The Light Unleashed Page 4

  I give her a hug. “You’ll always be my mother. That’s where you fit. With me. Helping me sort all this out.”

  She squeezes me back. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted.” After a moment more, she pushes away. “Now,” her tone is like it used to be back home, “you need to rest before dinner.”

  I start to protest, but she cuts me off with a glare.

  “Don’t argue with me. You haven’t slept a full night in two weeks. You may as well take advantage of the storm because once it’s over and the full Assembly arrives, things will move very fast.” She turns to Quinn and Noam. “If you’ll excuse us, gentlemen.”

  They bow as my mother herds me down the stairs. We don’t speak as we walk through the hallways, but she starts up again as soon as the door to my chambers shuts behind us.

  “Do you have something you want to tell me?”

  I look around the room, thinking she must be talking to someone else.

  “Don’t play coy with me, young lady. I saw you and that boy whispering together. What are you up to?”

  “Nothing.” I feign distraction when Tamra enters. “Can you unlace me? Lady Kennis says I have to take a nap.”

  Tamra hurries to follow me into my bed chamber.

  Kennis trails after us. “I’ll attend the queen. You may go.”

  Tamra’s eyes widen, unsure of who to obey. I take pity on her. “Go ahead. You can’t stop Lady Kennis when she’s like this.”

  The maid curtsies before leaving. My mother unties the laces at my neck. “What were you two talking about?”

  “Mostly about Kyran.”

  She pauses for a moment, then resumes her efforts. “What about him?”

  “Josh was just curious about him, is all.”

  Her fingers stop again, but this time she lowers her arms and takes a step away from me. She’s giving me a curious stare when I turn around to see what’s wrong.

  “What is it?”

  Her eyes watch me closely. “You called him Josh.”

  My insides go cold. “I did?”

  She nods.

  I try to shrug off my mistake. “They look so much alike. Only Josh was taller.”

  My mom’s expression grows stern. “You’re not looking to turn Noam into some kind of replacement for Josh, are you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re not leading this young man on because he reminds you of Josh? Because that wouldn’t be fair to him.”

  My temper flares. “Thanks for thinking I’m that shallow.”

  Her face softens. “I don’t think you’re shallow. I think you miss your friend.”

  “I was friends with Noam before Josh—” My throat closes up.

  “Died?”

  “Was murdered,” I snap back. “Yes, Noam reminds me of Josh. Yes, he’s my friend. But that’s where the similarities end.” I turn away from her. “No one will ever replace Josh.”

  She resumes the business of untying my gown. “I’m sorry.”

  I don’t know if she means for questioning my relationship with Noam or about the whole situation in general. I’m too tired to ask.

  Mom slips the dress from my shoulders. I step out of the folds of fabric then jump under the bedcovers as my arms break out in goose pimples.

  She smooths the blankets over me before leaning down to kiss my forehead. “Are we okay?”

  I nod. “Yeah. We’re okay.”

  “Good.” Mom kisses me again. “Sleep well.”

  When she finally closes the door to my bedchamber, I can barely contain my excitement. I hadn’t thought I could let my consciousness leave the palace walls but now I can be free again from confinement. At least for a few minutes. And I can find Tegan. It’s been less than a month since we said goodbye in the Elder Lands. Shared a final kiss. So much happened since then, from being crowned queen to losing Josh. To see Tegan again. To know he’d gotten home safe. That would do a lot to heal my heart.

  I force myself to relax so that my spirit can separate from my physical body. It takes a little longer than usual before I feel the familiar tug and my consciousness floats above my bed. Focusing all of my thoughts toward Tegan, I find myself racing through the castle ceiling and out into the storm. I have no sensation of flight since I have no skin to sense the wind. No need for a coat even as I travel through the blizzard. It is only my soul that soars, through the snow, above the trees, seeking. Searching. Longing to see Tegan again.

  My memory draws me toward the mountains where we’d traveled together to the Brethren, but he’s not there. The snow weighs heavy on the branches, bowing them low to the ground. I sense the silence of the storm. I swoop down the steep incline toward the plains below, remembering the arduous climb up the mountains only a few months ago. When Tegan had risked his life to bring me to the Sanctuary. The first night we’d kissed under a brilliant swath of stars.

  By the time I reach the plains, the snow has eased. A flat, yellow sun struggles to break through the gray clouds. Although my sense of direction has always been terrible, I find myself returning to Tegan’s home. If I’d come to it in my physical body, my stomach would have dropped. But somehow panic can set in even without nerves and synapses.

  The stone house lies in ruins. Blackened remnants of the collapsed thatched roof poke through the snow on the ground. The barn where I first met Tegan’s mother, Treasa, no longer exists. Whatever remains of it lies buried beneath the winter storm. I know Braedon and his Black Guards have done this, but I pray they didn’t find Tegan and his family. Turning away from the ruins, I concentrate all my energy on Tegan alone. I look for the cord that I know binds us together as it binds all those who love each other. It’s easier to do when I am in my body, but I finally see it. A silver spider web trembles out into the darkness. I follow it, not racing this time, but slowly, so I don’t lose sight of the fragile thread. My spirit weaves through the trees, over frozen streams and plains of untouched snow that glisten in the sunset as if laced with diamonds.

  I have no sense of how far or long I have traveled before I spy several tendrils of smoke rising up from mountains ahead.

  It is a city, carved from rock, spilling out from the cliffs above it to flow down to the foothills. Unlike the earth-colored stones of the palace at Uz, these are white, cold marble. There is no warmth here.

  I know from past experience that although I am invisible to most people, some of the Mystics are able to see me. I approach the city cautiously, trying to drift behind walls or in shadows as I follow the shimmering thread to Tegan. It disappears into the barricade surrounding one of the tallest buildings. Spires thrust upward from the stone walls like spears trying to pierce the gray sky. I’m guessing it’s Braedon’s father, Lord Donagh’s, castle. If Tegan is inside, he is probably being held prisoner. Flames from a fire pit illuminate a guardhouse some ten yards from me. I hope neither of the men inside are Ovates, trained in seeking the spiritual realm, or I’ll be spotted as I make my way over the wall.

  My luck holds and I pick up the cord again on the other side without anyone raising an alarm. I make my way to the castle door.

  My spirit is repelled from the wood as if we’re opposing magnets.

  I take a look around the courtyard, making sure no Mystics are casting spells to stop me, then try again.

  Again, I am hurled back from the wood. I try the stone wall next but it has the same effect. If I had a physical body, I would cry.

  To be so close to him. To know he is inside these walls, probably being tortured. My spirit fist pounds on the door only to bounce off it as if it were rubber. How could something block a person without flesh and blood?

  I float all around the castle looking for an area that isn’t protected by the Mystics’ magic but can find nothing. Inside my head I scream.

  Within seconds my body and consciousness reunite with jarring force, the scream still on my lips. I grab a pillow and stuff it to my lips so I can yell again and not be heard. It does no good.

  Som
eone knocks on the door. “Your Majesty?”

  Tamra.

  I punch the pillow before answering. “Just a dream. I’m fine.”

  “Can I get you something? Should I send for Lady Kennis?”

  “No. I’m fine, thank you.” I listen for her footsteps but don’t hear any. “Go away, Tamra.”

  There’s a faint sigh before she shuffles back to her room.

  I wrap myself in a blanket then pace around my bed. How can I help Tegan? What is Braedon doing to him?

  I stop as a new thought hits me. What does Braedon want? If it’s to hurt me, why hasn’t he told me Tegan is his prisoner?

  I climb back under the covers of my bed and stare at the canopy above me. Lord Braedon always has a plan. He’s already killed Josh out of revenge for my besting him. I doubt he’ll kill Tegan without it serving a bigger purpose than to cause me pain.

  I roll to my side and close my eyes. I already sold my life away once to free him. What will Braedon want this time?

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Foster Fortitude

  The following afternoon, Simon has me translating more Latin, only this time it’s agreements I’ve signed. What I want is a moment to talk with Noam about Tegan, but we’re not allowed to be alone, and my mother is in hovering mode today. I stifle a yawn. It’s the third or fourth in the last five minutes. Poor Simon follows every one with a yawn of his own. Even Noam, who sits at the other end of the table reading a book, is forced to yawn with me. Only my mother seems immune. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t notice.

  Her eyes narrow as she studies me. “You told me you slept through the night, even with the rest you took yesterday.”

  I’m saved from answering her when Geran enters the library. My father frowns when he sees the parchment in front of me. What’s the old saying? If looks could kill? If they could, Simon would be a goner because my father loathes the idea of a woman learning to read. Geran’s mouth twitches a moment before he surveys the rest of the room. He approaches Kennis.

  “My lady, I would like to speak with you a moment.”

  She pales. “Of course.”

  My father’s countenance is all business. “Would you mind accompanying me to one of the other sitting rooms? There is a matter I would like to discuss.”

  I stand as my mother does. “What’s this about?”

  He doesn’t meet my eyes. “Nothing that concerns you, for the moment.”

  “Mom?”

  At this, Geran flinches. He doesn’t like me referring to Kennis as my mother, but it’s a habit I can’t, and won’t, break.

  She gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t work too hard.”

  For the hundredth time, I wish I could read her mind, but she has no Elder blood so I can’t. I whisper before she pulls away. “Do you know what this is about?”

  “I have some suspicions,” she whispers back. I give her my are you going to tell me look, but she shakes her head. “We’ll have a lot to talk about later, I’m sure.” She lifts her eyes to Simon. “Do you mind being a chaperone?”

  His round face beams. “Of course not.”

  Once Geran and Kennis have gone, I roll up the parchment. “This is stupid. I can’t concentrate.”

  Noam puts his book back on the shelf. “Shall we go for a walk?”

  “Nothing else to do.”

  We wait for Simon to put his things together then head out the door.

  Once we get a few yards ahead of Simon, I risk speaking softly to Noam. “I need help.”

  He gives me a small grin. “I take it you were able to find Tegan?”

  “Kind of.” I’m not sure of our chaperone’s hearing, so I keep my voice low. “I followed the cord that binds us together but—”

  “Cord?”

  “I see these strings of light. They connect me to the people I care about.”

  “Truly?”

  I nod.

  “I have never heard anyone else describe that before.”

  We turn a corner. The hallway ahead is empty. “I followed the cord that ties me to Tegan, only I couldn’t reach him.”

  “Why not?”

  “It stopped outside some castle cut out of stone.”

  Noam hesitates. “Stone?”

  “It looked like a whole city had been carved from a mountain.”

  “Siddu Morrigan.” He growls under his breath. “It is a place of evil. The most powerful city of the Mystics.”

  “They’ve put bindings around the castle so I couldn’t get through. But I know Tegan’s inside. Probably in the dungeon.” I try hard not to raise my voice in fear. “He’s probably being tortured.”

  Noam doesn’t attempt to convince me otherwise.

  “Is there anyone you know who could find out why they’re holding him? I kept traveling to it last night, but there was no way to get inside. What do you think Braedon wants with him?”

  “Probably to cause you pain.”

  “I thought that too, at first. But Braedon hasn’t told me he has Tegan. If this was about hurting me, I’m sure he would have said something by now.”

  “What else could it be? You haven’t told the boy anything about your plans for the kingdom, have you?”

  “I wasn’t even queen last time I saw him. I had no plans.” We’ve made a complete circle in the hallways. I stare at the library door with dread.

  “I will do what I can to find out about your friend. But Elders are not allowed access to Siddu Morrigan.”

  Simon comes up from behind us. “Are you ready for more studying?”

  Two Elders now sit at the library table’s far end, several books and parchments spread between them. The older of the two raises an eyebrow when Simon sets another parchment in front of me. As they can be chaperones, Noam excuses himself. I say a short prayer that my friend can find someone to help me find Tegan as I sit down at the library’s long center table.

  My tutor flattens the parchment out to make it easier to read. “This is the contract you signed with the Blacksmiths’ Guild of Cyrene.”

  I let out a sigh then start translating. At least it helps to keep my mind occupied.

  The candles on the library table have melted to stubs by the time Tamra knocks on the door to remind me to dress for dinner. I’m surprised my mother didn’t interrupt us earlier and persuade me to take a nap. She’s not in my rooms when Tamra and I get back either. She normally likes to make sure I’m presentable for dinner.

  “Have you seen Lady Kennis this afternoon?”

  “No, my lady.” Tamra places a bowl of water and a towel in front of me so I can wash up. I notice she doesn’t look at me as she takes the bowl away, or as she helps me change my gown. Even when she brings over the brush to re-do my hair, she averts her eyes.

  “What are you hiding?” I ask as she pulls the pins from my braids.

  Tamra starts humming a tune as if she didn’t hear me.

  I turn to face her. “All right, out with it. What do you know about Kennis?”

  “I have not seen her this afternoon. I promise you.”

  I don’t have to be a mind reader to know she’s keeping something from me. Something she knows I won’t like by the way her hands are trembling. I wait for her to run the brush through my hair before I concentrate on her thoughts. I’m still new at this, and it’s always easier when the other person wants to speak with me this way, so it takes a minute before the image takes form in my head. It’s of Reesa, the small, dark maid, talking with Tamra in the hallway outside Kennis’ room.

  “She’s beside herself with grief.”

  “But Devnet is a good man, a gifted Elder.” I hear Tamra’s voice as if I’m in her head. “I can’t understand her tears.”

  Reesa appears to be ready to cry herself. “She won’t say. I asked if I should fetch the queen and she told me no. But I fear this marriage will break Lady Kennis’ heart. Something must be done.”

  I pull myself out of the vision with a gasp. Marriage? It takes me a moment to assemble
the pieces. With Devnet? Is that what Geran wanted to talk to her about today? What was my father thinking? I swear under my breath.

  Tamra stops brushing. “Did I hurt you?”

  “No.” When is Geran going to stop running other people’s lives? Especially my mother’s? What gives him the right? “Do me a favor? Let’s keep it simple tonight. I’d like to get down to the dining room as soon as possible.”

  “Of course.” Her nimble fingers wind my hair into a fishtail braid in a matter of minutes. I stand up as soon as she ties the end with a ribbon to keep it from falling out. “There you are, my lady, would you like a—” Her eyes widen when she catches a glimpse at my face. “Are you well?”

  “Just ducky.”

  Tamra picks up a shawl she’d draped over one of the chairs. “Would you like a wrap to keep off the chill?”

  I bark out a laugh. “That won’t be necessary, I’m hot enough already.”

  Seething, I storm from the room and play out scenarios in my head of me screaming at Geran and knocking him down a few pegs. I know that’s not the best course of action, but it sure feels good to imagine it as I hurry down the stairway and through the hallway to the dining room. The candelabras cast a pale gold light throughout the room. Geran and Devnet are already seated, talking with Noam.

  Before I can say anything, Maris arrives with Quinn. My grandmother’s white hair is twisted into a bun at the back of her neck. Her bright blue eyes scan the room. “Are we the last to arrive?”

  “No.” I glance toward Geran. “My mother isn’t here yet.”

  Geran’s lips harden into a thin line.

  Maris takes a seat across from him but she looks at me. “Did she not come down with you?”

  “No.”

  My father coughs. “She told me to make her excuses. She was not hungry.”

  “Really?” I make my way to the head of the table. “I wonder why.”

  Once I’m seated, the servants bring out several trays. I wait for Geran to bless the food then struggle not to launch a slice of meat at him from the platter a servant holds. I thwack a spoon with rice onto my plate several times so it echoes in the room. “I haven’t seen her since you spoke with her this afternoon. What was that about, anyway?”