Page 16 of Sky of Thorns

“Ye’ll find those born with stronger power are recruited to train in the palace or royal guard,” Nero quips in, giving Aramis a friendly clap on the shoulder. “Just look at the company mo charaid here keeps.” With a grin, he creates a blue orb of fire in his palm then blows, sending a hundred blue butterflies of living flame dancing around us. I have seen traveling minstrels perform similar illusions with fire but never with such skill as his. I wonder once more if my assumptions about his true nature are correct. The heat of the fire magic pulses in the air until the creatures disappear in a puff of smoke and ash.

“You’ll also find that some of us have more important qualities beyond wasting our magic on cheap parlor tricks,” Aramis responds through clenched teeth.

“What other magic do elementals possess?” I inquire, turning to face Nero riding beside us.

“We are long-lived, with memories just as lengthy as–” Nero continues, grinning widely at me.

Aramis clears his throat, cutting his friend off, not entertained by his interruptions. He continues with a lecturing tone, “Most elemental families pass on the same elemental line: earth, wind, water, and fire. However, very rarely is a child born with powers outside their family, or duo wielders. Every person in Shadowvale has a purpose, a role to play to keep the kingdom prosperous.”

“Ma mother was a fire elemental, as was her mother an’ on and’ on as far as our family records indicate,” Nero cuts in, stretching his arms behind his head as he leans back on his horse. “The royal family has alway comprised rulers who’ve been attuned to the air elemental for the last five hundred years. At least the male line has. Aramis’s mother–”

“Enough,” Aramis orders, this is the second time he interrupts one of his guards at the mention of his mother. His voice is edged with pain in the command. I study him discreetly, learning more about him with that command than he realizes. A swirl of sympathy churns in my stomach, and I begin to suspect that there’s a tragedy there. “It’s getting dark. Thankfully, we are nearly at the next clearing.”

As night falls, we break for camp. This temporary reprieve allows me to analyze my situation as I sneak pieces of meat strips to Lemon. He isn’t happy after being confined to my pocket most of the day, but I am worried about what will happen if he is detected. As everyone settles for the night, I place my roll as far from his royal highness as I can, but his eyes burn into my skin long after I’ve fallen asleep.

***

The next day, I find myself in front of Aramis again, trotting quickly down the path. My body protests with aching pains as each beat of Percy’s hooves takes us closer to Shadowvale. I don’t know how I am going to survive two to three more days stuck on a horse with Aramis, but I’m even more terrified of what awaits me when we reach Shadowvale. I turn my attention back to the forest, anything to keep my mind from worrying about my fate. A silver leaf tree I have never seen before appears among the surrounding trees. I sit up straight, whipping my head to see over his shoulder.

“What?” He briefly glances behind us.

“I thought I saw a tree with silver leaves.” Turning more to face him, I glance at another two silver trees in the distance as we continue to pick up speed. My eyes widen as a broad smile spreads across my face, causing my cheeks to tingle with excitement. My heart beats faster with joy as I take in the vibrant scene before me. The flash of silver is the most interesting thing I’ve seen for days. I point ahead where a cluster of trees lines the trail. “There! Up ahead! I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“They are silver apple trees. We call them pomme d’argent. They’re native to Shadowvale and only grow north of the Argentsang Forest.” His eyes take on a faraway look as he makes a quiet sound of pleasure. “They make the best apple pastries you’ll ever taste, sweet caramelized apples, wrapped in warm flakey dough.”

“That explains why I’ve never seen them before.” My mouth salivates at the thought of warm, sweet pastries.

“As children, Nero and I got in trouble in the kitchens countless times because we’d steal pomme d’argent pastries off the cooling racks.” Aramis confides with a soft chuckle. “There’s nothing like them.” His friendly and generous conversation is unexpected, and it shocks me to my core.

“Aramis, What ar—“

“I nev—“. We both stare at each other sheepishly, as we realize we’ve spoken at the same time. I bite my lip to stave off my entertainment. Aramis looks grave at the thought of being interrupted.

We fall back into silence, nothing but the distant chirping of birds. I watch, feeling the cool air of the forest around me as the apple trees start multiplying, turning the forest into shades of silver. Do the darker shades show age in the trees? The cascade of silvers is stunning. Light reflects off the petals with a rainbow hue. Percy slows down to a brisk walk as the path narrows.

“What is Shadowvale like? None of my books reached that far on the continent. I’ve only seen it on maps and heard few stories from passing travelers,” I ask with interest. Stretching, I reach forward, letting my fingers run through the horse’s tangled mane. It’s a matted mess, reminding me that my own hair must look atrocious.

“Shadowvale is more than just the castle, if that’s what you’re asking.” Aramis pauses and I hold my breath, wondering if I’ve asked the wrong question. He shifts behind me. Putting his weight into the stirrups, he pushes to a stand, reaching up. Aramis wraps his hand around a plump silver apple above us and I watch curiously as he snaps it off the branch and hands it to me once he settles back behind me. The brush of his hand against mine sends unexpected sensations through my body, landing in my core. I roll the apple between my hands, marveling at its matte silver surface, dully catching the light.

“Thank you,” I murmur, conflicted by my emotions. The thoughtfulness of his actions surprises me.

“You’re welcome,” he replies with warmth in his voice.

“Is it sweet?”

“They’re saccharine,” he remarks. “Try it.”

I hesitantly bite into the apple, my eyes closing, and a small moan escapes my lips. My mouth floods with extraordinary sweetness; the combined taste of honey, citrus, and pear.

“This is sensational,” I sigh, the lingering taste of the silver apple in my mouth. I lean back in delight, my head landing unexpectedly on his chest. I tense, waiting for a reaction from Aramis that never comes before continuing, relishing in this shared moment. “I love apples–and I think I may have just discovered my new favorite kind.”

“They are the pride of Shadowvale,” Aramis replies, and I can hear a smile in his voice. “Cook always makes the best pastries in the winter when they ripen.”

“My mother and I used to pick lavender together in the fall.” A tear pricks at the corner of my eyes as the memory surfaces but the wind soon whisks it away. “We’d hang most of it to dry for infusions and poultices, but she would always save extra for us to make lavender shortbread cookies. She used to teach herbology at Nova Esther before I was born–” my voice catches on the last words. She wanted me to follow in her hoof steps when she saw my interest in herbology as a young colt.

“I love shortbread, but I don’t think I’ve ever had lavender shortbread. What is Nova Esther?” He asks as he reaches forward to pat Percy on the neck. His palm brushes against mine, sending a jolt of sensation up my arm and my breath to catch.

“It’s the healer’s academy in Kallistar. Healers come from all across Craeweth to study there.” Except me. My gut clenches at the thought. No, I will get out of this and I will make my way to finish my studies. “Where are your healers trained if they don’t go to Nova Esther, in Shadowvale?”

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