Chapter 16
My written instructions worked. My hand ached from all the letters I had to write to command the army. To send them to Yinora, a small border town in the Eastern Territory where Torglea had battled Mortremon for months.
I would need to write more as word of the war reached us, but with their command sorted, we were set to leave for Prallues in the morning. Half the camp was already dismantled, some servants on their way to the capital with the supplies.
Harkin had taken Eleanor on one final ride.
Past the dying field to a large river which ran off the Demnocollis Range through the Eastern and Central Territories and to the Arderm Isles on the other side of the forest. With Wista packing away our belongings, I had nothing to do but watch.
She’d already scolded me twice for trying to help, and I was too restless to read.
When she scolded me for a third time, I gave up and stormed away. I couldn’t sit still.
I hadn’t figured out how to get away from the king. Whatever his plans for me were, they surely couldn’t be good, not with what his first wish had involved. Eleanor needed to flee, but with us being under guard every hour of the day, it was difficult to do anything other than comply.
I stepped around soldiers and servants, refusing to look to the barren field. The cloying scent of rotting flowers filled my nostrils, a stark reminder of how I fell prey to the king’s deception and disrupted a sacred resting place to serve in his war, to wish more death onto the land.
The story of the king’s brother, of the sacrifice his people made to fight evil, resonated with me, tugging at a loose thread in my chest and unraveling it. My stomach churned at knowing I destroyed what the Gods gifted them for it.
One of the king’s porters approached, distracting me from my self-loathing. The young blond-haired man picked his way through half-dismantled tents and bowed when he reached me.
“Miss Masters, King Terym requests your presence immediately.” His tone was hushed, and he waited only until I gave my acknowledgment of his message before he scurried away again.
I dragged my feet the entire way to the king’s tent, followed by my two shadows. Shade and Pierce, the latter of whom was alternating between my protection and Eleanor’s, with the chaos of the camp and anticipated travel.
With the king’s immediate problem solved, perhaps he wanted to make his second wish. My body recoiled at the thought. I didn’t think I could stomach another one.
The woodsy floral scent of purloe engulfed me, and Shade’s fingertip drifted across the back of my hand.
I curled my small finger around his, the touch startlingly intimate and comforting.
Face framed by wild dark hair, his features softened when I met his gaze, the slight tilt to the corner of his lips reassuring.
Whatever the king wanted, I would endure it.
Too soon, we arrived at the center of camp, Terym’s tent guarded by the usual soldiers, whom didn’t so much as blink in our direction when we entered. The king sat at the head of the table, the weathered book he read to me all those days ago open before him.
“Ah, my dear Adelia, I want to try something.” He smiled broadly and pulled out the chair beside him, an invitation to sit. I headed to it, Shade at my heels while Pierce remained near the entrance.
“Do you have the lamp with you?” Terym asked once I sat down.
A redundant question, we both knew it was always on my person. Just as Shade could not leave my side, neither could the lamp. A requirement of the magic binding Shade to it, and me to him.
I retrieved it from my jacket pocket, grateful Wista had agreed my sturdier personal traveling clothes would be more comfortable than the light tunic the king supplied. It felt like armor, a barrier between the king’s watchful gaze and me.
The metal was quiet when I placed the small trinket onto the table between us. He steepled his hands upon the wood and studied it closely, the most interest he had shown it since Shade was released. After a few moments of deliberation, he withdrew the small, jeweled knife from his jacket pocket.
Shade’s scent smothered the space in a rush, and a wave of protectiveness filled my chest. He made no sound when he moved closer. Terym’s gaze flicked over my shoulder, twirling the blade in his hands, and the slightest furrow appeared between his eyebrows.
Surely, he wouldn’t hurt me? Not when only I could make the two wishes he craved. I leaned away, trying to do what I could to put more distance between us. Shade stepped up to the table, placing himself in direct line of the king.
“We’ll be leaving in the morning,” Terym said, looking to Shade before he continued, “While on our journey, I believe it prudent Shade return to his lamp. Magic hasn’t been seen in too long, and the last thing I want is to startle my people.”
My heart sunk to my stomach. I told Shade I wouldn’t send him back, would do anything I could not to. “He can be discreet. No one would know.”
Terym’s jaw clenched at my words, his eyes settling into a coldness I hadn’t seen from him. “I won’t risk spreading panic, not with so much uncertainty already surrounding the war.”
“But—”
“No!” Terym spoke the word with such aggressive finality I jumped, and Shade leaned forward, like he was about to launch himself at the king.
The king blinked a few times, and the coldness disappeared, replaced by soft eyes and a small smile. “I understand the link to him makes it difficult for you. He can be released later, once we’re safe in Prallues.”
He wouldn’t budge on this, that much was clear.
I had no other bargaining chips, not when I couldn’t guarantee Eleanor’s safety.
I looked up at Shade, my face full of apology and regret.
He glanced back with understanding and gave me a subtle nod.
He didn’t blame me. Wouldn’t hold me to my promise when he knew I’d tried to avoid it.
I turned back to the king, who watched us with his unreadable expression again.
“I don’t know how to send him back,” I said, not an excuse but the truth.
“That’s okay, my dear. I suspect it will be the same way he was released.” The knife in his hand twitched.
Blood. My blood on the lamp would send him back.
“Of course, my king.” The words were hollow, but I offered my hand to him regardless, the wound there a scabbed line. Terym dragged the blade beside it, and I gasped. Blood welled, and the king moved my hand to the cool metal surface of the lamp.
My eyes locked with Shade’s gray ones. A brief flash of pain crossed his face as a heavy weight settled in my chest, a feeling I didn’t quite understand.
Then the shimmering smoke always hidden just under his skin expanded, swallowing him whole.
The smoke swirled around me, and I could have sworn it caressed my hand before it disappeared into the lamp, the smooth metal warm once more.
I pulled the humming lamp to my chest, the smooth vibrations settling into my skin. The king eyed the movement and offered a tight smile. “Get a good night’s rest, my dear. The journey to Prallues is a long one.”
When I returned to my tent, Wista had finished packing and a warm meal waited beside the bed.
I barely touched it, my appetite gone along with my silent shadow.
Shade’s absence was a gaping hole in my chest, a feeling that had always been there, but I hadn’t noticed it until after it had been filled.
I burrowed into the excessive pillows, holding the lamp close. I loathed to think about how Shade felt, trapped back in the lamp. The isolation. The loneliness.
If he could sense my proximity, hear me, perhaps it would ease his pain somewhat.
Even if it was just a little. So, I gave him what always comforted me, what comforted my sister—I sang to him, the same lullaby I sang to Eleanor when we arrived.
Before I allowed sleep to claim me, I whispered the haunting tune until my voice grew hoarse and my eyes heavy.
Terym had been right, the journey to Prallues was terribly long and grueling.
Though some nights were spent within inns, most were spent camping under the stars.
Too far from civilization to have any choice, with the Central Territory more spread out than the others.
Those nights were hardest, under the watchful eyes of many.
At least this time, people I had grown to trust traveled with us.
Wista and Fallon. Even Pierce I trusted more than most.
Throughout the entire journey, I kept the lamp close to my heart.
I hoped Shade could hear it, feel it. Feel me.
On the nights I had some privacy, with only Eleanor close by, I would sing him the lullaby, willing him to know he wasn’t alone.
Despite spending only just over a week in his company, I couldn’t bear the thought of him stuck in the lamp.
All alone. Just as he had been in that cave for over a thousand years.
During the day, Eleanor kept me distracted by recalling everything she experienced thus far on our “adventure,” as she liked to call it. Harkin traveled with our party, but most days were spent with the other lords doing whatever it was lords did while they rode for hours on end.
It took two weeks to travel to Torglea’s capital, and when we finally beheld the sprawling city, it was larger than I’d expected. We entered via a ridge, allowing us to view the entire valley below. The city nestled along a curving river, houses of every size and shape crowding the hills.
The packed cobblestone streets made it difficult to traverse, and soldiers struggled to hold back the excited people when they realized who’d returned to their city.
Merchants lined the edges of the street, selling bright fabrics or shiny trinkets.
Others were filled with pastries or skewered meats, the array of mouthwatering scents teasing my tastebuds and making my mouth water.
I met Eleanor’s sparkling gaze, her body practically vibrating with excitement. When our procession slowed in a particularly congested area, a merchant hurried forward, a basket of pastries held high.
“Miss! Miss!”
“Stand back,” Pierce called out, forcing his horse between Eleanor and the excitable man.
“Let him through, Pierce, I’d like to try one,” she ordered him, gesturing the man forward. Our guard huffed, narrowing his eyes as Eleanor leaned forward to speak with him.
“How much?”
“A bronze coin each, but for you little lady, I’ll give three for two.” The man grinned wide and held the basket higher, letting her peruse its contents.
“Do you have any blueberry? They’re my sister’s favorite and the only way I can bribe her to let me out and about.” Her mock whisper and side eye had the merchant laughing as he pointed out a large muffin with the unmistakable blue fruit.
My sister placed three bronze coins inside the merchant’s pocket, paying full price, before selecting her pastries. Then she tossed the muffin at me, which I barely managed to avoid squishing as I caught it.
“Thank you very much, miss. A wonderful day to you.” The merchant bowed and scurried through the soldiers surrounding us.
Another merchant approached, this one carrying a tray of meat, and I bit into the muffin. It was delicious, the tartness of the berries covered by sweet cake, the best I had ever tasted. Savoring the rare treat, I let my gaze wonder.
Although the tables set up along the street were vibrant, the houses behind them were derelict. Dotted among the crowd were the unmistakable signs of poverty, of hungry bellies and unwashed skin.
When I caught Eleanor’s eyes again, they were less excited than they were when we first arrived, her smile slightly forced.
Word of her generosity traveled fast, and merchants approached her unabashedly, drawn to her cheeriness and wide smiles.
Although she didn’t always buy something, she made a point to speak with them all.
Terym’s castle loomed on the opposite side of the river, casting the streets below in shadow. When we reached the large stone bridge crossing the roaring water, the merchants fell away, none following us across.
The other side was the complete opposite, clean streets were free from merchants, the people walking them dressed in finer clothing, the houses larger.
The upper society of Prallues put even Toreshire’s richest families to shame.
Everywhere I looked, necks and wrists were adorned with sparkling jewels, clothes made of the finest silks and velvet, embroidered to the latest fashion.
Eleanor had grown quiet. Her brow furrowed and lips pursed when she took in the distinct change.
By the time we reached the large iron gates to the castle, the streets had cleared. Not even Prallues’s citizens game enough to approach their king’s domain.
The guards manning the gate dressed differently to the soldiers I had grown used to.
Though their armor gleamed just as brightly in the sun, their capes were more decorative and elegant.
The hilts of their swords were sparkling gold, and a large eagle’s head sat in place of the usual plain pommel.
Each of them scanned our surroundings meticulously while we waited for the large gates to swing open.
We rode up a long white stone drive lined with beautifully trimmed shrubs leading to the wide steps of the castle’s impressive entrance.
Our procession halted in front of the steps, and several stable hands scurried forward.
A young boy, no more than twelve, reached for the reins and held my mare steady while I dismounted.
When I thanked him, a look of pure shock lit up his face before he scrambled away without a word, hauling the tired horse behind him.
I watched him go until Eleanor joined me. “How was your muffin?”
“Is this where you ask me for something?”
She guffawed, drawing attention from the servants gathered for our arrival. “I’m keeping that one for when I need it later. Do you think we’ll be able to go into the city again?”
It was clear she enjoyed herself among the people and merchants, it was often where she was most happy.
“If you do, don’t go without me,” I murmured. I didn’t want to dull her spark, but the thought of her alone and out of reach, among the desperate … threatened to send me into a spiral I would struggle to break free from.
“Ugh, Lia!” She threw up her hands, and I grabbed them before she could attract everyone’s attention again.
“Eleanor.” Something in my tone killed the fire in her hazel eyes. “Please. We have to be careful. Not just in the city, but here as well. Promise me?”
Her eyes narrowed for a moment, searching, then they softened and she sent me a small smile. “I promise.”