Page 37

Chapter

Thirty-Six

“Lil!” I shouted as I made my way over to her, embracing her.

I pulled back to look at her; she looked horrible.

Pallid and drained of color, “How are you here right now?” I said, holding her hands in mine.

“I don’t have long,” she said as she rose from the bed.

“When did you get here?” I asked her while looking down at Kadian.

He looked the same as he had every other time I’d been to see him.

“I got here about thirty minutes ago,” she said as she made her way next to his head.

She began to run her hand through his hair.

“How long has he been like this?” She asked without taking her eyes off of him.

“Ten days,” I whispered, the words catching in my throat like a secret I’d been holding onto for too long.

It had been ten long days.

Ten days of haunting the House of Shadows, feeling its constant warmth seep into my bones, while the nights slipped away in the library, surrounded by crumbling pages and the dim glow of candlelight.

I searched for anything on bonds, some clue or thread of understanding.

But every search came up empty.

Ten days of asking, pleading, trying not to sound too desperate as I prodded anyone I could find.

“Have you seen her? Lil?” My voice had grown thinner, more strained with each passing day, like a song that had lost its melody.

Each time, I received the same response: a shake of the head, a furrowed brow, a distant stare.

“What happened to him?” She continued to stroke his hair and then began to stroke his face.

“Where have you been, Lil?”

She turned her glance to me, “At the Court of Reflection,” she said.

She pulled her hand back as if she realized what she’d been doing.

“Have you been back here at all? We haven’t seen you in months.” I was desperate for answers.

“Twice, but I wasn’t permitted to go anywhere without my uncle. Did my mother not speak to you? I told her to find you, the both of you.” She looked back down at Kadian.

“She did.”

“And?” Lil asked, “What did she tell you?”

“Other than the fact that Kadian needed to get his shit together and dust his room, not a whole lot, Lil.”

“ To dust ?” Lil questioned under her breath.

“I needed to speak with you after the festival for Giaxia, but your uncle showed up, and then you were gone. A lot has happened, but I need you to know a few things. Rai…”

“Don’t get me started about Rai,” Lil cut me off, turning to face the window.

Kadian’s view overlooked another beautiful garden.

There were so many of them here.

This particular one was filled with lavender, chamomile, and mint.

All known for their healing properties.

I had snuck into this particular garden during one of our first weeks in Azmeer.

The herbs were available in Escalia, but if there was a chance they were a different variety, or imbued with magic somehow, I had wanted Dad to have them.

To have any chance at beating the odds.

“Unfortunately, we have to talk about him. He says you have something of his and wants it back.” I took a step towards her.

A tear streaked down her face.

“What’s going on, Lil?” I placed my hand on her arm, squeezing to remind her I was there.

She looked as if she were breaking in front of me.

The beautiful, happy, and vivacious girl I’d met on my trip to Azmeer had ceased to exist, replaced by this empty vessel that cracked with the slightest touch.

“I have to go,” Lil said, turning towards the door.

“Lil…” pleading in my voice for her to understand that she couldn’t leave yet.

“Brida, stop talking,” Lil said, panic flaring in her eyes.

“Lil…” I continued to say.

“Bri…”

“There you are.”

We both turned to the door and saw Prince Rai entering.

“I was wondering where you had made your way off to.”

I didn’t know if I was stunned or unsurprised.

“Brida,” He spoke with firmness yet maintained a royal level of cordiality.

I bowed my head at him, “Prince Rai,” I was seething.

Keep it together.

“Have you told her the good news?” He stood by Lil, placing his hand on her lower back.

She turned ashen. “Well, did you?” He asked again.

“I hadn’t yet,” she faked a small smile, looking him in the eye.

“Brida was just about to tell me of her placement. I’ve been out these last weeks, and we haven’t been able to keep each other informed.”

“You’re in the House of Shadows, are you not?” Rai inclined his head towards me.

“I am,” I nodded

“Is Alvar keeping you busy?” A smile landed on his face, appearing genuine at first glance, but beneath it lurked a predatory intent.

“He’s been a wonderful advisor and teacher thus far. I look forward to continuing to work with him.”

“No doubt your work will now include planning,” his grin grew wicked.

“Planning?” I looked over to Lil.

“But of course,” Rai said, grabbing Lil’s hand, raising it to me.

Lil wore a rose gold ring adorned with a large black onyx at its center, flanked by three rubies on each side.

“ Uhm, ” I tried to clear my throat.

“Everything was finalized this afternoon.” Rai’s voice sang victoriously.

This is why Dainan and Alvar were called away.

I wondered if either of them had known.

I looked at Lil, she stood still and did not flinch.

“Congratulations,” I said, shifting my gaze to Rai.

I wanted to be sick.

“Thank you,” Rai chuckled, pulling Lil in closer to him.

“The wedding will take place in a few months, following a ball in our honor.”

“Will that be in addition to the ball to honor Vasenia?” I asked.

“It will be in lieu of it,” he snarled.

“Lil,” he looked to her, “I wish to have a word with Brida in regards to Alvar,” he pressed his lips to her cheek.

The little remaining color drained from her.

Dark circles marred the skin beneath her eyes, evidence of countless sleepless nights.

Her bright eyes now were now dull and lifeless, gazing into the distance with an unfocused stare.

“I’ll wait for you outside,” she said to Rai.

He watched her leave the room, waiting until she was gone to speak.

“A word of advice, Brida,” he took a step closer to me as he clasped his hands behind his back.

“My marriage wasn't the only thing decided today,” he paused, glancing at Kadian, “pity,” turning his gaze back to me.

“Be cautious with whom you associate during your placement. The House of Shadows is indeed exclusive, and while we are skilled at keeping secrets, rumors can still circulate,” he took a deliberate step closer, “you wouldn't want to upset those who hold sway over your final placement, especially if you aspire to join the Court of Shadows.”

“What’s this about?” I asked, putting myself between him and Kadian.

“A very many things,” he sighed, “despite you ignoring my request when we last spoke, I found a way to reclaim what belonged to me.”

“ She’s not your property, ” I growled at him.

“No,” he laughed, “she’s just a nice perk.” He turned, making his way to the door, before looking back at me, “Do heed my advice, Brida. It’s for your own benefit.” He turned the handle and closed the door behind him.

I stood in silence before collapsing in the chair that sat next to the bed. Lil is to be married. To Rai. What does this mean for her? For the Courting? For Kadian?

With Kadian’s hand in mine, I closed my eyes as the tears began to roll down my cheeks. I sat there until the sun had been swallowed by the evening sky, and I eventually fell asleep.