Author's Preface
After the tension between her and her uncle faded, life slowly settled into a new normal. Each morning, Melody woke her with a fresh complaint about how clean the room already was. Shani would eat breakfast with her uncle and then attend more lady lessons. Slowly, her uncle replaced the outdoor lessons with etiquette, needlework, and even tea ceremony.
It all felt boring to Shani, but at the same time everything felt slightly dull. Sometimes Caelis would read with her in the afternoon, and in the evening she would return to her room and stare out her window towards the palace garden. Just like that spring left and before she knew it summer had come. Days in summer passed much the same except she was expected to take more baths and apply more oils to her skin now.
Months had passed since her mother's death, and little by little, the sharpness of Shani's grief began to dull. Sometimes she struggled to remember what her mother had looked like while she was alive. Anytime she tried to recall, all she could see was her cold, scarred corpse. So she tried not to remember.
Luckily, visiting aristocrats often stopped to tell Shani how much she resembled Jamila. The only reminder of what her mother looked like alive now was when Shani looked at herself in the mirror.
It was another hot summer day, but the breeze drifting through the open window was heavy with humidity. In the distance, dark storm clouds rolled across the horizon. A low rumble of thunder barely carried over the voices of working servants and the rising wind. Shani pulled her knees to her chest and prayed the storm stayed away. The rising wind and distant thunder reminded her too much of that night.
A knock sounded on the door. Shani recognized the sound. Shani sighed and closed the window before removing herself from her window seat and back to her desk where unfinished embroidery lay. She picked up a piece, which was meant to be a duck.
“Enter.” She responded as she pressed the needle through the stiff fabric. Jaziel opened the door, a smile on his face. Shani returned the smile politely.
“Hello uncle.” She said before returning her attention to the frustrating piece of art in her hands. Jaziel walked over and examined the small scrap of cloth for a moment.
“It’s coming along quite well… Never in my life have I seen such a well crafted rabbit.” He replied with approval. Shani smiled sadly.
“Thank you uncle…” She said with a slight bow of her head. Silence settled between them for a moment before Shani realized Jaziel seemed to have something on his mind. Shani set aside the fabric and turned her whole attention to her uncle. Jaziel smiled as he looked at her expectant eyes.
“I will be heading to Valedros in a few days…” He said at last and Shani’s eyes widened at the news.
“That’s… the coastal city, right?” Shani asked hesitantly. Jaziel beamed.
“That’s correct. Well done.” He said as he stroked her hair. Shani leaned into his touch. Shani pulled away a moment later.
“How long will you be gone?” She asked hesitantly. Her eyes drifted up towards Jaziels.
“A little over a week.” Jaziel said. Shani’s eyes widened, as anxiety welled up in her. She gripped her gown and looked towards the floor.
“I see…” She mumbled. Jaziel’s features softened. He placed a hand on top of her curls. A reassuring smile spread across his face.
“Not to worry, the week will fly by.” Jaziel said cheerfully. Shani nodded her head in understanding but didn’t say anything more.
“While I’m gone, I will double your guards.” Jaziel said as he pulled Shani’s face to meet him. Shani cringed slightly at the idea of having more knights guarding her, but her uncle looked incredibly firm on the idea.
“I understand uncle…” She said putting on the best smile she could muster. Jaziel smiled in return and placed a kiss on the top of her head. He turned to head towards the door and was nearly through it when he paused to look back at his young niece.
“Oh and Shani.” He called back. Shani shuddered at the sound of her own name. She looked towards him with a confused look on her face. Had she done something wrong? She didn’t remember what she possibly could have done today.
“Yes?” She asked hesitantly after a moment of spiraling thoughts. Jaziel's smile broadened slightly, he almost looked amused. Shani felt relief wash through her at the sight. She wasn’t in trouble.
“While I’m gone… stay inside the palace.” He said at last. Shani’s eyes widened. Stay in the palace? She had no plans to leave but it was summer. It had gotten quite warm and the shade under the trees looked so inviting. But he was asking her to remain inside for a week? What was she going to do inside during summer?
Jaziel noticed the anguish on her face. A sigh escaped his lips as he approached her once more. He stood in front of her forcing Shani to crane her neck to look at him.
“If you do well… I will bring you back a gift.” He said. Shani’s eyes sparkled at the thought. A gift, from Valedros… from the ocean. Shani had never seen the ocean before. There were so many possibilities in her head. She tried her best not to appear too excited, it was unladylike afterall.
“Is there anything you would li-”
“A shell!” She blurted out to the shock of both her and Jaziel. Shani felt her cheeks heat up slightly. Shani fidgeted with her fingers for a moment.
“I would like a sea shell… if it isn’t too much trouble.” She managed to say after a moment. Jaziel stood there for a moment frozen. His eyes looked distant and somewhat sad. He stared at Shani but at the same time she felt utterly invisible.
“Just like Jamila…” He mumbled. The softest smile finding its way to his features. A smile that Shani realized wasn’t meant for her, but for a ghost. Something sharp rattled in her chest but she forced the smile nonetheless.
“I’ll see what I can do, princess.” He said after a moment. The smile fading from his lips. He glanced down at the bracelet and something in his eyes darkened. Shani didn’t notice. He left a moment later to return to his duties. Melody arrived a few minutes after he left to assist Shani with getting ready for the day.