Page 9 of The Beginning
My thoughts went back to the necklaces, how they'd become so much more than just matching jewelry over the years.She was always doing sweet things like that, finding ways to bridge the growing gap between us and the rest of the family.I know she did those things to make up for the way Mother treated me, though she'd never come out and say it.Once Calyx had realized what was going on—even if she didn't understand or experience it herself—she'd changed.She'd appointed herself my protector in small, quiet ways.
The necklace protection was a silly thing at the time, brought on by a rather prickly fight I'd had with Mother the night before we'd cast the spell.I couldn't even remember what the fight had been about now—probably something trivial that Mother had blown out of proportion.But I remembered the way Calyx had watched from the doorway, her dark eyes wide with worry as voices were raised and doors were slammed.
Calyx hated when Mother and I argued.Our fights usually started because of something I had done that Mother perceived as an embarrassment, or some slight against the family name.They usually ended with me storming off to my room and slamming the door hard enough to rattle the windows.I'd throw myself onto my bed, my hands clenched into fists as I raged over the unfairness of it all, hot tears of frustration burning behind my eyes.
It wouldn't take long before my necklace would grow warm against my skin, a sign that Calyx was rubbing her own necklace in her room down the hall.It was her way of sending me her calm reassurance that all would be well again soon.She couldn't fix Mother's coldness or Father's indifference, but she could remind me that someone cared.Someone saw me.
Sometimes we'd have entire conversations that way, using the necklaces like a private telegraph system.Three quick touches meant "Are you okay?"A long, steady warmth meant "I love you."Short, steady pulses meant "Come find me."It was our secret language, invisible to everyone else in the house.
But now my necklace was just an ordinary piece of gold jewelry, repaired now, but the magic was gone completely—I could feel the absence of it like a cold spot in my chest.The protective bubble that had surrounded it for years had simply...vanished.
The only way that was possible was if one of the people who had cast the spell had deliberately broken it.Magic didn't just fail like that, not when it had been so carefully woven and reinforced over time.Someone had to actively unravel the work we'd done together.
And I hadn't done a thing.
Which meant Calyx had destroyed the spell herself.Intentionally.
The realization took my breath away, making me feel suddenly dizzy.Why would she do that?What could possibly make her want to sever that connection between us?The necklaces had been sacred to us, our most precious shared secret.For her to break that bond...
This wasn't some teenage rebellion or a fight with Mother that had spiraled out of control.This was something else entirely.Something planned.
And I was starting to realize that I had no idea what my sister had gotten herself into.
Chapter Four
Eamonn
The Fae Realm
* * *
Unlike the sunlit, wide, main corridor, this one was narrower, lit by a small, high window in the distance that shot a blinding beam of sunlight through the darkness.It looked to be a dead end, but with fae castles, things weren't always what they seemed.There were often hidden passages in places one would never expect.
There was indeed a young lady at the end of the hall, standing under the window.And she was struggling with someone.Blinded by the sunlight, I shielded my eyes with one hand my other automatically moving to rest on the pommel of my sword.As I got closer, I saw a man, a member of the court by his garb—expensive velvet doublet, fine leather boots, the kind of clothing that cost more than a guard's yearly wages—manhandling her.He rucked up her skirts with rough, violent movements, and to my eyes, the intent was obvious and vile.
It was also obvious to the girl as well—who wore the light clothing of the kitchen staff, simple wool and linen that marked her as one of the many servants who kept the castle running—which would be why she was shrieking and carrying on.The shrieks got louder once she saw me, desperation and hope warring in her voice.
I hissed over my shoulder toward Gavin."Get Lady Annaliese down to the carriage!I'll join you shortly!"I didn't look back to see if he listened or not—I trusted him to follow orders.According to the king, there were guards waiting to take the Lady Annaliese off our hands.The only thing Gavin and I had to do was to get her to the carriage yard.
The courtier hadn’t seen me yet.He was focused on pinning the serving girl up against the wall, using his superior size and strength to overpower her resistance.
Her eyes met mine over his shoulder, wide with terror and pleading, and she yelled, "Help!"The single word carried the weight of absolute desperation.
Her shout brought the attention of her attacker to me.He turned his head, annoyed at the interruption but not particularly concerned about being caught in the act.
"Mind your business, guard!Be on your way!"He returned his attention to the girl, putting his hand over her mouth to muffle any further cries for help.
"I'm sorry, my Lord, but that cannot be.I must ask you," I stepped closer and grabbed him by the shoulder, feeling the expensive fabric of his doublet beneath my grip.I knew that I would likely earn myself a thrashing for this, that interfering with a member of the court could cost me my position or worse, but I continued, "let the young lady go about her business."Maybe I'd get credit for being nice initially, for attempting diplomacy before resorting to more direct methods.
"How dare you?"he bellowed, shoving me back with indignation."Do you know who I am?"
I stumbled back a step into the harsh sunlight.The man must have assumed I'd leave once threatened.He ignored me like I was a mosquito, some inconsequential annoyance to be suffered, and resumed his assault on the girl.
I didn't bother with words this time.A few steps brought me back to the struggling pair.I grabbed him by the shoulders with both hands and threw him from her, using all the strength I'd built through years of training.The momentum sent him into the opposite wall with a satisfying thud.
"My Lord," I put myself in front of the girl, placing my body between her and her attacker, my hands on my hips and standing up tall to make the most of my height and the authority of my position."I must again ask that you let the young lady get back to her duties."I let the intensity hang heavy in my voice, letting him know in no uncertain terms that I would be speaking to the king about this, that his actions would have consequences.I glared at him, daring him to thwart or contradict me, to give me an excuse to escalate this confrontation further.
The meaning was clear.He'd have to go through me if he thought he wanted another chance at this girl.I grinned, anticipating a fight, welcoming the prospect of legitimate violence.It would help dispel the cloud that hovered over me all afternoon.The thought of a fight, any fight, was calming.
