Waves of Ice: a Wings of Fire fanfiction (COMPLETED)

32.

trigger warning: child exploitation, violence, toxic relationships

Way

Lady Allknowing's mansion is is grand, and glittering, every archway in gold. The elaborate hedges are pruned in the shapes of exotic birds; lawn neatly trimmed.

I push open the already unlocked door with shaking talons, muttering under my breath.

Pull yourself together, Way.

Don't. Cry.

I take a deep breath, and wipe the tears off my snout.

"Lady Allknowing?" I tiptoe up the massive, cascading stairs. "Are you... there?"

Please be there.

Please, please, please--

I stumble up onto the second floor, nearly tripping on one of her extravagant palms.

"Lady Allknowing?" My voice echoes eerily down the hall.

Please, please don't leave me here--

"Hello, Wayfinder," she says smoothly. I flinch--I didn't see her behind me.

"L-lady Allknowing. I... I was wondering if... I could stay here again, tonight?"

I don't know how to finish that sentence.

She raises one eyebrow, tilting her head. "Do you have the information I asked for?"

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I pull out a sheaf of papers from my satchel.

"I have found what I believe to be evidence... incriminating my mother." I clear my throat, avoiding her gaze. "They're letters between my parents, and they both mention involvement in the Farsight Coalition. Found them yesterday."

Lady Allknowing rifles furiously through the handwritten notes--full of sappy declarations of love, my mother going on about what a terrible, useless waste of space I am, my father agreeing...

Her eyes light up.

"I'm glad you've found another hideout for the Coalition.... ha! I'd like to see Vigilance deny this."

I clear my throat, fidgeting with my talons.

"C... can I stay, then?"

Allknowing's eyes gleam. She looks me up and down, with something so close to love, real love...

"You may," she says curtly, and walks away.

***

But I don't feel safe here.

I never do.

It feels like the walls are watching me; daylight reflecting against the shimmering gold mirrors, and gaudy mosaics.

I wish I had brought my things. My favourite scroll (a massive volume of famous Pyrhhian plays I hide behind my scroll-shelf) or the teddy bear Mom sewed me after Dad left that I still have trouble sleeping without, or...

I crawl into the elegant canopy bed, stiff white sheets crumpling beneath me. The bed frame is embossed with diamonds, which I think were supposed to emulate the night sky.

I miss Eclipse.

I miss her small grey wings, and her gentle, whispery voice. I miss the lightning flash in her eyes she got, when she had a good idea, and her surprising strength, and her her terrible singing voice...