THIRTY-TWO
brYNDIS ASHGLO
Blood oaths are entered willingly and solidify loyalty. Even if one wishes to betray the other, a blood oath would prohibit the action. This is the equivalent of a faerie bargain, with the exception that it isn’t sealed with a curse but obedience.
The Legends of The Forgotten, by Tibor Harper
“Are you decent?” Sloan calls from my door, not giving me the chance to answer before barging in.
I quickly shove the replica of their map under my pillow.
Two letters lay atop: one with correspondence between myself and Declan, and the other with my notes to King Brogan.
My hands shake. “You didn’t give me time to say no!
” My eyes narrow at the male who casually flops onto my bed.
“Didn’t anyone tell you it’s improper to join a lady in her room? ”
“You’re decent enough,” he mumbles through a mouthful of food.
“How would you have known that? Never mind.” It’s been three days since we returned to Odhran’s home. Three days since I’ve spoken to him. Three days of clinging to my anger as if it were the only thing keeping me alive. “What are you eating?” My lip curls as I watch him chew.
“Cheesecake, with fresh strawberries.” He scoops another spoonful and stuffs it into his mouth.
Mine waters. “Alright… but why here?”
“Odhran asked me to bring it to you,” he says, smile widening. For three days, Odhran has sent his best friend to deliver small gifts. I’ve refused all the others, including the basket of herbs and plants I’d collected outside the tavern.
“You didn’t think to ask if I wanted it?” I raise my brow at him.
“And ruin your streak of annoyance? Nope.” He pops the last syllable before eating the final bite.
“You’re a pig!” I glare at him, trying and failing to hide my enjoyment of his company.
“Are you flirting with me?” The grin on his face is one of pure mischief. “I thought I could train you today? Get your heart pumping a bit?” He leans onto his elbow, and auburn curls fall recklessly across one eye.
“Why would I want to do that?” I stand to tidy the already neat desk in the corner.
“Have I ever told you why I’m such an awe-inspiring warrior?” he drawls.
“A humble one at that,” I mutter over my shoulder, keeping my back turned to him.
“My father wasn’t a nice man. He was a good soldier and provided us with what we needed, but his temperament was as unstable as the warring seas. He could be nice one minute only to turn savage the next. Most of the time, my mother took the brunt of it.” He shrugs when I turn to face him.
“I—” don’t know what to say.
“It was a long time ago, girly. Don’t worry.
Anyway, as I was saying, I quickly learned to diffuse tension in a room with my quick wits and amazing humour.
” His laughter is loud and guttural. It’s an awkward thing to do, laugh while telling a story that’s so deeply troubling.
Perhaps it’s a habit, diverting towards something lighter when the mood grows sombre.
“It works most of the time, but not all the time. When it didn’t, I took to the training arena.
It helps to silence the demons eating at you inside. ”
“I’m sorry, Sloan. I didn’t know.” My voice cracks.
“Everyone has demons, girly. You, me, Odhran, Eadan, Sheridan. Hell, even sweet little àine has her fair share.” He stands, strolling over to me, and places his hand on my shoulder, cooling the fire burning in my gut.
“Come. Let me show you some of my moves. Who knows, perhaps I’ll even let you hit me.
” He winks, and a smile threatens my lips.
Days turn into weeks. Each day, Sloan and I train in the courtyard.
Some days we have spectators, but mostly it’s only the two of us.
Although my body aches every night, I’ve never felt so strong.
He was right—training does help quiet the storm of emotions inside of me, even though it doesn’t quiet Aed.
For over two weeks, my head has been filled with his pacing and ramblings as he goes over the map I copied from Odhran’s war room, marked with landmarks and army locations.
He’s also memorised the map Declan provided, detailing the castle’s layout, and I’ve been forced to listen to him reciting distances and locations over and over again.
I unwrap the protective bandage around my knuckles and between my fingers, looking up at my reflection in my bathroom mirror. A completely different girl than the one who haunted my reflection at home looks back at me.
I remove Declan’s letter from my drawer and see a new note.
I have found the Mirror of Bones. Why do you need this dreadful thing? Should I be worried?
P.S. Laoise sends her love. She has joined the kitchen staff in their duties and, with only a few minor burns, is actually becoming useful. Or so I am told.
Yours, Declan
With the coronation in three days, everything is falling into place.
Once I gain access to the castle, I’ll find Declan who will lead me to the Mirror.
Fulfilling my oath to Aed, he will free me and Laoise, perhaps even Declan if he decides to come with us.
King Brogan’s carriage will wait for us outside, ordered to take Laoise back to Bouldermore and me to his castle.
She will be free at last, and my new friends can live their lives as though I never existed.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will see you at the coronation in a few days’ time. I hope the drawing was of help.
Bryn
Prince Eamon didn’t accept my silver in exchange for my sister’s freedom, but with Declan’s help and Odhran’s maps, we’ll escape instead. I feel uneasy about sharing information, becoming more like the Slìbhìn Odhran thought me to be.