by J. M. Ivie
“What did you do to the old wench that made her write such words?” Barak toyed with a blade of grass between his fingers. He seemed to savor the texture as it slid along his skin. “Her language was more colorful than a painter’s palette.”
I laughed—a half-hearted, bitter kind of laugh. “Barak…” I looked away from him, afraid to ask. His advice was something I needed. It wasn’t easy, this constant state of pleasurable torture I found myself in. I knew it was more than mere infatuation. I wanted it to end. “How do you stay unattached to women?”
I heard him exhale as he drew nearer. “Easy,” he poked between my brows. “I do not let my mind go there.”
“Well, what about the heart?” I asked.
“I thought you did not have one.” Barak gave me a half smile. “Perhaps it is simple for me. None of the women I have interacted with have… appealed.”
“I think you don’t like humans in general.”
Barak huffed a breath of both reproof and approval. Something only he could do. “I like you.”
I laughed. “I guess you’re just… wired different,” I said. “I wish I was wired like you.”
“Are you trying to say your heart and mind have led you into the arms of trouble?” Barak breathed in, then dropped down beside me.
I shrugged, listening to the grass crunch below my shoulders. “I’m not sure anymore. I tried… I tried to keep my distance. But, something keeps pulling me back to her.”
“I cannot give you advice, my brother. But—” he looked at me, “if you can find a way out of the Rangers and find happiness? Take it. I will do everything in my power to help you get there.”
I looked at him. “Are you saying… you… you support this?”
“I support you,” Barak chided. “And, I do not want you hurt. If you leave the Rangers without following guidelines it could be… dangerous. But, I do not want you to be like me. Alone, with no way out.”
I wasn’t sure of how to respond. Every time I spoke with Barak, I learned something new about him. Something different. After a long moment, I tapped his shoulder, “Am I to give you my report?”
Barak chuckled, handing me a piece of paper. “Yes, but, this is also why I am here.”
I opened the letter, then, as soon as I saw the abhorrent image awkwardly sketched on the paper, I crumpled it up and threw it in his face. “You three are disgusting!”
Barak’s rumbling laughter echoed in the night. “Four. Jensen had a hand in it too.” He pointed to the signature at the bottom. “We all agree it looks just like you.”
“Do you four have nothing better to do?”
“Not at all.” Barak stood up and shoved his hands into his coat pockets. “We were bored to the point of death. Nearly each other’s death. Jensen said to write our code, but, things turned out differently. I am surprised we worked together and drew that piece.”
“I think I know who put which parts in.” I rolled my eyes, huffing out a breath. The picture would not leave my mind for a long time. “Glad to know you all are surviving by mocking me.”
S E V E N T E E N
THE FEAST OF NOX, ALSO known as the mid-spring festival, dawned upon Winsdale. Few Welkinians celebrated it, in fact, it was mostly Luxterrians who kept the tradition going. Zahra had been planning the feast for the past several months from what I heard, and only the most distinguished people were invited. Despite being invited as well by Zahra, I remained in the hall and out of the public eye. Madame Beth agreed it would be better if I didn’t mingle with the Hierarchy. Her insistence on me staying back nearly made me accept Zahra’s invitation and attend.
The Hierarchy flooded in to the hall, and I watched as each came in and greeted Zahra and Azu. The servants arranged flowers throughout the ballroom, making them seem to float in the wind, flowing into the garden. Tables, ornately decorated with jewels and candles, littered the yard.
As I scanned the crowd, Beth shot me a disgusted grimace. Possibly her silently telling me to back up. Being a rebel, I stuck one foot out across that invisible line she had drawn between the hall and the ballroom. I purposefully made sure she saw me do it, too. She became so frustrated she resorted to insults. I laughed as bitter hatred and uncouth gestures escaped from her.
“Go to Lapp, Mr. Faithe,” she hissed, brushing past me.
“Ladies first.”
I leaned my back against the alabaster statue that rested against the wall, ignoring the people who passed by and shot me questioning looks. Though, they all were highly entertaining, I kept my eyes on Zahra most of the night. I wasn’t sure why, but, every time she greeted a man, anger flooded my heart.
No, I know exactly why.
It made me sick knowing the reason. Her teal dress clasped to her torso, billowing like a waterfall down the rest of her. Perhaps Nora tailored that dress to torture me. Her long, dark curls fell over her bare shoulder, rippling down her back. She glided through the room, smiling and conversing with everyone.
She turned, catching me staring. Her beauty was devastating. She gave me a smile that could ignite even the most dead of hearts. With a tilt of her head she motioned for me to come into the room.
I mouthed, “No,” and gestured to Madame Beth who stood glaring at me from the corner. Her appearance had now turned rabid. I could almost see the foam pouring from her wrinkled lips.
Still, Zahra signaled for me to come. I walked toward her, not able to deny her.
“Ah! We meet again, Mr. Faithe!”
King Elric stood near Zahra. “Apollo, the King and Princess of the Woodlands asked about you.”
I blinked away my surprise and shook King Elric’s outstretched hand. “It’s an honor, your majesty.”
“Oh, please! Not so formal.” The King swatted the air, grinning, “Call me Elric.”
“Oh, but—”
“I insist!”
I smiled, nodding in silent defeat.
“Did our dance lesson pay off?”
The little Princess whispered nearby, and I turned. Her bright face looked up at me. Zahra turned to greet other guests, so that left me to converse with the small maiden and her father alone.
“Today is my daughter’s fourteenth birthday, Mr. Faithe. She insisted on coming here to look at the garden Zahra told her about.” Elric chuckled, winking at his small girl.
“Happy birthday, your royal highness.” I smiled and bowed, and she retreated behind her hands.
“Stop it!” She giggled. “You need to stop bowing so much.”
“Ah, Apollo! Would you come?” Zahra slipped her arm around mine, interrupting my conversation with Elric and his daughter. “Pardon us your majesty, your highness.” Zahra curtsied, and pulled me across the room. “Can you stay near tonight?”
“If you wish. Why?” I tilted my head to the side as she closed the library doors. She looked flustered, worried almost. She paced the room, resting her hand on her chest as she searched for an explanation. How could worry look so… perfect? I was now on edge, the suspense of the quiet I found nearly unbearable.
“There is a man here I don’t particularly like. His presence is mostly a nuisance…” Zahra sat on the sofa. “Just, be near all night? If I appear in distress, come and fetch me and say something is amiss in the library. If you would do that, I would be indebted to you.”
I nodded, uncertain of the deeper intentions behind her request.
“Thank you, Apollo!” Zahra kissed my cheek, making my heart race.
I sank inside. I am an escape to a problem for her. I shook my head. You’re just an Archivist to her, Apollo. Don’t forget what she told Beth…
I waited a moment after she left before I exited the room. As I opened the door, a tall and chiseled figure blocked my escape. Emperor Masters.
“I don’t think we’ve properly met.” His smile looked venomous, and his pale champaign eyes flashed with a hot emotion. He held out his hand, I was hesitant to take it.
“I am Rai Masters, Emperor of Hurricane Hall.�
��
“We’ve met.”
He grinned, “Ah, yes. You remember that…” He scratched his neck, “I thought perhaps you were inebriated.” A sly insult. “It appears you were sober enough to recall the happenings. Well, I still have yet to know your name.” He kept his hand stretched out before me, waiting for me to take it.
“My name is Apollo, sir, Apollo Faithe.” I bowed my head, refusing to shake his hand.
He smiled, pulling his hand back. He looked as if he made a bet and won. “Mr. Faithe, if you are open to wise counsel, I suggest you stay away from the Countess. You do her harm being around her.”
“I’m not open to your counsel.”
The tendons in his neck flexed. It wouldn’t have taken a Guardian to deduce his irritation. “Your manners are unrefined, and your appearance—” he scanned me up and down, now grinning, “doesn’t impress.”
Fire ignited in my blood. “Well, those are two things we have in common, aren’t they?” I brushed past him, trying to calm my simmering hatred.
“Apollo!” Nora wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tight. Her sudden embrace took me by surprise, and I stumbled a few steps backward. “I need you to meet my brother!”
“Your brother?” I paused as a handsome Luxterrian bowed behind her. His wild, coiled hair seemed to contradict his straight, well-maintained beard.
“Baron Gaillard Turnér, doctor of the sixth level.” He shook my hand, beaming.
“Sixth?” I looked at Nora, “It’s rare to find a doctor of that level…”
Gaillard bowed, “I can only hope it is rare to find those who need my services. Illness of the mind is the hardest kind to cure.”
“Gaillard is preparing to embark on the first ever Luxterrian exploration of the Kasai mountain! He plans on working with the routing crew as they drive a path through the pass to enable safer travel to the station on the other side.” Nora nudged her sibling in the ribs.
Gaillard grinned. “Nora, please. It may be a few years before the Fiermontian senate even considers us touching their sacred mountain.”
“I didn’t know you had a brother!” I still reeled from that newly introduced fact.
“Gaillard is the oldest. I’m the second-born, and the others are too young to be of any report.” Nora swirled her wine around in her cup.
“It is an honor to meet you, Gaillard.” I bowed my head, smiling at him.
“The honor is mine, Mr. Faithe.” He bowed, tugging at Nora’s sleeve. “I beg your pardon, but I must speak with the Count of Isangal…”
“Yes, interview the brain-sick man. Perhaps you can cure his stinginess!”
“Frowning makes you less appealing than you already are, Nora.” Gaillard dipped his head, smiling and waving.
Nora rolled her eyes, and she too vanished into the crowd. So many people were here at Winsdale, and I nearly lost track of Zahra. I glimpsed her figure by a group of Noblewomen, though, before I could make my way to her, a bitter road block hindered me from doing so.
“You’re still here?” Madame Beth’s wrinkled face contorted into more lines. Her breath smelt strongly of putrescent ale and wine, and I had to fight the urge to cover my nose.
“Why wouldn’t I be? There is still a massive library I need to finish.”
Madame Beth huffed, looking me up and down with narrowed eyes lit with drunken fever. “Don’t forget… I am watching you!” She staggered, grabbing onto my arm as she lost her balance.
I caught her, grunting under her surprising weight.
“Just… bring me to my room, Ranger. I’ll… retire… for the night.”
___
I sighed, sitting down in the library’s corner. Trying to mingle with the Hierarchy nearly strained every nerve in my body. Still, despite my hunger to be alone, the quiet was its own kind of torture. I reached into my pocket, hoping to find the silver potion I had stuffed there earlier. A few sips, perhaps some wine too, would alleviate this feeling… A delicate spiderweb material brushed against my fingers instead of my bottle. I pulled it out, noticing what it was; the Phoenix lace Nora had given me.
“Apollo?”
I raised my head. Zahra stood, hands clasped together, in the doorway.
“Are you all right? You’ve been absent for a while…”
“Yes, I’m fine,” I muttered, wondering how the lace ended up in my pocket instead of the potion. “Is anyone bothering you?”
It was at that moment, in the library’s silence, a sharp and aggravating voice pierced through the atmosphere. It appalled me to see the sylphlike figure of Masters walking toward us.
“Honestly, my Lady, why are you conversing with this… man?” Masters sighed, shaking his head as he slipped his arm around Zahra’s waist. His arm there ignited something inside me. She pulled backward, but, he only latched on tighter.
“Emperor Masters, take your hands off her,” I said with little thought. The sight of him grabbing hold of her appalled me.
Masters shot me a begrudged and disgusted look. “I can do what I wish, Faithe.” The smell of liquor on his breath was nearly as bad as Madame Beth’s.
“Not when it involves another human being.”
Masters raised his brow, releasing Zahra from his iron grip. He stood in front of me and raised his hand. The sharp sound of the back of his palm striking across my temple thudded in my ears before the pain. His ring had snagged on my skin, “Yes. When the one in question is below me, then I can.”
“Rai! Stop!” Zahra screeched.
Everything inside bucked and pleaded to escape… I couldn’t do anything… not without acting on impulse and murdering the Emperor there.
Masters looked her way, a brow raised. “You’re of lower rank than I, Zahra…” His eyes snapped back to me, “And you? You’re just an Archivist.” He raised his hand to slap me once again. I wouldn’t take it. To Lapp with whatever consequences I would face. I dodged the attack, grabbed his wrist, and spun him face first onto the floor.
“If you are to judge a person based on their status, then you are the one who is the lowest in the Hierarchy.” I wanted to snap his wrist. Everything in me told me to. I had to bite back my instincts… had to quiet the primal voice nagging in my skull telling me to paint the ground with his blood.
I released him from my grasp, then took a few steps back.
Masters rose to his feet, his face as white as a sheet. “How dare you lay a hand on me! I will have you arrested! Flogged! Someone must make an example of you!”
Zahra scowled, and I could have sworn a thousand angered sparks flew from her eyes. “You will leave Winsdale, Masters. You will not do a single thing to this man. If you do anything about this encounter, then I will be forced to take action. I’m certain the Luxterrian Parliament would just love to hear of this…”
Masters sneered out a laugh, though, his posture spoke far more words than his face. “Fine. Farewell, Lady Winsdale.” He bowed his head, looking at me one last time. The flicker of evil surfaced in his yellow gray eyes, intentions which remained a mystery.
Zahra pulled me into her office and away from prying eyes. She pressed me into a seat and grabbed her handkerchief. A dull ache pulsed through my skull as she dabbed away the blood on my temple.
“I wouldn’t worry about me, Zahra. This is just a small cut. I’m afraid his pride is in a worse condition.”
Zahra pinched my arm.
“Ouch!” I yelped. “What did you do that for?” I hadn’t expected that from her.
“You’re a fool, Apollo. A genuine fool.” She smiled, biting her lip. “It takes a special sort of man to stand up to someone like Masters. Only a fool would challenge him.” She put the napkin down as she ran her hand through my disheveled locks. Her gentle touch soothed my nerves, yet, caused my heart to beat furiously. “Thank you.”
It was as if the pendulum of my heart tipped and stopped working altogether. A world I had known, pressed myself to remember, to acknowledge, vanished. My body stiffened as she pre
ssed her lips against my forehead. I couldn’t make sense of anything. She thoroughly confused me. How could a woman say she didn’t love a man one day, then her actions betray her the next? I surely died inside.
The conscience that had stopped speaking suddenly sparked back to life. It whispered into my heart: keep the distance between you.
PART FOUR
E I G H T E E N
TWO MONTHS PASSED, AND the summer weather rolled in. One morning, as I stacked the pile of books over in a corner, melodic laughter echoed behind me. I couldn’t help myself. I turned around and looked, curious why she found me so amusing. Zahra stood there. Her hair was a loose, untamed mess falling over her dark shoulders. Her flowing, white dress and green scarf wrapped around her waist, made her look like a Luxterrian wanderer that had floated into the library.
“You’re up earlier than me.” She sat on the sofa, pursing her smiling lips. “Eager to work?”
I shook my head, picking up a paper from beside her. “Not particularly, though, your company makes it worthwhile.”
She rolled her eyes, all the while keeping that delicate smile drawn along her lips. “You’re awfully forward.”
“Should I stop, my Lady?”
There was a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, giving life to the surrounding room. “No. It would be so boring if you behaved proper.”
“Glad I lack manners.” Dangerous… this back and forth. I sometimes forgot my role as a Ranger and accepted my position as an Archivist.
“I do too,” she said. “Sometimes I wonder…” Her voice trailed off, as if she were not allowing herself to say what she wanted. Zahra shifted, turning her body to face mine. “You’re a puzzle…” she whispered, leaning on her elbows. “Am I to deny one thing to achieve this?”
I edged across the room, taking a seat beside her. Her words were like an enigma, saying one thing while making me feel another. “Achieve what, Zahra?”
