Page 93 of Skysong

Guilt roiled in Tomas’s eyes, a sweeping undercurrent of shame.

‘We were sworn to protect the skysingers. Every Meridean ruler. To serve you, just as we pledge to serve the Cieloran people.’

Andala blinked, then opened her mouth – to say what, she hardly knew – but Oriane spoke first.

‘Serve us? I thought your family had forgotten we existed.’

Tomas shook his head. ‘We were the ones tasked with remembering. Long ago, the skysingers were worshipped as the gods they are. Both of them,’ he added, nodding towards Andala. ‘But the nightingales eventually went into hiding, for what reason we can only speculate. We know why the skylarks did the same, though. They had found themselves in danger from the very people who sought to exalt them. And our ancestor, the first Meridean queen, swore an oath to protect the skylarks, then and ever after, an oath every Meridean ruler has secretly taken since – to remember the larks, but to keep them hidden from the world, for their own peace and safety.’ His shoulders sagged beneath the weight of some invisible burden. ‘It is an oath I’ve failed to uphold.’

‘Your family was protecting the skylarks?’ Andala asked.

Oriane was frowning again. ‘But Terault said—’

‘I know what Terault said,’ Tomas cut in, his tone bitter. ‘He lied. About this, about so many other things. He has been lying to me for years. And I am fool enough to have believed him.’ He began to pace the room, stopping and starting erratically, straightening objects at random. ‘What he told you that first day you arrived, Oriane – about my ancestors forgetting the skylark faith, moving on and abandoning331it in favour of their own power and influence – he knew it wasn’t the truth. I think he did, at least. Either way, he used that story, that line of thinking, to convince me that it was time to right the wrongs my family line had perpetuated for centuries. He told me it would make me a good king – a beloved king – the king who brought the skylark back. But he also told me …’

Tomas stilled, his back to Andala and Oriane. He had paused beside Hana. The princess was silent, staring into the empty fireplace as her brother rested a tentative hand on the back of her chair.

‘Terault also told me – convinced me – that if I found the skylark, she would be able to cure Hana’s … ailment, through the healing power of her song. You knew this, Andala. And I regret that I never had the chance to tell you, Oriane.’

Andala tried not to stare at Oriane, but she couldn’t help it. Her face was so open, so expressive, every emotion upon it plain to see: sympathy for the princess, softening the harder edges of her anger; regret that Tomas’s plan had not worked.

‘I’m sorry,’ Oriane said after a moment, and her words were not directed at Tomas, but at Hana. ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t help you.’

Hana looked up at Oriane. Her eyes, a lighter blue than her brother’s, were clear and free of tears. She opened her mouth to respond, but Tomas spoke before she could.

‘I must ask one thing further of you. I know you are both leaving today. But before you go – I ask that you try one more time. I beg you to sing to Hanatogether.’

As what Tomas was saying sank in, outrage rose within Andala, roaring like a column of flame. Howdarehe ask anything else of Oriane, after all he’d done? And she had no idea why he was asking it anyway. The lark and the nightingale, singing together – what effect did he expect that strange symphony would have?332

It soon became clear. ‘It must work,’ the king was saying as he resumed his frenzied pacing. ‘That must be the key – for the healing powers to work,bothskysingers must have to sing together. It all makes sense. And now, for the first time in so many hundred years …’ He stopped abruptly before Andala and Oriane, eyes fever-bright as he looked between them. ‘You’re together. United. Between the two of you, your song will be able to heal her. Terault may be a liar, but there is truth in this. I know it.’

‘Tomas,’ Hana said quietly.

He didn’t seem to hear her. ‘I’m not sure what effect it will have on everything else, of course. There may be some disruption to the day–night cycle, but it will be—’

‘Tomas,’ Hana said again, louder. Andala and Oriane turned towards her, but still, her brother seemed lost to his own musings. He headed suddenly towards the door.

‘We can do it at sundown. I’ll arrange—’

‘Tomas,stop!’

The word burst from Hana. Andala had found it difficult to picture the quiet, fragile princess fighting off her captors and blasting away half the palace hall. But she had underestimated Hana – she saw that now as the woman rose from her chair, her slight form humming with palpable frustration. Perhaps they had all underestimated her.

Hana stared at her brother, blue eyes burning, and he stared back, mouth slightly open in surprise.

‘You need to stop this, Tomas. No, let me speak!’ she added, as Tomas made to reply. ‘Let me speak, for once, and listen to me when I do.’

The king closed his mouth and nodded. He was staring at his sister as if she were a stranger.333

‘I love you, Tomas,’ Hana said. Andala could see, feel, that she meant it. ‘I love you for everything you have done for me, for everything you have tried to do. But …’ She closed her eyes, took a breath and opened them again. ‘But I need you to stop now.’

‘What do you—’ Tomas began, but Hana raised a hand, and he fell silent.

‘I have done everything you’ve asked of me. Taken every potion and tincture you’ve had healers create. Tried every avenue you have pursued – and I am grateful for all of it. I am. But I have also sat and listened to you discuss me as if I were not even in the room. I have followed every course of action that’s been plannedfor, notwithme, and watched as decisions about me and my mind and my life have been made without any input from me at all. And it needs to stop now, Tomas.’

Hana moved towards her brother, who stood frozen, as if a single movement would shatter him. She raised a hand to his face, and Andala was surprised to see pity in her eyes as she looked up at him.

‘It hasn’t been easy for you either, has it?’ Hana said. ‘I know you never wanted this role. I know you worry about failing. But you haven’t failed me. Not even if you haven’t found my miracle cure. And I need you to stop looking for it now.’ She lowered her hand to clasp both of Tomas’s in hers. ‘I need you to stop believing that thereisa miracle cure, because I stopped believing that a long time ago. The skysingers aren’t the answer. You need to let them go. It’s your duty to protect them, just like Mother said.’

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