Chapter 14 #3
Greed. That’s exactly what Sable would be after.
Why didn’t I see the pattern before?
Does that mean there is a book?
“You think runes never existed?”
“I didn’t say that,” I bark. Reality settles into my bones. “I think they existed; you can’t have smoke without a fire. I don’t think they were ever as powerful as the stories claim.”
“Why not?”
“Nothing that powerful can be silenced, which makes me question their power in the first place. Maybe a mage just cleverly crafted an enchantment, and people embellished it over time.”
“I have to believe those bedtime stories are true, Selene. Everett said that when I find the Vitalis, his time-weaving magic will return to the land. I’ll be free.”
“And then what?” I question sternly.
His tongue twists. His answer is sour, but he’s going to force it down. “Everett wanted me to rule and keep the runes safe,” he admits bitterly.
“Rule?” My eyes blink more frequently than ripples dance across the water after someone throws a stone in. “So, it’s a crown you seek,” I spew.
“The crown Everett placed on my head is that of a melting delusion. If I could pull the crown off, I would. I never lusted for power, only freedom and safety for my family. I don’t want castle walls made of slick, polished stone to cage me, Selene.
I want a stone that is rough, not fancy.
Porous, so memories of my family can seep into them.
I want to sleep knowing that when I wake, I do not have to fight for a man who hides behind high walls and wears a crown, collecting more maps of land he owns, but never earned! But here I am!”
He slaps the floor of the castle.
“Tasked with finding an old book, but then what, Selene? If this book is so powerful, do I just cast it aside, give it to Galen to use? Or another king? I didn’t want this!
But I’m brave, or foolish enough, to see this task through.
One battle at a time, I will end this. I will find the book, I will understand the runes, and I will keep them safe. ”
“You are one man against an army, Titus.”
“That is the life of a soldier, Selene.”
Why do I want to hug him, scoop him up, and place him somewhere safe?
His chest heaves. “I know my words are treason,” he mutters in fear.
“That does not scare me.” I smirk. “I plot to kill Galen daily.”
Titus’s nostrils flare as he shifts back an inch.
“Joking.”
“Who is lying now?” His lips twitch in amusement.
For the next few moments, we both sit in silence as the weight of everything settles upon us. “I will help you,” I voice, but he stays silent. His burden is so heavy, it’s hard for him to talk, eat, or even see the rising sun and feel the freedom of a new day.
I think it was I who was meant to free you, Titus.
I try to make Titus laugh because his smile is like spotting a rainbow. “Your silence is spreading wider than a mistress’s thighs, Titus. Say something. Amuse me.” I poke his side, but all I feel is hard muscle.
Good, that caused some color to splash onto his pale cheeks again.
“Where is my ‘thank you’?” I add.
“I feel like I owe you an apology, Queen Selene.”
“Friends do not use fancy titles. When it is just us, I am Selene. But be careful. No one can suspect what our truth is,” I warn.
“I am sorry.” He hangs his head. His black hair brushes over his weary brows. “I’ve trapped you with me.”
“I’ve been cornered with worst,” I counter as I look at Galen’s walls.
Titus’s magic jumps from his hand, producing a fiery flame. He fists his hands, denying his magic.
“Seems you need help controlling your fire magic, too,” I quip.
“Not usually.”
“Everett’s magic is to blame for this, I assume.”
“No.” He looks at me through hooded eyes.
“Me?” I whisper.
I’m to blame?
Knock! Knock!
My eyes flare wide, and I push to stand, as does Titus. I smooth down my hair and pray the blush on my face pales. “Come in,” I shout.
My lady’s maid enters with a tray in hand, bowing without spilling a drop. “Queen Selene. I have your morning tea, and King Galen has requested you dine with him for breakfast.”
A silver vase on her tray catches my eye. It’s polished so fine, it looks like pure liquid. Tucked inside is a plucked black rose.
Message received, Galen.
She sets the tray down on the corner table. “King Galen also sent this.” She turns and grabs a box from a soldier in the hall. I glance at Titus, who studies the additional soldier.
“If I’m to be surprised hourly with an additional guard, our army will be weathered away by moonrise,” I sneer.
The guard lowers his bald head. “I’m Titus’s guard.” He glares at me. He’s a loyalist who doesn’t agree with the peace treaty.
“What?” Titus and I say simultaneously.
Inhaling, I let my breath out slowly. “Whatever.” I roll my eyes, open the box, and spot a lavish black velvet dress. Along the collar and sleeves is silver embroidery in the pattern of roses.
“King Galen said the color would be most fitting,” my lady’s maid whispers.
“Are you a parrot or my lady’s maid?” The poor thing dips her head. I shouldn’t be snappy with her; she is just trying to keep her head attached to her neck, a neck Galen unfortunately finds rather delicious.
“I apologize, Queen Selene, if I have upset you.”
“Why is the color fitting for today?” I question.
Titus steps forward. “Thank you, Mary; I’ll take it from here.”
I reel back. Is he… trying to protect me?
Titus guides Mary—so that’s her name—to the door. He nods at his new personal guard. Speaking with Titus will be difficult with another set of ears, unless I can manipulate Galen to replace the guard with someone Titus trusts.
“Black is fitting because…” Titus closes the distance.
His words are hard and cruel. He’s trying to make his guard think he detests me.
With his back to the guard, he mouths, ‘I’m sorry.
’ “King Galen discovered who was behind my attempted assassination. It was your nobles who were acting as emissaries.”
The guard flashes me a wicked grin.
“King Galen killed them as retribution. Thus, the black attire. King Galen assumed you would be in mourning over their deaths, but also horrified by the behavior of your people.”
I clutch the dress, curling the velvet under my fingers. It feels like tiny thorns instead of something smooth. Digging, cutting, slicing, and then breaking off as they slip into me.
That’s the cost of disagreeing with Galen. My people and I are objects. Whenever Galen wants a clean slate, or a new war, he can swat us off the game board.
If only peace weren’t like water, ebbing and flowing. I wish it were as concrete as war.
That’s okay. I can swim.
Maybe that’s what Everett thought runes could deliver—not peace or war, something like clay, harder to mold and rip apart under the right conditions.
“Breathe, that’s it. You can conquer this.” I slap my face. “See? Now you have a blush on your pale cheeks. You look alive. Ready to fight.”
I clutch the dress to my chest, fingers gouging like needles.
“Fight, Selene. Fight!” My whisper is a vow.
I feel claustrophobic in my closet.
That’s okay; let this castle hug you too tight. You’re not scared of anything. Not tight spaces or unsolved riddles. Nothing and no one!
The last pep talk I gave myself was before I walked down the aisle to marry a man I had never seen.
Head high, back straight. I did my duty.
Every duty a woman was meant to. I turned my mind into a shell, a place to crawl into.
They could take my body, but I’d be damned if they plundered my mind.
It was my last refuge. I would fight to the death in order to control it.
I glare at the door. Beyond it, Mary, Titus, and his new guard wait for me to emerge, dressed and ready to confront Galen.
Confront. Constantly confronting. Never comforting.
I am not designed to offer or receive comfort. I am a weapon. Forged from fire and cold plunges. I don’t need soft landings. “Compose yourself now!” I command myself.
My world is water. Always shifting.
“Don’t worry about breaking. You’re already shattered.” Racks of rich fabrics blur in front of me as I turn around. Soft and seductive designs. You can wrap me in pretty bows. Inside, I’m all sharp angles and rotting flesh. “So your brother lied. That’s normal.”
Harshly, I undress, ripping the fabric then leaving it discarded on the floor. I grab a dress, one I selected, and allow it to drop over my curves. “The man you wanted to kill must now keep you safe.”
My fingers glide down my hips, smoothing out the fabric. It pools like liquid around my feet.
“You’re used to changing tides. You will swim, Selene. You will not let Everett’s death be for nothing!” I grab my hair like I do my sword, sweeping it off my shoulders. “You can do this. You must.” I select my shoes and exit.
Titus meets my masked eyes.
He knows I just had a pep talk.
He sees my weakness.
Unlike an adversary, his eyes look like bandages, not daggers. He studies me, trying to see how he can mend me.
Some broken things shouldn’t be fixed.
Some things are better left in ruin, Titus. That is a lesson you’ll have to learn the hard way.