Chapter 18 #2
Tears sit heavy in her bottom lid. “Malachi is planning to leave, Briar. When the ship nears, he will leave Andorwood and head into the mountains. I overheard him while I was in the office the other day.” Her hands tremble.
“He plans to abandon everyone, because he knows the ship sails toward us. He is willing to let Andorwood fall as long as he can stay hidden.”
Anger bubbles in my chest. “What else did he say? Why is he so determined to stay hidden?”
“He is old, Briar.” Yara’s fearful eyes meet mine. “Older than we can imagine. I don’t know how he’s been able to live this long, but it’s something dark.”
“Yara, what do you know?”
A tear falls down her smooth cheek. “He mentioned something about a tether.”
“That isn’t surprising.” I sit back, releasing a heavy exhale, “Was it regarding Silas?”
She shakes her head. “He did mention Silas’s name, but I have no idea what tether even means.”
Because Silas is my tether, I think to myself, but don’t share that piece of information.
It seems unfair to share that with her before telling the person it truly affects.
My jaw slacks, and I rub my temples for a moment, processing the wealth of information Yara has thrown at me. My head spins, and my heart breaks for her. She is scared, and I’m going to do everything I can to help her.
“Do you know anything about the Forgotten Archives?”
More tears flow down her beautiful face.
I grab her hands. “Any information you know could help us save Andorwood.”
“I know it’s guarded by something dark.” She sighs, “If you enter, you’d better be prepared to fight. Malachi has spent countless nights searching through scrolls and books for the entrance. Whatever is in there must be important.”
“Yeah, that seems to be common knowledge about it,” I reply.
“But,” she wipes her wet eyes, “I’ve heard only rumors, of course, that the Archives opens itself upon the full crimson moon. Malachi has an ancient book of Rigils that can protect you from the darkness inside.”
“Yara, the crimson moon is in two days.”
The first crimson moon signals the approach of warmer months, and the large, glowing orb shines brightly in the sky.
It always happens around my birthday, so I’m quite familiar with the date.
I often spent my birthdays on the roof of the castle in Daramveer, awestruck by the beauty of the sky.
I always said it was my personal gift from the Gods.
“Yes, it is, Your Maj—I mean, Briar,” she says, and smiles. “I told you this meeting wasn't a coincidence.”
“Wait,” I pause. “I never asked who Malachi was speaking with about all of this information regarding Silas.”
“Oh,” she says casually, unaware of the weight her words carry. “He was having a meeting with Hux.”
I refuse to let my expression contort into disgust, and I nod my head in thanks to her once again. I stare, allowing the information to sink in for a moment. Silas’s supposed right-hand man is withholding all of this information deliberately.
He knows what Silas is, and I bet he knows a lot more.
“Thank you for telling me this,” I say, as I lean forward and wrap my arms around her tightly. “I need to get back to the others to form a plan, but please come with me. We can keep you safe.”
Yara embraces me momentarily before pulling away. “I have a plan, Briar.”
“A woman with a plan.” I smile. “You are quickly becoming my favorite person.”
“I’m supposed to meet Malachi tomorrow night. Once he falls asleep, I can grab the book and meet you. It will be in your possession, and you can enter the Archives to find whatever you’re looking for.”
“Absolutely not,” I snap. “That is too dangerous and puts you at too much risk.”
“It’s important,” she snaps.
“He will kill you if caught.”
“Don’t worry. I promise I can take care of myself. I’ll work extra hard to put him right out,” she winks. “I’ll try to pry a bit more and see if I can uncover anything else.”
“Why are you doing this?” I angle my head.
She stands, pulling me along with her. We walk to the large, open window and let the cool night air brush against our faces in complete silence for a moment.
She gazes out over the dark kingdom.
“Andorwood is my home. I was born and raised here. I didn’t live the exact life I wanted, but I won’t complain.
” Yara turns to me. “I know what lurks deep within you, Briar, and I know you fight every single day to make this world better for everyone—even people who don’t deserve to be saved.
You are a fighter, and if I can contribute even a small part to this war, I’ll do whatever it takes to improve the future for women just like us. ”
I stare at her, and her return gaze strikes me in the heart.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “When we leave Andorwood, would you come with us? Back to the mainland? I can’t promise what we’ll walk into, but you’re exactly the person I want on my team for any future battles, big or small.”
“I would love to,” she says, a genuine smile painting her exhausted face. “But…”
I wait for her to continue.
“I won’t leave my mother.”
I smile, knowing exactly the feeling of having someone you love so much that you are willing to stay in a horrible situation, just to keep them close.
I return the smile. “Tomorrow evening, we will meet in Silas’s room here in the castle.”
She winces at his name. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Don’t worry about him. I’ll talk to Silas, and it will be fine.” I walk toward the door. “Besides, he listens to me.”
“If you need any help controlling your Lumor magic, just let me know, but that will stay our secret,” Yara says.
I pause, feeling like I’m back in the hallway with the invisible creature. I glance at my hands once more, half expecting the black veins to disappear and be replaced with bright white ones, but the darkness persists.
“Thanks.” I turn before crossing the threshold.
“Miss Briar,” Yara calls, as I step into the dim hallway. “There was something more.”
I freeze.
“Malachi talks of a stone—beautiful, dark green, and oozing something powerful—that resides in Andorwood somewhere. I don’t think it’s safe to use.” She hesitates, and warmth rushes to her cheeks. “But, I thought it may be important to know.”
My mind snaps back to the moment in the forest when I came upon another stone with power. The dark influence radiating from the striking, onyx stone, the smooth sides that felt like silk against my pale skin, and the darkness—that sheer darkness—that made my entire system scream at me to run away.
Gods.
I stare at her, realizing there is more. I don’t move, and bore my gaze into hers. What’s left seems harder to speak about than the previously revealed information. She seems afraid to let the words leave her lips.
“And…”
“Yes?” I reply, and this time I can’t suppress the quiver that runs through my hands.
“Malachi isn’t Silas and Fenmore’s real father.”