The Gifted Sisters and the Golden Mirror

by Rachel Crist

  “Livia.”

  I choke back my tears and lift my eyes to his. This is the first time he’s ever addressed me by name. I feel a shift in the air and a stirring deep inside me. His hand reaches up and touches my hair, pushing it away from my face.

  “Don’t ever apologize,” he says, “for the spark that lives inside you.”

  His eyes shift down to my mouth, and my heart nearly stops. He leans in and presses his lips to mine.

  My world falls away.

  It’s a feeling I’ve never experienced before, yet it is everything I thought it would be—magic. When he pulls back, affection glows in his eyes, and my cheeks warm.

  “You are truly a pure and honest person.” He takes my hand. “It is a rare thing to see. I found myself drawn to you the moment I met you, and I’ve made it my own mission to protect you.”

  “But that isn’t your duty.”

  “My duty is to Regent Grif. It seems, however, I’ve naturally gravitated to you instead,” he says and laughs. “Don’t tell him that.”

  “Never,” I say with a smile, “It surprises me you feel this way. I mean, I hoped you would.”

  He rubs his thumb over my hand. “It surprises me, too. But you keep doing things that I can’t help but admire.”

  “Me? Like what?” I don’t feel like I’ve done anything of real value. What could there possibly be for him to admire?

  “For starters, your determination to rescue my brother, and then heal him.”

  “Anyone would do that.”

  He shakes his head. “No, not anyone. Also, he told me what you said at the stables. Making sure he was okay.”

  I shake my head. These are only simple things.

  “Then your dedication to the people. You spend all your free time studying everything you can find that might help them. And I’m not ignoring that you squeezed in time to practice with a sword.” His face leans in again, stopping an inch from mine. “Then you saved me. I felt the heat of your magic course through me. I knew it was you.”

  He kisses me again. This time I kiss back fiercely, and his arms wrap around me, bringing me against his body. A tingle spreads through me, and I don’t want this moment to stop.

  Reddik’s lips freeze against mine.

  “Did you hear that?” he whispers, his breath warm on my lips.

  I wait and listen. Then I hear it—the faint bang of a drum.

  Reddik takes my hand and leads me to the edge of the tower, pushing back a tangle of ivy.

  The sun is steadily making its way down, casting dark shadows over the land. Off in the distance, specks of shadows trickle over the horizon. The time has finally come. The Silent Watchers are here.

  22

  Vera

  I have always heard whispers of the glamor of Willobourne Castle. It was built on a mountain island. However, no one has prepared me for the magnificent beauty of the entire city that lies before me. Colors pop up from behind the wall, homes appear with peaked shingled roofs, all giving only a glimpse of what lies within.

  But I know already what lies inside those walls—fear. It was my idea to have the continuous bang of a drum announce our arrival.

  The drum’s steady beat fills the dead air of their sky. This sound will seep into their minds and lock in that fear, driving them delirious.

  The ground is covered in the white snows of winter. After the heavy snowfall yesterday, the top layer is a perfect powder of white. Either we will sink down into it and plough through, or there will be a bottom to it that will be frozen enough to march over. Either way it won’t last long. With the thousands of men crossing over, the snow will soon be trampled down enough that it won’t matter.

  I sit atop Provena, gazing over the dark, quiet city. The moon shines high in the sky, the cumulous clouds having parted, allowing me to see the Violet Guard standing at attention—matching the stillness of the night and the fortified walls that stand around the city. Nothing is moving. I’m almost impressed by their control, but it doesn’t compare to the discipline and fearlessness that’s always exemplified by the Silent Watchers.

  The seed of fear resides in the westerners, and the moment I release these ferocious assassins, that seed will grow, and they will discover the meaning of true fear.

  But I’m not ignorant. I know many of my men will die in this battle.

  I might even die.

  Once I am back at camp, I go sit with Nate, Murrow, and Karl near the warmth of a fire. I’ve decided to keep them close at all times.

  When the camp woke up this morning, they discovered two men speared on two sharpened trees with a sign posted above them reading: TRAITORS.

  I remember hearing the murmurs throughout the camp, and they continued on as we moved out, as more men were able to view the blue-skinned bodies with glossed-over eyes.

  The message spoke loud and clear. There would be no traditional burial for them. They were to be left behind to be ravaged by the beasts of the forest. I hadn’t cared to know the thoughts of my men.

  A lot of the men spit on them, supporting my decision without knowing the grievance. I moved those men closer to me. I will need to be surrounded by those I know I can trust. I know Ryker had plenty of cronies, and I’m not sure which ones they are.

  “I’ve decided to rescue Bellek. You will come with me.”

  “Geez, Commander, so needy,” Murrow jokes.

  I roll my eyes and look to Nate. He watches me closely, and I don’t know why, but it makes me feel so fully aware of myself that I casually toss my braid over my shoulder.

  “We will follow you wherever you want to go,” he says.

  “I’m counting on it. And if anything happens to me but not to you, get out. Take Zyrik and run. Run far away, and never let the king touch him ever again.”

  They firmly nod. I know they will do that for me without hesitation. I explain my plan.

  * * *

  I lie in my bedroll, staring at the roof of my tent. The moment I settled in, the thoughts inside my head began to whirl. I’ve been trying to keep certain thoughts tucked away, but I know that soon enough I will face betrayal.

  How long did Bellek think he could keep me from knowing about my sister? What hurts more is I always thought he wanted the best for me. But his keeping this secret makes him just part of the king's plans.

  From as far back as I remember, Bellek did his best to keep me away from the king's abusive grasp. Most the time it didn’t work. King Kgar didn’t need an excuse to hurt me, but he always found one. Anything and everything I did was wrong and warranted punishment.

  I remember when I was the same age as Zyrik, and the king discovered me in the kitchens with a smile on my face. I had just eaten a fresh piece of bread the baker gave me, and it was the best thing I’d ever had. He hit me hard with his hand, and I fell from the force of it. He watched as I choked on the morsel, and I was lucky it came up when it did. He proceeded to drag me out of the room, yelling at me.

  Smiling, then almost dying, was to be all my fault. He told his uncle that if I couldn’t be controlled, I would live with a chain around my neck and be shackled to his ankle.

  Punishment after punishment was delivered. I don’t even remember a time where I didn’t have a cut or a bruise from the king. But I know it could’ve been worse. Bellek kept me at his side, training me up to develop that hard outer surface, the only protection he could find for me against the king.

  But when I turned fourteen, Bellek could’t protect me from the king’s late night visits. And from the lingering touches I felt in the morning, once the king had left. I knew Bellek would kill the king if he knew. There were many times I almost shared my dark nightmares with him.

  But I was afraid. What if the king should have Bellek killed? Just for knowing. I would be entirely left to the king’s whims. No, I would keep my secrets for Bellek’s protection. And for my own.

  So why do I now feel that Bellek has slapped me in the face? He knew I could be queen of a kingdom, surroun
ded by thousands of guards. Why does he go along with the king when I know he doesn’t agree with anything he does?

  Knowing I have a sister has shaken my world. It’s not that I have a relation, but that there’s another person in my life who should be wanting the best for me, but instead would rather see me dead.

  I allow my anger to build up. I will rely on it to get me through the outer wall and into the dungeons. My first mission is Bellek. Then it will be finding my sister and taking her to the king. And then it will be her turn to face him.

  23

  Golden Mirror

  The girls stare at one another. They both know the truth.

  Vera: So, you are my sister.

  Livia: Yes. And you and the assassins are here.

  Vera: Yes.

  Livia: Do you plan to take me?

  Vera shows no emotion.

  Vera: I do. I also plan to take back the king’s uncle.

  Livia’s eyes widen.

  Vera: Did you not think I would find out about you having him?

  Livia: I didn’t know. I mean, I knew, but I didn’t know if I should tell you.

  Vera: You thought me a fool, sister? Did you think I would fall for your lies? I know you care nothing for me. I know two queens can’t rule a kingdom. I would only be in your way.

  Livia: That’s not true! I want you here with me. I’ve never wanted you out of the way. Whoever told you that is not speaking the truth.

  Vera: The person who told me has been more of a family to me than your entire kingdom put together. A kingdom that never once came to save me.

  Livia: Look, I didn’t even know you existed until a week ago. I didn’t even know I was an heir to this kingdom. But I do know I’ve always longed for my true family. That is you. I need you.

  Vera: You don’t need me. But I do need you—to keep those I love alive, and to keep his hands off me. That’s why I need you.

  Livia: You would turn me over to that man? I’m offering you a safe haven. What else do you need?

  Vera: Nothing. I need nothing else.

  Livia: Surely there is something. Let me help you.

  Vera: Put yourself in chains and walk out to me. That would help me.

  * * *

  Livia takes her hand off the mirror, and steps back. This girl is not the sister she envisioned. Her mind is warped into thinking only lies. There is only one more thing she can try before all hope is lost.

  24

  Livia

  My footsteps echo off cold, damp stone walls as I descend into the dungeon. The light from my lantern flickers in the dark. It didn’t take long to find out where the wing for prisoners was located. A simple question masked with concern, and my chambermaid let it slip without guessing my intent.

  I can still feel the brush of Reddik’s lips on my own. The moment we discovered the Silent Watchers on the horizon, we both rushed to find Regent Grif. Luckily for us, Commander Barrett was already aware of the Watchers’ location, and the Violet Guard was already in position.

  Come morning, I would be in a secured location—my chambers. I remember laughing at the idea, thinking it was a joke, but I soon discovered it was anything but. Reddik explained that in the morning, the corridors that lead to my chambers will be lined with guards, all at the ready to protect me from harm.

  I don’t know why, but I feel that I am turning my back on my own men. They’ll need me with them to use my gift. I tried to explain all this, but no one will listen. For you to be out there is out of the question. But any of them dying will place a considerable amount of guilt on my shoulders, when I could save them.

  I slept for only a few hours, waking up in despair. Vera wasn’t budging. I could not convince her of my help. That’s when I knew I had to visit Bellek.

  I finally reach the dungeon door. It takes most of my strength to pry it open. Soon I have it scraping across the stone floor, giving me enough room to slip inside.

  Spooky doesn’t quite cover what I feel, and eerie is an understatement. A chill creeps over me, seeing dark shadows cast across what feels like a large open space. A dim light glows up high, displaying a single chain hanging down in the center of the room.

  The moment I take a step towards it, the entire room lights up. An unseen flame reflects off the white domed ceiling above. The light that had spotlighted the chain is now gone, and it now hangs from a mouth of darkness.

  “Welcome.”

  I turn quickly at the sound of a man’s voice. He’s a tall man, made of nothing but bones in the shape of a body. He has short-cropped hair, and translucent skin that seems never to have seen the light. I shudder.

  He crosses the room, keys jingling at his side. He stops when he reaches the center of the room, where the chain hangs above his head. He clasps his hands in front of him.

  “And who are you?”

  “I’m Princess Livia,” I answer hesitantly. “W…who are you?”

  “I am Les. The key holder. I wasn’t expecting such an important visitor. Come, tell me of your love for making music.”

  “Excuse me? I don’t know what you mean.” I scratch nervously at my arm. “I’m here to see a prisoner by the name of Bellek. If you will take me to him, I’ll be on my way.”

  “He’s quite the popular one these days. But I cannot take you to him.”

  “Why not?”

  “He just had a visitor. Too much music,” he explains, “and it will make chaos with the others.”

  I don’t understand his mention of music. But I have no desire to ask, afraid of what he might say.

  “Who was this visitor?”

  Les shakes his head. “Secrets, secrets, you won’t see. Secrets, secrets, safe with me.”

  A laugh bubbles out from his throat; he seems thrilled with his own rhyme. Tired of this game, I notice a barred door behind him. I cross the room quickly, and grab the handle.

  “Stop!” he shouts.

  He rushes over and swipes my hand aside. “You cannot enter!”

  “Let her through, Les.”

  I whip around to find Amah standing behind us.

  “Amah! What are you doing here?”

  “I would ask you the same, En Oli.”

  “I’ve come to speak with Bellek.”

  Her sharp gaze pierces me. “Les, hand her the key.”

  “Yes, my lady,” he says.

  I look between the two, confused. Do they know one another? Les takes a key off the ring at his waist, and hands it to me, showing me all his teeth as he does so. Of which I am surprised he has any.

  “Now you can go play music with Amah. She is the best at making the beautiful sounds,” he says.

  “That’s enough, Les,” Amah interrupts, “I’ll take it from here.”

  Les nods, crosses the room, and disappears behind another door.

  “Who is that man?” I ask Amah curiously.

  “He is a man who started here as a boy. His father did this before him, and he followed in his father’s footsteps. He might seem strange, but he’s brilliant, and I wouldn’t try putting anything past him. So, you are here on your own?”

  “Yes. I didn’t think anyone would care to join me.”

  “You have no business down in these parts. But I have a feeling there’ll be no convincing you of that. Are you sure you are prepared for what you might see?”

  I try to swallow past the lump in my throat. I nod.

  “Then let’s get on with it,” she says.

  Amah reaches past me and pulls open the door. I notice scrapes on her knuckles and I’m about to ask her about them, when something inside me tells me not to.

  “I haven’t seen much of you lately,” I say instead.

  “No?” she replies, “It seems, maybe, you are doing fine without me.”

  “I would never say that. You know that.”

  She looks back and nods. “Yes, I know that.”

  Light trickles down the corridor as a sickly green glow. We pass door after door, walking along damp floors. It�
��s strange to think an entire ocean is beyond these walls. A single crack would be devastating.

  “Amah? What did Les mean by making music?”

  Amah doesn’t respond. We have reached the end of the hall. She peeks through a small window, then steps back and motions for me to look inside. I see a bulky form sitting against the back wall, his arms dangling from chains high above him. It’s Bellek.

  I push open the heavy door, and the pungent smell of filth greets me. I step closer to the prisoner, and light from the hall is cast over him. I barely recognize him.

  A gash runs down the side of this man’s face, and both of his eyes are swollen shut. His once clean-shaven head is now covered in crusted blood, which also covers the bright clothes he wears. He looks nothing like the man I saw in the streets of Pynth.

  My body locks up with an unknown rage. “What happened to this man?” I ask sharply. It takes everything for me not to yell. “I said no harm should be done to him.” I look to Amah. “Who did this?”

  The cell remains silent, Amah’s eyes look defiantly into mine.

  Bellek violently coughs, and I turn back to him.

  “Vera?” He speaks hoarsely.

  He coughs again, then slumps forward, dangling from his chains. I go and place my hands on either side of his face, and close my eyes. I push my gift through him, taking note of all the fractured bones in his face. I quickly mend them, and calm the swelling.

  His head comes back up, and he slowly opens his eyes.

  “Vera?” he asks again.

  “I am her sister,” I reply, “Livia.”

  He tries to wet his chapped lips. It pains me to see him like this. What Vera would think if she saw him right now.

  Suddenly he jerks forward, knocking me down to the ground. Amah rushes forward and kicks him hard in the side. Bellek cries out in pain.

  I scramble up, and quickly wipe the sludge from my hands. I grab Amah’s arm and push her back.