Chapter 9
Numb.
Crushing silence pushed down from all directions and sucked the air from the hallway. Cyan could feel the cool medial medallion in her hands. She knew it was there, reflecting the glow from a nearby light.
She knew she was holding it. But she wasn't. The arm holding it didn't feel like hers. Her limbs were disembodied appendages that should be hers.
I make you an honorary Magic Knight for services to the Clover Kingdom.
The young voice ran through her head.
Of course, you will still need to take the entrance exam.
She clenched the medallion, the metal biting into the palm of her hand. It should hurt.
Buzzing silence enveloped her, wrapping her in a cocoon of empty space.
For posterity's sake, should you pass the exam you can never be accepted into the Crimson Lion Kings. I don't know what's going on between you two but fraternizing with a superior is frowned upon. I think we can all agree that's best.
She could see blue eyes set in the boyish face staring at her as he spoke.
She clenched the medallion harder. Something warm welled up in the palm of her hand, running down her arm. The cold presence smiled in the back of her head. The cold began to seep into her arms, veins turning to slush.
In order to ensure you are welcomed into a squad we will need to prove to people you are not your mother. That you will not make the same mistake or loss control.
More warm liquid slid down her arm, combating the chill of the darkness enveloping her.
You will need to train harder than you ever have before, push yourself to the breaking point and ensure you can remain in control.
The boy's voice had been dark. There was no room for debate. He was offering her an olive branch, offering her a life outside of obscurity. Everyone in the Magic Knight squads should know about her now and would know about her heritage. If she was going to live here in the capital and be near Fuegoleon she would have to prove she was no threat.
She wanted to stay here. She wanted to stay near him until she couldn't anymore.
The dark clouded her eyes. Its menacing presence sliding down her throat. It wanted to take control.
Shadow flickered in her peripheral, gliding along the walls and floor. Snakes bent on devouring her.
No control.
"Hey kid!" A booming voice shattered the trance. Cyan was slammed back into her body, her mind suddenly connecting with flesh and searing pain.
Cyan looked down at the medallion the Wizard King had given her to find it covered in blood.
"Woah you're bleeding." Cyan blinked and looked up at the loud voice. A man with foreign features strode down the hallway with long strides. Yami. She knew him.
"Its fine, the side is a little sharp." She murmured and quickly pressed the bleeding hand to her pants. He arrived at her bench and stopped. She looked up and him and managed her best smile. "What are you doing here?"
He raised an eyebrow and looked down at her. "You will generally find Captains meeting with our dear Wizard King. But random street urchins not so much."
Yami was a captain? She looked to a tattered robe hanging around one shoulder with the golden bull stitched in a corner. Captain of the Black Bulls.
"I'm not a street urchin, believe it or not. I also had a meeting with the Wizard King. Or the short version of him anyway." She stood up and stretched her back making sure to keep her hand pressed to her leg. She didn't want anyone to see how deep it actually was.
"Woah!" He howled and pulled a cigarette pack from his pocket. "In just a couple of months you became that important."
She smiled. It was nice to have one normal conversation after a day that desperately wanted to tear her down. "I am. Even got a fancy medal to prove it." She sang and winked at him.
He winked back and turned to Julius door. "Whose he with now?"
"Fuegoleon." Blood soaked her pants; she could feel it running down her leg like a crimson river. Shit.
"There you are." A woman in a rather revealing low cut dress ran down the hall and stopped once reaching Yami. She too wore the robe of the Black Bulls. "Who's this?"
Cyan reached out to shake her hand. Blood dripped on the floor, and she quickly pressed it to her leg again. "I'm Cyan Conway."
The women clicked her tongue while pulling out a wand. "That's deep girl. Give it here." She grabbed Cyan's hand without permission and with the flick of her wand a black piece of cloth wrapped around her hand. With another flick of the wand the blood soaking her pants vanished. "I'm Vanessa, nice to meet you."
"Thanks." Cyan murmured and flexed her bandage hand. "What kind of magic was that?"
Vanessa smiled and a red cat popped its head out of her thick purple hair. "I'm a Stitch Witch."
A witch. A witch like Cyan's mother and aunt. Well, that meant Cyan was a witch too, right?
The door danged open and a growling Fuegoleon emerged followed by the fake Wizard King.
"Hey Sleeping Beauty! It's great to see you on your feet again." Yami boomed and slapped the fire mage on the back earning him a glare.
Damn. Fuegoleon was even taller than Yami by a couple of inches. He really was a freaking titan. Cyan looked around to find she was even shorter than Vanessa. She was beginning to develop of complex about her height.
"I'd rather you not call me that." His business-like voice was back as he stared at the dark-haired man.
"So sour! All you royals have such stony faces." Yami laughed and slammed him on his back again. "Now that your back to normal, minus an arm, I take it you'll be going on this little adventure with me?"
"Unfortunately." Fuego glowered.
Adventure? Cyan cast a questioning look up to Fuegoleon. He caught the look and shook his head.
He'd tell her later.
"Don't be like that! You'll hurt my feelings." Yami turned to the fake Julius and lost his smile. "Is he inside?" He asked cryptically. Obviously, Vanessa wasn't aware of the Wizard Kings situation. They probably didn't want to many people finding out.
The bandaged man waved him. Yami turned back to Cyan and tussled her hair. "I was good seeing you again kid."
Fuegoleon placed a warm hand to her back, pushing her gently down the hall. "Bye. I was nice meeting you Stitch Witch." Cyan called as they walked away.
Vanessa waved back before turning to Yami with a questioning look. Yami shrugged and watched their retreat down the hall, his eyes on where Fuegoleon touched her.
"How do you know Yami?" He asked suddenly when she turned back around.
"Oh, Yami and I go way back." She teased. "Actually, he was the one who told me to find the compound the first time I tried to wake you."
He stopped suddenly and looked down at her confused. "The first time?"
"Yeah, I went right after you went into your coma. I couldn't even find your mind then and had to practice with Sheila and Temlar for awhile before trying again." It felt like all that happened years ago. "I almost died that time too."
His hand flexed on her lower back, and he turned away so she couldn't see his face. "Please stop trying to kill yourself." He stated darkly and pushed her forward again.
Pacing around the study Cyan picked up a book, thumb through the pages and set it back down on the shelf. Next, she lifted the stopper of a crystal decanter to sniff the amber liquid. It was strong and made her wrinkle her nose. She never would have taken him as a drinker. She walked to the window and pulled back the drapes to peeked out over the city. The sun was sinking down over the city and the air had already turned chilly. She flipped the curtain back into place and walked back over to the bookshelf to pick up the same book.
Fuegoleon sighed and set down the ledger he had been working in for the last few hours. "You're making me crazy. Is something wrong?" There was no anger or annoyance in his deep voice, just idle curiosity as he sat back in the chair.
Cyan set the book back down and turned to him. "Sorry. I'm just amped up. I feel like I should go for a run or something before I explode."
He reached out a hand to her which she eagerly took. He pulled her down to his lap and kissed her forehead. His face was tired, skintight with anxiety and exhaustion. Cyan leaned back to his chest and picked at the golden buttons.
He didn't probe her any further, his patients with her almost infinite as he turned a piece of her hair in his finger. It was the white strand of hair, the silvery color catching the study lights while he stroked it.
As he stroked her hair, he noticed the black bandage around her hand. He pulled the hand from his buttons and examined it. "What happened?"
"Nothing, that stupid medallion Julius gave me has a sharp edge." She shrugged like it was no big deal. She wasn't ready to tell anyone about the dark feeling that had been welling up in her since the day Everett walked into the store and touched her hand. She convinced herself it was no big deal, but she was beginning to worry that it might be what happened to her mother.
Should she tell someone? Could she tell Fuegoleon without him freaking out? Could she risk being sealed away like her mother before she caused mass destruction?
She bit her lip. If it got worst then she would tell someone, maybe tell Dorothy when she finally got to talk to her. There was always the chance that the feeling she got had nothing to do with her magic and my just be post-traumatic stress or something.
"I'll leave early tomorrow morning and be gone for a month." He said suddenly, voice cracking with fatigue.
"A month? That's a long mission, especially for a couple of captains."
He shrugged and released her hair closing his eyes for a moment. "We're tracking an extremist group that decided to take advantage of the current state of things."
"Is it dangerous?" She rolled her eyes at her stupid question. Duh, that's why Julius was sending captains not regular knights.
He noticed her eye roll and smiled tracing the side of her face. "You're going to be in more danger than me. Training with Mereoleona is like facing death."
"Why her?" Cyan moaned dramatically. "She already wants me dead for defiling her brother."
He chuckled and kissed her head again. "You make me seem like I'm a blushing girl."
Cyan frowned. "Well, aren't you? You said no one was barking around your tree, I assumed that meant…" Trailing off she shrugged.
"What is with the tree analogy? And dogs?" He asked to avoid answering the question.
Cyan let it go, if he didn't want to talk about his potential virginity then she wouldn't push. She jumped off his lap and walked swiftly to the door.
"Where are you going?"
She stopped; hand poised of the brass doorknob. "To pack my stuff, what little I have anyway."
He stood up and walked swiftly to the door, bracing his hand on it so she couldn't open it. Leaning down as much as he could he raised an eyebrow. "Why are you packing?"
She swallowed as his intense gaze met hers. "If you're going to be gone than I should go home. I feel like I've overstayed my welcome."
His voice dropped an octave taking on a dark tone that sent shivers over her skin. "I'd rather leave knowing you're in a safe space while training. Besides wouldn't it be easier if you were actually in the city?" His breath dance across her bangs as he spoke.
Her knees turned to jelly, and her lower belly clenched at the sound of his voice. "I could travel on training days. I healthy enough to dive now. I can't stay here forever."
One hand slid down the door to cup her chin, forcing her head up till she was forced to her tip toes. "Little one, if I could lock you away in my palace where I know you could never be hurt again I would. This feeling is new and intense. I don't know what to do with." His mouth dropped down to brush gently along hers. "Since I can't lock you away…"
She sucked in a breath and back into the door. There was no escape from his mouth or gaze that promised pain and pleasure. The muscles in her belly clenched once more, reminding her of what almost happened that morning. He had that same intense look in his eyes as if he would devour her whole.
He backed up suddenly, his fingers and soft lips vanishing. "Would you like to stay here?" His voice was back to normal as if he hadn't just turned her to mush.
"Sure." She stuttered trying desperately to catch her breath.
He walked back over the desk and picked the ledger up once more. "You should probably write a letter to Sheila and Temlar, let the now what going on."
Cyan glowered at the names. She was still mad at them for not telling her about her mother and didn't know when she'd be ready to have that conversation with them. She'd write them a letter when she was damn good and ready. Until then they could wait.
Another night of interrupted sleep.
She should be used to it. Since the day her magic presented itself there had not been a full night's sleep. Cyan couldn't remember much about the nightmares that tore her from sleep. All that lingered was the feel of dread and pain. Sometimes the words filled her head after waking, disembodied voices with no meaning that whispered violence.
Growling she flipped the blanket off, breathing through the panic gripping her lungs. Breathing in her nose and out her mouth she tried to relax. She filled her lungs till they screamed and slowed her heart rate.
It was still dark outside. The palace was silent save for the creaking of wood from the chilled air or the low hum of hall lights.
Once the shaking and panic was under control she sat up.
Was Fuegoleon asleep? He'd still been reading when she dragged her fatigued body to bed. She was still wearing her daytime close, she hadn't the energy to change before collapsing to sleep. She jumped from the bed and drug around the draws for something clean to wear.
Cyan didn't have a lot of options regarding clothing. What she had been provided by Tinny since everything she owned was on the other side of the kingdom. She'd eventually need to return to her home and pack a few things, maybe grab her books. She wanted to feel at home in the palace but nothing there belong to her.
She didn't want to feel like a kept pet of a royal. Though the idea was a fascinating one that brought forth all kinds of ideas.
There would be training every other day and a weekly meeting with her supposed Aunt to check on her progress or see if they could determine what made her mother insane. That meant she wouldn't be able to leave for four days. She could last until then, maybe even see if Tinny could go with her.
Once dressed in clean clothes Cyan walked down the hall to the family rooms where he slept. Would he get mad if she bothered him at this unholy hour? So far nothing seemed to piss him off except her reckless abandoned regarding her own safety.
Since I can't lock you away.
She shivered as the words ran through her mind. The man was truly an enigma. He seemed stony around everyone, angry around his sister and sweet with her. And then there were times when a primal look swept across his strong features, possessive and destructive. That part of him almost frightened her.
Everett had been controlling and possessive. He had scared her and made her fear for her life. She didn't want to believe Fuegoleon could possibly be like him. He had said he wanted to lock her away but didn't.
Sad. He had looked sad when she cried like an idiot earlier. Everett couldn't even fake sadness like that or sympathy.
She reached the door and paused. Should she knock? Should she just walk in?
He hadn't been angry to find her in his bed last time, in fact he seemed pretty excited about it.
Chewing on her lip she pushed the door open slowly hoping Salamander wouldn't attack her. She peeked into the dark room and listened. No angry fire monster or angry shout for her to leave.
Cyan slipped in and shut the door behind her. She noted the bathing room light was on, casting a sliver of luminance across the bed.
It was empty.
The blankets and sheet looked slept in, and a familiar velvet jacket lay on the ground. He must have already left for his mission. When he said early, she figured daybreak, not this early.
"Damn." She whispered to no one. She had hoped to tell him goodbye or steal a kiss before he left. She'd be alone with his sister for the next month, pushing her magic to the brink without his easy smile to encourage her.
"Pathetic." She whispered again and flung herself across the round bed. It didn't take much for her to form attachments apparently. It was a product of spending so much time in solitude that if anyone gave her attention she'd crave more. Everett was proof of that.
The smell of pine filled her nose. Fuegoleon's smell. She rolled over, balling the sheets in her fist and took a deep breath. The fragrance was comforting, and she couldn't pull herself away from its embrace. In the comfort of the dark her mind quieted leaving inly the feel if the sheets beneath her cheek and the smell of pine soap.
"I thought I'd find you here." Startled, Cyan opened a swollen eye. Tinny stood in the doorway looking at her. The room was bright with sunlight and sounds of maids working floated down the hallway.
"I must have fallen asleep." Cyan yawned and sat up.
Tinny clicked her tongue and walked to the bed where she threw thin stretchy pants on the bed and began tiding up the room.
"What are those for?" Cyan asked pulling the pants towards her. The fabric was soft but thicker than she would have guessed.
"Mistress Mereoleona asked me to give you those. She said it would make training easier."
"Training?"
Tinny shooed her out of the bed and she began to straighten the sheets and blankets. "Aren't you supposed to start your training with her this morning?"
Cyan groaned. "Right. Todays the day my will to live is tested. She's going to kill me."
Tinny giggled and gave her a reassuring grin. "I'm sure she won't kill you, but she won't make it easy."