by Isu Yin
Soon the guards entered the room below.
Fate noted Fortuna’s voice amongst the others who had entered the room: Neco, Abyssus, Firmus, and several soldiers.
Fortuna initiated the first conversation, “Abyssus, where has she gone?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Abyssus said. “You took her away from me. You took my sister. Give her back!”
Neco droned, “We shall make this simple. If Fate does not return to the brothel, then Abyssus will no longer have any reason to remain in Macellarius. He shall be... removed if necessary.”
Fate’s eyes shifted back and forth as she listened to the discussion. She couldn’t imagine a world without Abyssus. He was the only being in existence that made her life worth living.
Fortuna sprang back into the conversation. “Wait a moment, he’s just a child.”
“Yes, a worthless child. I have no need for worthless things.”
Fate shook her head over and over. She wanted to beat it against the roof tiles to shake herself from the nightmare, but it was no use. Unless she interfered, her brother would be lost.
She jumped down from her hiding place and turned slowly to face the others. “Just once, let me be with Abyssus. Just once more. I want to play with him like usual.”
Neco laughed spitefully. “In return for what, exactly?”
“My cooperation.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I will stay at the brothel and I will follow orders.”
He raised a brow at her suggestion. “And that’s all?”
Fate’s eyes filled with tears, but she refused to cry in front of Neco. She clenched the fabric of her dress and met eyes with Abyssus as she gathered her resolve. No matter how much he protested, she promised herself that she would do everything in her power to protect him.
Swallowing again, she choked down her tears. “I will become your wife and I will do as you wish without objection.” Although she made her vow, she knew in her heart that she could not resign herself to Neco’s will. She would never marry him; she just needed to protect Abyssus, even if it meant lying.
“Anything?” Neco waited for a nod of verification. “Very well.”
“I wish to spend some time at the brothel first. Then once more—just once—I would like to return to see Abyssus.”
Neco exhaled through his nose, glowering subtly. His emerald eyes gleamed in the moonlight. “And for this request, Abyssus shall become my property.”
Fate took a long look at her brother. “Why are you keeping us apart like this?”
Neco crossed his arms. “Why, you ask? You look at me so coldly, with such hatred. You have only yourself to blame for being a spoiled girl. You’re always clinging to your brother, always chasing after him. You shall one day return to me, Fate, once you have learned how to please your future husband. If you will not do it for me, you will do it for your brother.”
“You can’t keep him from me.” She glimpsed at Abyssus.
His violet eyes, like her own, glistened with longing and guilt.
Firmus ran his hand through Abyssus’ dark hair to comfort him. It seemed as though he wanted to do more for Abyssus, that he wished to stop Neco, but something held him back.
Fate’s gaze shifted from Firmus to Fortuna in an attempt to understand. The two Ignis Ancients could have effortlessly killed Neco if they wished.
She sensed a hidden purpose behind their cooperation. The longer she studied them, the more she thought they resembled two wild cats waiting to spring on a gazelle. She wanted to understand their strange behavior.
Neco dug his fingers into his sleeves. “What will you do? This is your last chance, Fate. If you accept, you may come see your brother again.”
Fortuna pushed Fate behind her. “She will accept. In exchange, Firmus shall become Abyssus’ personal guard. If any harm shall come to Abyssus, then Fate will be freed from the brothel.” She brushed her long willowy fingers across the side of her face, revealing a satisfied smirk.
Neco released a low grunt of discontent. He settled for some time, debating on the proposal. He repeated it carefully while checking for loopholes, “Fate will come visit Abyssus once more. He shall be under my control, but Firmus will be his guard. If all remains in agreement, Fate shall return to me and become my wife.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Fortuna leaned back, supporting the weight of her bosom against her arms. “If your brother interferes, then neither of us shall have a say in the results. We each hold our end of the agreement.”
Neco rubbed his face, growling. “Niteo....” He wrestled the thought of his brother and returned to the conversation. “How do I know you won’t instigate?”
“We will sign a contract. If I break my promise then I will relinquish my rights to the brothel and, of course, to Fate.”
He relented but remained skeptical of her proposal. “Fine, we will test our agreement.”
“Good, I will send a messenger to deliver a contract by morning. Fate shall be in my hands.” Fortuna called Fate to her arms and slowly led her out of the room.
Fate met Firmus’s gaze. Though she could not speak with him, she did her best to convey her feelings.
Protect him.
Fortuna held Fate’s hand on their walk back. Fate looked back on the community, knowing full well she could never again awaken to stare down from the palace balcony. The sunken faces she used to watch from a distance looked at her closely now. She realized that they watched her as much as she watched them, and perhaps they even knew of Neco’s transgressions.
Perhaps they pitied her as she had pitied them.
Fortuna squeezed her hand. “You decide your own fate, and you make that man pay for what he has done. You deserve more than this, don’t you ever forget that.”
Fate staggered through the snow behind her new caretaker. Each step she took drove the pain deeper inside. She pressed a hand to her chest as large tears poured from her eyes.
Fortuna guided her inside the brothel, gently pushing her by the shoulders.
They may have been walking but Fate could hardly tell. Before she realized it, she stood in front of the same room from which she’d escaped.
“Stay here,” Fortuna said. “I’ll bring blankets.”
Fate dropped to her knees, her lower lip trembling, and hunched over while holding her churning stomach. Her throat strained as she choked out a faint plea for her brother.
She should have run away with him to the Capital. Now her window of opportunity had closed.
“Get up, you lousy girl.”
Before she could look something hard cracked against her spine.
The old woman stood out of reach, extending her cane. “Can’t handle the life of the low and sultry, girl? Fortuna will ruin my brothel, bringing in every lousy rat from the street. Get to work!” She swung again.
Fate scrambled back until she hit her arm on a low table. The jarring impact caused a shudder of pain from her elbow to her shoulder as she spotted Fortuna’s silhouette moving through the hallway.
The Madam carried an armful of blankets, so she used her foot to open the gate.
Before Fate could cry for help, the cane struck the side of her head and she balled up, using her arms to shield herself.
Fortuna tossed the blankets aside and gripped the old woman’s cane tightly. “Stop that!”
The old woman struggled to pull her cane back. “Fortuna, I will not allow you to coddle another one of these rats in my brothel!”
Fortuna ripped the cane from her hands. “This is my brothel, and I will raise my girls however I please! If you do not relinquish your rights, then I will crush you with them!”
Fate watched Fortuna in awe and fear. For the first time in her life, she saw the form of a true Royal and the strength of a caretaker.
The old woman hissed, “Wicked thing!”
“Leave. I will not tell you again. This is my brothel, and you are not welcome here.” Fortuna waited for the former madam to leave, and then qu
ickly returned to Fate. “Are you all right?”
Fate’s thoughts were lost to the wonders of her new mentor. She questioned whether or not Fortuna expressed the love and care of a mother figure. Fate had never known the care of a mother; it was painful to behold. She hugged Fortuna, hoping that she would prove to be as wonderful as she seemed.
“You can’t let them break you now,” Fortuna said. “You must rise again and take back the land that was stolen from you. The kingdom is yours.” She brushed away the hair from Fate’s ear and leaned in closely. “This is your time. You must be strong. You must prevail and bring balance back to this kingdom. I’m here for you. You will grow up and become the very queen you were made to be.”
Made. Fate riddled over the word in her head. She wanted to sleep away the pain in her heart and never awaken. The time she had with her brother—that which she longed to protect—slipped through her fingers. She now regretted her negligence towards Neco’s chronic misdemeanors.
Fortuna sheltered her with the blanket. “Cry as much as you need, little Fate, and rest well. There is much to learn, but I promise that by the time I am done teaching you, there will be hell to pay in Nex.”
The Madam’s warmth brought Fate to tears.
The Igni did more than conjure up fire; their passion burned deep within their souls. Fate had read that their fervor often made its mark in history, and more frequently, left reminders of how easily the world fell at the hands of the Tainted.
Fortuna seemed to have somehow escaped the fate of her people. In fact, her siblings carried the same, pure warmth. Their family had fought extinction many times, but they always survived. Whenever anyone spoke of the Igni, they always said the same thing: They are survivors.
Fortuna had exited again, leaving Fate with her thoughts. She wrapped herself in her blanket and shuffled to the round window in her room.
She gazed upon the snowflakes outside, which drifted so peacefully that she envied them. The bite of winter was harsher in Nitor. Fate had always considered the weather in Macellarius particularly frigid, but now understood that it was because she knew nothing of the conditions beyond the border.
The air rushed against her cheeks, stinging her skin and nearly cutting through her the moment she opened the window. She shivered and pulled the blanket tighter, until only her nose and eyes faced the bitter wind.
Her new quarters offered no view of Macellarius, merely one of Nitor. The palace rested behind an iron gate, past a prosperous community. Women bustled down the path in their extravagant gowns. They walked beside their counterparts and laughed, careless of the suffering in Macellarius, or even right under their noses.
Fate observed her room to remind herself that she had a new home. Her living space contained few pieces of furniture: a tall bureau, a small table, and an oval mirror. She maneuvered to the mirror on her knees and gazed at her reflection. Her violet eyes burned with tears, and her dark hair tangled around her cheeks. She failed to see the same queen that Fortuna sought.
“I am nothing, not even Cruentus Fate.” She appreciated the blanket, for it hid her heart and her tear-streamed face.
Fortuna shortly discovered her new pupil encased within the ball of fabric. She approached carefully, set down a mug of tea on the table, and made no attempt to remove the blanket. It appeared she respected Fate’s desire to hide.
“At first it will be difficult,” she said, “but with time you will come to know your own strength.”
Fate heard her words and wanted to become stronger. She wanted to conquer the land and restore it. She sought to protect Abyssus with what little power she possessed.
“You must persevere,” Fortuna said. “No matter how difficult or painful it may be, you do what you must to survive. I will aid you to the best of my ability, and you will grow up to be queen, but not Neco’s queen—a queen of your own volition.”
Fate rested her head against Fortuna’s chest. At that moment, she pushed her feelings far to the back of her mind and clung to the hope of restoring Nex. She received affirmation of her new goal and submerged herself within it.
I will reclaim Nex, no matter how difficult, no matter how long it takes. This kingdom is mine.
Fate awakened in the morning to her new, unfamiliar room at the brothel. The sun rested along the edge of the rooftops, sleeping amongst grey clouds.
The moon still hung through the high window in the hall, resisting the daytime. Since her room lay at the farthest end, she saw it better than anyone. She gazed wistfully at its fading white haze, rose from her bed, and walked barefoot through the cold building to the sunken hearth room.
The Madam sat viewing a red journal full of notes. She soon noticed Fate and set it down. “Good morning, Fate. We will begin your lessons today.”
Fate sat down on her knees and shuffled.
“Let’s start with the basics,” Fortuna said. “All girls under the age of twelve assist by cleaning and organizing during appointments. We work from dawn to midnight. Older girls work from mid-day to early morning. Young girls like you undergo a variety of lessons ranging from effective time management, cleaning, entertainment, and etiquette. Are you following so far?”
Fate remained sullen and focused. “Yes, Madam.”
Fortuna nodded and smiled. “Very good, you already understand how to respond. Clever girl.”
Fate’s violet eyes shifted to the floor as she persistently pushed down her emotions to focus on her new task.
Fortuna’s smile waned and her tone deepened. “Now, I must tell you something extremely important. Please listen closely.” She waited for Fate’s gaze to return, and continued. “When our girls turn sixteen they must be bid off to clients. We do not celebrate the coming of age. Every day is a struggle, but with the help of your sisters you can grow strong.”
“Sisters?” Fate frowned.
“Yes, you should think of the other girls in the brothel as your sisters. Together, you can persevere. You should grow as a family by encouraging, following, and assisting each other in this challenging environment.”
“Where are they?”
Fortuna smiled softly. “They have gathered together in the dining hall for breakfast. Would you like to meet them?”
“I... okay.” Fate pictured her anger and fear as an enormous growling bear from which she had to hide. The shift of her focus from reality to imagination helped her suppress the emotions better, though both she and the bear knew the truth. She didn’t want to become attached to anyone, not after losing her brother.
Fortuna escorted her farther down the long hall and opened the sliding doors to the dining hall. “Girls, I’d like you to meet your new sister, Fate.” She pushed Fate into the room and exposed her to nearly twenty other excited young girls of different ages and sizes.
They left their tables and huddled around Fate, throwing out an onslaught of names and greetings.
“Girls, girls!” Fortuna patted the air to calm them. “Slowly. She’s still adjusting. You must learn to be patient and disciplined. You remember what it was like when you first arrived, so treat her kindly and take your time greeting your new sister. Only two at a time, understand?”
The girls responded harmoniously and scurried back to their tables.
Fortuna raised her hand out towards two girls who’d sat quietly during the bombardment. She gestured between them as she addressed them by name. “Fate, please go sit with Myrna and Tori.”
Fate followed her directions and sat between the two girls.
The girl on her right side carefully pushed over a bowl of rice and fish. “Don’t push yourself. We’ll help you when you’re ready.”
Fate unintentionally gawked at her.
“Ah, it’s okay,” the girl said, laughing.
Fate remembered to swallow suddenly and realized her error. She had been taught not to stare or point during her stay at the palace. Now she wondered if Neco had trained her for her future—or rather, his desired future with her. She shook the s
ickening thought from her head and reminded herself that nothing mattered more than Abyssus.
The girl beside her shone a line of pearl white teeth. “I’m Myrna, by the way. It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’m sorry.” Fate’s cheeks burned and she covered her face with her long black hair. “I was rude.”
Myrna laughed aloud. “What for? You’ve done me no disservice.”
Fate studied through her hair. She hadn’t been able to break her habit of observing others, no matter how much Neco warned her.
Myrna’s eyes nearly shone like gold against her smooth, dark skin. Small black curls hugged her sculpted cheekbones like soft clouds. Her tall, slender figure and calm demeanor divulged the contrast in age between her and the other girls.
Fate shyly tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “How old are you?”
“I’m seventeen, and you?”
“Seven.”
“Then you’re the same age as Tori.”
She cautiously turned her head to examine Tori and recognized her as the strange girl from the yard.
Tori maintained an air of maturity, but something about her didn’t seem quite as stable as Myrna. Her expression focused so hard it caused tension around her eyes.
Fate faced her new sister in fascination. “Are you an Ancient?”
Tori gently placed her bowl on the table. “I am. Aren’t you?”
“What family are you from?”
She squinted and scanned Fate. “Vem.”
Fate’s lips parted and she choked down her urge to blurt out. “You mean like the air elementals? Isn’t your family lost? Why are you in the brothel?”
Tori whipped her head in the opposite direction. Her shoulder-length hair fanned out and rested again like the skirt of a billowy gown. “Shouldn’t I ask the same of you?” Her cobalt-blue eyes pierced Fate again, causing her to withdraw. “What’s the future heiress doing in a brothel,” she said more than asking.
Future Heiress?
Myrna put a hand on each of their shoulders. “Let’s talk about this in the hallway.”
The three girls exited quietly to the hallway of decorative screens to avoid drawing attention.
