Chapter 21
Elariya
“The Calm Before The Storm.”
The day passed in a haze of salted air and restless thoughts.
I stayed outside until late, splitting my time between writing in my journal and watching the ship carve its way through the sea.
The waters had grown steadily darker, with otherworldly creatures breaching the surface—beings with scales that shimmered like stars, fins carved from mother-of-pearl, eels glowing in arrays of impossible colors.
Each sighting reminded me how far I was from home and how deeply into Wolfe's world I was being drawn.
I didn't see him or any of the Bloodsworn again, but I knew I was being watched. Sirril brought me endless food and ensured I was so comfortable I almost forgot I was a prisoner.
I only decided to head back to my room when the cold became unbearable. It was probably wise anyway. I'd always been unnerved by the sea at night. Unlike Emabelle, who loved swimming in our river after dark, I preferred the safety of solid ground when darkness fell.
The bitter chill followed me back to my room. Before I reached the door, I noticed it was open. Gentle footsteps echoed from within and I assumed it was Sirril.
But it wasn’t him. It was Arielle.
She straightened when she saw me at the door, guilt and discomfort written across her features.
I recalled Wolfe's order. Arielle was tasked with helping me regain my magic. I'd expected her to visit, but the delicate pastries and colorful macarons arranged on the platter suggested something beyond mere duty. The sorrow in her eyes confirmed it. She was still trying to make amends.
Being compliant with someone like her was crucial to my plan, but I genuinely felt I should meet her halfway. If nothing else, she was a fellow mage.
“Hello,” she said softly. “I hoped to finish this before you returned.”
“It's fine. The food looks lovely.” I moved to the bed and set my journal down.
“I hope you'll enjoy them. The mortal emissaries who visit the palace always bring these pastries as gifts. I asked Sirril to help me make some for you.”
“Thank you, I'm sure I’ll love them.”
We stared at each other for a moment, and I could see her searching for the right words. “I know you made it clear you didn't want to see me, but I'm supposed to look after you. My first task is helping you regain your magic.”
“So I've been told.”
She pressed her hands to her chest. “I hope that somewhere along the way, we can move past our... unfortunate first meeting.” A tentative smile flickered across her face. “I'd love the chance to show you who I really am, if you'll let me.”
I steadied my nerves and nodded. “I think I could do that.”
Hope blazed to life in her eyes, transforming her entire expression. “Thank you. I'm truly sorry for everything and I wish we could have met under different circumstances.”
“Me too. I don't know any other mages. My mother… well she won't even speak of the Ravenwood Realm, and though I can tell my grandmother misses it, she hides behind a mask.”
“Your grandmother is legendary, even in the Aethermist Realm.”
That pulled a genuine smile from me. “Is she?”
“Oh yes. Her wisdom and power have captivated many.”
“That’s good to know.” I wanted to say more. That I missed my grandmother and family so desperately my heart shattered a little more each minute. And that I couldn’t wait to see them again. But I held back because I knew I shouldn’t speak of those things. Not now. Not yet.
Arielle pulled a purple vial from her pocket and walked toward me, holding it out for me to take.
“What’s this?” I studied the oval-shaped bottle before I took it. The glass was cool against my palm, the liquid inside a shimmering silver.
“Moonshine tonic, straight from the moondust fountains of the Aethermist Realm. Drink the entire bottle tonight. It will help restore your magic.”
I stared at the vial, transfixed. “That sounds amazing.”
“It’s powerful stuff. That said, it will still take some time for your powers to return because portaling can be a real bitch.”
I chuckled. She sounded a little like Emabelle and I suppose myself, too. “Portaling was quite terrifying. I’m not surprised it burned me out.”
“We don’t even start learning about portaling at the academy until we’re at least a level ten.”
My interest piqued. “I didn’t know there were levels. And there’s an academy?”
She settled more comfortably and smiled.
“Oh, right. I forgot you didn’t know. Yes, there are levels and we have a couple of academies across Vaelthorne.
In Galaythia, the main one for mages is Hyxian.
It’s predominantly for mages like us from the Ravenwood and Aethermist realms. The levels go from one to twenty for mages in training. ”
“Wow. That sounds so intriguing. I would have loved to go to a mage academy.”
“Hyxian is the best. My time there was one of the most amazing experiences in my life. I’d love to take you there if we get a chance.”
A spark of excitement filled me, followed swiftly by guilt. I didn’t want to feel anything positive about this nightmare, but I was a sucker for magic.
“I would love that,” I said in an even tone, trying not to share too much of my excitement.
“Great. We’ll go the first chance we get.”
The promise warmed something inside me. It would be amazing to go to such a place. Even for a few minutes. For someone as magically starved as me it would mean everything.
I wondered what kind of life I would have had if I’d lived in the magical realm. I was certain that going to a mage academy would have been a great experience for me too.
Neither Mother nor Grandmother told me about the academies. Maybe for good reason. They knew it would hurt me that I couldn’t go. Especially when I’d loathed the ordinary schools I’d attended.
“I’m guessing you’re at level twenty,” I said, deciding to keep the conversation going.
“Not exactly.” Unease flickered across her features again. “I don’t have a rank. Before you attend the academy they assess you. My magic was … a little beyond the levels so I was placed in the Elite division. I guess that worked well since the elite mages serve in the royal courts of the kingdoms.”
I raised my brows, fascinated. “Your magic was beyond all the levels?”
“Yeah. But… I’m still growing into my powers.” It was clear she was trying to downplay her abilities so I wouldn't feel overwhelmed, but it had the opposite effect. Now that I had some context, I could only imagine how powerful she must be.
“That’s amazing, Arielle.”
She smiled, her earlier enthusiasm returning. “Thanks. I’m sure once we start restoring your powers you’ll be surprised by what you can do. It took me years to learn to portal.”
“Really? Years?”
She nodded, looking more impressed with me. “At least five years. So, I’m excited to see what else you’re capable of.”
“Me too.” I smiled back at her. I knew portaling was a high-level skill but hearing it from someone like Arielle made me realize just how advanced it was. “I wish I could portal again. I can’t exactly do anything else worth mentioning.”
“I think that’s because you weren’t allowed to. You’re going somewhere where you have free rein now.”
“That does sound good. And a little nerve wrecking too.”
“I’ll take care of you,” she promised, her expression growing serious. “At least a few good things that may come of this…. experience with us is learning magic and breaking your memory loop. I can't imagine living with a curse like that for five years.”
I drew a slow breath, my heart clenching. “It’s been awful.”
“Let’s hope we find the ring and it’ll be over soon.”
“I truly hope so.”
Arielle sighed and gave me a small smile. “Get some rest, Elariya. We’re gonna need it for tomorrow. I imagine Wolfe will want to get down to business the moment we dock in Galaythia.”
The reminder of the spell made my stomach drop. “Right. Okay.”
“See you in the morning.”
“See you.”
She dipped her head and left. Once the door closed behind her I felt oddly hopeful. Our meeting had been a positive step and I had the tonic to help me. Feeling my magic again would be a comfort. I was lost without it.
I uncorked the vial and drank deeply. The taste was neither sweet nor sour, just peculiar. Like licorice that people pretended to enjoy out of tradition rather than pleasure.
I ate the food Arielle left for me and decided I needed a long bath. I’d do some more journalling after then head to bed. I didn’t know what time we’d be arriving in Galaythia tomorrow so it was better to get as much as I could done tonight.
I made my way into the bath chamber and took off my clothes. Before I even reached the large soapstone bathtub it filled with hot water, heated to perfection by whatever magic ran through this ship. It was a luxury I couldn't help but appreciate despite my circumstances.
While I'd been in here to use the facilities and wash my face, I'd only discovered the magical bathtub last night when I finally felt like I needed to clean myself properly.
At home, we had a wooden bathtub and it would have taken the servants at least an hour to heat enough water for a proper bath. Even then it was never truly satisfying, lukewarm at best by the time they'd hauled enough buckets up to my chamber.
Here, I simply approached the bath and steaming water appeared. I supposed it was basic magic to everyone else onboard the ship but to me it was another fascination to add to my list.
I sank into the gloriously hot water and savored the heat seeping into my bones, melting away the tension I'd been carrying since being on this ship.
For a few blissful moments, I allowed myself to forget where I was and the danger that still surrounded me. I let the water work its magic, hoping it would wash away the phantom echoes of my many encounters with Wolfe.
The heat soothed my weary body, but it did nothing to quiet my thoughts of him. If anything, being alone with my mind only made them louder, more insistent.