When eighteen-year-old Isren Castennali gets chosen for a role she does not want, she does everything she can to avoid it. However, since she is the only one in a castle filled with Esterals who wield elemental magic, she must train and become one o...
You're angry, Darius began. Who made this young Eysatix so angry that she wants a bit of violence?
"Don't tempt me, wolf." Isren snarled under her breath. "I may just stab and break your statue just for the feeling of satisfaction."
Darius chuckled. The sound was so foreign in Isren's mind. She huddled herself near the shelves, hiding behind his statue in case anyone else was in the library. She stretched her hearing. She couldn't hear anything in her surroundings except her own breathing and the fierce pounding of her heart against her chest.
There was no light, no candle, or anything. Only darkness and shadows and she was glad that it embraced her. She didn't want anyone seeing her.
You're mistaken about that. I can still see you.
"Shut up," Isren whispered. She took a deep breath, wrapping her arms around her legs as she brought them close to her chest. She leaned her head back against the hardcovers of the books behind her.
You don't have an Esteral marking.
It was more of a statement than a question.
"Why does everyone tell me that? I know I don't have one. I know." A sob threatened to come out of her lips. She held her breath to suppress it. "Just because I don't have one doesn't mean that everyone else can step all over me. I'm doing my best."
Darius hummed. Let me tell you something. This world is built on the belief that as long as we all get along together and praise the Greaters for everything, every little problem will be solved, but it won't. Right now, the Greaters wouldn't give a damn about us. They're facing their own conflicts and wars. Do you think that just because we follow them that everything will be normal? I'm stuck in this caging body, and you have no marking, which makes you vulnerable as a soldier. Is it worth it to keep following someone when you can break that path and lead yourself?
"You have a weird way of consoling someone."
You're also the first person I've talked to in years, apparently, so here we are.
"I'm tired of asking questions, and they don't get answered."
I guess we have something in common.
"I'm still not going to tell you anything about the king, just so you know. Don't waste your energy trying to bribe me for information." Isren closed her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering.
Darius released another chuckle. Then I guess I won't ask today. All in good time.
"You'll be waiting a long time then."
Being stuck in a cage can teach someone many things. Patience is one of them.
"What are the other things you've learned?"
The many different ways to plot revenge.
Isren couldn't help the laughter that bubbled out of her mouth with a crack in her voice. The lump in her throat wouldn't go away.
"Can you teach me?" She asked. "Teach me the truth and how to speak in my mind without having to talk out loud and looking like a fool all the time?" Her eyes watered, stinging, and building up.
As long as you answer whatever questions I have and help me out of here.
"Nothing about the king."
Nothing about the king, he repeated. He didn't say anything more when Isren let the sobs inside her wrack loose in the silent library.
The silence was a friend for both of them. Only the darkness knew their secrets and faults. Only the darkness was to be trusted, hiding away their whispers when they couldn't speak to anyone else.
Isren didn't feel as lonely as she had been feeling. For once, she was glad she was beside the arrogant wolf.
Only he and the darkness heard her cries.
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