Page 25

Chapter

Twenty-Four

The hallway felt eerily silent, the kind of quiet that settles after too much revelry.

The echoes of last night’s laughter and clinking glasses were long gone, replaced by the occasional muffled groan or the shuffling of feet and the internal fear I felt over what had been said to me last night.

I’d woken more than once, disturbed by the thuds of people staggering back to their rooms, some even fumbling at my door, too drunk to remember which one was theirs.

The air still held the faint scent of spilled wine and sweat, a lingering reminder of the night's excess.

When I knocked on Lil’s door, my knuckles brushed against the worn wood twice before I realized that she wouldn’t be answering. Sighing, I lowered my hand, understanding that this conversation would have to wait until we could speak freely, away from prying eyes and ears, and made my way to breakfast.

The dining hall, now restored to its usual order, was a far cry from the chaotic scene it had been during the feast. The six long tables were neatly aligned, and the stones and crystals that symbolized the Eternal Court’s power had been put away. The vibrant tapestries, depicting the king’s grand conquests and peace treaties, hung proudly on the walls again as if nothing had disturbed their solemnity.

Lil sat near the back, her face pale but composed, a cup of something warm clasped between her hands as if it were the only thing anchoring her to reality. As I approached, she offered me a small, tired smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I got you some wolfberry,” she said, gesturing to the plate across from her. It was a simple gesture, but I knew it was her way of showing love, a quiet, steady kind of affection that asked for nothing in return. I returned her smile, feeling a warmth in my chest despite the unease lingering in the air.

She took a sip, the steam curling around her face like a protective veil. “I started drinking some coffee and water earlier this morning. I thought I might need the help after last night,” she said, her voice a little too steady, a little too controlled. She was holding herself together, but just barely.

“A good idea. I wonder how Kadian and Oz will be feeling this morning.” I raised my eyebrows as I brought my cup to my mouth.

Watching Lil, I noticed the way her shoulders slumped ever so slightly and how her fingers trembled as she gripped the mug.

“Did something happen that I don’t know about?” I asked, wondering if Rai may have spoken to her too last night.

She shrugged, her movements slow and deliberate. “Kad and Oz insisted we try a few more glasses of wine to make sure it was all the same kind. Who was I to say no?” She forced a laugh, but it was hollow, a mere echo of her usual self. She took another sip of coffee, the steam rising to obscure her face again. “How come you don’t feel like this?” she asked as she rested her head on her arms.

I chuckled, though it felt out of place, almost disrespectful to the mood hanging over us. “Because I was the sole responsible adult last night.” Lil nodded, the hint of a smile tugging at her lips before disappearing entirely.

A few minutes later, I glanced toward the entrance and saw Kadian, his face drawn and pale, rubbing his temple as if trying to massage away the remnants of last night. He smacked his cheeks, attempting to wake himself up as he made his way over.

“Well, good morning,” I said as he dropped into a seat, his movements sluggish, his usual energy absent.

Kadian’s scowl deepened as he met my gaze, then shifted to Lil, who ignored him. Pointing at her, he raised an eyebrow, questioning. “She’ll be fine,” I said, leaning forward. “Can you believe we’re all still here?”

“Obviously, I can. Who would ever deny this?” He gestured to himself, but the arrogance in his voice was muted, his usual bravado dulled by the hangover clinging to him.

“I’d be willing to argue several people, based on the state of you right now,” I said, unable to resist teasing him. He looked worse for wear, his hair a mess, his eyes bloodshot.

“We’ve decided,” I continued, glancing between him and Lil, “that next time there’s a gathering, we’ll all stick to one glass of wine.”

Kadian grumbled something unintelligible under his breath, looking at his breakfast with more determination than actual hunger. I’d seen him like this before and knew he’d bounce back in a few hours. Lil, on the other hand, looked as though she needed more than time to recover. Her usual vibrancy was absent, replaced by a dullness that made my chest ache.

Without warning, Lil pushed back and stood up. “I’m going to the pool and staying there all morning. I’ll see you guys later,” she said, her voice flat, her steps unsteady as she left the refectory.

I watched her go, my worry deepening.

Kadian slumped over his plate beside me and hadn’t touched much of his food. “Are you not going to eat this morning?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood with a laugh. “That would be a first.”

He raised his head slowly, his eyes meeting mine with a sly smile. “It’s yours,” he said, pushing his plate toward me.

As I prepared myself to tell Kadian of the man who spoke to me last night, he cut me off.

“I’m sorry about yesterday.” Kadian sat in silence for a moment, his expression pensive. When he spoke, his voice was low, almost as if he were afraid of what he was about to say. “Something felt…strange the night before last, and it only felt stranger yesterday.”

“What do you mean?” I leaned closer, sensing the weight of his words.

He took a deep breath, his eyes darkening with a mix of confusion and fear. “I don’t know how to describe it, but when I went to bed a few nights ago, I felt fine. Then, in the middle of the night, I shot up. I’d been in a deep sleep, and suddenly, I was wide awake, sweating like I’d run for days. It felt like…like something snapped inside me,” he said, his voice trembling. He picked up a spoon from the table and pretended to snap it in half. “It was like if you were to take a branch and break it. It felt like part of me just…broke.”

His words hung in the air, heavy and ominous. I could see the fear in his eyes, the way his muscles tensed as if bracing for another blow. “It took about an hour or so of pacing around my room and then a cold shower to calm down. I fell back asleep and felt alright until the next morning…” He paused again, his hands clenching into fists. “When I saw Lil being approached by those fucking pricks from the sixth floor, I just… Pure rage filled my veins, Bri.”

I could see the way his jaw clenched, the anger simmering just beneath the surface. His muscles were coiled tight, ready to snap at any moment. “You know Lil can take care of herself,” I said, though a part of me wondered if there was more to Lil than any of us knew.

“I know that,” he said, his voice strained. “It’s one of the things I like most about her.” His gaze dropped back to the table, his fists slowly unclenching.

“Did anything happen between her and those guys?” I asked, my voice was a whisper, not wanting to draw attention to our conversation.

“No, but she was smiling at them in this way that I just…” He trailed off, his hands gripping the edge of the table until his knuckles turned white. I reached out, placing my hand on his upper back, feeling the tension in his muscles as I stroked between his shoulders.

“I just don’t know what happened, why I felt that way, and then I hated myself for it. She’s not my property, and I would never think of her that way, or any woman that way,” he said, his eyes pleading with me for understanding, for some kind of reassurance that he wasn’t turning into someone he despised.

“I know that, Kad,” I said, and I meant it. He was the most caring person I knew, always treating everyone with respect and kindness. This rage, this possessiveness, it wasn’t him.

“I just don’t know what came over me, Bri. I didn’t know how to apologize to Lil without telling her all of this. I would like to keep it just between us.” He bowed his head, ashamed of himself.

“It stays with me,” I promised, my hand still on his back, trying to soothe the turmoil I could feel radiating from him.

???

I hoped to see Marsh waiting for me on the track that morning, but he wasn’t there. In his absence, Kadian decided to run with me, despite my advising him to perhaps do something that wouldn’t jostle his stomach. Ignoring me, he took off. We didn’t say much to each other over the course of our run, which was okay. We’d always known when to give the other space, and whatever it was Kadian was dealing with, when he had more to say about it, he would let me know.

Oz joined us for the last few laps. When Kadian pressed him to share what it was he had given, Oz chose to stay silent, and I followed suit.

“There’s nothing wrong with an air of mystery,” I said to him with a wink.

Magister Illerium asked us to meet him near the library and was joined by a figure I didn’t recognize. “Good afternoon, everyone. Before we begin, let me congratulate you on having your offerings accepted, very well done.” It was clear that many members of our group were no longer there, including Shay.

“Can’t say I’ll miss her,” Kadian whispered to me.

Illerium bowed his head towards us. “This is Thalius Towler.”

“Towler,” Kadian said under his breath, looking confused, as if he’d heard the name before. I shot my gaze to Lil. The blood and color drained from her cheeks.

Thalius was tall and lithe, his presence commanding in a way that felt almost unnatural. There was none of Lil's gentle charm in him.

Where she exuded warmth, he emanated a cold, calculated energy.

His features were sharp, his face a collection of hard angles and lines that spoke of an unyielding resolve.

His golden hair caught the light, a stark contrast to his piercing blue eyes that seemed to see through every pretense, leaving only vulnerability in their wake.

There was no joy in his expression, no softness to be found—only a rigid control that felt suffocating.

Thalius bowed his head as Illerium introduced him.

His smile grew as he locked eyes with the ever-paling Lil.

“Thalius, or Ambassador Towler,” Illerium began, bowing his head apologetically, “will be joining us today as he is here on business in Azmeer. I thought it a good opportunity to continue our tour of the grounds and visit the House of Reflection. It has been brought to my attention,” he added, glancing toward the leader of the second floor group across the hall, “that my group is the only one that has not yet seen the entrances to each of the Houses.”

The lack of tours around the palace hadn’t bothered me.

Illerium, despite loathing his post, possessed a wealth of knowledge.

We were supposed to learn of the light prisons used by the Court of Whispers today; however, it seemed it would have to wait.

“If you don’t mind, Magister,” Thalius interrupted, “I would like to say a few words to the group before we depart.”

Illerium bowed to him once more, moving to the side.

“Good afternoon to you all,” his smile sent a shiver up my spine.

Lil appeared paralyzed.

Kadian, sensing her unease, inched closer to her.

“I hope you’ve found your time in Azmeer to be pleasurable and of great value. For many of you, this is your first exposure to court life; for the rest of you, I hope you’ve taken this time to further your… education. ” His eyes finally left Lil as he turned to face the rest of the group.

I could have sworn I heard her begin to breathe again.

“The Court of Reflection has a longstanding relationship with His Majesty. It has been our continued honor and privilege to aid him in maintaining peace throughout the continent.” His smile was now gone.

“If you follow me, we’ll make our way towards the House of Reflection. For those of you who have not yet seen it, it can be quite overwhelming the first time.” He turned and made his way down the corridor.

“Who is he?” I leaned and whispered to Lil.

“My uncle,” she sounded hoarse.

She looked to me as tears began to well in her eyes, “he’s the head of our family.” We followed after him.

“For those of you unfamiliar with the history of the Court of Reflection,” his voice boomed, “allow me to elucidate.” He didn’t look at us as he spoke but continued to face forward.

“The Court of Reflection was established after the war that had ravaged our lands for one thousand years. Our Primal, Hild, chose not to partake in the final battle, knowing its outcome before anyone had set foot on the battlefield. Her gift of prophecy is one that she seldom grants to members of the Court of Reflection, but those who it is bestowed upon are deemed blessed,” he continued as we turned a corner.

“Each court has their stories as to what forced the courts into existence, which Primal was first, but to us, it doesn’t matter. What does matter,” he paused, “is that peace and tranquility remain, for without it, the wars would have been meaningless. It was a chance for the world to be made anew, a rebirth, a cleansing, if you will.” He turned back and once again stared at Lil before returning his focus ahead.

As we continued to make our way down the corridor, the sand-colored limestone of the walls began to lighten.

When we reached the end of the hall, the tan stone of the majority of the palace was now a beautiful ivory that sparkled as the light from the windows reflected off it.

Thalius stopped us in front of the entrance to the House of Reflection, and it was the most beautiful structure I had ever seen.

Columns stood at the entrance, their weathered appearance belying an enduring beauty.

Adorned with coral motifs, sea creatures, and graceful nymphs, they effortlessly captured one's attention. In total, there were four columns, each stretching upwards to support a cascading waterfall. The waterfall did not hinder entry; instead, the water flowed to the sides, filling two reflective pools at the columns’ base.

“These are the Mirrors of Reflection,” Thalius explained. “These pools have been known to drive many to madness, for they can reveal your deepest desires or greatest fears. It’s never known what they’ll choose to show you, only Hild knows.” He paused, his expression serious. “For those brave enough to test their curiosity, you will be permitted to approach if you wish. However,” he continued, raising an eyebrow and clasping his hands near his chest, “I would advise against sharing what you see with others. Information is power, and if someone knows your desires or fears,” he glanced at Lil, “it can be exploited against you.” With that, he stepped aside, allowing those interested to approach the mirrors.

Thalius and Illerium began to speak amongst themselves as members of our group cautiously approached the water. Oz took a step forward, and Kadian followed suit, but only after assessing what Lil would do.

I knew from my research that some believed what you saw in the pools was not just an indicator of what one desired or feared but rather of what would come to pass, connecting it to Hild’s gift of prophecy. I wasn’t sure I believed in such a thing.

I approached the pool, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and dread tightening in my chest. As I leaned closer, the water seemed to ripple, just slightly, like a pebble had been tossed in—though nothing had touched it. My breath caught in my throat, and I stared, waiting, almost begging for something to emerge from the depths.

Seconds stretched into minutes, and my heartbeat began to echo in my ears, drowning out the muffled sounds of the others around me. I kept waiting, watching the water, expecting… something . But there was nothing. No images, no visions—only the reflection of the columns above, the surface of the pool gently vibrating as if taunting me with its silence.

Why is nothing happening? The question screamed in my mind, louder and louder, until it felt like it might tear me apart. The stillness in the water wasn’t calming; it was suffocating. It was as if the pool was refusing to show me anything, and that refusal gnawed at me, filling me with a cold, creeping terror.

There is nothing. My own reflection seemed to mock me. Do I not have a future? The thought slammed into me with brutal force, and I could feel my composure cracking, the fear seeping through like a dark ink stain on my mind. What if the pool wasn’t showing me anything because there was nothing to show? No future, no path, just a vast, empty void waiting for me.

I forced myself to look away, my eyes darting to the other pool where Kad and Oz were still staring, their faces intense, absorbed in whatever they were seeing. They had something. Why didn’t I?

Panic clawed at my throat, my thoughts racing uncontrollably. I scanned the others—some looked pleased, even blissful, while others were pale, stricken, like they’d seen a ghost. But none of them had the same emptiness in their eyes that I felt in my soul.

I needed to get away from the pool, from the nothingness that threatened to consume me. My legs felt unsteady as I backed away, my heart pounding with the urge to flee. I caught sight of Lil, standing by the windows, her face turned away from the water.

I hurried to her side, desperate to ground myself in something—someone—solid. I placed my hand on her arm, the gesture as much for me as it was for her. This isn’t about me right now. Be here for Lil. But the fear still clung to me, cold and relentless, whispering doubts I couldn’t silence.

“Are you going to look?” I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady, though it wavered with the remnants of panic.

She shook her head, her gaze unwavering as it stayed fixed on the horizon beyond the windows. “I don’t need to. I already know what I’ll see.”

I squeezed her arm, a silent promise that I was here, even as my own fears threatened to drown me. When she finally turned to face me, her eyes were red, glistening with unshed tears.

“I’ll see Rai.”