Dark Swan Ebook, page 18
“Is she really that good?” I watched as Lhysa waved a hand over the snow-drenched courtyard, turning it into a spring oasis. A mixture of summer and winter.
“She is. Alecto and her used to spar for hours on end, and though Alecto was the best warrior there was, Feng still beat her most days.” He offered me a forced, unusual smile. “Barring the use of magic, that is. Aurel doesn’t stand a chance.”
Eira and Lhysa joined us below the balcony. “I give him four minutes,” Lhysa muttered.
“Generous,” Eira said, her ice-white eye leveling on the make-shift arena. “I give him two.”
“What if she chooses to toy with him?” Setizar asked, his grin turning malicious. “I give him six minutes, tops, if that’s the case.”
“What does the winner of the bet get?” I asked, looking between the three.
Setizar’s laugh warmed my cold bones. “Watching Aurel suffer is enough for me.”
Eira cackled, nodding. “I second that.”
Lhysa shook her head. “I shouldn’t be agreeing with either of you.”
“And yet,” Setizar slid his hands into his pockets, leaning against the nearby banister, “you are.”
“He drives me up a wall. Seeing him bested by someone will be satisfying.” Lhysa lifted her head, as if trying to retain some semblance of benevolence. Everyone in this area appeared to have some form of resentment toward the sphinx. I wonder what he did to irritate them.
Feng raised her hand, pulling a sword from the sky. A whirlwind pounded into the open area, lifting a smile to her black-stained lips.
Aurel made a similar gesture, yanking his weapon from raw sunlight. Something about the way he did that seems out of character…
“Aurel is a mixed-breed,” Eira whispered to me. “The son of a Sun Lord and a sphinx. A powerful mixture, but a weak child. It just goes to show that sometimes Terrestrial and Ethereal magic don’t mix well.”
I watched him, studying him. Was that why he tried so hard? To compensate for what he thought he didn’t have? For what everyone thought he couldn’t do?
The air hollowed. Feng brought her wind-bound sword down, sending Aurel hurtling backward. Light gleamed around us, shattering the atmosphere with radiant beams. Molten wings flared from Aurel’s back, sun-licked and pure. My jaw dropped. He’s winged? They weren’t delicate membranes and plumage tinged like mine. They appeared like solid ore, made of gold itself.
Auburn light glinted from his reddened sword, and he hurdled toward Feng. She pivoted and cleaved the sky with a blood-freezing screech. Aurel dropped his sword, his wings trembling back into him as he covered his ears. We covered our ears, too. Waves of sound became visible as she neared him, that ear-splitting noise growing louder.
“We are almost at two minutes!” Eira laughed, shaking her head.
Aurel raised his hands in defeat, blood dripping from his ears. Silence followed.
“Pointless, honestly. All this build-up for Aurel to be humiliated?” Lhysa clicked her tongue and left. “We shouldn’t have wasted our time.”
–– ☾ ––
I walked through the halls alone, trying to understand my own thoughts and feelings. The spar played over and over in my head. The moves, the imbalance of skill and power… it repeated and repeated.
Despite how much Setizar and Aurel didn’t like each other, Setizar was the first at the injured sphinx’s side, mending the wounds inflicted on his ears. Just another thing that made me feel so strongly about Setizar. Why did he make it so easy to love him?
I paused.
Love.
Did I just admit that to myself?
I weaved around the corner, and smacked my forehead into Aurel’s still armored chest. “Meris! In a hurry to go somewhere?”
I absently rubbed my brow, shaking my head. “Not really.”
“Then you don’t mind if I walk with you?” He smiled, and the sandy-brown hairs of his short beard caught the light.
“Not at all.” I returned his grin, and we continued walking down the hallway together. “How’re you feeling?”
He shrugged, extending his arm for me to take. “My pride hurts more than my body, but my ears are still ringing.”
I looped my arm around his, keeping my eyes on the ice-hued ground below. The snowflake arches above looked to be made of glaciers, though the inside of the castle was a comfortable temperature. “What do you know about the Veil?”
“That dark void out at the base of the mountain?”
I managed a tight nod, unsure if I should have asked.
“There’s not much we know about it, other than it’s been spreading these past seventeen years. It was a small patch of black forest once, now it’s an endless sea of shadows and lightning. We think it’s where magic has died.”
I looked out the window, inhaling a long, unsteady breath. “Do you think it will go away when I bring magic back?”
Aurel stayed silent for a moment, his eyes filling with embers of uncertainty. “We can only hope.”
31
The white world outside the carriage turned to orange and red as the Crimson Plane surrounded us.
My toes burned inside my slippers, so I pulled them off my feet and set them on the bench beside me.
Setizar sat across from me in the carriage, his eyes glued to a book Feng had lent him. “You must be really interested in whatever is in that book,” I said, trying to make sense of what was written on the spine.
He nodded slowly.
Great. He’s only half-paying attention. “You know, I find that you are a decent fellow,” I mumbled.
Another slow nod.
“You’re caring… and good humored.”
He responded with a non-committal, “That’s nice to hear.”
I leveled my gaze, rolling my lips together. “And, you’re extremely attractive. The best looking man—thing I’ve seen while in this realm… well, in any realm, really.”
His eyes locked with mine, glittering with a thousand mischievous stars. “I knew it was just a matter of time before you admitted it.”
I threw my slipper at him, only to have him catch it.
“A little extra feisty today, I take it?” He grinned, tossing the projectile back at me. “Excited to be going home?”
I began to nod, but stopped myself. This wasn’t my home. “I would, if I were actually going home.”
His expression darkened, reaching his eyes. “We will find the portal.”
I already knew about the portal, and I knew when it would open. Tatum told me. I just needed to know when the next full moon is. But if I left, would I be able to find both Setizar’s Box and my sister in two days? Would I have to pick one or the other like I’ve been told?
I breathed out, resting my head against the cushioned seat. The bump and drag of the road under us made me remember Mae. I missed her. There’s so much I wished to ask her… so much I needed to tell her.
“Have you given thought to what kind of dress you will be wearing to the ball?”
My eyes snapped to Setizar. He was busy rolling a pen between his fingers. “What?”
“The ball. It’s in a few days. Cerie should have everything arranged.”
I’d completely forgotten. “No.” I scratched my neck. “I don’t even know where to begin.”
Setizar swatted the air. “I’ll request the greatest tailor in this realm to come, then. He will aid you.”
I swallowed my unease with the light mountain air. “What’s this tailor like?”
“He’s…hyper, so don’t get too overwhelmed. I think you’ll get along just fine. Don’t let yourself get worried.”
I nodded. “When’s the ball?”
“Five days. On your birthday.”
I sighed, snatching my slipper from the ground and slipping it and its companion on my feet. “What will you be wearing?”
He grinned. “A suit which will definitely provide the shock I wish to see on your face.”
“Wear periwinkle and rose, then I will be shocked.”
“Don’t tempt me,” he said, a wry tone plucking his tone upward. “I doubt either of those colors would look bad on me.”
Sadly, I had to agree.
–– ☾ ––
“Meris!” Cerie’s screech was something between glee and horror. “I heard about everything! Are you alright? Did Setizar maim you?”
“Excuse me?” Setizar slipped his arm around her waist, lifting her off the ground and keeping her from grabbing me. “Did you just accuse me of maiming this beautiful creature?”
“Let me go!” she grunted, kicking her tiny hooves. “Monster. I need to make sure she’s in one piece!”
“I shall lock you in the tower, my blue maiden.” Setizar offered me a wink, tightening his arms around Cerie. “Unless you take that back.”
“Do you see what he does?” Cerie narrowed her eyes, ceasing her wriggling. “He manipulates!”
“I finesse, those are two different things.”
“That’s just a synonym for manipulate.” Cerie elbowed him in the ribs, resulting in a muffled humph.
I laughed.
“Meris, stop laughing. This isn’t very entertaining.” Cerie huffed. “I’m mad at the both of you for leaving me here while you went to Redrim!”
I paused. “Why?”
“Because,” she shot a pointed glare at Setizar, one that could kindle the heat of a thousand suns, “he always becomes so drained afterwards and you knew nothing about the process! It was stupid, inconceivable—”
“We didn’t have a choice.” Setizar placed his hand on her white head before drawing a finger up her horn. “Perhaps it was for the better. You know Inanna hurts you.”
Cerie groaned, shaking his hand away before rubbing her horn. “I still don’t like it.”
“Now that we have that settled.” Setizar stood before me, bowing. “Meris, let’s go eat. I’m famished, as I’m sure you are as well.”
“I’m getting there.” I slipped my hand into his, my heart beginning to beat faster as his skin touched mine. “What are we eating?”
“Depends on what’s prepared.”
The way his eyes cut into me made me wonder if there was more he wished to say.
32
I slept in. I knew I did. The tailor was supposed to be there in the afternoon, but I was certain I had time to get ready.
Stretching out my numb legs, I lifted my arms to embrace the sunlight. Wait. Sunlight?
I glanced at the clock chiming in the corner. One? My pulse quickened as the afternoon wind trickled through my open window. I leaped out of bed, scrounging up a decent pair of pants and shirt before scurrying into the lavatory. Why didn’t I wake earlier?
Closing the door in a fit, I faced myself in the mirror. I looked like death chewed me up and spat me out. Dark bags tugged at my eyes, followed by my odiously pale complexion. What was this? I released a growl. Three red dots formed a triangle on my chin, and one was on my cheek. It looked angry and aggravated. Of course. It was where everyone in the realm could see it.
My wings tightened as my frustration built. So having magic didn’t keep the spots away… perfect. I washed my face and pulled my hair up into a bun, not bothering to do anything with it. I had enough to worry about.
As soon as I stepped foot out of the lavatory, my bedroom door swung open.
The man from the town—the flaming pumpkin-headed man—entered. “Ah!” He made a sweeping bow which looked to be part of a dance. “My lady. A pleasure to see you again.”
I nodded quickly, not entirely knowing why he was here.
“Are you ready to prepare your dress?” His hollow, triangular eyes squinted as a smile spread over his face—or, what I assumed to be a smile. He was a carved pumpkin, after all, who’s alive and on fire.
Wait. He’s my tailor?
“I’ve brought my suitcase, hoping we can find the suitable garment material with your preferred color.” He clapped his hands and two faery boys came in, keeping their poppy-red eyes turned down, hauling a large trunk between them.
“I’m sorry.” I scratched my head. Why did I have to sleep in? I looked a mess! “What’s your name?”
He froze. The fire encasing his head flickered slightly. “Jack, my lady. Jack O’Lantern.”
Really. That was his name?
He flipped open the trunk. “What are you envisioning?” His eyes locked with me, or more importantly, all of me, as if assessing what would need to be done. “I think we should choose something that will accentuate those wings. Something simple, but enough to wow the spectators.”
“I’d rather be… hidden.” I thought hard, focusing on my wings. “I’d rather blend into the crowd instead of stand out.”
He looked at me, his eyes narrowing. “It’s your ball, my lady. You don’t wish to stand out, at least a little?”
I shook my head. Well, I did in a way. Who didn’t want to be looked at and admired? But the possibility that it would turn out horribly for me outweighed anything else. “I’m certain.”
He shrugged, thin fingers pulling fabric from the trunk. “Take your pick.”
There were some that were as black as midnight, not even catching the afternoon light. Some were ethereal white and red and silver swatches, so bright and flashy that I couldn’t seem to picture myself in them.
Finally, I held up a swatch. It was a muted gold color, earthy, but shimmered in a way that made it seem to be coated in magic. It draped over my fingers like warm water, soothing and perfect.
“Like that one?”
I nodded.
“Good!” His gaze still seemed unconvinced by my defiance in wanting to stand out. “Do you want it in a different color? Perhaps black, or red—”
As much as I loved the idea, I thought those colors would be too bold. I shook my head, assuring myself that I’ve made the right choice.
Jack sighed heavily, but he didn’t pressure me with anything else.
I was nervous about his flaming head near all this fabric—what if he caught something on fire?
“Miss?” he said, poking my rib. “Can you please stand on that stool while I take your measurements? I need to get this right.”
I nodded. “Of course.” My head was in a haze. It was probably because of the late hour I slept. I didn’t even pay attention to him as he measured and chatted. I couldn’t help but think of Setizar… of his arms around me when we laid in his bed within the Northern Kingdom of Winter. The way his fingers weaved through my hair, as if they were meant to be there… as if he knew exactly where to stroke to calm me. I could listen to his soothing, accented voice till I died.
Oh, I was a fool! Why did I keep forgetting that he was my captor? That he only needed me to break this curse and then I was a discarded rag…
But my stomach still fluttered when I thought about him. When did this even happen?
“…and of course she just vanished!”
“What?” I blinked. Did I miss a whole story? “Who did what?”
He looked at me, clearly not pleased that I ignored his whole tale. “Well, aren’t you a good listener. I was just speaking about how ridiculous this whole situation is. We don’t even know if we can trust you to get the Box, or that you can even open the Box. A gamble our Autumn Lord is making.” Jack exhaled, losing his patience, I believe. “If Alecto were still living, the curse on Setizar could be broken and everything the Silver Queen did would be void, since it’s rumored that Alecto is the only one who would be able to open the Box which has sealed the Lords’ powers away.”
Now that was new.
“Anyway, she was a true queen!” He placed his thin, twig-fingers over his heart—if there was even a heart there. “A beauty among creatures. Fire in the darkness of our world. Warmth in the cold!”
Obsessed much? “Do you know how the Silver Queen killed her?”
Jack paused, tapping where his chin should be. “No. No idea. The only one who would know that is her sister, and she’s been missing for as long as Alecto has been dead. So, I have no answers.” He stood, plucking a paper from the box and scribbling something down. Measurements perhaps.
His thin, squared shoulders rolled forward a bit as he hunched over whatever he was doing.
“Why was Alecto so…important?” I had to ask, I had to know the answer.
He threw his head back in dramatic display of his displeasure. “Really now!” He made a small mark on the paper, then folded it. “She was the High Queen of the Day! It is a place, the Afterworld for us weary Yamirians, in a sense. You see, when a creature dies, it goes to the Afterworld and lives the rest of eternity there. All creatures except the furies, mind you. The furies are immortal and therefore cannot die unless they give their immortality away. They are simply reborn.” My mind went blank. “Well, unless killed by the blade of a Midnight Traveler blessed by the Stars. But that is a rare thing to find, but the only thing able to kill an immortal. Stab an immortal with that, and they’re dead forever.”
“Is that what happened to Alecto?”
He huffed, a small puff of smoke escaping his carved lips. “Really now. I told you I don’t know what happened.” He yanked the paper up and flapped it in the air. “Well, I must be going. I will have your dress finished and shipped here as soon as possible.”
“When did Setizar send for you?”
“Always asking so many questions! Am I a teacher now? Is this a lecture? I should be paid better.” He closed the trunk with a resounding click, brushing off some dust from the lid. “Just a few days ago, if you’re truly that desperate to know. He said he wanted the dress prepared before your birthday, for the ball of course.”
I nodded.
“Well, good day.” Jack bowed at the waist. “And, if you want to get rid of,” he pointed to his chin, as a silent reference to my face,“those, you should use witch hazel and clary sage. It works wonders on the skin.”
Before I could reply, he was gone.
I frowned at his retreating back. If Alecto was the only one who could open the Box, then how would I do it?
