The Crystal Mines

30 Rion

Alden had been asleep longer than usual. I could only guess it was because the ship had docked, and the rough tossing of the open ocean was reduced to gentle rocking. The moments he was awake, he still hadn't spoken. He had looked at me once and continued to stare straight ahead. Erix had Dath do a number on him.

I wouldn't be surprised if he blamed me for most of it. I blamed myself. It was only fair. Evander had left to sleep in a real bed, the chain had begun digging into his back after so long. The only way he was willing to go, was when I promised to stay in his stead. I immediately regretted it. Not because I didn't want to. I did. I didn't want to see Alden wake again and be disappointed it was I who sat by his bed side.

I sighed and slouched in the chair, sticking my feet out. Kayanna had called Alden's current state, Fae Sleep. It was a type of short-term hibernation saved only for times of deep recovery. Otherwise, when a Fae became too old, they could enter the Fae Sleep to let the years pass, as we lived to be hundreds of years old. Kay estimated that he had entered the Fae Sleep well before we rescued him, so he would wake soon.

Just as I began to nod off, fingers gently tapped my shoulder. I cracked an eye open, already pissed at being disturbed. I didn't get a lot of sleep as it was. No one came into view right away, forcing me to sit up, fully alert.

"I'm so sorry, Rion."

Eliza stood behind me, full of guilt. All feelings of anger dissipated. It was hard to be mad at her. She had forced herself into my life, seeing straight through me. Before Ameer had contacted her, she would send over some food to my rooms when classes were done for the day. Eventually, I got sick of her generosity, and asked the kitchen to send both of our meals to the clinic. I recalled the look on her face when I appeared right behind a cook dropping the food off. Her ice blue eyes had locked with mine, as she accepted my change to her plans. We had ever spoke about it, just continued the ritual each night. She would mash her herbs and bottle her potions. While I practiced my terrible attempts at mind speak.

One night, maybe a few days before Ameer called on her, Eliza had sat in front of me and spoke to my mind. I had just watched Dath beat Alden further, even in his unconsciousness. My emotions must have been overpowering, because she accidently stumbled upon an old memory of mine and watch it through my eyes. I had to have been no older than six and Erix had just gotten back home from work. Alden had just been toddling around and had knocked over a crystal from a shelf we were to stay away from. The nurse maid had gone off to grab Alden's mashed food. When Erix asked about the crystal on the floor, I took the burnt immediately. While the nurse maid scurried off with my brother, I was dragged to the trees behind our manor. There he tied me up. Where I stay for days. Thirsty and starving. When I couldn't answer how the crystal ended up on the floor, it was the first time Erix put his hands on me. It was that moment that Eliza witnessed. The feeling of my nose breaking at an such a young age. Crying and confused. That young, I still only wanted to please my father. I had apologized over and over. Only to receive another blow for each plead. He called me weak and emotional.

Afterwards, I explained the memory to Eliza, and admitted that things only got worse from there. Much worse. Her white hair had shone in the light as she leaned forward. There had been no pity in her eyes. She was all fight. She had grabbed my hand firmly and promised, "Never again." When Ameer contacted her, she told me I was joining her and that it was time I stopped being the villain.

The guilt that was on her face now, was unacceptable.

"I'm sorry," she repeated "but Talay was asking for you. Her friend has woken up and they are with Kay now."

I met her icy gaze. "Never apologize." I stood, and watched Alden's steady breathing one last time, uneasy at leaving him alone. When I faced Eliza again, she was already sitting in the chair, ready to take my place. The act did something inside of me. She shooed me with her chin and a smile. I nodded and walked off to the room Kay kept the boy in. I kept forgetting his name.