Sunlit Shadows

Chapter Two

"Madam, with all due respect, how in Solara's name are we supposed to kill off an entire royal family." Kael picked at the scars adorning his dark skin.

A death warrant— the witch just signed our death warrants and prepared us for the gallows.

I got up without being excused, my chair scraping the mahogany floors beneath. I was unable to fully hear the conversation I left behind. I need to get home, was all that played in my head as I yanked open the door and began starting up the path. A crackle of the woods to the right of me stunned me momentarily until I could make out the two people approaching me, Solana and Helios— the Buscar twins. I told them everything from this morning with Thea, the gallows with the pregnant woman, and now with the assignment where, no matter how you look at it, we're in danger. As they listened, Solana help Helios bandage his upper arm, it seems that they had run into a bit of an issue swindling whatever businessman wronged the unfortunate today.

"You know," Solana began after tapering off the bandages. "We can watch Thea while you're away, at least then you know she's in safe hands and still attending her lessons."

"Really?" The offer filled me with hope, it was one less thing to worry about.

"Of course, we'll bring her by the Madam's cottage every day, we'll fill her stomach." I thanked and hugged them both, letting them know I would bring my sister with me in the morning and continued the walk home.

In the distance, I could see Kael running after me, trying to catch up. I kept walking, not wanting to have the conversation he clearly wanted to have. He called my name, his voice closer which made me stop.

"Making me chase after you now?" He panted softly. "You wound me."

A soft smile spread across my face as he placed a hand over his heart and began to pout. It quickly fell once I remembered just what we were up against. I tried to walk off again, but Kael caught my wrist, holding it tightly to stop me from going anywhere.

"Think this through, who's been kicking who's ass for years?" A coldness seeped into my voice, but it was useless fighting my friend, I wasn't mad at him, I was scared about everything. "I need to get back to Thea."

"'Lia," His grip tightened, the same pain plastered on his own face. "The Madam wants us to be ready before dawn."

I sighed, letting him guide me down the path as I allowed myself to mull over the different possibilities: Without the twins, Thea would starve without me after a day let alone for the couple of months it would take. We walked in silence until we reached my doorstep, we packed what little of my gear I had left with the occasional remark or joke, lighting the dim mood slightly. After we had finished, Kael left to pack his own things, leaving me with my own thoughts. A few moments later, the door busted open, hitting the back wall with a loud thump.

"I'm home," Thea sang. "And I brought gifts."

"How did you manage that?" I gasped as I rushed over to help her with the overflowing bags of food in her arms.

That night, we ate like queens. I told Thea of the journey to be made and how long it would take, sparing her a few details. I helped her pack her bags and held her tightly as she slept until the morning came too soon.

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"Are you ready?" Kael took my hand, squeezing it tight.

My sister dug her long nails into my arm, tears streaming down her face. Last night she had been so brave, she had tried to convince herself that everything would be okay. I pulled her into me, feeling every sob that racked through her.