I laid the painting back down when my legs sunk onto the bed: exhaustion and hunger arising from the shadows.
My eyelids heavied on the small opening of the window where the paint had fallen off with age. Shy rays of sunshinepeered into the room; their thin lines shone bright in the darkness.
My hand stretched towards the light until my fingers felt the burning warmth. My hand shook from the sensation, yet I dared not to move away. The dust waltzed under the beam. My skin burned.
I waited, and waited until the pain was unbearable, and then some more.
My skin turned the color of a rich burgundy before I moved from the sunshine flame.
My heart raced as I assessed the injury; my lungs filled for the first time sinceshe’dleft me.
I closed my eyes, letting the pain spread through my body, reaching every corner of my mind, until my soul quieted from its cries. The pain felt good. I was broken.
I sat on the bed, my eyes watching the light move inch by inch, until it disappeared and the room had become gloomy once again.
Taking my boots off, I made my way into the sheets that Francis and I had shared that night. His pillow still smelled like jasmine, and I let myself drown in his aroma, hoping it would deter the nightmares that were inevitable companions to my sleep.
Grotesque visions invaded my slumber; the rustle of the cabin overwhelmed my rest, shielding me from the nightmares that patiently awaited my failure—
My eyes flew open at the sound of heavy boots behind the black painted window.
My heart raced before I could register the danger, panic squeezing my chest in its strong fist. My hands reached for the dagger attached to my belt.
The main door to the cabin creaked open as I hurried to my feet, ready for whatever was to come.
Everything in my body rebelled against the impending danger; my mind screamed at me to flee, yet my legs stood frozen, waiting to face the disruption.
After what seemed eternity, the door to the room opened. Caleb stood at the threshold: his hands up in surrender.
My brows furrowed as I pointed my dagger at his chest. The dagger that surely couldn’t stand against Caleb’s skill and the sword—my sword—strapped to his back.
“You stayed.” He broke the growing silence between us.
“What do you want?” I rasped, my voice still hoarse from sleep.
When Caleb didn’t reply I raised the dagger higher: pointing the blade at his exposed neck.
“I—” His jaw flexed before averting his gaze.
“Don’t waste my time.” My fingers tightened around the hilt.
“I need your help.” Caleb sighed. “I know how to deal with Kane and his loyalists.”
The dagger nearly fell from my grasp: surely I was asleep. “Get out.” I rolled my eyes, pointing towards the door with my blade.
“I need your help.” Caleb repeated with the same calmness as before. “Cordelia—”
“Unbelievable,” I hissed. “For years you’ve been betraying the people that loved you, choosing the monster instead, and now you want todealwith him.” I seethed. “And you expectmyhelp after everything you have done to me.” My body trembled as the corners of my vision darkened. “Am I supposed to believe you?”
Caleb staggered backwards. “I am telling you the truth.”
“Supposedly.” I shrugged. “What in the Kingdom do you want from me?”
Hope shone through his eyes when they met mine as though I had already agreed to whatever he would ask of me. “I needthe instructions to create Royal steel.” He started. “Perhaps you know where your mother kept the archives...”
A bright laughter—foreign to my ears—broke through me. “Why in the Kingdom would I tell you?” An odd, unnatural, smile spread across my face. “So you could run to your father and destroy all of us at once? I might be a fool for coming here, but I am not mad, Caleb.” I rolled my eyes. “If that’s all, you should run back to Kane before he starts suspecting your disloyalty.” I choked whenhisname left my lips.
Goosebumps traveled through my skin when Caleb took a step forward. I raised my weapon once again.
