“Just be careful,” Hadrian cut in.
I was surprised at just how warm Gallion’s touch was. He splayed his fingers across my forehead, “Hadrian will ask you questions whilst I remove the barrier. Take your time and don’t panic. Once the barrier is down, I will not be able to put it back.”
I reached my hand out and Nyah grabbed hold of it. “I’m right here, Zac. Breathe.”
My vision filled with a glow of opal. I felt the tickle of power radiate from Gallion’s hands and fill my mind.
At first it didn’t feel like anything. Then I felt it. The barrier. The strong wall of pressure was alien to my body.
“Do you remember the duel?” Hadrian asked.
I didn’t, not at first. But slowly the memories of the crowd, and the throne room seeped back into my consciousness. I could see the Commander, Illera, and King Dalior.
“Yes,” I replied.
“Do you remember when I stopped it?” Hadrian asked.
His words were the key to unlocking the door of new memories. As soon as he asked I saw Illera shift and pounce on me. I wanted to scream. It was all so real.
“Yes.” I could hear the panic behind my reply.
“Do you rememb—”
Anticipation took hold of me and I ripped down the barrier. I felt Gallion’s surprise through our connection.
“Yes,” I sobbed, “I remember everything.”
All at once the memories flooded over me. The wind, the magick, the fire. I saw the bodies of those I’d killed every time I blinked.
“It was Alina. She was the one in Nasamel forest. The one who tried to kill me.” Hadrian’s voice shook. From sadness or anger, I didn’t know. “You had been right all along. It was never the Morthi.”
“I killed her.” She’d hung in the air, her body lifeless and under my control. I had killed her.
“…As we escaped the palace, you were shot. I thought we had lost you.”
There was a phantom pain tingling in my chest, then in my leg.
“You died,” Gallion said. I hadn’t even noticed he’d removed his hands from my head.
“I remember.” It was all I could say.
“You lost control of your mind, your magick took over. That, is my fault,” Gallion added.
I looked at him, “How? I still don’t even know who you are. How could you be at fault for my actions?” It was hard to see him through my tears.
“You still have a lot to learn,” he responded.
“Where are we?”
“A small Island off the coast of Eldnol,” Hadrian added, taking my hand and squeezing. “After the archers got you, you fell off the walkway into the ocean. We lost you. It was Browlin who saved you.”
“She jumped in after you, found you, and brought you out of the sea.” Nyah said.
“My sister has her uses.” Gallion shuffled. “Speaking of the witch…”
It was hard to miss the light popping sound from the left side of the bed. I turned my head and saw her, Browlin, bent over to the bed.
I recoiled from her.
“He fears me,” she said.
“He has been through a lot,” Gallion replied to her, then turned back to me. As they stood beside each other it was clear just how similar they looked. Both shared the same beautiful skin and eyes. She smiled, although I still didn’t trust her.
“She’s your sister?”
“Yes, that she is. Amongst many other things,” Gallion replied.
“He should be more thankful,” Browlin said.
“I think that is enough talk on this matter for the day. It’s time we all leave you to get some rest,” Hadrian added.
“You can’t! You’ve got to tell me what happened. How do you expect me to rest?” I shouted.
“I can help with that,” Gallion said whilst he leaned over me.
Hadrian blocked Gallion with his outstretched arm, “I am telling you Gallion, do not do this.”
“I have to.”
“I will not allow it.”
I looked between them as they argued over me like I wasn’t here.
“You don’t rule over me, boy,” Gallion seethed, “Now, move.”
Hadrian dropped his arm, defeated.
“You need to sleep, son. We will continue this conversation when you wake.”
“Sleep... sleep… sleep,” Browlin sang.
“But—”
The world slipped from my grasp as Gallion touched me and I fell into his waiting magick.
I STUDIED THE map of bruises that hid beneath the surface of my skin. Faint blues and purples shadowed the side of my face all the way past my collar bone. Both my eyes were bloodshot, no remnants of white left. I held the mirror before me, although my arm still ached from such a small task, and examined myself.
I looked like a monster. A title I matched in every sense.
I had begged Nyah in the early morning to put me to sleep the same way Gallion had days ago. It was the only time I had a release from the guilt that ate away at me. But she refused.
No matter how many times I went over it, I shouldn’t have killed Alina.
Nyah was draped across the wooden chair behind me, mouth open and snoring. I contemplated waking her, but decided against it. She’d spent the past few days with Gallion, training her empathic abilities and was tired. I’d guessed that Gallion was an empath, but there was a part of me that already knew. Deep in my mind I had a feeling I’d met him before. Yet every time I brought it up, the conversation was changed.
I drifted through the endless meetings with Hadrian and Gallion and healing with Browlin. All my time had been occupied and I’d spent no time with Hadrian alone. I was glad; I couldn’t take his pitiful stare. Every time he looked at me, it was all I could see.
My strength had returned, but my magick didn’t. I put its absence to exhaustion, but with the time that passed, I knew it was something more. I felt the gaping empty space within me where I used to keep it buried. There was not a single part left.
I took comfort in its loss. I didn’t deserve it.
Anxious to leave. I tiptoed from the room. I turned a final time to check on Nyah, opening the door carefully so I didn’t wake her. It would be a while before she’d wake and notice that I’d left.
***
I’D GROWN ACCUSTOMED to the sounds and smells of the island. The earthy scent was a result of the dense forest covering most of the island and the daily hot showers that passed over. It must have rained recently for my bare feet were damp as I stepped onto the walkway beyond the room.
For as far as I could see there were only trees, the view was breath taking. All around me were small buildings raised in the treetops and nestled in the dense foliage. It was a village in the sky. Although they were all empty of life, I could imagine how it once was full of it. I wonder why they’re not anymore.
Birds I’d never seen before hopped across branches, singing to one another. I walked to the edge of the platform to get a better look but my stomach spun as I looked down. I was a far way to the ground below. With the lack of my magick the height made me nervous.
I’d heard about the Alorian way of life. It’d interested me. I knew they lived in settlements above the ground, but never imagined it to look like this.