The Lies that Made Us

Amelia

She sat on the bed in her room on the ship, fingering the ties on her robe, waiting. He would come soon. Even if he had been quiet all evening, barely looking at her. He had still taken her hand for a few moments under the table as they ate supper. They had not spent a night apart since that first night on the ship, and she had no doubt he would come again.

Amelia didn’t have to wait long. There was a soft knock at the door, and then it opened. He came in quietly, closing the door behind him. She stood up, walking to meet Brynn halfway across the small room. He immediately took her hand and gazed at her.

“You are beautiful,” he said as he brought her hand to his lips.

“It still feels strange to sleep in a nightgown. It’s such a luxury after having nothing all these years.”

“So you do like it?” asked Brynn with a grin. “I told the servant to find the best one she could, but she was worried the best in the village would still be too simple. She offered to have one of Queen Julianne’s given to you, but I wanted something new. I wanted it to be yours and only yours.”

“You did this for me? You bought the gown?”

“I remember you saying back in the harbor town that you were not given anything to sleep in during your time in the tower.”

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. He was still her wonderful, surprising, and thoughtful Brynn. Even with all his mischief, he had many times given her presents or surprised her. He had picked her flowers or found some trinket to give her even when they were just friends. He would take her on rides to new places he had found out in the forest. Once, he had a small miniature of her mother painted so she could keep it with her. Amelia hoped the picture was still somewhere in her father’s house, even if her room had been stripped.

Brynn kissed her, his hands going under her robe to wrap around her waist. He finally pulled back and whispered her name as if in anguish.

“What is it?” she asked quietly. “What is troubling you. Is it just Gareth and the kingdom?”

He shook his head. “I have many fears, Amelia, but I don’t wish to speak about them tonight.”

“I wish you would. I want to help you with them.”

He raised one of his hands and slowly moved her robe off her shoulder. He kissed her bare skin while his other hand came up to slide the other side down. “You help me by just being here. Being able to touch you, to kiss you, lightens my soul more than you can know.”

“Sometimes, I can’t believe this is happening,” she said between kisses. “I worry I will wake up back in that tower, and all this will be a dream or that you will be taken from me somehow.” She held back what she wanted to say, that he would be forced to give her up or that she would have to leave him.

“I cannot be away from you.” He started to back her up to the bed. “Losing you once almost undid me to the point of no return. If I have to face it again, I will not be able to handle it.”

She wasn’t in the mood to argue with him and tell him how strong he was. All she wanted was to lose herself in his arms, to forget about what they faced or what might have to happen. She fell down on the bed as he leaned over her, his hands bringing her nightgown up as they worked their way over her body. Soon it was gone, thrown against the back wall as he fell upon her, kissing his way down her chest as his finger went to stroke her. She arched up and said his name, making him groan quietly.

Moving back up to kiss her lips, he whispered. “You will always be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” He continued to stroke her as he kissed her again and then her neck. It didn’t take long for her to come to the edge as two of his finger slipped inside of her while his palm brushed her most sensitive spot.

After she called out his name, he leaned up and took off his shirt before undoing his pants. She looked at him in the weak light that came in from the small window that sat just above the waterline. She sat up slightly and touched his chest, dragging her hand down his trim but strong body to take him into her hand. He settled over her as she stroked him. She tried to never think of Gareth during her times with Brynn, but she couldn’t help some comparison.

With Gareth, it was always about him. Even when he brought her to pleasure, it had to be his way. Brynn appeared to enjoy seeing her pleased, spending his time kissing her and touching her in ways that brought her to heights she didn’t know existed. Gareth had been blessed in at least one pleasing way, and she supposed it ran in the family as she could find no complaints with any part of Brynn.

As he entered her, all worries and doubts left her, and she was able to focus just on him and the fire that ran through her. It was not the kind to consume or harm but a warmth that made her feel safe and loved. She ran her hands down his back, bringing him even closer to her as he moved deeper. She needed to feel him against her, to know it was real. She had to be sure this was not some wonderful dream where she would wake up back in her tower, broken-hearted and alone.

“I love you,” he whispered as though he knew she needed the reassurance. He said it again and again as she kept a firm hold of him. He breathed her name before burying his face into her neck. She felt him release inside of her, and it pushed her over the edge with him. This was what she wanted, him, like this, forever. She had to find a way to make it so. There was no way she could give him up.

At first, she wasn’t sure if she was dreaming or if she really was shivering in her bed. She burrowed into Brynn, trying to feed off his warmth to find it did not help. Terror gathered within her as she started shaking. Her eyes snapped open with a gasp.

She sat up quickly, jostling Brynn, making him yawn and look up at her. “What is it? Is it another dream?”

She shook her head as she threw the covers off her and stood up. Finding her shift and dress, she threw them on, tying it as best she could. Brynn watched her in confusion.

“They’re here, Brynn. They’ve found us somehow?”

“Who? Gareth?”

“No, but those who serve him.” She slipped on her boots and cloak as Brynn sprung out of bed, hurriedly pulling on his shirt before picking up his pants. She had to wait only a few moments before he joined her at the door. As she opened it, he put his hand against the frame, making it impossible for her to walk out.

“You should stay here. Let me go see what is happening,” said Brynn as he continued to use his hand to block her.

“There is no way I am staying here. I am a Light Bearer, Brynn. I was made to face the darkness.”

“But it is you he wants. They are ultimately coming to take you away, Amelia,” he pleaded.

“Then I will fight for myself as well as all of you. We are wasting time. We need to alert the others and get on deck.”

Brynn bent down and stared at her. “You will stay close to me and preferably Melwa as well. Our magic is stronger together.” Amelia nodded, and Brynn released the door frame.

They ran towards the stairs, banging on doors as they went. Melwa’s guards were already running downstairs shouting by the time they got to it, saying they spotted a large ship not far from them with rowboats heading their way. Melwa heard it from her doorway and turned back into her room to dress as Owain ran out fully clothed.

Amelia made her way up the stairs first, Brynn and Owain directly on her heels. When she got to the deck, she saw all the guards surrounding the rails looking out over the water. She spotted a place close to the bow and moved to it, surveying the dark water. A strange mist was hovering over the sea, visible in the half moonlight. She stared at it, waiting before the first boat appeared, filled with shadow warriors. The cold within her doubled as she felt the darkness gather at her edges.

Brynn cursed behind her, looking down. He took Amelia’s hand and pulled her close. “Spark your magic, now.”

She took a deep breath and outstretched her palm. She held a small fire, and it started to warm her up, pushing back some of the darkness. Brynn lifted his hand, and his magic swirled around her, making the fire grow. The wind picked up around them as Amelia raised her hand higher, the fire becoming a large bright ball. She waited until the right moment and threw it down towards the boat. It hit in the middle, exploding in a burst of bright light that made everyone at the front of the ship turn. When the light faded, only a small part of the boat still existed, and dead Shadow Warriors floated around it.

She heard shouts from the left side of the boat and then saw a dim light move. Melwa had pushed some of her power towards two boats on the water. Brynn and Amelia ran towards her to help her. Amelia used her power to send a ring of light around the boarts while Melwa and Brynn amplified it. It turned the boats in circles as the light came closer and closer before fullying enveloping them, causing them to sink.

There was no time to rest as more shouts were heard from all over the ship. Dozens of boats were out in the water, and they just kept coming. Amelia did not think she could go from side to side of the ship, trying to stop them all. One was already at the rear of the ship, and several ropes with hooks came flying onto the deck, burying into the wood. The guards worked to undo them as Amelia sent some more light to approaching boats.

All around her, ropes sprung up from boats approaching. No matter how fast Brynn, Melwa, or Amelia worked, they could not keep up with the approaching boats or the ship that was slowly moving towards them. It didn’t take long for shadow warriors to get on deck, slashing their way through Melwa’s guards or throwing some overboard. Amelia turned her attention off the water and to the warriors on the ship. She tried to protect those guards fighting and send what warriors she could to a watery grave.

It was exhausting, even with Melwa and Brynn’s magic supporting her. No matter how many she took down, there were always more. She looked out into the water at the large ship now in front of them.

“We can’t keep this up,” cried Amelia as she turned to Brynn. “We have to stop them from their source.” She nodded towards the ship, making Brynn and Melwa stare at it and then look at each other.

“Brynn and I can do it, but it will take some time,” said Melwa as she turned to face the front of their ship.

“I can keep you protected,” said Amelia as she pushed out her hands, sending light spiraling from her, taking out five warriors in the area.

Brynn and Melwa moved to the front of the ship while Amelia stayed behind them. Melwa took Brynn’s hand, and they both went still. Amelia circled them, taking out threats when she saw them, trying to ignore the sounds of those dying around her. She looked around a few times to see Owain staying close to her, fighting with shadow warriors, keeping what he could away from her and the others.

She didn’t know how long it would take Brynn and the princess to do whatever it was they had planned, but she hoped it didn’t take too much more time. She was exhausted, throwing strong light spells every which way. It didn’t help that she hadn’t slept much the past few nights, tormented by dreams or visions of Gareth.

As she turned towards the ship’s left side, she felt a strong power close to her build. It caused her magic to swirl inside of her, almost taking her breath away. She swore the moon grew brighter as she felt the magic come to the point no one could hold it. It caused a deep hum in her ears, making her feel off-balanced. Suddenly, the hum was replaced with a woosh sound like that of a harsh wind, and a huge wave appeared at the front of the boat, tipping it up severely.

She fell back, not prepared for the tilting. Several guards and warriors around her did the same, all trying to grab hold of something to steady themselves. As she moved backward, she felt a hand grab her and looked to see Owain holding on to one of the bases of the masts. He struggled to pull her to him when his eyes grew wide.

He and Amelia looked behind him to see a shadow guard propped up against the base. It had buried a dagger into Owain’s side. Amelia let out a scream before she threw up her free hand as Owain somehow held on to her. A burst of light flew at the creature, sending it flying into the water. The boat tilted back, and Amelia knelt at Owain’s side.

She took out the dagger as he grunted in pain. “Do not worry. I can help you. Just stay awake. Do not close your eyes or give into the darkness.”

He nodded as she covered his wound with her hands. “My lady, if this doesn’t work,” he struggled to say. “Will you see that Grace and Jack…”

“None of that,” she spat at him. “You know I would take care of your family in a second, but it will not be necessary. You will be fine, Owain. Now, hush, so I can concentrate.”

“Yes, my lady,” he whispered.

Amelia kept her hands on his wound, whispering some words from the book of Alinia’s light. She could feel the darkness in Owain, threatening to overtake him. Closing her eyes, Amelia drew out the darkness, taking it into her hands and up her arms, letting it settle in her chest. “The darkness is not evil,” she whispered to herself. “The light shines brightest in the dark.”

She felt renewed for a moment, and her power surged to Owain, closing his wound and filling him with light. He sat up and looked at her in wonder as she slowly took her hands off his wound. For one moment, she smiled at him, feeling at peace before she felt two large hands grab under her arms. Owain called out her name and then yelled for Brynn as she was hauled to the side of the ship and thrown over. She tumbled over the side, feeling as if the distance from the ship to the water was greater than it was. Her back slammed into the water, sending fire and pain through her as it knocked the wind out of her.

She plummeted deep into the sea, the water cold and dark. Instinctively, she tried to catch her breath and took in a great gulp of the sea, making her panic. She thrashed around, looking up, trying to see the surface. As she tried to swing her hands down to propel her, something grabbed her. She looked over and could just make out a shadow warrior pulling her to him. She struggled against him, pushing out her hand to send a wave of magic through the water. It was a weak attempt in her pain and panic, but it pushed him away for a moment. She kicked and started to go upwards when the creature rebounded and grabbed her ankle, pulling her down.

She tried to push her hand down to send light at him, but her lungs were burning, and the crushing weight of the water was becoming too much. She fought against the pain and darkness, feeling a small bit of magic run through her towards the warrior. As she closed her eyes, she was vaguely aware that he had let go of her.

It was all too much. Struggling to open her eyes, she was beginning to forget what she was supposed to be doing. The only thing that felt possible was sleep. Sleep would be a sweet release from the pain, the darkness. As she started to give into it, she felt herself start to slowly rise out of the water. As she lost all sense of awareness, she thought she might have caught a glimpse of the surface.