Chapter 9
Flames surrounded Corinne, unbearable heat licking at her skin, up her arms, smoke burning her throat.
“Corinne!”
Mother. Her mother was screaming for her, calling from the next room.
She couldn’t move—she was trapped here, on the floor of her room in the little house, a fallen beam trapping her legs beneath its weight.
Her fledgling magic was enough to keep her alive, and she tried not to inhale the smoke, but she wasn’t strong enough to lift the charred wood.
“Corinne!”
“Mother!” she tried to call, but her voice wouldn’t work either. She couldn’t speak, could hardly see. A great crack echoed around the room, and the ceiling began to collapse—
Corinne shot upright in bed, gasping for air, covered in sweat.
She was still burning, her magic lighting up not just her hands and arms but her chest and neck too.
She stumbled out of bed and managed to get to her washroom, fumbling for the tap on the shower and turning it to the coldest setting.
The frigid water shocked her back to reality, and she forced herself to breathe slowly, until the gasps waned and she could pull her magic back under her control.
She curled up on the floor of the shower as she trembled, waiting for the horrible images of her nightmare to fade.
A ragged sob fell from her lips. It hadn’t been that vivid, that visceral in several years.
It had been two decent days in a row with Prince Aryel; minimal snipes on his part and several breaks where she’d been able to return to the library and speak to Nik about books they’d both read.
As nonchalantly as she’d been able, she’d also borrowed a tome outlining the names of all the nobles in Ashera, perusing the family information to search for any potential indicator that one might be connected to the Nightrenders.
Today, she was supposed to train with Danai and Iliana.
So why now? Why had her mind betrayed her like this? She’d done her duty, sought out information that could help her keep her charge safe, and she’d continue to keep Vera’s warning in mind and keep her eye on the path.
It always felt like the panic, the grief, the terror would never cease, but eventually it did, and Corinne started running warmer water so she’d stop shivering violently.
The tremors eventually abated as she stood there, still in a nightgown that was now plastered to her skin.
She crossed her arms over her chest, her hands gripping her upper arms right over her tattoos.
Stay the course. Be the Light. Helaera help me. Be the Light.
That wasn’t the right prayer, the right order. Corinne gritted her teeth and started over.
Stay the course. Be the Light. Stay the course. Be the Light. Three more times with the right inflection in her head this time, the right order.
Her heart slowed to a normal speed, and she turned off the shower before groping in the dark for a towel.
She peeled off the soaked nightgown and squeezed the excess water out before hanging it on the rack by the towel.
All she wanted to do was crawl back into bed, but the mundanity of the tasks anchored her further in the calm of reality.
She looked outside one of her windows as she exited the washroom.
Dawn hadn’t broken yet, the sky still a deep indigo littered with stars.
She let out a shaky breath. She should try to sleep more.
Without bothering to put anything on, she climbed into bed again, nestling in the blankets.
She tried to focus on good things over the past few days; Danai approaching her and introducing her to Nik and Iliana, Vera’s surprise visit, Nik’s excitement when he spoke in detail about a book he thoroughly enjoyed, Aryel’s laughter at her outburst—
Corinne’s eyes flew open. Where did that come from? She must truly be sleep-deprived if anything about the prince was a comfort to her.
Though, she had to admit, sometimes things that seemed negative in the light of day provided some solace when her mind drifted to such dark places.
Corinne let her eyes droop shut again and allowed her mind to wander where it would in those lighter moments, eventually finding sleep again.
Corinne’s body ached as though she’d gotten into a brawl the day before.
With a groan, she hauled herself out of bed and made her way into the washroom to assess the mess that was surely her hair.
Half her curls were misshapen and flattened.
Helaera help her, she looked like she’d been plucked out of the fifth realm of hell.
First things first. She summoned her healing light and let it spread throughout her body, easing her exhausted, stiff muscles.
She peeked out of the washroom and checked the time quickly—she still had a few minutes to try and tame her hair, so she ran it beneath the shower and quickly applied the concoction she’d brought with her from the monastery.
It usually held things in place nicely, and she prayed this rushed version of her routine was enough to make her presentable.
Her hair was still damp when she finished, but it would have to do.
She dressed quickly, opting for a sleeveless tunic.
She couldn’t bear the idea of getting overheated again, especially while training with Iliana and Danai later, and the morning sun blazing on the rooftops of Vytanos promised a warm day.
When Aryel emerged from his rooms, he started past her with purpose, but stopped short when he caught sight of her.
“I didn’t expect you to have tattoos,” he said, nodding to her upper arms.
“All Lightguards have tattoos,” Corinne said. Not these tattoos, but he didn’t need to know that.
With a shrug, he carried on, and Corinne fell into the familiar rhythm of trailing after him. He slowed at the doors this time, not allowing them to fall back on her, and Corinne took it as a step in the right direction.
Despite Vera’s warning to keep her distance from Danai and the others, and despite her increased trepidation about their trustworthiness, Corinne was looking forward to their training session that morning.
A long reprieve from following Prince Aryel like a shadow and a chance to spend time doing something she enjoyed would be most welcome after her horrific night.
Corinne was ready to bolt the moment the doors to the throne room closed behind Aryel, but before she could, a voice called from within.
“Wait a moment,” Queen Erina ordered, and Aryel paused, following her gaze to Corinne. “Have the Lightguard join us. I wish to speak with her.”
Corinne’s heart sank. She was no stranger to frequent prayer, but she desperately hoped the queen wouldn’t subject her to that public display again. Prayer, like song, was intimate for Corinne; it felt strange to engage in it with someone outside the monastery.
“Well, come here, girl,” King Theo barked, and Corinne flinched.
Queen Erina placed a hand on her husband’s arm and stood from her throne, walking down the dais and past her son. Aryel had stiffened, his fists clenched at his sides. Corinne forced her feet to move and tried not to wince when the doors shut behind her with a resounding thud.
Queen Erina approached her with a warm smile, her midnight blue dress billowing gracefully with each step along the carpeted floor. Corinne didn’t know whether the guards on either side were staring at her, but it certainly felt that way.
“Come, Corinne,” she said kindly, holding out her hand.
Corinne took it and followed the queen back toward the thrones, dropping into a kneel once she reached the base of the dais. Aryel said nothing, standing in stony silence to her right.
“My dear, we hoped you might share any news from the monastery,” Queen Erina said, taking a seat upon her throne once more. “Have they made any progress in identifying and apprehending the party behind the threat to our son’s life?”
Corinne wasn’t sure she was qualified or authorized to speak on behalf of the Lightguards, but the queen was asking her a direct question, and she couldn’t simply lie to her.
“All we know is that whoever delivered the message is working with Nightrenders,” Corinne said, fighting against a tremor in her voice. “And…they suspect a spy may be within the castle walls.”
The queen nodded solemnly. “We would not be surprised if that’s the case. We’ll begin a thorough re-vetting process for all in the castle’s employ. You see, Aryel? You must be careful and stay vigilant. No more of your late-night excursions, and I mean it this time.”
The tension exuding from the prince was nearly palpable. “Yes, Mother.”
Something about the queen reminded Corinne of Mother Creita. Queen Erina had a gentle, motherly spirit, but there was a certain sternness to her that made Corinne feel small.
“Thank you, Corinne,” Queen Erina said. “You may go.”
Corinne stood, offered another quick bow, and forced herself not to sprint for the doors.
Her heart hammered in her chest as she made her way to the training grounds.
She’d have to ask Vera on her next visit how much information was appropriate to share on behalf of the Lightguards.
She’d assumed Vera or someone else from the monastery was keeping the queen and king informed, but perhaps not.
Outside, Danai and Iliana were waiting for Corinne at the edge of the ring with dirt terrain, leaning on the railing of the wooden fence. Danai’s face lit up at Corinne’s approach.
“Corinne!” they said, straightening, but their smile faded to befuddlement as she drew nearer. “What’s wrong?”
Come on, Corinne. Once again, her emotions were plastered on her face like she’d stepped into a room and bellowed exactly what she was feeling. Control.
“Nothing,” Corinne said, shaking her head and forcing a small smile. “I had to speak to the queen, is all.”
Danai’s eyes widened, and Iliana let out a low whistle.
“I’d have shit my pants,” Iliana said, and a laugh burst from Corinne’s mouth.