chapter nine
Reclaimed Memories
The images flew past him like flashes of lighting. The gardens with the stone birds stretched before him and the same men offered a parade of taunts until a wave of blue light sent them hurtling to the ground.
Eramus moved, following the course of his memories as though he were reliving them. He turned the corner of the marble wall, crashing into the man with stern eyes. His hands gripped Eramus's shoulders, preventing him from escaping.
His uncle, or so the man claimed, towered over him with a wide smirk. A velvet cape draped over his shoulders and attached to his black tunic with golden plates. His honey brown hair parted neatly to one side, and he smelled of leather and pine.
"Come now, Eramus. You can tell your uncle. It will be our little secret."
"Let me go!"
The man's grip tightened, sending pain down his arms. "Youwilltell me, or I will lock you and your mother in the dungeon. I only desire an answer, Eramus. Do not make me punish her for your disobedience."
Eramus's eyes glazed, and his voice came out as a whisper. "Only a few months."
He shoved Eramus against the wall, and the stone scraped against his head. "That wasn't so difficult, now was it? This power of yours…it's unnatural, a curse upon humanity. But we will put it to good use. Izarden will be stronger than ever before."
"I don't want to help you!"
The man leaned in close, his face inches from Eramus. "I'm not giving you a choice. If you prefer your mother alive, then I suggest you cooperate. Your father may have betrayed his kingdom, but I'm offering you the opportunity to rectify his misdeeds. You should thank me."
"He wasn't the traitor. You are!"
A hard slap left his face stinging. "Those are the words of your mother," the man said, jabbing a finger into Eramus's chest. "If she knows what's best for her, she'll quit filling your head with such nonsense." He grabbed Eramus's chin and forced him to meet his gaze. "Run along now, Eramus. And when I call for you, I expect your compliance. Do I make myself clear?"
Eramus bolted. He entered the large marble structure and darted down corridors, his sense of familiarity growing. Banners of deep purple lined the walls, all bearing the image of a black bird, and the lettersZandIembroidered in their centers.
He clambered up a small flight of stairs and ran to the end of a long hallway. Eramus slammed the door closed behind him before crumbling to the ground and pulling his knees to his chest. His tears flowed without restraint, and his body trembled.
Flowers. The sweet scent filled his nostrils, and his heart calmed with the recognition of her smell. Warm hands pulled him in close, and he leaned against his mother as her arms encompassed him. Rubbing his back, she cooed, her voice easing his sobs.
"What is it, my love? Tell me what's wrong."
"He knows," Eramus answered between sniffles. "Uncle Sytal knows."
For several moments, she stayed quiet. When she finally spoke, her arms tightened around him, and her voice cracked. "Are you certain?"
Eramus nodded. "He says I have to do what he tells me or he'll punish you…lock us in the dungeon." He pulled away from her and stared up into her warm amber eyes. "I hate him. He's a monster and…and I don't want to hurt other people. What if he makes me?"
His mother tilted her head, tears rolling over her cheeks. She wiped his with the back of her hand. "I won't let that happen. I promise. Your uncle will not control you. I'm going to make sure of it."
Eramus shook his head. "He'll hurt you—"
"Don't you worry about me," she said, patting his cheek with her hand. "Your father and I knew this day would come. We have a plan." She sighed and turned towards the window on the opposite side of the room. "I just hoped for more time. Zeeran was nearly ten before…it doesn't matter. All you need to know is that everything is going to be all right."
A soft knock made him flinch. "Come in," said his mother, her tone calm and even.
A young woman with golden brown hair peeked around the door. Her forehead furrowed when her gaze found them sitting on the floor. "Forgive me for intruding, Princess. Did you want to take tea this afternoon?"
His mother shook her head. "No, Irena, but your timing is perfect. I need your help."
Irena entered the room and closed the door, drawing her brows tighter together. "Your Highness?"
Eramus glanced at his mother. The sadness in her eyes made his heart ache. "I need you to take Eramus away from Izarden," she whispered. "I need you to keep him safe."
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