Chapter 7: The Darkness of Betrayal
“Very good,” Neil says. “Now—attack!”
I can’t help flinching, even as I jab the oak wood staff in my hands at Lyssa. The tall, strong woman ducks and sidesteps, her small light gray eyes narrowing on me as she lifts her padded stick. I bring my shield around, blocking her attack with ease, but I can’t bring myself to swipe at her.
A smirk forms on Lyssa’s face, even as she pants for air. “You’re holding back again, Estelle.”
Huffing, I set the staff on the ground, leaning on it as I look up at Lyssa. “I’ve spent my whole life acting as a nurse. I’m still really uncomfortable with hurting someone.”
“But you have attacked Vladykars before!” Astralux says. She, Giftigbun, and Eclair, having been practicing a series of fancy footwork, are now standing outside the wooden fence that encircles the practice area. My iridescent white dragon’s tail taps on the ground as she beams at me. “You aren’t afraid to protect others!”
“No,” I agree. “I’m just struggling with the idea that if I get this right, Lyssa’s going to get hurt. And I don’t like that.”
Lyssa laughs, her blonde braid falling back off her shoulder. “Oh please. Don’t think so highly of yourself.”
I shake my head. “You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Lyssa comes over and throws an arm around my shoulder. “Whew. You are getting way better about blocking though.”
Neil, who’s leaning against fence, nods. “You make good use of a shield.”
“It’s just because she’d rather defend than attack,” Giftigbun points out.
I grin as the others laugh. While they’ve been teasing me about my lack of desire to “fight,” I know that deep down they’d rather not have to battle. Except for maybe Astralux and Lyssa. Which just makes me wonder yet again at how they didn’t bond instead of Astralux and me.
Watching Neil’s face, I see worry in his slightly furrowed brow. “Has there been other development from the Vladykars or Klevorians?” I ask.
“Vladykars,” Neil says. “We had another trade route get attacked.” He shakes his head. “Whoever this ‘Snake’ is in the Vladykars, they’re really messing up our plans. Veremund’s certain that it’s the Snake that gave intel about Amon and Andeuten’s whereabouts.”
Astralux growls. “I’d like to throttle the Snake.”
“But we don’t have any more information on who that is, do we?” I ask.
“That’s what the meeting’s about. Amon was never able to track this ‘Snake’ down, but we think it’s time we figured out who it is. At this point, we’re pretty sure it’s someone in Adytol.”
Blythe, sitting on top of the fence, stares at Neil. “That’s…that’s bad! But how could anyone betray us?”
Neil shrugs. “I don’t know, but we’re determined to figure this out. And if you’re wondering, we don’t think it’s any of you,” he added.
Lyssa laughs a little, although it sounds a little pained. “I figured, since you were telling us.”
“That being said, don’t go around asking about the Snake.” Neil looks from Lyssa to Blythe to myself. “Now that we’re certain this person does exist, we have to be extra cautious. Keep it to yourselves, and don’t talk about it in Adytol.”
“Understood,” Lyssa says.
“Do you want me to come with you?” I ask.
Neil shakes his head. “Maybe for our next meeting, but today I’d actually rather you all visit Amon.”
I glance at the Ward’s Palace. “I was hoping he’d make it outside today. It’s beautiful out.”
“He might just need a little encouragement.” Neil gives me a grin and a wink. “And I think I know the right person for the job.”
My cheeks flush as the others laugh, and I toy with the silver ruby pendent on my neck.
“Alright, see you Ward Neil!” Blythe says, waving at Neil. He jumps down from where he was sitting on the fence, beckoning to Lyssa and myself. “Come on, let’s go see how Ward Amon’s doing!”
“We’ll see you later!” Astralux says to us. I ignore her wry grin as I follow after Blythe into the Ward’s Palace.
“I haven’t visited yet, I wanted to give him some space. How is Amon doing?” Lyssa asks quietly as we walk up the steps in the grand hall of the palace.
“Veremund says he’s recovering faster than could be expected,” I say. “But he still doesn’t like to talk for long.”
Blythe slows a little, his hazel eyes a little bigger than usual. “I assume we shouldn’t mention…you know…?”
“It’s better not to talk about Andeuten just yet,” I murmur. We’re outside Amon’s door, and for some reason I feel the need to whisper. Even though as an unbonded, Amon probably can’t hear us, I still don’t want to upset him. I knock on the door. “Amon?”
No answer. I try the latch and am surprised that it’s locked.
“Oh, he must be away,” I say. “Or he wanted to be alone for a while.” Somehow, I have a feeling the latter is truer.
Blythe’s face falls. “I really wanted to see Ward Amon.”
“Me too.” I fight not to blush at the wry smile on Lyssa’s face. “Let’s try again tomorrow.”
“Okay! I’m going to go see if Eclair wants to practice some more!” Blythe slides down the banister on the spiral stairs, and Lyssa and I chuckle as we walk down the steps.
“Do you know who the Snake is?” Lyssa asks me.
I shake my head. “I remember Astralux telling me about the Snake before, and Thorn’s mentioned a little to me, that all they had was rumors, no concrete evidence. But to be honest, I didn’t realize how troublesome this person had gotten.”
Lyssa nods her head as we walk back down the steps. “I’ve heard enough that I think the Snake is responsible for more than we realize.”
“Who do you think the Snake is?” I ask.
Lyssa glances at a servant polishing the sleek white marble stone and leads me outside to the private garden adjacent to the Ward’s Palace. “I don’t know,” she says. “But now I realize Ward Neil’s right. It could be anyone.”
I stare across the patch of black-eyed Susan in bloom, the yellow petals radiant in the sunshine. “I just don’t understand,” I say after a time. “When you see the beauty of Zoi, how could anyone want evil? How could anyone follow Aneiros?”
“Some of us don’t see the beauty as clearly as you do,” Lyssa says. “Not that I’m straying from Ariadna!” she adds quickly. “But after Ward Dolores and Schleifen died, and then Ward Tristin, and now Andeuten…. Well.” Lyssa rubs her shoulder. “I understand how such a great pain could twist someone away from Ariadna.”
I throw my arm around Lyssa, worried. “Are you doubting?”
“Not now,” Lyssa admits. “But I have in the past. Especially before I saw your goodness through your pain.” I look up at Lyssa in surprise, who gives me a warm smile. “You’ve been a great encouragement to me.”
“Never feel like you have to keep this to yourself,” I say. “We all struggle from time to time. You can always talk to me.”
“Thanks, Estelle.” Lyssa gives me a firm hug with one arm. Then she sighs. “Alright, I need to get back home. I told my dad I was going to chop wood tonight.”
“Do you want help?” I ask.
“I think you should stay here.” Lyssa nods to the palace behind us. “Ward Veremund might need you, in fact. And if Ward Amon wakes, I don’t think you should be far.”
“True. I’ll see you tomorrow, then. Bye!”
“Bye!” Exiting the garden, Lyssa turns and heads down the cobblestone path that leads to Adytol.
I make my way back into the Ward’s Palace, my mind swimming with thoughts. Blinking, I realize I’ve paused in the doorway to the lounge, staring at the stained-glass windows in the room. I had caught Amon looking at them once, admiring their beauty, and the memory brings a bittersweet feeling, fondly remember his profession of love and Andeuten still being alive, followed by the crushing weight of his loss and the pain he faced from the Vladykars.
Sighing, I turn. Then I stop, stiffening, as I catch the faintest scent of hot sand.
I know that smell all too well.
Staring into every nook and cranny of the lounge, I step inside slowly, suddenly afraid not to have a weapon on my person. I’ve never carried one in Adytol, but now I know why the other Wards do. My heart thuds as I look from the deep blue couches with white pillows to the cherry wood coffee table, under which I glance, and then at the thick gold-trimmed blue and white curtains hanging from either side of the windows. It would be easy to hide behind those.
Walking to the curtains, I reach out and carefully give one a shake. Nothing. My fear settles as I go to the other one, give it a shake, and see nothing. I start toward the next set of curtains.
“Estelle?”
I yelp and spin to see none other than Amon in the doorway, watching me curiously. He looks weak, leaning against the doorpost, his gaze locked on me.
“Is everything alright?”
“I thought….” I glance back around at the room. “I thought I smelled….” Shaking my head, I walk back to Amon. “I’m being paranoid. What are you doing out of your room?”
“My thoughts were troubled, and I wanted to see you,” Amon says.
Smiling, I put my arm around him. For a second I catch a whiff of hot sand again, but when I peer around, I see nothing. I’m beginning to think that the fear is starting to get to me. I turn my head back to Amon. “I’m glad to see you up and about, but I think it would be good for you to sit. Do you wish to go outside?”
Amon glances at the sunshine peeking through the stained-glass panels, now beginning to fade as the afternoon faded into the evening. “I think I would like to get some fresh air. But….” He swallows and looks down at me. “Would…would Astralux take me flying? I miss it.”
I squeeze Amon’s hand gently. “Sure thing.”
Amon guides himself to the couch and sits down with a sigh. “I’ll wait here until you and she are ready.”
“I’ll go find Astralux.”
Heading out of the lounge, and casting a suspicious glance down the hall, my mind still on edge with the smell, I walk toward the back of the Ward’s Palace. I can feel the pressure on my heart in this direction. It crosses my mind that it would be helpful to be able to alert Astralux from farther away. But I guess that’s where having aeon, or even meson abilities, would be helpful. I can’t remember if kainos abilities allow thoughts to be shared, or just emotions? I make a mental note to ask Neil.
I blink in surprise. This is the first time I’ve ever thought about the usefulness of the bond, and hoped for a stronger bond. Of course, these stages can take time, from what I’ve heard. Humming to myself, I walk through the back door to the practice area.
Spotting Astralux still talking with Giftigbun, Blythe and Eclair a little farther away “practicing” by chasing each other in an adorable game of tag, I make my way to Astralux. My dragon’s tail taps on the ground when she spots me.
“Estelle?”
“Amon was wondering if we could take him out on a flight,” I say. “He misses flying.”
“Of course!” Astralux says.
Giftigbun nods. “That’s a good idea. He can get some fresh air, and rest. But listen.” He gives Astralux a look with his dark brown eyes. “No barrel rolls or fancy aerial maneuvers.”
“I wouldn’t do that to Amon while he’s recovering,” Astralux says.
“And don’t let Estelle and Amon be alone,” Giftigbun adds. He smiles broadly, looking remarkably like Neil, as my cheeks flush.
Astralux laughs. “Wow, look at that dark color!”
I mutter under my breath as I climb into the saddle. Astralux and Giftigbun chuckle.
“Have fun!” Giftigbun says.
“Thanks!” Astralux bounds around to the front of the Ward’s Palace at my direction.
Jumping down from the saddle, I walk into the Ward’s Palace and cast a suspicious glance down the hallway. Nothing, except a servant finishing polishing the banisters at the bottom of the stairs. I enter the lounge and breathe a sigh of relief—Amon is exactly where I’d left him.
Amon tilts his head at me, looking confused. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing.” Glad it’s just my mind playing tricks on me, I head over and help him up. “Astralux is waiting out front. Let’s go.”
“Thank you,” Amon says.
Stepping outside, I’m glad to see that Astralux has lain down. She smiles warmly at Amon, her tail tapping on the ground. “Hello, Amon! It’s good to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you too, Astralux.”
“Do you need help?” I ask.
Amon smiles a little as he walks up to the saddle, easily at his eye-level since Astralux is lying down. “I might be weak, but I certainly have not forgotten how to ride.” He pulls himself up into the saddle with quite a bit of ease, his only struggle with a pack. “I asked one of the servants for a bite to eat, in case we’re out long,” Amon says to my gaze.
“Flight and dinner?” Astralux whispers to me. She chuckles wryly when I nudge her neck with my elbow, flashing her a look.
I climb up into the saddle. I intend to sit behind Amon, but when he takes my arm he guides me to sit in front of him. I double-check Amon’s situated before giving Astralux the all clear.
“Alright, here we go!” Astralux takes a long run, her wings flapping heavily.
I realize I’d never even asked how difficult this was going to be for her. Yet just as I start to worry, Astralux takes off into the air, and while she rises slowly, she does make it up into the air, circling around to give herself breaks before rising some more.
I glance back to see Amon’s hand in the air, his gaze far off. Looking forward once more, I catch Astralux’s eye, and we both smile.
Tamara Rivers 
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