Author's Preface
“Magical plants and minerals lay all over Draxia, left by Vexus, god of occultism and magic,” Caelis read, sitting on Shani’s bed. Shani stared up at him, her eyes dull as she listened to her cousin recite one of his favorite books. It was another impressively dense book, this one focused on magic and plants, though not exclusively either.
“They help in many ways… heating houses, making medicine, and much more… making the daily lives of people so much easier.”
He paused. His brows knitted together as he studied the page.
“I wonder why Gildan has nothing like that.”
Shani let out a quiet sigh and turned onto her side, facing away from him. She winced slightly as the burn throbbed and pulsed. A small whine escaped her throat against her will.
“Are you okay? Does it hurt bad?” Caelis asked as he climbed over and peered down at her bandaged wrist. He and his mother had moved into the palace recently. Ever since Shani woke, Caelis had visited every day. Four days had passed already. She was getting stronger… but not enough. Her uncle still said she was too weak to see her mother. Too weak to leave her room. Too weak… Shani knew all too well how weak she was.
She just stared blankly at the empty fireplace. A familiar ache settled in her throat as her eyes glistened.
“Not interested in the book?” Caelis asked as he returned to his… no… her mother’s side of the bed. He shivered and rubbed his arms quickly.
“Aren’t you cold? I can get a ma-”
“No.” Shani said. Her voice was short and hoarse. He instantly knew she was crying again.
“Can… Can I get you something?” He asked hesitantly. Shani did not move, did not look at him.
“I want mom…” she whispered. Caelis hesitated, then awkwardly rubbed her back the way his mother did for him. Her eyes filled with more tears as her body began to tremble.
“I… Don’t think I can get that…” he said quietly. Anxiety built as he tried to think of something… but nothing came. The two sat in silence for what felt like forever. Lately, silent tears seemed to be the only thing that filled the room.
A knock sounded on the door and a moment later a maid entered, putting down a plate of porridge. She bowed her head to the two children before excusing herself. The porridge smelled sweet and savory. Steam rose in delicate tendrils, dancing in the still air.
Caelis's stomach rumbled despite himself. Shani’s lavender eyes looked at him cautiously.
“You can have it…” She said quietly. Caelis simply shook his head.
“No… it’s your food. Plus… I will be eating with mo-” He froze. Shani’s eyes glazed over again.
“I’m not hungry… I want to sleep.” She mumbled as she pulled the blankets higher on her shoulders. Caelis was hesitant but he nodded in response. He grabbed the books he brought and began heading towards the door. He froze a few feet from it.
“Hey Shani… “ He mumbled, turning back to her. “Did… you want to eat with us?”
Shani shook her head weakly.
“Can’t leave…” She said as she rested her eyes. It was one of her uncle's recent orders. But she understood he was just worried about her. After her mother’s death her uncle had given the young girl three concrete rules.
She was not to leave her room without at least two knights.
She could not leave the palace without him or his approval.
She was strictly forbidden from removing her bracelet. Day or night.
Her gaze drifted to the fogged crystal bracelet. Her gaze traced each of the cracks trapped within it. The bracelet felt cold on her wrist. It almost felt like it was biting into her wrist. But she had no intention of removing it. Her mother gave her the bracelet.
“Please leave…” Shani mumbled as she hugged the braceleted wrist to her chest ignoring the pain. Caelis froze for a moment, but nodded. He quietly exited the room.
The days blurred together.
Caelis still showed up but she really didn’t mind too much. Meals came hot and left cold. Slowly, Shani grew thinner and thinner, much to the dismay of her cousin and the servants. Before long, nearly a week had passed since Jamila's death.
The maids carried out another cold meal and excused themselves from the room.
“Amazing… most people don’t eat this good their whole lives…” one very disgruntled maid muttered, shaking her head.
“If she wants to die she should do it quickly… make it easier on us.” A kitchen servant mumbled. A woman glared at the two of them and hushed them, her expression grim.
“If she dies then so do we!” She responded. “And don't you dare say anything like that again! I won’t hang for your stupidity.” The woman huffed and stirred a pot.
Melody sat on the edge of a wooden table, letting out a weary sigh. The young maid noticed a tray of freshly baked cookies meant for the emperor's consort and heir and froze. Her eyes sparkled slightly.
“Could I take a few?” She asked the chef, a hopeful gleam in her eye.
“No sweets… She’s still recovering.” The man said. Melody sighed.
“But… she’s also a child… perhaps sweets would be more tempting?” she asked eagerly. The man couldn’t help but laugh.
“Still not good for her… but give me a minute.” The man replied. Melody nodded and returned to her seat, patiently waiting. After a while, the cook returned to Melody, offering her a plate of simple butter cookies. She looked at him confused.
“You said no sweets.” She said as she crossed her arms. He smirked in response.
“These are filled with dried vegetables, honey, ginger, and more.” He said with a wink.
“And I'll have you know they are delicious,” he said, thumping a proud fist against his chest.
A smile spread across Melody’s face. She gave the older man a kiss on the cheek and padded away.
Melody took a deep breath before the door. She knocked and entered a moment later.
“Hello my lady… I brought you something yummy.” She said cheerfully as she set down the tray. Shani was sitting in a window seat just staring blankly at the garden as the snow fell. She slowly turned her gaze toward the maid's cheerful voice. She took a look at the plate of cookies and turned away without even considering.
“I'm not hungry,” she replied. Her tone was utterly devoid of emotion. Melody froze. She fiddled with her apron before another smile graced her lips.
“I understand… but the cook worked very hard on these.” She took a cookie and held it out to Shani.
“So maybe just one b-”
“I’m not hungry!” Shani exclaimed as she smacked the cookie from Melody's hand. The maid watched it shatter on the cold floor. Disappointment settled heavily in Melody's chest.
“What’s going on here?” A male voice asked. Melody turned to see Jaziel standing in the open door. His eyes scanned the room carefully.
Melody quickly bowed her head, hands clasped in her apron.
“I apologize… I was just trying to offer the miss some food…” She quickly said. “She hadn't eaten in a while, so I thought perhaps a cookie…” Her mouth continued to ramble. Jaziel's eyes widened slightly.
“In a while? How long is a while?” he asked, his voice calm. Melody hesitated for a moment.
“Nearly a week, your majesty.” She said finally. The silence was stifling. The air seemed to cool down with each passing second, but Melody couldn't seem to bring her eyes up to look at him.
“And I wasn't notified because...?” he asked. His voice was dangerously smooth. Melody finally looked up, confusion crossing her features.
“I let the head maid know… I was assured she would let you know…” She said hesitantly. A sigh escaped Jaziel's lips as he ran a hand through his white locks.
“Please have the chef prepare some porridge and bring it to me.”
The younger maid bowed and quickly left the room. A chill crept down her spine. She looked back over her shoulder to see Jaziel pinching the bridge of his nose.
Jaziel looked over at Shani. Her face was slimmer than the last time he saw her. Something unpleasant stirred inside him. He had been too busy. Now this was one more problem added to an already growing list.
Another sigh escaped him as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
“So you haven’t been eating?” he asked calmly. A small smile settled onto his lips. Shani couldn’t bring herself to look at her uncle.
“I… haven’t been hungry…” she mumbled as she fumbled with her hands. Jaziel nodded in what seemed to be understanding.
“Haven’t been hungry in nearly a week? Quite impressive.” He replied lightly. Shani did not answer. Melody returned a moment later with a steaming bowl of porridge. She offered it to Jaziel, who took it gently.
“Thank you, you are excused.” He said. Melody bowed her head before leaving once more, closing the large door behind her.
Jaziel sat down across from Shani. He blew on the spoon and offered it to the young girl. Shani just turned her head. Something in Jaziel's jaw twitched at the reaction. This defiance felt all too familiar. A pair of crimson eyes flashed through his mind.
“Shani…” Jaziel said. He then placed the bowl beside himself and grabbed Shani by the face, forcing her to look at him.
“It is not nice to ignore someone who is worried…” He replied. He still wore a smile, but his tone was darker.
“Are you trying to hurt me?” He asked as he released the girl’s face at last. Shani’s eyes widened. She shook her head. Jaziel raised a brow.
“Really? Because it doesn't seem that way,” he said quietly. Shani bit her lip anxiously.
“Now… you can hate me. I understand. But you must eat.” Jaziel's tone was more of an order now. Shani tried to turn her head once more, but Jaziel grabbed her by the collar.
“Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear… you WILL eat. The question is whether it will be easy or hard for me.” His lavender eyes darkened. Shani bit her lip and looked at the bowl beside him. Something inside her coiled up.
“I… I’m really not hungry…” She mumbled as her eyes pleaded with her uncle. Jaziel sighed.
“I promised Jamila I would take care of you…” he said. His eyes dropped sadly to the ground. Tears gathered along his lower lashes. Shani's eyes widened when she heard her mother's name.
“Are you really going to turn me into a liar?” He asked. His glistening eyes studied her reaction.
A liar? Uncle doesn't lie... she thought. Anxiety twisted in her stomach. If I don't eat... will I make him a liar?
Shani shook her head after a moment. Jaziel smiled and pulled the bowl back into his hand. Once more, he held the spoon before her.
“Then eat,” he ordered. Shani hesitated. Her eyes looked between the bowl and Jaziel. She groaned slightly, but then leaned forward and opened her mouth. Jaziel put the spoon inside without hesitation. It tasted bland. Shani swallowed it nonetheless.
Jaziel placed a gentle hand on her cheek affectionately.
“Good job, princess.”