Author's Preface
The storm did not arrive as quickly as Shani had worried. Which was both a blessing and a curse. Every day the storm drew closer, and every day Shani watched it approach with a sense of impending doom she didn't understand. Besides the approaching storm, days passed relatively calmly.
Jaziel had been much too busy to attend to Shani so she spent most of the days in her room or being dragged to the library with Caelis. She didn't mind, though Caelis's increasingly perfect pronunciation was beginning to grate on her. He read book after book, some even written in Ancient Gildan. He truly could be a show-off at times.
Today was the evening before Jaziel's departure date. Caelis sat at a large table covered with food in the dining hall. Roasted pheasant rested beside bowls of soup, mashed spuds, asparagus, and more dishes than Shani could count. Nearly every inch of the table was covered. Both children sat anxiously, waiting for Iselle before they could eat.
Shani tried her best to keep her back straight and her arms off the table. Caelis had no such notions. He sat across from her swinging his legs under the table and humming a tune. Shani glanced around the room. Maids and servants stood at the ready, some of whose eyes stared at her with a cold gaze.
Shani swallowed hard and picked up a fork, examining it closely. “I hope Aunty Iselle comes soon…”
Iselle stood outside Jaziel's door, her mouth set in a thin line. She took in a deep breath and walked into the room after knocking lightly. Jaziel was seated on his desk, documents scattered about. Candlelight was the only source of light in the whole room. A sigh escaped her as she approached.
“Still working? It’s dinner time,” she said quietly. Jaziel didn’t even bother to look at her before speaking.
“Yes and if I don’t finish this I will be up even later.” He replied evenly. Iselle's lips formed a thin line.
“You leave tomorrow… Wouldn’t you like to spend one meal with the children?” she asked as she gripped her arm. Her heart thundered in her chest but she did not look away. Jaziel froze and finally looked at her.
“Children? The princess is eating also?” he asked. Iselle simply nodded. Jaziel scanned the papers for a moment before a long exasperated sigh escaped his throat. He pushed himself away from the desk, the chair's legs squeaking against the wooden floor as he did so, before he stood and approached Iselle.
“I suppose it’s only right that I make an appearance.” Jaziel said with a coy smile. Iselle showed no reaction, but a hint of disappointment lingered in her body. He noticed, and a frown replaced the smile.
“What? What is it now?” He asked. His voice was rougher than he had intended. He must have been more tired than he let on. Iselle finally stopped gripping her arm and squared her shoulders.
“I understand that Shani holds a special place in your heart… with her being your sister's child.” Jaziel opened his mouth to speak but Iselle held up a hand to stop him. The movement irritated him slightly.
“All I ask is that you show Caelis even half of the affection you show Shani… He is your son afterall.” Without waiting for his reply Iselle turned on her heels and headed for the door. Jaziel watched her in stunned silence for a moment. It was the first time she had stood up to him. A sigh escaped once more before he followed after her. It was going to be a long dinner.
Dinner passed fairly quickly after Iselle arrived. Shani and Caelis were both quite shocked to see Jaziel trailing behind the woman. Shani was even more shocked that her uncle seemed to talk to Caelis more than to her. Although Caelis didn’t seem as energetic as she had seen him before. It confused her.
Once the meal was over Melody assisted Shani into her nightgown and tucked the child into bed. Shani tried her best not to look at the flame in Melody’s lantern, but even trying her best a cold sweat ran down her spine. Once Melody was happy with her work she excused herself to the door. She stood at the threshold looking back at Shani for a moment. A small smile forming.
“Sleep well, milady.” Melody said gingerly before closing the door. The room was muggy. The wind beat against her window with a ferocious tenacity. Shani pulled the blanket higher, hiding beneath it. Curled into a ball, she hummed the lullaby her mother had once sung to her. Thankfully… darkness took hold not too long after.
Smoke filled the corridors and rooms of the palace like a heavy fog. Shani walked through the empty passageways with no end in sight. Mirrors hung on every inch of the walls, ceilings, even the floors. Each step crunched beneath her weight, the chill of the glass biting into her skin. Shani barely noticed. She needed to find them.
Who was she looking for again? She couldn’t remember. A flash of lightning lit the corridor and Shani let out a scream, but the voice that came out wasn’t hers. Her eyes widened as she looked around the room. Jamila, Jamila was reflected on every surface. Shani lifted her hand and Jamila did the same. A cold chill ran down her skin.
“No… That’s not me…” She mumbled, backing away. Jamila’s smiling face contorted with anger. Burning, bloodied hands reached out from the mirrors stretching towards Shani. Shani ran.
The mirrors beneath her feet clawing and pulling at her with every step. She kicked and ran, but no matter where she went, hands erupted everywhere. Her mother’s scarred and bloodied hands wrapped around her like a python, holding her in place. Shani fought against them but they refused to release her.
“Uncle!” She screamed for help. Laughter erupted from all around. A sick laughter that echoed like thunder off the wall. The Jamilas emerged from the mirrors completely, pulling Shani close to whisper in her ear.
“Jaziel won't come… nobody will. They want me… not you.” The voice, her mother’s voice whispered. Its tone was more sadistic than she had remembered. Slowly, the women who looked like her mother began to pull her into their bodies. Their bodies melted into hers like warm tar. Sludge wrapped around her, slowly suffocating her.
She reached out for help, but no one took her hand. She watched helplessly as her own features twisted until her mother's stared back at her. The palace erupted into flames.
Shani awoke to a crash of thunder that shook the whole room. Cool sweat clung to every inch of her body as the sudden need to vomit overwhelmed her system. She barely managed to grab the basin before her dinner came back up. Again. And again. The compulsions didn’t seem to ease as thunder sounded against the walls. Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.
After what had felt like an eternity, her stomach finally began to settle. Through blurry eyes she looked around the room. It was dark and cool. The storm outside crashed against her walls and window violently. Her gaze drifted to her mother's side of the bed, and her face fell. She was alone. Her throat burned with each swallow and she felt a sudden thirst wash over her. Slowly she rose from her bed and wobbled towards her doors.
She opened the door and peered outside. Her knights were gone. It must have been very late. She began walking towards the stairs when a faint light caught her attention. As if in a daze she walked towards the light until she reached her uncle's door. Light crept out from under the door and she could hear slight creaking from beyond the large doors.
Shani stood motionless outside the door for a moment before easing it open as quietly as she could. Jaziel sat at his desk scribbling away on parchment. A pair of spectacles rested on his nose, his brows knitted together in concentration. She had never seen him wear glasses before, he reminded her of Caelis.
Shani took a hesitant step closer, the floor creaking beneath her weight. Jaziel turned, eyes wide, his hands reaching for a knife on his hip. He froze the moment he noticed Shani standing in his doorway. Jaziel's hand slowly relaxed as his face softened.
“You're up rather late… or should I say early?” Jaziel said as he turned to face her. Shani’s lip quivered as tears filled her vision.
“Uncle… Can… Can I sleep here?” She stuttered. Her voice cracked as the words flowed out. Jaziel looked her over for a moment. She was pale, her body trembling, and eyes were red. He opened his arms and without a moment's hesitation Shani ran to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Jaziel hoisted her up with a grunt and Shani adjusted until she was comfortable. She leaned against his chest and a small sigh escaped Jaziel.
“I still have some work to do… I could tuck you into the bed.” He said as he stroked her hair. Shani shook her head in response. Another sigh escaped.
“As you wish, princess.” One hand cradled Shani while the other returned to the documents. The sound of writing filled her ears and the smell of ink and parchment filled the room. Thunder could still be heard in the distance but it was slowly replaced by his calm heartbeat. Shani’s eyes became heavier and heavier with each passing second. Before she knew it, sleep had once more taken her. This time at least, there were no dreams.