down the hall behind him.

  “You’re leaving already?” she spat angrily. “Throw everything I worked for to the woods and then just leave without saying goodbye?”

  Father held up a hand stopping her from continuing down the hall toward me. “My dear, she is at my office, clearly to say goodbye. She always says goodbye to you last. A mother's send-off shouldn’t be with anger.”