Carolena had avoided sleep for nearly a week, only allowing herself thirty minute naps every two hours to avoid the burnout. Still, the feeling of complete exhaustion haunted her every movement. The fear of some nightmare or running into the prince kept her from staying still too long, either tending to the king or researching his condition. Neither seemed to do much good. It didn't help that she hadn't slept since the night she left Ames Port.
Soren had insisted she relax in the library, placing her in the window with a glass of water in the sunlight—perhaps he thought she needed a pot with soil next—before he left for a meeting. One hour, he had told her.
Her heavy-lidded eyes glared at the clock. Had it only been one hour? Or had the captain promised to be back before nightfall? Carolena blinked, wishing to stay alert.
It was easier to avoid sleep when the shadows moved in every corner. Every sound kept her senses alive. But this warm corner provided peace from whatever could harm her.
The silence and light beckoned her nightmares to inch closer.
Carolena felt her head turn to led, the midday sun coaxing her eyes closed; forcing her eyes open, she glanced at the clock again. One in the afternoon.
How long had it been since she'd fallen asleep?
Did Soren say he would be back soon? Sleep tugged at her eyes once more, and a large yawn erupted from within her. Carolena frowned at the time. When did she sit down? Minutes blurred into hours until the concept of time was completely lost to Carolena.
She was asleep before the sound of her head hitting the table broke the silence of the library.
***
The world was swallowed by a wave of inky water, pushing Carolena to the depths of the ocean. Surrounded by nothing but black, she thrashed at the water to escape, her eyes wide at the disappearing light overhead. Pressure squeezed at her lungs until she felt like she would pop, nothing more than a pearl slipping out of an oyster.
Gods, if she died here, would she actually die?
She didn't have to answer that question as the sinking sensation stopped, the pressure slightly lifted. Bubbles grew on Carolena's arms at the chill of the water, the sensation of an older magic holding her in place, allowing her to survive at these depths.
It was different from the familiar tickling sensation of her own magic or the refined power in the marble palace—this magic felt ancient, raw, and untouched by time
As if on cue, two giant orange eyes cut through the darkness. The glow they emitted told Carolena the owner of the eyes was still far enough away that it was no immediate threat. But that sensation of old magic turned her blood to ice.
Slitted irises narrowed onto Carolena, and something glinted in the darkness. You should not be here.
Carolena blinked. The raspy, low grumble was warning enough, her pulse rushing along with the current of the water. She didn't dare respond to the creature lurking in the inky waters, it was a funny enough thought for her to think she could even move in the depths. The beast's magic kept her suspended in place as its eyes disappeared into the void of the water, the knot in her stomach twisting as she heard the rumbling inch closer.
Come back when you are ready, elaris. Or I won't hesitate to swallow the entire sun.
Elaris...the word stirred something faint in her memory, like a song half-remembered. Her eyes flared in the darkness, the snapping of jaws reverberating in the black ocean. No, she didn't care to come back.
Before Carolena could begin to thrash up to the light, to the air her lungs craved, sharp daggers plunged toward her in an effort to consume her whole. She couldn't fight the scream that bubbled from her lips as the teeth closed in around her.
***
Carolena's eyes snapped open, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure she’d truly woken. The gossamer curtains of her bed swayed in an invisible current, and the flickering lamplight cast shadows on the walls that morphed and twisted like the inky depths of her dream. The medallion at her chest felt heavier than before, its warmth a sharp contrast to the phantom chill still clinging to her skin. She shook her head, forcing herself to focus, but the creature’s voice echoed faintly in her ears.
Elaris. Swallow the entire sun.
Her pulse quickened as the memory of the creature’s jaws closing in flashed before her eyes, and for one terrible moment, she thought she saw a glint of orange in the shadows.
How she made it back to her quarters, Carolena had no idea. A thick quilt covered her legs, the purple and gold patchwork gleaming in the lamplight that sat flickering on her nightstand. Her heart dropped like a stone in her stomach as she sat up to look outside.
Night had begun to creep over the world, the stars waking in the red stained sky. How long had she been asleep? Even the dusksilk gliders had begun their nightly dance, translucent wings catching the last rays of sunlight that peeked over the horizon as they moved to hunt. Carolena might have watched them in their acrobatic movements if she hadn't felt another pair of eyes watching her.
"I don't know about you, but most healers I know prefer to have a full rest, bunny." Bastian's voice grated against the pounding of her head, and Carolena resisted the urge to give in and glare at him.
Ignoring his footsteps making their way to the bed, she sighed and watched the gliders vanish into the tangle of trees towards Falfail. "Well, it's not as if this is an easy task." Gods, she hated the way her voice still shook. "Your father doesn't exactly have a common disease."
When she bothered to glance at the prince, her brows rose. Those emerald eyes that seemed to conceive unspeakable plans had lost their luster, even his golden skin seemed ashy against his scarlet robes. A wry smile crossed his lips when their eyes met, causing Carolena's to turn downward in response.
"Good thing we have a respectable healer in our midst." Was it considered treason to chuck the royal heir over her balcony? Carolena rolled her eyes, making a mental note to find Soren after this.
"Bad dream?"
The medallion flared against her chest at Bastian's inquiry. No, this hadn't been some dream, but the words escaped her as she thought of what to call these reoccurring horrors.
It wasn't as if she'd tell Bastian anyway.
"Where is Captain Soren?" Twisting her coppery waves in her fingers, Carolena turned back towards the night sky. Veya and Mael had already peeked into the sleepy world, winking above the bay as they watched the mortals climb into their beds.
Prince Bastian lowered into the chair in front of her, his brows knitted together. "Away on business."
Carolena felt the twinge of annoyance like a plucked string, snorting at the mutual feeling. The prince shifted in his seat, clearing his throat to ease the silence. Good, let him be uncomfortable for once in his gods damned life.
"Ah," Carolena slowly turned to Bastian, twisting her face into a mask of disappointment. "I'd hoped to see Soren soon. He did promise me dinner tonight." Who cares about some fucking prince? Claws raked down the back of her mind in agreement, sending shivers racing down her spine.
She couldn't decide which pleased her more: the fact that the crowned prince's jaw lay agape, or the fact that his face nearly matched the color of his robe.
He floundered in the chair for a moment, before snapping his mouth shut and glaring out the window. "Well, seems as though my captain has been bothering you too much it seems. And he seems to be forgetful, as your dinner isn't here."
For a moment, Carolena's blood froze. Yes, Bastian and Soren seemed to be decently close, but she wasn't sure how strong of a bond the prince would need to not dismiss the captain of his position over a mere jest. Her eyes darted to the door. "Oh, you'll have to forgive him then, it seems the important meeting he needed to attend went rather long."
Bastian's eyebrow rose. "That was my meeting. I sent him to Amberval to assess the need for aid, effective at midday. Besides, he would have to do something more serious to lose my good graces."
A small sigh of relief passed her lips, until Carolena realized that the order had been given hours ago. Soren had departed before she even fell asleep in the library. Her face burned as the prince suddenly became to close to her. As if she still felt his arms touching her.
"Why are you here?" she grumbled. "Just get it over with and then I can find a meal and eat in peace." Alone, truly alone now.
Those cunning emerald eyes sparked. "Why not solve both problems at once?"
Not even twenty minutes later, saliva pooled in Carolena's mouth at the trays of food Bastian had sent to her table in the receiving room. She hated the way her stomach barked at her to devour every plate, and she wondered when she had eaten last. Sleep had been hard to find, but a good meal should have been easier. Perhaps she thought a full stomach would have lulled her to sleep. What a silly thought.
Bastian sat across from her in front of the fireplace, anticipating her first move. "Eat to your heart's content." That teasing smile spread across his face.
"No," Carolena placed a hand on her protesting stomach. "First, why did you come to see me?"
"A bite for every answer."
Scowling, she picked up her fork and speared the nearest plate of meat to wave in the prince's face before shoveling it into her mouth. Gods, whatever the cook marinated the venison in, Carolena needed to know.
The prince leaned back in his chair. "Obviously, to ask about my father's condition, but I couldn't very well ask you when you were slumped over the librarian's table."
Shooting a glare at Bastian, Carolena reached to snag one of the rolls in the dish next to her. A fluffy white spread next to it caught her eye, and she dipped the bread right in. "It hasn't changed much. Hard to remedy when I don't have much information. Second, do you have more texts from the eastern countries?"
He waited, gesturing for her to eat. Rolling her eyes, Carolena obliged and tore a piece off, popping it into her mouth. Never mind asking the cook. She needed to know exactly how they made their food.
"No," Bastian reached over to toss another log into the fire. "I would ask Ryker, but his queen doesn't seem like she enjoys reading much."
Carolena's ears perked up. "His queen?" Under her shirt, the medallion burned away at her.
The prince paused again until another bite of her roll disappeared down her throat. "Yes, his queen. Ryker is the political emissary from Myree, a bridge between our kingdoms."
It wasn't often that people talked of the rulers of the eastern kingdoms, much less when they received any information about them. The last Carolena knew, the king had sworn a pact with the queen of Myree to ensure peace and trade between the countries around the time of the first magic ban; shortly after came the order for execution.
"One more question," Bastian watched her as she shoveled another mouthful of venison in. "And then I have one or two of my own."
Carolena pursed her lips, and Ma's face popped into her mind. "Fine. If the captain is in Amberval, can a message be sent to request books on his return? Or, any other messages?"
Bastian sat in his chair, observing her for far longer than Carolena cared. Another bite of roll vanished, followed by the red wine waiting in her cup. Satisfied, he nodded.
Her heart practically landed in the Above at the prince's answer. There was no guarantee that any message she sent would stay private, but at least Ma would know she was alive, maybe even offer her advice or some remedy. Carolena stuffed her mouth with the fruit tart to hide her smile from ruining her indifferent mask.
"Why did you take your mother's place?" Bastian's silken voice shattered the moment. Just as it had leaped for Veya, Carolena's heart crashed back down and splattered on the earth.
Fighting to not choke on the tart, she swallowed and bit her tongue to respond. In all honesty, Carolena couldn't decide why she had bothered to travel to the Eternal Court. During the whole trip to the palace, she had convinced herself that it was to spare Ma from any harm that the royal family might have inflicted. Still, the feeling of her pendant marking her for the first time, feeding into her magic and searing her chest…
"So she wouldn't have to deal with a self-absorbed prince," The words stung her tongue.
Bastian's emerald eyes glinted. "You promise you will do whatever you can in your power to save my father?"
Suddenly, the warmth of the fireplace dissipated, and the medallion felt like lead against Carolena's chest. She held the prince's gaze, refusing to allow her hand to fly up to her neck. Maybe he didn't know.
"I will do everything in my mortal power to save him," Carolena chose her words carefully. Even in this age, words held power over magic, and some promises were better off unspoken.
The prince broke first, standing from his chair. He said nothing as he walked to the door of her room, stuffing his hands in his robe. Only when he opened the door did Bastian look at Carolena with a wicked grin and say, "That will do. For now."
