7. Chapter 7
7
E very part of me yearned to flee, to find peace somewhere far from here. But his pleas, like a siren's call, tugged at the threads that still connected us. Despite all of Calum's flaws, aside from Aoife, he was my only friend, and the thought of finding comfort in his arms made me push past my fear and resentment. I couldn't let go of what might be our last moment together, so I stayed. He held me close as we gazed up at our tree and the stars twinkling through its branches. The soft, cool moss beneath us became our bed for the night.
"What do you think the tournament will be?" I asked, snuggling in closer to his side as the night grew colder.
"Something exciting enough to make Jesri say yes," he mocked, readjusting himself and pulling me tighter.
We sat silently for a moment, the gentle breeze whispering through the leaves and the sweet scent of flowering trees filling the air as we inhaled the fragrant night.
"Where were you at the party today? You've never missed it before."
He smiled sincerely, exposing his dimples even in the starlight.
"With Lady Annabelle," he cooed with a chuckle.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes and push away from him, feeling like the other lady he would always run back to when things got rough.
"Hopefully, she quelled your appetite because you missed the best pastries Jesri has ever gotten," I said, stretching out my neck.
He started full-on belly laughing, sitting up beside me and ruffling out his hair. "Could you imagine Lady Annabelle in the tournament or one of your evaluations?" Calum chuckled, shaking his head.
"She'd probably try to duel with a fan," I replied curtly.
"Or faint at the sight of her own shadow."
"You're terrible," I said, nudging him playfully, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
"Ah, but you love me for it," he retorted with a grin.
"You wish."
"What was that earlier?" he asked, touching his lip and turning the conversation somber. My mind returned to the sharp sting that shocked both of us.
"I don't know," I stopped, shaking my head, genuinely puzzled. "Maybe if you didn't have such a magnetic personality, the moonbugs would stay away."
He grinned, raising an eyebrow. "Are you saying I'm irresistible?"
"More like trouble."
"Well, they do say the best things in life come with a bit of trouble," he replied, laying back on the ground and pulling me with him.
I couldn't stop my laugh, which echoed through the trees.
We fell silent, listening to the nocturnal insects sing, until his breathing gradually slowed, indicating he had drifted off to sleep. With a nudge, I roused him, and together, we retraced our steps back to the estate, both wrapped snugly in the shawl. The wind had grown stronger, chilling the damp air around us as we quickened our pace.
Upon reaching the estate, we bid each other goodnight and went to our separate rooms. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit my pillow, only to be abruptly awakened by Aoife's cheerful voice as she drew back the thick curtains, flooding the room with warm sunlight. A groan escaped my lips as the sun touched my face.
"Oh, you have always been one for the dramatics," Aoife teased, perching herself at the edge of my bed. "You didn't train all night again, did you?" she remarked, gesturing to my clothes, which were still on from the night before.
I shifted my weight onto my right elbow, raising myself to face her. "Oh, no," I responded flatly, annoyed at being woken so early. What time was it, anyway? I managed fine on minimal sleep, but today, my mind and body rebelled against the lack of it.
"Jesri expects you at breakfast as soon as possible, and then it's off to warm up for your final evaluation," Aoife said with urgency in her voice.
I sat up, blinking against the sunlight filtering through my window, noticing the large, daunting gates being assembled outside. A knot formed in my stomach as I suppressed a rush of thoughts about what the potential creatures might be.
I palmed my eyes, releasing a sigh of frustration. The echoes of last night's conversation persisted in my mind like murky water, stubbornly refusing to fade away. With a groan, I determined to push the thoughts aside and focus on succeeding in today's evaluation.
Yet, my mind refused to obey and wandered aimlessly to thoughts about the Spellcasters, the innocent Magics, and the deceit taught for hundreds of years. It all was much too confusing to comprehend.
"Well, aren't you a cheery one this morning?" Aoife remarked, laying out clean training attire by my feet. "Come on now, don't make Jesri upset at the both of us."
I scooted off the bed, landing on the cool wood floor. Rubbing my eyes, surely red from little sleep. I slid off my clothes from the night before and quickly slipped on a new pair of black pants and a dark green top, lacing my boots up while Aoife combed my knotted hair.
"I can finish here, Aoife. Thank you," I said, yawing and beckoning her to leave.
"You'd best get down there on time, Eliah. And be careful with that arm of yours," she said with a wink. "Good luck, my dear. I know you'll do wonderful."
She hurried out the door, knowing she had a hundred and one things to do before lunch.
I quickly braided my hair, letting it fall down my back, and followed suit. I went down the staircase and nearly reached the door when voices echoed from the dining hall. My boots squeaked with the sudden change in direction as I turned towards the source, recognizing the familiar tones of Jesri and Calum conversing.
"Happy Evaluation Day," Jesri said, buttering his biscuit with jam as I entered the room. The dining decorations were cleared, leaving the large room feeling empty, like Jesri's cheery welcome. Calum greeted me with a smile, his eyes were also red from little sleep. I approached the table and took my usual seat next to him, scanning the room for any sign of Levon.
Jesri noticed my confusion. "Levon is preparing for your test," he explained, taking a bite of his biscuit, causing crumbs to scatter onto his plate. "Hurry and eat," he urged, gesturing towards my plate with cold eggs and a small, stale biscuit.
I took a bite, grimacing at the wetness that should not come from cooked eggs, and swallowed it with a glass of water. Calum stayed silent as he watched me gulp down the food, pausing to eat his extravagant gravy with onion-laced biscuits, toasted to perfection that made my mouth water. I shot him a reassuring look, silently urging him not to worry.
I stood up abruptly, not caring for the hard biscuit nor wanting to spend more time in Jesri's presence than necessary.
"Eliah," Jesri called out, halting me just before I reached the foyer, my emotions teetering off the edge. " Do not fail me, girl. "
His voice sliced deep, dripping with repulsion. Within an instant, my body ignited with anger, fizzling through my veins like a wildfire that was impossible to contain. His words seized me, taking hold of every blood cell, every vein, and thread of control, refusing to succumb to his entitlement.
The room buzzed with a sharp, metallic twang that sent my senses into overdrive while an overpowering fear crashed over me like a wave. I heard Calum shift, the chair scraping as he stood, his voice firm as he shot back a retort to his uncle. Jesri's response was a light, mocking laugh, followed by the sound of feet shuffling across the slick ceramic floor with pebbles crunching beneath them.
I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms as the pressure in my ears intensified. My body trembled, rooted to the spot, until Calum's gentle touch on my shoulder pulled me back, reminding me of where I was.
Calum clasped my hand, gently urging me forward, though his words were muffled. My feet shuffled hesitantly as waves of anger and fear thundered in my ears, swirling my mind into a chaotic storm of emotions. Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed through my head, spreading in ripples that left my hands and legs numb. I could no longer tell if I was standing still or moving, only feeling the warmth of the sun on my face before I surrendered to the comforting embrace of darkness.
My eyes snapped open, and I was blinded by a brilliant light, which soon softened into the gentle shimmer of sunlight filtering through the trees above. Groaning against the pounding in my head, I sat up, feeling a wet cloth slip onto my lap. I took a deep breath, feeling the hollow ringing in my ears fade into the soft songs of birds and insects. I blinked to see Levon sitting against a tree, his attention shifting over my body with palpable concern.
"Are you alright, my lady?" Levon's voice sounded distant as I fought to recover my senses.
I rubbed my face, feeling a rough texture scrape against my cheek. When I pulled my hand away, I noticed dried blood smeared on both hands and caked under my fingernails. I shook my head, trying to piece together what had happened.
"Eliah?"
I snapped my eyes back to his voice, forgetting he was there. "I'm…fine," I replied quickly, and surprisingly, I meant it. Despite everything, I felt okay, just a bit disoriented.
His eyes shifted to my bloody palms, and he stood. Worry covered his face.
"What happened?" he whispered with conviction.
I shook my head again, shrugging. I didn't know what had happened, still feeling the lingering pain within my skull. I looked back up to Levon in silent question.
"I saw you collapse in Calum's arms as soon as you stepped outside. I rushed over to help, but Calum wouldn't say what happened and only stayed silent while he carried you here," Levon explained, gesturing to the damp cloth in my lap. I picked it up and scrubbed away the dried blood from my hands.
"All I remember was being angry and—" I halted, recollecting the vivid details of my surroundings: Calum's breathing, Jesri's knife slicing into his food, and…fear, so much fear. "The test," I said, changing the subject. "Did I miss it?"
Levon laughed heartily, tilting his head back. "Your first worry is about the test?" he chuckled again. "Jesri really did instill resilience in you."
I bit back my tongue, letting the words roll off. Jesri did nothing to instill that. He was only there to punish.
"Did I miss it?" I asked again, sharply.
He shook his head. "No, my lady. You weren't out very long."
I twisted to stand as Levon reached out a hand, but I quickly backed away.
"I'm fine." I turned back to the estate, walking anywhere besides Levon's bright eyes.
"Eliah, be careful with yourself." His voice filled with sincerity.
I glanced back with a curt nod, hastily walking away and shaking away the murky fog that still held my mind.
I stepped into the open courtyard, where the tall fence loomed overhead, supported by sturdy wooden posts. Darius and some of his men, clad in green training cloaks, shared a laugh while pointing high to the fence's edge. Changing direction, I went to the back of the estate to catch a breath.
I turned the corner of the estate's plastered walls and adjusted my pace as the terrain sloped downward, forming a gentle hill that leveled out further below. In the distance, the shimmering sea caught the sunlight, its surface sparkling like a vast expanse of jewels. White sails could be seen, roaming freely. I inhaled deeply, relishing the humid air that sunk deep into my lungs.
I concentrated on breathing, inhaling, and exhaling slowly, trying to regain my composure. What was that? It felt like life had momentarily vanished, leaving behind only a profound sense of fear…fear unlike any I had ever known.
I stretched my arms and neck, letting the sun soak deep into my tanned skin. Closing my eyes, I concentrated on clearing my mind, letting the chirping birds and the distant yell of voices fade into the distance, and refocused on my lungs expanding and compressing—in and out.
Quickly, I opened my eyes, deciding to find Cal before warming up and letting my mind wander over what might happen in that cage.
I walked through the side door into the servant's quarters, where the maids quickly curtsied before hurrying off. The scent of warm butter filled the air, leading me to the freshly baked rolls. I couldn't resist snatching one, savoring each warm bite as the rich butter melted on my tongue. Continuing, I rounded the corner to the stairwell and began my ascent.
I jogged up, leaping across two steps and then back, focusing on balance and control as I tried to warm up my legs and lungs. The strain left me panting for air when I reached the top.
The back foyer was unusually quiet as I approached the staircase leading to our rooms. Murmurs drifted from a distant hallway, hushing as my shoes squeaked against the ceramic tiles. Just as I reached the other staircase, a hand grabbed my arm, yanking me back.
" What are you doing ?" Jesri barked, his eyes filled with venom. I freed my arm and stepped off the stair, forcing my anger down. "Get out there. Now! " He pointed toward the courtyard, his voice commanding as he quickly ascended the stairs and blocked my path, leaving me no choice but to comply.
I clenched my jaw and rolled my eyes—not caring what the punishment would be.
Fine. I'll find Cal after.
I turned around and stomped away, hoping to annoy Jesri even more with the scuff and squeak of my shoes. I could hear him grunt with frustration as I walked back outside.
Darius was waiting by the fence opening with Levon at his side, talking about something in the notebook he carried. They saw me approach and fixed their stance.
"Feeling better, my lady?" Levon asked, closing his book.
I nodded. "Yes," I paused. "Though, I'd feel better if you could share any tips besides survival."
Darius glanced my way with a sly smile, raising his brows toward Levon. I shifted my weight onto my left leg, folding my arms across my chest in waiting.
Levon smiled. "What is it you say, Darius? Prepare for the unexpected?"
Darius chuckled, adding, "Trust your gut and be quick."
I pursed my lips. "Thank you for stating the obvious," I said, annoyed. I began to move around the fence, only for Darius to step in front of me.
"You know the rules, Eliah. No snooping," Darius said, treading carefully to avoid provoking my anger. "You'll find out soon enough."
I exhaled sharply— fine. Turning on my heels, I ran in the opposite direction, landing a solid punch on Darius's arm as I dashed past. His playful protest echoed after me, but I was too preoccupied with quelling my mounting fear to listen.