The Lies that Made Us

Brynn

As his home kingdom came into view, Brynn breathed in deep. He knew he was a different man than before he left, but he still wanted the same thing, a life with Amelia. He thought his hope had been completely gone, but now, knowing she was alive, it was like his heart had started to beat again. He would find a way to save her and show her he had not forgotten her.

He only hoped she still held some love for him. She must have felt so alone and abandoned. If only he had known sooner, she was alive and being held. He would go straight to his brother and demand to see her. Brynn knew she did not kill the king, and he would make his brother and all the lords see it. If they refused, he would break her out of whatever prison she was in and run away with her.

After docking, he disembarked to find a surprise waiting for him. Several place guards waited just off the shore. One came forward and bowed to Brynn.

“Your highness, you may not remember me, but I am Dugan, captain of the royal guards. The king has sent me and the others to escort you home.”

“How did he know I was here?” asked Brynn. “I sent no word.”

“He had a message from the Eriallian king to expect you,” said the guard.

Brynn cursed under his breath. He wished to catch his brother off guard. He should have told the Eriallian king not to contact Gareth, but Brynn had been in too much of a hurry to get home to Amelia. He nodded at Dugan. “Then let us be on our way. I wish to reach the palace by tonight.”

“It was a little under a half-day journey from the port to the city and palace. As they neared his home, Brynn became unsettled. Almost everything around him brought an old memory to his mind. He saw the large fence on an estate he and Amelia used to like to jump horses over. They passed a hill where they would sometimes have a picnic lunch.

As he entered the city gates, the smells of home, both good and bad, hit him in full force. He looked up at the tall palace in the dying sun and increased his horse’s pace. He rode up the gates with the guards behind them. The gates opened quickly, and Brynn wasted no time. He pulled his horse up to the front door and jumped off it.

He was met by the same man who served his father as the head servant. He bowed before Brynn. “Your highness, welcome home. Hot water and refreshments are waiting in your room.”

“I am not going to my room,” said Brynn. “Where is my brother?”

“The king is currently busy but says he will speak with you later tonight. He wishes for you to go to your room first, your highness.”

“I will see the king now. Where he is?” demanded Brynn.

“In the study with his wife and her family as well as Lord Fox, his son, and Lord Porter, but he said he does not wish to be disturbed,” said the servant.

“He will be disturbed by me. He has had four years without having to deal with my presence. He can put up with me now.” Brynn pushed past the servant and walked down the hall to what was his father’s study.

He paused by the door, hearing raised voices inside.

“I am sorry the young prince is in danger, but you will not sacrifice my daughter for anything,” said a voice Brynn knew was Amelia’s father.

“Come now, my lord, she is still a Light Bearer, and her duty is to protect and fight the darkness,” replied Gareth.

“She cannot be as strong as she once was,” said Lord Fox. “Not after all she has been through.”

“And it is all her own fault,” said another voice. “She shouldn’t even be alive. A hanging is what she deserves.”

“Now, now, lord Porter, that is not fair. The poor woman probably didn’t know what she was doing. She is being punished appropriately, and as I told you many times, she will not be killed,” said Gareth.

Brynn couldn’t take it anymore. He opened the door without knocking, causing everyone to turn and look at him. Gareth sighed and frowned before recovering and walking towards Brynn with a smile.

“Brother, you are finally home. I thought you might wish to refresh yourself first.”

Brynn shook his head. “I needed to speak with you directly, but I see that something serious is happening. What is it?”

Gareth looked at his wife and her family, who were sitting close together by the fireplace. “My wife’s brother, Prince Aayden, has been taken by Achllians. They want money, an alliance with us, and a Light Bearer to use as a sacrifice to their goddess.” Lord Fox started to speak, but Gareth cut him off. “Which will not agree to. There will be no sacrifices given.”

“You are as good as wanting to sacrifice Amelia,” said Lord Fox’s son. “If you send her after the boy by herself, she will have no choice.”

Brynn’s eyes went from Adrius Fox to his brother’s. “You want to send Amelia by herself to Achilia? Not even she is strong enough to face all the dark magic there.”

“She would have guards with her, of course,” said Gareth.

“Guards loyal to you, who would rather see her dead,” said Amelia’s father. “And there are rumors of shadowlands growing in our kingdom. If she is made to travel to Achilia with no help, she probably won’t even make it.”

“Shadowlands? In Evalmore? You shouldn’t listen to the rumors of peasants, my lord,” said Gareth with a sneer.

“Why send her alone? Why not send other Light Bearers?” asked Brynn. “You have plenty at your disposal.’

“If we send too many, they will be sensed, and the Achillians will kill the boy,” said Gareth.

“Then send Master Elgan,” said Brynn. “He is the master for a reason.”

“He is not willing to leave his order with no successor. None have proven worthy,” said Gareth. “Besides, I believe Lady Amelia is stronger than him at this point. He has grown old and weak.”

“You will put the life of my son in the hands of one Light Barer who has been locked away for three years?” asked King Peadar, shaking his head.

“I have faith in Lady Amelia, and I will make it worth her while to be successful,” said Gareth. “I will offer her freedom in exchange for the boy being delivered safely to his homeland.”

Lord Fox moved closer to Gareth. “You would set her free?”

“If she is successful, yes,” said Gareth. “I do not think she is a real threat to anyone. She might leave the kingdom altogether.”

“She would stand a better chance with someone else of magical ability going,” said Brynn. “Especially a Moon Guardian.”

Gareth nodded. “Guardians and Bearers reflect each other’s magic, making both stronger.” He smiled slightly. “Are you offering to go, Brynn?”

All eyes turned on Brynn, and he nodded. “I will travel to Achillia and help save the boy, especially if you will give Amelia her freedom when we are done.”

Gareth laughed a little. “I should probably have a talk with you before you make such a declaration, but I can’t deny it would be helpful. I do not want my brother-in-law to perish.”

“But, your majesty, this cannot be worth the prince’s life,” said Lord Porter. “How can you trust the woman with him? She has already killed one of your family.”

“I trust her,” said Brynn. “I have no worries traveling with her.” He looked at King Peader and his wife and daughter. “I will not let your son perish. I will go to Achilia with Lady Amelia and whatever guards my brother thinks are necessary, and I will bring Prince Aayden back home.”

“There you all have it, a solution to our problem. I will talk it over with my brother tonight, and within two days, we will have it done.”

“We will go tomorrow,” said Brynn. “If Amelia is in condition to travel, I would like to leave at first light.”

“But you just got here. Do you not want to rest?”

“It was not a hard journey, and the boy shouldn’t be held any longer than necessary.” Brynn was eager to see Amelia and set her free. He could not wait one more day.

“Very well,” said Gareth. “Now, if you will excuse us, I should talk to my brother and then go visit Lady Amelia.”

King Peader and his wife and daughter stood up and thanked Brynn before walking out, the queen still in tears. Lord Porter told Brynn he was foolish before leaving.

“Prince Brynnwyn, it is good to see you back,” said Lord Fox as he and his son stood in front of Brynn. “What has kept you so long?”

“Misinformation and cowardice, I am afraid, but I am here now and ready to serve as needed,” said Brynn.

Lord Fox looked behind him at Gareth before nodding. He looked like he wanted to say more, but Gareth spoke up. “You should be going, my lord. This arrangement I wish to make with your daughter is delicate and should be done quickly. I would hate to leave it too long or change my mind.”

Lord Fox turned and bowed as he glared at Gareth before grabbing his son’s arm and leaving the room.

“Well, you certainly came at just the right moment, Brynn,” said Gareth. “Sit and have a drink with me. There are some things we should discuss.”

“I want to see Amelia,” said Brynn.

Gareth grinned. “All in good time, but first sit down. Let’s talk.”

“You want to talk?” asked Brynn. “Fine, we can do it as we are. Tell me why you told me Amelia was dead.”

“I never said she was dead. When I wrote you, I thought that would be her fate. I didn’t expect to be able to work something out to keep her alive.”

“And you didn’t think to write me and tell me this?” Brynn closed his eyes for a moment. “I have lived these past three years thinking she had been killed.”

“I didn’t think you would want to hear it after what she did to our father,” said Gareth.

“I don’t believe she did anything. She would never hurt him. How could you think she would kill him?”

“She was found with father after he was killed, and Master Elgan searched her. He said she did it. You know she can hide nothing from him.”

“Then he is lying,” said Brynn.

“Why would he lie? I think the more believable story is that Amelia lost control of her magic and accidentally killed our father. The poor thing might have been in shock afterward and forgot.”

“I have seen her use her magic enough to know that is not possible. She did not kill our father, not on purpose or by accident. Now, let me see her.”

“You should know some things first. She has changed,” said Gareth. “You will find her much altered.”

“What have you done to her?” Brynn moved towards his brother, feeling his magic become unsettled.

A smug smile settled on Gareth’s face. “She has been well taken care of. You do not need to worry, but she is angry. I am afraid she is very angry at you.”

“At me?”

“She asked for you several times after she was placed in the tower. I didn’t know what to tell her.”

“She asked for me, and you didn’t write to tell me to come home?” Brynn felt his fury grow.

“I didn’t think you wanted to come home. I thought perhaps you were angry with her or wanted to forget her altogether since father was killed. Either way, she went through some hard times that first year. I was afraid she might die of despair, but I spent as much time with her as I could, even with getting married. I convinced her to go on.”

“How is she now?” asked Brynn.

“Temperamental at times, much more prickly than before, but I can’t say it isn’t attractive. I think it has only added to her many charms.” Gareth laughed. “I hate that this has happened, but having her close has had its advantages.”

Brynn felt him shake as he understood what Gareth was implying. The thought of his brother touching her, violating her made him feel ill. She was always so fearful of Gareth, and to have to endure his attentions must have been hell for Amelia.

“I want to see her now,” demanded Brynn.

Gareth nodded. “Fine, but let me speak to her first. I will tell her about the deal for her freedom and then let you into the room. We can tell her to be ready at dawn and that the guards will see her downstairs. I want you to be prepared that she is not the girl you left.”

“She is alive, and that is enough. Nothing you have done to her could take away all the goodness inside of her.”

He followed his brother up many stairs to the top of the north tower. Two guards stood by the heavy wooden door that had two locks. When they saw Gareth, one took out a large black key and placed it in each lock, turning it.

Gareth grabbed the handle. “Give me a few minutes.”

Brynn waited outside the door, wishing he could rush in and see her. He wanted to fall at her feet and beg for her forgiveness. He wanted to tell her that he would make it up to her. He would take her far away from this place and everyone that hurt her. It seemed like forever until Gareth finally opened the door. Brynn adjusted his cloak before walking into the room.

She was there, heartbreakingly beautiful. He didn’t think it was possible for her to grow in beauty, but she had. All her girlish features were completely gone leaving behind subtle womanly curves and a face with delicate features. It took him a moment to meet her eyes, ashamed of what he had done to her. When he finally worked up the courage, what he found there made him take a small step back and lose his breath.

Her eyes were once so bright and full of love, happiness, and even innocence. He could remember their exact shade of light blue. Now they appeared to be darker and weary. She looked at him as though she could not believe he had the audacity to stand before her. He moved a little closer, and a flash of fear ran through them. He had never felt so ashamed of himself, and he could barely stand or speak to her.

Brynn barely got her name out and did some awkward bow. Gareth said something completely unhelpful, and still, Amelia stared at him with her accusing eyes.

He thought the words he wished to say in his head. He was so sorry for all she had been through, sorry he was too much of a coward and weakling to come home. He tried to think of something kind to say. He was going to get her out of there, take her far away from his brother.

“We will leave tomorrow at sunrise,” he finally was able to say. “If there is anything you need for the trip, you can write them down, and I will see it is packed for you.”

She finally looked away from him, and he could tell how broken she was. His Amelia would never slouch in such a defeated way. He could see tears hanging onto her long eyelashes. “I have everything I need here. If someone will bring me a bag, I can pack myself.”

“Very good, my lady.” Why was he speaking to her this way? He wanted to take her into his arms and tell her he would make it better, but he was frightened of what she would do. He needed to earn back some of her trust to work on gaining her forgiveness. “Do you have any questions?”

“No,” she said so quietly he could barely hear her. “I will be ready.”

“The guards will get you at dawn. I will see you then.” Brynn walked out the door and closed it before collapsing against the wall. He took deep breaths to try to calm himself. He had let it come to this. She was so fearful and untrusting. The bravest, kindest, most beautiful soul in the kingdom had been broken, and he had let it happen.

He looked at the door, realizing Gareth had not come out. Not wanting to leave her alone with him, Brynn reached for the handle to be stopped by one of the guards. “The king does not like to be disturbed when he is visiting the prisoner.”

“I don’t care what he wants. I am going back in.”

“You are not,” said the guard. “I’m sorry, your highness, but the king’s orders come first. There is no use waiting around as he will be in there for some time. When he visits Lady Amelia, he likes to take his time.”

“Does he visit her often?”

The guard gave Brynn a half-grin. “Almost every day.”

Brynn ran a hand through his hair. He could feel his power swirl inside of him. It would be so easy to push the guards aside and blast through the door. He could grab Amelia and run with her. They could go far away and never come back, but he wasn’t sure it was what she wanted. She deserved a choice, and there was also the young prince to think about. He looked at the door a moment more before turning to go to his room. This would be the last time his brother was ever alone with her. It didn’t matter if she could forgive Brynn or not; he would spend the rest of his life finding a way to keep her safe.