Heartbreaker

by V. Romas Burton

  “What matters now,” Eman said, breaking through my thoughts. “Is that we got your grandmother’s physical heart back, and she’s healing well.”

  Pressing my luck, I interrupted Eman before he could change the subject. “But how did you get her heart back?”

  Mischief sparked Eman’s eyes. “I have friends.”

  Placing the flower behind my ear, I asked, “You have friends that are thieves?”

  “I have a friend among the thieves,” he clarified.

  How could a thief do good? Does Eman know what he’s doing?

  I quirked a brow at him, causing the heartmender to chuckle. Would I ever figure him out?

  The peaked door opened once again, and Claire sauntered in with her messy bun and elegant gown.

  “So, this is where everyone went.” She placed her hands on her hips and plastered a triumphant grin on her face as she headed toward us.

  Fear stifled my words, and I looked to Eman for guidance. I hadn’t told Claire that I had brought Doctor Magnum, her father, to Ramni. Though Doctor Magnum was covered in bandages and sleeping, Claire would definitely recognize him if she saw him up close.

  “Claire will understand, Addie,” he encouraged, gently pressing me forward.

  “Claire,” I started. “There’s something you should know.” Before I could continue, she peered over my shoulder. Her eyes widened in shock, then darkened in fury.

  Shoving past me, Claire stalked up to the bed where the light clusters were floating, but her father was in the bed behind her, not the one she was scowling at. All went silent as we waited for her to speak.

  Claire sucked in a deep breath and pointed her finger. “Why, in all that is good in this realm, would you bring this idiot here?”

  The lights finally disappeared, revealing the patient’s face.

  “Oh, no.” I squeezed my eyes shut, huffing in frustration. So, that’s why the bearded man looked so familiar.

  The man laid on the bed with combed chestnut locks and a trimmed, sleek beard. He glared up at us with giant, green eyes, a scowl forming on the lips that had once enticed so many women.

  Crossing his long, muscular arms over his chest, he asked, “Where in the realms am I?”

  A light chuckle came from James as Claire snatched up a pan from the table, ready to strike. Eman plucked it from her hands and nudged me forward. My heels dug into the ground before I stood at the edge of the bed. Stifling my indignation, I said, “I didn’t expect to see you again, Lord Farmount.”

  Chapter 11

  “And I didn’t expect to see you again either, Adelaide,” Lord Farmount growled. “Imagine my surprise to find you traipsing through Wintertide.” He sat up in the recovery bed, his once sultry eyes harder than stone as he took in the faces around him. “Not hiding away anymore, are we?”

  Silas jerked me back from the bed and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Don’t speak to her like that,” he snarled through clenched teeth.

  Lord Farmount snorted, rolling his eyes before inspecting his fingernails. “Stand down, hero. I don’t want your pet.”

  Now you’re something to be owned?

  Irritation flared through my chest, and I grabbed Silas’s arm, moving him out of the way. I glowered at the lord, ready to make him apologize when I stopped, bracing my hand against my heart. I willed the rapid beating to slow. Why was I wasting my energy over something stupid from the mouth of Lord Farmount? It wasn’t a stretch for Farmount to call me a pet. To him, women were like jewels or houses; the more he owned, the better he looked. There was no point in arguing with a man who’d never viewed me as more than someone’s possession.

  Still, I had to say I understood why he was always listed as one of the top trades for Heart Reign in The Barracks Conversations. He was tall, dark, and handsome—chiseled with lean muscle and strong, angular features. Yet, despite being handsome and his deep emerald eyes, the spark of life was gone.

  The door of the healing chamber suddenly slammed open. We all turned to find Lyle, his shoulders heaving as he rushed in.

  I brought a hand to my lips and started toward him. Before I could speak, Lyle gathered me up in his arms, squeezing me until I couldn’t breathe.

  “Y-you’re stronger,” I wheezed, returning his hug. As I burrowed my face in his shoulder, the woodsy scent of parchment drifted from his clothes.

  Once he released me, I analyzed him thoroughly. Lyle looked like an entirely different person from the broken being I had left behind. His body was fuller, and his skin was rosy and healthy. Thick, dark curls grew past his ears and swooped behind his spectacles. With a flick of his neck, the curls bounced out of his bright eyes. Was this what our father looked like at Lyle’s age? Or did he look more like our mother?

  “Now that we’re all present,” Eman interjected, bringing his hands together, “the time has come for you to continue your journey.”

  “All present?” Claire asked, scrunching her freckled nose in reference to Lord Farmount.

  “Yes.” Eman snapped his fingers, causing enough chairs to sprout out of the ground.

  “Eman, what’s going on?” Lyle asked, adjusting his spectacles, before reaching a hand toward Claire. She quickly laced her fingers through his, cuddling into his side. I glanced at their hands, then gave her a wink. She stuck out her tongue before snapping back to attention.

  The heartmender motioned us all to sit before beginning. “I’m glad we could all meet together one last time before you return to your journey.”

  “We’re going so soon?” I blurted, sitting on the edge of my chair. I thought I would have more time to spend with Lyle this time. And now with Nana being here, too …

  “Ophidian is growing restless,” Eman explained. “As some of you know, his army is preparing to strike Decim with full force. I have a barrier keeping his army confined in the Shadow realm, but it won’t last. If we don’t gather the Magisters soon, there will be no hope left for Decim.”

  Eman placed a hand on Silas’s chair. “We've had much time to talk since you arrived here. I think it would be best if you accompanied Bellata on this journey.”

  Silas’s form relaxed. “Thank you, Eman.”

  I was thankful for Silas being with me. He had always been my security blanket, and I wanted him by my side. But we were both different since the last time we were together. His half-heart had changed him. Everything had been mostly good: his confidence, his smile. But I still wasn’t sure about his actions in Wintertide.

  And my time in Ophidian’s Realm had changed me, too. We were two completely different people now and had to relearn everything about each other.

  “I hate to cut your reunion with your wife short”—Eman turned to James— “but Decim still needs you to assist in gathering the Magisters.”

  James nodded firmly but briefly lowered his eyes. “I made an iuram to my granddaughter. I would not soon break it. It would be an honor to stay by her side.”

  Eman laid a hand on his Magister’s shoulder. “I know you will do your best, Dimitte. Your wife will be under the care of Sana, who, as you know, is my most trusted Healer.” He motioned to Sana, who bowed her head in agreement.

  “I will make sure she is in perfect condition when you return,” Sana confirmed.

  “Thank you,” James murmured, clutching Nana’s hand in his.

  Eman moved to Claire, who was gnawing at her bottom lip. She kept her eyes on Lyle’s and her hands still knitted together.

  Eman chuckled as he addressed her. “Lost in the darkness, but always finding the light.” Claire squished her brows together, accentuating the wrinkle between them, but she didn't stop chewing. “You are also a gifted Healer. You will accompany Bellata, as well. She will no doubt need your assistance again.”

  “What?” Claire asked, staring wide-eyed with her mouth agape. “But you said I couldn’t go last time without knowing where my heart is.”

  “That’s precisely why you can go,” Eman replied. “I know where y
our heart is.”

  I almost jumped out of my seat. After Claire’s heart had been extracted by her father to protect it from Ophidian, it seemed like it would never be found. Claire herself had spent countless years hunting for it while she worked as Ophidian’s slave. And Eman had found it at last. But how and where?

  Then it hit me. Something he had said earlier: a friend among the thieves.

  As soon as the thought crossed my mind, Eman winked at me and turned to Claire. “There’s no need to worry, Claire. You will be reunited with your heart in due time.”

  A giddiness bounced in my chest with the addition of Claire to our group. Not only was she a healer, but she was also my friend. Hopefully, I’d be able to explain about Doctor Magnum and that he would be waiting for her when we returned to Ramni.

  Eman snapped his fingers, and the gray book from Lyle’s room appeared in his hands. Clasping the text, he analyzed the book. After a few moments of silence, he strode to Lyle, who swallowed and tapped his fingers on his thigh.

  “Lyle and I will work on tracing the last power used on this book while you are gathering the Twelve.”

  Keeping his gaze lowered, Lyle said, “I don’t know much about curses yet, Eman. I'm still very weak.”

  Eman shook his head, disagreeing with the statement. “You have more strength than you know. I also need an assistant to make sure the trace is done correctly.”

  I watched Lyle out of the corner of my eye. He adjusted his spectacles before tapping his fingers on his thigh once more. Claire bent her head toward him and whispered something I couldn’t decipher. Lyle hissed back a response. This went on for a few moments until Lyle let out a reluctant sigh and nodded at Eman.

  “We know for certain Ophidian is still in possession of your heart, so it would be better for you to stay here.” Snapping his fingers, the heartmender caused several bags, stuffed to capacity, to appear at his feet. After motioning to the bags, he addressed the rest of us. “I’ve gathered everything you’ll need for your journey. The sooner you return to your realm, the better.” He hurried to the edge of the room.

  Lyle and Claire murmured to one another as Sana began explaining to James how she would continue to help Nana. I glanced over at Silas, who, considering the harsh furrow of his brow, seemed to be lost in thought.

  “You okay?” I asked, standing next to him.

  Silas blinked a few times, ran a hand through his hair, then managed a small smile. “Yeah, I’m okay. Are you okay? I mean, with all of this?”

  I lifted my hands and shrugged. “I don’t think I have much of a choice.”

  “You always have a choice, Addie,” he said, touching the flower behind my ear. “You know that.” His fingers trailed along the stem, and I had to lock my knees to keep them from buckling.

  Ever since Silas came into my life, he firmly believed in everyone making their own choices. He never forced me to make a decision I didn’t want to make. And even though he hated Heart Reign and everything to do with it, he always supported me in making my own trade. My own choice.

  Before I could respond, Eman called him over, and Silas’s shoulders locked back, stiff as a board. Silas woodenly marched to Eman, each step heavier than the last. For the first time, I realized that, just like Claire, Silas's choices had been taken from him.

  The room grew somber as I reflected on what little information I had about Silas from the blacksmith's story. His parents never loved him, and the only man to take care of him, beat him. Then, with the discovery of his pure heart, Silas’s life changed again, and he had to leave his home. Another choice he didn’t make. And then there was the choice that Ophidian made for him by taking his heart. The only choice he did make was to leave half of his heart with Ophidian to save the woman who he would give it to.

  After everything Silas had gone through, the one choice he had made was to save me. Before Lyle traded his heart to Ophidian, he asked Silas to take care of me while he was gone. And even though I shut him out at first, Silas diligently watched over me.

  I traced my hand where his fingers had just been. New Silas, old Silas, weren't they one and the same? The same flame of desire welled in my chest, and I wanted to do nothing but wrap my arms around him and tell him how much I cared for him.

  But I couldn’t. Not yet.

  I couldn’t allow him to take on any more of my problems and responsibilities. I chose to jump through Schism’s doors and fight through Ophidian’s Realm. I chose to make the oath to bring the Twelve Magisters together. If I allowed Silas further in, he would bear those burdens, as well.

  Silas peered at me over his shoulder, his eyes full of adoration, as if I were a long-lost treasure. My insides jumbled together at the sight, and I had to turn away, deciding to make another choice. I would protect Silas, no matter the cost. I would get the other half of his heart back from the Beast, even if it killed me.

  After handing Silas his sword, along with a conveniently matching sheath, Eman headed over, picking up the gray book and passing it to Lyle. He whispered a series of words to Lyle before striding back to the bags for our journey. Lyle’s shoulders sagged as he shuffled over to me.

  “Guess this is good-bye again, huh?” he asked, giving my shoulder a playful nudge.

  “Not good-bye,” I replied, swallowing the knot in my throat. “Just see you later.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck, praying Ramni would continue to keep him safe. We soon broke apart, and Lyle sniffed. Removing his spectacles, he rubbed his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt.

  “So much pollen with all these plants.” He coughed.

  I laughed, and he grinned. Before he turned to exit the room, he glanced at Claire, who adjusted her messy bun before hurrying to his side.

  “Where are you going?” I asked, noticing the wild grin on Lyle’s face as Claire tugged him toward the doorway.

  Claire flicked her hand in the air. “I’ll be back before we leave.” With one last yank, they were gone.

  “Addie,” Eman said, pulling my attention away from the new couple. “I've packed your bag with some additional items.” He handed me the satchel, which was a lot heavier than before.

  “Thank you,” I said, securing it across my chest.

  “You will also need this.” He handed me the brown book.

  It was our map, our compass—the whole reason why we made it here safely in the first place.

  “You will need this, Addie,” Eman emphasized. “Without it, you’ll never know how to win the favor of the Twelve Magisters.”

  I clutched the book to my chest. “Win their favor? I thought I had to gather them together.”

  James appeared beside me and clapped a hand on my shoulder. “The Magisters won’t come freely nor willingly unless you convince them to come to your aid. We are a strong and stubborn group of people.” He shrugged, giving me an apologetic look.

  I glanced down at the book. “So, this will help me convince them to come with me?”

  “Yes,” they both agreed when Silas came up beside me. I could almost hear him saying, “You have a choice, Addie. You don't have to do this.” And he was right. I did have a choice. And I had already made it.

  Grasping the book, I stuffed it in my already bulging sack. “We better get going.”

  Silas dipped his head as he tied his sword to his belt.

  “What about me?” Lord Farmount grumbled, standing from the hospital bed. He shoved the light orbs out of the way. “I’m not staying in this flowery place.” His green eyes surveyed all of us through narrowed lids.

  I turned to Eman.

  “Unlike the rest of you,” the heartmender started, “Lord Farmount has successfully survived off the land since Ophidian’s attack on Barracks. You will need his survival expertise during your journey.”

  I pressed my lips together to prevent the groan that wanted to escape.

  “No,” Silas cut in with a harsh tone. He extended his arm as if blocking Lord Farmount from joining.

  �
�Silas,” I gasped and looked to Eman. Did he just say no to the man who mended his heart?

  Before Eman could respond, a coat of red slid over my vision, and a snide comment formed on my tongue. Eman may not defend himself, but I would. Who did Silas think he was? Hot fury boiled in my chest, and I bit my tongue. The red dissipated from my sight. Closing my eyes, I sucked in a breath. What was the matter with me?

  “It’s all right, Addie.” Eman lifted a hand, but the kind smile from before was gone.

  I released the breath and faced Lord Farmount. Gone were the frocks and frills he used to wear. Instead, dark slacks and a thick, leather vest with a tattered white shirt took their place. A dark green cloak hung from his shoulders and was swept back, revealing the knives he’d used earlier. His jaw flexed, and I drew away. What had happened to the petty, arrogant lord to make him change so much?

  I gave him a pointed look. “You better not be any trouble.”

  Silas grunted, tightening his grip on his sword but said nothing.

  Lord Farmount straightened to his full height, and I resisted shrinking back. Had he always been that tall?

  “Stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours.”

  The room quieted before Eman clapped his hands together once again.

  “Now that that’s settled, it’s time for us to say farewell once more. Come.” Eman glided past us. James gave Nana one last kiss before joining Eman. With a sneer, Lord Farmount went, too. I started toward the others until Silas stopped me.

  “Why did you let him come?” he asked, placing his hands on my shoulders as he spun me to face him.

  My body was aware of every place his hands touched.

  Though I wanted to stay close, I gently pulled away. “Silas, how could you say no to Eman? He mended your heart. He saved you. I didn’t allow Lord Farmount to come, Eman said he needed to come. But I do think the lord is with us for a reason. You saw how he helped free all those people in the cages. And without him, we would’ve never found the door back here.”