Page 64 of The Spark that Ignites
Her adrenaline and focus faded as burning seared through Emmery’s veins, stealing the air from her lungs. She clenched her teeth, but it was too much. Too vast. The edges of her vision frayed, nausea swallowing her.
Vesper’s feet dragged as he clambered up the front steps and kicked open the doors, his boot leaving a footprint of soot on the dark wood. He trudged through the doorway and collapsed onto a knee as if the strength left his body all at once.
Aera rushed to Emmery’s side, nosing her limp hand with a soft whine.
Whistling between his teeth, the sound filling the empty halls, ebony wings responded, materializing out of thin air. A raven twisted, seemingly pulled from some dimension between, its four violet eyes blinking in unison.
Vesper commanded the bird with a voice fit for a prince. “Find them.”
“OUCH! EM!” MAELA WHINED, jerking her head as Emmery tugged her hair again, gentler this time. Her legs had long fallen asleep from Maela’s seat in her lap, but she didn’t care. It was one of the few times she let her cuddle her now that she was growing. “That hurts.”
“If the braids aren’t tight, they won’t stay,” Emmery protested. Her head rested against the oak footboard as her fingers threaded her sister’s unruly red hair. Simmering broth lingered in the air from the pot downstairs, the stew thrown together with every scrap of food they had left. It wouldn’t be as good as her mother’s but at least she tried.
“I want to cut it all off,” Maela grumbled, thrashing once more.
Emmery barked a laugh. “Absolutely not! Your hair is too beautiful. It only needs a little ... taming.” Unlike Emmery’s limp silver locks that fell straight no matter how many styles she attempted, her sister’s unabashed curls always sprung free of the most careful styles and had a life of its own. They likely sprouted right from Maela’s spirit.
“I hate this,” Maela complained. “I hate sitting still for this. What’s the point anyway? It’s going to come out soon enough.”
Emmery snickered, tugging on a strand of hair. “Well, you have dinner with the Mattias’. It wouldn’t kill you to look nice for them.” Maela sighed, throwing her hands up. Always a flair for dramatics. “Do you want them thinking you’re some kind of animal, Mae? Should I dip you in mud before I send you off and stick some twigs in your hair for the full effect?”
Her sister snarled, nipping at Emmery’s hand and she yanked it away, yelping in mock fear. The two of them broke out into laughter, each laughing harder at the snorts Maela was unable to hold back. Her laugh was far too carefree and genuine in comparison to Emmery’s. Every time Maela laughed, Emmery felt the authenticity in her chest.
Emmery secured a tie around the thick braids, one on each side of her head. “I think it’s some of my best work.” Her mother was the one with a knack for hair, but all Emmery could do was try. All she’d done since her mother passed was try. Emmery’s chest ached at the similarities between her and Mae. They had the same deep scarlet locks, fair, unblemished skin, and kind heart. Emmery was unfortunately the outlier in the family in every way.
Giving her a sly smile, Emmery said, “You know, I think that boy likes you.”
Maela scoffed. “Who? Kaden?”
“Have you seen the way he looks at you? And he invited you to dinner, Mae.”
A deep vermillion swept Maela’s fair cheeks. Even her ears reddened. “No way.”
Emmery grinned, seeing how far that flush would spread. “He’s utterly smitten.”
“Gross,” Maela muttered. Emmery stroked her sister’s hair. How long would it be before she was sprinting out the door and after boys? The thought twisted Emmery’s gut.
But it wouldn’t be her choice. It would be Maela’s. This life, the one she sacrificed to build for her sister, would be better than she ever had. She would ensure it even if it killed her.
“You might feel differently one day.” Emmery smoothed a few hairs already springing free. “You may even think he’s handsome.”
“Unlikely, Em,” she snapped, springing to her feet and adjusting her skirts.
Emmery smirked. “You clean up alright.” Maela didn’t shoot back a remark, too busy fidgeting with the braids. Softening her voice, she added, “You look beautiful, Mae.”
A long silence swelled between them as Maela stared past her to their mother’s painting of the three of them. In thepainting Maela was a babe, swaddled in Emmery’s arms. At the time, Emmery was only ten. Her heart clenched at the pain simmering in her sister's eyes.
“It’s times like this I miss momma.” Maela studied her feet. “I wish she was here.”
“She would have had less trouble with your hair, that’s for sure,” Emmery said, fighting back the tears burning her throat. “I miss her too.” Emmery’s chest wound impossibly tighter. “I’m trying my best to fix all of this.”
Maela gave a sad nod, still staring at her feet and fidgeted with her collar. “I know.”
It was evident Maela was trying to hide her pain from the raw burns beneath her dress. Guilt sang through Emmery, and she blinked away the wetness clouding her eyes. The balm Emmery procured could only do so much. Maela would bear those scars forever.
She strode to Maela, taking her sister’s face into her hands and meeting her warm whiskey stare. “She would be really proud of you, Mae. You know that, right?” A few tears spilled down her cheek and Emmery wiped them away with her thumbs. “I’m really proud of you, little fish.”
Maela smiled, sniffing back tears. “I love you more than all the stars in the sky.”
