Sybell
“We must go back for him, Hawke. Please!” Lynnera pressed once again, the grime upon her cheeks stained with tracks from the tears that had dried a few hours after their escape from Viridya. They had not had time to wash, only sparing fleeting stops to regain their strength and tend to their horses. Her mother had pleaded that they go back, that they attempt to take Lorch with them, and as much as Sybell wanted to do that, she knew that to return now would be a huge risk.
Valdis was sure to know of their escape by now.
Sybell grunted and twisted her long, dirty blonde hair into a swift knot atop her head as she growled, “I will return for him, mother, I promise. But for now we need to find Ariiaya and Eliverus.”
Her mother pressed her cheek against Hawke’s strong back, letting her eyes drift shut. “Gods, I hope they are still alive.”
“As do I,” agreed Hawke, his voice raspy from lack of use. They had been traveling now for a solid two hours. “We must stop soon to tend to the horses.”
“The School of Fate is close, right father?” Sybell did not need his confirmation, wrinkling her nose at the faint smell of sea and sulphur on the breeze as it drifted their way.
“If Arii and Eliverus were dead, I believe we would know. There is no way that Valdis would allow that kind of information to be kept secret.” He tugged on the reins before adding, “Eliverus’ existence threatens Lorch’s seat on the throne, and Valdis’ power by association.”
“I still can’t believe what is happening in our home,” sniffed Lynnera.
Sybell glanced over her shoulder at her mother and father, her chin high – a princess still. “And you never suspected my fath… Valdis was concocting something as heinous as necromancy? He is not right, we all knew that – but you were closest to him, mother.”
Lynnera stiffened, straightening as she glanced around Hawke’s shoulder. “You blame me for what he has done?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Sybell,” warned Hawke, sensing the rising tension.
“I wanted to see the good in him, Bell. I truly did, so badly that I turned a blind eye to the atrocities he was committing right under my nose. I am not proud of it.” Lynnera rubbed the heel of her hands against her eyes before lifting her chin – almost a mirror of her daughter. “He gave me your brother. No matter how I feel about him, I cannot hate him for that. How could someone so good come of someone with such a dark and stained soul?”
“That is because of you, Lyn.” Hawke said, glancing over his shoulder at her as his hand clasped the one she held around his waist. “Lorch may be tempted by the darkness that his father offers but it is because of you that he still remains in the light.”
“For now,” Sybell added with a scowl, earning her a side eye from Hawke. She sighed, passing her attention back ahead as she clenched her jaw. “I do not blame you, mother. I’m sorry. I’m just exhausted, as we all are.”
Lynnera was silent, but Sybell could feel her mother’s tension easing as she rested her cheek against her love’s back once more.
It had been some time since Sybell had left the castle grounds. As Princess, she was limited to where she could travel, something she had always hated. She wanted to see the world beyond the golden castle walls, see the sights of what could be beyond the sea or past the mountains shaped like dragons’ teeth. This newfound freedom had her shifting in her seat, tingles of exhilaration making her fingers curl around the reins.
She would see the sights, but only once she ticked a few things off her list first. Find Ariiaya and Eliverus, learn to defend herself, and she would return with those skills to save her brother.
Then, lastly, sate her hunger for revenge by killing the man who had been her father.
A snap of a twig nearby was the only warning they received.
Dark masses were suddenly upon them, cloaks and daggers a flurry as their horses reared back in panic. Red hair flew around the face of a pale-skinned woman, her teeth flashing with a wide smile as her blade pointed directly at Sybell’s chest.
Fury assassins.
“Your venture stops here,” announced the woman, her golden eyes flashing like gems in the afternoon light.
“Apologies, Miss Devine, we were not able to send a request to the sisters before departing, but they are the most gracious of hosts and I am sure the information we possess will be of use to them. Please, allow us an audience,” began Hawke, to which Devina tipped her head in a look of mock curiosity.
“What could the Fates possibly do with a washed up commander, an old councilwoman, and a stuck up princess?” she mused, eyeing them sceptically.
“We are looking for Ariiaya–”
“You will not find her here,” Devina growled.
“I thought assassins were meant to be stealthy,” Sybell sneered, keeping her head high. Like wolves, these women would be upon them at the slightest hint of vulnerability, so Sybell kept her eyes steely and her face harsh.
If her comment caused any ruffle in Devina’s feathers, the woman did not let it show. She scrutinized their dishevelled little party again with a wrinkled nose, like a stench proceeded them.
To be honest, it was very likely that they did smell. It had been days since they had washed.
“The Fates know all of what has come to pass, and all of what is to happen in your crumbling empire. You are no longer commander of the Red Guard, Hawke, and as such you do not have any authority here.”
Sybell saw her father’s body shift as she slid from her horse, her bare feet hitting the muck of the unkempt road. Years of training had her spine remaining straight, her posture impeccable even now. “And what about the Princess? My title has not changed.”
Devina’s lips rippled, gaze coasting from her bare feet up to her golden hairline, “Ahh Princess Sybell! I did not recognise you underneath all that filth.”
“Beneath this filth, I am still your Princess. Take us to the sisters, now.”
“Royals… you think you are above simple manners,” Devina drawled, and Sybell could see her fingers twitching around her blade. Itching to stab, probably.
With a cock of her brow, Sybell retorted. “Would manners change anything?”
The Fury’s grin was wicked. “Afraid not.”
So, Sybell inhaled and said, “I invoke the law of the Fates.”
All the Furies, including Devina, turned deathly still.
“The… what?” whispered Lynnera, just as Hawke croaked, “No!”
“For fuck sakes!” spat Devina, twirling on her heel and sheathing her blade. The assassins around her did the same, and none looked at all happy to be doing so.
Hawke subtly placed a trembling hand over Lynnera’s and her next question died in her throat. A little piece of Sybell died, too.
The law was something rarely uttered, rarely called upon these days. It was akin to the execution of one’s future and placing one’s life in the palms of fate. This law meant that she demanded to be taken into the service of the Sisters of Fate as a Fury, forfeiting all titles, all family, all she was before. There she would remain until she passed their tests and became an assassin, or lost her life in the process.
A clean slate, or a death sentence.
Her search for Arii would have to wait for now.
Devina pulled up her hood, her scowl never faltering as they began walking towards the sounds of the ocean and she asked, “How do you know of that law?”
Instead of re-mounting, Sybell trudged the dirt road beside the woman, leading her horse along. “Many may not believe it, but I do take my job as Princess seriously, and with that my lessons of court laws. My brother may find it all boring, but I believe one should have a thorough knowledge of the ins and outs of all laws, no matter how much dust they may have accumulated over the years.”
She glanced sidelong at Devina. “How else would anyone find little bits of leverage such as this?”
“You’re either incredibly smart, or incredibly stupid, girl. My vote is on the latter.” Devina’s look was one of scrutiny as she added, “Soon, you’ll see why no one utters that law anymore. No one chooses this life, and you will quickly learn the many reasons why.”
Lips curled to something feline, and Sybell could not help feeling a dip of dread in her stomach as Devina said, “Gods watch over you, girl.”
Ariiaya
It had taken Elijah the remainder of the night to create a decent bag full of beads containing starlight, and as the sun rose from its slumber behind the mountains, Arii insisted he stop and get some rest. He had been reluctant, but the dark smudges under his eyes and the droop of his broad shoulders proved his exhaustion.
Soon after he had retired, Arii and Krepth headed to the town forge to give instructions to the blacksmith. Elijah was sure that all they needed to do was have a blacksmith place each sphere onto a piece of jewellery, which would then be evenly distributed amongst the people of the town.
The charm, along with the tinctures of medicine from the east, would hopefully chase away the curse if the person was not past saving.
Only time would tell, but it was more hope than the people had had in a very long time.
As Elijah slept in the room upstairs, Arii, Krepth and Nem sat at their usual spot at the back of the tavern as the remainder of the group rested in the rooms provided. A strange sense of familiarity came over Arii, and she sighed for simpler times when she and her two friends would meet like this in taverns.
“Do you really think the charms will work?” Krepth said around a mouthful of venison.
“Only time will tell. But paired with the potion created by Freya, the curse should leave their bodies. Not as dramatically as Elijah’s display last night, but a slower healing process,” answered Arii, sighing and skimming a hand through her hair. The knots in her ombre tresses were beyond wild, perhaps beyond the help of a mortal brush.
“A curse, who would have known.” Nem sipped her ale, a line of froth blotting her top lip as she set the mug down and ran her tongue across her lips. The origins of said curse where yet to be discovered, and if they were to survive the coming weeks, Arii made a mental note to put energy into finding out. She continued in her feeble attempts to brush the tangles from her hair when she noted Krepth’s eyes, following Nem’s tongue. A flicker of something passing through his clear green eyes before they were once again upon Arii and he hedged, “Surprised you aren’t up there with Eliverus, little Fury.”
Arii tugged on a knot and paused, lips curling back. “What?” Her reaction had Krepth chuckling around his breakfast.
“Come now, we can all see what is going on between you two.” He paused, brows waggling, “and for some, we can smell what is happening too.”
Arii recoiled, “Argh, gods! Are you serious?”
Nem sighed, placing her boots on the table as she leaned back on her chair, “When is he ever serious?”
Arii groaned and leaned her cheek against the table, lacking the energy to engage with the Shifter. She found his words hypocritical considering how he and Nem had been acting lately. Luckily the majority of their traveling party had been human and oblivious to the battle of hormones in the air around them. She would be sure to rip him a new one later, once she found the strength.
“Can’t help but notice the way he is with you too, Arii.” The serious note in her friend’s voice had her sitting up straight. Krepth’s gaze was fixed on her, and despite Nem’s words, his expression was serious. “He may just be worthy of you, little Fury. Just.”
Her heart squeezed at the word.
Worthy.
Of course he was worthy of her, he was going to be their King. Their saviour, and their hope. She knew he was attracted to her, but she was sure there was nothing beyond that.
Right?
Arii pressed the anxious thoughts away as she leaned forward, eyes narrowing as she rested her chin on her palm and whispered, “So are you two going to continue to tip toe around each other like nervous, hormonal youths or do you need me to call attention to what I can also smell?”
Nem stiffened and Krepth coughed.
Arii’s smile was feline as she stretched her arms. “It’s all well and good to call out what you supposedly see happening in my love life – Krepth. But what about yours?” The Shifter stiffened as Arii’s attention skipped to Nem and she continued, “It may not be obvious to the others, but I know you two better than I know myself.” She straightened in her chair and crossed her arms and legs, watching them expectantly. “Now, tell me.”
Arii felt a stirring along the thread of her bond as Nem’s bright eyes flared and her mouth opened to speak just as Krepth’s voice rose, their words mingling in perfect unison as they both barked, “Nothing.”
Despite their deflection, the tension in the air was palpable and what Arii could feel through the bond told no lies.
They yearned for each other, terribly.
What was stopping them?
She paused as she thought about how she would prefer others to keep their noses out of her relationship with Elijah. She leaned forward and placed her hands over theirs, earning startled reactions from her friends. Her voice was low as she said, “Fine, I’ll drop it for now. But just know that I’m here for you both, always.”
With that she stood and headed for the stairs to allow them space. They shared a glance.
In her wake she heard Nem’s gentle whisper, “As are we, Arii.”
Elijah
He was laughing, the sound bounding against invisible walls. By the reverberation and echo, Elijah assumed they were made of stone, although he could not see what surrounded him. His vison was a tunnel, the dreamscape nothing but blur.
His laugh was not a light-hearted chuckle, nor a swift bark at a humorous situation. No, the sound drew from deep within his chest, rumbling forth with vigour – low and tinged with unfamiliarity.
The sound… it was not his own. It was not him.
But it was coming from him, from his own lips as his gaze shifted down, dropping towards a figure kneeling before him.
Upon his brow he felt the solid weight of metal, smooth and cool.
A crown.
In his fist he felt steel, the weapon heavy and balanced, hinting at wealth.
A sword.
He laughed again as the person – the man – lifted his head.
Twin orbs of blue stared wide, his hair a mop of roughly swept copper. His skin was leeched of a healthy glow, his lips cracked and bleeding. Hands were bound behind his back, and the man gasped for air. A scar marred his cheek.
Valdis.
The weapon made Elijah’s palm itch, even more so when the man whispered, “Your family – your race – were a scourge upon this land.” The man shifted, spittle mingling with blood on his mouth as he spoke, “They were falling into madness, where you will soon follow.”
Pain ate at his heart, grief rose like a violent tidal wave. Elijah’s laughter ceased for a short moment, long enough for him to say, “You slaughtered so many, including children… innocent children. You deserve far more than death. You deserve chaos.” His voice was not entirely his own, yet the words he muttered were.
Stepping forward, Elijah drove his sword into the man’s chest straight through to his spine. There was a wet, sickening crack as steel met bone, yet Elijah did not so much as flinch as he knelt on one knee and bared his teeth.
Valdis’ face shuttered, the scar upon his cheek smoothing to unmarred skin, and then Elijah was staring down at the face of his best friend.
Lorch.
Still, Elijah laughed, the sound dripping with madness as he leaned forward, driving the blade farther. Blood welled in the corner of Lorch’s lips as he spluttered, “M-My father is right. Madness will come for you, brother.”
Elijah hesitated for a breath.
No.
No no no.
He wanted to draw back, to heal the wound and save his friend. Yet his body would not heed him. It was as if his body were under the spell of another, as his mind watched on helplessly.
As Lorch’s body fell lifeless to the floor, Elijah screamed, the sound warring with his laughter as mist drifted across the floor.
“Elijah.”
He fought against the invisible bonds, desperate to be back in control.
“Elijah.”
Lorch’s blood pooled across the floor and Elijah grappled with renewed grief, anger warring with the sickening feeling of dread and accomplishment.
Could he be a new curse upon the land if he were to take up the throne with the magic he possessed?
He felt fingers clawing at his skin, clutching his arms, his torso, his face, pulling him back. Nails raked his flesh, stinging, making him bleed.
He deserved to bleed.
“ELIJAH!”
With a shuddering gasp he was ripped from the dream like a thundercrack. Elijah shot up in bed, gulping air, desperate for breath as his eyes darted around the dimly lit room.
Arii’s fingers touched his arm tentatively, and he saw her wince when he shied away from her for the briefest of moments. He didn’t mean to, but his skin felt too raw… too hot.
But his movements were his own once more.
With a swallow and a quick pass of his fingers through his hair, Elijah willed his heartrate to ease as the woman shifted upon the covers beside him.
“You were having a nightmare.” Arii’s voice was gentle, a caress in the candlelit room they shared.
He gazed at her, resplendent in the dim light cast from a candle on the nightstand. She wore a simple white sleeping shift, the material painted gold in the light, her hair loose in cascading waves. Plain, quiet, far from the harshness he usually saw in her. It dashed away the haze of his nightmare like a cool cloth.
The air in the room was crisp, the windowpanes hazed from the cold. In that moment he was thankful, for the cool air helped abate the temperature of his scorched skin.
“It was not like the others,” he whispered after a stretch of silence, his voice wavering.
Her stare was unblinking, her expression assessing. “No, it wasn’t.” She cocked her chin as her eyes glanced at his cheek. That was when he felt a lingering sting on his skin. “I don’t normally need to resort to violence to bring you back, but unfortunately this time you were a bit harder to wake.”
His hand covered the sting. “You hit me?”
She winced, shoulders rising and falling in a shrug, “Sorry.”
He blew out a huff, “Thank you.”
It was becoming far too often now that they woke each other from sleep with their nightmares. Since their heated night in Erstonia just before the trial, they had begun to share a bed together – not just because they always somehow ended up there, breathless and heated, lost in exploration of one another, but because they found that they both had demons that visited at night.
When he drifted to sleep beside Arii, her soft yet lean body fitted perhaps a bit too well against his own, and it made him feel… peaceful. More peaceful than he had in a very long time.
When the nightmares began, they were there to help one another. They did not always discuss what they had seen in those dreams, Arii was still careful with the information that she shared about herself, even now, but she never pressed for more about his own nightmares, either. In this moment he was thankful for that. He did not wish to voice what he was slowly beginning to fear about himself.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she offered, hair sliding over her shoulder.
“No, not yet,” he breathed, watching concern smoulder in her dark eyes. She did not press him further.
Instead, she brushed the hair from his face, her fingers lingering at the angle of his stubbled jaw. He leaned into her touch, hearing her soft inhale of breath. She often did that, just a tiny hitch in her breathing, but he heard it as if it were a shout. It roused his beast, the part of him that he wrangled with almost constantly when they were together. It flared heat in parts of him long dormant, parts of him that threatened to take over.
Heat clawed to his stomach, spreading lower, all from one simple touch. He knew what her elegant fingers could do, though – elicit pleasure and spread fire along every nerve ending of his body, along with delivering swift and beautiful death.
Everything about her sang a song of allure to his deepest desires.
So far he remained firm on his inner wish to be a gentleman but gods she made it so difficult.
He shifted his mind from pleasure to pain, singling in on his smarting cheek. The hurt reminded him that he was present in the moment, even as the shadow memories of his nightmare lingered. He was still himself.
The silence that proceeded them stretched, but it was not uncomfortable. What began as a heavy, charged feeling between them had slowly morphed to this – something companionable. Well, when they weren’t both consumed by fire.
She shivered.
Elijah grabbed the fallen blanket to drape over them as they nestled back into the covers, her back to his chest so that his nose brushed the crown of her head. He couldn’t help it, he inhaled her scent, letting it calm his restless storm.
Arii sighed too, and as they let sleep claim them once again, Elijah knew that his demons would not visit again this night. If they did, he knew she would chase them away.