Page 66 of Winds of Darkness
Abrax skidded to a halt at the base of steep stairs that climbed up a cliff side and into the dark clouds. Briar knew that at the top of those steps was a courtyard that was believed to be as blessed as Anahita’s Springs. Skystone was found there. Stone that was said to be wind-kissed by Sefarina. Briar had never been inside the courtyards. In fact, the base of these steps was the closest he’d ever been.
Nasima’s cry carried to him again, and it spurred him into motion. He took the steps two at a time, praying to the gods he wouldn’t lose his footing. The climb took longer than he would have liked, and the gusting winds didn’t help matters. He was out of breath when he reached the top, but he found Ermir there, standing outside the archway that was the entrance to the courtyard.
The air around them turned so cold, Briar could see his breath. He wasn’t sure if it was the wind raging or his own fury.
“Why are you not with her?” Briar demanded, staring at the Wind Court Second.
Ermir calmly turned to face him, worry and sorrow mingling on his features. Speaking loud enough to be heard over the howling winds, he said, “Prince Drayce. I am so sorry you made the climb up here, but she cannot see you today.”
“She will see me, but that does not answer my question,” Briar growled. “Why the fuck are you out here when she is in there? Something is clearly wrong.”
“The winds can be all-consuming,” Ermir said, turning back to face the archway.
Briar finally let himself look as well, and his breath stalled. There was a whirlwind inside the courtyard, leaves and dust swirling among it, but he couldn’t see Ashtine.
“Where is she?” Briar asked, taking a step forward.
“In the center of it,” Ermir answered.
“Again I ask you: whythe fuckare you out here when your princess is in trouble?”
“I cannot help her,” he answered, and Briar could hear the angst in his words. He wanted to, but he wasn’t even trying.
Ermir lifted a hand, his magic wrapping around them and creating a barrier against the storm. They could still hear it, but at least they didn’t need to yell to be heard. “Ophelia would experience the same at times,” he said.
“And you stood back and did nothing? Nothing helped?” Briar asked, his gaze fixed to the courtyard.
“We tried,” Ermir said. “For decades. But it is a burden of aWind Walker. Only they can find what quiets them. Ophelia struggled, just as I have seen Ashtine struggling these last years.”
“You have seen her struggling and done nothing?” he sneered.
“Do not presume to know the inner workings of our Court or the winds, Prince,” Ermir said. “You think I enjoy seeing her like this? She is like a daughter to me. If there was anything I could do, I would.”
“And Ophelia never found a way to balance her gifts?” Briar asked.
“Not until Ansel,” Ermir said, referencing Ashtine’s father. “Even then, it took time. Their union was arranged, like all royal joinings are, but he found a way. He was the only one. I pray to Sefarina that Ashtine will find that peace one day. But today is not that day, and I have no choice but to watch over her while she suffers.”
“Let me into the courtyard,” Briar said, because standing back wasn’t an option.
He’d promised her he would always be there for her. Even if they could never be anything more, he could do this. Not stand back and watch, but he could step into her suffering and let her know she wasn’t alone in it. No one else might understand the winds, but that didn’t mean she needed to endure her fate alone.
Ermir shook his head. “It is too dangerous, Prince.”
Briar turned, a dagger of ice forming in his hand. “That is my risk to take. It will be a risk you take if you deny me again, Ermir. Let me into the courtyard.”
The older Fae’s eyes went wide, bouncing between his face and the dagger. “Prince, you overstep—”
The dagger flew, grazing Ermir’s shoulder enough to cause blood to well. Another dagger had already formed. “The next one will not leave a simple scratch, Ermir,” Briar warned.
He’d expected rage, but the Second only studied him for a long moment before nodding. He lowered his magic, the winds so forceful once more that Briar stumbled forward and the ice dagger was ripped from his hand. He pushed against the wind, followingErmir to the archway. The Second sent a small burst of his magic through the archway. It glowed faintly, and he motioned for Briar to enter.
Each step forward felt like pushing against ten warriors in training. More than once, he stumbled back, losing ground. Even using a shield of his own magic didn’t aid him. He was exhausted when he finally broke through the whirlwind, using his water gifts to wash the dust from his eyes. He had hoped there would be a calm at the center, but while the winds didn’t assault him like they had outside her storm, what he found had him rushing forward.
Ashtine was there, on her knees and face in her hands. Her hair appeared to have once been intricately braided, but now it was a wild mess of knots. She was barefoot, and a cloak was nowhere to be seen. Her gown was sleeveless, and the skirt was as tossed about as her hair.
“Ashtine.”
Her name got caught in his throat, but she still somehow heard it. She slowly lifted her head, dull sky-blue eyes meeting his. She was as white as a phantom. Even her lips were bloodless, but the dark circles beneath her eyes told him she hadn’t slept in days, possibly weeks.
