by Chanda Hahn
“Ah,” Eden screamed and threw her hands around me. “I have so much to tell you, Aura.”
And then the barrage of images and thoughts came at me. I had learned a long time ago to sort through Eden’s mind.
“So being queen isn’t as bad as you thought. He still calls you sparrow despite your attempts at blackmail. You should really stop with the glamouring of the house elves into giant dogs. He is going to find out, eventually.” I clapped my hands together. “Really? Oh, I can’t wait to be an aunt again.”
“What?” Dorian turned to give an accusing look at Eden. “Wife, are you keeping something from me?”
“Aura, I hadn’t told him yet.” Eden covered her mouth and looked at her husband.
“Oops.” I cringed.
“You sure know how to spoil a surprise.” Eden laughed and wrapped her hands around Dorian.
“Really?” Dorian asked in disbelief. “Truly?”
Eden nodded. “I wasn’t sure myself, but if Aura says so, it must be true.”
I nodded, feeling the little pops of happiness and contentment coming from Eden’s child.
“I love you.” Dorian nuzzled her and leaned in for a kiss.
Liam laughed. “So this is what it’s like to see Aura in action.”
Eden’s eyes shone with glee. “She really is magnificent. But it’s no use keeping secrets around her. She will always suss them out, so it’s always better to be truthful with her.”
Liam’s laughter halted, the smile fell from his eyes and he straightened his shoulders.
After Dorian and Eden finished kissing and celebrating the news, they ushered us inside. We passed through the main foyer and headed into a private sitting room decorated in blue and gold, with white vases filled with fresh flowers. A house-elf appeared from out of nowhere with a tray of food. I picked up from Eden’s thoughts that the house-elves were traveling by secret compartments and dumbwaiters within the walls of the palace.
I didn’t care for decorum and immediately helped myself to the finger foods, careful to avoid all of my pregnant sister’s favorite ones. I reached for a pastry roll, pulled back, and chose a mini cucumber sandwich Eden hated.
Eden sighed and picked up the pastry and put it on my plate. “Here, you don’t have to always think of others first. There is plenty for everyone, and I can always ask the servants to make more.”
Eden turned and warned Liam. “You have to watch her. She is self-sacrificing to the core, even to the detriment of her own health. It’s her greatest strength and weakness.”
Liam looked at me, his eyes softened. “I’m beginning to see that.”
I blushed.
Dorian turned to address Liam. “Is it true, the reports I’m getting from the north?”
“Yes, a blight has erupted and is spreading across the kingdom. It starts as a dark fog that moves from town to town. The fog blocks out the sun and makes it eternally night. Under the cover of darkness, creatures are roaming the lands. Giants, ogres, and trolls are outside their territory, and don’t seem in a hurry to return. It seems wherever the fog goes, trouble follows.”
I reached for a teacup and poured myself some tea. It had hints of lavender from the aroma, and I knew Eden had set out my favorite on purpose. Sitting back, I tried to listen in and follow the politics to learn more about the blight. Liam had been very secretive and initially told me the blight was a dark, ethereal fog. Now, I was learning the consequences of that blight on the kingdom itself.
“Just last week, the fog reached the town of Greenshire and many of the townspeople exhibited unusual symptoms, paranoia being the most common. Not to mention their crops stopped growing and their water system became tainted. They had to abandon everything and move farther south while a pack of cù sìth have claimed the land as their own now.”
Dorian nodded. “The cù sìth’s bark is worse than their bite.”
Liam winced and gestured. “I don’t know about that. I barely escaped my encounter with one alive. I can’t say the same for the beast.”
My head snapped up as they spoke of the legendary fae dogs. Large bull-size hounds with fur like grass. To hear one bark three times meant certain death. That Liam had survived an attack by one was no small feat.
“We’ve exhausted all of our resources, and the hedge witches and seers all say the same thing. It’s a vengeful curse. We don’t know who else to turn to, so I sought the House of Eville.”
Eden snorted. “Oh, now we are the House of Eville, are we? A few of the daughters marry up and suddenly we carry more prestige, whereas two years ago, most would have considered my family the blight on the seven kingdoms.”
Her harsh words brought color to Liam’s cheeks. “I admit, years ago, I would have agreed. Many have been blinded by prejudice, but I’m not.” His eyes fell across me and I felt a heat rise to my cheeks. “To save a kingdom, I can see the value in aligning with a common enemy.”
The rosy feelings I’d had moments before dropped, and so did my teacup as it clattered against the plate.
Eden looked over at me, her lips pinched in anger. She saw my hands shaking and read the situation. “Aura, I think this has been a trying day. I can only imagine how mentally exhausted you are by being in Thressia. Let’s get you settled for the night.”
Liam and Dorian stood as we exited. Liam made to follow me, but Eden used her newfound royal authority and froze him with a sharp look. I stood in the hallway as she went back inside. I could hear their hushed voices as they argued.
“If you know what’s good for you, you’d stay far away from her,” Eden challenged.
“I don’t understand. She’s hurting. I can tell. I can protect her from those feelings.”
“You’re the one causing her pain right now, you dumb oaf,” Eden snapped. I could almost imagine what was happening as if I were in the room. Eden probably jabbed her finger into Liam’s chest.
“Eden.” Dorian’s voice grew louder. “I think this is your maternal instinct kicking in. Aura’s an adult.”
“None of you understand like I do. Aura’s life is pain. Constant empathetic pain. Her smiles and endless chatter are just a facade to hide what she is feeling. I’ve spent years studying her, trying to protect her from the one thing she always wanted.”
“No, don’t,” I whispered, knowing Eden couldn’t hear me on the other side of the door.
“She can’t have a normal relationship. Can you imagine what it would be like to hear everyone’s innermost, darkest, and deepest thoughts all the time? It would destroy a sane person.”
“You don’t know that,” Liam said.
“I do. Mother has researched. All empaths have either gone crazy or committed suicide at an early age. For her to have any hope of living a long life, it will have to be one of loneliness and away from people. Crowds, cities, and even this curse that is brewing could be the death of her. As she grows older, her power grows stronger, and most don’t live long past twenty or so winters.”
“My only desire is to protect her,” Liam repeated.
“But who will protect her from you?”
Chapter Ten
“You shouldn’t have said that,” I chastised Eden as she came back into the hall.
She smoothed her hands down her dress and straightened her crown. “Yeah, well, blame it on the hormones.” Eden led me up the stairs to a guest suite filled with beautiful ornate furniture covered in the sun crests.
“It feels unreal,” I said.
Eden waved her hand and glamoured the fleur-de-lis wallpaper to became stone walls, the four-poster bed changed into my simple bed in the tower.
“Oh, wait. I remember.” She flicked her wrist, and the blanket turned into a pink spread with ruffles.
Eden loved to spoil me by using glamour on my few meager possessions.
“It’s home,” I said, softly. “Well, not exactly, because you’re not there.”
Eden moved to sit on my bed, her hand resting on her belly protectively. “I wa
nt to know what Liam is to you?”
“A friend,” I said.
“Nothing more?” she asked.
I blushed. “No. I don’t think he thinks of me in that way.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry for what I said earlier. I shouldn’t have gone off like that. It’s just that he doesn’t see what he’s doing to you. Those careless comments wound you deeply.”
“It’s actually not as bad as you think. I can’t read his thoughts.”
“What?”
“It’s true. Most of the time I have no clue what he’s thinking. He has shield magic, and he’s a natural. Only rarely do I get a glimpse of what he’s thinking. But Eden, more than that.” I reached and clasped her hands between mine. “When he’s near me, I can’t hear them. He blocks out their cries.” Even as we spoke, I heard the hum of thoughts from the hundreds of house-elves four floors below.
She blinked, and her hand went to her mouth. “Oh dear, then everything I said was—”
“The truth,” I finished for her. “Don’t worry, I’ve known for a long time. Mother explained it to me. It’s why I’m constantly being tested and pushed, but it’s also why she shelters me so much. My empathy gifts have grown stronger, but not my control over them. I know I only have a few more sane years left. So I want to enjoy them. I can already feel the hints of madness beginning to linger in the corners of my mind. I just don’t to talk about it.”
“Oh, Aura. I didn’t know.” Eden wrapped me in a hug. I should have been a better sister. I should never have teased her when she was younger.
“Stop. Stop!” I pulled away. “Stop feeling guilty and sorry for me. I’ve accepted it. So should you. And at least let me try to help Liam. I would like to do one truly noble thing in my life before I go find my own lonely tower and become a crazy cat lady.”
“But what if Liam—” she began.
“No,” I said adamantly and rubbed my temples. The pain became unbearable. “We are friends, and nothing more. He’s my anchor in the chaos, but he doesn’t think of me like that. He’s too noble to his cause. Plus, he said it in there. I’m his enemy. Once we’ve banished the blight on Rya, then his duty as my protector is over.”
“He’s a jerk.”
“He’s right.” I laid back on the bed and closed my eyes.
“What do you hope to accomplish by going to Rya?” Eden kneeled on the bed and stroked the back of my hair to sooth my headache.
“I don’t know. I’ll do whatever I can. Mother refused to even help them, which made me even more determined to help. I think if he didn’t abduct me, I would have gone north on my own,” I said.
“You know she hates Rya, don’t you?”
“It’s something about my real mother, I think.”
We spoke for a few more minutes, but I couldn’t hide the pain that was becoming unbearable. The voices, I needed them to stop. I curled up in a ball and pressed my hands over my ears.
“I will have Liam put in the next room. Hopefully, he will be close enough to work his magic, but not too close.”
I snorted but gave her an affirming nod. “It will be,” I lied. Eden left, and I focused on shielding myself. First closing off the most brutal of thoughts and sins, then the hunger pangs. It was like a leaky roof, and every time I plugged a hole, the rain would pour in another. I couldn’t keep out the shower of thoughts, but maybe I could stop the worst ones.
I tossed and turned, frustrated at my abilities. A few candle marks must have passed, and I was fighting a losing battle. I stared at the open balcony and knew it would be so easy to just jump and end it all. Then there would be silence.
“No!” What kind of thoughts were those? I rolled over and bit my pillow and released a muffled scream. The pain released a mental shock wave.
I heard a loud thud from the next room, followed by running footsteps. My bedroom door burst open and Liam was there, standing over my bed. He scooped me up in his arms and cradled me like a child.
“Shh, it’s alright. I’m here.”
My cheek pressed into his bare shoulder, my tears running down his skin. He was only wearing his breeches, and the bandage around his wound. I tried to pull away, but his grip on me tightened. “Don’t fight me. Don’t fight this.”
And I didn’t. I relaxed in his arms, my head dropping onto his chest. He set me back down on my bed and tucked me under the covers. Then gently he laid on top of them and tucked his arm under my head. His other one cradled his own.
“Don’t do it,” he warned.
“Do what?” I whispered, my hair tickling my nose. I was curled on my side facing away from him, his arm under my neck.
“What I saw.”
I stilled. He picked up my thoughts of jumping off a balcony. Only my closest family members were in tune enough with me to pick up my thoughts, and here he was after only knowing him a few days picking up on mine. I refused to answer.
“Promise me that won’t ever happen to you.”
I tried to play it off. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Aura.” His voice lowered in warning, but I feigned ignorance.
I looked out to the balcony and shivered, thinking of my mother’s warning about my fall. Was it tied to me going crazy? I buried my head further into Liam’s shoulder.
Just enjoying the silence that Liam’s presence brought. I could feel my eyelids growing heavy. I heard the door open and soft footfalls draw close to my bed. Liam shifted to look at the intruder in the room.
“You felt it too?” Eden whispered.
He nodded.
“I was on the other side of the palace and it was like getting slapped in the face. Dorian is still sleeping like a baby. Oblivious. So it seems you are connected to my sister in some odd way.”
Silence followed, and I could hear Eden wondering if I was asleep. She was deciding if she was going to allow Liam to stay near me.
“If you do anything to her other than shield her, I will curse you and you’ll be walking out of here with goat’s legs,” Eden hissed.
“You have my word as a knight.”
“I don’t agree with this, but you’re the only one that can help her. In fact, I will speak with Dorian and we will get you on your way at first light. It will be best if you stay away from the major roads. I expect you to protect her at every turn.”
“I will,” he promised.
“That means her heart as well.”
“I understand.”
When I awoke, Liam was sleeping in a chair next to my bed. His arm stretched out awkwardly, hand resting on the top of my head to keep contact. His head drooped sideways, and I heard the soft snores. He must have waited until I was asleep before moving to the chair and giving us a proper distance. The sun wasn’t even up yet, and at home I would already be up doing chores.
I sat up and his hand fell from my head. Liam woke, his green eyes locking onto mine.
Not good. She looks like she’s about ready to crumble. I didn’t help her at all.
I blinked and pulled the blanket up to my chin. “Don’t worry, I won’t break. And yes, you helped last night.”
“Sorry,” Liam mumbled. “I wasn’t thinking. It wasn’t what it sounded like.”
“Actually, you were thinking. That’s the problem. Often, our thoughts are more truthful than our lips.” I stood up, wrapping the blanket around my body. “Thank you for watching over me last night. But I think I can handle getting dressed without a nanny.”
“All right.” He stood, his arms reaching for the sky, the muscles stretching across his chest. He ran his hands through his hair to wake himself up and then headed for the door, stopping within the doorway. “I’m right next door if you need me.”
“I won’t.”
“But if you do.”
“Go,” I snapped irritably. “I won’t do anything stupid in the next candle mark, but after that I make no promises.” I shrugged.
Eden must have had someone watching for us to stir because servants ins
tantly set upon us and ushered me to a bathing room, where there was a hot tub waiting for me. I thoroughly washed my hair and scrubbed my body and fingers raw. Using soap on the cuts on my feet.
Eden had found very simpleminded servants, for their thoughts were silent. They held up various dresses, but I pointed to one similar in style that Liam had bought me in red, the color of his cloak. I picked out one extra traveling dress and a pair of boys pants and a long-sleeve blouse. It was daring and exciting, but I could get it all into a pack. We were traveling light and swift, so they supplied me with the basic essentials.
A knock came to my door as I sat at the vanity and finished pulling back the sides of my hair into two braids that fell down my back.
“Enter.”
Liam swooped in and hovered over my chair. “How are you feeling? Was I gone too long?”
“I’m fine.”
“Liar.” He pointed to my forehead. “This right here scrunches up when you are trying to fight off the pain.”
I swatted at his hand. “I hate to leave my sister so soon, but the sooner we leave the better I’ll feel.”
Dorian knocked, and since the door was already open, he let himself in. “I wanted to make sure you’re properly outfitted.”
“I am, and thank you.” I stood showing off, letting the red dress swirl, and then pointed to my full pack on the bed.
“Nonsense, a lady is never properly dressed without a weapon.” He snapped his fingers and in came a servant, their arms full of weapons and swords, and he spread them out on my bed. “Choose one to serve you well.”
Liam grumbled. “She doesn’t need a weapon, she has me.”
“And that’s precisely why she needs a weapon.” Dorian picked up a sheathed knife. “This one has a thigh strap that hides under your skirt, or we have one that you can tuck into your bodice, or how about a push knife?”
My cheeks flushed red. “I’m not comfortable with weapons.” Reflecting back on when I attempted to and failed to take a life to save my sister.