There was no way back. I was stuck. On either side of the walkway the same cluster of rocks stopped me from passing. Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!
Defeated and void of energy, I slumped to the floor and pressed my back against the palace wall behind me. I brought my legs up to my chin, and wrapped my arms around them. I rubbed at my exposed skin, trying anything to fight the numbing cold.
The moon’s cold light cut into my bones. I scolded myself for even thinking it would work and the lack of thinking that went into the stupid decision.
I released a deep sob that racked my chest, my vision blurred with tears. I looked between the palace wall, and the twinkle of lights that flickered over the sea and wept.
Occasional bursts of water rained on me as a wave broke over the side of the walkways edge, washing away the tears that stained my skin. I buried my head in my hands and screamed until my throat burned. With the light magick I had left I encased myself in a shield of air, attempting to keep in the minimal heat around me before I froze to death.
***
TIME MELTED AWAY. The sky changed, the constellations replaced with pink tinted clouds whilst the sun peaked over the horizon. With the morning light, I saw a glint of metal out the side of my eye. At the far right of the walkway was a door, a simple weathered wood door that had sunk deep into the wall. I hadn’t noticed it before. I jumped up and ran for it, my body numb, my mind exhausted.
I reached for the ring handle, rust flaking beneath my hand. I pulled and pushed, using any strength I could muster to force it open. It didn’t budge.
Frustrated, I smashed my shoulder into it, trying anything to break it open. It was locked. I stepped back, giving myself enough running room and shook my arm, readying it. Then, I pelted towards it. The side of my body smashed into the door, shoulder first. It swung open. I braced myself for the fall, closing my eyes and releasing a silent scream. But arms wrapped around me, halting my fall.
“Careful, careful!” the voice called. “You are ice cold. I thought I was going crazy when I heard crying, but apparently it is not I who is the crazy one…” Two golden eyes glared with concern beneath the hood of the stranger.
Prince Hadrian.
I stumbled over my reply, unable to conjure a lie fast enough.
The prince reached out a hand, his soft skin brushing across my face. His hand was warm, his breath fresh like he had been chewing mint leaves. He looked even more ethereal so close, his midnight hair fell across both shoulders, his eyes wide with recognition.
“Here.” His voice melted my panic, “Take this.” With the grace of a performer, he pulled the cloak from his shoulders and wrapped it around me. My body warmed beneath the thick material. I pulled it tight around me, concealing my body. Embarrassment warmed my cheeks.
“I told the guards to leave out the initiations with the new recruits. I guess they do not seem to listen to me very well. How long have you been out here?”
My voice cracked when I replied, “I’m not sure, your highness. I—”
“No need to explain yourself.” He reached a hand for me. “I will talk to the guards later. Let me help you get back to bed, it’s the least I can do.”
Prince Hadrian closed the door and we fell into bleak darkness, all apart from the candle in his hand that I’d not noticed before. His smile glowed red above the flame, “Come.”
My hand was small compared to his. I let him pull me along.
We headed forward into the darkness of the room, the light from his candle illuminating the space in a halo of orange light. The brush of the cloak against the floor muffled the slap of my feet, both still numb and sore.
“I suppose it is only fair that I know your name.” His deep voice vibrated off the room’s barren walls.
“Zacriah, your highness,” I replied. In the now dark room, I could only see the candle bobbing ahead, but not him.
“Zacriah…”
“Zacriah Trovirn.”
“Well, Zacriah Trovirn, you need to be careful; this may not be the only initiation test the guards put you through during the coming weeks. Personally, I do not see the point in them, but it seems to keep them all entertained.”
I didn’t know what he was talking about, but I felt the best option was to just go along with it.
“Thank you, your highness.”
“I can see why they picked on you,” he chuckled. “They normally start with the better-looking initiates.” I blushed, pulling the cloak around me tighter, glad he had not turned around to see me. “Regardless, I will speak to them.”
We didn’t speak the rest of the walk back. It didn’t take long for me to recognize the part of the palace he led me through. When I came to the bottom of the stairwell, I was glad that we were almost there.
Not once did Prince Hadrian ask for direction to my room, he just knew. That unnerved me, but I was too exhausted to worry about anything other than sleep.
“I trust I can leave you here to find your way back?” Prince Hadrian said, stopping beyond the stairs into my sleeping quarters.
“I can. Thank you,” I replied, short and sweet.
I walked past him, straight for the door to my room.
“Sleep well, Zacriah Trovirn,” he called from behind me.
“Thank you.” I nodded, but stopped in the threshold, “I should give this back to you.” I pulled the cloak from my shoulders and held it out to him.
I watched him walk away, leaving me holding the cloak out. Before he turned down the stairwell, I heard his voice a final time.
“Keep it.”
I AWOKE TO three loud bangs at the bedroom door. At home, it would be the call of birds or the sweep of a broom against the street outside my window that would wake me. I peeked my eye open enough to see the room awash in morning light. Dust danced in the rays of sun that cut into the room, twisting and turning like falling snow.
My head ached, the dull thud across my forehead reprimanding me for not sleeping when I should’ve. I stretched my arms above my head and listened to the guards as they called names from beyond the door. Once the names were called the guards explained to them that they would be returning home. It caused a buzz of confusion as those who began to pack looked between Petrer, Gwendolyn and myself. I even heard one elfin boy question the night before, complaining of his missing memories. I didn’t respond, and the questions soon ceased.
I pulled the pillow from beneath my head and pressed it to my face, feathers scratching me through the thin cover. I yawned into it, exhaustion too hard to ignore.
I heard a muffled cry and I looked up again to find the cause. Gwendolyn. She released a sob from her side of the room, her eyes rimmed red and her body shaking. She held onto Demitria, planting wet kisses across her face and whispering through her tears. My stomach twisted as I watched them. Demitria and Gwendolyn had been together for as long as I could remember. Since childhood they had been inseparable.