Shadows and Embers

by Lindsey Richardson

  My eyes widened, realizing this could explain why he had insisted visions were real when he spoke with Celestria.

  I swore under my breath and then said, “That isn't exactly the kind of secret you should keep to yourself. How long have you known?”

  “That I was a foreseer? The visions started after my mother and sister's death, but it wasn't until Jacquette and I were engaged that they became more visual and dangerous. Both Esmour and Grefin confirmed it, but I cannot be fully honesty on this subject with Celestria because she might be one as well,” he explained.

  Turning to the roses, I placed one hand on the stem, carefully avoiding another thorn, and used my other to cut with the dagger. I offered the rose to Alaire, who took it with uncertainty.

  “Perhaps you know her better than I, but she is not a rose that will wither away in the winter. She is a fighter, and whatever is between the two of you needs to be settled before anyone else is hurt,” I said. I thought back to what happened in the cemetery, and it was bothersome to think that Alaire withheld such important information. Hadn't enough lying been done? Something was breaking inside of Celestria's head like it was at war with her, attempting to fight off her beliefs but at the same time trying to convince her of the truth. If she couldn't come to terms with the reality of the situation it could harm her, and I could not allow Alaire to decide what she did or didn't deserve to know.

  “There's more,” Alaire said, glancing up at me and then continuing with, “In the journal Esmour said you are the 'right man' Celestria must fall in love with. You're the man she must choose over me.”

  I stared blankly, waiting for him to explain, but then a bloodcurdling scream broke the silence. Alaire dropped the rose and started running toward the house; I placed my dagger in its carrier and ran after him. The scream was that of a woman's, and without a doubt the first person that crossed my mind was Celestria. Alaire must have been thinking likewise; he ran faster than I did, and you would have never known at one time he was limping around with a cane. The moment we entered the house there were voices upstairs and candles being lit and carried by servants. All of the maids were rushing to Celestria's room, and we bolted up the stairs in a desperate attempt to catch up to them. I kept thinking about the incident in the cemetery, and if it was happening again Celestria's life could be at risk. Her body didn't seem strong enough to fight off the demons that were running through her mind, and I feared for her well-being. As we approached closer to the room I saw Gavril push past the maids gathered around the door, and within minutes we were pursuing behind him.

  Once we were inside Celestria was sitting in the bed, clinging the blankets up against her body. Her eyes darted at the different faces, and there was sweat dripping down her face.

  Turning around to the maids and servants, I yelled, “Get out of here! Everyone back to sleep; I want this room left undisturbed.”

  One by one they left, taking the candlelight with them. The only left remaining was from a candle on Celestria's nightstand, which I assumed had remained lit all night.

  “Can you tell me what's wrong?” Gavril asked, slowly approaching the bed and reaching out for her.

  Celestria glared at him. “Get away from me!”

  Gavril froze where he was with his arm extended in mid-air. Everyone was silent, glancing at each other as we wondered what could be done. From where I stood I could not see any physical injuries on her body, but I was also concerned about what was running through her mind. I glanced over at Alaire, raising my brow to him and challenging his position. He had to tell her before it drove her mad, but when he tried to step forward Celestria became more upset. She covered her entire body with the blanket, and once again there appeared to be nothing that anyone could do. If she wouldn't allow Alaire to get close, what did she want? Was the vision still in her head, affecting how she saw the three of us?

  Leaning over to Alaire, I whispered, “Say something to comfort her. I don't think she's aware of who we really are.”

  Cautiously, he knelt down and started approaching the bed again. Celestria remained still, engulfed in the large white blanket, and it seemed that she could not see Alaire since he was closer to the floor.

  “It's me, Alaire. Do you remember who I am?” he asked, inching closer with each word until at last he was beside the bed frame. “Do you remember the nights we spent in the field, and we talked about the moon?”

  Her head turned toward his voice, but she remained silent.

  Alaire slowly rose up and as he reached out to the blanket, he said, “When I was able to walk again after my accident we went outside, and in the street I kissed you. You remember that, don't you? You had asked me if it was love... and I never had the chance to tell you.”

  I bit down on my lip, watching as he pulled back the covers and revealed her face. There were tears streaming down her face, but Alaire wiped them away. Though she was shaking, Alaire crawled up onto the bed and wrapped his arms around her.

  “Who was I trying to fool? I couldn't stop loving you no matter how many times destiny forbids it. I can't lose you to destiny, and I won't lose you tonight because of visions. Let the whole world know... I love you, Celestria,” he said, rising her chin up and kissing her on the lips.

  Gesturing to Gavril that we leave, we both exited from the room and closed the door behind us. Even though Celestria was in Alaire's care now I didn't feel comforted. Something was terribly wrong, and the only place that may hold answers was Esmour's journal. We had placed it in the study hidden in the bookshelf with the numerous other books I owned.

  “Stay nearby in case anything changes,” I told Gavril.

  Then I left and headed for the study, though there were other thoughts beside Celestria's well-being that were clouding my head. The way Alaire had admitted his love to her was romantic; even I admired it, knowing how long he had waited to tell her. Even so, I couldn't help but envy what was between them. In all likelihood they could be kissing long into the night whereas I would be returning to an empty bed. It didn't bother me that Alaire had said I was the “right man” for Celestria, but rather the fact of the matter was that I was barely a man at all. If I was a man I could seriously commit to a woman, love her unconditionally as Alaire loved Celestria. He had proven that no destiny would restrain him from what he truly desired whereas I had been running in circles around destiny. Had I ever left Destin long enough to know what it was like to live with free will? Everyone was taking chances, risking their lives for each other, but it seemed like I was the only one remaining with nothing to lose and nothing to gain.

  Stepping into the study, I left the door slightly ajar and searched the bookshelf for the journal. One journal was all it took for Esmour to have a hold over our lives again, and I wondered if it was even worth reading anymore of his nonsense. It was his doing that we would be going to war with love in our hearts and secrets at bay. Scanning the titles of the books, I finally discovered the brown journal and took it off the shelf.

  There was a tap at the door, and then Celestria entered with her hands wrapped around her chest. She looked as though she might cry again, and I couldn't understand how everything between her and Alaire had gone from perfect to terribly wrong. I gestured for her to sit down, but she shook her head.

  “I have to tell you about my vision. I told Alaire, but I don't think he understands how serious this is,” she said quietly as though someone might overhear us.

  “By all means tell me,” I replied, placing the journal down on the desk. I rather deal with the living than the words of a dead man.

  “Alaire d-died,” she stuttered. At first it sounded like he had died in her arms only moments again, but then she continued. “In my vision I watched him die in battle, and it was clearer than anything I've ever seen. I've had visions of his death before, but each time they are becoming more vivid. We can't let him die...”

  “What did he say about this?” I asked.

  She walked over to the bookshelf, glancing over t
he titles of the books.

  “He told me everything... about him being a foreseer. He claims to have foreseen his own death as well, but he doesn't seem worried about it. I have to stop it before it happens,” she replied.

  “We will stop it. Follow me; there's something I need to show you,” I said, grabbing a candle as I walked toward the door. We left the journal behind and slipped out of the room, descending down the staircase. What I was about to show her was something I had never shared with anyone else outside of Destin, but now she was a part of us. Regardless of that fact, I wanted to assure her that we would not lose Alaire. We could not afford to lose another Dark magician.

  I waited until we were outside to light the candle. I realized all too late that Celestria was barefoot, but I warned her to watch her step and she did not complain. We walked in complete silence, and as I approached closer to the place we needed to be it didn't make it any easier to explain to her what happened. The forest was dark at this hour of the night, and the candle was all we had for light. I reached behind me to hold onto Celestria's hand, remembering our last experience in these woods. The last thing I wanted to happen was for someone to ambush us, and it was a risk we took by being out here. Even so, I was willing to accept the consequences and it felt assuring to know that at last I could share my story with someone.

  “Why are we returning here?” Celestria asked as the sound of the lake became more distinct.

  I led her to the bed of lilacs and pointed at it. “We buried one of our own here. Her name was Rahela, and she was only a girl when she joined Destin. She had her whole life ahead of her, and the White magicians took it all away with a single dagger through the heart. Sometimes...”

  I cleared my throat. “Sometimes you remind me of her, you know? She might have grown up in a time of war, but she was innocent and young and free. She had an attitude that made you forget how young she really was. God... she was just a girl when she died.”

  The memories were coming back of Rahela's bright smile and joyful laughter. I knelt down to the grave and touched one of the lilacs. I smiled, thinking back to how much she would have loved this place had she known it existed.

  Celestria knelt down beside me and embraced me. At first I didn't know how to react, but then I accepted the comfort and wrapped my arms around her. Her body felt warm against mine, and it was like at last I was truly safe.

  Combing her hands through my hair, Celestria said, “When you told me many lives have been lost by this lake I had no idea. I'm sorry about Rahela; we won't let her be forgotten.”

  I pulled away and looked out to the lake.

  “I wish we were able to mourn for our losses. I am tired of living in a world that doesn't allow us that time. Do you think... I'm losing Alaire because of what Esmour said? By choosing him am I leading him to his own death?”

  “Look at me,” I said, waiting until she turned her head before I continued. “I am half the man Alaire is. I kiss women without thinking of the consequences, and I couldn't commit myself if I wanted to. I was never the right man for you; I've watched Alaire stand beside you ever since you arrived. Believe me, there is no one who could love you more than him. I wish I had the courage he does, and whatever these visions are we're strong enough to get past them.”

  I stood up and dusted off my pants. I had the strangest desire to rush to Nicia's house and tell her my wrongs for doubting that we couldn't get past her betrayal, but my conscience wouldn't allow it. No matter what I felt for her the betrayal and deceit would always be there, and that was something I couldn't live with forever. I could not dedicate myself to a woman who had already lost my trust.

  We started heading home, though Celestria's hesitation to keep up with me suggested there was more on her mind that she hadn't revealed. I watched the candle in my hand as the flame quivered with the slight breeze, and I thought that love was exactly like fire. If it was real it could consume everything in sight, but if it wasn't meant to be it could die easily with one strong breeze of wind.

  “Leal,” Celestria said, suddenly appearing beside me. I jumped, having not expected her. Ignoring my reaction, she added, “This town is foreign to me, and yet I find myself thinking of it as home. I can't ever return to my hometown; there's no telling what's happened to my home by now. Instead I think of your home as my home, but it's not mine...”

  I held her hand again as we approached closer to the house.

  Offering a smile, I responded, “This is your home. I grew up without any brothers and sisters, but having you and Alaire here makes it feel like a home again. You and Alaire can live here as long as you like because honestly the two of you are who I'm fighting for now. No one's taking our home, I promise you that.”

  She smiled in return and entered the house before me, seemingly reassured that we would be protected from whatever evil lurked nearby. However, as I lowered my head to blow out the candle I noticed a piece of parchment at the doorstep. Reaching down, I picked it up and considered if it was worth opening. I stood up to see where Celestria had gone, but she was already making her way up the staircase. I glanced down at the paper again and gritted my teeth. I wasn't ready for it, but I opened it regardless and regretted it instantly. There was one name written on the paper as clearly as the note we had received about the lake. This time, however, the name haunted my memories and scratched at my fears. The woman I had lost my faith in: Nicia.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Spare the Fool

  In the morning the window was cracked open, and I could hear voices calling through the street. I had thought a few hours of sleep to gather my thoughts together would do me good, but I could not have been more wrong. As I dragged myself out of bed and toward the window the voices became more distinct, yelling “search this area,” and “I've got nothing over here.” Peeking my head outside and looking down, I saw a large group of men and women searching through the marketplace and knocking on doors. When someone opened the door the man or woman would demand to be let inside, and my stomach sunk at the realization of who they could be.

  “Leal! Leal... they're here!” Celestria shouted, running into my room and nearly tripping over the blankets that had fallen to the side of the mattress.

  “Who?! Calm down, and tell me what's going on,” I said.

  “White magicians have entered into town. Someone's betrayed us, and now they're setting up a perimeter so no one can leave until they discover who's practicing Dark magic,” she explained, though still managing to catch her breath.

  Betrayal? All of my thoughts rushed back to Christopher's warning and the note with Nicia's name. I grabbed Celestria's hand and ran out of the room, heading for the staircase. I stopped when I reached the railing, remembering that if we stepped outside I would be questioned. It was only a matter of time before someone knocked on our door. The warnings I had received numerous times were ringing in my head. Why had we stayed to become prisoners? This was exactly what Christopher wanted, but we could not afford to give him the advantage.

  “Leal, I'm scared,” Celestria whispered.

  “My father's chest...” I murmured. Realizing she had no idea what I was talking about, I explained. “My father left behind all of his weaponry in a chest. When I left to track down Christopher, I took one of the several gems from the chest. A former magician informed me that the gems can connect us. If we're separated we can use them to find our way back to each other.”

  Though she was still processing the information, I led her back to my room and snatched the chest off of the dresser. If we could split up and escape the house it would us the opportunity to confront Nicia for her actions. I desired to make her pay for the damage she caused. She and Rostland both deserved to be punished for what they had done. With my thoughts slowly turning into blood lust, I opened the chest and revealed the contents. I picked up one of the daggers and a clear gem and placed them in Celestria's hands.

  “I don't understand,” she said, glancing down at the weapon.

&nbs
p; I selected two daggers and placed them in the carriers. There was a knock at the front door, and I could hear someone walking to answer it. Alaire appeared in the doorway of my room, and his eyes quickly lowered to the chest.

  “They've come,” he said.

  I spoke quickly to explain what needed to be done. “Take a gem; if it lights up red that means one of us are in danger. If it lights up blue that means you're close to one of us. We'll take the back door and split up. I'll meet up with you at Nicia's.”

  “Nicia?” Alaire asked.

  There were several more knocks at the door, but even if Liliana was holding them off she couldn't delay it forever. I ran out of the room and down the stairs, fully aware that within a matter of moments Alaire and Celestria were following behind. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I nodded to Liliana, who was waiting at the door.

  “Anyone home? Open up!” A man's voice called. I didn't recognize the voice, but I was certain it was Christopher's magicians that had invaded our town. They were closest to us and already had the manpower and weaponry to attack.

  Turning the corner, I rushed to the back door and opened it. Alaire and Celestria ran out first, and then I followed, closing the door just as I heard the front door open.

  “How do the gems work? We've been near you this entire time, and nothing's changed,” Alaire said while catching his breath.

  Slowly I withdrew one of the daggers from my belt and cut across my palm. Blood began to pour out from the incision, and I allowed it to drip onto the gem in my other hand.

  Turning to Celestria, I said, “I knew you wouldn't like this, but it's the only way. Our blood is the strongest connection we can make.”

  She hesitated, wincing at the sight of blood. At her hesitation, Alaire pulled out his dagger and cut across his palm and repeated the same process. In order for the spell to work the blood needed to stay fresh, but Celestria didn't look like she would be willingly cutting her hand. We didn't have the luxury of waiting, and thus I took her hand and cut it with my danger. She yelped, but once her blood was on the third and last gem she seemed fine. We held out the gems so that they were all touching with the blood we had drawn, and then I whispered the spell and the gems lit up blue. I gestured for Alaire and Celestria to go left, and I headed in the other direction. Just as I stepped away someone grabbed the sleeve of my tunic.