Page 9 of A Requiem of Fire and Ice

Legend has it that a battle occurred within these halls. Blood of fallen enemies stained the ground so torturously and horrifically that the previous king glossed over the tiles, transforming them into a masterpiece. I would have called it nonsense had I not witnessed the madness of King Ragan.

Over time, kings lose their sanity, and in their wake, they can cause the world to crumble beneath everyone’s feet.

I want to be as far away as possible when that happens.

I head up two more flights of stairs and down a dimly lit hallway drenched in grey shadows from the flickering orange lanterns. Mother’s maid stands outside her door. She claps her hands together and presses her lips inward as she glances at me.

“Let me in,” I demand.

“U-uh… Prince Reen,” she says, her silver eyes avoiding contact with me. It’s uncharacteristic of her, considering air elemny are stern and confident with their words. I’ve seen her bark orders to her underlings without batting an eyelash, but here she is, a blubbering, sweaty fucking mess.

“Is there a reason you’re outside her door instead of being with her…or carrying out her wishes?” My voice grows deeper and more irritated.

“She’s not feeling well and has asked me to prevent anyone from entering today.”

I arch my chin and say venomously, “Lie to me again and I will fucking kill you.”

All colour in her tanned skin fades as it drains away, leaving her as if she’s nothing but a shell filled with fear and undying terror. She’s aware of what I’m capable of. I’m not a Knight of Eraminia for no reason. If I see fit, I can kill her with no one batting an eyelash.

She looks behind me, back the way I came, and considers fleeing. She might cover a mile before I find her, given that she’s an air elemny, but will she take the risk of the chase?

The chase is more terrifying than accepting one’s death. The terror and heightened anxiety from every noise someone makes can push them over the edge, expecting me to be lurking around every corner, waiting to strike.

I lean to the side and block her view of the stairway before I step towards her. Heat ripples across my hand as the latch of the bolt clicks and the door swings open. The maid steps aside as Mother peers out. After noticing me, she opens the door wider. Shrugging past the maid, I enter. Mother gently closes the door behind me.

“Why are you holed up in your room?” I scan my surroundings. There’s a reason she’s in her room. Not just because it’s the only livable space with a flourishing garden, but it’s the only place King Ragan doesn’t go. By law, he cannot enter my mother’s quarters without an invitation.

I’ve never seen her accept one, nor does he request one. They are strangers living in proximity to each other who share a tether. It shows me that not everyone should be tethered.

“You’re growing colder, Reen,” Mother sighs as she sits in her armchair overlooking the greenery draped over the windowsill and curtains.

I grunt my response as I lean against the door. “Why are you avoiding my question?”

Green eyes flicker towards me, revealing a hint of withdrawal and a near-pleading expression. Yet she’s too proud to ask, so she averts her gaze instead.

My finger taps against my arm at the thought that she isn’t answering and would rather be in a mood. With that thought, I push off from the door and move further into her room. Silky silver curtains sway in the ashen breeze. Vines and potted plants filled with rich, saturated colours bring life to the other side. I distance myself from anything that my touch might harm. They will coil and die from the heat radiating off my skin.

Mother sighs as she places her hand on her forehead. “I’m not feeling well today, Reen.”

My eyes narrow.

“Are you analysing me?” she asks. When I don’t reply, she huffs out a breath. “You promised, Reen.”

“I find it difficult not to when you keep spouting bullshit.”

Her narrow, slanted eyes flicker to me with irritation before she closes them and ponders whether she wants to share the truth. It doesn’t matter to me either way. It’s not as if I can do anything, especially if King Ragan bothers her.

Mother leans back in her chair and says, “You should settle down soon, Reen.”

Avoiding and changing the topic I dislike most, hoping to catch me off guard. She doesn’t want me prying into why she wants me to leave her alone today.

I drop my arms to my side. “No.”

“Why not? You cannot stay a knight forever.”

“Very well, let’s play a game then, shall we?” I settle on her bed and glare at her, and she glares back at me. “I’ll answer if you answer one of my questions. The game ends when one of us refuses to answer.”

Mother contemplates, playing with her emerald hair as she stares out at the smoke-filled land of Flesh. A small part of me knows she will accept. I’m aggravating her to the point of stubbornness.