Ban stiffens, and in the back of my mind, I wonder if maybe it has something to do with him.
“Shadows help me see people in the living world,” Lucius continues, staring past us toward the tavern. “The magic caresses the human form, and it’s easier to make out what’s around me instead of using my senses. Spirits are different. I can easily see them.”
“I’m kind of surprised you’re here at all,” Zarev says, crossing his arms. “Your sister never gives you this much leeway.”
“Half-sister,” Lucius snarls, baring his teeth. His incisors are pointed and with his wings, he’s definitely a unique creature. “Lymara was otherwise engaged at the time.”
“So you snuck out of a manor you’re supposed to lord over,” Ban continues, and Lucius just shakes his head. “How mighty of you.”
He blows out an exasperated breath. “Enough of this. We have more important matters to attend to.” Pointing upward, I assume he’s gesturing toward Ray, but he points in the wrong direction. “First, we need to figure out who will go after Raymundo. And we should deal with Thomas.”
When I glance toward the towering beanstalk, the darkness fades into the clouds. Wherever Ray’s gone, I hope he’s able to find a sense of peace instead of more room for destruction.
While the Reapers discuss their next move, I notice a woman in the distance, carrying what looks like a candelabra. The closer she gets I can see she has pale skin and hair that seems to mimic Lucius's coloring but what really stands out is that the candelabra isn’t the source of the light she’s carrying. There are flames sprouting from her palms. “Umm, I hate to interrupt–” I start but Zarev suddenly notices the approaching woman and puts a hand on Lucius's arm.
“Lucius…”
“Thank the Gods you’re here!” the woman shouts, running the last few feet, her voluminous skirt held tight in the other hand to keep it from dragging over the ground. Her hair is twisted into two tight braids, giving her otherwise attractive face a pitched look. “I thought this would be where you would come. Oh, thank goodness.”
“Lymara,” Lucius groans. “I see it didn’t take long to hunt me down.”
“Well, you didn’t give us a heads-up! I awoke to find the throne twisted apart, and our home ready for invasion from the townsfolk!”
“The townsfolk have no interest in an invasion,” Lucius replies tiredly.
She stops in front of us, dropping her skirt. She releases the candelabra, too, and it disappears into a swirl of fire magic. Unlike Lucius's eyes, hers are a bright orange that remind me more of Zarev. “Why are you out here?”
“Pleasure seeing you again, by the way, Lymara,” Ban says dryly, and she turns to snarl at him. “I see you are as pleasant as ever.”
“Lucius,” she pleads, “a lord does not leave his manor unattended. The others are concerned.”
He blows out a breath, shaking his head. “When I’m done here, I’ll be back. The manor can survive without me for a day.”
“I don’t think so,” she hisses, moving closer. “The bell tower–”
“Will survive,” he interrupts, finally,finallysheathing his sword. I hadn’t realized he was still holding it amid everything else happening. “Go back to the manor, Lymara.”
“But–”
He glares toward her but it’s clear she’s stubborn and refuses to yield. I peer around, but neither Ban’s nor Zarev’s face gives anything away. I’m not certain why there’s such a dislike at Lymara’s presence, but I’d love to know the story.
“Enough.” Ban sighs, his hand coming to settle on my waist. “We have other things to worry about, Lymara. You can either wait until we’re finished or go back alone. Either way, Lucius has an agenda here.”
She scowls at his cold dismissal, but doesn’t say another word. Instead she pivots on her heel and crosses to the edge of the clearing. She leans against a tree before turning to glare.
“I see she isn’t leaving,” Lucius says with a sigh, the shadows ghosting across the ground before they disappear. “Come on, let’s make this quick.”
Chapter 38 Ban
I keep my eyes on Lucius as we step into the tavern. It’s utter chaos and I remind myself they’re still in the middle of rebuilding. When I last got an update from Zarev, the furniture was sparse but the least of their concerns. Now the main room is full of tables and chairs, a new bartop in place with mugs and glasses resting on the shelves behind it, and there seems to be stouts and ale on tap against the back wall. A stack of dirty plates tells me the dishes have been replaced, and while there’s no artwork or anything homey yet, it’s significantly better than I expected to find. The aid Odette and Lucius provided seems to be integral to such a fast rebuild.
Dahlia is beside herself when we walk in, sitting at a booth. She doesn’t look up from her drink as the rest of us, minus Lymara, still lingering outside, step into the room.
I can see Rapunzel leaning against the far wall, and awareness pricks at the back of my mind. Death is fresh here with Thomas passing a short time ago, and the princess looks destitute as her head hangs.
Zarev appears from the shadows just before Genny, Ray’s oldest sister, reaches us.
Glancing sideways toward the spirit, I study Thomas in the afterlife. I never imagined one of Ray’s siblings would pass before any of us, and Tom was always a kind soul. Even now, as his billowy form floats beside his mother, he still looks gentle.There are signs of the burns I recall from my dreams spread across his right side, but they can’t affect him in the afterlife.
