Rising

Chapter 13

The sky was of a dull orange hue, sporadically marked with hints of red and light. It was afternoon, and I was now ready to keep the promise I had made to Cassiel. I was heading to his room to take him for a walk in the city. When I stood in front of his door, I didn't knock; instead, I gently pushed it open, and it creaked reluctantly, allowing me to enter. I found him sitting at his desk, his thin legs crossed on the chair, engrossed in a book that had captured all his attention. The book was bound in leather and looked quite old, with elegant golden letters on the cover that read, "The Song of the Moon and the Dance of the Sun, Stories for Children."I nostalgically remembered that illustrated book had been one of my favorites when I was four years old. My father used to read it to me whenever I stubbornly refused to sleep, soothing my tantrums. All the memories of him that I had cherished for years had started to blur and intertwine lately, forming a disconnected web of unwelcome information. I tried to hold on to our moments, but once again, I felt blocked by a wall of sorrow that divided us, a wall constructed from the bricks of his betrayal. I wanted to remember him as the father who had always tried to protect me and bring me happiness, but I couldn't forgive his lie. It had taken root in my mind like a thornbush, and every day its rough and thorny branches burrowed deeper into my body, seeking the shortest path to my heart. Outwardly, the flowers on the plant might appear beautiful, but they were not worth the pain caused by the thorns on its dense branches when you tried to pick them, just like my father's lie, which might have seemed well-intentioned but didn't equal the pain and loss that the truth had caused me in hindsight.Cassiel was so engrossed in his reading that he didn't even notice me. I approached the desk stealthily, gazing at him with a smile in my eyes, determined to leave my skeletons locked in the closet I had painstakingly built in recent months. I noticed that his once-pale skin was starting to gain some color, and I was relieved because he no longer resembled the wretched people his fate had sadly assigned him to."So, do you like it?" I asked. For the first time, he tore his gaze away from the book and smiled at me, embarrassed. 

"I'm sorry, I... I took it without permission; it was just there, leaning... but I didn't mean any harm."

I sensed a hint of anxiety in his voice, and I felt disappointed. I hoped he didn't see me as Deimos did. 

"Don't worry; it's okay," I reassured him. "What do you think?" I gestured to the book he had closed in front of him.

"I don't know how to read; it was full of pictures, so I flipped through it... You see, in Suarì, commoners aren't allowed to learn how to read, but my dad promised he would teach me before..." His voice trailed off, and I saw that familiar sad expression again, as if his father hadn't met a natural end."It doesn't matter," I hurriedly replied, understanding that it wasn't the right time to delve into his regrets. "Would you like it if I helped you read it every night before bedtime so you can understand the story too?"He nodded eagerly and raised his clenched fist in the air, his excitement palpable. I smiled again. "Are you ready? Let's go buy you some new clothes in Hinode; it's a few kilometers from here, and we'll go by car." He jumped out of his chair and joined me, bouncing happily. As we left the room, I reminded him, "You just have to promise me that you won't open your wings." He nodded in agreement, and I knew it was a precaution I had to take, not so much for others but for his own sake. I wasn't worried that he might run away; if he had wanted to do that, he could have done it a long time ago. What concerned me was that people would see him differently and be frightened, rejecting and accusing him. He appeared like a normal child, but what made him different were his skeletal wings. He was a bit damaged and marked by signs that didn't belong to his young age, but in the crowd, he could pass as anyone else. The last thing I wanted was to create chaos in the city and make his life even more difficult. I took his hand, and we walked down the bright corridor, looking for Jan until I spotted him sitting on the last step of the long staircase. He got up unsteadily when he heard our footsteps, but when he realized it was just us, he heaved a sigh of relief. He looked pale and tired, sweaty, probably sick, but he gave me his usual smile and winked at Cassiel."You don't look well," I observed, and Cassiel clung to my shirt, hiding half of his face behind my back."I don't feel very good," he admitted."Call a car to take us to Hinode, and then you're dismissed. Take all the time you need to recover, and maybe see Dr. O'Callagan too.""Roger that, wait in the garden, General," he saluted me ironically. Leaning against the walls and dragging himself like a wounded animal along the corridor, he went to find the driver.I gently removed Cassiel's grip on my shirt and bent down close to him, stroking his blonde head. "You don't have to be afraid of Jan; he's my friend. If anyone even tries to harm you, tell them that the sun will show neither mercy nor forgiveness. Trust me!""In Suarì, they said not to trust anyone because they all leave or use you," he said.I smiled at him with maternal tenderness. That child had brought out the most compassionate and merciful side of me. I had never thought about having children. No one on this planet knew what would result from the union of two immortals. I had always rejected the idea of seeing my children die before me, but at that moment, I felt that he needed my support and presence almost as much as a mother. "Forget what they taught you in Suarì. It's true that people often lie, and they can be cruel or sometimes unwilling to love you for who you are or accept your flaws and negative sides. But always try to show them that you are ready to give them a chance to get to know you and vice versa. If you trust someone, it's because you trust yourself and your qualities, so you chose them... yes, you chose to make room for them in your life as a friend, lover, or whatever you want. It's you who chooses not to be alone, you choose who to open up to and who can hurt you.""But wounds hurt..." he brought a hand to his neck, where I had seen several scars that morning. I felt all his sadness and hugged him tightly."You're right, little one, wounds burn and torment you, but in the end, they always turn into scars from which you've gained something. Let me tell you a secret..." I lowered my voice. "The pain some wounds inflict is less than the happiness that the person who inflicted them brings you most of the time. People often make mistakes and hurt us, but that doesn't mean it's intentional. That's why forgiveness exists. Never let yourself be consumed by resentment and shadows; always be guided by light and your dreams and feelings, okay?"My thoughts instinctively turned to Deimos, who had carefully avoided me all day after our morning argument. I felt nostalgic; our walks and carefree, happy moments had been lost somewhere in the universe, and his warm, reassuring love was still locked inside him, I knew it. I pulled Cassiel away from me and gave him a radiant smile; he nodded with tears in his eyes. It seemed that I was freeing him from all his burdens and regrets, from everything those soulless people had instilled in his head in an attempt to darken his still pure and hopeful heart. The more I observed him, the more convinced I became that I had to do something to stop those fanatics who used children and innocents as war machines, trying to tarnish their existence and gain from it. Cowards and slimy, venomous as a snake, that's what they were! A people of vipers involving innocent people in their delusions and endless wars. I bit my lip because I didn't want to get angry or not in front of him."Let's go," I invited, stretching. He took my hand, gripping it with the expression of someone navigating through shadows and spotting the light of a lighthouse. That's how we set off on our way.The moon was about to rise in the sky as we left the bright lights of Hinode behind us. We were sitting in the comfortable black leather seats of our car with dark tinted windows, speeding towards the palace. I was late for dinner, and I knew Deimos was strict about our meal times; he must have been even more upset than he was that morning. However, I had spent an enjoyable afternoon with Cassiel, showing him the heart of Lys: Hinode, the most magnificent and chaotic city. He was fascinated and captivated, even though our way of life didn't belong to him. He had quickly adapted to the changes, happy to leave his sad past life behind."So, did you enjoy the day?" I asked, yawning, feeling exhausted."Yes!" he replied, luxuriating in the comfortable seat."Will you visit me in your dreams again tonight?" I joked."I could try to explain my life through one of them," he replied seriously. I was curious to learn more about him and his people. It was a good opportunity to investigate and dispel all the beliefs and negative opinions Deimos had formed about Cassiel."Of course!" I replied enthusiastically. "How did you learn to enter people's dreams and manipulate them?" I smiled, hoping to put him at ease."I didn't learn it," he explained. "In our people, and even here, there are many individuals with gifts. Some have more significant powers than others, which affect the physical world, while others affect thoughts like me. However, no one equals the generals or governors; they are complete."Complete. We had everything. I wondered if Deimos and the others knew about the existence of these beings with that extra touch that made them more extraordinary than ordinary. "I understand," I cut short the conversation.

"We have arrived," Mr. Oliver informed me from the driver's seat, smiling. Mr. Oliver was Mr. Abram's brother, and they looked quite similar in appearance. He had the marks of age on his face, his features radiated experience, but his eyes were vibrant and as blue as the sky. Unlike Mr. Abram, Mr. Oliver was much more informal and calm, although I often saw the same serene composure in his gestures as in Mr. Abram's."Thank you!" I replied, returning the gesture. I opened the car door and invited Cassiel to step out with a gesture, and he quickly slid out of the car, bringing the bags containing our purchases with him. I followed him, taking a few seconds longer to avoid my skirt from lifting in the gust of cool night wind. I closed the door behind me and, taking some bags from Cassiel's hand beside me, headed towards the entrance, where he followed me, skipping happily along the secluded path in the park.At the entrance, Jan was waiting for us, but the concern on his face almost overshadowed his sickly appearance. I deduced that I didn't have time to change, and I immediately felt Deimos' anger seeping into my skin like the sharp claws of a cat. But before Jan could speak, I silenced him."I know I'm late," I paused. "Take Cassiel to his room, help him unpack this stuff, and bring his dinner to his room. Then go rest as I told you before; don't make me repeat it twice, alright?" I nodded, and his face seemed calmer. I handed him the bags I was holding and turned to Cassiel."We'll see each other before bedtime for a story, little one," I promised, and he mimicked the same gesture Jan had made earlier. I headed to the dining room, waving to them. 

I didn't know what to expect, but I wasn't ready to give in just yet. I wouldn't allow Deimos to make Cassiel suffer any further. From my point of view, he was the one in the wrong.

I opened the door with ease and, careful not to look at the other end of the long table, gracefully took my seat on the padded chair. I didn't have time to adjust the white handkerchief with red embroidery on my cream-colored dress to prevent any food stains or spills before Deimos began tapping his fingers loudly on the table. I looked up and stared at him; his light gray eyes studied me. Surprisingly, he seemed calm, but as usual, it was difficult for me to read the behaviors or moods of the man I was about to marry, as they often underwent such rapid changes that unsettled both of us."You're late," he accused, coldly."You're right," I admitted."It's gotten colder," he continued."Why does it matter?" I replied impatiently. I picked up my fork and started eating, abruptly ending our brief conversation. We ate the meal in silence, as stiff as two wax statues, sneaking glances at each other and secretly trying to give the impression to the other that we didn't care."Do you know anything about people with powers beyond us?" I asked as Mr. Abram was busy clearing our dirty plates. He furrowed his brow, shifting his eyes nervously from me to the table next to the door. His actions betrayed hysteria and worry; I had caught him off guard."Who told you?" he asked, trying to maintain a calm tone."Cassiel," I replied casually."And how does the brat know?" he continued disdainfully.I shot him a reproachful look. He curled his lip as if regretting what he had said, but I wasn't sure whether he regretted his words or saying them in my presence."Because the 'brat,'" I mimicked his tone with a grimace, "is gifted with the ability to enter and manipulate people's dreams. That's why you're not dead, and that's why I knew we needed to protect ourselves that night."He continued to stare at me, perplexed, as if I had made everything up or was completely insane. I started tapping on the armrests of the chair impatiently. The time he was taking to respond was not a good sign. I felt as tense as a violin string, he had hidden something from me again, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to accept whatever he was about to tell me."We said no more secrets, didn't we?" I admonished him. I was surprised to find that there was no trace of anxiety in my voice, despite the anxiety that was coursing through my veins."This isn't the right place to discuss it," he said, pausing. "Let's go to my study."He got up and opened a drawer of his desk, taking out the familiar red vial containing the invisibility potion and handed it to me."You know what to do," he said encouragingly. "Be careful, I don't know how far back you can go, you may not recognize yourself, and you probably won't recognize me either. Maybe we won't even be here, and you'll feel lost, but remember it's the past."I nodded, took the vial from his hand, and hugged him. At first, he didn't hug me, surprised by my sudden display of affection, but then he embraced me, cradling me in his arms. I didn't know what I would do when I found myself in the arms of another man."I know you're strong, and you'll make it," he whispered.I had missed him, and now, with his support, I knew I could do it. I sat down on the armchair, closed my eyes, and gathered all my concentration. Who was I? I continued to ask myself incessantly until the room filled with lights and shadows that had become a part of me, and I hurried to drink the potion.