Blinding Beauty, page 21
“Bronkendol’s young wife took ill and died,” Ever spoke again. “Bronkendol blamed his mother because she had not forced the cure upon that particular region after they had refused her help. In his anger, he attempted take control of the Glass Castle himself. He planned to murder his mother and seize dominion over all the regions on his own. The queen found out just before he succeeded, and she knew she would have to stop him. She couldn’t bring herself to end her own son’s life, however, so she told the servants to leave, and in her sorrow, placed a sleeping curse upon every living thing left, which at that point, was only her son, herself, and the castle.”
“How do we know all this?”
“Servants escaped the glass castle carrying their belongings, as well as words from the queen,” Garin said.
“In truth,” said Ever, “it’s Bronkendol and his mother that we can thank for our kingdoms being shaped the way they are. Once the queen, who was mediator between the regions, was gone, the lands eventually solidified into their own kingdoms, which led to Destin’s eventual rise.” Ever closed another book and joined Garin in looking at the maps. “Now, Launce, when you spoke with him, did he ever mention any of his plans?”
At this, Garin turned his gaze to Launce as well.
“No,” Launce said slowly, then his face lit up. “But he did say he was from the far, far, north! When I asked him what made him leave, he said something about some decisions being made for us.”
“I don’t understand it.” Ever glared at the maps spread out before him. “The entire continent north of us is inhabited. We know the Glass Castle was here somewhere…” He traced the northern Lingean border, his voice trailing off as frustration filled him. Every moment they wasted, Isa was alone, but their efforts felt fruitless. The lands north of them, Lingea and all of its neighbors, were too populated for anyone to have missed an entire castle.
“What about the murdered priests in Lingea?” Garin asked.
“They were found in a meadow not far from here.” Ever pointed to a mountainous region that was surrounded by small villages and many farms. During the winter, the land was treacherous. Only the hardiest farmers could grow crops there. But that still didn’t explain how an entire castle could go unseen.
“How do we even know he brought her to his castle? What if the castle is gone, and only he survived?” Launce asked.
“The power he uses was tied to that castle the way my power is tied to the Fortress,” Ever said. “He would need a safe place to plan whatever he has been scheming, as well as the source of power. No, his castle is still standing. If only we could find it.”
“Ever,” Garin said, staring out the window. “I might have an explanation.”
Ever turned to Garin, curious, but with trepidation as well. The steward only used that tone of voice when his knowledge of deeper power was called upon. By practice, Garin never spoke of such subjects unless he had to, and the hesitancy with which he recalled it had always kept Ever from enquiring any further than necessary. Ever trusted Garin more implicitly than anyone else in the world. Garin had practically raised him. But when he spoke of old power, a dangerous glint touched Garin’s eyes, and Ever knew better than to prod.
“There was once a race, long extinct now, that could cut paths between realms. They could create bridges between their world and ours, somewhat akin to the way you use your power to speed your horse between locations.”
“Different realms?” Launce balked. And for once, Ever was as confused as the young man.
“It is difficult to explain if you haven’t been there to see it,” Garin frowned.
Did that mean Garin had seen such things?
“The Maker created our world as one of many.” Garin continued. “Sometimes, those worlds touch, overlap, even. In fact, that is how individuals like you, Ever, and the Glass Queen and Kartek can foster power at all. The Maker has allowed just a little of His world to touch and spill over into ours.
“These beings from long ago had the innate ability to build roads directly between the worlds, rather than spend the years it would take to reach the distant lands by foot, sea, and air. But first, they had to possess an item from that world before they could trace it back to its place of origin. Sometimes the Maker would allow them to come across items from other worlds through trade or miracle. I wonder,” Garin stopped and looked at Ever, “if Bronkendol might have created such a road of his own.”
“But his world was once part of ours,” Ever said. “We know the castle and its queen occupied a particular place and time.” He gestured at the books before him, as though that might change things, but Garin was already shaking his head.
“We don’t know what was in the spell that the queen cast. I would wager that she not only put a sleeping curse on the castle itself, but sealed it off into a world of its own. She couldn’t kill her son, but she could not risk this world’s safety. As long as he was breathing, even in his sleep state, he was dangerous.”
“But how did he get back to us then?” Ever asked.
“Bronkendol has engaged in deep planning.” Garin began to gather the books and pile them on the edge of the table, away from the maps. “And he is his mother’s son. Obviously, her sleeping spell didn’t hold him. If he was able to awaken after all these years, it only makes sense that he found a way to tear the veil between worlds, as well. He would only have need a single item in his palace that had been made in the old world.”
“But I still don’t understand why he would want Isa,” Launce, interrupted.
“Your sister,” Garin said in a grave voice, “was granted more power than any other queen I have ever seen. She simply doesn’t know it yet.” He paused. “It would only make sense for Bronkendol to want to harness her power.”
Ever said nothing, wishing with all his might that Garin was right about her power, because if he was, Isa might stand a chance of saving herself from this ancient foe. But the dying flames that had barely lit her eyes haunted him. Even if he found a way to reach her, would he be too late?
“So,” Garin looked at Ever, as though reading his thoughts, “what are we going to do?”
“We’re going to study these maps more. I will also be sending out messenger birds to Lingea to ask more about their priests that were attacked. Launce will return to Cobren—”
“I’m going nowhere except with you.” Launce crossed his arms and straightened his shoulders.
“You will do as I say, return to the Cobrien court, and send messenger birds to Garin about what Rafael and Bronkendol are up to.”
“You are not my owner!” Launce exploded. “And I am not your dog to do your bidding! My sister is gone! Who cares gives a husk about the Cobren court?”
“I am your king, and you will do as I say!” Ever thundered back, slamming his fist down on the table. When he felt the wood crack, he knew he needed to calm down before someone else got hurt, particularly the obstinate young man before him. Taking a deep breath, Ever lowered his voice, closing his eyes so he wouldn’t have to see the insolence on the Launce’s face.
“Rafael is the enchanter’s puppet. I need to know what the enchanter wants with him. Saving Isa would do no good if there were no home to bring her back to. Besides,” he said more gently. “I believe there is one member of the court that you would like not to see harmed. Watch over her while you’re there. She needs someone she can turn to.”
Launce snorted. “As if I could save her.”
“Why do you think I spent so many hours trying to teach you?” Ever felt exasperated. For once, would the young man ever simply do as he asked? “Did you think I was practicing with you just to make you angry?” The look Launce gave him was answer enough, and Ever had to take a deep breath again. They were past the time of pointless arguments.
“Life with the Fortress is one of possibility and danger,” Ever said. “Now, I have another reason I’m sending you back if you’ll listen to me. Look closely at my eye.” Ever leaned close to the young man, ignoring Launce’s look of disgust. “Do you see this?”
Launce glanced down and up as quickly as he could before shaking his head.
“Look closer,” Ever demanded. “There’s a rough spot, right in the corner.”
This time, Launce sighed, but did as he was told. When his eyes grew bigger, Ever knew he had seen it.
“Are those... splinters?”
“Slivers of glass,” Ever said. “Everyone who was in the stands that first day at the arena has them.”
“I don’t,” Launce said.
“You weren’t in the arena when the opening ceremonies began, as you took it upon yourself to hide in the woods. But you were the only one. The other competitors have them. All of my personal guards who were there with us have the slivers also. Isa does, too, although I don’t think she’s aware of it. When the enchanter rained down his bright show of glittering glass that first day, they became lodged in everyone’s eyes.” Ever looked at Garin, regret coloring his voice. “I tried to shield us, but I was too late.”
“And you can’t purge it?” Garin’s voice was calm, but the look he gave Ever was too focused to be genuine.
Ever shook his head. “I’ve tried, repeatedly. But this power,” he faltered, not sure how to tell his mentor and oldest friend how lost he really felt. “It’s like nothing I’ve felt before.”
Turning back to Launce, Ever said, “I don’t know what the enchanter is plotting, but since you are not under his control, you are safer than any of us in that court. Now please,” he said, wishing his request didn’t sound so much like begging. “Go, so I can focus on saving your sister.”
Launce stared at him for a long time. Ever held his gaze, wondering what the young man saw. Like Launce, Ever’s chin and upper lip were covered in tough stubble, but it suddenly occurred to Ever that Launce looked older than he had only a week before. Finally, Launce simply nodded and left.
***
Ever didn’t remember leaving the tower, but somehow he woke up in his own bed while the morning was still dark. A knock sounded at the door, and Ever realized that must have been what had awakened him in the first place.
“Yes?” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. He still felt so tired he could hardly get his bearings. “What is it?”
“Master Garin says to tell you that your brother-in-law is ready to leave soon. He thought you would like to see the young man off.”
“Thank you,” Ever said. “Tell him I will be there.” He couldn’t stop the groan that escaped him as he pulled himself into a sitting position on his bed, and out of habit, was careful not to disturb the other side of the bed.
Just because his strength allowed him to push himself harder than most others, it didn’t mean he never felt the pain. Very quickly, he was realizing that riding as hard and as fast as they had could bring some serious pain. Still, he pulled on the clothes someone had laid out for him, and headed to the stables.
When he arrived, Launce was already seated upon his horse. Ever wondered what kind of trick Garin had used to get the young man looking so well so quickly after Ever had pushed him so hard the two days before. Full saddlebags hung from the horse’s sides, and for the first time, Launce was actually wearing the official colors of the Fortress.
“Would you walk me to the gate?” Launce asked him quietly.
Suddenly curious, Ever nodded.
As they left the stables, Ever wished he’d worn a thicker cloak. Autumn was leaving more hastily than usual, and winter was definitely in the air. A mischievous breeze moved in and out around their legs and arms, squeezing into every cranny that wasn’t completely covered. Aside from the breeze, everything else was still as they walked quietly across the browning lawns behind the Fortress to the servant’s gate. For official business, Ever always used the main entrance, but the servants’ gate was farther up the mountain, and made the ride to the main path much faster.
Unsure of what Launce wanted with him, Ever waited. Sometimes, he knew from experience, more could be learned from silence than from unwanted questions. Sure enough, just a few minutes into their walk, Launce finally spoke.
“If you could see the enchanter right now, speak with him face-to-face, what would you do?”
“I would kill him before he could speak a word.”
“Then would it be safe to say that you hate him?” Launce turned and looked directly into his face, and in the light of the full moon, Ever could feel the intensity of his gaze.
“Garin has taught me that hate never accomplishes anything, hate for others, at least. We can hate circumstances, and we can hate tragedy, but hating others brings us close to a place of danger within ourselves,” Ever answered evenly. “But that said, yes. I hate him with every bone in my body.”
“Then you finally understand.”
“Understand what?”
“How I feel about you.”
Something violent stirred within Ever. He felt heat pulse from his hands, and the desire to taste blood surged within him. And yet, as he stared up at the lanky young man who rode his horse with such infuriating serenity, Ever realized his fury wasn’t for Launce. It was for himself.
“She is your wife now,” Launce continued in a calm, resigned tone, “but she was mine to protect first. After you hurt her the first time, I was the one to help pick up the pieces. I was the one to talk her out of daring attempts on her horse. While you were off fighting your glorious battles, Isa was my responsibility. On the night you gave orders to kill her, I carried her to the cart so we could flee the city before your bloodbath ensued. And as if that weren’t enough,” Launce’s voice grew hard, and he glared openly at Ever this time, “you demanded her, like chattel. You took her from us. My parents had planned to escape, but they didn’t know her like I do. I knew that just as she had given up her horse for me, she would give up her life for the rest of us. I even caught her just before she reached your gate.”
Ever felt sick as he listened. There had been a time when he thought his heart had been beaten to its very core, but that was nothing compared to hearing what Launce had to say now. Because he knew, deep down, that the young man spoke the truth.
“It was only for Megane’s sake that I let her go,” Launce said. “And until we received news that you had died, and that Isa would be crowned queen, I had to look at that Fortress on the mountain every day, and imagine what you were doing to her there, all alone. And I knew that it was all because I had failed to keep her safe.”
They had reached the gate, and Launce pulled his horse to a stop, turning it so he could look at Ever head on.
“The only reason I didn’t go mad on the day you married my sister was because I could see that she truly believed in you. And I thought to myself, if anyone can save my sister from her own brave, foolhardy schemes, it would be you.” And with that, he turned his horse and gave it a kick.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Crystal Truth
After walking her back to the room she’d first arrived in through the mirror, Brokk gave Isa a few candles to see by as the darkness continued to fall.
“The mountains surround us on every side, so the wind becomes trapped within them, and grows cold and strong. Use as many blankets from the wardrobe as you need. I have also added a few of my mother’s old gowns for you if you wish to change. She was nearly your size.”
Once he was gone, Isa looked doubtfully at the bed. It looked old, but when she sniffed it, it somehow smelled clean and free of dust. Grudgingly, she laid down. Sleeping was the last thing she wanted to do. Still, she wouldn’t be able to go far if she found the chance to escape, but was too tired to do so.
As she gingerly tucked herself under the blankets, Isa looked up at the strange shadows the candles cast upon the glass walls. Ever would know what to do, she thought to herself.
But Ever wasn’t there.
Suddenly, Isa didn’t care if she was mad at him or not. Just having his warmth beside her would have done wonders to soothe her frightened soul. And he would come, she promised herself. If anyone could find her, it would be him.
Isa would have given anything to have him with her at that moment. It stung to think about the last words they had shared. The yellow firelight on the white-blue ceiling danced eerily as though it could feel the gales of wind that rushed and roared around the castle. The shadows seemed to leer at her.
What if he doesn’t come? they whispered. Isa rolled over, as if ignoring the flames could quiet the fears that whirled around inside her head. Perhaps, she prayed to the Maker, You could at least send me dreams of him rushing to my side. Just let me escape in my dreams for the night.
***
Waking up was difficult the next morning. The Maker had answered her prayers, and sweet dreams had taken her during the night. Images of Ever, and the sensation of his touch had brought her to a deeper sleep than she’d had in months.
And yet, their disappearance made waking up all the more difficult. Instead, shock and fear rippled through her as Isa struggled to remember where she had fallen asleep. At least it wasn’t dark anymore, she tried to comfort herself. The glass castle’s opaque walls were bright with gray sunlight once again, but there was not a sound to be heard, aside from the constant wind. Isa lay in bed, shivering for over an hour before she was decently sure Brokk wasn’t listening outside her door again.
Finally, she slipped out of bed, only to be greeted by the coldest air she had ever felt. She hadn’t intended to touch the Glass Queen’s gowns, but as soon as she saw how warm the they really were, made of thin, soft leather, and lined with white fur, Isa changed her mind, and quickly changed into a warmer dress and covered it with the thick robe. Then she waited one more time with her ear to the door before cautiously peeking out into the hall.
