Page 63 of Wicked Prince of Mirrors
My body went numb, and my shadow spoke before I could.It’s here for you. Royal blood, royal soul, princess with mirror magic ancient and old. Sacrifice your soul, you’ll save the one you love.
“Esmira?” Methrin angled his body toward me. “You look frightened. What’s wrong?”
I pressed my lips together and shook my head.
“Remember what I promised you,” he added.
Promises, yes, a marriage to a prince, my whole life ahead of me but for the shadow, for the darkness tarnishing my magic.
“Methrin, this is your homecoming,” I said instead. “How will they welcome you?”
When the ship docked a squadron of guards waited for us. The ramp extended far enough out into the water so boats were not needed to go ashore. Instead, the guards muscled their way onto the ship. “The steward of Astrahal has heard of the arrival of Prince Methrin and his companions. We are looking for Lyra, daughter of Rydlin the sorcerer and Princess Esmira of the human realm. Remand yourself into our custody immediately!”
“We come in peace,” Prince Methrin announced. “No need for violence or chains, we will come with you.”
“Come, we will take you to an audience with the steward.”
The steward’s guards marched us off the ship. Even though the briny scent of the ocean surrounded us, a sensation of dread overcame any calm. When I looked down, my hands were glowing. A dark portent?
The streets gleamed, paved in silver while the buildings were made of gold and other precious metals, explaining the bright glimmer visible from the water. The streets were quiet, doors shut. But curtains flinched and people watched us from behind crystal windows. I couldn’t shake the sensation that they were afraid, not necessarily of the guards but of us. Three with forbidden magic in a place where magic had fallen.
It took the better part of the day to reach the sprawling citadel, a collection of building with a vast majority of towers. It was like its own country, sealed and hauntingly beautiful, as eerie and graceful as the Everminati themselves. As we entered the glass halls, I caught glimpses of what life might have been for Methrin. Here was where he’d grown up, somewhere were his chambers.
The opulence of the citadel put the Isle of Portals to shame. Every area dripped with jewels and wealth. The walls were pure glass, allowing me to see outside and into other rooms. The ripples of reflections made me dizzy.
By the time we reached the steward’s hall of judgment, night had fallen.
White lights lit up the citadel, paying homage to the moon whose light was gone. Exhaustion drained my body as we were ushered inside a vast space. I blinked for a moment and then saw myself, reflected a hundred, perhaps a thousand times. A hall of mirrors gazed back at me. As the guards moved into the background, I stood still, searching for Methrin and Lyra.
But I was seemingly alone in a hall of reflections.
The mirrors warped as I stared at them. Mist covered them, hiding my reflection then reappearing. Behind me stood what could have been my twin, except it was dark. The same shape as myself but with red eyes, fangs for teeth, and when it lifted its hands, ribbons flowed from them like whips.
Bile rose in my throat.
Another shadow stepped out, and this time I saw a reflection of Methrin. A deep, guttural laugh came as it held out its arms as though to embrace me.
Welcome Princess. You’ve fallen into our trap. Prepare to be sacrificed.
I opened my mouth. Nothing but a wordless scream came out. When I lifted my hands, instead of the familiar glow of Mirror Magic they dripped with black blood. My magic had gone dark, or shifted into something wicked, something evil. I closed my eyes, but even behind my eyelids, the two shadows stood, watching me with those red eyes.
Welcome Princess, my shadow echoed.It’s time for you to become the Wicked Princess of Mirrors.
“Let me go to her,” a voice full of fury shouted. “Release me.”
I turned, trapped in a world of mirrors, reaching for that voice, any guidance, direction to take me back home. It was as though I were trapped in a portal of my own making. The world was just me, the shadows and the reflections, dancing.
“Methrin,” I cried out.
The shadow shaped like him stepped forward.I am here.
“You’re not him,” I snapped.
I am here,the shadow repeated. It stepped closer, looming over me, red eyes glowing.Come. Let me save you, let me give you rest.
“Get away from me!” I shouted, lashing out. Sparks of magic drifted from my fingers, shards of mirror shooting like daggers into the shadow.
It laughed and spun, swirling shadows swallowing the mirror shards.
