SEVEN
brYNDIS ASHGLO
The Others are real. Commonly mistaken for mere legend, people no longer look for them or honor the laws of old.
The Legends of The Forgotten, by Tibor Harper
Fiddles, drums, and tambourines from the travelling musicians kick up such a racket that I can barely think.
A large crowd gathers around them, singing and clapping along with their version of a traditional song, separating me from Laoise.
Some wear masks bought at the market, badgers, squirrels, birds, rabbits, and mice, all representing the more harmless creatures of the forest. Women’s corseted dresses sway and swish, sounding like the rhythmic sweep of a broom as they dance.
I rise to my toes, but I can’t see Laoise.
She isn’t where I told her to wait—where she promised she’d stay.
If my family finds out that I left her alone in order to look for a boy, I’ll pay a terrible price.
“Unwise decisions garner merciless repercussions,” the creature mocks.
Panic wraps around my throat. I’m supposed to watch her, to keep her safe.
Instead, I left her—still high on opium—alone.
Making my way forward, I weave through an almost immovable wall of spectators.
Working class men, tall and muscular, with the refined manners of oxen, despite their buttoned shirts and polished shoes, stand beside their partners.
I push against them, but they only push back, subconsciously afraid that I’ll steal their spot.
They tower above me. Women sway, singing and clapping their hands.
Sweat and perfume, warm and clammy, surround me.
No one pays me an ounce of attention or moves to allow me to pass, barely noticing me as I squeeze past them.
“Mistake… It was a mistake to leave her alone. The smiling girl will only betray you. You know this to be true.”
The song is familiar, but I don’t stop to listen, even though it nearly drives a stake through my heart.
The market square reminds me so much of the things my mother once enjoyed.
She was a refined lady, but during the time of Samhain, she let herself be free.
She’d let her neatly pinned hair down, discard her silk heels to dance barefoot, craft masks, and sing songs that made me dream of other worlds.
My mother sang this particular song to me as a lullaby, and after her passing, I sing it to myself every night, thinking of her.
Take me up to the mountain’s ledge,
Take me through the forest’s hedge,
Through the darkness where no one goes,
To a realm where magic grows.
Riding on a silver steed,
Its ears so red they seem to bleed,
Through the darkness where no one goes,
To a realm where magic grows…
“Excuse me!” I call out, sidestepping a rather large woman pushing her way toward the musicians. “Coming through!”
I gasp for air as I escape the crowd, and to my relief, I spot Laoise, looking alright, even though she isn’t where I left her. A smile warms my face, and I let out a breath, straightening the creases in my skirt before I join her. Thank the gods.
“I’ve been looking for you.” A hushed voice breathes against my neck, wrapping a hand around my biceps.
I tug my arm free and turn to face the man behind me, ready to strike. Green eyes and red hair. Relief has me throwing my arms around his neck. “Declan!” I gasp.
“Were you expecting someone else?” he asks, smiling.
I step back, bringing my hand to my chest, my heart still racing.
“I need to talk to you.” I look over my shoulder and see a few older ladies circling Laoise, draping her in furs as she giggles.
I can spare a moment. Just one moment. My heart picks up its pace, knowing what I need to say.
“Come with me.” Taking his hand, I lead him to a quiet spot behind a vendor’s wagon, which is closed and abandoned so its owners can enjoy the festivities.
I don’t miss the smile that pulls at Declan’s lips as I lead him away from the crowd.
“Bryn…” He clears his throat.
I open my mouth to speak, but he cuts me off.
“Last night…” His gaze falls to his feet as he kicks at the dirt in the market square. “I know it must come as a surprise, but I meant every word.”
Don’t do this. Please don’t do this. He reaches up and tucks a curl behind my ear, grazing my neck with a lingering touch. I swallow, unable to find my voice.
“Bryn, I know we’ve been having fun. I know I promised that it all meant nothing more than moments of ecstasy, but Bryn, I know you have feelings for me, too. You don’t have to say anything, but I need you to know that you are everything to me.”
“But you’re leaving.” The words jump from my mouth, my first and only thought. My voice sounds like nothing more than a soft croak. If I was so important, he’d find a way to stay, wouldn’t he?
“If you were important enough, he’d take you with him at the very least.”
“You know why I have to.” No. No, I don’t.
His hands run from my shoulders down my arms until my hands are resting in his.
“I need to do this so we can make a life for ourselves, free from our parents.” He pauses, shutting his eyes.
“We can make a home in another town once I have a title and enough money, but we can’t do that as refugees. I need to become good enough for you.”
“You already are!” I squeeze his hands, trying to reassure him despite my growing discomfort.
“You’re the best person I know. You’re the only one keeping me sane in this godforsaken place.
I don’t want you to go. I don’t want to be alone.
” It’s the truth, a dreadful truth I’m going to be forced to face soon.
“Bryn…”
“Yes?”
“I think you’re amazing and…” He shifts his weight from one foot to the other.
A whistle of flapping wings draws my attention from my thundering heart to the raven coming to perch on the fence post beside us, judging me with a sideways glance.
Declan clears his throat, his eyes finally meeting mine once more. “Will you wait for me?”
I try to keep my panic from my face. Relax your posture.
Breathe. If I say yes, I’m practically accepting a proposal.
If I say no… If I say no… My chest hurts.
What we have is meant to be without commitment.
Meant to be two people just, well, enjoying each other.
Now it’s so much more, and it’s terrifying.
He’ll be broken if I say no, but I can’t say yes, can I?
Declan clears his throat, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “Will you?” he asks again, growing anxious.
I pick at my cuticles, nodding too abruptly to seem graceful. I don’t know what I want, but I know that I don’t want to lose him.
“Please say yes.” He leans in, resting his hand on the back of my head.
His lips press against mine, his tongue begging for entry, to claim me like he has so many times before.
I remain rigid with uncertainty. My heart and my head disagree on what I should do.
One tells me to run while the other forbids me to go.
Declan breaks our kiss a few seconds later, and I open my eyes to see him grinning from ear to ear. I haven’t given him an answer, but perhaps the kiss is enough of one to satisfy him.
“I need to get back to Laoise.” I step back, needlessly tugging my dress into place. My cheeks burn with an emotion I can’t name as my head spins.
“I’ll go with you.” He smiles down at me, taking my hand in his.
What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? I shake my head and pull back, freeing my hand from his grip. He frowns, horror spreading like wildfire across his features. “What’s wrong?” There’s a hardness to his voice that wasn’t there before.
“Nothing.” I force a smile, taking his hand and pressing it to my lips. What am I doing? What the hell am I doing?!
“I am glad it’s not only me thinking those very thoughts. You can do so much better than the servant boy,” the creature adds as shadows spread like tendrils of pitch beneath the canopy of the stall beside us. Anger burns through me. Anger and rage and guilt and disgust.
“How dare you!” I snap back.
“Seems like I have forgotten the workings of the human heart. All its infantile reasonings.” Its presence subsides as whatever it is retreats back into nothingness.
“It’s my family. We need to be careful,” I lie. In fairness, it’s partly true. They wouldn’t willingly approve of a betrothal to a Duskrun, but I’m not Laoise. I’m not the one with a bright future ahead of me.
“What’s the worst that can happen?” He gives me a hesitant smile.
“Nothing good, that’s for certain.”
Declan nods, accepting my answer. I hate myself for playing on his insecurities. He deserves so much better than to feel judged by my family. Declan is a hundred times the person they could ever hope to be.
“The first prince is on his way. When he arrives, I’ll formally pledge myself to his service.
I promise you, Bryn, I’ll do whatever possible to take you away from this place.
If not now, I’ll come back for you and ask your father for your hand when I’ve made a home for myself.
And a name worthy of yours.” His green eyes glisten as he looks at me.
“I… I have to go. I’m so sorry, Declan. I’ll come and find you later. Forgive me.” My steps are quicker than usual as I head toward Laoise, but I don’t look back, afraid to see disappointment on Declan’s face. What am I doing?
“Making a royal mess.” A sarcastic answer rumbles from the back of my mind.
“I wasn’t asking you.”
“Lee?” I touch my fingers to her elbow. Guilt becomes a living thing within me, begging to leave this place at once.
“Brynney, look!” She turns to show me a gem filling her entire palm, absorbing all light in its deep, sparkling depths.
It’s as dark as the evening sky, swirling with stars, breathtaking, yet frightening at the same time.
The effects of the poppy are waning; I can see it in her eyes and her improved coordination.
It’s even apparent in the way she speaks, thank heavens, but her pain will return if I don’t administer another dose soon.
This time taking better care with the dosage.
“It’s…” Like something I’ve never seen.
“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” Her tone is cheerful, a stark contrast to the ominous-looking gem in her hand.
“It’s beautiful,” I admit. “We have to go home.” I shake my head to dismiss the vendor. My skin prickles with the sensation of being watched, setting my nerves on edge.
“I don’t want to leave,” Laoise protests, pouting her lips like a child.
“I promised Father we wouldn’t be gone long.”
“Just a little longer,” she begs, her bottom lip growing heavy.
I raise my brow, waiting for her to comply with my request, our usual dance. She may still be a little giddy from the tea, but it doesn’t change the fact that we’ve stayed longer than we should. Risked more than we should. It’s getting late.
“Fine,” she huffs, hooking her arm with mine.
We barely take ten full strides before we find Prince Odhran reclining lazily against the large willow tree in the centre of the square, picking his nails with the black blade he held when I saw him earlier.
My steps pause for a brief moment, but I straighten and lead my sister straight past him with renewed annoyance.
“Isn’t he handsome?” Laoise practically swoons at my side. I don’t need to ask who she’s referring to. Her entire body curls in his direction as she stares after him. I sense his growing smirk. Self-satisfied asshole.
“Laoise, no! Men like him are never good for anyone’s health.”
She giggles as if I’m being funny, but I’m dead serious.