14. Disruption
Disruption
I t was barely past lunch when we made it back to Kjarra. Corbyn was the one to hang back with us this time, keeping a watchful eye on the snow-covered plains from the sky. He seemed even more on edge since last night.
I wasn’t sure he’d slept after my nightmare. He and Trygg were both in the sitting room when I awoke, locked in hushed conversation.
They were quick to ready themselves for our departure after we returned from the Sanctuary.
The High Priestess saw us off, slipping a small scroll into the pocket of my cloak without saying a word.
I still felt it there, weighing in my mind like a boulder as I wondered at its contents.
Whatever it said, she hadn’t wanted anyone to see her give it to me.
The possibilities were endless, and none of them sat well with me.
Corbyn surged through the sky as we passed through the Eastern gate, the horses’ hooves rattling noisily on the cobblestone street. His ruby scales glimmered in the morning light, like faceted gemstones. I couldn’t help but marvel as he lowered himself beyond the high, stone walls of the Citadel.
Trygg would already be waiting in the courtyard. The prince was settling into his new role quickly, with much help from Corbyn, I was sure. He’d been nothing but dutiful since my embarrassing spectacle last night. Not even a sarcastic comment when Corbyn had sent him ahead to scout.
Something stirred in my chest when we barreled into the courtyard and I saw them both there, decked in their scaled plate and both sets of wings fluttering proudly from their shoulders. There’s something strange about him, I said softly, pulling the Shadow’s attention. Do you feel that?
It was an odd sort of awareness. Like with the Shadow—I knew she was always there in my mind, even if she was dormant.
I recognized her presence as separate from my own being.
It felt similar to what I was experiencing with Trygg.
Even before we passed below the iron-banded oak gates of the Citadel, I’d sensed he was already there.
The Shadow rumbled deeply, whirling around in that snake-like way she had. It is odd, to be sure, she admitted. I don’t recall feeling anything like it before.
That’s a bit vague, Shadow, even for you.
A thousand years is a long time to live, Asvoria. She sighed in annoyance. Do you remember what you had for breakfast every day last week?
Well… no, I replied, pulling Yorik to a halt.
I swung down from the saddle and alighted on the ground in one fluid motion, tossing the reins to a waiting groom.
The dragons looked over at me, their gazes wary.
Perhaps I’d scared them when I lost my hold on the darkthread the night before.
They’d certainly seemed nervous at the time, and neither of them had said much to me since.
You should speak to them, the Shadow said pointedly. The prince especially.
He probably thinks I’m some soul-sucking draugr after what happened last night. I trudged up the slushy steps with Lenn following right behind me. The dragons trailed after us, folding their wings down and Shifting completely into their human forms.
In all fairness, Asvoria, the Shadow said, her voice light, you do have the power to create draugr , so he wouldn’t be entirely wrong.
A power which comes from you , I might add. A scoff snuck out, drawing Lenn’s curious gaze. And besides, I’ve never conjured one before. Something about reanimating a corpse is so… so...
Distasteful?
I rolled my eyes at her, not even caring she couldn’t see. She felt it all the same. I was going to say ‘repulsive.’ A little weightier.
As we walked through the entryway, Lukas came bounding down the main staircase, a wide smile on his boyish face. My heart leapt to my throat, but it took only a moment for me to realize it wasn’t excitement coursing through me.
When he reached me, his arms encircled my waist in a tight embrace.
Yet the once-comforting warmth of him did nothing to ease the tension in my body.
I closed my eyes, trying to convince myself the nightmare was nothing more than a distant memory.
But the image of his twisted, fire-bathed face flashed in my mind, drawing a gasp from my lungs.
Lukas didn’t seem to notice. “I missed you,” he whispered against my hair.
“Missed you too,” I muttered, drawing away. This wasn’t right. Why didn’t I feel any better?
He took my chin between his thumb and forefinger, angling my head up to look at him. “What is it?” he asked, brow furrowing in concern.
“We’ll speak later,” I said quietly. I had too much to do, now that we were back.
Namely, figuring out what I was going to tell the dragons about the huathe and keeping my dinner appointment with Freya Anja.
Speaking with Lukas about my horrifying dream of him ranked low on my list of priorities.
And I was in no hurry to revisit the nightmare any time soon.
I took a step back, pulling from his hold and turning to the rest of the group.
“You have my leave, Hersir.” The leather-armored women bowed in unison, keeping their spears upright, and filed off to the right.
Their heavy footfalls faded into silence as they made their way down the corridor leading to the barracks.
Corbyn’s voice cut through the silence, drawing my gaze.
“If Your Majesty will allow it, I’d like to show His Lesser Highness around the Citadel—get him acquainted with how things are run here.
” My eyebrow arched involuntarily at his use of the prince’s title.
I didn’t think I’d heard him say it yet.
“Of course,” I said, my features settling into placidity.
I looked at Trygg and felt that tug once more.
“By all means. This will be his home for the foreseeable future, after all.” It didn’t escape my notice how his spine went rigid at that.
A spike of pain jolted through my head, making me stagger.
Corbyn lurched forward with an outstretched arm. The Shadow flapped nervously, her anxiety bleeding into my own.
“My lady?—”
A hand took hold of my arm.
“I’ve got you,” Lukas said, louder than was necessary and cutting Corbyn off. “Come on, let’s get you to your room.”
My head swam, and the hall seemed to spin. I looked at Lenn as we passed him. “Tell… Tell Freya Anja I will have supper with her.”
“Vor, you need to rest. Leave it to me.”
“No,” I said, more forcefully, “ I need to speak with her . ” I’d already postponed this meeting by going to the Temple—I would not push it back again.
Lukas steered me to the northern corridor.
I went along with a look back at Lenn, trying to show some fortitude.
Giving a slight nod, he turned back to the dragons.
The last thing I saw before the corridor veered off was Trygg’s storm cloud gaze, watching me leave with something I could only name as concern. But for himself, or for me?
My bed was not my own anymore.
The one in my old room was smaller than the new mattress they’d brought into the queen’s rooms. It was unfamiliar, but at least it was comfortable.
The soft down surrendered beneath my curves, enveloping me as I imagined a cloud might.
And the pillows supported my head lightly—not too soft, not too firm.
Lukas must have helped pick out the appointments.
He knew how I liked things after sharing my bed so often over the last few years.
He’d left not long ago to fetch some herbal tea from the kitchens, to help with my headache.
In truth, I didn’t have a one, but telling him so gave me a chance to be alone for a moment.
The pain had been sudden and fleeting, disappearing as quickly as it had come.
It was like nothing I’d ever felt before. Too much of that happening lately.
And you’re sure you had nothing to do with it? I asked the Shadow for what seemed like the hundredth time.
I don’t know what’s happening to us any more than you do, she replied. There is a… shift. That’s the only way I know how to describe it. It is like when you pull on the power of the darkthread, except it’s weaker—further away. It’s as strange to me as it is to you.
Well, it’s becoming inconvenient. I doubt my people will be too pleased having a queen who can’t control her power and is prone to fainting.
We did not faint, Asvoria, she sighed.
We almost did, and that’s as bad as actually doing it. I slapped a hand to my forehead and closed my eyes. I was prepared for a learning curve, Shadow. But this is worrisome.
You’re not the only one who’s concerned . Her fear vibrated rapidly against my own consciousness. She stretched out like a lounging cat in an attempt to settle.
Maybe there’s something in the queen’s records, I said hopefully, bordering on a question. Something you may have forgotten. It wouldn’t hurt to check.
Yes, you Falk women are rather fond of your writing, she replied with something close to affection. But do you really want to sift through a thousand years’ worth of journals and correspondence?
Less ‘want,’ more ‘need.’
Well… She hummed quietly. If it will make you feel better, then search to your heart’s content. I don’t know if you’ll find anything useful.
The door swung open slowly, drawing my focus away from her. Lukas came into the room with a small platter balanced in one hand and a steaming bowl in the other. He kicked the door shut and then came over to the bed, setting the bowl down on a side table.
“Here,” he said, putting the platter down and handing me a cup from its silver-plated surface.
I sat up against the pillows and clutched the cup lightly with both hands, allowing its warmth to seep into me. The cloying scent of lavender filled my nose, immediately releasing some of my tension. I took a tentative sip of the searing liquid.
“Thank you,” I said. “I’m just tired from all the trials of the last few days. I’ll be alright.”