Page 62 of Tower of Tempest
I took a deep breath, glancing behind me, but Erasmus was busy speaking with one of his guards. This felt so silly. Gran never encouraged me to talk to the spirits, just to learn about them, to understand where the magic she wouldn’t teach me to use came from. To study them from an objective viewpoint, without reverence or silly fantasies floating in my head.
Spirit Sky’s serious face stared down at me, as if waiting for me to just get on with it. Here went nothing.
Spirit Sky, I’ve never asked you for anything. I’ve never talked to you, in truth. I’ve read about you. I’ve learned you were fearsome. A sight to behold in olden days. I’ve learned to be in awe of you. I’ve learned to respect you. Yet I never learned about my own magic that comes from you. I’ve recently started to use this magic. In tiny bits and pieces, but it’s not enough. I want to spread my wings and fly. I want to know who I am. I know I’m not worthy of this power. Not when I’ve given you nothing in return, have nothing to offer. But please help me anyway. Reveal my true self. I want to know it more than anything.
I stayed there, head bowed. Erasmus said it was best to give an offering to Spirit Sky. My heart sank. I had nothing. No gold. No jewelry. Not a single item of value. Gran’s words floated through my head.
“This is a special song. One just for you and me.”
I had that. The song that always soothed me, made me feel safe in a world filled with danger. Maybe that could be enough. If it wasn’t, at least I’d tried.
I hummed the tune, letting its simple rhythm wash over me, settle my bones and my breathing. The lilting harmony was imprinted on mymemory as it floated through the air, and I hoped somewhere, Spirit Sky was receiving it, taking this gift and giving me one in return.
“Hush, my dear
Let the fear
Fade and ebb away
Sweet little dear
Know that I’m here
Night and day”
“Where did you learn that?” a voice said from behind me.
The song froze in my throat. I recognized that icy tone from the night before. I turned, bowing my head. “Your Majesty. I was just leaving, I promise. I thought I’d say a simple prayer and give an offering.” I gestured to my dirty, wrinkled clothes and matted hair. “I don’t exactly have anything to give back, so I thought I’d sing a song. I’m sorry if it was offensive in some way?—”
Her green eyes welled with tears.
Oh no. I’d made the queen cry. Once again I’d been so stupid. All I’d had to do was leave. That was it, but of course, I wanted more. I wanted to see the little alcove, to say a prayer to Spirit Sky. Now I’d probably be flown up and dropped straight onto those iron spikes for making the queen shed actual tears.
Yet again, I had to wonder what in the Seven Spirits my gran had done. What song she’d sung to me that could make the queen of the sky court so upset.
The queen gestured to the space next to me where I knelt. “May I?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
She strode forward, sinking down, hands folded in front of her. “Who taught you that song?” Her gaze stayed on Spirit Sky.
“My gran,” I said, wincing, not sure if I should be truthful about the matter.
The queen straightened. “Your gran?” she asked, voice low and dangerous.
“The woman who raised me.”
“What is her name?” she asked.
“Silla,” I said. “Silla Taramaud.”
She inhaled a deep, shaky breath. “Bloody skies,” she muttered, andit took me aback to hear such words come from the queen’s mouth. “This gran of yours has much to answer for.”
“Does the name mean something to you?” I asked.
Her lips flattened into a thin line. “I’m afraid not.”
“Please, tell me what she did,” I said. “I will do my best to atone for it. She is old now, she’s sick. She probably doesn’t have much time left?—”
