Page 72 of Of Nightmares & Fire
“He gave a piece of his magick that day—to the land that was drowned in darkness and blood. Legend says the black sands of the Dead Sea became as deadly as the men who once sailed itswaters. The glittering shards lingering in its dark surface are the only reminder that the stars are still watching even when they are cast away by the sun. The magick, born of darkness and the heat of the sun, lies dormant until touched by the heat of a flame. There in the fire, where it’s forged, is where the magick awakens and becomes a honed weapon, a knife such as these. The divine fire was lost to him when he dried out the sea.” She smiles, though there is no light that reaches her eyes. “A legend—a fallacy—a wish that the divine fire would once again be cast on the land and forge a blade strong enough to carve a new path for magick and men.”
“Legends have some ounce of truth, though, do they not?” I ask, and at that her gray eyes glitter with that same hope.
“Yes. Yes, I suppose you are right.” She says, covering the blades with the thick cloth. She binds it with a string of leather and then reaches into a chest, pulling out a black leather holster with beautiful filigree etched into its surface. It's the perfect addition to hold the beautiful blades.
“Thank you.” I tell her as I place both the blades and holster into my bag. “I hope to see you at the celebrations.”
“You are kind. Caring. So much like both of them.” She tilts her head in reverence, and I incline mine in kind before turning away and heading back through the crowd. Making my way to the stables, I am only stopped a few times by people wanting to sell me baubles or goods. Wanting to offer blessings or support. Though even with minimal stops, it takes nearly an hour to reach them. Finally, I’m greeted with the scent of musty air and hay and the sounds of horses chuffing and neighing.
One of the stall gates slams shut, and a man strides toward me with a muck bucket in one hand and a shovel in the other. His form is backlit by the sun shining in through the other side of the open barn doors; at first glance, I think it's my father walking toward me. It can't be, though. He passed through the divine fire a few years ago now, and my mother soon followed from a broken heart. He was one of the wealthiest men in this village, but you would never know it, judging by the calluses on his hands. Oftentimes this is where I would find him. Khol and Eidola loved him.
“HA! I thought that was you!” Beckett shakes his head, the mop of chestnut curls bouncing with the motion, and a smile like a horned moon stretched out over big white teeth. The corner of my mouth quirks too. It's been a long time.
“It's good to see you.” I say, and he wraps his arms around me in a tight hug. The bucket and shovel clattering behind my back. “If you get horse shit on me, I’m going to show you what it's like to muck a stall with your face.” I say, and he laughs, letting me go and placing the bucket and shovel at a reasonable distance away. Ignoring my threats, like they mean nothing. He's probably one of the only people in the realm that could. He takes his gloves off and throws them into another bucket that hangs from a hook on the wall.
“You’re here earlier than usual. Is everything ok?” He looks around at all the stalls. “Where is Khol? Mav said that you were bringing him and Eidola.”
“That was the plan. Things changed a bit on the way. That’s actually what I came here for. I wanted to talk to you aboutsupplying some horses for our trip back to Diemos, and I was hoping you had some men who could go retrieve Khol and Eidola from Elysia? I’d feel better with them being cared for here while I handle some important things.” I say, lifting a bag of coins between us.
“Your money's no good here. You know that. Father would roll over in his grave if I took money from you or Mavros. Will you be here for the feast then?” He asks with a hopeful glint in his eye. I haven't been to one of the feasts in at least five years. Not since I decided to go down the path I had chosen with the Diemos queen.
“I will be. There is someone I want you to meet.” He grins, and I bump him in the shoulder. He's tall, but not nearly as tall as Mavros and me. “Talk to Mav tonight at the feast; we need the horses ready to go the morning after the Shula Morana.”
“I’ll make it happen.” He says with a nod.
“I know you will.” I say, taking a deep breath and letting it out as a sigh. One more tense conversation, then we will enjoy the party before we head to Diemos. Where everything will change…
Chapter fifty
Astraea
Iknowthatweare being kept busy while they discuss the journey to Diemos… Even though I feel annoyed not being a part of the conversation, I can’t help but be a little excited for the night. Zinya brought dresses for Colette and me to wear. I’ve never seen Cole with such a wide smile about a dress that wasn’t mine. She stares into the mirror like she is questioning every life choice that has led her here. I can tell her thoughts reflect the same ones I wrestle with as I too stare into a version of myself I barely recognize.I wish my mother could see me now. I wish she could give me a small smile, words of encouragement—a hug.
Her hands brush over the smooth linen fabric. It is a design that is much more suited for the cooler climate here on the edge of the kingdom. Not quite the desert heat, but not quite the mistycool mountain air either. The color matches the deep green of leaves in the summer and makes her already green eyes stand out vividly with her red hair. The neckline is heart-shaped, and the back plunges low, nearly all the way to her waist, and thanks to the magickal balm Kellan saved her with, it’s unblemished from scars. She looks like a princess.
My eyes flick from her, and for the first time I really look atme. She might look like a princess, but I think this is the first time in my life I have ever looked at my reflection and believed I could even resemble a queen. I knew that it was my responsibility to one day become queen, but I always hated the idea. I didn’t even dream there could be beauty in it. It was a prison. A punishment for being my father’s only heir, but this dress? The feeling of change in the air? I guess it has me seeing things a little bit differently. Perhaps the hope over what is to come is growing.
The dress is thin velvet and a deep, endless black. The neckline is a wide V and low enough to show cleavage but not dangerously so. It leaves my shoulders slightly exposed with only sheer black swaths of fabric capping them. There is embroidered silver-blue stitching along the entire neckline, and it drops down my back like a waterfall. The front panel is solid black but with a slit up both sides, revealing my thighs as I shift or walk.
My waist-length hair falls in loose curls, and Zinya braided the top half in pleats that mimic her usual warrior-like style. My mother’s necklace that I usually keep tucked away hangs low between my breasts, accenting the stitching perfectly.
“I’ve seen many looks on your face,” Colette says as she steps up next to me, and we look at our reflections together. “But nothing like this.” She smiles, and heat blooms in my cheeks. “Happiness looks stunning on you.” Happiness.Is that what I feel?I suppose in a way I am happy to be out from under my father’s thumb, but with all of the unknown that lies ahead… It's anything but happy, I feel. Hopeful,maybe.
“I’d say it’s more a feeling of contentment at the time being.” I say with a shrug, and she rolls her eyes.
“Call it whatever you want, princess, but that man—no matter how much you fight it—makes you happy.” She knocks her shoulder into mine, and I can’t help the twitch of a smile at the corner of my mouth.
Kyros’ words from this morning make the wings inside my chest vibrate, and that same heat blooms with them.“I am a falling man, and it’s only you I want to be there when I finally hit the ground.”I think my heart has been trying to tell me all along that I feel the same, but it’s selfish to think about happiness when the kingdom is miserable.
My eyes flick up when a knock sounds at the door. We were moved from the room above a tavern to one of the larger houses in this city after the nightmare attacked me. It’s right in the center of town, and the rooms are cozy, but you can tell that whoever runs this home is on the wealthier side. Cole smiles and wiggles her eyebrows at me before lifting her skirt and nearly running over to open the door.
“You ladies done preening?” I recognize Mavros’ deep voice now before I even see him. Colette pops her hip with her hand rested on it. I imagine her eyebrow is hitched just the same.
“It wouldn’t have hurt you to do some preening yourself.” She retorts, and I roll my lips to stop from laughing. She has clearly become familiar with the others quickly. It doesn't surprise me. They are easily liked. It only took me days to form an attachment to all of them. Even Kyros, back when he was nothing but a grumpy ass.
“Maybe I want you to do the preening for me.” His voice drops lower, and I roll my eyes, crossing the room and pulling the door open wider.
“If I hear the word preening one more time, I’m going to accidentally push both of you down the stairs.” I curl my lip, and they both laugh at me.
