Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Iquietly make my way to the main cave, not wanting to wake anyone but also unsure of what time it is. The constant glow worm light doesn’t really help with that, it probably contributes to Gaius’ insanity.
When I round the corner I see that the animals are indeed sleeping.
They are curled up in various groups so I tiptoe around them, trying not to alert anyone of my movements.
Gaius is snoring in his bed at the far side of the room, I’m grateful for the sound to cover up my sneaking.
I am almost at the cave when Selene, the wolf, steps in front of me, blocking my path.
Where do you think you are going? her low, growling voice questions me.
I must enter the crystal cave. My friend’s life depends on it. You will not get in my way! I try to step around her but she steps closer to the cave, blocking my entrance.
You heard Gaius. You are not ready. You will get lost.
I must try, please. A dear friend of mine is in danger and this is the only way I know I can help. You would do this for Gaius. The wolf bows her head then looks back to where Gaius is sleeping before stepping out of my way.
Thank you! Give me a few minutes before you wake him. I can read her intention to inform him but she nods at my request and sits down.
I look at the crystals and can feel their pull.
The humming is growing louder and I swear I can feel my necklace humming in response, the metal grows hotter against my skin.
I don’t have time to consider what this might mean.
I must find Embrys and warn him. I step up into the cave, crouching low and sitting down, cross legged like I saw Gaius doing.
The points of the crystal are sharp but don’t break any skin as I sit there.
Now what… I close my eyes but nothing happens. The necklace is growing almost painfully hot against my body and is becoming a big distraction so I lift it out from under my night dress so it is not resting on my skin but as I let go, it floats up in front of me.
A flash of light illuminates the cave, starting at my necklace and sparking to a large crystal to my right.
I feel the burst of energy twang in my head like a hammer hitting a nail.
My vision starts to blur and the last thing I see is the wolf jumping on to her feet and running towards the sleeping Gaius.
I’m in a dark purple, swirling vortex with shimmering lights, like the glow worms, but I cannot see the cave any longer.
A dense smoke clouds my vision. I sense that I am dissolving into the void within the crystals but strangely, I am not afraid of it.
It feels natural and good. My task is completely forgotten.
Time is strange here. I both feel like I have been in this state for an eternity but also for only a few seconds.
I find peace and slowness within the spaces between the in breath and out breath.
Everything is simple here and yet so beautifully complicated.
Everything is spun out of the same web and I am both of that web and spinning it at the same time.
It would be so easy to just let go of myself, so easy to let go of the notion of self.
It feels like the warm embrace of a welcome home.
What was so urgent? What was I worried about?
I can feel the cells of my body merging with the soft tendrils of purple smoke and I want to just relax and melt away.
Nuria, a voice calls my name and I feel it like a jolt to the system. The necklace around my neck is tugging me up, up, up.
Nuria. I do not recognize the voice. It is neither male nor female but its urgency brings my awareness back into focus.
The purple smoke feels so thick now that it is making breathing a task I have to actively focus on.
Breathe in… breathe out. Where am I?
Breathe in… breathe out. Embrys?
Breathe in… breathe out. What have I done?
Breathe in… breathe out. Help!
The smoke is getting thicker, a panic attack starts building up in my body, closing my throat and threatening to rip my heart out of its cage. My fingers tingle, my hands start to shake and my breaths are now coming in heaves, which I know is not allowing me to get enough oxygen.
What have I done? Embrys… Embrys!
The smoke suddenly clears, I cough and gasp for the sweet fresh air to fill my lungs. Thank The Mother! I keep my eyes scrunched closed and double over to brace myself on my knees as I level out my breathing and feel my heart rate start to slow. I open my eyes to see I am standing on a gravel path.
Nuria? I can hear Embrys’ voice call my name and I can’t explain how relieved I am to hear it. I snap open my eyes and whirl around, looking for him but instead I see Pyralis’ estate looming over me and no one is in sight.
I turn back around to see that I am in front of the stables. It seems to be mid- morning here judging by the height of the sun, but I had entered the crystal cave in the middle of the night. How long have I been in there?
“Embrys?” I call out, searching for him.
“Master Embrys? What is wrong?” A boy of about fifteen comes out from the stables with the reins of a large black horse in hand.
Was he talking to me?
Yes, Nuria… you’re in my body. I hear Embrys’ voice again.
Oh! How are you able to talk to me? Can you see through my eyes?
No, everything is dark. I can hear your voice, that is all. What is wrong? What is happening? Are you dreaming again?
No, I… entered the crystal cave. I had to reach you!
You what! Nuria, it isn’t safe! What were you thinking? His voice booms so loudly in my head that I clasp my hands over my ears.
“Um… Master Embrys? Can I assist you?” The young man is staring at me with raised eyebrows.
Right… I’m Embrys.
“Oh, no I am all right… Carry-on with whatever it was that you were doing… uh…” I stammer, not knowing this servant’s name.
His name is Jacob.
“Jacob.” I give him a smile, he nods and goes back into the stables, giving me one more quick look of concern before closing the big door behind him.
That was Lillian’s brother? Have you seen her? Was she all right after the gromlin flip?
Actually, she apparently fled and no one knows where she has gone. Jacob has been worried sick but strangely did not join on the search for her... Nuria, what are you doing here?
Right. I’ve come to warn you that Oleander’s trial has been moved up to tomorrow at dusk!
She refused The King’s offer of marriage to Gaelheart’s son.
He said they have witnesses that say she set the forest on fire.
Embrys, I’m worried she is going to be found guilty.
What is the punishment for burning a forest?
The punishment is death, Nuria. To balance the lives lost she will be condemned to death! I can hear the panic rise in his voice.
No! There must be something we can do. Embrys… I have to come. The Wolf said he wants me, he tried to bargain with her for her freedom, asking her to give up my location but she refused. I can save her. Use me to bargain for her release!
In the distance I can hear the clopping sounds of a horse approaching.
I turn towards the gravel path leading out of the estate to see Pyralis galloping in.
He stops and dismounts right in front of me and Jacob comes running out of the stables to grab the reins to lead the horse inside.
Pyralis has dag circles under his eyes and his hair is wind swept and messy.
“Embrys, good. We must make haste; your sister’s trial is tomorrow evening.
I rode all night to retrieve you once I received word that you returned home.
We must show a united front. You need to convince her to marry Elias.
She still seems to look up to you, she must listen!
” Pyralis grasps Embrys’ shoulder and I have to restrain myself from shoving him off and snapping in his face.
“We both know it was you who set the fire. Why not just own up to it?” I seethe.
Careful Nuria…
Pyralis washes a hand over his face. “Come now, son. You know it was all Nuria’s fault. If she hadn’t run off I would have never lost my temper!” He clenches and unclenches his hands and flames erupt in his eyes. I see my opening to finally get some answers knowing Embrys cannot interject.
Nuria, don’t!
“Why is she so important to you? Why not just let them both go?”
“You know why, son. You know who her mother was. We need her to fall for you. You have been playing along so nicely up until now. Her scent is all over you, which goes to show that our plan is working,” Pyralis sneers, clapping Embrys on the shoulder.
“You must return to her but only after the trial. She cannot go anywhere near the Palace until our family has been tied to the House of Wind. I already have the House of Water at my disposal through Nerius and you will secure the House of Ether through the girl.”
You what?! You needed me to fall for you? For what, a political alliance? Was everything a lie? I squeeze my eyes shut and try to block Embrys out but I feel his energy push through my barriers.
“Embrys? What is wrong?” I try to tune Pyralis’ voice out,
It is not what it sounds like! Nuria please!
His voice sounds like it is fading and I can feel the tug of the necklace around my neck pulling me back to the cave as my vision starts to darken.
I sink to my knees and the last thing I hear is Pyralis shouting for Nerius’ assistance before everything goes dark.