“How do you know so much about it?”
“I used to come here a lot.” He began grabbing one of the branches and pulling off a handful of pine needles, picking at them until he threw the lot to the ground. “After my parents died, there was little I wouldn't do to see them again. And here, I was able to.” He gestured out at the forest.
“But I never saw a woman with white hair die before.”
“You don't need to know them. It's not your memories. It's theirs.” He drew a long breath. “Let's get going. We're going to miss the feast.” He looked back so longingly, I wondered if he was trying to spur my pity.
“You go on, I'll be back soon.” I encouraged him with a waving wrist.
“I already told you. I need to bring you back. It's not safe for you to be by yourself. When you're with one of us, you're safe, but alone, you may attract another kidnapper. Even the Shades may not leave you alone.”
I gave a concerned glance out at the forest and Keiran laughed behind me.
“I'm kidding. As far as we know, they are unable to interact with the physical realm. All Shades have died.”
“But I saw my mother,” I said, almost to myself. Keiran's face dropped. “That's impossible. I left less than a month ago. How would my mother be dead?”
I stormed up to him, wishing I had a sword instead of a dress. I needed to know the truth. His eyes widened, but I pushed past him, not knowing where I'd run to next.
“Elara! Wait!” Keiran said from behind me.
Tears blurred my vision as I picked up the dress and ran as fast as I could. I crashed into something in the clouds of Shadow. Demetri.
“What do you mean my mother's dead?” I yelled at Demetri. Tears streamed freely down my face.
He held my shoulders, pinning my arms down. “Keiran, what happened?” I didn't hear a response, but Demetri pulled me into a hug. I cried into his chest.
When my tears began to ween, I pushed myself away from him. “What's going on? What are you not telling me?”
“Elara...” He began. “I've told you before. Time works differently here. We're getting you home as quickly as we can.”
My mother's dark gray locks filtered through my mind. “How long have I been here?” I demanded. The two of them remained silent, staring at me cautiously, as though I might explode. I repeated my question, refusing to let this go. Refusing to let these Stalkers steal any more of my life. Finally, Demetri spoke.
“To the Upperworld, you've been gone decades.”
24
My stomach dropped as though I had fallen down the Pits once again. Everything I had known had long passed. Everyone I had known would have forgotten about me.
My tone shifted from angry to horrified. “Decades?” My eyes grew wide, tears streaming down my face as I realized everyone in the Upperworld thought I was dead. My life in Akeldama was gone—had been gone for years.
“It's a few decades.” Keiran was saying. “We've been down here for almost a hundred.”
“You're not immortal,” I said the statement aloud, foolishly letting the words roll off my tongue. They looked at me like I was crazy. I turned and bolted back to the castle.
Celebrations were in full swing. Hundreds of people sat around tables set up in the great hall. I ran straight to Gwen, her purple hair easy to spot in a crowded room.
“Take me home now!” I yelled, too loudly. The room hushed and turned to the commotion.
“Elara, what's wrong?” Gwen asked, pulling me aside, away from the center of the room.
“You've kept me here for dozens of Tides, that's what! Now, take me home like you promised!”
Demetri and Keiran ran into the Great Hall, slowing their run to a regal walk as they garnered the attention of the room. The Prince nodded to several onlookers, who bowed with easy smiles. By the time he reached us, the music had picked up again.
“We've been trying to get you home as quickly as we could, Elara,” Demetri said, reaching out to touch me. I jerked my arm away. “Time ebbs and flows here, the Gate opens tomorrow, and we will take you back to Krev.”
The blossoms surrounding me provided a level of comfort. It smelled of floral and citrus...and mystery. A colorful glow shattered against the manicured grass and a peaceful hum of unseen critters.
The fancy dress was long gone, replaced with black cloth and leather boots. My fingers grazed over the glowing pommel of my sword.
I looked out at the starlight and knew I could not leave with such anger. What difference did it make if I was gone for a couple Tides or dozens? What hurt the most is knowing that I had not been missed. Who would miss a runt?
The crack of a twig brought my eyes to the figure in the Shadow of a hedge. “Sorry,” Demetri said. “I didn't want to intrude on your privacy.”
“It's your garden.” I stood up from the stone bench. “You may do as you please, Prince.” I gave him a nod, turning to the path back to the castle.
“Elara, wait.” My feet stopped moving, though I couldn't bare to face him. “I don't want our last time together to be like this.”
I frowned. I didn't want to leave on such bad terms, either. He Shaded in front of me in the blink of an eye. His hand met my cheek, his thumb caressing my face as I met his dark eyes. How could I have ever seen them as dark pits of nothingness? They were the vast endlessness of the stars. They were passionate and fiery. Dark and mysterious.
I gave a small nod as he withdrew his sword. My lips upturned and I pulled out mine.
Our swords clashed, and we flew into an effortless dance, so familiar with the style and technique of the other.
He Shaded and I spun around, charging toward him. He blocked easily, forcing the top half of my blade down and twisting my arm. My blade twisted around his.
He Shaded again, and when I twirled to find him, his lips met mine, wrapping his free hand around the back of my neck and pulling me closer to him as he deepened the kiss.
When we finally pulled apart, he spoke, “I'm going to miss you, little Red.”
The castle became a pinprick in the distance. Zander and Demetri led the way. Gwen and Keiran flanked either side of me and Thana walked far behind the rest of us. Gwen gave me a sidelong glance, her face scrunched up in confusion. After the tenth look, she voiced her opinions.
“You're too good to be a Red. Why would you want to go back to those murderers?”
Before I could respond, Keiran spoke, “She doesn't have a choice. A deal's a deal. She'll go up there and become Queen. Maybe she'll end the war, maybe she won't. A Red's promise is about as good as putting your head in a hydra's mouth and asking it not to chew.” Demetri turned around, walking backward for a few steps, watching the interaction. Keiran threw his hands up defensively before turning to me and apologizing.
We reached the Gate. An archway of dark stone around the rim. Light flooded in. Real sunlight. My eyes closed, temporarily blinded. I stood in the light, waiting to feel the warmth, but it never came.
When I could finally see, a glimmer reflected in the air at the entrance to the tunnel. The Gate had not opened yet. Though it seemed perfectly clear, a slight sheen caught in the light. Like glass.
The rays of sunlight morphed, carrying a pink hue. The glimmer disappeared, and I walked forward with everyone. When I stood in front of the Gate, I stopped, reaching my hand forward and finding the air thick. I glanced over as Demetri stepped through. I followed him forward, pushing myself through the invisible barrier. The air was thick like water, making it hard to breathe.
When I reached the other side, I gulped in the air. Heat radiated from the indirect light. The long tunnel rose upward, a ramp to the surface. With a new surge of energy, I charged up, taking the lead and reaching the surface first. Craving the sunlight against my skin.
Charred remains of a castle burnt long ago stood before me. The darkening pink skies of Bloodtide and the desolation reminded me of Taroth. The stone bricks had fallen into ruin, leaving interior stairs exposed, leading t
o the decayed upper floors.
Demetri led the way, glancing back occasionally to check on us. He paused, putting his finger to his lips as we reached the top of the steps and looked out over the desert. “We need to keep quiet. They still search out here.”
“What is this place?” I asked.
Demetri waved his hand, gesturing me closer to look properly. I pressed through the others until I stood next to him. The sea shone on the horizon, the hint of dark cliffs. But nobody looked out to the water. I inhaled, a familiar scent lost to my memory.
I gasped. The Wall stood in the distance, Akeldama hidden by a light sandstorm. But I knew the palace would be visible on a clear day, standing tall and proud on the hill, protected by its many layers of the Wall. The red desert expanded forever, wrapping me in its comforting arms. The sun warmed my skin and I breathed in the hot air, feeling cleansed. Though the Stygian bird on Zander's shoulder cringed at the bright light from and flew toward a sliver of Shadow near us.
I glanced back around me at the ruined castle. Burnt to a crisp. A flag pole stood barren, no colors to claim the fortress. Loose rock, decaying from years of neglect. Large pieces of stone littered the ground, the outer wall shattered by catapults.
“This used to be part of Astrea,” Demetri said, his voice held an airy mist of forgotten sadness.
“What happened here?” I couldn't help but ask, though the pain on their faces showed clearly.
Keiran scoffed. “Didn't they teach you?” He jerked his head toward Akeldama.
Thana spoke, silencing any outburst. “We were ambushed by the armies of Krev. Forced to fight for our lives in the middle of the day. At high sun, almost no Shadow exists. Some fled to the Underworld. But those who stayed to fight were slaughtered.”
“And then they burnt our cities to the ground. To ensure our extinction, to scrub our existence from the lands,” Keiran finished, vitriol laden.
“I'm sorry.” The words escaped my lips, pained that the demise of Astrea had been the rise of the Fifth Throne of Akeldama.
“It's not your fault,” Gwen said, placing her arm on mine. “It was a thousand years ago.”
“Regardless who holds fault, it is our generation that must deal with the consequences,” Keiran continued.
“Shh!” Zander's arm shot into the air, prompting us to crouch low, barely hidden by the ruins. His finger pointed out to the desert.
A patrol moved along the perimeter of the charred castle. The horses walked slowly, the riders disinterested.
“They've been picking off the stranglers for centuries,” Keiran growled.
I grimaced at the thought, looking toward the Wall. Murderers.
A month ago, I never understood this death. In Krev, the weak died, and the strong lived. A death in battle brought honor, not sadness. A peaceful death brought shame. But there were very few who could face a Red in hand-to-hand combat and win. When Krev invaded, those who defended their towns would have been killed for the dishonor of surrender. They were no better than a runt in the eyes of Krev.
I glanced to Demetri. He had a reputation in Krev as the deadliest man alive. But he had barely seen twenty Tides. He was not immortal.
I eyed the patrol, rounding a bit too close to us. Zander surveyed escape routes behind us, army crawling along the blackened stones. Demetri put his hand on my shoulder, pushing me lower to hide. But my curiosity lifted my eyes higher.
At the head of the patrol, in his crimson Captain's uniform, a copper haired man rode an elegant brown war horse. His decorations and medals glistening in the sun.
“Anten.” I spoke his name aloud, receiving confused looks. “He's my best friend,” I explained.
“He was your best friend.” Zander interjected.
My head shook instinctively. “He's still my best friend. I will go to meet him.”
Demetri grabbed my arm before I could stand. “No. It's too risky. You may expose us all.”
I wrenched myself out of his grasp, more aggressively than I needed to. “I'm going.” I stood up. Everyone looked to me with wide eyes. I was in clear view of the patrol, the sun beaming down onto me, though, they did not notice. They continued along their route, so close I could see Anten's thick beard. Clearly, finding someone here was rare.
“Elara!” Zander whispered. “Please, think about this. You can see him when you get back to Akeldama.”
I shook my head, “I will not put you at risk, but I must go.” I trudged forward with a new confidence, heading back down the stairs to make it to the outskirts of the castle.
“Do not mention us! Don't tell them we're here,” Zander whispered hoarsely after me.
I glanced back. Disappointment on Demetri's face, and sadness on Gwen's. How could I leave without saying goodbye?
But before I could turn back, the yells of the patrol sounded. A horn blew. I had been spotted. I jogged away from the others, determined to keep my promise.
I met the patrol by a lone watch tower just outside of the charred castle. I waved my hand at them, my heartbeat pounded as I looked back up at the castle for a moment, wondering if any heads would pop up to see me off.
“Whoa!” Anten said, pulling his horse to a stop. He sat high, the sun on the horizon behind him like a silhouetted war statue. “What are you doing out this far? Going past the Wall is restricted, runt.” He jerked his hand, and he hopped off his horse, followed by two others within the patrol. “Must be a runaway. Let's get her back to the fields.”
Anten halted when he looked to me, met my eyes. He threw his arm up and the two guards behind him stopped in their tracks.
“Elara?”
I smiled, gazing at his face. The sun had roughened his skin and lightened his hair, while his thick beard covered his once charming grin.
“You've changed so much,” I managed to say.
His eyes moved to the castle. “How long have you been here? How did you get out of the catacombs?”
My heart stopped. I hadn't prepared for this, and I remained silent, unsure how to answer without giving away my friends.
His eye brow and mouth twisted uncomfortably as he looked me over. “You look as though you have not aged a day. Is this your gift?” He shook his head, as though he hadn't meant to say it aloud. “Come, we must get you back to the palace, Elara.”
He wrapped his arm around me, meaning to give me comfort. But all I felt was dread as he guided me to his horse, telling me of the dangerous Stalkers that lurked when the sun set.
“I can handle myself,” I said, sick of being treated like a lamb led to slaughter.
“Elara, the Stalkers roam readily here. Have you encountered them?” His voice turned into a suspicious whisper. His eyes beadily scanning over the charred ruins. “Have they kidnapped you? Are they planning an ambush?”
I shook my head with a little too much force. “No.”
“Come, Elara, the Queen will want to hear this news immediately.” He gestured me to the horse, but my heels slammed into the sand.
The Queen.
In my horrified moment, two guards heaved me onto Anten's horse, and he saddled it behind me, imprisoning me in his arms. I gave one last solemn glance back to my friends hidden in the Shadow.
“Cresk,” Anten said, turning the horse back to the other guards. “Finish the route and do a full search of the territory. I will return the civilian.”
My heart dropped into my stomach. Would the others be caught? Had I revealed them as they said I would? How could I be so naive? Had I forgotten I was a nobody here? Had I been so fooled into believing Gwen's prophecy when I was destined to work in the fields with the rest of the runts?
Anten pressed his heels into the horse, bringing it to a steady trot on the sand. His cheeks moved as he noticed my stare. With the beard, it was hard to tell what kind of smile it was. He was different. Larger, stronger, and despite his burning skin pressed against me, he was colder.
“Bryony has taken the Throne?” I asked, trying to draw attention awa
y from myself.
“Queen Bryony has made Krev stronger than ever. Our lands are expanding once more under Her Majesty.” I could hear the propaganda in his words. “But enough of that. I suggest you begin by telling me what you've been up to these past years.”
I spoke quickly, trying to make up a believable lie as I went along. “After I fell into the Pits, I ended up running through miles of tunnels. And the next thing I knew, I'm walking out of that charred castle.”
There was a long silence and I couldn't bring myself to look at him, wondering if some small feature would give me away. The chilling response came.
“Then where did that sword come from.” It was not a question. It was an accusation.
25
Akeldama came into sight hours later. The shouts of a thousand men and women carried through the air. The boredom before battle ailed the soldiers, and they fought each other, aiming to improve their skill and wow their comrades before the coming battles.
“We are in a war?” I asked.
“Aren't we always?” Anten laughed and it scrapped against my ears like metal on stone. “Lythe isn't prepared for our new formations though. No need to worry.”
“Lythe? But we've been at peace for centuries.” I shook my head, wondering what would prompt the armies of Krev to fight an unbeatable enemy, one who would see their actions before they even thought them. The Kingdom of Dreams.
“They say we're encroaching, we say they've expanded into our territory. It's a tale as old as time.” He chuckled again.
We rode through the town, and though nothing had changed, the air felt dry. I breathed in the dirt that the horse kicked up. The palace appeared before us and the horse trotted right to the stairs. Anten dismounted and handed off the reins to another attendant, holding my arm, as though I might disappear again.
“We'll have Ligeia check you out—” He began.
I snatched my arm from his. “I'm fine, thank you.”
Shadow and Starlight Page 14
