Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Boreus had no idea what had just happened. Autumn had said Chaos sent her to the void, but that made almost no sense. Why would the elder send her into danger like that? In fact, it was the second time she’d nearly died from something that Chaos had done.
Autumn was asleep in his arms, cuddled into his side, and Boreus was having trouble falling asleep. He’d done that when he’d gotten back from Auster, but she hadn’t woken when he’d climbed in to hold her.
And then it had been two weeks until he’d seen her eyes again. What if it happened again? What if her mind convinced her she meant nothing, and she was gone when he woke up? How did he ensure that she knew how much she meant to him when she was actively trying not to fall apart?
All he could do was be there. He just had to be steady, tell her she was his all, show her he was there for her, and not for who she carried in her chest. Boreus loved Autumn, not because of Eleni, but for herself.
He bent, curling up in the bed to kiss her forehead. She stirred, opening her eyes and smiling at him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“We’ll figure this out,” he whispered back. “Light will talk to Chaos, and I’ll take care of you until you feel better.”
“I have to mind Auster,” she looked up at him. “How I feel about it doesn’t matter.”
He smiled down at her. “I think you might find he’s found a new perspective on things. He and I had a long talk.”
She smiled up at him again, cuddling into his chest. “I just have to keep going, no matter what.”
“And I will be there with you.” He murmured in her ear. “I will be with you, love.”
She went soft, falling back asleep
* * *
They were having breakfast when the call came. They were summoned to the Highest, and they left the remnants of their food behind to walk through the halls of the Bastion to the throne room where they knelt at Chaos’ side.
Boreus was on high alert, but Chaos just seemed baffled. Looking over at Autumn, who was looking back, also looking baffled. “Elder?”
“Little Pomegranate,” he smiled at her. “Will you sing?”
“You—” she paused, looking between Chaos and Light. “That is?—”
“What is it, Autumn?” Light looked down at her from her throne.
“That is not—” she shut her eyes and took a breath. “There was someone else in my head that night. It looked like Chaos, but they felt too different to be Chaos.”
“What do you mean?” Light narrowed her eyes at Autumn. “Are you implying that someone violated your mind?”
“Yes,” Autumn said hesitantly. “As much as it looked like Chaos, it wasn’t. They impacted my brain wrong, and they were all the way there. Chaos cannot be all the way present, or he would break my mind.”
“I must examine your claim.” Light rose from her throne and walked towards Autumn. “Do you permit this?”
“As you say, Highest.” Autumn bowed her head, and Light’s hand came to rest on the crown.
Light gathered around her hand, kind light, the color of a summer sunrise, and Boreus watched it sink into Autumn’s head. He wanted to pull her away, to protect her, but Light would not harm his love.
It took time, and Boreus had lost track of it by the time Light lifted her hand and the light faded from Autumn. She looked dazed, and Light looked terribly concerned.
“That was not Chaos,” she looked over to where Chaos was standing. “Do you know what happened?”
“A fragment missed in turmoil.” Chaos tapped his forehead. “Seeks rebirth, but there is no room.”
“So,” Light looked down at Autumn. “I must find out certain things. I will call you back when I have what I need.”
“Yes, Highest,” Autumn rose. “I will return to my duties.”
“You must accept him, Autumn.” Light said calmly. “If what I believe is truth, you must have another layer of protection.”
Autumn nodded slowly, and Boreus reached to take her hand. “If that is what is needed, Highest.”
Light reached down and laid a soft hand on her head. “You are called to this, Autumn. We will protect you, but you must walk forward on your own.”
“I know,” she looked down. “I know that is all I am, a purpose and a means to an end. I will accept that.”
“Child, no,” Light looked distressed, flicking a glance over at Boreus who just nodded. “Autumn, you are more than what we ask of you.”
She looked up at Light and gave her a sad smile. “It is what it is, Highest. I will return to my duties.”
Love rose, walking down the steps to stop at the side of Light. “Autumn, you do not walk alone, all will be well in the end.”
“I still cannot guarantee that I would be the one harmed if Eleni and I ruptured. So I will carry on until I can. I will protect them, however I can.”
“Love goes both ways, Autumn.” Love shook his head, gesturing up at the sigil. “It flows, like the sea, and can be even more powerful if it is directed properly.”
“I will do as I am told, Highest.” Autumn looked up at the Sigil, sorrow and need in her eyes. “But I will not ask them for what they are not willing to give.”
“You will not ask at all.” Love said bluntly. “Remember the darkness, Autumn. Remember dancing with them, and let your heart speak for you.”
Autumn opened her mouth, but rather than words, she just sighed and nodded. “Your will, Highest.”
“Yours, Autumn,” Love said. “Your will, your love, will drive this, and holding back what you feel does them a disservice.”
“I will go,” Autumn rose and turned her back on the Highest before leaving the room, her measured stride telling Boreus just how close she was to cracking.
“Go with her,” Love sounded tired, gesturing to Boreus. “We went about this wrong and we will try and mend it.”
“She is so stubborn,” Light sat back down on her throne. “Go, North Wind. Tell her I will see her in three days.”
Boreus rose, bowed, and hurried off to find Autumn.