“I don’t feel anything.” Eira shook her head.
Vhalla slowly approached her, as if Eira were a wild animal. She waited a moment before draping the blanket over her shoulders. When she spoke, it was with a mother’s voice rather than the Empress of Solaris’. “I know…”
Two words, in that tone, broke her once more.
“I-I don’t feel anything!” Eira sobbed as the empress bundled her.
“I know,” Vhalla echoed herself and then stepped forward and wrapped her arms over the blanket. Eira could hardly process the fact that the empress was holding her. But instinct had Eira burying her face into the woman’s shoulder as she sobbed. The motherly position had her aching, longing for a love that Eira had needed desperately but her parents had left her wanting. “I know,” Vhalla repeated over and over.
Something made Eira believe she really did know. There was a sorrowful need that bloomed from forgotten grief in the empress’s voice. This was a woman who had been born into nothing and had risen up to power despite all odds to take on the Mad King. She had suffered greatly along the way, if the tales were to be believed. This incredible woman was holding Eira, of all people.
“I’m sorry,” Vhalla whispered.
“I don’t… What do I do wrong? Is it because of me? Because I cheated? Because I didn’t drop out? Because I didn’t listen to my family?” Eira hiccupped as the tears abated once more.
“Come and sit with me, for starters.” Vhalla led her gently over to the sofas by the fire. Eira sat, at a loss for what else to do. Vhalla sat close, arm still around her shoulders. “I see so much of myself in you and my heart breaks for it.”
“What?” Eira blinked.
“I was in that cell once. They don’t talk about it much anymore… Does the Night of Fire and Wind mean anything to you?” Eira shook her head and Vhalla laughed softly. “I suppose I should be grateful it’s long since fallen out of favor to speak of. That night is certainly not one I wish to be prominent in my legacy…if I get to choose what my legacy is at all.” The empress shook her head and refocused herself. Vhalla pursed her lips in thought, her palm rubbing circles on Eira’s back. “Listen to me, Eira. I was put on trial because there were twisted people in power and because there were forces at play greater than myself. I like to think my husband and I, for all our shortcomings and for all the good we could still yet do, are not twisted people in power. But there are powerful people maneuvering and you have ended up a piece on the board of their game.”
“I didn’t kill my brother.” The words were accompanied by a violent shake of her head. “Or any of the other competitors.”
“I know,” Vhalla said quickly. “Cullen told me.”
Eira stilled, her wide eyes unfocused. “What?”
“Cullen told me what you said when he found you.”
“He…how?”
“First things first.” Vhalla’s hand fell on Eira’s clenched fist. “Do you still have Ferro captive?”
“You know?” Eira whispered. Vhalla nodded. Eira looked to her hand. “I think I do. I still feel magic leaving me but…I’m so tired. I don’t know if it’s enough, he might be—”
“We’ll find out soon. After you were taken, Cullen came to me and explained everything. He told me where he had encouraged them to lock you away.” She chuckled softly. “I suppose being honest with him about that night in my past, long ago, and its aftermath resulted in something good. He knew where to put you where no one would look, where no one but guards of Imperial choosing could find you—where I could get to you.”
“He…looked after me?” Eira slowly brought her eyes to the empress’s.
“As best he knew how. Be gentle on him; there’s more than you know riding on him as the first Windwalker after myself. He is not without darkness and struggle, either.” She wore a sad smile and smoothed a hand over Eira’s hair. The movement didn’t even seem to register. Eira had only ever thought of the empress as a figurehead, her sovereign…never as a mother. The familial movements were making Eira’s heart break further in a sort of beautiful torture. “He should be here soon. Along with the others.”
“Others?”
At that moment the door to the parlor opened, revealing Fritz, Grahm, and Gwen.
“Vhal, you are truly the savior of Solaris.” Fritz’s voice broke with emotion as his gaze fell on Eira. “Thank you for getting her.”
“Of course, Fritz.” Vhalla stood to make room for Eira’s family. Eira barely resisted asking the comforting woman to stay.
Gwen was the first to press her side against Eira’s. Fritz and Grahm surrounded her next, completing a semicircle of protection. Eira dipped her head, trying to drown in the folds of the blanket still on her shoulders.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. Lingering underneath all the affection was how things had been left with her uncles and the revelations of her family. It all seemed so insignificant to her now, but would they feel the same?
“You have nothing to be sorry for. We’ll get to the bottom of this,” Gwen said with a squeeze. “And you’re safe now. No more senators acting like they own all of Solarin.”
Eira thought back to Yemir. What would he think once he found out Cullen had helped her? He’d been so eager to lock her away… Was he truly that committed to justice? Was it a score to settle from when she had “eluded justice” for the apprentice she’d killed as a girl? Or…was he afraid of her? Eira thought back to the day at court and his reaction to her power. She thought back to what Fritz had warned her of.
Her powers were dangerous, deadly, and the sort of magic men and women fighting to be at the top would want to possess or destroy.
“I should
