Chapter 1 #2
The strings curved through the air, breathing life into my veins. Weightless, I moved like a predator seducing its prey, dazed eyes following as though I’d cast a spell. It was the same reason I was forbidden to sing; people became enthralled far too easily.
My spin halted mid-step as I caught the golden embroidery of my father’s jacket glinting in the candlelight.
He stalked towards the marble dais in the centre of the ballroom, shooting me a disapproving glare before climbing the steps and perching on his throne of twisted metal.
A small flick of his fingers signalled Aldric, pulling the leash of obedience that was shackled to both of us.
“Come,” my brother murmured, lacing his arm with mine and leading me through the crowd.
I knew better than to protest. The dancers stopped and parted for us with hushed curiosity as my father raised his arms, signalling the crowd to be quiet.
Aldric took his seat in the smaller throne beside him, while I remained standing. Alone.
There was no throne for me. I was an ornament, meant to gleam, not to speak.
My Kingdom forged crowns for powerful men and celebrated their sons, but left their daughters to rot beneath the weight of perfection.
This was only a reminder of my place, as if I needed one. The scars etched into my skin beneath my dress were an effective enough reminder of what happens when I do not listen.
“Tonight,” King Vaylor declared, “we celebrate the sacred Rite of Ascension. Every seven years, we offer our own to the Gods to be blessed with power to protect our people or be chosen for sacrifice.”
The crowd erupted in applause, cheering for the impending deaths in the name of our estranged Gods. “We need these initiates into the Iron Guard more than ever. The Commander of Death has returned.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd; the name alone had the ability to evoke fear even into the most powerful men.
Gooseflesh tore across my skin as a shiver ran up my spine.
I had heard his name whispered in the halls.
He was the monster my Kingdom feared the most. A legendary weapon that left nothing but destruction in his path.
“Anyone brave enough is encouraged to take the leap.”
Whispers slithered through my mind, clawing over each other in an unsettling crescendo.
No one will save you, they hissed.
They were right, but perhaps I could save myself. I knew Ascension would certainly promise death. But live or die, I would rewrite my fate. And if I lived, perhaps the darkness I carried would finally have a purpose. My lips parted before I could think.
“I wish to Ascend, Father.”
My voice was quiet and weak, but I may as well have screamed. The air grew thick as mutters rippled through the crowd at my boldness. My father slowly turned. His face was carved in perfect serenity, except for his eyes, which held enough anger to burn.
“My daughter wishes to Ascend,” he repeated, voice light with mock amusement. Laughter scattered through the room like broken glass.
“No, the Gods have a plan for you already. It is my pleasure to announce princesses Lyra’s engagement to viscount Barden,” he said with a smile, raising his goblet as my skin burned with shame. “May their union tether the Northern and Southern territories to prevail against the Fae.”
The crowd made sounds of approval, cheering for a union that I would do anything to stop.
“But tonight, we honour the Gods,” my father continued, his voice rising, “and pray they grant us warriors strong enough to kill the nightmare that has returned.”
Everyone raised their goblets in a toast.
Except me. I wasn’t allowed wine. Not since the night I dared use the goblet as a weapon. The hall echoed with cheers. Then the crowd returned to their dancing, spinning like painted marionettes.
My father’s mask dropped as he turned to me and the weight of his fury was smothering.
“What have I told you about speaking when not spoken to, girl?” Spittle sprayed from his lips.
“I’m sorry, Father, I—”
“Ten lashes.”
The words landed like a punch, and my muscles turned rigid in anticipation.
Aldric turned away, eyes fixed on the dancers. He always turned away.
“I’ll present to the priest,” I said, swallowing against the bile rising in my throat.
“No.” My father waved a hand as if flicking away a fly.
“Your disobedience will not ruin such a sacred night for the Priest. You will dance with your future husband, then retire. First light, you report for punishment.” My heart rate galloped as I curtsied, the thing inside me screeching at the thought of being whipped again.
“As you wish, my king.”
I descended the steps as if walking to my execution, each footfall a drumbeat of dread. The whispers returned. This time they sung that same damned song I’d heard since childhood.
A melody in my blood.
It’s not real, I told myself, yet I was unable to stop from humming along to the tune floating only to my ears.
Viscount Barden grinned as though I were already his as I curtsied, barely masking the revulsion curling in my gut.
“You requested a dance, viscount.”
“Princess,” he replied, seizing my hand before I could offer it.
His fingers were clammy as he led me to the centre of the dance floor, curious eyes clinging to our every movement.
He pulled me against his body, hand splayed far too low on my back.
I willed my body to conform against a man I did not want to touch.
I tried not to glare at him, moving in sync perfectly to the music like I had done a thousand times before.
He guided me through the dance with grace, and for a moment, I let myself pretend he would offer me love and protect me from my father and the priest.
“What occupies your spare time, Viscount?” I asked politely.
“That will not be necessary.”
I gritted my teeth, counting five slow breaths before I responded to ensure I did not snap at him. “Excuse me?”
“We do not need to get to know each other. Accepting this marriage is a last resort to protect my people against the Commander of Death and his legions. Other than that, you will be a warm place to put my cock and a womb to sow my seed. Nothing more.”
My hand tightened on his shoulder, causing him to grin darkly.
“Are you going to fight me on our wedding night?” he asked. “Because that would make you far more interesting.”
Make him bleed, the thing inside me demanded. The room spun, and nausea clawed up my throat. The melody haunting me rose, clashing with the string orchestra in a way that gritted against my nerves.
My vision darkened, and I squeezed. Hard enough that my fingernails dug into his shoulders and made him hiss. He shoved me backwards with a force that made me stumble.
“You stupid cunt!”
A shiver ran through me. The darkness inside me had answered. Perhaps one day it would take over me completely.
Aldric was suddenly at my side, taking my hand and giving Barden a polite smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
“The princess must retire now, before the Ascension begins.”
The viscount gave me one last leer. “We’ll finish that dance soon, won’t we, my bride?”
I leant in close, just enough that only he could hear me. “I will never let you have me.”
His grin only deepened at my promise as Aldric led me away.
With each step that took me away from my betrothed, the voices grew louder, burrowing themselves into my mind.
Save yourself. Run. Kill.
Torches flickered along the stone walls, their flames casting long shadows that danced like ghosts just out of reach against the tapestries.
“Why can’t you just behave, Lyra?” Aldric’s voice was soft, as though he feared the walls might listen. “Just for once, not get yourself in trouble with Father.”
I exhaled, weary to my bones. “I do try, Al.” My words trailed off like a dying breath. He didn’t reply. Just walked beside me with tense shoulders and hands that curled into fists then loosened again. The only sound between us was the hush of my ball gown against the floor.
“Are you still hearing them?” he asked eventually, barely louder than a whisper. “The voices. The songs.” He slid his hands into his pockets, a motion so casual it stung. As if my mind, my madness, were an inconvenience to be politely tucked away.
“No,” I lied, too quickly.
“You can trust me, Lyra.”
A bitter laugh slipped past my lips, my heart aching. My gaze flicked to the iron bars across the nearest window, as if blaming him for their existence. They’d been added after I’d shattered the glass to sit on the ledge.
He had seen his haunted sister singing into the darkness in a nightgown, dangerously close to a fall that would have been fatal.
They had thought I was trying to jump. But no. I’d only wanted to feel closer to the sea. Its song had woken me from sleep, luring me there.
“Like last year?” I hissed. “You told Father about the window, who increased my blood lettings to every second day. The priest gets even more time with me locked in the dungeon as his little plaything thanks to me trusting you.”
He flinched as if my words had hurt him. Regret flickered across his face, but he said nothing. Just looked away like he always did. “You could have died Lyra. I worry about you,” he muttered.
“Don’t.” My voice was sharper than I intended. “The bloodlettings hurt, but they are helping,” I lied.
The truth was it barely dulled the whispers and melodies that plagued my mind, but at least I didn’t see the dead anymore.
We walked through the dimly lit corridors in silence.
I ignored the artwork and revolting displays of riches.
My father loved collecting rare things while our Kingdom starved.
But I did notice the lack of guards pacing the hallways.
I stopped at the threshold of my chambers, fingers resting on the carved wood of the door.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I said, summoning the ghost of a smile, “I need to rest. I’ve got an early morning lashing to prepare for.
” I didn’t wait for his reply, closing the door in his face and pressing my back against it as the latch clicked into place.
For a moment, I simply stood there, alone in the quiet, where no one could see the cracks beneath the surface.
I gathered my skirts and rushed to the barred window, gripping the cold iron. A fire flickered in the darkness atop the jutting cliffs where Ascension would be held in mere hours.
Not one part of me believed I’d survive, but I was already drowning slowly, in a life that didn’t feel like mine. I sang absently, smirking down at the dark waves below.
Tonight is Ascension night, and I will change my fate, or I will die trying.