Heartbreaker

by V. Romas Burton

  “But it didn’t do that before,” I said. Eman paused mid-step, giving me a glance. “I mean when I opened it. It turned yellow.”

  “Have you held this before?” he asked Silas. Silas bobbed his head. “And?”

  “It turned green and began writing something, but we didn’t have a chance to find out what it was before the siti attacked.”

  Eman's lips thinned, and he placed the book on a square table in the back before facing us once more. “The book is cursed to transform into what the reader desires it to be. That way, the true information it holds is never revealed. He picked up his chisel from the table and passed it between his hands a few times before pointing it at me. “For Addie, it turned to light: a symbol of happiness and restoration. Something she has often yearned for since childhood.”

  I gripped the arms of the chair, remembering the bottle of happiness I gave my hair for. Flicking a loose strand out of my eyes, I nodded.

  Callused fingers brushed against my knuckles, and I fixated on Silas’s hand on my own.

  Eman pointed the chisel to Silas next. “For Silas, it changed to green: the color of life and growth. Something you’ve always yearned for as well—a life to call your own and someone to grow with you through it.”

  His strokes stopped, and he pulled his hand away. I gaped at him. Silas had always cared for my needs, but never once had he told me about his dreams or desires. Then again, I’d never asked.

  Guilt tightened my chest. All this time, he’d listened to my fears, dreams, and desires, and I’d never returned the favor. I balled my hand into a fist, frustrated with my past and my terrible, needy self.

  His touch returned, and my skin tingled from the heat of his hand.

  “I wouldn’t have chosen differently,” he said. "I enjoyed every moment with you, even if I couldn't express it."

  I took a shallow breath of surprise, my heart thumping.

  Silas’s gaze lingered on me as if I were a rare jewel. Small lines of concern rimmed his eyes. “But what does that mean for you, Eman?”

  Eman looked beyond our heads. “It showed me sorrow and death. Because that is what the future holds.”

  “What?” I said, the blood draining from my face as I remembered the countless rows of malum and siti in Ophidian’s army, waiting to strike. “You desire sorrow and …” I couldn’t bring myself to finish the question.

  “It is a strange desire,” he agreed.

  “That can’t be right.” I shook my head. “I’m supposed to gather the Twelve Magisters, and with them, we’re going to defeat Ophidian.” I pointed back and forth between us. I couldn’t have failed already; the journey had just begun.

  “You’ve done nothing wrong, Bellata,” Eman said, gripping the chisel. “This is something I’ve known and wanted for some time.”

  Silas slid to the edge of his seat. “Is there any way to remove the curse from the book to show us what it really is?”

  Eman slumped back down into his chair, his arms dangling like broken branches. “The only person who can lift the curse is the one who cast it.”

  I peered around Eman to the book on the table. How had something cursed ended up in Lyle’s room?

  More secrets, the slithering voice hissed.

  If the book was cursed, Lyle could have been protecting me from it. Same with his choice to go through Schism’s doors. If he had told me beforehand, I would have tried harder to stop him. He had his reasons. He needed to keep me safe.

  But you’re not a little girl anymore. Do you really need them to protect you?

  I banished the tempting thought. No, the last time we met, Lyle told me he had things he wanted to tell me. And, once he had the chance, I was certain he’d tell me everything. No more secrets.

  My toes tapped against the floor as I rubbed the arms of the chair. Where was Lyle? I figured he would have shown up by now. I really wanted to talk to him, especially to find out if he’d learned anything more about our parents.

  “How are we going to figure out who cursed it?” I asked.

  “Well” —Eman tapped his chisel on the palm of his hand— “there’s one of two things we can do. We can wait until the curse wears off, which, seeing how it’s been hidden for all these years and is still strong, that probably isn’t the best course. Or, I can trace the magic back to its owner. It will take time, but that’s the best option.”

  “Tracing the magic sounds like a good idea,” Silas offered.

  “It’s settled, then,” Eman agreed, completely ignoring the book. “Now, are you ready to see your friends?”

  “Friends?” I asked.

  Eman gave me a pointed look as he placed the chisel on his mending table. “You do know you brought more people into Ramni than just yourselves, don’t you?”

  My mind shot back to Barracks. The cages. The people. It was as if months had passed since our battle, even though it had only been an hour or two. My lips parted as I remembered everything and everyone.

  “I’m sorry for all the people I brought to Ramni without permission,” I said in a hurry. Eman didn’t respond, so I continued. “There were cages and malum and this blonde woman.” I shook my head. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

  “It’s all right, Addie,” Eman replied with a chuckle. “Ramni is meant for all who need healing.”

  My shoulders relaxed as Eman stood abruptly, tucking in his shirt. Re-tying his thick strands, he faced Silas and me, a mischievous twinkle lurking behind his eyes. “Do you not remember who else you brought with you?”

  I bit my lip. The bearded man. Was he someone important? He had to be. I glanced at Silas to see if he had come to the same conclusion, but he only shrugged.

  Eman chuckled. “I suppose we should go meet him then.”

  Chapter 10

  Eman exited his mending room toward the main hallway. Shooting up from my chair, I waved to Silas. “Come on.”

  We strolled silently through the hallway until we approached the division of the four corridors. Stopping, Eman placed his hand on the smooth bark of the two trees adjacent to him. The trees shuddered and twisted, cracking as they rolled away from one another, creating a new wooden door.

  “Whoa,” Silas said, lifting his hands as a shield as he took a step back.

  “Come.” Eman beckoned us through.

  As we crossed the threshold, I gasped. Like the hallway before, tan trees arched over one another, creating a long corridor. Yet this area was large and spacious. Different plants of all sizes grew along the upper branches. Vines and branches cascaded from the high ceiling to where even the smallest person could touch the leaves growing from them. Reaching out, I gently rubbed one of the leaves between my fingers, recognizing it as linkslock, the herb that had healed me during my mending.

  A series of beds lined the walls, most filled with victims of the malum attack in Barracks. I instantly noticed Headmaster Clive’s balding head. Though his arm had been wrapped in bandages, he chuckled at something another man said.

  Little balls of light fluttered around the occupied beds, providing drinks and food to each of the injured. And directing the lights was Sana. Upon noticing Eman, she flushed, then ushered us over.

  “Just in time,” she said, flipping her long, ebony braid over her shoulder. “Anna is waking up.”

  I held my breath, expecting to find my old, frail Nana, moments from death. But as I followed Sana’s motion, I blinked rapidly, not understanding who was before me. In the bed lay a woman much younger than Nana. Years younger. Her long, dark strands sprawled around the bed, curling at the ends. Her skin was flawless, and her hands folded neatly over her stomach as if she were royalty.

  I shook my head, turning back to Sana. “There must be some mistake. This—”

  “Addie?” Nana’s rich, soothing voice stopped me before I could finish. Hope hugged my heart. The younger woman carefully pushed herself up, staring at me with tears in her cinnamon eyes. I recognized those eyes. And the slight pinch in her nose. Was t
his really Nana?

  The woman’s tears vanished, and she furrowed her brows, shaking a finger at me. “Adelaide Tye, you get over her and give your nana a hug, or so help me, I will get out of this bed and give you a beating.”

  My jaw dropped to the floor, and Silas burst out laughing. Before I could react, he jogged over to Nana’s bed and scooped her up in a huge hug.

  “Isn't it great to feel again?” Silas’s face lit up like the orbs assisting the patients. “It’s good to see you looking so well, Nana.”

  Nana playfully swatted Silas on the arm. "Don’t butter me up, young man. I don’t know what’s going on, but I know that grin of yours means nothing good.”

  Silas held back another laugh before gesturing for me to come closer.

  I took a step, then studied her again. “Nana?”

  “Of course! Who did you think it was?” The woman pursed her lips, just like Nana’s grimace. Familiarity tugged me closer, and I immediately fell on Nana’s lap. The floral scent of geraniums wafted from the lilac-colored gown. I pressed my face against Nana’s legs, draping my arms around her sturdy, warm body.

  “I thought you were gone, and it was all my fault.”

  “Shhh …” Nana stroked my head. “Stop blaming yourself for everything, child. Life happens, you just have to do your best to endure it.” She lifted my chin. “And look, here we are, together again.”

  Wrinkles creased the sides of her eyes as a beautiful smile full of small, pearl teeth appeared.

  For the next few moments, Silas and I caught Nana up on everything that happened since I had returned from Ophidian’s Realm. She nodded here and there but continued to watch Silas with a strange intensity. I glanced between them, not understanding what she was seeing, but wishing I could. Silas laughed and used exaggerated hand gestures while recounting our events. He was kind and jovial, an exact contrast to how he had acted in Wintertide.

  “Addie,” Nana said, interrupting my thoughts. “I do have to tell you how lucky I was to have Silas when those beasts attacked.”

  Silas’s cheeks flushed as he rubbed the back of his neck. “There’s really no need—”

  “Quiet, young man,” Nana chastised, her voice stern.

  Silas immediately shut his mouth, but a grin played on his lips.

  “Now,” Nana continued. “I knew you were going to do something crazy on your Heart Reign. A grandma just knows.” She held up a hand, silencing me before I could respond. “I didn’t know that those terrible beasts were going to ravage our Land.” Nana laid a hand on her chest. “I don’t believe I’ll ever forget the screams of our people.”

  My heart sank. Because I had jumped through Schism’s door, I had caused all the suffering in Barracks.

  “I was wheeling away from the door when those creatures burst into my home, moaning and destroying everything. I didn’t know what I was going to do. How could I kill them?” She reached over and grabbed Silas’s hand, giving it a squeeze with a proud smile. “But I didn’t have to worry because this amazing young man came to my rescue.” Nana gave Silas’s hand a pat.

  Silas’s face was now scarlet.

  “I’m sure you would’ve found some way to fend them off,” Silas said, covering her hand with his own, his red blush fading into an adorable pink.

  “I don’t think so,” Nana said, shaking her head before giving Silas’s hand another squeeze. “Thank you, Silas. I wouldn’t be here without you.”

  I wanted to jump over Nana, wrap my arms around Silas, and kiss him. Who else would have been so selfless to protect and care for Nana? I scooched toward him when Nana turned her head and tapped her chin.

  “Speaking of ‘here,’ where am I? And what happened to James?”

  With a laugh, Silas and I explained how we arrived in Ramni and that James was probably recuperating from the battle with the malum and would be here soon. Once we finished, Nana asked Silas how he was coping with his half-heart. They started to discuss their new emotions while I strode over to Eman, who was whispering with Sana at the front of the room. As soon as they saw me, they ended their conversation and gave me simultaneous smiles. I slowed my steps, taking in their forced grins. What were they talking about that I couldn’t hear?

  “Thank you for everything,” I said.

  They both nodded, replacing their painted smiles with genuine ones.

  “Eman.” I turned to the heartmender. “I have a question.”

  “Ask away, Bellata.”

  I chewed the inside of my cheek. “What was wrong with Nana? What happened to her?”

  “I need to attend to my patients.” Sana excused herself with a bow and pranced back to the lights, which had begun to cluster around another patient.

  As soon as she was out of earshot, Eman said, “As you know, your grandmother traded her heart at her Heart Reign for wealth and beauty.”

  I nodded, remembering Nana's journal I had read the night before my Heart Reign.

  “But after that, she met James and fell in love; thus, her original heart returned to her body.”

  Pursing my lips, I scratched my neck, waiting for further information.

  "Your grandmother traded her physical heart for wealth and beauty,” Eman continued, “but her heart that held her essence—her emotions, thoughts, and memories—is the one she gave to James. Though they're two separate things, they're still connected.”

  I rocked up and down on the balls of my feet, crossing my arms over my chest as I worked through Eman’s explanation. "That's why Nana could feel again when James was around but also reacted when her traded physical heart was in danger?"

  “Exactly,” Eman confirmed.

  Nana’s delicate laugh chimed through the healing room. A nearby vine sprouted vibrant orange flowers in response.

  Eman clipped one of the flowers and handed it to me. “Your grandmother’s love for James was so strong, it brought her physical heart back from her first trade.”

  I took the flower as the elegant script of Nana’s journal entered my thoughts. I was shocked to discover a heart could be returned after being traded away. Placing my hand on my chest, I paused as a steady pulse greeted my fingertips. “But why did I gain a new heart, and Nana got her original heart?”

  Eman knelt in front of a large herb bush with thin, pointed leaves. “While your grandmother traded her physical heart away, you gave your physical heart away.” Carefully, he snapped off one of the outer branches. “When Anna gave her love to James, her emotional heart attached to him, allowing her physical heart to return. Whereas you gave your love and your physical heart to Claire and Lyle. Your sacrifice for them was so great, a new, pure heart was formed.”

  I chewed my lip and stared at the long, orange petals of the flower. “So, when Traders trade their hearts, they’re really trading their physical and emotional heart away.” I twirled the stem between my fingers. “The two can be separated, as in Nana’s case, but are usually connected. That’s why a Trader’s emotions disappear after Heart Reign.”

  “Correct.” Eman snipped a few more sprigs, then stood. “Your grandmother had her original heart extracted once more after that. She and James were already married when Anna traded her physical heart a second time to a vendor of wealth. And the vendor did with it what all vendors and merchants do—they trade it. In this case, the vendor traded it at Perda Forum.”

  “What?” I asked, a swirl of questions emerging in my thoughts. Could you trade your heart twice? I remembered Governor Willow said the vendors traded hearts to Ophidian, but what was Perda Forum?

  “Perda Forum,” James said, standing in the doorway. His voice was no longer hoarse and rough as it had been in the Seven Choices. Stepping into the healing room, James grasped a bouquet of bluebells that twinkled as he strode toward Nana. “The Market of Thieves.”

  Eman moved aside, allowing James to pass. Falling to one knee, he presented the bouquet to Nana with a dashing grin. Nana brought both of her hands to her lips before giving him a kiss. I had nev
er seen her eyes light up like that. They stroked each other’s hands and talked to each other so gently.

  Without prompting, my gaze found Silas watching them, too. His attention latched onto me, sending my nerves in a frenzy. Focusing on the flower, I inhaled its sweet honey scent, breaking away from Silas’s penetrating stare. I turned back to Eman, whose eyes were lit with a twinkle of mischief.

  “Why would they do that?” I asked, absentmindedly checking my hair and clothes.

  Eman pulled a piece of twine from his pocket and secured it around the herbs. “The merchants and vendors find no value in a heart once traded away too often. So, they trade it to Perda Forum, in exchange for admittance.”

  “Admittance to what?”

  “To walk freely through the Forum.” Eman’s eyes grew hard as he tied the bundle to an overhanging branch. The pleasing aroma of rosemary fluttered around us. “Perda Forum is one of the most violent places in the Twelve Lands. Without payment or protection, you will lose your life the moment you step in.”

  I brought the flower to my chest, sending a quick prayer to the Heavens that I would never have to go there. “But what do the people in Perda Forum do with the hearts once they get them?”

  Eman shook his head. “I would rather not share that evil with you today, Bellata.”

  More secrets.

  What secrets? I asked the slippery voice, but it didn’t reply.

  I shuddered. What could the thieves have done to allow Nana's life to be minutes from ending?

  I glanced back at Nana and James. My grandfather had his arm wrapped securely around my grandmother as if he would never let her go. Across from them, Silas sat with his elbows on his knees, chatting with my grandparents. My family. I would treasure this moment forever.

  But as soon as I thought that, the happiness vanished. Sadness darkened my thoughts, and my shoulders sagged. Three pieces were missing: my mom, dad, and Lyle. Thankfully, Lyle was safe here in Ramni, but I still hadn't seen him. And I hadn't forgotten what he had said before I left to return to Barracks—that our parents had been murdered. Who would have done such a thing? Were my parents somehow connected to Eman? Were they enemies of Ophidian, too?