Again, Aizel was completely humbled. And baffled. “But you didn’t even know us. You aren’t one of us.”
“But I knew you had been immeasurably wronged. And I had the position and means to do something about it. It was my privilege to put that at the service of your people.”
Aizel felt the selflessness of his words and it soothed her in a way that nothing else had. Perhaps she wasn’t as alone as she always assumed.
“Thank you,” Aizel whispered. “I wish I could save you in return.” She meant her words, but the stark reality of their situation crashed down into every crack of her emotions.
“My dear girl.” The old man peered at her through the iron bars with smiling eyes. “You have a voice. Use it.”
Chapter 38
Aizel’s eyes opened wide as she stared at Peter’s smiling face.
Perhaps she was going crazy from the stress and exhaustion of the day, but she felt a small tremor rising in her core. It grew and bubbled and expanded until it rippled out in a small giggle. The giggle grew into laughter and she hugged her knees as tears formed in her eyes.
“I do have a voice, don’t I?” she said. “I’m afraid I’d entirely forgotten it existed. ‘Be quiet, Aizel, don’t speak. The taskers might hear you,’” she mimicked the words her parents had constantly repeated.
She kept the sound of her laughter quiet, not knowing who might be listening. But the rough-hewn stone walls quickly swallowed the sound.
With a deep exhale, she turned her attention back to Peter.
His shoulders shook as he laughed along with her.
“Can you say that again?” she asked.
He looked confused for a moment, then flicked his snowy eyebrows. “You have a voice, my dear. A powerful, harmonizing voice that can change this world. Use it.”
Aizel straightened her shoulders, basking in the affirmation of his words. “That is the sweetest music I have ever heard.”
“I’ll repeat it as often as you’d like.”
“I might take you up on that,” Aizel replied. “But for now, let us find a way to get out of here.”
“Now that is the sweetest music I have ever heard.” Peter pulled himself up to a standing position, still holding on to the iron bars for support.
Aizel glanced at the area around her. They were in a tiny underground dungeon. She couldn’t fully see into the other two cells, but they appeared empty.
“Where are the other prisoners? Surely King Gareth has more than just you and I?”
“This is for magical prisoners only. He doesn’t want us spreading our ‘lies’ to other lawbreakers. Could you imagine how that would work out for him? No, this section is only for those who know too much. Also,” he lowered his voice until it was barely audible, “it’s closer to the examiners’ wing.”
Aizel looked over at the old man. She had no idea who the examiners were, but from the clouded look on Peter’s face, she didn’t want to know.
“Good. That should make this easier then. Except...” If this was the prison for the Majis, where was Celesta? “Did you happen to have any visitors in the last few weeks? Maybe another Majis? A young girl?”
“Aw, yes.” He lifted his hands above his head and wiggled his fingers as he swept them in a wide, downward arc.
Aizel’s heart warmed upon recognizing the symbol for her sister’s name. “Celesta,” she whispered.
“Celesta?” Peter tilted his head. “Like the stars. That suits her.”
“You learned to speak with her?” Aizel asked in disbelief.
“Of course. We had many fine conversations. She cheered me.”
Aizel smiled, relieved and heartened that her sister hadn’t been alone. “Do you know where she is now?”
“No. They came for her this morning.”
