Michael was sleeping when Ariana entered his chambers. He'd been asleep for hours as the day eased into afternoon. Light filtered through large, stained-glass windows that lined the longest wall, tinting the room in shades of blue and gold. His upper arm was wrapped in cloth, the cuts to his face cleaned up. He lay with his wings stretched out below him. She sat on the edge of the bed, next to Koen, who'd found a spot in the sun to nap.
She'd tried to go back to sleep, still feeling a little drained, but her exchange with Garren weighed too much on her mind.
'How long have you been here?' Michael's voice was groggy and fatigued.
'I didn't mean to wake you. I thought you were sleeping deeply enough that I wouldn't bother you.' She started to move when he grabbed her arm.
'No, stay. It's alright.' He struggled to sit up.
'Stay still.' She turned toward him, inspecting a tear in one of his wings. 'Do you need anything?'
He lay back down, shaking his head in refusal. 'No. Just your company, though I should warn you, I'm not a very good patient.'
She laughed and started to fidget with the edge of the beaded trim on her gown, rubbing her fingers over the crystals.
'That was one of Genny's favorites.'
Hearing the name reminded her of what she'd said to Michael before she'd left Adoria. 'What I said about your relationship with her, I'm truly sorry. I had no — '
Michael touched her lips, too tired to put much effort into the gesture. 'I don't want to hear another apology. You've nothing to be sorry for.'
She took his hand and gave him a slight smile in acknowledgement. 'Are you sure it doesn't bother you — seeing her clothes again?'
'No. It's comforting. I remember soon after she died, having the oddest sense of grief over never seeing them worn again. It's hard to explain, but — I don't know. I suppose broken-heartedness displays itself in all sorts of ordinary things.'
She nodded, knowing too well what he meant. 'After Father left, I remember missing a pouch he used to carry in his cloak.'
A curious smile appeared on Michael's face. He tried to move again, but found it too uncomfortable. He motioned to his night stand.
'Pull open the top drawer.'
She reached over and slid it open. The first thing she saw was the leather pouch.
'He left it behind the day he died.'
She took it from the drawer and brought it to her face, breathing in the scent of the leather. 'I used to play with this all the time when he was home, fill it with all sorts of things — it was kind of our little game. He'd always ask what I'd found for him, and I would always tell him he'd have to wait and see. I eventually outgrew it, but it was the first thing I thought of when I realized that he wasn't going to come home.' She couldn't believe that she held it again in her hands. The feel of the worn leather against her skin brought back so many memories.
'Keep it, please. I'm sure he would've wanted you to have it.'
She smiled, but couldn't hold back her tears. When she opened the ties and peered inside, she saw that it was mostly empty, save one small object in the bottom, wedged in the corner. She pulled it out and realized it was an amulet, identical to her mother's.
Michael narrowed his eyes, but didn't seem to recognize it. 'After he died, I glanced in it briefly, but never noticed that before. Curious looking.'
'It's a key. I used one just like it to get into the Braeden tunnels — that amulet I mentioned earlier.'
'Father mentioned a key to me once. We were in the Saeculum and I was begging him to take me farther, to show me what was behind this huge, intricate carved door we'd come to that was, of course, locked. I was fascinated by it — though I suppose any boy would be at that age. Maybe we'll go there soon, see if the key works on that door by chance, if it's the same key he mentioned that day. Have you spoken with Garren, does he know you're all right?'
She was hoping that he wouldn't ask. 'Yes. I've spoken with him.'
'I know that look well. What did he say to you?'
She briefly considered not telling him, but after what she had gotten herself into already by not being honest, she thought better of it.
'That he has no feelings for me — that his response and actions subsequent to discovering that I was indeed alive and not a vision were based on penance alone.'
She knew what his next question was going to be and it was unavoidable.
'What actions?'
She cringed. Kissing her brother's mortal enemy would probably fall into the category of general treason. She took a deep breath, but he spoke before she could get a word out.
'He kissed you.' The words came out like the revelation of a grave illness.
'I won't lie to you, I kissed him first. But he reciprocated with more intensity than I. As mistaken as I have been in matters like these in the past, there was no confusing the passion behind that kiss. His relief was palpable.'
Michael said nothing for a time, obviously mulling over what she'd just said. 'I believe what he's said to me, having seen the truth in his words for myself. But as for his motives or what is behind his dramatic transformation, we may never know. We may never have the chance to know.'
She felt herself getting upset again. 'Then it's already been decided. He'll be executed?'
Michael's expression shifted without effort from concerned sibling to provident leader. 'His death will benefit our people more than sparing his life, despite his recent change of heart — if that's truly what's occurred.'
She looked down. She wasn't going to argue, what her brother said made perfect sense. It just wasn't what her gut told her. 'What of the prophecy? What if this change of heart means he's the only one who can defeat the Oni?' Her question seemed to take him aback. 'I've learned much since I came here, thanks to Bronach. There's never been an Ereubinian born with Adorian blood in his veins. Surely this must mean something.'
'There's so much we don't know about the scrolls and the ancient texts. I can't base my decisions on such tenuous things, not when it comes to the good of our realm.'
Ariana nodded. 'I understand. Will the council even meet then?'
'Yes. There are still things concerning the matter that need to be discussed. You aren't fighting me on this?'
'I have faith in your decisions. I just wanted you to hear my thoughts on the matter. I could never get Father to understand that, either. I may not command an army of thousands or lead a kingdom, but that perhaps opens my eyes to things that would be of little consequence to you. Sometimes it is those very things that bring ruin or revelation.'
'Your words shame my heart.'
She reached over and took his hand. 'Michael, your efforts weren't unmerited. Don't think for a moment that I am ungrateful. I love you as a brother who I have always known — as a sister who has always been watched over.'
Michael had moved to sit up with his back against the headboard. 'I love you, too,' he whispered, squeezing her hand. 'I always felt like something was missing, even before Father died.' He looked to the side. 'Speaking of the Saeculum reminded me of something. Before Father died, he asked me if I recalled the way to the Saeculum. In fact, it was the very day he died that he asked me. I didn't think anything of it at the time and didn't get the opportunity to find out why he'd asked, but the question does have a curious feel to it. And this,' he pointed to the key, 'makes me wonder if it isn't just one more thing he was keeping from us.'
She worried the key in her hand, memorizing the lines.
Michael let go of her hand and tipped her chin to look at him. 'Healed or not, you need rest — you're exhausted. Am I wrong?'
'No, I feel it. And I'm not the only one fighting sleep here. You should get some more rest yourself.' She touched him on the shoulder as she rose. 'Sweet dreams.'
