The Lies that Made Us

Brynn

Brynn barely slept the night before leaving for Achillia. He tried to work out in his head how he would get them all safe to the dark kingdom and save the boy. He learned the night before that his brother expected him to travel the length of the Evalmore instead of taking the sea passage. He said it would be more of a surprise that way. Owain also came to see him, saying he would be going to watch over Amelia. Brynn welcomed his help.

As he tried to envision the right steps to save Prince Aadyen, he kept becoming distracted on how he would earn Amelia’s trust. He could not just jump in and speak to her as he once did. He had hurt her too deeply, and she had been too long afraid and living day to day. He needed to find a way to soothe her mind and show her he meant her no harm. Then, he could try to earn her forgiveness before telling her of his enduring love for her. He would confess everything, all the mistakes he made, and then ask for the time to show her that she was the only thing that mattered.

If she wanted to run away from the kingdom, he would help her. He would be happy to leave Evalmore for good. It had no attraction for him if she were not in it. He would help her find her way if she let him. Before he finally drifted off, he knew the only option was to find a way to earn her love again.

Their journey started out quiet. After he removed the ridiculous binds his brother had put on her, she seemed to settle. He could tell she was tired after a few hours. She had been kept in a small space for too long. She was probably overwhelmed by everything and not used to vigorous exercise. Still, she pressed on without complaining.

He wanted to give her space, but he could not keep away from her. By their first stop, he sat by her side, happy to be able just to be in her presence and gaze at her. He tried to make conversation with her, but it felt like every word or action was met with mistrust. When he offered her a knife to cut her apple and told her to keep it, she seemed shocked he would do so. Not only did she not trust him, but she believed he thought her guilty of her supposed crime.

He wanted to set her at ease but was distracted by the bruising on her face. He longed to examine it closer and then her for comfort. He knew who had given her that bruise, and he wanted to tell her he wouldn’t let his brother hurt her again. She tried to play it off and say it was an accident, but he knew Gareth had struck her. He let her know she did not need to defend his brother to him.

They had a nice moment where they spoke of old times. She smiled, and he could see a bit of the real Amelia peek through. Her eyes almost sparkled. He wanted to speak more to her, but the horrible guard Dugan came over and was rude.

Amelia stood up to meet the guard, and Brynn rose as he admired her fierceness. He did not like how the guard treated or looked at her. If Dugan dared try to harm her, Brynn had no qualms to do what he must to protect Amelia. He stepped between them, calling the guard out. Owain stood up for her, and Brynn appreciated at least one other person on the trip cared about her safety.

When she went to mount her horse, asking Owain to help, Brynn could not stop himself. He moved swiftly to her side, putting his hands on her hips. He stalled for a second, almost overcome by being able to touch her again. He felt his magic react as it touched hers for a brief moment. After lifting her up, he helped move her leg into the stirrup, and he knew he let his hand linger too long.

He addressed her correctly to show the guards that she deserved their respect. He didn’t sleep well that night. It didn’t matter as he was used to functioning on little sleep. He kept his distance from Amelia, sensing she wished her space from him. Throughout the night, he could not help but look over her way, seeing her curled up on her side. After dozing a few hours, he knew the morning was close. He sat up and scooted closer to the almost out fire, moving around until he could see Amelia well.

He watched her for several minutes as she slept. Her peaceful face relaxed instead of looking wary, angry, and sad as she did when she was awake. It was hard not to go to her and reach over to move the hair that had fallen in her face. It was even more difficult to fight the urge to curl beside her and take her into his arms. He had a feeling it was the only thing that would give him true rest.

Eventually, he took a walk to take care of any needs and found the stream to wash. He came upon Amelia using her magic, watching her in wonder for a moment. She laughed, and it was the most beautiful sound he had heard in many years. He could not stop himself from going to her. He was drawn to her in every way, and his magic seemed to dance within him.

They both used their powers, and Brynn could feel them feed off one another. In the end, she grew the beautiful flowers all along the stream, going past where he could see in both directions. He knew he had done well as a guardian, but he believed he could train with his magic for the rest of his life, and he would never be as impressive as her.

He spoke with her, and he could tell she was slightly opening up to him. He had a taste of what it was like before he left when their hearts were completely unguarded to one another. They both knew they could say anything, and the other would fully understand. He pushed further until he knew he had made a mistake.

He wanted to hear her say what happened to his father, not only to ease his mind but hers as well. He wanted it out in the open so that he could tell her he held no blame towards her, but he knew it might be hard for her to speak of.

When she hesitated, he thought to give her an easier way. “Let me see, please. Brynn held out his hand to her so she could take it and show him.

He knew immediately he had made a mistake. Her eyes clouded over with anger, and she spoke with hurt and venom. “If my words aren’t good enough, why should I show you my thoughts? I tried it that night with my master, and I was betrayed. It will do no good to show you anything. I am sorry your father died as he was the best man I ever knew, but it is done, and as much as I wish I could go back and change it, I cannot.”

She tried to run from him, but he would not let her go. He caught her, and as he tried again to explain himself, she looked at him as though she wished she could disappear from his sight. She was so damaged. He didn’t think his heart could break any further, but he was wrong. His poor Amelia. She spoke of wanting to be someone else, regretting all of her life, including him. He knew she was lashing out, and he knew who was to blame. His anger burned against his brother.

“What did he do to you, Amelia,” he said dangerously quiet.

Her lips quivered. “Whatever he wanted.”

He watched her walk back towards the others. Brynn could blame Gareth for her brokenness, and his brother defiantly had much to answer for. Yet, Brynn knew it was also his fault. He had left her all alone and given up. If he had just come home as soon as he heard instead of trusting his treacherous brother’s words, then he could have saved her.

They rode on, and Brynn knew the moment something was wrong with Amelia. He could almost feel her grow colder and her body fill with dread. He wished he had pressed the idea to go around the growing shadowlands, but he instead pushed on with her encouragement. It was stupid, and it almost cost him everything.

When the shadow warriors attacked them, all he could think was he must protect Amelia. He knew he should worry about the others in his party and getting through to save the young prince, but it was all pressed aside as every part of him wanted to see her safe. She deserved to get through this and live as she saw fit. He also didn’t think he could go through losing her again.

After they sent the horses away, he moved close to her taking her hand. He let his magic go to her, examining her as she would let him. He could feel the shields she had put up, ones made of hurt, anger, and complete suspicion. Still, behind it, he could sense the light that had always existed inside of her. The one he first noticed all those years ago during lessons in the palace, the light that radiated everything good about living. It once filled her, making her light-hearted, kind, and open. Now she held it behind the walls she had put up.

He tried to encourage her. “We can do this. You cannot lose hope. Your magic feeds off the light inside of you.”

“I am not who I once was,” she whispered. “The light has faded to practically nothing.” Thunder rumbled around them as lightning flashed in the distance.

“That is not true. I can feel it in you as strong as before. It is just hidden behind shame, fear, and mistrust. Let it all fall away, at least for a few minutes,” said Brynn.

He held onto her hand as she closed her eyes. He could feel her shifting through the things that hid her light. She finally moved it all enough so her light could break free. When she opened her eyes and looked at him, he could see she was not completely lost. Everything wonderful about her was still there, and he was so filled with love for her that he was speechless.

She nodded at him before letting go and working to put a ring of light around them for protection. The men around them grew fearful, and Brynn could not blame them. What they were facing had no morals or fear. All they knew was what they wanted, and that was darkness and death.

He fought by Amelia’s side, trying to help her as he could. Their magic intertwined fully, and it filled him with power as he had never known. He worked on instinct, throwing his powers where he could, letting his and Amelia’s magic guide him. At one point, he saw her stare at some of the royal guards who were in trouble. She tried to go to them, and he knew her goodness could not stand to let anyone perish.

“We cannot separate. Only by feeding off each other’s power do we have a chance?”

“But everyone will die around us if we don’t do something. Two of your guards have already fallen,” said Amelia. “We have to do something to end this.”

He knew she was right, but what could they do but keep fighting. “What do you suggest?” he finally asked.

“Can you raise me into the air?” She asked Brynn. “Get me high enough where I can see all we are facing?”

“I think so,” Brynn answered. “What do you plan to do?”

“You will see. All I need is for you to send me as high as you can into the air. If you can catch me as well, that would be helpful. I’m not sure how much strength I will have left when I am done.”

“I won’t let you fall.”

She nodded. “Do it now.”

He did as she asked, though he was afraid of what might happen. He knew she would risk everything to save him and the others. It was beyond anything to see what she did. He couldn’t believe anyone could possess the power to harness lightning and tell it where to go, but she made it look so easy. When she was done, the area around them was quiet as no more shrieks or moans could be heard.

He saw her start to fall, and he raised his hands, causing her to glide down slowly. She landed softly and kneeled to catch her breath while Brynn looked around for any signs of others who might be hiding. He did not look well enough.

He should have died, but Amelia risked her own life to save him. Ignoring the threat behind her, she used her magic to kill the shadow warrior lunging for him. Startled, he turned to look at it as it fell, only turning back when he heard Amelia cry out.

“Amelia,” he cried as he watched the gruesome thing pull its dark sword out of her back.

Owain killed it as Brynn ran towards her to catch her in his arms. She was already shivering and cold to the touch. A dribble of blood came out of her mouth as her eyes started to close.

“Amelia, look at me,” he said frantically. “Do not close your eyes or look away. You must stay with me.” He would not lose her. He had to save her.

He concentrated on building his magic, calling on every lesson on healing he ever had. She reached up and touched his cheek, momentarily distracting him.

“I didn’t do it, Brynn. I would never hurt him. I loved him.”

She still thought he blamed her. He fought against the tears in his eyes. This was not goodbye. He would save her, and they would have time to figure it all out. He reassured her and tried to focus again. He put his hand against her chest and willed his magic to save her. He could feel it flow through her, searching for where she was injured. He knew it caused her pain, but he could not help it.

“It’s too much,” she whispered. “I can’t do it.”

“Yes, you can,” said Brynn. There was no other option. She had to make it. “You are strong; you always have been. Please, Amelia, I will make it better, I promise. I will make it all better.” He would save her that moment and then find a way to help her find her way forward.

“I loved you,” she said as she closed her eyes. “I think I still do.”

Tears fell from his eyes as he pushed his magic to the brink of its limits. “Amelia, open your eyes now,” he demanded. “I will not lose you. I cannot take it again.”

Her power started to spark within her, mixing with his, and he could feel it fight against the darkness that tried to overtake her. Her wound started to close up, and her skin grew slightly warmer. If he could just stop the bleeding and get her a little warmer, he would have time to get her somewhere and heal her fully. He felt the first drops of rain against his neck as the wound finally closed.

She relaxed in his arms, and he took a moment to breathe. She still shivered, and he could still feel the darkness moving in her, but he bought them some time. He had to get her to the village, to the inn. She needed rest, and he needed quiet to work. He looked down on her and wiped the blood off her chin as she opened her eyes.

He took a moment to make sure his dead guards could not join the darkness. When Dugan suggested leaving her there with them, he wanted to curse the man out of the kingdom, but Owain stood his ground. Brynn turned his focus on Amelia, standing up with her in his arms. With Owain’s help, he soon held her on his horse. He could feel how weak she was, and he only hoped she could make it to the inn.

As they rode swiftly on the narrow path, he held her close and kissed her forehead. He begged her the whole way not to leave him.