CHAPTER 35 - The Storm Answered
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Then came Sireen's voice just as we practiced, rich and haunting, each note weaving into the melody. Her song carried no words. Only an ancient, ethereal tune that stirred something within me every time I heard it.
I stepped forward, my movements slow, my bare feet silent against the frost-kissed stone. Windcleaver and Raincatcher gleamed in my hands, the storm-forged daggers catching the flickering light of the lanterns above.
The court held its collective breath as my eyes swept over the gathered nobles, the concubines, and, finally, Sylvos, draped in the vibrant colors of the dying light.
My gaze locked on his for a heartbeat, a flicker of challenge passing between us, before I began to move.
The first step was a glide, my body flowing like water, the daggers an extension of my arms. Windcleaver cut through the air in a graceful arc, and a soft breeze stirred the garden, ruffling the banners and velvet drapes.
I spun, the pink fabric of my gown flaring around me like mist, and Raincatcher followed, its edge glinting. As the blade angled toward the sky, I felt the first whispers of clouds gathering above, faint and thin.
The music swelled, the vielle's notes twisting into a melody that seemed almost alive, and I let my body take over, my movements wilder yet no less controlled. I leapt and spun, a perfect balance of precision and abandon, my daggers tracing invisible patterns in the air.
The breeze strengthened, answering me, as Windcleaver commanded.
With a sharp upward slice of the dagger, a cold gust swept through the garden, and the nobles clutched their furs tighter. Raincatcher followed, and the clouds above thickened, their darkened shapes swirling with shades of sunset.
The air grew heavy, electric, and the flickering lanterns cast wavering shadows that seemed to dance along with me.
The court was utterly silent now, their wide eyes fixed on me, their goblets forgotten. Even the Nightshades, always so composed, watched with unguarded wonder.
And Sylvos... Sylvos could not look away.
Not in any lifetime.
I caught the way he leaned forward in his gilded chair, his black eyes fixed on me, unblinking.
But I didn't falter.
If anything, I reveled in it, letting it fuel me.
My movements grew bolder, more fluid, as though my dance was a battle that could win this war for me.
The music reached a crescendo, the vielle's mournful cry joined by Sireen's otherworldly voice. I spun again, my daggers flashing as they cut through the air in perfect harmony. My feet barely seemed to touch the ground as I danced, my gown swirling around me.
Above, the clouds darkened the sky until it seemed the sun itself had vanished. Raincatcher reached high, and a single raindrop fell, striking the blade's tip with a soft hiss.
Then, just as the blade came down, so did the sky.
Rain crashed in a silver torrent. Yet it did not spread to the edges of the feast. The storm obeyed me, a perfect circle of rain drenching only where I danced.
Gasps rippled through the court as the nobles stared, some rising from their seats for a better view.
The rain shimmered like golden sparks in the lantern light, cascading around me in glistening streams.
I tilted my head back, a smile curving my lips as I spun faster, my movements fluid and unrelenting. The air crackled with energy, a static charge that made my skin prickle and the hair on my body stand on end.
I laughed without meaning to, exhilarated, as memories of my home flashed through me.
Dancing had always been part of me.
Some days, I felt as though I was born with the knowledge already.
The music soared, and I transitioned into the final sequence.
Only true masters of this dance wielding two storm-forged blades could manage the dance's final form. And even still, it was no easy feat.
My daggers flashed, cutting through the rain with precision. The wind howled, swirling around me, tugging at my hair and gown as if trying to sweep me away.
I raised Raincatcher high, and the storm answered.
A flash of lightning tore through the sky, blinding and jagged, striking the blade with a deafening crack.
The bolt passed through me, a streak of searing light.
I gritted my teeth as I kept the flow of energy, thrusting my second blade in another direction.
The lightning left me, leaping from Windcleaver's tip and fracturing harmlessly into the sky.
A collective gasp erupted from the court as they recoiled, their faces pale with shock and awe.
But I didn't stop.
I pivoted on my heel, drawing another bolt with an elegant sweep of my daggers. Each strike bent to my will, the electricity dancing along the blades and through me without harm.
Three more times I called the lightning, each strike more precise than the last. On the final arc, I redirected the bolt into the sky right above the feast, shattering the clouds and scattering the rain into a fine, glimmering mist.
The storm vanished as suddenly as it had come, leaving the garden bathed in an otherworldly glow. The last of the sun slowly faded, it's pink hue the same shade as my gown.
As the music slowed, drifting off into a soft, haunting echo, I came to a halt.
I lowered my daggers with grace, curtsying deeply, my soaked gown clinging to me. My chest heaved with exertion, but I didn't care. My smile was serene, triumphant.
I almost didn't notice the applause until the garden roared with it.
Sylvos clapped too, his black eyes burning with an intensity that made my pulse quicken. I met his gaze head-on, letting my smile curve.
"It seems you have won our wager," Sylvos grinned.
"Then shall I receive my prize?" I asked.
"Of course."
He rose and the court stared in stunned silence.
"Congratulations, Princess Raine Stjorme, Lady Virella Gildmere, and Lady Sireen Poole," he said, his voice carrying over the feast. "By my decree, you are all three promoted to Lavender."
Applause rippled through the nobles once again. And to my surprise, the loudest cheers came from the Clover concubines.
It was unheard of... Concubines cheering for another's success...
I couldn't help the warmth spreading through me.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," I said, sinking into a graceful curtsy, water dripping from my hair. "If you will be so kind as to excuse us. Our attire isn't fitting for the rest of the feast."
Sylvos inclined his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as his eyes flicked over our drenched forms.
"Very well. You will be escorted to your new residence and provided for accordingly. I thank you for making this feast one I shall never forget."
With that, the three of us turned and left, our soaked gowns clinging to us, trailing water across the polished stone. Servants followed in our wake, their hurried steps filling the silence.
"Raine," Virella grumbled, wringing water from her dark blonde curls, "now that you have a wind dagger, why don't you dry us off?"
"My daggers aren't like Briarvex," I said with a laugh. "I can't just wave them around and make magic appear. They only respond when I dance."
"How useless," she muttered, scowling.
I rolled my eyes at the night sky, a smile tugging at my lips.
"Your performance was incredible, though," I said, glancing at Sireen. "And yours too. I've never heard a voice like yours."
Sireen blushed, her smile softening her wide eyes.
"Griveen used to say I sounded like a walrus," she hummed. "She wasn't wrong. I used to sneak down to the bay to sing with them. Sometimes, I'd fall asleep there."
The thought made me smile.
"You sound like my sister," I said. "Skye would often disappear into the caves to be with our, uh... cave lizards. She'd fall asleep too."
"Cave lizards?" Virella wrinkled her nose. "They sound hideous. Remind me never to visit Drakfjord."
I laughed.
"Drakfjord's lizards are the least of your concerns. My eldest sister is the most terrifying thing on the island. She doesn't tolerate nonsense from anyone."
Virella lifted her chin, her steps imperious despite her soaked state.
"I bet I could put her in her place."
"She's the crown princess and heir to the throne," I said, shaking my head. "And she will probably wield the storm sword soon."
Virella sniffed, undeterred.
"Still, everyone's place begins beneath me."
I laughed again, the sound echoing softly through the crisp air.
"We'll see if you're still so sure after you meet Claude."
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The three of us had already prepared for our promotion, our foresight proving invaluable.
Each of us had packed most of our belongings and set aside purple gowns for the occasion.
When the servants arrived, their surprise was evident.
Our readiness left them scrambling to keep pace as they gathered our things and ushered us toward our new residence.
Lavender Castle, nestled closest to the fortress gates and perched above the letter office, was the perfect location to intercept any messages of the sea snake.
Fortunately, the emperor's birthday feast kept the court occupied, allowing our peaceful arrival.
I led the way toward the castle's back wing as I sought the chambers with the best view of the letter office.
Vyvy perched lazily on my shoulder, its feline form curled as if it hadn't spent the entire day dozing.
"Raine," Virella spoke up. "Why does it feel like you already know the layout of the castle?"
My steps faltered only slightly as I realized too late how unnatural my familiarity must seem.
"When you grow up in a castle, you develop a sense for them," I said smoothly. "They all follow the same patterns, really."
"I'm not so sure about that," Virella muttered, her sharp eyes scanning the halls.
I couldn't fault her skepticism.
Lavender Castle was unlike the others we had stayed in. Its halls gleamed with meticulous care, and every room was a picture of perfection, furnished with opulence that didn't bear the weight of age or neglect.
A clear contrast to the lower ranked castles.
We were officially mid-ranked concubines now.
After Lavender, all that remained were Dahlia, Rose, Orchid, and Nightshade. Unlike the bottom three ranks that boast twenty concubines each, the higher ranks had fewer concubines, allowing for more care.
As we reached our chambers, Virella and Sireen peeled off to claim their rooms while I stepped into mine. The space stole my breath for a moment as I recalled my past here.
A balcony stretched out, offering an unobstructed view of the fortress.
Pale lavender curtains hung elegantly, their fabric shimmering faintly in the candlelight, and a gilded silver bath rested before the hearth, its opulence unmatched.
Even the bed, draped in luxurious linens, made my quarters in Drakfjord seem modest by comparison.
The servants filed in behind me, carrying my belongings and arranging them with precision. I kept a watchful eye as they worked. Some seemed overly interested in my possessions.
Have the Nightshades already sent spies to monitor me?
"That will be enough," I said. "Please prepare my bath and announce to the Madam that Lady Virella, Lady Sireen, and I shall greet her in a moment."
The servants bowed and retreated.
Once the last of them left, I moved toward the balcony and exhaled slowly. Vyvy leapt gracefully from my shoulder to the balustrade. The creature's uncanny eyes gleamed faintly in the dark as it surveyed the view below. The fortress stretched out before me, festivities finally dying down.
"I feel my hair is a mess."
Ryn's voice drifted over, and I smiled as I grabbed Raincatcher from my hip and glanced at the blade. He was pacing up and down the room behind me, fussing with his hair. Seeing me, he scowled, his ears lowering slightly.
"Every time you summon lightning like that, I feel it surge through me. It's terrifying," Ryn muttered, tilting his head in my direction. "Is my hair sticking up? I swear I feel static crawling over me."
I laughed softly.
His hair remained its usual disheveled state — wavy black locks catching the torchlight in shades of blue and violet, gleaming like a raven's feather.
"It looks like you've just rolled out of bed," I teased.
His eyes widened, and his greyish hands immediately flew to his head, combing through the strands in alarm.
"What? Truly?"
"Yes," I said, "but it always looks like that."
His brows furrowed into a dark scowl, his long lashes casting shadows across his sharp cheekbones.
"Very funny, Rainey," he growled, flashing his sharp teeth.
I stretched my arms, feeling the ache in my shoulders from all that dancing.
"Well, we've finally reached Lavender," I said with a sigh, turning my gaze toward the office below. "The letter about the sea snake should arrive soon, and I'll intercept it. After that, I can take my time in climbing ranks. Gaining power will be an advantage but it's not as pressing."
"You're forgetting something," Ryn murmured from behind me.
I turned slightly as I stared at the dagger.
"What?"
"Your rank is high enough for the tyrant to bed you now."
His words hung in the air, a bitter truth.
Before I could reply, the heavy creak of the door broke the silence. Two servants entered, each carrying buckets of steaming water. They poured it into the silver tub by the hearth before the taller of the two turned to me.
"The Madam is in her office," she said. "We shall finish preparing your bath while you meet with her."
"Thank you," I said as I walked past them.
My mind still lingered on Ryn's words.
In the hall, Virella and Sireen waited for me, their expressions curious as I led the way to the Madam's tower.
"Who is this Madam?" Virella asked. "And why must we meet her?"
"From Lavender rank and higher, each castle has a Madam to oversee the concubines," I explained. "She monitors our health, cycles, and performance. All of this information is given to the Chamberlain, who uses it to draft a list of bedding candidates for the emperor."
Virella's lips curled downward.
"What are we? Sheep? Why must we be monitored like cattle?"
I offered her a sly smirk.
"Perhaps we'll catch a rather nasty cold."
Her green eyes widened slightly before she returned my smile.
"I see. It is winter after all."
"I don't get colds," Sireen chimed in absentmindedly.
Virella and I exchanged glances before turning to her.
"You do now," we said in unison.
We ascended the winding staircase to the Madam's office, our footsteps muffled against the worn velvet runner. The door loomed before us, heavy and polished, its dark wood carved with intricate patterns of lavenders and thorns.
I knocked twice, the sound echoing down the dimly lit hallway.
A curt voice invited us inside.
The office was exactly as I remembered from my first life — an oppressive shrine to order and precision. Shelves groaned under the weight of ledgers and documents, each crammed tightly. The air carried the faint, acrid tang of ink and the bitter aroma of tea.
Behind the desk sat the Lavender Madam, her sharp eyes framed by the thin rims of her spectacles. Her gray hair was coiled into a bun that seemed to pull her skin taut, while her green gown, modest and unadorned, sat stiffly.
"Congratulations, Ladies," she said, her voice dry and indifferent.
She pulled a ledger from a stack and began scratching away with a quill.
"I will conduct a more thorough examination in the morning," she said, her gaze flicking over us with detachment. "For now, give me the dates of your cycles and any immediate ailments."
Virella was first, offering clipped, sarcastic answers that deepened the creases in the Madam's already lined face.
Sireen followed, speaking in her usual riddles that only Virella and I had the patience to decipher.
When my turn came, I met the Madam's gaze with wide, innocent eyes, my voice trembling just enough to convey frailty.
"I suffer from rather terrible headaches," I began, pressing a hand delicately to my forehead.
"And a fever that comes and goes. My family doctor once told me my body might not be suited for pregnancy.
" I let out a soft, mournful sigh. "It's tragic, really.
I fear I am of no use to His Majesty in this state. "
Virella chimed in, a melodramatic pout on her lips.
"I, too, have my share of woes. Terrible motion sickness, for one. I'd hate to think of vomiting in His Majesty's presence. How ghastly that would be."
"Oh, and stomach aches!" I added, nodding fervently. "Every night without fail. Sometimes I, too, vomit sporadically."
The Madam grimaced at us.
"Goodness," she muttered, scribbling furiously. "What dreadful conditions. For His Majesty's sake, I must document these thoroughly."
"Completely understandable," I said with a solemn nod. "Please don't omit any details."
She sighed, setting her quill down at last.
"That will be all for tonight. I'll see you ladies tomorrow."
We curtsied and left, our backs straighter now that we were free from her scrutiny. Virella smirked as we descended the stairs.
"That ought to guarantee our peace," she said.
I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips.
Concubines with imperfections rarely made the Chamberlain's lists for the emperor. With ailments like ours, we were safe.
At least, that's what I thought.
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