Page 42 of Wicked Prince of Mirrors
“Silver!”
“Silver!”
The chant roared through the chamber as the floor opened and something that looked like a mirror rose. It was gilded with bronze, oddly similar styling to the mirror I’d freed Prince Methrin from. But instead of glass, a silver substance oozed in the middle. It twinkled like starlight yet mist curled from it and I wondered if it were viciously hot or cold.
My heart sank as Methrin unfastened his cloak and tugged off his shirt. He removed his boots, belt, and stood in just his pants, jaw working, fists clenched as he faced the silver liquid. I was on my feet in a moment, hands squeezing the railing. I wanted to yell for him to stop, certain the silver liquid would destroy him.
The chants of the Everminati increased, feet poundingthe floor.
If he went through with this madness, he’d leave Lyra and me in the hands of the Everminati. I knew nothing about them, whether they were truly cruel as the legends told.
Now I saw Methrin in a different light, saw him for what he was, the same as myself. Mirror Magic had ruined his life too. Instead of being hunted, he was exiled from his kingdom, sent through the portal to another world where he had to figure out what to do with his magic.
And he had.
Yet his story held many unanswered questions. How was Methrin responsible for the monster, both in the realm of the Everminati and the realm of humans? How did he cure himself so that he could return home?
None of it made sense.
Methrin backed to the edge of the stage and squared his shoulders. Then he took off at a run, hurling his body through the silver liquid.
The scent of burning flesh filled the room.
I screamed.
Bellows of pain sounded from within and then a moment later he rolled out on the other side, covered in liquid silver, smoke rising from burned flesh.
Lyra grabbed me as I lunged forward, screaming, fighting to reach him. Tears wet my face as he lay there, stunned, unmoving.
Even the king was still, watching. Waiting.
Methrin’s body twitched. A ragged breath came from his lips as he rose on all fours. He bowed his head, silver streaming out of his hair,dripping onto the stage.
Then, as though it took a considerable amount of energy, he stood tall. He faced the king as the silver liquid dripped from his body, every drop a reflection, like a mirror. As the silver left his body, his raw, burned skin began to heal.
Methrin lifted his arms, threw back his head and bellowed.
I sank to my knees, sobbing as the chamber erupted with shouts, cheers, roars.
Celebration.
They werecelebrating.
Whatever horrible test Methrin had gone through, he’d passed.
The banquet hall was loud, full of the Everminati dressed in clothes like moonlight, the females wearing gowns that shimmered with diamonds, while the males wore suits of silk and velvet, some black as night, others silver. The dazzling beauty was overwhelming, as were the strange dishes, the decadent wines, rich desserts, and the long tables filled with laughter and the music.
I sat with Lyra, underdressed, inadequate. Even though the guards had let us return, bathe and dress in simple silky gowns far too long for us, I knew I did not belong. Lyra and I had not spoken of what had happened, but the truth haunted me because it feltimpossible. Everminati were ancient, ageless. If they spent decades finding the reason why their magic had vanished, it would seem like nothing, but to me it was a lifetime. What would happen to my father’s kingdom? Would the Boundary fall and the beasts run wild? More concerning, what about the monster, the dark shadow that haunted the lands?
I wanted to find Methrin, to touch him, to see what they’d done to him. It looked like magic, even though they claimed magic was gone. He would have answers for me, why he’d been exiled for being insane. What was so dire about his condition that he was kicked out?What had he done?
A darker thought poked at the back of my mind, one of betrayal. It was possible Methrin had only used me to get back home. That’s why he’d been so protective of me and ensured my safety. Was I a means to an end? Was I nothing to him now? That thought scared me more than anything else.
But Lyra did not appear to have the same fears. She struck up conversations with those around us, weaving her way among the throng. Some ignored her but others stared at her with naked curiosity. When the dancing began, she touched my arm. “Do you mind?”
“Go,” I encouraged, although my thoughts wavered.No. Don’t leave me alone with these strangers.
How many times had I been alone while my father entertained? Forced to dance with strangers, to hold myself as a princess, to let myself be seen, displayed, paraded like a jewel. Here I was a silent shadow, ahuman princess in a world where I didn’t belong. I stood to the side, watching, too upset to eat or drink.
