Ethereal Energy
3
The walk back to Westminster is quick and quiet. Speckles of water drop from the swelled clouds overhead, blending into Kora’s auburn hair. She could have easily caught a coach and been home within minutes, but there’s something about walking in the threat of a downpour that thrills her.
She always waits to open Will’s parcels with Clarence. They’re usually filled with souvenirs from his latest travels. Clarence never seems happy with them, but Kora rather enjoys finding out what the latest flavour of sugar drops are being sold in Wales or trying some Cornish jam on her biscuits.
By the time she reaches the Hamilton Manor, rain is drumming down in light sheets, dampening her clothes. The smaller strands of hair framing her face curl lightly.
Dashing into the entrance of their manor, Kora wants nothing more than to rip off her overcoat and wet boots. She managed to stuff the parcel under her garments to keep the letter and wrapping protected from the elements outside.
Clarence is also standing in the hallway in his damp grey coat and dark trousers when Kora enters their home. Navy suspenders connect around his white buttoned shirt. “You got caught as well.” She says matter-of-factly, looking at the wet fabric clutching at his arms and shoulders .
He nods, removing his coat. “Only just made it home moments before you did.” He looks at the box she pulls out from under her arm. “Another one from Will?” his brow arching in neither excitement nor anticipation. More annoyance than anything else.
“He seems to be sending them more often now.” Kora admits, placing it on the wooden bench beside them so she can remove her cold, drenched clothing.
Clarence slips his boots under the bench and wanders off into the kitchen. Kora trails after him. Neither of them bothering to change into fresh clothing.
Kora lifts her hair up into a messy top knot, getting it out of her face. Pulling out a chair, she sits down opposite her brother, who seems more invested in counting the change in his pocket than looking at the contents of the parcel.
“Are you even interested in what Will sent us this time?” her forehead pinching in confusion.
Clarence clears his throat and nods, his green eyes staring at the brown wrapped box sitting between them. Kora pulls on the yarn tied tightly around, unravelling it and the paper all at once. Inside is a crate filled with jars of teas, biscuits, spices, spreads and sweets.
“Seems like Will has been busy buying out half the general stores in Dublin.” He says sarcastically while pulling out a jar of toffees and boiled lollies. A sticker saying ‘ Hulga’s Assorted Humbugs’ covers the side of the glass jar.
Kora picks up a foil wrapped block, opening it to find chocolate inside, which is a rare and expensive treat. She gives a small squeak when she opens a tin to find more herbal teas inside to add to her ever-growing collection.
“He said he should be back home next week.”
Will has been away for almost two months on an assignment for the London Ascendancy. Clarence and Kora are used to him being away for weeks at a time, sometimes even months. They’ve grown accustomed to being in their own company and supporting themselves financially.
Letting out a sigh, Clarence drops the jar of humbugs on the table aggressively and leans back into his chair, strong arms folding in front of his chest as he sports an agitated expression. Light brown stubble shadows his face. “Nice of him not to send us any more money.” He spits out.
Kora knows they’re relying on their uncle, Will, to help support them, but he rarely sends them money. Just boxes of food and the occasional knick-knack from whatever place he’s visiting that week.
Clarence reins in his anger for Kora’s sake, but she can tell how furious he is right now, despite his attempt to cover it up.
“It’s nice that he thinks sending us chocolate and tea will solve all of our problems.” He adds, standing from his chair and going to the trough to rinse his angering face with cold water.
The manor is rather chilly when no fires are lit to warm the rooms, yet he can feel his skin itching with warm sweat, he’s so mad.
“Clarence,” Kora’s softer voice sounds the room after he stops, leaning against the edge of the bench. “I know he is not much help, but he is doing what he can while being far away.” Trying to settle him down.
Clarence lets out another sigh, not wanting to yell at his always positive sister. It’s not her fault he keeps things from her, like how bad their financial debt really is. He just doesn’t want her to have to worry about it. It’s his duty as her guardian since their parents are no longer living.
“Just means I will need to work more nights guarding to pay for our expenses,” his masculine voice grumbles, “which means more nights you’ll be here alone.”
“It’s not like I am not used to that by now.” Kora mumbles under her breath.
Clarence reaches for the towel beside him to dry his face from the freezing water. His brown hair is darker, with droplets dripping from the ends down his straight nose. “I am sorry to make you do this, but it is the only way for us to keep living here.”
Kora stands and approaches her brother. He’s been patrolling with the Night Guard for months now to get extra money and refuses to have her help out with finances. She adores her brother, but also wishes he’d allow her to help out and stop looking at her like she’s still just a child.
She covers his rough hand with her smaller, daintier one. “I can help out. I can’t patrol yet, but sometimes they’re looking for more barmaids down at the Sage.” She offers.
The glare Clarence throws at her over his shoulder ices her blood it’s so cold. “I’m not letting you barmaid.” He grits out through clenched teeth. “I’ve seen what they make the women wear in there. You’re to keep your dignity so you can wed someone and leave this mess.”
“It’s not a mess!”
“You’re not helping and that’s final. I’m just trying my best to look after you.” His tone is short with her.
Kora’s breath hitches as her mouth parts. “I can ask Will then to help us out when he’s back from Ireland.” She offers after a moment.
Clarence runs his fingers through his damp hair, shaking it slightly. “I’ll talk to him. You shouldn’t have to worry about this. You’re too young.”
“I’m only three years younger than you, Clarence.”
His mouth purses together as he turns to face her again, still leaning back against the bench, his hands gripping so tight, his knuckles are turning white with anger. “I know you think I am overly protective of you, Kora, but that’s only because I can’t afford to lose you as well. You’re all I have left, and I promised them I’d take care of you.” He runs a palm over his face, his features loosening slightly. “Just let me figure this out. I don’t want it to be on your shoulders, too. ”
Kora swallows, not really knowing what to say to him. Ladies aren’t meant to work, unless they are alone or wanting to destroy their propriety. Clarence would never let her do that, which she’s grateful for, but she also hates seeing him like this. Worrying about their finances. Working extra hours and barely getting enough sleep.
She also knows he won’t look for a wife until she’s wedded herself. He will take care of her for as long as she’s living in their family manor, and that makes Kora feel like a burden.
“All right.” Is all Kora can get out. It’s as gentle as a feather, but she can see some of the tension in his shoulders slacken.
“I am just doing as they asked before they died, Kora.”
The mere mention of their parents makes her chest tighten with pain. As if someone has a vice around her ribs that’s crushing her organs. Eyes study his, emerald like the stone with flecks of gold and sable.
“Do you still think about them, Clarence?” Kora asks.
“All the time.” He admits to her.
A faint smile grows on her lips. “I can still remember their voices, like I just saw them yesterday.”
Clarence grins sadly as well, remembering his own memories of their parents. He stands over Kora. He has to be at least a head taller than her, broadly built, towering over her smaller toned frame. Clarence does remind Kora of their father, Stefan, with the same sable hair and sharp face.
Kora looks more like their mother, Tessa. Short, with a lean, muscled body and long auburn hair that brightens during the warmer months. Green-brown eyes and a heart-shaped face.
After a moment, Clarence blurts out quickly, “I have something to give you.”
Without another thought, Clarence disappears through the opening into the hallway and returns momentarily with a hessian bag in his hand. “Honestly, I forgot about it, but I stumbled upon it in the attic a few days ago after training. ”
Handing over the bag, Kora can feel it’s quite heavy and sleek, tied perfectly into a bow at the opening. Untying it, Kora reaches in and pulls out a blade wrapped in a black leather sheath. Sliding it out, her eyes widen at the golden blade inscribed with ancient angelic symbols. “Wow.” She breathes out slowly.
She’s never seen this weapon before. The soft golden metal slides through her fingertips like silk, humming gently under her touch as if it’s electrically charged. The hilt is firm and moulded to fit her grip. “Why are you giving this to me, Clarence?” questioning her older brother, who’s looking at her with a proud face.
“It belonged to our mother; she told me to give to you before she died when you were old enough to use it.”
Kora can feel some of her mother’s energy still stored within the blade, prickling her nerves comfortingly underneath her touch. “How could she leave me something so divine?” she asks him, not taking her eyes off the beautifully made weapon.
Kora places it back down on the table, beside the box of preservatives Will sent. A soft golden glow remains in the blade, as if her touch awoke its powers once again. Her eyes dampen a little.
Clarence’s hand touches her shoulder as he reminds her, “She wanted you to have it. You should be proud to hold this, Kora.”
Kora nods, not trusting herself to respond without bursting into tears.
“I should leave soon for training if I am going to guard again tonight. I trust you will not be leaving this place after I’m gone?” He half questions her as he grabs one of the chocolate bars from the table and begins munching.
She gives him a look he’s all too familiar with. “I can take care of myself Clarence, I am not a child anymore.”
He gives a small snort. “To the Ascendancy and to me, you still are.”
“I can handle myself.” She picks up the blade and swipes it through the air cleanly. “Especially with this. ”
Clarence just watches her with a brow cocked up on his forehead. “Well, it’s nice to know that if you need to fight the air, you’ll win.”
Kora rolls her eyes as he gives a chuckle.