Page 62 of Cages and Crowns
“He’s going to kill you. He’s going to find me.” She’s fully giggling, and I lean back, arching a brow.
“Elaenor, Tobias isn’t a good man. He isn’t going to protect you.” I say slowly.
“He’s going to come for me. You can’t keep me forever.” I rise and her eyes snap to me. “He will come for me.” Something flashes in her eyes and for a moment it looks as if the veins under her eyes have turned black, spreading out to her cheeks. But it’s gone a second later.
“I hope he does.” I respond, clearing my throat.
“Take me home. It’s not too late.” She pleads, her voice wavering.
“Elaenor, we rescued you. You were going to die there.” She shakes her head. “Tobias isn’t a good guy, little witch.” I reach for her, and she recoils.
“I want to go home!” The door opens and I turn to see Enzo stride in. His clothing is disheveled, as if he just woke.
“Elaenor.” He says softly and her lips part.
“You?” He walks up to the bed, sitting on the edge. “Enzo?” He nods.
“Yes, it’s me.”
“I don’t understand.” She reaches forward, her fingers lightly brush his cheek as if she’s checking if he’s real. “This isn’t real. You aren’t real.” She snatches her hand back, her body shaking. “Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.” She covers hereyes, repeating the same thing over and over again. I rise and come over to her side, gripping her wrists and she screams.
Her screams echo around the room, sharp and shrill. She screams as if she’s fighting for her life. She shakes the blankets free and kicks at Enzo, who has to grab her legs before she hits him in the face.
“Fuck. Calm down!” He yells at her. Someone barrels into the room and I hear digging around in the medical kit. A tan arm reaches between me and Enzo, and I see the syringe as it slams into Elaenor’s leg. Her eyes widen, fixed on mine, before she goes limp.
“What the fuck, Scarlett!” Enzo yells and I slowly lower Elaenor back on the bed. Her eyes are still open, but she’s out. I close her eyes gently and brush a lock of hair from her face.
“She was losing her mind. She needs sleep, she needs to rest. Wealldo. None of us have slept in days.” He pushes past her, stalking out of the room. “Enzo.” She calls, racing after him out of the room.
I look away from them, and brush more of Elaenor’s hair off her face and neck. She’s breathing slowly, deep in sleep. But she’s not peaceful. She feels the opposite of peace.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The Caged
It’s quiet when I wake. The sounds of trees rustling in the wind, birds chirping in the distance. The fresh smell of flowers and wisteria flowing around me, carried by the summer air. Peaceful. This is what I imagine peace feels like.
My eyes open to the bright ceiling, a mixture of stone and pale wood. The canopy hanging off the four-poster bed is a soft gray, reminding me of home. I take inventory of my body, and for once I actually feel good. I feel fine. I lift my hand hesitantly, feeling for the crown, but there is nothing there. I shoot out of bed, the linen falling around me revealing a black, silk nightdress. Both hands tangle in my hair, but the only part that tells me it was ever there at all, are the tiny scabs across my scalp. Tears pool in my eyes and my breath comes in quick pants.
“Nora?” Kassius’s voice is warm, like honey, as it flits around the room. I glance up to where he is lounging by the lit fireplace. “How are you feeling?” My hands fall from my head, my fingers tangling in the white strands.
“How long have I been asleep?” I croak.
“A little over a week.” He says hesitantly.
“Why?”
“You weren’t well. Your body was exhausted, as was your mind. You didn’t have control over your aether, and you became a danger to yourself. We had to put you in stasis to allow you to heal.”
“Stasis?”
“Just another word for those who are forced to sleep in order to heal both mentally and physically.” I nod and drop my hands in my lap. “What are you thinking about?” He asks softly. They drugged me. Just likehim.
“Everything. Enzo, my mother, Tobias, you.” I recite as if I am reading off a list. “It’s hard to decipher what is real.” I admit. He smiles and stands, walking over to the end of the bed.
“You have a twin brother, and I am your uncle. Your mother died at the hands of Amaya. You have a magical aether called starlight. You are currently in Rakushia, under the watch of the Labisian King, Davenport. Your friends are here, Scarlett and Erik and Laenie.” He pauses as he takes in my furrowed brow. “You are safe.” I nod, swallowing against the lump in my throat. “I am going to go have some breakfast sent up for you, alright?” I nod again as he slowly leaves the room, leaving the door cracked.
My mind is reeling after Kassius leaves. My legs are crossed as I sit on the bed, my gaze fixed on the pale linen sheets. I have a brother. Atwinbrother. Rakushia. Tobias?
