Citadel of Shadows

Chapter Four

Alamora

I jolted awake, choking on the stench of incense laced with rot and mould. My scars burned in agony, my limbs felt like I had grown too quickly. I was aching, pain scorching me to my core. I took a second to stop shaking, to fight the urge to let out a scream. I saw that it was still dark, likely because it was in the wee hours of the morning. I didn't want to wake my poor mother up.

I let my head fall back onto my pillow, trying to remember what the dream was about. It was painful and whoever caused the pain certainly liked smothering the bad things with overpowering perfume. I hated that scent. A few of the merchants tried to sell it to me, saying it would suit me beautifully. I had given them a simple look and passed their stall by.

It was odd, how little I remembered from before the Citadel. I didn't like admitting it, but I remembered a few things. I remembered high-stone walls and a sun that burned white-hot. I remember red silk and melodic laughter, the sort of laugh that meant pain would follow.

I used to wish that my past was a blank slate, that I could just be Alamora, daughter of Anae. Now, I wasn't so sure that I wanted that. I was curious now, with the idea that I could find out who I was before.

I also wanted to know more about my magic, about what I could do and why. I wanted to travel, but my friends couldn't just up and leave because I wanted to know something.

As I lay there, the light of dawn crept into my room and turned the darkness into a faint orange-pink. I didn't want to dare to sleep again, because I might not wake up until the afternoon and I had the ritual today. It was yet another change, another shift in the world I knew.

Anae was asleep at her desk, her head in a book and her hair a mess. She had been researching all night, it seemed. I inhaled and stepped towards her, my hand brushing against her shoulder.

"Mama, it's the morning. You need to get ready."

She was slow to fully awaken, but she seemed to get the gist of what I was saying. She rose from her chair, almost making it fall back as her skirts got caught on the leg. She staggered away towards her room. I let her stumble away, focusing instead on cleaning things up a little.

I was already dressed, aside from my hair. I needed help with it and it made me want to cut it off, but it wasn't the 'done' thing in the Citadel. Most elves or elven-blooded people kept their hair long as a sign of their age and wisdom. Short hair meant you weren't worthy of respect.

It's a load of bull in my opinion, but my opinion didn't matter in these circumstances.

After a few minutes, Anae came back out dressed in a pale gold robe and her hair pinned up with gold and emerald hair pins. She look dignified, stunning. I smiled, but shifting as I realised that my current formal robes might be a little inadequate.

"You look beautiful, mama."

She flushed a faint pink and made her way over to me, holding her hands behind her back. She deftly turned as I tried to sneak a peek, her lips turned up in a sly smile. I raised an eyebrow, but stayed where I was. I was curious, but I'd rather wait to see what she was trying to hide.

"Thank you for the compliment, my dear. However, I need you to sit and close your eyes."

I didn't question her request, no matter how weird it sounded. I pulled out the chair at her desk and sat, the wood creaking under the sudden weight. I shut my eyes, jumping slightly at the feel of soft cloth brushing against my hands. It was the softest and lightest thing I'd ever felt. Cold metal rested against my collarbone and I let out a soft hiss of shock. She was giving me all these things. Not that getting gifts wasn't weird, but I had a feeling she was saving these for something special.