Page 28

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

Hey Dad,

Not sure if the news has reached Escalia yet but there was a massive earthquake in Hadash.

It happened just around the festival for Giaxia.

Did you manage to go into town for the celebrations?

The feast here was unlike we ever saw in Escalia, but they were never one to go all out for celebrations or much of anything!

It is a horrific event, and it has been terrible to hear about all of those affected.

We’re hoping the region will be able to recover as best they can.

One of my friends here, yes friends, lost family members.

We’ve been trying to comfort him as best we can.

Kadian has been keeping me company as always, and I’ve managed to make friends with a half-nymph, half-Fae girl that I met in line in Lesalia named Lil and twins from the Western Ridge named Oz and Tamra.

Azmeer has opened my eyes in ways I couldn’t imagine.

I wish I could share it with you.

Please be sure to continue with your teas, and keep me updated as to how you are feeling.

I’ll write more soon.

Love you,

Bri

???

The next few days passed in a bit of a blur.

Marsh had sent me a letter explaining that he’d been summoned back to Hadash by Qurasa himself.

There was no room for refusal.

As I read his words, a pang of loneliness settled in my chest. I missed him—his steady presence, his understanding, the way I could be myself around him.

He was the only one who knew the truth about why I was here and how I had come to be in this place.

The only person who had seen beyond the mask I wore.

Now, that connection felt distant, almost unreachable, leaving me adrift in a sea of uncertainty.

Illerium's lectures, however, offered a welcome distraction. They captivated me, each story more enthralling than the last. He spoke of the arrival of the Fae in Azmeer, painting a picture of a time long past when the world was new and raw. The reign of their first king, Loran, was a tale of glory and tragedy, of power struggles and wars. Humans, caught in the crossfire, established their own settlements, while nymphs and sirens retreated to the secluded corners of the continent. It took a millennium of negotiations, treaties, and fragile peace for us to stand here now, participating in the Courting.

When I asked Illerium about Lil, he told me that Thalius had requested her help with a special assignment, and while she would return when they were finished, there was no telling when that would be. Her absence left a noticeable void, most noticeable in Kadian, whose moods swung wildly. He had taken to retreating to his room after quick, solitary meals, avoiding Oz and me altogether. It was painful to watch, and the constant worry gnawed at me. Kadian, who had always been the steady one, the anchor for our little group, now seemed as adrift as I felt. The only thing that seemed to lift the fog around him was the thought of exploring Azmeer. He clung to the idea like a lifeline, hoping Lil would join us. She had been the most enthusiastic about it from the start, and I couldn’t help but hope for her return.

“If she isn’t back, are you still wanting to go?” Oz asked over breakfast that morning; his voice tinged with concern as he glanced at Kadian’s dark, sullen eyes. The weight of sleepless nights and restless thoughts had begun to show on him. He had taken up running at night, a way to burn off the frustration he felt building up inside. It wasn’t like him, and it made my anxiety worse, the worry twisting tighter with every day that passed.

“I think getting out of here may do you some good,” I said softly, placing my hand on Kadian’s forearm, where it rested on the table. He barely acknowledged the touch, his gaze distant.

“Let’s aim to leave around six,” Oz suggested, “we can eat dinner here or find something when we’re out. Tamra said she’ll meet us at the bar. Iona’s been saying there will be music tonight.”

Music. I couldn’t remember the last time we’d gone out just to listen to music. It felt like a lifetime ago.

As the day wore on and Lil remained absent, we agreed to meet in the atrium before heading out. Oz, Kadian, and I would grab dinner somewhere in the city. I chose not to wear a dress, opting instead for black high-waisted pants that flared at the bottom and a dark crimson long-sleeve shirt that accentuated my curves. The outfit was bold, something I never would have worn before coming to Azmeer, but I was becoming more comfortable in my own skin. I left my hair down, savoring the way it moved in the evening breeze that teased the city.

The excitement was palpable in the atrium. We had all valued the opportunity to participate in the Courting, but the chance to explore Azmeer itself had been a much-anticipated event. The city was an ancient enigma, steeped in secrets and mystery. Illerium had told us that Azmeer was called the First City, constructed after the establishment of the courts. Its origins dated back to a time when the world bore little resemblance to what we knew, a time when the Primals were said to have roamed.

As we descended the stairwell, I couldn’t help but notice how the darkness of the courtyard gave way to the warm, inviting torchlight guiding our path through the gardens to the city gates. It was like stepping into another world. The city itself was alive, buzzing with energy as we entered the swarm of people beyond the palace walls.

“Where’s everyone going?” Kadian asked, his voice tinged with curiosity, the first sign of life I’d heard from him in days.

“Likely a night market,” Oz replied, glancing around, “we have them in Thredian.”

“I didn’t know Thredian was large enough for anything like this,” I said, surprised.

“It’s a bigger city. The largest in the West,” he smiled, a touch of pride in his voice. “But we should move out of the middle of the street,” he added, gesturing for us to follow him to the side.

“A night market sounds like a good place to grab some dinner,” I suggested, feeling the pangs of hunger grow stronger.

Oz laughed, the sound deep and warm. “Definitely, and based on the amount of smoke in the air,” he pointed east, “I’d venture a guess that it’s that way.”

“I’ll let you lead,” I said, falling into step behind him.

Kadian’s face lit up with a smile, the most genuine one I’d seen in a week. It was as if the weight of his worries had lifted, even if just for a moment. I breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that this little adventure was doing him some good.

The streets of Azmeer were unlike anything I had ever seen before. The buildings were taller than those in Escalia, their terracotta and pale clay exteriors designed to combat the intense summer heat. The roofs were tiled, curving like the waves of the sea if you squinted just right. It was enchanting, each corner of the city revealing something new, something I had never experienced before.

Vendors lined the streets, selling everything from beautiful colored glass lanterns to fine woven rugs. Even though this was a place of commerce, it felt more like a gathering of friends. Vendors greeted each other with kisses on the cheeks, shook hands, and picked up the babies of their patrons. There was a warmth here, a connection that made my heart swell.

The smells were intoxicating—roasted meats, pastries, and a rich, smoky aroma that made me wish I had more room in my stomach. “What’re we in the mood for?” Oz asked.

“Anything,” Kadian replied, his grin wide and genuine. There he was—my friend, coming back to life.

“That’s my vote,” I pointed across the square to a stall that seemed to offer fried food and roasted meat on a spit.

“Done,” Kadian said with a grin, taking off towards it.

Melodies filled the square as street musicians set up their instruments and rugs, creating a symphony of sound that blended with the laughter and chatter of the crowd. I couldn’t help but sway to the music as we sat on a bench, enjoying our dinner. In that moment, I was absorbed in the scene around me, and for the first time in months, my mind was quiet and at peace.

I savored every single bite, the flavors dancing on my tongue, each morsel a revelation of Azmeer’s culinary delights. I even went as far as to lick my fingers, unable to resist the lingering traces of the savory feast. When I looked over at my friends, I saw that their faces mirrored my own contentment.

As the last remnants of our meal were devoured, I stood up, drawn irresistibly by the sound of music that drifted through the air. My feet carried me towards a man sitting on a deep red, orange, and crimson rug, strumming a guitar and singing with a soul-deep passion. His voice wove a spell, pulling me into the heart of the melody:

In a realm where the stars meet the sea

The Goddess weeps, her sorrow free

In tears she mourns, a love so rare

A bond that shook the world, beyond compare

Lost in the lyrics, I watched as he played, his eyes closed, immersed in his performance. The guitar strings seemed to echo the very pain and longing described in the song:

Through realms of time, her cries resound,

A love so pure, now underground

The heavens weep, the earth below

For love’s departure brings endless woe

In shadows cast by love's cruel flight,

The goddess mourns throughout the night.

From depths of grief, a glimmer gleams,

Love’s lost embrace, now in her dreams.

As the song neared its end, the singer opened his eyes and locked his gaze with the crowd.

His eyes, a captivating blend of yellow and brown, held a story of their own.

He sang with a fervor that seemed to resonate with the very core of our beings:

Through endless cycles, the world reborn

The goddess finds her love, no longer torn

In fiery light, their souls entwine

The Mates reunion, an eternal sign

The crowd erupted into applause and cheers as the performer took a bow, placing his right hand over his heart.

He set his hat near his feet, and people began to drop coins into it, many of them moving forward to express their appreciation.

I stepped up and tossed a few silver coins into the hat, feeling compelled to reward such a beautiful performance.

“Did you like it?” I heard his smooth voice ask as I approached.

“It was enchanting,” I replied, a smile brushing my lips.

“I’ve never heard anything quite like it.”

He took a seat on his stool, his eyebrow quirked in curiosity.

“You’ve not heard that song before? It’s a tale as old as time, a tale older than Azmeer itself,” he said as he put down his guitar.

“And yet, you have not heard it?”

I shook my head, slipping my hands into my pockets.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Where are you from?” he asked, his accent unfamiliar but intriguing.

“Escalia,” I answered.

“Ah,” he clicked his tongue.

“It’s no wonder then that you’ve not heard that song.” He bent down to pick up a glass of water.

“You’re familiar with Escalia?” I was surprised; few people had even heard of it.

He smirked. “I’ve been there once or twice.” His eyes remained fixed on mine, their gaze warm and knowing.

“What did you like about the song?”

I hesitated.

“I…I’m not sure,” I admitted.

“It clearly evoked some emotion from you, my dear,” he said, pointing to my cheek.

I touched my cheeks and realized they were damp.

I had been crying without even realizing it.

“It’s a song that can bring out the deepest of emotions, well, for anyone who has known and suffered a great loss.” His eyes held a shared understanding.

I nodded, wiping away a stray tear.

“Is the song about Giaxia?”

A hint of amusement danced across his face.

“Of course not,” he leaned in closer.

“It’s about Vasenia.” He set down his glass and picked up his guitar once more.

“Should you have any more questions or wish to hear more tales, do find me again,” he said, his voice warm as he began to play once more.

They say she was the herald of light

A Dawn awaiting her Dusk…

The crowd gathered around him again, swept up by the allure of the music.

I found myself pushed by the flow of the masses, so I retreated to where Oz and Kadian were standing.

“You okay?” they asked as I approached.

“I’m fine,” I said with a smile.

“It was just a beautiful song.” I glanced at them both.

“Speaking of music,” I said, weaving my arms through theirs, “shall we go listen to some more and maybe get a few drinks?”

“You?” Kadian raised an eyebrow.

“A few? If that’s the case, prepare yourself, Oz. We’re in for quite a night.”

“I’m not making any promises,” I teased back.

Their voices became a distant murmur as my mind wandered.

Why had the singer invited me to speak with him again?

Why had he visited Escalia?

And why was the song that seemed to tell the story of Giaxia and Ollo not about them at all, but about Vasenia?

My thoughts drifted away as we entered the bar, a vibrant, crowded place that promised the excitement we craved.

It was nothing like the quaint local pub Kadian and I frequented.

This bar had a rustic charm but with a touch of refinement.

I left the boys at a standing table and made my way through the sticky floor to the bar.

It was peaceful. The most peaceful the night was going to get.