So she asked the obvious, less threatening question. “And you believe the Shadowblood’s Blade will be different? That it can overcome the curse? What if it hurts you too?”
He exhaled slowly. “The Blade holds the balance of Light and Shadow. It stands to reason that it can undo what they create. And if I’m wrong…” he huffed, humorless. “Then I’ll hold on until it kills me.”
Asterious clicked his tongue and nudged his horse into a trot without leaving room for a response, just as the grand towers of the castle came into view. Caramyn kept her slow pace, letting him go on ahead, and welcomed the scent of the flowering bright gold forest that was beginning to tarnish into shades of bronze and amber. She imagined what it might look like in a few more weeks, when the full fiery colors of autumn would contrast against the glimmering teal sea in the distance. She breathed in the fresh air, letting it cleanse her lungs of the smoke and death they’d left behind, trying to push away the vision in her head of the rest of this beautiful realm being turned to ash.
23
Mirrors
Caramyn
When morning came the next day, she saw new hope in the rays of dawn that glistened through the open window and remainders of broken glass that still lingered. Instead of her usual studies in the library, she wanted to do something that would lighten her spirits after the bleak visit to Misthelm, and perhaps give her some clarity on what she should do now that she knew Asterious was telling the truth—at least part of it. She didn’t wait for Azell to bring her breakfast before slipping on her shoes and heading out the door. It surprised her to see Tyrios posted at the bottom of the stairway standing guard, but she still greeted him with a nod and he returned the favor.
Her steps quickened as she swept her hair back over her shoulders, tying it up in a loose braid that she was sure wouldn't last the day. Though she was grateful Azell had finally found her a few more pairs of pants, she was starting to find the flowing skirts and elegant dresses to be rather flattering and lovely. She'd chosen a fascinating dress the deep shade of orchids, that cinched lightly at her middle, then fell away in a fluid cascade that brushed her ankles. The off-shoulder neckline that gave way to sleeves of intricate lace with winding patterns perfect for blending in with the Shadow markings across her arms, hiding them in plain sight beneath the sheer fabric.
She heard noises in the castle as she neared the kitchen. Through an open doorway in the distance, she saw a group of men eating and joking. She recognized Rivne, Gariel, and Wryan, but didn’t see the prince. She was grateful that none of them looked her way. There was a lively warmth about the castle in the morning that wasn’t present in the night hours.
She scurried to the grand doors of the castle, eager to get outside into the fresh air. The cool morning breeze that swept across her face greeted her like an old friend, and made her huddle further into her cloak. Making her way to the stables, her heart swelled at the thought of seeing Frasya, and the idea of learning to communicate with her as a friend instead of merely a beast of burden. She silently hoped Terrin would be there to show her where to start.
To her delight, he was. She found him mucking out the stall of a sturdy bay gelding. He greeted her with a wave and a confused look.
“Don’t worry. I'm not here to run away.” She reassured him. “Asterious lightened my sentence. I’m allowed here.”
The young stablemaster simply smirked and returned to raking the muck and straw on the stall floor. Caramyn walked to Frasya’s stall only to find it empty.
“Where is she?”
Terrin stopped and looked up. He pointed towards the door of the stables.
“Outside?”
Terrin placed his pitchfork against the stall wall and approached Caramyn. Taking her hand, he led her back out. He took her outside the wall to the north facing side of the castle and gestured outward. She peered out at the landscape to see the hillside dotted with a handful of horses grazing contently, her familiar dappled grey mare standing out amongst the others.
“May I visit her?”
The young stable master held out an open hand, as if to say “of course.” Caramyn smiled, but then a twinge of something sinister ran down her spine, as she remembered that the last time she’d ventured that far from the castle, she was nearly torn to pieces by the monster wolf. But perhaps it would be different in the daytime. She hoped it would, at least.
Before she could walk away, a shrill whistle called her attention back to Terrin. He pointed at the horses in the distance, then back at his chest, tapping his heart with his fingers, then lastly pointed at Caramyn. There were a million things he could’ve meant by that, but Caramyn decided to smile and nod without thinking too hard about it.
As she crossed the fields, she ran her fingers along the tall autumn grasses that were clinging to their last tinge of green before winter absorbed their life. Nearing the horses, the mare lifted her graceful head from the ground where she nibbled and perked her ears toward Caramyn.
“Hello, friend,” she uttered softly, holding out a hand.
The mare took a step forward, pushing her velvet muzzle against her open palm. Caramyn’s lips widened into a grin. She was so amazed by the animal that she hadn’t heard the footsteps behind her.
“I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen you smile.”
Caramyn’s grin quickly faded and morphed into a puckered scowl as she twisted around to face the prince. Refusing to meet his gaze, she turned back toward the horse, who’d resumed grazing.
“Am I still so terrible that I only deserve your silence?” The prince’s voice was soft and light. She almost pitied him, but she quickly hardened her heart and reminded herself to keep it barricaded.
“Well, if you’re not going to talk to me,” he began, “they will.” He clicked his tongue. Within seconds the four horses in the field came trotting over. “Morning, ladies.” He addressed the horses, Caramyn realizing they were all mares.
She stood her ground, watching the animals prance in a circle around the prince as if he was a ringleader. One bay mare with a white blaze stopped and put her nose against the prince’s cheek. He laughed and playfully pushed her away as she nibbled at his jaw scruff. “The Vaerwynd believed a horse and rider’s hearts are linked.” Asterious said, looking at Caramyn through shining eyes. “They reveal things about us we don’t even realize about ourselves. They're like mirrors.”
So that’s what Terrin had meant.
“Why would you follow me here?” Caramyn finally asked, though she ensured the question came out sounding stone cold.
