Page 13 of Ties of Shadow

I continued to do as my king had asked and hid from everyone. Leon had checked on me a few times and had even sent the healer to help keep up appearances. Thankfully, Chef was there to be sure the healer came in the mornings or evenings when I was actually there. He spent his time snacking on the tray that Chef kept stocked for me and ignored the burns on my shoulders from the acid rain.

I was about to slip down into the servants’ hall yet again when the front door to my bedroom opened, and Leon let himself in. He quietlyset the lock before turning and searching for me when he discovered I wasn’t in bed. Frowning, I returned and sat upon the edge of the mattress. Leon pulled up the chair, regarded my damaged cloak, and sat heavily. I frowned at his gaunt face, deep worry lines, and the pale, yellow tone of his skin. He moved stiffly, much less graceful than I’d ever seen him. His dimple was nowhere to be found; his gaze distant and fixed on something out the window. A few of the other inferni must be working, as billows of fire still shot out from the tower windows.

“Are you okay, Leon?”

His gaze flicked to me for only a moment before settling again in the distance. “There is never enough time to recover my strength. Fighting the Shade takes all of my energy. Father continues to demand more. He is so desperate to please the nobles that he’s bleeding me dry.” He rubbed his eyes with his palms. “But as he also says, ‘Prosperity requires sacrifice.”

“Has the Shade…” I swallowed, my mind conjuring the wisps of black smoke and strong hands. “Has he returned to the castle?”

The prince slowly dragged his gaze to my face with a hostility I’d never seen before. “Wouldn’t you know?”

Shaking my head vigorously, I leaned forward. “I wouldn’t. I never met the Shade before that moment and hope to never meet him again.” I shuddered. “The ordeal was so”—green eyes flashed before me—“troubling.” I sucked in a breath. “You know me, Leon. You know I wouldn’t hurt you in that way.”

His lips pulled up as he crossed one leg over the other. “Not in that way.”

Though he merely repeated my words, they sounded full of other meaning. “My prince?”

Sucking in a breath through his nose, he stood abruptly. “I need your help, Aelia.”

“Yes, anything, my prince. Name it, and I will do it.” I stood up as well. “I’ve been searching at my father’s request—”

“I know.” He sliced his hand through the air, cutting off my words. “But we need to do something different—something big—to stop these endless battles. They are weakening our city and me. The nobles are unhappy. Father is furious. The seers brought us an old prophecy. Perhaps it’s time to see if we can trigger it.”

“The seers?” My mind raced through all the books I’d read. Which prophecy was he referring to? “When was it seen?”

“The day you arrived,” the prince said with a stern look. He watched me as if to read my thoughts as he spoke.

“The ruin of kingdoms from the weak ones come,

but bind, entwine, and tie them some.

As day from night, the brightness fights,

A sacrifice will make it right. “

“Hmm. The brightness fights.” I gestured to the window and smiled brightly. “You seem to be doing a good job of that already. The fire lights up everything, and the luz glows stronger than ever.” My attempt to lighten the mood fell flat. Leon’s brow worked as he seemed to mull over my words. Clearing my throat, I asked, “How have I never heard that prophecy?”

“The king has kept this one in his chambers. We thought it referred to the peasants. But now…” He shook his head as he pulled out a list from his jacket. “We need you to grab these herbs for the ceremony. We think there’s a way we can appease nature’s forces, rejuvenate our land, and even push out the Shade. But I need more power, I need more fire, and then we can end him for good. My father demands I—I meanwe—endthis now.”

I set my hand on his forearm, and he covered it with his. His dimple returned for the briefest moment. “I would do anything, Leon.”

Tapping his finger on the list. “The seers require these things by tonight. At dusk.”

I glanced down at the many items. “My father has many of these dried.”

“They must be fresh.”

Huffing out a breath, I shook off the fatigue that weighed my limbs as I turned for the door. I regarded his worn face and untucked hair. He put up a hand to stop me. “I am sorry, Aelia.”

Poor Leon. He needed rest and hope himself. “As the king wishes. I’m always happy to help a friend. I’ll return before tea.”

Leon’s face flashed with some emotion before a soft smile returned. “You are the very best of friends, Aelia. Thank you.”

After searching all day, I procured everything on the prince’s list. I proudly set to cleaning and preparing them for the evening ceremony.

My father worked beside me, chopping and boiling and measuring what we needed—the list of ingredients and the instructions for the potion between us. His jaw clenched regularly, as his fingers began to shake. I turned to reach for another bowl when he grasped my hand, his eyes wild and wide. His mouth opened and shut several times before he clenched his fist, closed his eyes, and hugged me.

I stood stock still for a moment before returning the hug. He patted my head. “There’s a good girl. Always helpful.” Then he released me and returned to chopping, taking a swig from a wine glass in between. Perhaps that would help his shaking.

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