Chapter Fifty-Two
The Caged
We dined on grilled fish and crusty bread. I had way too many mugs of disgusting ale, but I laughed. We joked and talked about random things. Nero joined us as we enjoyed ourselves.
As we lived .
When we were done with our meal, Enzo set gold coins on the table and gestured for us to leave. The sun was getting lower in the sky by time we exited, and I realized we had spent hours just inside the small tavern.
Torches were being lit around the city, lighting up the small streets and alleyways. I followed Enzo down one, Nero close behind, as we descended. We turned a corner and I realized we were at the docks.
The boats I thought were small before, weren’t. They could fit twenty or so men, and they lined the piers and docks. Men and women were working on the boats as well as carrying different barrels and boxes back and forth. The salty air was sharp as I inhale, causing me to sneeze .
The ships docked way out in the water had lights on, making them glow against the darkening waters. The sea seemed to stretch forever, and only the smallest sliver of land across from us was visible.
“What country is that?” I ask, pointing at the dark line.
“Ovobia and Khailes are directly across from us.” Enzo responds.
“What are they like?” I ask, as we watch the water.
“Ovobia is what people call the land of savages. It’s run by a monster of a man named Selkath.
His entire country is filled with for-hire mercenaries.
Men are bred to be killing machines, women used as cattle.
It’s not a very nice place, if I’m being honest. The men, they are another breed.
They can be nearly double the size of a human man and can replace ten men on a battlefield.
” I swallow as I stare at the dark sliver across the sea.
“My gods.”
“There may come a time when their services are needed.” I don’t answer.
“What about Khailes?” He laughs.
“Khailes is the exact opposite. It’s a country of great beauty.
Women there tend to have an ethereal nature to them, almost too perfect to seem real.
Grottos and hidden caves fill their country, making it possible for almost the entire population to live underground.
Most cloths and silks come from Khailes.
However, much like Ovobia, men are used as cattle there.
There aren’t really families. The women find men to mate with, and then send them back to wherever they came from. ”
“Really?” I ask, surprise coating my voice.
“Yeah. I’ve never been, but Nithe said it was one of the most insane places he’s ever been.” He snorts.
“Of course he’s been.” I sigh, swallowing my insecurities. “What queen reigns there?”
“No one knows. It’s rumored to be run by a goddess, but unless you live there, or are the High Queen,” he glances at me. “No one knows. ”
We stay quiet as the sun dips down below sea level, turning the sky a deep purple.
“I wish we could stay longer, but we should get going. Travelling at night tends to be questionable.” Nero interjects.
“You said it was safe.” I counter, turning away from the water.
“It normally is, my queen, but with the Noterran men on our border, it’s better to be safe.” I sigh and nod. Enzo offers me a tight-lipped smile as we turn away from the sea and head back towards the inn.
The slope isn’t as forgiving on the way back to the inn and I can feel the ale coming out of my pores as I sweat. I’m panting by time we get to the stables and Enzo pays the stablekeep. Our horses are brought out, and I use one of the nearby stools to mount, instead of asking for help.
We turn away from the bustling city and the sea as we trek back through the hills. The air turns sweet as the salt dissipates and I sigh.
“Can we come back?”
“Of course. Maybe we can make a trip out of it, stay for a few days.”
“I would really like that.” I turn and smile at him. His eyes are shining in the moonlight, his face relaxed. “What do you think it would have been like to grow up together?” I ask. He laughs.
“I heard you were pretty wild as a child, so I imagine we would cause a lot of trouble.”
“I wish we were never separated. I was so alone.” I admit, biting my lip.
“I wish for nothing more than to have grown up with you, Elaenor. Truly. But if we had, I wouldn’t have Mali. She may or may not have existed, and I love her. She’s everything to me.” He offers me a sad smile, and I know I could never ask for him to give her up.
“I understand. I can’t imagine having to give up a sibling either. It would be like giving up Scarlett or Laenie.” Or Rhea . I don’t finish the thought .
“I wonder if she would even exist, or if her mother would still be alive.” He ponders.
We stay silent for a moment and then it hits me.
Why did I never consider it? Why has no one ever considered it?
Especially after what Kassius told us about them.
About their history. I pull my horse to a stop and look at him.
“How old is she?” I ask.
“Eleven, why?” He stops his horse and looks over at me.
“Her hair, it’s so similar to his…” My voice fades as the wheels turn in my head. There is no way. There can’t be. Light blonde with a hint of copper.
“Elaenor?”
“I remember something.”
“What does it have to do with Malathea?” A gasp escapes my lips as a pounding pressure erupts in my head. I grip the sides of my scalp, digging my fingers in as images flash through my mind. The pain is all-consuming, and I feel like I might pass out.
A scream escapes my lips and I vaguely feel arms pulling me off the saddle. I can feel the ground on my back as I scream. Someone is talking, but I can’t make out what they are saying.
Trees, young boys, my mother’s soft smile.
Amaya cloaked in black. Tobias pushing me down a hill.
Running through the halls and the trees.
Teleporting in clouds of silver mist. Theo’s beautiful blue eyes as he helped me up time and time again.
Theo protecting me from Tobias and getting beat for it.
Theo telling me how he was going to marry me some day, only for Tobias to say that I was his and always would be.
I remember Rakushia, and a young Emery. I remember an older boy who seemed disgusted by my presence, sulking in his room while Emery and I tore through her mother’s closet. His dark hair and purple eyes.
I remember the wisteria and the hills.
Kassius time and time again chasing me through the trees. My mother’s tears as she lost another child. My mother’s worried face as she pried Amaya’s hands off of me .
Amaya’s cold eyes as she stabbed me over and over again in the stomach. I remember the carriage. I remember the water.
The pain.
“Malathea isn’t ready to come out yet.”
“You’re going to be so powerful, little love.”
“Malathea isn’t ready.”
Malathea.
Mal.
“She’s his sister.” I spit out, the images flashing through my mind, slowing until just one remains.
Amaya standing in the woods, her hand on her swollen belly. Anger brewing deep in her eyes as she stares at me like I will be the cause of her destruction.
And I was.
“What?” My eyes open and the pain in my head disappears. Enzo’s brows are furrowed as he stares at me. Nero is standing, his eyes also filled with panic, his hand on a short sword ready to fight an unseen threat.
“Malathea is Tobias’s sister.” Enzo’s mouth falls open as he leans back. I sit up and stare at him. Emotions flick across his face as he processes through each one. Denial. Confusion. Questioning.
Realization .
“No, that’s impossible.” He shakes his head and stands, leaving me on the ground.
“Malathea was the name of Amaya’s child, the one she was carrying when she tried to kill me.” I pull myself to my feet, ignoring Nero’s outstretched hand.
“You can’t know that. You don’t remember!” He spits, misguided anger coating his words.
“I remember everything.” I say softly. His face falls as he stares at me, silver lining his eyes. It’s then that I see acceptance .
We abandon our leisurely ride and race back to the palace, our horses moving faster than I ever thought possible the entire way. Enzo doesn’t wait for me to dismount as he runs for the front door. Nero helps me down, his hands on my hips.
“Are you alright, my queen?” He asks, looking down at me.
“Yes, I’ll be fine.” I respond, my eyes holding his gaze.
“Should you need anything, I am at your service.” I offer him a smile and step out of his arms. I don’t look back, even though I want to, and follow after Enzo.
“What is going on?” Scarlett scares me and I jump as she rounds the corner. “Enzo is in there, yelling at his father. What happened?” Her eyes search mine frantically and I reach for her hand.
“I remember everything.”
“Everything?” Her free hand flies up to cover her mouth.
“Everything, but…” I glance down the hallway towards the council room.
“What?”
“I remember Malathea. When she was still in her mother’s womb.” I admit, her hand drops, and she furrows her brows.
“How is that possible?” She shakes her head.
“She’s Amaya’s. Mal is Tobias’s sister.” Her eyes widen as it sinks in, I release her hand and follow the sound of Enzo’s voice as he yells at someone. I let it carry me down the hall, Scarlett’s heels clicking behind me.
“Who knew?” He yells. I step through the entryway and see Davenport sitting in his chair at the head of the table. Kassius’s eyes are wide, and his mouth is open as his eyes flick back and forth between me and Enzo.
“You remember.”
“I remember.” His eyes widen as he realizes he’ll have to tell the truth. Anger brews deep in my belly as I stare at him. Lie after lie. What else is he hiding?
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Enzo interrupts, screaming at his father .
“What would I have said? That your little sister’s older brother is torturing your other little sister? That would have confused you even more than it did just now. Her mother doesn’t matter. She does.”