Heartbreaker

by V. Romas Burton

  “Welcome back, Bellata,” Sana said in her light, cheery voice.

  I managed a weak smile and tried to sit up again. Dizziness washed over me, and I flopped back onto the soft pillow. Overhead, a series of silver leaves from the branches of the surrounding trees wove together in an ornate and symmetrical pattern. I sighed. For once, I wished I could come to Ramni and enjoy its splendor without an injury.

  “Here. Drink this. It will help with the bump and the drain of power.” Sana handed me a warm wooden cup. Her thick black braid coiled around her arm.

  Wrapping both hands around the cup, I held it up, allowing the lavender-scented steam to coat my face. In a few sips, I finished the herbal tea before the door to my room slammed open.

  “Where is she?” a female voice demanded.

  Yelping, I dropped the cup and shrank under the covers. I peeked out to see Sana’s eyes sparkling with amusement as she placed the bundle of my clothes at the base of the bed. The healer tiptoed away, leaving me with no defense at all. The covers were soon ripped off, and I was immediately thankful for the long, cream gown I was wearing.

  “Do you know how long you’ve been gone?” Claire demanded, glaring down her freckled nose at me.

  The soothing lavender tea worked its way through my body, and I was able to sit up and assess Claire. Her hair was still white with the same brown streak. But instead of being braided as it had been before, it was tied up into her usual messy bun on top of her head. A branch slowly crept up from the ground toward her tousled strands.

  I kept an eye on it, curious. “Well, for me, it was only a few minutes, maybe hours.”

  Claire gripped the branch and growled at it. The poor foliage shriveled and shrank back into the dirt. “At least six months, Addie! Six months of stupid trees trying to fix my hair, putting idiotic little flowers in it!” She groaned, slumping down on the bed.

  I watched her for a moment before letting out a loud laugh. And soon, Claire was laughing, too.

  Once our laughter had died down, I sat up and asked, “Are you sure, Claire? Six months in only a few hours?” How much time was I losing to unite all the Magisters?

  Claire crossed her arms over her chest. “Of course, I’m sure.” She then broke her glare and focused on her tapping toes. Her hands dropped to her lap, and she nervously twisted her fingers.

  “What’s going on, Claire?”

  After a few moments of silence, she sighed and finally said, “Eman will be able to explain it better than I can. I'm sure he’ll tell you soon enough."

  I bent my knees and hugged them to my chest. Why wasn’t Claire telling me what was going on?

  She doesn’t trust you.

  Could that be true?

  "Well," Claire said, her face lighting up as she slapped her hands against her thighs. “I didn’t come here to depress you. Lyle wants to see you.”

  At the promise of seeing Lyle, I noticed the stack of clothes at the end of the bed. The baby blue wool had been folded into a perfect square. Bouncing forward, I tugged it from the pile, sending the other items tumbling to the floor. I rubbed the soft blue fibers between my palms, noticing that any rips or tears had been mended by Sana’s diligent hands. It looked brand new. I hugged the sweater. I needed to see Lyle soon. I needed some proof, some evidence that after everything I went through in Ophidian’s Realm for him, he was okay.

  Still, the horrid image of the malum in Wintertide flashed through my mind. While I was safe in Ramni, Ophidian’s monsters were hard at work, destroying our realm. As much as I longed to spend days with Lyle, my iuram, my oath, to Eman was greater.

  “Where is he?” I asked, laying the sweater back on the bed. I pressed my palms against the sheets and rose to my feet. The silky fabric of the gown tumbled to the floor. Leaves sprouted from the ground, binding themselves around my feet into a soft pair of slippers.

  “He’s with Eman,” Claire said, scowling at the leaves before she stood. “He, at least, has gotten better since you left. Every day Eman helps him. He’ll be done soon. And when he is, I’ll tell him to come find you.”

  “Thank you,” I said, noticing how Claire’s face lit up at Lyle’s name. But, before I could ask any prying questions, she cut me off.

  “Oh, and some guy you brought with you wanted to see you as soon as you got up.”

  My heart swelled. “Silas.” He made it through. And if he made it through, the bearded man from the woods must have, as well. I needed to find out who he was.

  “Yeah, tall with blond hair that looks like a mess?” Claire asked. I clasped my hands in front of me and nodded with a grin. Claire cocked her hip to the side. “He wouldn’t leave your side until Eman asked to speak to him. That was the last time I saw him.”

  “Thank you, Claire,” I said, running my hands down the gown's soft fabric. She shrugged nonchalantly, but the corner of her lips twitched, showing she was pleased.

  I glanced down at the bundle of clothes that were now sprawled on the ground. Along with Lyle’s sweater, my dark pants, shirt, and boots were all cleaned and mended. I reached for the sweater, yearning to wrap myself in its warmth and protection. Scooping up the rest of the pile, I padded to the corner of the room where a wooden dressing screen stood.

  Once changed, I laid the dress Sana had given me and the delicate leaf slippers on the bed. I straightened my sweater and patted down the frizz in my curls, wishing I had another string. The frightened twig from before tapped my shoulder before offering me a spool of twine.

  “Thank you,” I said before taking the spool. It gave a bow and offered a thorn for me to use. Cutting off a strand, I hoisted my wild hair back and knotted it with the twine.

  I motioned to my hair, then clothes and spun around, waiting for Claire’s assessment and approval. Her hazel eyes scanned my appearance before giving me a nod and a satisfied smirk. I adjusted Lyle’s sweater once more and tucked my stray hairs behind my ears before Claire let out a huff and strode toward the open door without me.

  Taking a few large steps, I caught up with her and said, “And when we have a moment, I want to know about you and Lyle.” I wriggled my brows and gave her a wink. Her cheeks reddened. Before she could reprimand me, I dashed through the door and down the hallway.

  The arched trees wove throughout one another, forming the long hall I had traveled down before. Though their bark was still bright and beautiful, it seemed like their glow had dimmed. In fact, the flowers weren’t dancing like they had the last time I was here, and the butterflies were nowhere to be found.

  As I began my search for Lyle, I debated hunting for the library. I really wanted to do more research on the Twelve Magisters. Plus, if I was going to find Lyle anywhere, it would be with his nose in a book. And, there was a pretty good chance I might run into Silas along the way, too.

  With a skip in my step, I set off, following what I thought was the fastest route to the library. However, after a few turns here and there, I became lost. With another right turn, I paused, tapping my foot. This hallway didn’t look familiar, either. Retracing my steps, I tried a different route, but once again, I got lost. I didn’t think I was this terrible with directions. Scratching my cheek, I rounded another corner and found myself at the beginning of the Windows of Light. Excited to have some extra time to snoop, I crept up to the first window, remembering how stunning each one was. The image was so clear and crisp, like I could jump through each of them into a different realm.

  But as I studied them closely, I saw that there was something wrong. The window that had held the beautiful starry night before was now only a darkened sky. The twinkling stars had vanished. Biting my lip, I moved to the next window. The crystal waves that had once held bright-colored fish were empty, the waters stagnant, refusing to move in any direction. What had happened?

  I reached the window that held the castle of Lignum. The glowing lights in the picture had dimmed to a cool blue. A soft violet hue peeked out from each of the windows in the castle. At least Lignum was the
same as before.

  There was something about the spacious wooden castle that enchanted me. I took a step closer to study the beautifully carved structure. The trees stood tall, creating the strong walls and towers of the castle that was the home of the Rexus. My mind rolled over the title—Rexus. He was another mystery in my pot of prophecies to unfold. I leaned in closer. The carvings on the towers spiraled around the base, detailing various flowers and plants that I had only seen in Ramni. Why would the Rexus ever want to leave this beautiful place?

  As I padded to the next window, my blood ran cold. The frame holding the Shadow realm wasn’t empty but filled with thousands of siti lined next to one another like pieces on a chessboard. Unease dried my throat as I took a step closer. There weren’t only siti in the frame, but malum behind them, hovering beside one another in the same manner, as if positioning for a war.

  A large, black door laid on the opposite end of the army of siti and malum. In front of it stood the Beast’s second in command, Schism. Though his skin was still obsidian, he wore new clothes: a uniform of black slacks and a black jacket with silver serpents sliding down his sleeves and pants. A thick, black whip coiled around his fist as he snarled at the siti closest to him.

  I blinked at the window. Was this Ophidian’s army? Did Eman realize that the Shadow realm was hosting them? How soon would they get here?

  My pulse quickened as a beam of light flashed, and the woman with blonde hair appeared next to Schism. Though I couldn’t hear what they were saying, I was sure there were a few rude remarks shared, judging by the bared teeth they gave one another.

  Yet as I stepped closer, the woman spun to me, and I stilled. I lurched away from the frame, hoping to become invisible as she snarled and lifted her hand. A blue bolt of energy shot into the window, shattering the image from the inside.

  I wasn’t sure how long I stood there until a cough from my left took me by surprise. When I turned, Eman greeted me with a gentle smile. Arm extended, he beckoned me to come.

  Chapter 9

  “Welcome back,” Eman said, his gaze drifting from me to the Windows of Light. A slight sorrow lingered behind his gentle smile.

  “Eman,” I said before pointing to the shattered window. “Ophidian, the army.” I grabbed my ponytail. “The window, it’s gone! You can’t see them anymore.” I continued to babble until he lifted a hand, silencing me.

  “Worry not, Bellata. Everything you’ve seen, I have seen, as well. Come.” He extended his hand further. “We have much to do.”

  I reached out and took his large hand. It was warm and welcoming but powerful. I could barely cup my small hand around his thick fingers. The strength of the magic swirling beneath his olive-toned skin radiated heat from his palm. But there was something else intertwined with his power: a weariness I hadn’t realized Eman had.

  Holding my hand firm, Eman led me back down the hall of the Windows of Light, only glancing at the other frames over his shoulder as we passed.

  Once we entered the main hallway, Eman led me to his mending room. The rectangular table where he had mended my heart had been pushed to the side, stacks of books and scrolls sprawled across it. Three empty chairs formed a circle in the center of the room. Eman released my hand and collapsed into one of the wooden chairs. Letting out a heavy sigh, he rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index finger.

  Concern washed over me, but I shrank back, fumbling with the hem of Lyle’s sweater. What could I do to comfort the Mender himself?

  His shirt was wrinkled, with one side untucked. The suspenders on his slacks were slightly askew, running across the middle of his chest instead of the sides. As he glanced up, strands of his long, dark hair fell from their ponytail, barely concealing the shadows layered beneath his eyes. His face still held youth, but his molasses eyes had lost much of their glow, heavy with grief.

  “Eman,” I said, finally mustering the courage to speak. “What’s wrong? What’s happened?”

  He blinked at a spot on the floor before straightening in his chair. “Nothing that can’t be undone, Addie.”

  He didn’t answer your question.

  I ran my tongue across my teeth, debating if I should even reply. Everything Eman said had a double meaning to it, a hidden code for me to figure out. Avoiding my question was perfectly normal for him. Still, part of me wished he wasn’t so cryptic.

  Eman rose from his seat. He cleared his throat and righted his suspenders as if casting off the sorrow he’d been carrying. “First things first, I’m glad you got my message. Your grandmother is doing well.”

  I searched around the room, expecting to find Nana. “Where is she? Can I see her?”

  Eman chuckled. “All in good time, Addie. There are a few things we need to discuss first.”

  I held my breath. Finally, some answers.

  Eman motioned for me to sit in one of the empty chairs before striding to the back room. Was someone else joining us? I was the only other one here. Who was the other chair for?

  "We were meant to have one more with us," Eman called.

  My mind raced, hoping it was my brother. "What happened to Lyle?"

  "Lyle is fine, young Bellata. He is not the one I'm worried about." Eman motioned to the chair again. "Please."

  I quickly took a seat, fiddling with the sleeves of Lyle’s sweater as a wave of loneliness weighed my shoulders. Where was Silas? Lyle? Nana? When could I be with them again? Why was Eman keeping me from them?

  "While you were recovering," Eman began, resting his elbows on his knees. "I discussed a few things with your friend." His eyes glinted with amusement. "Who is, in fact, my friend, as well."

  "Did you already know?” I butted in, remembering Silas’s pure half-heart beating in my hands. “Did you know Silas was the blacksmith?"

  Eman settled back in his chair. "I cannot always reveal what I know when you want to know it. Time has to line up correctly."

  I bit my lip, focusing my gaze on my lap as I smoothed out the wrinkles in my pants. That didn’t answer my question, but I wouldn’t press any further.

  “I can only tell you that change is coming for you and those you love.”

  My hands paused as I thought back to Silas’s reaction to the bearded man, and how he initially didn’t want to help him. Steady Silas had always helped when he could. Was this new Silas not as kind? But then again, Silas did help free all those people from the cage, and he gave me the sword to use.

  I laid my elbows on the arms of the chair. "So, if Silas is changing, is he going to be all right? I mean, in Wintertide he wasn’t himself. Is something wrong with him?"

  "Something is not right," Eman replied, his brow wrinkling.

  My chest squeezed with worry. If something was wrong with Silas, could I make it right? Could any of us help him?

  Eman lifted my satchel that had been hanging on the back of his chair. He raised a brow. That was when I remembered the gray book I’d found in Lyle’s room.

  Eman nodded as he rifled through the satchel, pulling out the thin, rectangular text.

  “Now, where did you find this?”

  He held the strange book in one hand. Surrounded by the glory of Ramni, the binding was insignificant and dull. But as Eman studied the cover, he cradled it as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

  “I found it in Barracks,” I said, breaking his trance from the text.

  “Where?” His voice was stern, a demanding tone I had never heard before.

  “Um—I—uh . . .” I stammered. Should I rat Lyle out? Surprisingly, another voice answered for me.

  “It was back in Barracks. In Addie’s house," Silas answered from the entrance of the room.

  I glanced over my shoulder, and my insides twisted. Silas stood with his hands in his pockets, his feet rooted beyond the threshold as if he were unsure of whether he was allowed to enter. He rubbed the back of his neck, causing drops of water to roll off his hair to the ground. I took in his tousled wet locks and new, clean clothes, surmisi
ng that he had just bathed. The thought of Silas taking a bath heated my ears, and I quickly squashed the thought, turning back at Eman.

  Eman narrowed his eyes slightly, studying Silas before motioning to the vacant seat. “You may join us if you are well, Silas."

  Silas nodded before sitting in the chair beside me. An aroma of cedarwood wafted from his cleansed skin. His eyes bore into me, and I swallowed, watching his gaze roam up and down my face. I offered a quick smile before adverting my gaze to the stack of books in the corner. My heart pounded at his attention, but I couldn’t allow myself to be distracted.

  Eman scrutinized Silas. "How are you healing?”

  Silas brought a hand to his chest. “Well. It feels amazing to have my heart again, even if it’s only half.”

  Silas had been mended by Eman, just like me. Hopefully, that meant that the change happening to him was a positive one.

  Eman gave a stiff nod before focusing back on the book. “Now, where in Addie's house was this book?”

  I took a breath, calming my pulse. “Lyle’s room.”

  Eman’s eyes grew dark, then softened. “I see.”

  He placed the book on his lap before carefully opening the cover. Instead of the yellow light I saw as a child, or the green color we saw when Silas touched it, thick, black liquid poured from the pages. Heart-wrenching screams bellowed from the open text. I covered my ears, desperate to silence the frightening noise. Beside me, Silas had doubled over, his face buried in his knees as he pressed his palms tightly against his ears. With a grunt, Eman slammed the book shut.

  “What was that?” Silas asked, shaking as he tried to sit up straight.

  “A curse has been placed on this text,” Eman replied gruffly before rising from his chair, taking the book with him.