Page 15 of Wicked Prince of Mirrors
I squeezed my hands into fists, determined to hold my ground. “What are you?”
His tone turned low, menacing. “Haven’t you heard the legend of the Everminati?”
Time froze for me as I gaped at him, suddenly seeing him in a new light. The sculpted angles of his voice, those pointed ears, violet eyes. He was ageless. Immortal. Ancient and pure evil.
My pulse throbbed, my mind screaming.Danger. Danger. Danger.
Everminati. A race born of stardust with blood that ran with dark magic. Rumor had it they made a bargain with the gods in exchange for long life, and because of it they became ruthless. Tales spoke of blood rituals, outlandish magic, child sacrifice and carnage. Above all they were full of magic and power until they werehunted and slain, then mortals became the inhabitants of the world.
Methrin being Everminati was impossible. Where had he come from and were there others hiding in the shadows, waiting for his return? My frantic thoughts went to my father. Had he known the truth? Was that why the Venators hunted out those with mirror magic, searching for the last Everminati, ensuring those that carried an inkling of the blood were swept from the face of the land?
My mouth went numb. My body screamed for me to flee, I felt it in every fiber of my being, my shaking hands, my trembling limbs. I’d known he was wrong, but in my darkest dreams I’d never imagined this fresh horror.
Methrin’s lips parted, revealing his teeth. Unusually sharp teeth which glinted in the light. I fixated on them, overwhelmed, dizzy with knowledge.
“You fear me.”
I took another step back, aware of the tingling in my fingertips. Would Mirror Magic protect me?
“You are right to fear me. You should run,” he murmured, stalking ever closer like a hunter stalking its prey.
Something flashed on the edges of my vision, this time, not the shadow but another shape with scales, claws and a tail as long as myself. My chest seized as the scent of decay overpowered the fresh scents of spring.
Methrin stepped close, his gaze shifting to something beyond me. “Run,” he said.
When I didn’t move his gaze locked back on me. Barring his teeth he commanded, “Run!”
He dropped the sack he carried and I gathered my skirts in my hands as he moved past me. My fingers grazed the bag, snatching it up. My feet hit the ground, gaining speed as I stumbled, almost tumbling down the hill.
Behind me came a terrible sound and a cry left my trembling lips, but I refused to turn around, to see what monster had found Methrin. He would fight. Perhaps he’d die and I’d be free to find my own fate.
The hope of escape bloomed allowing me to ignore my shortness of breath and the pain in my feet.
6
ESMIRA
Everything ached as I stumbled down the riverbank just before dawn. I’d spent the remainder of the day and most of the night split between running and resting. Ragged breaths escaped my mouth, my chest hurt from exertions, and a coppery taste filled my mouth and soured the back of my throat.
But I had escaped from Methrin.
It was wistful to assume the beast had killed him, and the reminder of that whip-long tail made me shiver. A haunted memory threatened to rise but I pushed it away, the edges of my sanity already fraying. I didn’t need any dark memories to break me.
Stripping off the cloak and my slippers, I placed them on a nearby bush. It was early, the pink-hued sky full of promise, the lavender-hued sunlight yet to awaken the sleepers. Lulling ripples of the water inviting me to come inside. Standing naked on the bank I hesitated, then lifted Methrin’s bag. Ahint of vanilla and smoke filled my nostrils as I peeked inside, pleasantly surprised to find soap. My fingers closed around it as though it were made from gold. I walked the last remaining steps to the water’s edge.
Soft mud soothed my inflamed skin and when I slipped into the cool water, goosebumps pebbled on my arms, but I did not let that deter me. I scrubbed my skin until it was sore and washed my hair five times, determined to remove every trace of mud and dust. Usually I washed and oiled my hair daily, but now my shimmery mane was growing dry and brittle. Beauty was fleeting while on the road but I wanted to hold onto it, the last traces of a life I could control.
When I finished a heavy weight lifted from my soul. Still wet, I dressed and sat in the tall grass, unwilling to move while I gathered my thoughts. Golden light streamed over the river, lighting a path. In the distance, fishing boats bobbed, shouts echoed as fishers found success. That ache returned to my chest, a yearning for a purpose, a place to belong. My father’s palace wasn’t home either, it was temporary. Even if I hadn’t discovered Mirror Magic, my life would have changed.
I let that thought linger and stretch. I would have become a wife, a mother, and finally, a queen. A purpose laid out for me because of my birth, not a choice but a trajectory. Now, ripped from the palace and blessed with magic I did not want, I had two things I’d never dreamed would be possible: freedom and a choice to make.
But now that I had options everything felt overwhelming. The kingdom was vast and I was alone, mybest chance at succeeding was to adapt a disguise and venture into one of the cities. Work could be found somewhere, an inn, a lady’s maid, a tailor, a baker’s helper? Even though I didn’t know how to do anything I could learn, was willing to learn if it would save my life.
My pulse quickened as another thought occurred to me. Cities attracted many people, but they also attracted entertainment. Namely, the Night Market. If I took up residence at once of the nearby cities, and the Night Market returned, I’d have the chance to find the woman who’d given me advice. I was sure she’d help me, especially since I was free of the palace. Hope fluttered in my chest, bringing me to my feet.
First, I had to find another city, but not the one Methrin and I had seen. The thought of retracing my steps and accidentally running into a monster made me shiver. I’d follow the river north but find a way to cross it soon. A niggling reminded me that Methrin was also following the river but he’d be headed north. Crossing and heading east would make it harder to find me, although east was too close to the palace. If I truly wanted to disappear, I need to go further, into lands where I would not be searched for.
Leaving my still wet hair to dry in the sun, I lifted Methrin’s bag, putting one foot in front of the other. The land opened up, giving a glorious view of the sky, hues of blue and violet, the twin moons visible even in daylight. I trailed my fingers though the tall grass, watching the turtles sunbathing by the bank, and frogs splashing through the mud.
