6. Chapter 6
6
I n the moonlight, the woods radiated with vibrant colors against the twinkling stars. Each tree swayed gracefully in the breeze, seemingly in perpetual bloom, their leaves whispering enchanting melodies. I was lulled into a sense of tranquility, a gentle warmth spreading from my fingertips to the small of my back. Pollen drifted through the air like shimmering stars while insects chirped and settled in for the night. As I breathed in the earthy scent mixed with the sweetness of honey, I relished the feeling of belonging, as if this place were my true home, exuding life and vibrancy.
I followed the curve of a cluster of trees onto the makeshift path that Cal and I had created as children. The once-flat stones melted into the moss-covered ground, the greenery hugging them like spindly fingers.
I leaped onto one and instinctively knew where each stone lay within the shadowy pathway. Jumping from the last rock, I leapt, landing quietly on the gravel that led to the bubbling stream next to our tree.
The deeper I went, the more my eyes easily adjusted to the darkness. Giving my one thanks to Jesri, who had insisted on pushing my body beyond its physical limits. Whether it was sparring with Darius in the dark or confronting my fear of venomous spiders, each challenge left me bruised and swollen for days. I pushed my body relentlessly, embracing the burn of exhaustion, consistently surpassing my own expectations, and marveling at how well my body adapted to the elements around me.
"What took you so long?" Calum asked, his voice piercing the quiet and startling me. I steadied myself and approached his shadowy figure, standing next to our wish tree, a twisted mass of gnarled branches sticking out in every direction. The tree appeared lifeless and abandoned, with its thick, contorted limbs contrasting sharply against the vibrant foliage around it. Despite its barren appearance, it held a special place in my heart and was the perfect spot to gaze up and admire the shining stars that seemed to glow just a little brighter from beneath its boughs.
"It's not yet midnight," I remarked. "And I'm not going to wish anyway."
He huffed out a laugh, walking into view. The shadows crept across him like dark tendrils with each step closer.
He smirked, "Glad you're enjoying the shawl."
I tugged it tighter around me. "Please tell me you didn't skip the entire party just for this?"
His expression darkened briefly before he flashed a deep smile, revealing his dimples. "Oh, I had other important matters to attend to."
Confusion flickered in my mind. "Important?" I chuckled. "What could possibly be more important than a party with plenty of ladies who—"
His lips pressed hard against mine, stealing my breath. He held my face in his soft hands and kissed me again. His intimate touch burned a hole in my frustration with an electrifying fire that consumed me until I couldn't breathe. A sudden flash of light seared through my closed eyelids as a sharp surge of energy stung my lips, tingling up into my mouth. In reflex, we pushed each other back, both with furrowed brows, hissing at one another at what just transpired. Bewilderment covered my mind as I touched my numb lips.
"What was that?" I cursed, angry at myself for letting my emotions take control. He touched his own lips when a loud snap bounced off the trees, echoing around us and quieting even the insects. We both jerked our heads towards the source, instantly on edge, knowing the warnings of the creatures that prowled at night.
He raised a finger to his lips, silencing me as we stood defensively, listening to any more unusual sounds. I strained to listen past the rustling of the stream from behind and the chorus of frogs. Another faint shuffle caught my attention, this time to our left. Cal heard it, too, his gaze shifting toward the source of the sound as the air around us grew thick with tension. The shuffle grew louder, almost clumsy, as I readied my stance. We stood still, listening. My heart thrummed in my ears when a pair of coppery-yellow eyes blinked once and then disappeared. The hair on my neck stood up, and my body pebbled with bumps down my skin. More movement arose, causing Cal to step back when a fawn emerged into view, nibbling on shrubs. The fear escaped my body immediately, returning my breathing to its natural rhythm.
"Scared of a fawn?" Cal teased, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. I shoved him away before walking towards the tree, settling down on the soft ground, and inhaling the earthy night air. Calum joined me, sitting close into my warmth.
We sat silently for a moment before he spoke. "I—" he hesitated. "I needed to know."
I looked at him with irritation in my eyes. All that firey passion moments ago had faded, turning into anger and guilt.
"Know what, Cal?" I demanded sharply.
He looked at me, almost saddened, yet his golden eyes still showed bright amidst the dark world around us. "Your lips, Eliah. Your lips on mine."
I stilled as my anger fueled—only another toy to play with. I gritted my teeth, fighting off my girlish emotions. I wouldn't let myself fall for him, ever . He wasn't capable of giving me the happiness I yearned for, and I couldn't remain. I refused to spend my life here in his shadow.
"Don't you dare place me as a piece in your game, Calum," I snapped. "I will never play."
I looked up at him, despising myself for enjoying his soft lips, which turned into a playful smile. "You couldn't bear the thought of one girl not swooning for you?" I hissed, scaring a few birds out of their nests. I wrapped the shawl tighter and stood, walking farther away from him.
We stayed there in silence, listening to the quiet music of the woods as I let my anger settle into the kernel of light within me.
"Why did you bring me here, Cal?" I asked, breaking the silence at last.
His eyes turned somber as he looked at me, his smile fading. He scuffed his polished shoes and shoved his hands into his pockets.
"I know something, El. Something that I—I couldn't live with myself if I didn't tell you," he confessed.
I furrowed my brows, waiting for his explanation.
"Do you remember the Leonardian War? After King Tyran's reign."
My thoughts flashed back to the history lessons with the scrawny professor who Jesri insisted Cal and I endure. One lesson stood out more than the others about the massacre directed by King Leonard. Thousands of Magics perished. The profound sadness of that realization had brought me to tears that night as I wrestled with the horror of an entire race being destroyed and, henceforth, forgotten.
I shook my head. "Only the massacre," I said, my voice trembling with the weight of the memory.
His brow furrowed in concern. "The war started when corrupted Magics summoned something," he explained, his tone grave. "They were seeking something dangerous. After the summoning, hundreds of other—" he paused, glancing around cautiously. "Creatures appeared. King Leonard rallied several neighboring armies to hunt them down, exterminating anything with even a trace of magic—no longer trusting those with such abilities."
My mind raced through the books I had read earlier, remembering reading something about the Spellcasters and their archaic plans that failed. "These…Magics, were they called the Spellcasters?" I whispered, feeling a sense of apprehension, as if speaking their name aloud might conjure them.
His eyes narrowed in surprise. "Yes, how—"
"Jesri's library," I interjected. "I was looking for information about the King's Match." I continued, detailing my search and how it yielded nothing further.
"You found this in Jesri's library?" he questioned.
I nodded, causing him to caress his jaw in thought.
"What is it?" I asked, eager to leave the darkening woods, now chilled by a brisk wind.
"The existence of the Spellcasters has been erased from most historical records, and if any text were found, it could be punishable by imprisonment or death."
My brows shot up in shock and confusion, sensing Calum felt the same way.
Sensing he didn't want to question his uncle, he continued. "The Kings were determined to ensure that no one would attempt such actions again since their failures led to something terrible."
"What do you mean, terrible ? "
"That's all I know. Something terrible occurred following whatever evil magic the Spellcasters attempted," he recounted.
My mind spun with unanswered questions, the pieces refusing to align. The Kings had been deceiving us. But for what purpose besides us Mundanes who yield no magic? It doesn't make sense.
"Where did you come across this information?"
His demeanor shifted to one of seriousness. "This afternoon, I overheard Sir Alder mention the War with Jesri and Darius. I couldn't make out everything, but it seems the evaluation Sir Alder wants you in might involve creatures or some animal. They discussed the need for a cage."
My heart stopped, realizing what Jesri meant about taking the evaluation down. But what was its link to the War?
I stood up and staggered away from our tree, my mind swirling with questions. What creatures were they discussing? What animals? The last evaluation involving animals left me ill for weeks after a rabid dog bite paralyzed half my body.
I closed my eyes, feeling a surge of fear and anger course through me.
"Why tell me?" I snapped, struggling to contain the rising anger that threatened to overwhelm me. His eyes glazed over as he stood up against the thick trunk. "Why?" I rasped, feeling like a pawn in his game.
"To better prepare you," he said flatly, his temper rising.
"Evidently, that's what Levon is for," I spat.
His stature shifted at the mention of Levon to something mimicking disgust. He rolled his eyes before palming his face and stroking his hair back. "Can you not believe me when I say I'm trying to help you?"
I gritted my teeth, clutching the lavender shawl tighter in my cold hands.
"Why?" I ordered. "Why does Jesri think I can do this? Or that I will?" I inquired, feeling pressure build up in my throat. "Why does he hate me?"
His face softened, realizing my terror. Despite my efforts to deny my fear, deep down, fear held me tightly, slowly squeezing the air from me as I secretly wished for our wretched tree to answer my pleas.
"El," Calum murmured, drawing me closer to him. I tensed, irritated at his attempt to soothe my fearful heart and regain control. I reluctantly let him stroke my hair, not having the energy for another fight.
I knew that this outcome would happen. That I would be sent away to use my abilities in whatever form was needed. I just wasn't prepared for… this.
"I don't know, El. I don't understand why Jesri thought you would be the one to do it," he confessed, a hint of jealousy coloring his words as he broke the silence.
I pulled out of his embrace, leaving me cold. Of course, he would be jealous. Calum was kin to Jesri, and I was nothing more than a pawn heading towards my demise.
Overwhelmed by a torrent of questions and emotions I wasn't ready to confront, I turned to walk away, but he caught my hand.
"Stay," he pleaded. "Please, El."