Fragments of Light

by Beth Hodgson

  Though he was a very interesting complete stranger.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  VIOLET

  How Ikaria loathed attending evening court events. Especially the dinners. Watching Cyrus eye the latest court beauty made her blood boil. Little twits half his age laughing at his stupid jokes and shooting him longing stares. And he had no shame engaging in their advances. Everyone pretended he did no such thing, even Ayera, but Ikaria noted each encounter, hoping to eventually turn it into his shame.

  How was it that she’d once fallen in love with that fool? And to think she had been engaged to him.

  What aggravated Ikaria even more than Cyrus’s ridiculous flirting was that the Laws of Magic book had gone missing. Every so often, when Kohren was not around, Ikaria would check to see if the book was still in its hiding spot. And this morning, it was gone. Ikaria could safely bet that it was now in the hands of the High Court.

  That High Justice bitch Belinda, thought Ikaria. Anything to hinder me and the world sectors.

  Dressed in her full regalia—long-horned headdress and revealing black-and-violet gown tailored with bell sleeves that swept the floor—Ikaria entered the dining hall with her back arched and head held high, like the Empress she was supposed to be. Most of the court was already seated at the oversized crystal table and had started in on their first course. The courtly gifted came trickling in along with the non-gifted members of the court. A flamboyant red-gifted who loved drama appeared in a ball of fire, then smoldered, his fabrics glistening with embers. An orange-gifted faded out of thin air, staying invisible until he needed to make his presence known. Lord Kohren came flashing in, appearing instantly next to Auron at the table with his space and dimensional magic, the only magic he was allowed to use since the High Court had banned all use of blue time magic.

  Hovering magical lamps were casting a warm orange brilliance on the crystallized room, revealing a few glances from the table that came Ikaria’s way. Several nodded with respect, acknowledging her, but the majority of the others ignored her, something Ikaria had never gotten used to. As a princess in her youth, people used to kiss the ground she walked on and sang her praises. But that was when she was supposed to be the next Empress of World Sector Six. When Ayera was named as the heir to the throne, everyone abandoned her. Traitors. They were all nothing more than pretenders, and Ikaria loathed pretenders. The very thought of their ersatz loyalty made her grit her teeth.

  Arriving in front of her sister, Ikaria bowed. She never gave Cyrus the time of day unless she absolutely had to, and she chose not to bow to him now. It was only fair, as he had never given her anything but scorn and mockery in the many years he had been Emperor. The only satisfaction Ikaria got was that she knew what he truly was and could see it right through the masked illusions.

  “Your Majesty,” Ikaria said with a nod, then took her seat beside Ayera. Cyrus didn’t even glance her way as she approached, appearing to be in a deep conversation with the Duke of Orza. His gaze was glued to one of the orange-gifted servant girls, her beauty and her bust heavily enhanced with her magic. Auron, who was not engaged in any conversation, glanced at Ikaria from across the table. Kohren seemed only interested in his dinner, and Lord Jiao was talking to another red-gifted beside him.

  “Sister.” Ayera nodded, waving her hand for the nearby servant. One approached, filling Ikaria’s glass. “How goes your… assignment so far?” Ayera asked, carefully wording her question in front of Cyrus.

  Ikaria glanced at Cyrus, who was being quite loud and obnoxious, his laugh booming as he drank his wine. Their concern seemed unwarranted—the Emperor was paying no attention to Ayera. Ikaria’s eyes trailed to Kohren, who continued to pick at his food.

  “Quite disconcerting,” Ikaria said.

  Ayera’s face turned serious, leaning in. “What do you mean? Have you found something?”

  “No, quite the opposite,” Ikaria hinted, thinking of the Laws of Magic book. “Something seems to be missing. Several things,” Ikaria said, acting distressed and taking a calculated sip of her wine. Kohren had looked up from his food, looking in the direction of the two sisters, seeming mildly interested in what was being said.

  Ikaria’s glance moved toward Auron. He ate in silence, oblivious to his surroundings. He looked tired. Probably tired of praying, since that was probably all he did as of late. The poor priest who so desperately wanted to stop the magical plague. But little did he know his prayers wouldn’t save their sector. No, it would be his worst nightmare that would rescue their sector.

  Her.

  Ayera set down her glass and pushed her plate away. “What is missing?”

  Ikaria twirled her wine, then drank a large gulp, watching Lord Kohren. “Sister, who has had access granted to the library since my last visit? I know that you don’t go around granting just anyone permission.”

  “Only five others. High Justice Oriel, High Justice Perserine, Lord Grayson, Lord Miles, and Lord Kohren. You are now the sixth. Why?” Ayera asked curiously, keeping her voice low.

  Lord Grayson had died of natural causes a few months back, and Lord Miles had lost his orange magic due to the plague. Quite interesting. The High Court probably knew that one of those two found out about their analogous colors and took care of them. Ikaria guessed that it was Lord Grayson, considering the High Court wouldn’t let someone live with that kind of knowledge of magic. That and the fact that he’d told a few people he had made some revolutionary findings and was writing a journal detailing his discovery. And after his death, no one could find his writings on his discovery. How convenient.

  A false look of confusion washed over Ikaria’s face. “Well, it seems to me that a few of our tomes from the Millennium Era have gone missing. I have searched all week for those books,” Ikaria said in the most innocent voice she could muster. “It is very odd. One of them I had recently read, and I needed to refer back to. The other ones I know existed from my last visit, and those are gone as well.” Ikaria sat, unmoving, eyeing Kohren. He went back to eating his food, stirring his fork and pretending not to be listening.

  Let’s see you worm your way out of this one, Lord Kohren. Ikaria narrowed her eyes, taking another drink of wine.

  “That’s impossible. Our sector records are quite secure,” Ayera said under her breath.

  “What is secure?” Emperor Cyrus swung his head in their direction, wine glass in hand, his face fully flushed with the effects of the alcohol. He had always been a sloppy drunk, and his chestnut curls fell flat when he drank, making him look woefully pathetic. Cyrus looked at the sisters, waiting for an answer. Ikaria didn’t have any desire to converse with the Emperor, but it looked like she had no choice.

  Ikaria rolled her eyes at her sister as a private jest, then turned to Cyrus. “That new artifact that was discovered on the surface. Two gifted are en route to the High Court to deliver it as we speak. They should be very pleased with this one,” Ikaria said. It was a half lie. What she said was true—it was being delivered, but it was being “delayed” in her chambers until she could properly study it.

  “Very good,” Cyrus replied, uninterested, and he turned back to continue his conversation with the Duke of Orza while giving the gifted servant girl another big grin.

  Ayera paused for a moment, waiting for Cyrus to immerse himself in his conversation with the duke. After a minute, she leaned in to Ikaria. “Sister, are you sure about the documents? Perhaps they were misplaced?”

  “Quite sure, sister. You know of my love for the technology of the Millennium Era. I value those documents above anything else in this citadel,” Ikaria answered. “Why would I fabricate something like this? It would serve no purpose. I am merely pointing out the fact that we have missing documents, and it’s quite interesting that only high justices have visited the library, with exception of the deceased Lord Grayson, Lord Miles, and Lord Kohren.”

  Ayera leaned in closer, whispering in Ikaria’s ear. “Sister, I know what you are doing. You are walki
ng a fine line. I warned you earlier.”

  “You told me you wanted to see results. How can I do what you ask of me if part of our library seems to be missing?” Rage flooded Ikaria’s heart, quickening its pace. She grasped her goblet tightly and took a sip of wine, the liquid balling in her throat as her hatred continued to burn. How could she make her sister see what was clear as day?

  “Sister, I will advise you one last time: Do not try to frame the High Court,” Ayera whispered sternly. “It will amount to nothing and will lead to you being imprisoned. If you continue down this path, I cannot save you from their judgment. Do you want to be sentenced to the toxic earth below? Is that your desire? Because if that’s the case, you are heading in that direction.”

  Ikaria narrowed her eyes, her hand shaking her glass. She wanted to crush the fragile goblet with her violet magic. But no. That would amount to nothing. Restraining herself, she firmly set the goblet down on the dinner table, her face flashing in anger at Ayera. Leaning in to her sister’s ear, she whispered sharply, “I am telling you, someone stole those documents. As I recall, you asked for my help, knowing deep down I would hate every moment doing so.” Ikaria narrowed her eyes in resentment. “But I swallowed my pride, because you are still my blood. And yet I give you warning about a grave issue, and you doubt my words.” Ikaria rose from her seat. Raising her voice, she announced, “Don’t come crawling to my feet asking for my help ever again.”

  A few people surrounding them became terribly interested in their food, while others at the far end of the table didn’t seem to have noticed the exchange. Cyrus looked in her direction, narrowing his eyes. “What is this all about?” he asked, staring at her with annoyance.

  “I am taking my leave, Your Majesty. It seems that Her Majesty cares not for my advice. After all, I am just court sorceress. What do I know?” Ikaria didn’t bother to bow to either one of them. Instead she raised her head high, too proud to give them the respect they were entitled to.

  As Ikaria huffed off, she noticed that Kohren’s seat was vacant. That’s right, fool. You better hide. Go run and tell the High Court of my discovery, Ikaria thought.

  Angrily, Ikaria marched through the citadel corridors, full of scorn and disgust. For a moment, she paused, trying to collect her thoughts. It seemed it was useless trying to convince her sister of anything. To continue would only amount to more frustration on her part. She was done trying.

  No matter, she could just take the situation into her own hands, like she had done with the others. Best to do it now before the book was used by the High Court to destroy more of her power.

  Ikaria called upon her violet magic, power tingling within her thoughts as the magic streamed its way through to her target. Through her power, she entered the target’s mind, careful not to brush his mind abrasively. There was a plethora of doors inside his core being, guarding his innermost thoughts. The doors were both large and small in size; all shut. But there was one door that had a minuscule crack, one that would allow her access.

  Reaching out with her violet force, Ikaria gently tugged at the door. The door didn’t budge. It was stuck.

  If she gave it a yank now, the target would know. She needed some time to work on it gradually, so the target wouldn’t be aware.

  Gifted minds are so damned difficult sometimes, she cursed.

  She suddenly felt a shift in her target’s mind.

  So that’s how it is… Ikaria laughed to herself privately.

  Changing course, Ikaria summoned the invisible magic from the orange power that now resided in her. She glowed her original violet color, then slowly melted away into thin air, making her body unseen.

  Concealed, Ikaria came upon the citadel library, passing the guards on duty outside. Upon entering in secret, Ikaria saw the moonlight shining through the glass ceiling, illuminating the shelves in a blue hue. The orange lamps had not been activated but remained floating in the airspace above the tables.

  Keeping her footsteps as quiet as possible, Ikaria walked to the table where Kohren always sat.

  With a sudden gust of air around her, the room and everything around Ikaria immediately became colored in a blue hue, and a burst of bright blue magic flashed before her. Kohren appeared out of nowhere, knife in one hand, glass vial in the other. Time began to crawl, eventually coming to a complete stop.

  One step ahead of Kohren, Ikaria’s violet magic burst out of her outstretched hand, and she reappeared in full form. With a violent swing of her hand, her violet power paralyzed Kohren’s body and crippled his mind, causing time to return to its normal pace. Kohren attempted to fight her off, struggling to summon his power to aid him once again. Ikaria squeezed his thoughts, suppressing the control he had over his body and his magic. The doors within his mind finally opened. The only control he had was what Ikaria allowed him to have.

  With Kohren’s mind and body compromised, the world returned to its original color. Ikaria could feel him struggling internally. He was utterly shocked his body wouldn’t cooperate. Loud grunts issued from his mouth.

  Removing the knife from his hand, Ikaria caressed it gently, using it to file her nails. Admiring the beauty of the enchanted steel, she turned quickly to face Kohren. “Kohren, Kohren,” she said mockingly. “How gracious of you to honor me with your presence.” Ikaria strutted around his inert body, his face strained from the invasion of his mind. Taking the vial from his other hand, she sighed loudly, throwing it against the hard tiled floor, the fragments scattering everywhere. “Did you really think you could retrieve my blood? I can’t believe the thought even occurred to you.”

  Her magic surged, forcefully squeezing his mind, causing him to yelp in response.

  “Silence!” she hissed. The violet magic obeyed, and his mouth was forced shut. “To think, I was just in the beginning stages of mustering up an elaborate plan for your blood. You have saved me a whole lot of time.”

  Kohren’s face froze in fear.

  Ikaria hoped the guards outside the library hadn’t heard anything. She was relying heavily on Suri to distract the guards, either with her orange magic or with girlish charms. She was so creative, much more than Ikaria. It made Suri a dependable companion in times such as these. “Now, humor me. Where did you misplace those books?” Ikaria shot an explosive bolt of pain through Kohren’s body.

  He let out a muffled cry, arching his back.

  “I will give you one chance to tell me.”

  He stayed silent, his resolve holding strong.

  What an imbecile. With a flash of her finger, Ikaria sent a shockwave of violet magic to him, squeezing his entire body. Crying out once again, his head shook from the pain. His nose started to bleed, pouring down his face.

  “I really don’t have time for this, Kohren,” Ikaria said flatly, looking bored.

  He tried saying something.

  “I can’t hear you. You need to speak more clearly.” She held out her hand, cupping it to his face, and released the hold on his ability to speak. Her nail color caught her eye. The lacquer had a chip on it. How she hated having a chip on her nails.

  “Please, I am just following orders!” he exclaimed breathlessly.

  “Now we are getting somewhere!” Ikaria proclaimed. She stood in front of him, petting his long, soft hair. She coiled it around her fingers, smelling it. A fresh floral scent filled her nose. It was too bad he wasn’t blond. The thought crossed her mind to play with him, as he was still very attractive. But no, she had no time.

  “What are in those missing books that caused the High Court to make a thief out of you?”

  “What do you mean?” he asked in a hoarse whisper.

  “Oh, I know all about you and the High Court. You were sent here by them, years ago. I can smell the high justices’ stench all over you. Now tell me, what was in those books, my lord?”

  Ikaria forced more energy into his body. More blood ran down Kohren’s nose, dripping onto his clothing. The struggle amused her; it was almost pathetic. No magic m
atched the gift of the violet. Especially now that her magic was growing more powerful with each new color of blood.

  With another rush of dark-violet energy forcing its way through the labyrinth of Kohren’s mind, she saw it. The thought of green magic came rushing in.

  “Green magic. I see.” Ikaria hovered over him, then narrowed her eyes. “I knew it!” she spat out.

  His eyes widened in shock as he cursed himself from within his mind. Green magic, one of the colors that no one had heard of or seen in thousands of years.

  “It was in that damn genealogy book, wasn’t it?”

  Kohren remained silent.

  Ikaria shot an immense amount of force into his body, and it shook him violently, sending fresh blood spurting out of his mouth and nose.

  “Yes…”

  “Where are those tomes now?” Ikaria demanded, getting in his face.

  “High… Court… Justice Belinda,” he said, struggling.

  Ikaria flung out her arms, her limbs flexing hard as violet magic shot through his consciousness. Kohren tried to scream, but the magic held back his voice. Pure hot air came out with no sound.

  Just as she thought. Kohren had delivered the most key documents to the High Court. Not only were they somehow sucking away all of the gifted’s magic within World Sector Six and suppressing everyone’s adjacent and analogous colors, but now they were truly after the gift of the green like she suspected.

  They wanted to complete the Spectrum of Magic just like her. Ikaria knew it deep down. Just like how she knew that they were behind the plague. Why else would they be trying to find a green-gifted? And now they had the genealogy of everyone in the history of the earthly courts, documented with their given color, able to pinpoint where a green-gifted was most likely to be. With two high justices sitting on their panel, they had the gift of the blue to scry through time and travel back to find this green-gifted.