Chapter 15
Chapter
Fifteen
-brIDA-
Cold from the stone floor gnawed at my back, desperate to find a way into my bones.
Everything about this place was trying to break me.
My nails clawed at the floor in an attempt to mark how many mornings I’d awoken here, but as if it had known, as quickly as the mark appeared, it disappeared.
My days had been fixated on two things. Where was Dainan—was he safe?
And how would I free myself from this cell?
In an attempt to keep myself sane, I began composing letters in my mind.
Dear Dad, the weather has been cooler than usual as of late, I thought as I made my way towards the window, greeted once again by the snow-capped peaks.
Much cooler, it has dampened the quality of the food.
I looked over to the tray that had been tossed in here last evening, regarding the stale bread and lack of jam that had been offered to me.
While the views are lovely, and I have no doubt that you would love it here, I look forward to a time when I’m working on other things. I can’t wait to see you, give my regards to literally anyone. Love, your imprisoned daughter, Brida.
Dear Kadian, for once in your life, I hope you have not followed my advice and have chosen to disobey all the rules of Azmeer.
Rai shouldn’t roam free while Alvar’s corpse rots, or is burned…
It would make sense the Court of Shadows would use fire, after all it is the magic of their house.
My house. Our house… This is getting away from me.
I paused mid-thought as the tapping of feet along ruffled down the corridor.
Unsure what to do with myself, as there was nowhere to go or hide, I readjusted the clothes they’d given me, attempting to smooth them out, as if it would make any sort of difference. Maybe it would. Marsh was particularly vain.
The pained sound from the hinges mirrored my sentiment as the door swung open, revealing Marsh in his tailored black suit.
As was his standard, his hair was immaculate, not a single one out of place.
Nails clean, hands smooth. They looked like they’d never experienced an arduous day.
Do they even have gardens in this part of the world?
“Good morning, Brida.” His voice was soft. It made the blood in my veins bubble, coming to a steady boil.
He was carrying something. What’s that? Making his way to the bed, he laid down a black box with a silver ribbon.
“If you would please put this on. I would like you to join me for breakfast.”
Would I be able to use that ribbon? Tie it around his throat. Him being unable to breathe seemed a fitting end.
The last time I had been given a box like this, I had thought it was from Alvar when it had been from Dainan.
It was the gown I’d worn to the ball, the night in the library.
Before the weddings, before… I shook my head, my hands forming fists while trying to rid myself of images of Addie, clutching at her own throat, gasping for the air that would never come.
I steadied my breathing. Dear Tamra, the company on this trip has been less than desirable. I miss you and your attempts at humor. Even your jokes are far better than this, as this feels like a cosmic joke. Please tell Asana I’m sorry. I miss him too. Love, Brida.
“I don’t believe that to be a wise idea.” I crossed my arms and returned to the window, once again longing for the freedom the horizon offered. I craved the fresh air, outside. My friends, my family, Dai…
“You may willingly change and accompany me. Or,” he gestured to the hallway where two Court of Whispers members waited, “they will be happy to assist you.”
Peering into the hall, I saw a man and a woman. Each bore the traditional pale hair of the court, but their eyes, something about the light made them appear darker than was customary.
Taking too long to analyze them, the woman grinned. Her teeth, sharper than most, formed the most sinister smile I’d ever had the misfortune of seeing. “I’d be more than happy to help,” she said. Venom laced her words.
“Close the door, Marsh. I will prepare myself,” I said, louder than was necessary.
It was my understanding that members of the Court of Whispers possessed superior hearing, a necessary trait when deciphering codes through the wind.
Of course that had been told to me by Marsh, and it was now debatable as to whether or not any of it had been true.
Dear Oz, there’s no jam here. You’d hate it. I hope you’re keeping Kadian company, and setting right to the wrongs in Azmeer. Please take good care of him. While he is strong, he is not unshakable. Trauma can crack even the strongest glass. I hope to see you soon. Love, Brida.
“Very well, be swift. We have a schedule to keep.” His movements were steadfast, as they always were. Each step calm and calculated as he strode towards the door.
“Oh, but of course,” I said with a mock bow, “we wouldn’t want to be late.”
In a move that confused me as much as it horrified me, Marsh smiled before exiting the room, affording the semblance of privacy.
Except who knew what these barriers could reflect back.
If Marsh was working with Thalius, or any of the Court of Reflection, it’s possible the shimmering barriers of my cell would show him far more than I wanted.
I undid the ribbon on the box, stuffing it under my pillow, and unfolded the dress that had been placed inside. To my surprise, it was not violet, nor any shade of purple, but a chaotic swirling of yellows, oranges, and golds.
Dear Lil, it’s a good thing you aren’t here.
You would hate the fashion. It all clashes with my hair.
Even still, wish you were here so you could kick everyone’s ass.
If you are with Dainan, I hope you two manage to endure each other’s company.
I know he’s not your favorite person, but I hope he’s changing your opinion of him.
He is delightful when he chooses to be, and he makes delicious fish.
Your favorite. Forever your friend, Brida.
The fabric felt like silk on my skin after days of wearing the same clothes.
I found myself missing their grime. I wanted the remembrance, the sensations of what it is that brought me here.
The reminders of why it is I am fighting.
I will not be swayed by him as I was once before.
I looked at my stained clothes piled neatly at the foot of my bed and prayed they’d be here when I returned. I will burn this dress one day.
I coughed to inform Marsh that I was ready for them. The hinges groaned once more, their sound amplified by the perpetual wind that circulated through the cell. Bile rose to my throat, I can do this.
Entering the room, Marsh circled me. With each step, my pulse drowned out the sound of his feet against the floor.
Just reach for the ribbon. Move quickly.
“This will do nicely,” Marsh said with his hand at his chin, an artist with a chisel, admiring his newest work.
He will not mold me nor break me. I am the author of my own story. I am Brida Larrow, daughter of Vale and Aela Larrow. Friend of many, lover of one, and he will not break me. I am the story I choose to write.
And what a story it will be.
“Shall we?” Marsh’s voice broke me from my spiraling thoughts
I knew this was a fruitless battle, reminded of my position by the two court members waiting in the hall to escort us.
If I want information, this is the role I will have to play. A role I will have to learn. A mask I will be forced to wear.
“We all have roles to play. Parts as it were, as if we were born to the stage.” Alvar told me during one of our afternoons.
“Sometimes we are offered the role of a lifetime. In other instances, we are the background players. Both valuable, both necessary. What’s important is when we don each of these roles, these masks as it were, that we wear them well.
Never let those around you believe you value one part more than the other. For they all make up the whole.”
I suppressed the tears that formed in the corners of my eyes, yearning for an escape. He is responsible for taking Alvar from the world. For unleashing Rai upon the innocents of Azmeer. For Addie…
Breathe. I steadied myself. This is just a mask, and I will wear it well. I rolled back my shoulders, straightened my posture, and reached for his arm. “We shall,” I said with my most practiced smile.
For the first time since my arrival, the doors opened to my cell, and I was permitted to venture beyond its barrier.
The corridor was long, narrow, and made of stone. Each of the rooms contained the shimmering cells inside. “A creation of Ollo’s,” Marsh said. “Something that is said to be impenetrable.”
I nodded as he spoke, determined to absorb each and every word he uttered. There was a point in this, to all of this. If I were to be paraded as his prize, I needed to know why.
Exiting the corridor, we began our journey through the Court of Whispers.
It was not as I had expected. I had believed the court to be made of stone, much like the cells had been.
I thought it would be finely decorated with furs, warm, comforting furniture to soothe the bones and chills of its members as they were locked away up here in the peaks of the Tactras Mountains, the highest mountains in all of Eldara.
The most beautiful mountains in the world, my father had said.
“You’ve never been there, Dad.” I had reminded him each time he made the bold proclamation.
“Ah, yes, but a man can dream, Brida. A man can dream.” He’d said to me.