Page 122 of To Scale the Emerald Mountain

ALEC

She leaves.

Despite hearing the lies in Ellya’s words, they do not hurt any less, stabbing in a way that far surpasses the pain of any blade. But I saw her fear and doubt. My instincts told me to reach out to her, to follow her wherever she goes, but I resisted. I resisted taking my words back and falling to my knees to beg her not to leave me.

Screaming, I punch the pillar again.

Rubbing my eyes, gritty stone digs into my skin before I grab a towel to dry off. When I pull it away, red stains the white fabric from where Ellya made me bleed. The argument was explosive. She may still be pushing me away, but her resolve is crumbling. Her glorious display of jealousy proves it.

Perhaps Cescily is right; she did me a favor.

Reaching out to Kraeston, I ask him to meet me in my study. I then go to my chambers to clean myself up and change into my typical black pants, black buttoned shirt, black leather boots.

Strapping my sheathed swords to my back, a hilt peeks out over both shoulders. I am sheathing multiple daggers to my thighs when Cescily knocks on my door and allows herself entry.

“Where is she?”

“Gone.” Without glancing at Cescily, I continue arming myself.

“Gone?” she asks incredulously. “Gone where?”

“She is still close. I can feel her.” As the words leave me, I massage my hand over my heart, cradling the precious light within me. I light a cigarette and offer one to Cescily. She takes it and flicks at it nervously.

After I felt a sharp stab screaming at me through what is left of mine and Ellya’s bond, I jumped straight into her chambers and stormed into her washroom. I was horrified to learn what she was doing. The smell of blood was too stout for a small nosebleed and the pain still stung from where she harmed herself.

The anguish of her aura was choking the air out of the room.

Immediately after, I went to Cescily, completely desperate, asking her to intervene.

“She had agreed to talk to someone, admitted she’s drowning,” Cescily says softly.

I shoot her a glare. “I am guessing this was before you informed her of my previous betrothal?”

“I’m sorry, Alec. I didn’t mean to.” Cescily’s words are genuinely apologetic. “We went past the house, and I couldn’t get her to drop it. But Elly remembered. I saw it in her face. She had a similar reaction when I told her about her killing that woman in the square. I thought she might have remembered then. Now I know she did.” Cescily lights her cigarette.

Exhaling harshly, a great beast of guilt paws at me for how I reacted towards my sister. “I apologize for yelling at you. And calling you grimy. You were right, you did me a favor. You have done me many favors that I will never be able to repay. Thank you.”

She is shocked at my admission and apology momentarily before waving me off. “Of course. It’s the least I could do for all you’ve done for me. And besides, I’m a natural leader.”

Cescily’s eyes begin to shine, and my shoulders droop further in my regret for yelling at her. “All of you had Father and a handful of close siblings growing up. All I had was you and Mother. And Elly. You were always there for me. You were like a father figure to me growing up, and I’ve never thanked you for that.”

“You do not have to thank me, Cessy. You are my baby sister, and I love you.” I give her a tight hug.

“I love you, too, Alec.” She pauses before adding, “You’re going to make a terrific father one day.”

I smile at her. “I hope so.”

“Should I go find Elly?”

“No need, Cessy. I will be going myself.”

Cescily smiles brightly, taking in all my weapons. “Going where? To battle?” She snorts with mirth.

“If I must.”

Twenty minutes later, I am sitting with Kraeston in my study, informing him of what has transpired this afternoon. I relay to him the vision Ellya had of Ceivise meeting with a disguised person about some open ended deal. My tone is boastful when I tell him how brilliantly Ellya pieced together that the person in question was Rahleigh based on vague comments about a royal errand and being disappointed in the ‘next best thing’ alone. She assumed that meant Locane.

And she was right.