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Chapter

Thirty-Seven

I opened my eyes.

I didn’t know where I was.

It was nowhere in Azmeer, nowhere I’d been before.

I stood beneath a veil of shadow, the night sky stretching overhead, a vast canvas of velvety darkness studded with stars that glimmered like scattered diamonds, a breathtaking midnight tapestry.

“ Brida, ” I thought I heard someone whisper.

Ahead in the distance, moonlight danced upon the still waters of a lake, surrounded by fireflies that assisted in lighting up the night sky.

“ Brida. ” I turned, but I did not see anyone.

“ The water, Brida. ”

I was barefoot, standing on dew-covered grass.

I wiggled my toes and felt the blades between them.

The air was cool and crisp but had a faint hint of salt.

The sound of crickets filled the air as I approached the water.

I couldn't recall the last time I’d heard that familiar melody, perhaps during a camping trip with Dad or Kadian. It was a comforting sound, evoking memories of simpler and happier times in my life.

Everything was calm here. Other than the fireflies, there was no movement. No evening breeze like there was in Azmeer. It almost felt as if this place were in stasis. A perfect moment forever frozen in time.

I began to feel a slight tingle in my arms as I neared the edge of the lake. There was no beach, just some marshes along the water.

“ Look down, Brida, ” I heard the voice say, taking my final steps.

For the first few moments, all I saw was the silver light reflecting the moon. Just prior to a full moon, it was a waxing gibbous. A moon in transition.

I saw nothing as I stared into the water.

“ Focus, ” I heard the voice say, “ I need you to picture me, Brida, ” I closed my eyes and tried to hone in on the voice. Where it was possibly coming from, and who it belonged to.

“ Do you hear me , Brida? ”

“Yes,” I whispered. I knew that voice, it felt so close, and yet so far. “Lil?” I asked, opening my eyes.

“Finally,” she said as she came into focus in the body of water.

“How…” I began to ask.

“We don’t have much time. I’m using liquid night. I’m sorry I had to do this to you, but I knew that you would touch Kadian’s hand.”

“Did you mark him with this?” She nodded her head.

“I stole some from Thalius. Not enough for him to realize it’s missing and not enough for us to have a full-length conversation.” She began, “I knew Rai would show up while we were talking today, and I’m sorry he spoke to you that way and no doubt threatened you.”

“You don’t need to apologize to me. You don’t need to apologize for any of this. How did this happen?” I asked her, “And how am I here?” I looked around once more. The sound of the crickets had vanished into the everlasting night.

“You know that we can use bodies of water to communicate images. Well, I’m sending myself through the reflection. I will explain more later; however, in the meantime, I need you to know a few things.”

I nodded at her.

“As Rai told you earlier today, we’re to be married. Thalius coordinated a deal between the two courts. Both sides believe it to be a good match.” She paused for a moment, “Not everyone, of course, but most.”

“Who knew about this deal?”

“Very few. Thalius, the head of the Court of Reflection, Fayma, Rai, and the king. Brida, as much as I’d love to answer your questions, this isn’t the most important thing right now. Alvar has been marked. His mark appeared during our meeting today; he will be king.”

“Marked?” I asked her, “What does that mean?”

“It’s literal. A mark appeared on his hand today during the meeting. We knew it was happening, it’s supposed to be painful.”

“What did he say about the marriage?” I asked, dreading how she might respond.

“He was opposed to it. As was Dainan, speaking of…” she paused, “ shit, I’m running out of time. Brida, you need to wake up now.” Her brow furrowed. “I’ll be in touch if I can. Wake up, Brida. Now.”

My eyes flew open, and I gasped for air. My breathing was labored. It felt as if my lungs had been filled with water. I’d been on the ground in the vision; however, it felt now as if I’d been submerged. I stayed bent over in the chair for several minutes as I gained my composure. Steadying myself, I rose from the chair and stared out the window. There were fewer stars in the sky than where I’d been. No crickets sang, no fireflies danced in the air around me.

I made my way over to Kadian, placed a kiss on his forehead, and whispered, “I love you, please wake up,” and closed the door behind me as I left.

Alvar is to be king , I thought to myself. He seemed the logical choice. He was kind, considerate, and intelligent. I knew it was unlikely to have been Dainan, he was the youngest of the three, and according to Alvar, had shown zero desire to rule.

I didn’t envy Alvar. The transition of a kingdom now rested on his shoulders. Continuing a longstanding peace that the king had battled for, killed for. The eyes of the world would be on him. And me, as I would be doing his work in the shadows.

I would help him in whatever way I could. He’d tried to stop the marriage between Rai and Lil. For that alone he had my gratitude, but beyond that, I believed Alvar and I were becoming friends.

Reflecting in the torch light, a shiny black envelope lay on the floor outside of my bedroom. The seal on it was blood red, the seal of the Court of Shadows.

After opening the door to my room and lighting the candles on my desk, I ripped open the envelope.

Dear Inductee,

It is with great pleasure that His Majesty King Elidas announces the engagement of his second son,

Prince Rai Luchien to Lilianna Towler of Lesalia, niece of Thalius Towler.

His Majesty also wishes to announce the engagement of his third son,

Prince Dainan Luchien, to Iona Vorren of Azmeer, daughter of Deter Vorren.

In honor to celebrate their engagements, a ball will be thrown in their honor on the twelfth day of next month.

I held the letter over the open flame and watched it burn.