by Dianne Keep
In no time, Bree was ready. She looked in the mirror. The green gown was soft and elegant, resembling the white dress from last night’s banquet. The color matched her eyes perfectly. Its lines hugged her figure like a second skin, but still allowed free movement, and best of all, no corset. Tosha had created another masterpiece with Bree’s hair. Gold and red spark lilies were tucked next to golden studs within the braids.
“Bayan sent these.” Tosha held out some gold bangles and a pair of hoop earrings.
“I’ll wear Fara’s necklace and bracelet.” Bree glanced at her maid “And Bayan’s earrings.”
“That’ll satisfy them both.” Tosha nodded in agreement.
Bree checked the mirror one last time. “I look the part of Honor to Rysa’s Zeir, don’t I?” For some reason, she didn’t feel awful about it, but she wasn’t excited either.
“Look, yes.” Tosha brushed up the snipped flower stems. “Act like it, no. You might need lessons.”
“You’re right.” Bree covered her mouth. “I have no idea how to dance.”
Tosha bent over with laughter.
“It’s not funny.”
“But it is.” Tosha wiped her eyes. “No one remembered you wouldn’t remember. I find that extremely amusing.”
Bree frowned and glanced at the clock by her door. “What can you teach me in fifteen minutes?”
“The man leads. You follow.” Tosha tightened the red sash around her waist and smoothed her brown servant’s dress.
“What if it’s one of those dances in a line?” The last thing Bree wanted to do was embarrass herself in front the entire Rysan court.
“You’re a fast learner. Watch what they do.” Tosha puttered around the dressing room moving towels and wiping the mirror.
Bree tried to push back the charm’s barrier to extract some memories of dancing. It brought her back to the blackened plain. She huffed. “You don’t know how to dance either or you would offer to teach me.”
Tosha fiddled with end of her sleeve. “Not the royal sets, just the country ones.”
“Maybe they’ll play one?” She was about to beg for a quick lesson when Shane opened the door, took a second to assess her dress, and announced Keir Ryne.
Bree curtsied. “How good to see you.”
“You were expecting Bayan.” Keir Ryne bowed. “He expected to be here too, but I managed to convince him to escort Rishi Fara. I wanted an opportunity to speak with you alone.”
“I’m never alone.” The words were out before Bree could stop them.
“Ah, but your maid has an errand, and your guards can stand outside the door. We have a few minutes to discuss a personal matter.” He motioned for Tosha to leave and Shane shut the door with a heavy thud.
Keir Ryne sat in the chair next to the balcony. “A heavenly scent.” His eyes stared at the chair next to him. When she stayed standing, he said, “Please, sit.”
Her hands stroked the silky fabric of her gown. “I’ll wrinkle my dress.”
“Bayan doesn’t have that much influence already, or does he? No one will notice. Your alhor is distraction enough. People can’t possibly care what you wear.” His easy smile reminded her of Khrisk.
Her lips twitched, and she sat down next to him. “The garden below makes the air lovely in here along with the abundance of flowers Zeir Bayan sends me. But that’s not what you wanted to talk about.” She regarded him closely. His eyes were red as if he hadn’t slept in a week and his skin, though tan like every other Rysan, had a greenish tint to it. “You don’t look well.”
“I don’t feel well.” He took her hand from her lap and entwined it in his. “You have dark circles under your eyes.”
Heat from her amber necklace uncoiled, sending a network of hot lines through her skin. “I haven’t slept much the last couple of nights.” She winced.
So did Keir Ryne.
“Please, let go. My charm is….”
“How many people do you think will be sick tomorrow?” Ryne asked.
The people with lined faces and dark figures attached to them popped up in her mind. “I don’t know.”
“There are twelve energy production plants in Rysa.”
She couldn’t fathom the amount of people who had already died or the ones suffering now. “Why are you telling me this?”
“You need to know.” Keir Ryne leaned back, releasing her hand. “My grandfather found the energy source, the thanum. He used Seyhs to activate it. As for the side effects, he wasn’t expecting them.” He frowned. “My father wasn’t prepared to deal with the mutations and the plagues that thanum causes, so he contained it, hid it, and released the Seyhs.”
“Then he died,” Ryne continued. “And Osling wouldn’t let the opportunity pass to have things as they once were before the Changing. He sought out the Seyhs, brought them here, and reopened the thanum plants.” He took her hand again. “Since he was little, he’s been obsessed with the time before the Changing. With the Faewyn and the Lumen.”
“Faewyn? Lumen?” The charm stung. She removed her hand from his. “You have to stop touching me. For some reason it activates the alarm.”
“I wanted you to understand,” said Ryne. “The Lumen were the first to discover what we call thanum. They wanted control over a power source so they wouldn’t have to depend on Faewyn for everything or answer to them. They fought the Faewyn but the Faewyn demolished the Lumen and the thanum. The Faewyn ended the war by retracting their light and their energy. We call it the Changing because our world went dark. Nothing worked. No more powered cells. Nothing. The Faewyn disappeared.”
The Faewyn had created all the devices Osling collected. The thanum couldn’t power them. “Why do you think they left us?” asked Bree. A chill went through her.
“The Lumen convinced the humans to fight with them, and some Seyhs too. My guess is that the Faewyn found us lacking and disliked our greed.” He grabbed her hand again. The charm burned.
“Keir Ryne, please,” said Bree.
“Just feel.” But he let go. The charm’s alarm faded. “There’s something you need to know about you and me. Something we have in common.” He pulled out an amber jewel, the exact size and shape as hers, from under his blue vest. It had a tiny crack right in the middle. “You must know. There is nothing concealed that won’t be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known.” He winked. “An old Faewyn saying.”
Words were lost to her. She stood and nearly tumbled to the floor. Why would Ryne have the exact same necklace? “Do you feel a network too?”
She recalled the golden glow from his chest the day she first attempted to heal Fara. “Are you being punished like me?”
Keir Ryne had been in the camp the day Ehre recovered her from the Antheans. She inspected her own amber gem. A crack split the middle just like his. When had that happened?
He shook his head. “I made a sacrifice for my country. I’m honored to wear it.”
“Do you have your memories?” Bree asked.
He nodded.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“It’s up to you to decide what you will do with the information.” He tucked the amber jewel beneath his vest and adjusted his jacket. “I couldn’t hide it from you anymore. For selfish reasons really. It relieves my guilt. I’ve done all that I can. I want you to understand that…later.” He stood and held his arm out to her. “Bayan awaits.”
Bree plastered a smile on her face and took Keir Ryne’s arm. Her charm sizzled on her chest, and she noticed Ryne grimace.
They were connected somehow, the charms, Ryne, and her. But how? Ehre was the expert charm weaver. She would know and Bree would ask until she got some answers.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Bree’s breath caught as she stepped into the dining hall. Silver and gold ribbons glittered from ceiling to floor. Some of the trimmings transformed into different shapes and some swirled through the air, teasing the guests.
Her own alhor flickered out and changed the c
olors of the nearest streamers to black and gray. Stop that. But her alhor continued on its way, zigzagging through the crowds, causing a few dresses to twirl.
The courtiers did their best to ignore her fluctuating alhor as Keir Ryne led her around four sets of tables arranged in the center of the hall. The flowers on the tables spilled onto the floor forming tiny gardens complete with miniature animal statues. Chandeliers cast a soft yellow sheen on the gold plates and goblets.
“It looks like spring,” said Bree.
“A rebirth,” said Ryne.
Bree searched for Ehre amid the throng but only a few Seyh strolled through the crowd. Keir Ryne seemed to know she sought someone and skirted the main table. Music fluttered to her ears. Nothing she’d heard before, but beautiful all the same. Her feet shuffled with the melody. Keir Ryne patted her arm and gave her a small smile. The charm’s heat hadn’t let up since he took her arm in the tower and he looked worse for it. Bree wished he’d release her so they both could enjoy the party, but he didn’t.
All the flashes of purple Bree spotted turned out to be normal people wearing an abundance of shimmering fabric. She found Nathan, the Seyh with the blue alhor, near the doors to the courtyard, and Rhion, the red Seyh, who liked to glare.
Rishi Fara stood with Bayan and Khrisk across the room. Bree tried steering Ryne in the other direction to inspect a passing streak of purple, but he held firm and turned them toward the royal family.
“Your Honor is waving frantically.” Keir Ryne tapped her hand gently. “You don’t mean to ignore him? Imagine what people would say.”
“I hadn’t noticed.” She didn’t care what people thought about her right now. Where was Ehre hiding?
As they approached, a tall young woman with raven black hair laced her arm through Khrisk’s. “Is that Karra Elissa?” Her silver gown complimented her slim figure. Bree pursed her lips.
“It is.” Ryne squeezed her arm next to his ribs. “She’s a treasure. We’re so happy to have her become part of the family.”
Bree couldn’t stop her eyes from rolling. “She is very pretty.”
“And see how Khrisk smiles at her. I chose well.”
Bree wanted to vomit.
Zeir Bayan met them halfway in an outfit that matched her green dress. “I couldn’t wait another second.” He took her arm, giving her sweet relief from the charm’s hot web of energy. “You are a vision.” He looked her up and down, eyes narrowing. “Where are the bracelets I sent?”
“Your mother sent these.” She showed him the necklace and bracelet. “I wore the earrings.” Seeing his frown deepen, she said, “I didn’t want to disappoint her.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want her feelings hurt either and you will always wear one thing of mine.” His fingers ran the length of the Honor chain.
“I haven’t taken it off.” The thought occurred to her that she could. It wasn’t spelled like the charm necklace. Or was it? She wouldn’t put it past Bayan.
He smiled and his fingers trailed along her collarbone. Hot and cold warred on her skin.
“I’m afraid I’ve forgotten how to dance,” Bree said.
“We should have remembered that.” Bayan glanced around. “Don’t worry. I’ll lead you. The steps are easy.”
Keir Ryne touched her shoulder. “I’m going to find the Resh.”
Bayan nodded and took her to his mother.
Rishi Fara hugged her. “I’m so happy you wore the jewelry I sent.” Touching the bracelet and the pendant, she said, “Bayan, don’t you think they look divine on your Honor?”
He mumbled a reply.
“May I introduce Karra Elissa?” Khrisk bowed to her while the lady curtsied. “Karra Elissa, this is Zeir Bayan’s Honor, Superior Bree.”
“A pleasure.” Bree returned the curtsy. “Your dress is quite extraordinary.”
“Thank you.” Karra Elissa blushed and batted her thick eyelashes. She ran her hands down the silver fabric and swished it femininely.
Bree gaped as Khrisk gazed at Elissa with affection. When the palace didn’t ignite with her jealous rage, Bree almost giggled. What would Osling do with her once her talents returned in full? Maybe she’d have a better handle on her blood magic by then. Her alhor had finally calmed down but was acting a little too friendly toward Khrisk. It had covered his boots and was making its way up his legs.
It’s ridiculous to be upset. Neither of you had a choice. She tried forcing a smile but knew it had to look horribly false on her face.
A new song floated into the room. “Has the dancing begun?” Bree craned her head, searching for the dance floor.
“It has, but our family waits until after the feast.” Bayan patted her hand. “We have people to meet.”
A servant cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Zeir, this is for your Honor.” A little cup of the gold liquid swirled on the tray he held out. “From Superior Ehre.”
“Thank you,” Bayan said. He took the cup and handed it to Bree. “To help keep you upright. I can’t imagine how you feel after the day you had in the hospital. My father didn’t want you to miss your own party.”
Tilting her head back, Bree drank. Within seconds, she felt better, happier. “Thank you.” She placed the cup on the tray.
Her alhor came to hover above her skin. The world was right again. She’d get to dance later after the feast being held for her. Giddiness boiled in her belly. She could hardly believe how lucky she was.
For the next hour, Bree smiled. Her cheeks didn’t even hurt. Every person thanked her for saving the energy production workers. She simply nodded every time Bayan went on and on about how courageous she was and how her unique Seyh training, and mentor Ehre, given to her by his father, had allowed her to succeed. The people agreed Osling was the savior of Rysa and would soon unite the world, and how fortunate Bree was to be in his service.
After one particularly exuberant courtier exclaimed her joy, Bree caught sight of Ehre at the other end of the dining hall. She waved, and Ehre nodded. A question slid from her mind. She tried grabbing hold of it because it was important, something to do with Keir Ryne and her.
A bell rang twice, and Bayan moved toward the tables. He pulled a chair out for her to his right as he sat to Osling’s right. Khrisk and Karra Elissa sat opposite them with Fara to Bree’s right and Keir Ryne across from her.
Servants placed roasted hen and julienned vegetables in cream sauce on everyone’s plate. Her goblet was filled with the gold liquid, and she drank it eagerly, letting its happiness wash over the niggling worry in her mind. She ate until she couldn’t possibly take another bite.
A dish of assorted nuts and a saucer of the heavenly sticky syrup were placed by her right hand. She watched as Khrisk dipped a nut into the golden neyne and brought it to Karra Elissa’s perfect pink lips. The lady opened her mouth and he dropped the nut in and traced her lips with his thumb as she chewed. Then she repeated the gesture for him only she didn’t trace his lips.
Bree smiled. How nice it was for Khrisk to find someone to love.
Turning toward Bayan, she watched his hand dip a nut into the neyne. It must be a tradition for Honors.
He smiled and brought the gooey nut to her lips. Bree opened her mouth and let the sweet treat glide onto her tongue. She swallowed without chewing. A giggle bubbled up from her belly.
She covered her mouth. “I’m so sorry, I don’t know what has gotten into me.”
Bayan stroked her cheek. “You’re happy.”
The touch of his fingers didn’t ignite pain from the pendant. She nodded. “I guess I am.”
The feeling bloomed, and she picked a nut, dunked it in the neyne, and popped it into Bayan’s mouth. His tongue whipped out and licked the sticky goo from her fingertips. They both laughed and she turned to Rishi Fara, but Fara wasn’t smiling or laughing. Bree hiccupped.
A hand rested on the back of Bree’s neck. “On this joyous day.” The Resh’s voice boomed over her head. “We celebrate the oneness of Rysa’s people.�
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Bree shivered. Her stomach heaved. What was she doing? Giggling, smiling, and being all sorts of happy with Zeir Bayan. The world tilted.
“Soon all will be healed,” said Resh Osling. “The road of unification will be illuminated by the light of one Seyh.” His hand squeezed, and a bone in her neck popped. “Our continent of Leoshi will be restored. Then our world, Parsa. All for our country’s greatness. To Rysa!”
A chorus of shouts and stomps thundered. Osling released her and whispered in her ear. “I’m glad to see you enjoying your Honor’s company.” His hot breath caressed her cheek.
Goosebumps prickled her skin. A heaviness settled on her chest like a boulder. “I…”
The Resh patted his son on the back and smiled at Second Zeir Khrisk and Karra Elissa. Seating himself at the head of the table, Osling looked at her with eyes full of expectation. Chills crept down her back and arms. Her teeth chattered.
Easy. The girl’s voice was smaller, barely a whisper in Bree’s mind.
Bree gasped. Where have you been?
I faded after you met with Khrisk. An image of the hospital came to mind. We can’t stay here.
Bayan’s hand covered hers, his thumb tracing circles on her skin. A moment ago, she might have smiled, but now the weight of his Honor chain wasn’t pleasant. The feast that she had so greedily partaken in climbed her throat. She was going to be sick.
Bree glanced around the table. No one paid her any attention. Bree slid her hand out from under his and picked up her fork. She carefully placed small pieces of food into her mouth to keep from talking or throwing up.
We can’t leave all the people to die either. Twelve thanum plants. Twelve!
The girl didn’t answer.
Khrisk chatted contentedly with Elissa, while Keir Ryne and the Resh told old war stories. Fara sat quietly next to her, nodding at something Bayan was saying.
The gold liquid in her cup might help her stay awake, but it also made her feel placated, and she needed to think. Osling had basically guaranteed she’d have more people to cure every single day for the rest of her life. Her hand touched the amber gem. The crack. Ryne showed her the crack and how his had one too. When they touched, they both felt the sting of the charm’s lattice spell. She focused on Ryne. His eyes briefly met hers.
