by E. A. James
“She has been possessed,” Aine continued. “By…a sorceress,” she added, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.
“Thank you,” Aerdan said. “Aine, I appreciate your help very much. Now, we must get you home and find a way to assist my mother.”
Huen frowned. “Friend, that is not—“
“I am not leaving,” Aine said sharply. “I am the only one who speaks the language here, I am a valuable asset to you.”
“Do not speak that way to me,” Aerdan said in a regal voice. “Huen, please, take your lady and your leave.”
Huen turned to Aine. “Aine, perhaps we should do as Aerdan requests,” he said. “It is his mother.”
“She may be his mother,” Aine said sharply. “But she is my Queen, and I will not leave until I am sure she has been restored.”
“And do you not think that restoring her would be a job better suited to a royal?” Aerdan asked, his nostrils flaring.
“Aerdan, calm yourself,” Huen said. “Aine – what is the Queen speaking of?”
Aine shivered. “She is saying that unless the curse can be broken, she will forever remain in control of the evil sorceress.”
“This is no place for you,” Aerdan said angrily.
“Come, friend,” Huen said. He reached out and put a comforting hand on Aerdan’s shoulder. Aerdan brushed it off immediately and glared. “Aerdan! Listen to Aine, she knows what she’s talking about.”
Aerdan closed his eyes and shook his head. “No,” he said. “I will handle this myself. Please. Leave.”
Huen turned to Aine with an apologetic look on his handsome face. “Aine, I am so very sorry,” he said. “Come with me.”
Aine’s dark eyes flashed with anger. “You can never make up your mind,” she said angrily. “And you expect me to read it all the same!”
“Aine,” Huen said. “Wait, do not go!”
But Aine had already stomped outside of the Queen’s chamber. Huen glared at Aerdan before taking off after Aine at a fast clip. I can’t believe Aerdan is being so incredibly stubborn, Huen thought as he darted down the hall after Aine – for a petite girl, she set a very fast pace. Aine only wants to help – why can’t he see that?
An anger unlike anything Huen had ever felt was beginning to bubble inside of him. For the first time in his life, he realized that perhaps it was true – that Zhekan class differences were insurmountable. I don’t care, Huen thought as he stalked after Aine. She makes me content and happier than I’ve ever felt before, I don’t care if she’s an orphaned peasant!
“Aine!” Huen cried. “Wait, slow down!”
Aine slowed. Huen approached, putting a hand on her shoulder. She was heaving and Huen realized she was sobbing. When she spun around, her olive face was streaked with tears.
“I only wanted to help him,” Aine said, sniffling. “And he won’t even listen to me because of this!” She gestured at her tattered dress.
Huen pulled Aine into a close hug. “I know,” he said. “I’m sorry, Aine. I had no idea he would react in such a way.”
Aine bit her lip and frowned. She looked as though she were thinking very hard.
“We need to find Angelica,” Aine said quickly. “Where is she?”
Huen frowned. “Aine, I’m not sure Aerdan would be willing to listen to her at the moment, either – he’s obviously not very stable at the moment.”
“No,” Aine said. “Not that – something else.”
Huen nodded, although he still didn’t understand. “Okay,” Huen said. “Come with me.”
Huen led Aine through the castle until the reached the staircase leading to Aerdan’s chamber. Huen and Aine climbed in silence.
“Angelica!” Huen called, knocking on the door with his fist. “Are you in there?”
The door swung open and Angelica stood there, looking sick. Her pale skin was even whiter than usual, and there were dark circles under her eyes. Her dark hair was twisted into a tangled knot at the back of her neck.
"Angelica, what's the matter?"
“Hush, Huen,” Aine said. She walked into the room and linked her arm with Angelica. “Angelica, I need you to be very honest with me,” she said softly. “We need to do something about the Queen. Aerdan is refusing my assistance.”
Angelica nodded. She pressed her lips together in a thin line. “I know,” she said in a shaky voice.
“Why, Angelica, you’re freezing cold,” Aine said. Aine walked to the bed and grabbed a fur wrap, draping it around Angelica’s shoulders.
Angelica nodded. “I…did something wrong,” she said softly. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small green stone. It was pulsing and glowing with bright light.
Aine gasped. “That is a powerful Glasulian relic!”
Angelica nodded again, looking miserable. “It hurts to touch,” she said, wincing. “It burns.”
Aine took the talisman from Angelica. “It feels cool to my skin,” she said softly. “Huen?”
Reluctantly, Huen reached forward and put his fingers on the stone. The surface was unbearably hot, and he yanked his hand back in pain, shaking it through the air in hopes to cool it.
“Glasule is angry with you,” Aine said in a strange voice. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she started muttering a stream of gibberish that Huen didn’t understand.
Angelica looked at Aine in a blind panic. “What is she talking about? Do something!” Angelica begged Huen. “Not her, too!”
Huen grit his teeth and reached for the stone, ripping it from Aine’s hand. It burned his flesh and he dropped it to the floor where it skittered under a table.
Aine’s color returned to normal. “Angelica, why did you take that?”
Angelica shrugged, looking helpless. “I thought it would be valuable,” she said softly.
Aine groaned. “Well, this is why Glasule has possessed our Queen,” she said. “They want the stone back, but I do not think that is a wise idea – it is clearly powerful.” Stooping to the ground, Aine ripped a piece of cloth from her tattered skirt and wrapped it around the stone, putting it inside of her pocket.
“As long as the stone does not touch my flesh, it does not affect me,” she said softly.
“Well, we have to do something,” Angelica said desperately. “I can’t just sit here anymore, it’s driving me insane!”
“I know,” Huen said. He sighed. “Aine, do you have any ideas?”
Aine bit her lip. After a long moment, she nodded.
“Yes,” Aine said softly. “I’ll need to visit the library.”
A wildly inappropriate vision flashed into Huen’s mind – Aine’s body and his own, tangled together in a passionate embrace. Then the severity of the situation came crashing back to him, and he shook his head.
“Yes,” Huen said. “I’ll take you.”
Aine looked at him gratefully. “Thank you,” she said softly.
“Do you think you’ll be able to think of something?” Angelica asked, her hands clasped together in a desperate prayer at her chest. “Please, tell me you can fix this!”
Aine bit her lip and nodded slowly. “I think I can,” she said. “But we mustn’t waste any more time.”
Huen stared at her, momentarily taken aback by her strength. She’s a peasant, he thought. And yet she is the strongest woman I have ever known.
“Yes,” Huen said. “Come with me.”
Together, they fled down the staircase and into the chaos of the castle.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Aine
Aine and Huen stole into the library, locking the door behind them. For a moment, Aine closed her eyes and wished she could dive into Huen’s embrace, just as she’d done last time. Then, she shook her head, willing herself to stay in the moment.
This is a matter of life and death, Aine realized as she scanned the library shelves for any books on Glasule. And if I can’t find a solution, the entire kingdom will be plunged into darkness.
“Aine?” Huen asked quietly. “
How can I help?”
Aine sighed. She sank down into a chair and closed her eyes, resting her forehead against her propped hand.
“Start by collecting all the books on Glasulian magic you can find,” Aine said. She yawned. “I am so tired.”
“Why not rest for a while?” Huen suggested.
Aine shook her head. “No,” she said softly. “There is no time.” She bit her lip and looked fearfully into Huen’s eyes. “I wouldn’t have told Aerdan, but the Queen’s time on Zhekan soil is running out. The possession is almost complete.”
Aine shivered. “Whoever possessed her is very powerful,” she said. “I can tell that the Queen has a very strong and stable personality.”
Huen nodded. “She does,” he said.
Aine got to her feet and wiped her hands on her skirt. Even though it was wrapped up safely in her pocket, she could feel the talisman beating like a heart. It made her feel heavy and tired, slow and stupid. But she knew she couldn’t risk the chance of losing it, and every few moments, she reached down and patted it reassuringly through her pocket.
Huen returned with a large stack of books. They were dusty and ancient, and he sneezed as he set them down on a table.
“I’ll help you,” Huen said. Aine passed him a book as she opened one of her own, scanning the pages. Lots of things about Glasulian history – evidently, Glasule was known for its love of war and death – and in frustration, she tossed the book to the side and picked up another.
“I can’t read this,” Huen said after a long moment. He swallowed and handed the book over to Aine, his forehead creased with frustration. “Curse the gods!”
“Hush,” Aine said. “There is no time to be angry, Huen.”
Huen nodded, but Aine could tell that he felt frustrated and powerless at his lack of ability to help.
For hours, Aine poured over book after book. Finally, at the bottom of the pile, she found a book covered with magical symbols. Her hand trembled as she opened the cover and began flipping through the pages.
“This is it,” Aine said excitedly. “Look, a spell to exorcise evil spirits!” She frowned, tapping at the vellum page with her ink-stained finger. “At least, I hope this works on Glasulian spirits, too.”
Huen frowned. “Do you think you can learn this?”
Aine bit her lip as she scanned over the steps and ingredients for the spell. “It’s challenging,” she said. “But not all that different than what I’d expect, I suppose.”
Huen sighed. “Oh, gods,” he said. “I think this might be our only chance. He cleared the table. “Can you practice here?”
Aine frowned. “I don’t think so,” she said softly. “It might be dangerous.” She shuddered. “It says here – side effects of performing the spell can be an explosion, violent illness, or death.”
“Oh, Aine,” Huen said. He reached for her hand and squeezed.
“I have to do it,” Aine said, although she felt nervous and scared at the thought of trying something so difficult and dangerous was terrifying. “I can’t let Queen Zornaya die – not without trying.”
Huen nodded. He narrowed his eyes.
“What is it? Are you upset with me?”
“No,” Huen said slowly. “I…I am worried about you, Aine,” he said. “Forgive me, I do not mean to sound so patronizing.”
Aine flushed. “You’re worried? About me?”
Huen nodded. “Yes,” he said.
Aine wasn’t quite willing to admit that she, too, was nervous. Instead, she closed the book and tucked it under her worn cloak. “I should be alone while doing this,” she said. “And I’ll keep the talisman with me.”
“I don’t want to let you out of my sight right now,” Huen said. “What if something happens?”
Aine swallowed. “That is a possibility,” she said softly. “But hopefully one that will not come to pass.”
Huen sighed. “But I have a feeling that you will do whatever you wish,” he said. “You are very headstrong.”
Aine laughed. The idea of someone like Huen calling her headstrong was ridiculous.
“What?” Huen frowned. “I fail to see the humor in this situation.”
Aine sighed. “No, nothing like that,” she said quietly. “Just…well, coming from you, that’s a very interesting thing to say.” She caught Huen’s velvet brown eye with her own. “After all, it was I who rescued you from a certain death...and then you went back for more!”
Huen chuckled dryly. “I suppose you are right,” he said. “I will stay here, and make sure Aerdan does not do anything too drastic.”
“Do not tell him what we’re doing,” Aine said. “I do not want to disappoint him even more.” She held her chin high up in the air. And I want him to know that even peasants have their value, she added silently. Arrogant bastard!
Huen escorted Aine to the entrance of the castle.
“I will be in the woods,” Aine said. “Please, keep watch over Aerdan. And do not let Angelica continue to blame herself – she should not have taken the talisman, but I hope to correct everything as soon as I can.”
To her surprise, Huen pulled her into a close embrace.
“Please, be careful,” Huen whispered in Aine’s ear. A shiver ran down her spine at the touch of his hot breath against her sensitive skin.
“I will,” she said softly. She was tempted to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him, but her mind was swimming and swirling with confusion. Whenever Aine closed her eyes, images of the vellum pages swirled in front of her mind.
Aine walked out of the castle, feeling an odd mixture of feelings. As she walked down the sloping lawn, past the stables, and into the woods, she was grateful for the cool relief from the hot sun overhead. The sunlight filtering through the verdant trees made the air tinged with green, and Aine closed her eyes and took a deep breath. If I had my way, I’d live in the woods, away from the kingdom, she thought as she broke into a fast trot. No peasants, no royalty, no overbearing mother…just me.
Then Huen’s face popped into her mind. She frowned – she didn’t like the idea of living without Huen, either. Aine’s cheeks flushed. Silly girl, she thought. You can’t start thinking like this – after the Queen is healed, you’ll never see Huen again.
The thought made her irrationally sad.
Aine walked for an hour until she found a small clearing near a brook. She dropped to her knees and cupped her hands, bringing the blessedly cool spring water to her lips and drinking greedily. Aine hadn’t even realized how thirsty she felt until the water touched her tongue. She drank until her stomach was swollen and full, then pulled the book from her hands and flipped through the pages.
Aine’s hand was trembling nervously as she reached into her pocket and pulled the talisman free. She unwrapped it, then sat down with her legs crossed and the talisman resting in her the palm of her right hand. Immediately, a hot sensation rushed through Aine’s body. She felt powerful like she could set fire to the trees merely by touching them.
“Oh, ancient goddess of Glasule,” Aine said. The words sounded strange to her ears, and she knew she was speaking the native language of her homeland. “Please, make me strong. Allow me to liberate the Queen of Zheka from your prison, allow me to bring her back to the light.”
A bolt of lightening crashed from the sky, striking one of the trees. It fell right next to Aine and she shrieked, jumping away from the falling trunk just in time to see it crush the ground. Aine’s heart started to thud against the walls of her chest and she swallowed nervously.
“Oh, ancient Goddess of Glasule,” Aine said, closing her eyes and willing her body to channel the necessary energy. “Please come to me, fill me with your strength!”
The skies ahead darkened and after just a few seconds, Aine felt drops of rain splatter her face and shoulders.
“Ancient Goddess!” Aine screamed, clutching the talisman tightly in her fist. “Give me your power!”
Lightning flashed again in the sky and a loud boom of
thunder made Aine jump in fright. Her heart was racing and she felt sick to her stomach. Dropping to her knees, Aine vomited gushing water from her mouth. Her throat burned and tears came to her eyes as she choked and coughed. Her gut was twisting painfully but she forced herself to get back to her feet and face the storm.
“Goddess of Glasule,” Aine called, closing her eyes and spreading her arms wide. “Fill me with your power! Allow me to clear the storm!” She slowly pulled her arms in close to her body, then spread them wide again. The pages of the spellbook flipped and swirled in the lashing wind and rain.