Black Ice ✓ | Deathsworn #1

Chapter 17 ∞ Name

When morning came the next day, I was still deep in the covers, trying to sleep through the harsh daylight sun streaming through my windows. I had forgotten to shut them close again. They were probably open all night. Irritated, I pulled the covers to my shoulders and turned towards the darker side of the room, shutting my eyes close in an attempt to return to slumber.

"Evy?" Knocks resounded. The voice, I recognized, came from Mistress Veronika.

I grumbled, flipping the pillow so that it covered my head as I laid face down.

"Evy, get up. We're going somewhere today, remember?"

I pulled back my pillow like a turtle sticking out its head from its shell. I decided I wouldn't be stubborn. I pulled the covers off, fingers brushing the harp as I moved to rise. I paused to gaze at it. The events of last night came rushing back.

"I'm coming," I said, disgruntled and impatient.

I unlocked the door and saw Mistress Veronika with a tray of breakfast. She was donned in a beautiful blue dress that matched the color of her hair and eyes.

It was a day dress, which meant was serious. Considering she was all made up and ready to leave, that meant there was no room for discussion.

"Evy," she began softly, "let's talk about what happened last night calmly, alright? Are you angry with the mistresses and I?"

"I'm not," I told her. "I'm just disappointed you don't trust me with the truth."

She sighed. "Can I come in?"

I stepped back from the door wordlessly. I took a floor pillow and sat on it as Mistress Veronika sank on the carpeted floor, setting the tray of food in front of me. It was a little table, standing on angled legs.

I reached for the glass of orange juice.

"Not that first," Veronika scolded me. "Put something solid in your stomach before you drink it."

I set it down reluctantly and reached for the warm buns on the plate.

"Evy, please understand. It's not that we didn't plan on telling you. It's an unfortunate mishap that last night happened first before we could. Nothing happened to your Mistress Marian. Kora healed her well."

I nibbled on the bread mutely.

"I won't beat around the bush," she said. "Your ability is something very rare—no one believed it was possible to be housed in a body of...living flesh. We usually consider only seven of the eight possibilities and yours was unprecedented. The results you had from six years ago said you were a Conduit and your Deliverer is the Dragon of the Seventh and Moonless Night, Kaliya."

I looked up, trying to act 'surprised.' I found it harder than I should—pretending. I wanted to deny that for many years, yet here I was, confronting that very reality. I couldn't say I was shocked, though. I was making out the pieces little by little for so many years. I simply didn't expect that what I could do was potent to that degree.

"I...kind of expected it," I said, dropping all the charade.

She gazed at me. "You did?"

I nodded.

"Evyionne," Mistress Veronika began. "You are as you have always been—it is only the truth and the knowledge of it that changes your life. You have to trust us, your mistresses. We will protect you the best we can. However, the kingdom is currently in chaos. We want you to be ready for everything, so you have to learn as much as you can from us, alright?"

I nodded.

"You are a good girl, Evy," she said, reaching forward to touch my check and brush my honeyed red locks. "And very smart as well. I'm sure you have no trouble understanding what I'm trying to tell you. For now, you must make me a promise."