Page 68 of Rising Out of the Darkness
“There have been so many people I could have helped if I’d been allowed…even my own mother.”
“No!” I gasped. “Clara, he didn’t.”
She swallowed back a sob. “Even his own sister was deemed unworthy of my gift. She was extremely unwell, and my father sent word to have me return home. When I went to ask His Majesty’s permission, I was denied. His excuse was that my dynamis was far too sacred, and I needed to remain inside the castle walls in order to protect the kingdom,him, at all times. He felt that two days away from the castle was too much of a risk, then proceeded to blame my mother’s illness on her own decision to leave Vrine. Two days later, she passed away,” Clara said, tears silently falling and splashing onto the wood floor beneath us. “I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”
“I knew the king was cruel, but what he did to you and your family is unforgivable, Clara.” I pulled her into an embrace and gave her a tight squeeze.
How could someone deny their own flesh and blood something so precious as the gift of healing, of saving their life? Gods, he was more despicable than I had ever imagined.
“So…you’ve never been outside the city walls?”
She shook her head. “Once the king found out about the strength of my dynamis, I was sent here to live indefinitely.”
“How long?”
“Since the day after my Ascension. Over fifty years ago.”
My mouth gaped open, and not at her age—as an Elysian, she had been locked into ageless beauty the day she went through Ascension. Instead, I was appalled by her admission that she had been stuck inside this city for so long. Clara was being kept like a bird in a cage.
Something spurred inside me, and my dynamis flared. I made a vow in that moment that I would figure out a way to get Clara out of here. One day, I’d find a way to help her spread her wings and fly.
Unraveling the cloth wrapped around my hair, I wiped her tears away with it, guiding her to sit in the velvety armchair. I plopped my body down in the one beside her.
Eloise had snuck up some chocolate when she brought me breakfast this morning, telling me I’d probably need it after training today. Gods, if only she knew how right she was. Tossing Clara the box of chocolates, I reached for two glasses and poured wine into both. Mouth half stuffed with chocolates, she smiled.
“I knew from the moment I talked to you I was going to like you.” She picked up the wine glass and raised it towards me.
Giggling, I lifted my glass towards hers until they clinked together. She handed me back the box, at which I shoved two delicious chocolates in my mouth.
“Just wondering.” She paused to take a sip of wine. “How exactly did you get so wet during your training with Declan this morning? I could have sworn Declan said he was going to teach you some meditation techniques to help harness your dynamis.”
“Your cousin does have some interesting training tactics, that’s for sure,” I scoffed.
“Is that all you findinterestingabout my cousin?” she hummed playfully.
“Clara, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Lie.
“Well, my cousin sure seems to find himself quite distracted as of late. I wonder what must be on his mind. Curious, isn’t it?” Her smile wrapped around the lip of her glass and she took another sip as I tried to become invisible inside the chair.
Standing up, she took the last swig of her wine and leaned down to give me a hug. “I think we are going to be great friends, Elena.”
“Me too. Clara, thanks again for healing me…for saving me.”
A warm smile spread across her face. “I’m glad I was able to do some good. This kingdom needs more of it, and I think you might be the one to help us achieve that.” She left the room before I had a chance to respond.
The sound of swords clanging against one another flooded through my open window. Sighing, I pulled my boots over my feet and laced them. After tucking my tunic back inside my leathers, I strapped my leather sheath onto my thigh and slid my dagger inside.
Time for round two of training, here we go.
Chapter 26
Elena
Imade my way through the castle and out to the training ring, but only after getting lost a few times along the way. The endless hallways had me twisted around, and I somehow ended up in the kitchen. Twice.
Fortunately, I met the infamous Alana, head cook and the sweetest soul I had ever met. On my second return to the kitchen, I had to admit I was terribly lost. Her charming laugh bellowed throughout the kitchen and warmed my heart. A few minutes later, she was shoving berry muffins into my hands and giving me directions to the training ring, which was only a few doors down from the kitchen.
