Liam,
Fine, let’s see if you know how to play nice. And let’s hope you know how to dance, because I really think I’m going to be out of my league in a ballroom.
Dani
Taking my time, I folded the thick paper and creased the edges to ensure it stayed folded, then dipped the quill in the ink once more and scribbled Liam across the outside.
I pulled my calling chain and the bell tolled once, a deep and wavering sound. I would’ve delivered the letter to wherever the post came from, but I had no idea where that was. And, even if I knew exactly where Liam’s chamber was, I wouldn’t go there. I knew he was somewhere in the wing of the castle that housed some members of the guard, those with no families, but that was the extent of my knowledge on his location. The west wing, I thought. Those of the guard who were married were given living arrangements in a part of the castle that wasn’t actually connected the rest of the castle, but still inside the walls. Those quarters were set off to the west side of the castle, a tiny little village all to itself.
Minutes ticked by and then the same urgent knock sounded at my door. This time, I jerked the door open fully. The same footman stood, silver plate outstretched as if he came equipped with some kind of letter-that-needed-to-be-sent radar.
I squinted at him. “How did you--?” My question was silenced by the knowing smile on his thin lips.
“Tis my duty to know, Princess.” He answered my unspoken question, then bowed and spun, one continuous and graceful movement than sent him gliding down the hall.
Moments after I’d shut the door, a timid knock sounded. This was a knock I had become familiar with in a few days time. It was Mattie’s knock and I smiled as I opened the door. “Please, come in!” I said, extending a hand to each of them and pulling them into the room with me.
They both bowed slightly and I noticed for the first time the thick linen bag that Leyona had sprawled carefully over one arm.
“It is your dress, Milady.” Leyona said when she noticed me staring at her burden, barely contained excitement lacing her words.
I inhaled, suddenly excited, much more than I’d thought I’d be. “Have you seen it?” I asked as though I wasn’t allowed to look.
Before they could respond, another knock sounded at my door. This one was confident, almost urgent. I crossed the floor to the door once more, wondering when I’d become so popular.
Soleil standing on the other side of the thick wood was the last person I expected. She smiled warmly at me, then her eyes fell upon my ladies. “A moment alone with the princess, dears?” It was phrased as a question, though I was pretty sure everyone in the room knew it was more of a command than a suggestion.
Mattie and Leyona both bowed quickly, begging pardons and whispering apologies. They hadn’t done anything wrong, it’s just that Soleil had this presence about her that evoked a fear and/or respect kind of response from people.
She watched the girls leave, only looking to me once the door was closed behind them. “Let us have a seat, Princess.” She gestured to my sitting area and I went and sat obediently. Soleil followed, stretching herself comfortably across her seat. She reminded me of a cat, the way they seem to be under the impression that they own the world. “I thought we should have a little conversation.”
I looked at her, feeling self-conscious. “Um, okay? What about?”
She interlocked her long fingers as she studied me. “Your magic is quite powerful, you will require a great deal of training to realize its full potential, but I daresay you may be the most powerful enchantress I have ever encountered.”
Shaking my head, I looked down to draw circles around my mark. “I don’t think so…I’ve only done a few things. Don’t you think I would’ve done more if I was, you know, very good at it?”
“Your magic manifests in times of great fear, without any conscious effort on your part. The mere fact that you have been able to channel it into something useful speaks volumes about your talent. Most untrained enchantresses or warlocks end up making very large messes, their magic leaking out in useless bursts with no real purpose.” She smiled at my obvious confusion before continuing. “And you have not even bonded yet.”
I felt my eyes grow to the size of saucers. “Bonded? I’ve never even heard of that.”
Soleil chuckled. “No, I imagine you have not. It goes by many names, bonded, linked, matched, tethered.”
Tethered. Now that rung a bell.
“Tethered, and what does that entail exactly?” I asked, feeling like I kept falling deeper into the rabbit hole.
“Bonding or becoming tethered, if you prefer is like finding the key to a door locked inside of yourself. It is a feeling of finding your place in the world, a feeling of being complete, of finding the piece of yourself that was missing. It happens with anyone who finds their soul mate, it just means a little more for you. It will unleash your true potential as an enchantress.” She spoke the words with a reverence, a longing that was normally absent in her tone. I could feel the pain swirling through the air and my heart ached for her.
“Have you, did you tether, um, bond?” I instantly regretted the words, feeling like I was prying.
Soleil didn’t seem to mind, her eyes staring out the window as she smiled. “I was, but that was a long time ago.” She looked back to me, smiling sadly and elaborating no further.
I didn’t push the issue. “That’s a lot to process.”
Soleil unfolded herself from seat and stood, still smiling down at me. “Yes, I imagine that it is. You didn’t not have the luxury of being brought up in a world where you learned these things at an early age. You have a lot of catching up to do. We will begin your instruction tomorrow afternoon. I will send for you. I shall keep you no longer, we’ve a ball to prepare for.” With a grin, she flowed toward the door.
I stood quickly, following her. “How will I know, about the tether?”
“Oh dearest, you will know.” She said, then pulled the door open.
The vague response frustrated me. “But, how?” I begged, voice a little whinier than I would’ve liked.
Soleil peeked at me from behind the open door. She paused, looking around the room before meeting my eyes. “The earth will move.” Closing the door behind her, she left me alone with that thought.
I turned and walked to the bed, sinking down on the plush downy spread. The timid knock sounded and I put on my brightest face, not wanting to answer questions about my encounter. “Come in.” I chimed as happily as I could.
My ladies entered, there enthusiasm still bright upon their faces. The dress was still draped over Leyona’s arm
“Where were we, oh yes! Can I see my dress?” I asked as their infectious glee washed over me.
Mattie and Leyona exchanged a look of mutual excitement before looking back to me, heads shaking enthusiastically. Leyona held up the bag. “If it’s all the same to you, Milady, why don’t we keep it hidden until we’ve dressed you in it.” She exchanged another giddy look with Mattie. “You shall not be disappointed, I am certain.”
It really was not the all the same to me, I could hardly wait to see what the seamstresses had created that had Mattie and Leyona so thrilled, but I conceded anyhow. “Okay, yeah. Let’s do it your way.”
They both smiled again.
This time Mattie spoke. “Let’s get started then, Milady. We have much to do.”
By inches, Mattie was emerging from behind her carefully crafted walls. She was still quiet, especially in comparison to Leyona who had quickly become the mouthpiece of the pair, but Mattie’s smiles were coming more frequently and every now and again she’d offer her opinion, each time seeming a bit more sure of herself and a bit less like she expected a lashing for it. It filled me with a sense of pride and brought a smile to my face. So long she been stuck in a shell and I didn’t know a lot of things, but I knew that shell could become all that you were and if eno
ugh time passed inside it, all that you could be.
I found my thoughts wandering to Nikolas. He’d freed Mattie from her prison. I was more grateful to him every day. He was the reason she was here, smiling, laughing, happy.
“What troubles your mind, Milady?” Leyona asked, the look on her face saying she knew the answer to the question.
I smiled weakly at her. “Nothing, just nervous I guess.”
Leyona nodded, her wide brown eyes unbelieving. She’d started out seemingly timid as well, but was quick fast and in a hurry proving that was not at all her true nature.
I forced another smile, trying to make it more convincing. “I am your clay ladies, do with me what you see fit.”