Page 19

WAKE

E mryn was trapped in the dark again. She was used to it by this point, and as tired as she was, it meant that the Mother needed to speak to her. Or maybe she was flattering herself and these were simply elaborate dreams that she’d made up to make herself feel like she belonged somewhere.

That was probably the case here. Her home had been stripped, her vows ended, and she had nowhere and nothing now. She was wife to the prince of Rodilla, but that didn’t mean she belonged in his world with the courtiers that looked down their well bred noses at the prince’s common wife.

That didn’t matter, what mattered was that the prince would live. One life was worth it, worth everything that she’d lost and she would continue to tell herself that until she believed it.

Because it was truth.

Emryn rose from the ground and went in search of the light. The Mother was calling her, and even if it was only an elaborate dream, she still wanted to know what would be said.

The light was weak tonight, the chains around the Mother thicker, than she’d seen them to this point. And the woman in the throne looked pained beyond bearing.

“Mother?” Emryn went to her knees. “How can I- I want to help, what do I do?”

“My Wings,” the mother sounded choked. “Your Phoenix, help him find his flight.”

“I don’t know where to look, Mother.” Emryn reached for the chains, but as before she was stopped by an invisible barrier. But she had her flame back, and if the Mother’s light was weak, couldn’t she help with that?

Emryn let her flame pool in her hands, drawing the light up and out until it was brighter than the weak light around the Mother. Who tilted her face into the light, and as Emryn watched, the chains lightened.

“Thank you, my Wings.” The Mother said as Emryn let the light die. She was still weak, and that was all she could do for now. “You have touched two, and the way to three is open.”

“I will do my best, Mother,” Emryn bowed. “Can you tell me anything else?”

“Time runs short, my Wings.” The Mother smiled, but there was pain in the expression. “Your Phoenix is there, he must find his flight. He is not to fear.”

“Yes, Mother.” Emryn bowed as the light faded and died, leaving her there in the dark, alone.

But she’d never been afraid of the darkness.

Emryn got up, spooling out a thin thread of light. It flew off into the dark, attaching to something beyond what she could see. Emryn followed the light thread, but it went on into the dark forever.

Far beyond where she could go.

She was stopped in the end, that invisible barrier like the one around the Mother stopped her. Then it grew a fist and pummeled her back.

Emryn jolted, bolting upright in the bed, shedding a weight that shouldn’t have been there in the first place.

“What is it, Emryn?” Cas’ sleepy voice hit her ears. “Were you dreaming?”

“Yes,” she tried to steady her breathing. “That’s all, just dreaming.”

“Come back and rest.” There was a soft hand on her back. “It’s too early to be awake.”

She nodded, laying back down and letting Cas put his arms around her again, holding her close and closed her eyes.

She must have slept, because it was full daylight when she opened her eyes again. Emryn kept healers hours, she never slept this late.

But she wasn’t a healer any longer. No, that was wrong, she might not have a vow to the temples, but she was and would always be a healer.

And Cas was still asleep. But that made sense, if he was still ill, it was right that he sleep. Emryn wiggled slowly from his arms and stood. She had her fire back, and she was going to ignore the weakness that she still felt and go find breakfast.

But she couldn’t go anywhere in her nightdress and she didn’t want to wake Cas by calling for Shana. But maybe she could bathe at least. She felt a little bit gross and a bath would help with that.

She was due to be seen by her Majesty’s seamstress today too. So it was best that she was clean.

The bathtub was the size of a small pond. Always full, clean and hot thanks to the purifying spells in the walls of the tub. Emryn shed her nightdress and stepped into the water, winding her braid around her head and lowering herself into the heat with a sigh.

It was very nice indeed. The baths at the temple had been small and cramped, always busy and only good for a quick wash. This tub was made for lounging in the heat and letting your muscles relax.

Cas was still asleep, she could do nothing until he woke. So she might as well relax for a while.

She washed when her fingers went pruny. Climbing from the tub and wrapping herself in the huge fluffy towel. Once she was dry, she put her nightgown back on. It was the only piece of clothing that she knew she had.

She had other dresses, but Shana kept them elsewhere and she wasn’t certain where.

Emryn left the bathing room to see Cas awake and looking at her from the bed. “Good morning,” she felt herself blush, but went and sat on the side of the bed. “Did you sleep well?”

He smiled at her. “It was very nice, yes.”

“Breakfast?”

“I imagine you must be hungry.” He rose, making Emryn look down and away. He was only in his undergarments. But she was only wearing a nightgown, so maybe that was alright.

He tugged a rope next to the door, smiling at Shana when she bustled in. “Would you please tell the kitchen that we are ready for breakfast?”

“Yes Highness,” Shana curtsied and left again.

He turned back to her, still smiling that soft smile. “I am going to go wash and dress. I’ll be right back. You might ask Shana to help you with your dress, seeing as you are seeing mother’s seamstress today.”

She nodded, watching Cas leave the room and close the door behind him. She had no idea how long it would be until he returned and she needed to be wearing something besides a nightgown when he did.