The Lies that Made Us
An Unfair Fate

Amelia

They went back to the ball, and Amelia could not help but smile the rest of the evening. Her smile lasted many days as she found time to sneak away with Brynn after lessons. They learned more and more about how to express their new feelings, and in some ways, Amelia found their times together just as informative as her magical lessons.

Her bliss could not last. She knew Brynn went to his father one night after she went home. She did not see Brynn the next day or the next as her lessons intensified and lengthened to the point it was well into the night when they finished. Amelia did nothing but walk home and collapse on her bed, exhausted.

Finally, after one evening, as she walked through the palace halls, ready to be home, she felt a hand take hers. She looked over to replace Brynn half smiling at her. He took her to a nearby small parlor and shut the door before grabbing her. He held her as he kissed her, and she audibly sighed to be back in his arms.

“You look exhausted, Amelia,” he said as he kissed her cheek.

“It has been a hard few days, but I know it will pay off in the end. I defeated all the other level fours in sparing. That means I can start training for the final level.”

“You are the second-highest light bearer in the kingdom. Do you plan to stop there?”

“No, Master Elgan is adamant I will spar with him. I don’t know if he believes I can beat him, but I think I can.”

Bren chuckled. “You always were fierce and bold. How will you like leading the bearers?”

“If it is what the goddess wishes, I will take on the responsibility.” She smiled. “I think I will like it very much.”

“You like being in charge,” said Brynn before he let her go. He walked away from her before turning back. “Amelia, I have to leave for a while.”

“Leave?” she asked, feeling a cold sensation work its way through her body. “Where will you go?”

“Erialla, to study under the followers of Neomana. My father says it is time to use my gift fully.”

“How long will you be gone? It must be some time if you will train with your powers,” said Amelia.

He walked up to her and took her hands. “I will do everything I can to finish my training quickly, but at least a year, maybe two. This is not what I want, but I see its merit. I must have a purpose to be worthy of you.”

She shook her head. “Your father must have been very displeased with the idea you would want me as your wife. He must hope you will forget about me while you are gone.”

“That is not it at all, Amelia. My father believes you are above anyone, and you know it. He is right that I have lived too idle of a life. I need to do this for my kingdom and you. I could never forget about you. My father knows it, and so do you. I will write you every day, and you must write me back.”

She looked down as her tears fell. Whatever he might say, she could not help but think he was only being sent away because of her. The king might think well of her, even love her in a way, but he probably had loftier plans for his youngest son.

“Amelia, I love you. You don’t have to say it back, but I wanted you to know it before I leave. I love you, and I think I have for some time. I will never love anyone but you.”

She stared up at him as she reached her hand out to touch his cheek. “I love you, Brynn. The thought of being away from you is awful.”

He took her hand and kissed it. “I don’t know how I will manage it, but it will not be forever. When I come back, nothing will stand in the way of taking you as my wife.”

He kissed her again, and she kissed him back desperately. They stumbled to the sofa, where their passion took over. As his hand worked its way under her skirt, hers were already under his shirt. She arched up and pressed herself against him as his hand grazed her upper thigh. One of her hands moved down to caress him over his pants, and he moaned before leaning up to look down on her.

“Amelia, we can stop now if you wish. If we go much further, I am not sure I could pull back.”

“I don’t want to stop,” she said as she kissed under his chin. “I want you, Brynn.”

He groaned before pushing off the sofa and standing up. He held his hand out to her, and she looked at him in confusion.

“We will not do this here, especially the first time.” She took his hand, and she stood up, disappointed and a little angry, before he kissed her. “Does your father expect you home?”

She shook her head. “He and Nathan are at our estate in the Blairs until next week. The servants know I have unusual hours.”

“Then come with me,” he said. They walked out into the dim halls of the palace to a nearby staircase. Once they reached the third floor, Brynn took her to the right, coming to the first door.

“This is your room,” she said as he looked around before opening his door.

He nodded and pulled her inside before closing the door and locking it. He brought her close and placed a kiss where her shoulder met her neck. “I want you in my bed, Amelia,” he whispered in her ear. “I have imagined you there many times.”

He loved her in his bed. He was gentle and slow as they both tried to replace their way. When it was over, and he held her close, she thought she should feel ashamed. What they did went against everything she had been taught about modesty and virtue by her mother, father, and her order. She could not replace shame. She found only contentment and the feeling she knew what it was like to be truly loved. If she had known what was to come over the next few years, she would have cherished their time together even more.

The time after Brynn left passed slowly at first for Amelia. She did all the things required of her, but she felt an ache, knowing she would not see him for some time. His letters came as soon as his ship landed, and almost every day brought a new one filled with what he was doing and seeing and assurances of his love. She wrote him back every night, telling him much the same.

Over the months, his letters became less frequent, and she thought at first, it must be due to his strenuous training schedule. By the sixth month, they stopped altogether. Even on her eighteenth birthday, he sent nothing. She spent a miserable evening at her father’s home, enduring a ball. She thought at first that she would flirt wildly with the young men who claimed dances with her but realized she couldn’t do it. No matter what Brynn might be thinking, her heart still belonged to him.

Besides her hurting heart, she was constantly pestered by Gareth. She thought he would have married his princess at some point and left her alone, but he spent more time in the palace than going to pay tribute to who many thought would be his future wife. He followed Amelia down the halls as she walked. If she stopped in the library or was in any room alone, it seemed like he always popped up. A few times, he trapped her against the walls of the hall or sat uncomfortably close to her in the parlor. One night as she waited for the king, he draped his hand over the back of the sofa they were on, slowly moving it until it rested on her shoulder.

“Have you heard from my brother lately?” he asked as his hand moved slightly against the sleeve of her dress.

“I believe he is very busy with his training at the moment,” said Amelia.

“I hear he is. From what he has written me, he replaces Erialla much to his liking.”

“He has written you?” asked Amelia as she leaned away from Gareth.

“Why do you seem surprised? He is my brother. Yes, he likes Erialla. He commented on its natural beauty and the welcome from its people. He told me there are many lovely ladies there.”

Amelia looked at Gareth, not believing him. She had Brynn’s promise and assurances of love. He would not go back on them.

“You know, Amelia,” said Gareth as he pulled her closer, placing his arm completely around her shoulder. “I think he was rather stupid to choose to leave after apparently securing some kind of affection from one such as lovely and powerful as you.”

“He chose to leave? He told me your father sent him away,” said Amelia.

“My father gave him a few options, and Brynn decided to leave. He has always been unsettled and flaky with his choices. He once thought to be an archer but changed his mind as soon as he saw me sword fighting with some of the guards. He has always been easily distracted. It’s out of sight, out of mind with him.”

Amelia closed her eyes, refusing to believe it. She would not let Gareth get to her.

“But, I, my dear, am a constant man. When I want something, I do not stop until it is mine,” said Gareth as his hand moved down to rest around her waist.

She wanted to pull away, but as he stared at her, she felt transfixed where she was. Something in his cold, blue eyes held her. She grew chilly as he moved down towards her. She started to shiver as his hand moved against her side.

“Are you cold, my lovely?” he asked, inches from her lips. “I can replace a way to warm you.”

The parlor door opened, and his spell was broken. She jumped away from him to the far end of the sofa. He crossed his legs and coughed lightly as the king walked into the room. She made sure not to be left in such a position with Gareth again, afraid of what might have happened had the king not come in at that moment.

Soon, almost a year had gone by, and more letters from Brynn never came. Amelia threw herself into her training, pushing herself with the hope that eventually, her master would tell her it was time for them to face each other. Her father grew busier as her brother became betrothed to a nice young woman from the inner city of the circle. Amelia did not know her well, but she seemed kind and pleasant. She was beautiful, rich, well-mannered, and did not appear to be an idiot. It was as much as she could hope for in a new sister.

As Amelia grew in power, she gained more freedom with her time. She spent much of it with the king. She had avoided him when Brynn first left, afraid he disproved of her, but when he sought her out one day in the library during a rare day off, they fell back into their easy conversations and companionship. If not for him, she might have avoided spending any unnecessary time in the palace at all.

One evening she sat with the king in his study as he looked over his messages, and Amelia read a book on very advanced light magic. She sighed as she read over the ways her magic would interact with the uses of the different orders. Light bearers reacted best to moon guardians. Their magic reflected each other, both growing in power in each other’s presence.

“You are too young to look so weary and worried, my dear,” said the king as she sat next to her. “What is troubling you? Are your lessons taking too much of a toll?”

“Not at all. I feel my most powerful and refreshed when using my magic. My troubles come from a different source.” She closed her book and looked at the king. “Have you heard from Prince Brynwynn lately?”

The king gave her a small smile. “He has not proven a reliable correspondent, has he?”

“He was at first, but it has now been many months since I have heard from him. You have had no ill tidings, have you?”

“He is well, Amelia. He has not written me in some time, but I hear from his masters he is excelling in his craft. He has been very busy and intent on training as well as traveling. I am sure he just hasn’t had the time, or you know how unreliable messages can be this time of year from so great a distance. I am sure by spring that you will receive a sack full of misplaced letters.”

“I hope you are right, but I can’t help but think he might have forgotten me.”

“I don’t see how that is possible. He is a fool if he has, and you deserve better. I will gladly tell him if that is the case even if he is my son,” said the king.

Amelia had been afraid to approach the subject, scared of what the king might say. “If you wish for me to leave Brynn alone when he returns, I will. You do not have to keep him away from his home because of me.”

The king took her hand. “Brynn leaving did have something to do with you, my dearest, but it was not your fault.”

She must have looked very confused because the king chuckled. “Do not be troubled, Amelia. Even if his correspondence is lacking, once he comes home and takes one look at you, he will be sorry for it. I only hope you do not let him suffer too long.”

She half grinned as the king let go of her hand. She opened her book as he looked around. “I thought I brought that in here with me.”

“What is it?” she asked.

“I had a small red book in the parlor earlier, but I could have sworn I brought it in here with me. It contains some sensitive information I have written, and I usually do not let it out of my sight,” said the king.

“Let me fetch it for you,” said Amelia as she put her book down. “It is small and red?”

“And has golden lines for borders,” said the king. “I can go look.”

“Let me, I can seek it out faster,” said Amelia. She stood up and walked from the study, down the hall, and into the parlor she knew the king liked to frequent. Standing at the edge of the room, she raised her hand and thought about how the king described the book. She felt the familiar warmth of her magic swirling inside her and saw a small red book rise from a table in the room. She jerked her hand back, and the book flew into her palm.

She hurried back to the study, happy to be able to set the king’s mind at ease. She opened the door, holding out the book expecting to see the king still by the fireplace. When he was not there, she looked at his desk and still did not see him. It took a moment of searching to replace him sprawled out on the floor, facing up.

She dropped the book and screamed as she ran to his side. Falling down, she put her hand on his chest, staring at his lifeless eyes. They were opened as if in shock. She tried to will her magic to revive him, but he was too far gone. She knew it as soon as she touched him, but she could not believe it. She sparked her light magic again and again, but nothing could be done. He was gone.

A sob came out of her throat as she placed both hands on his chest and leaned down. This could not be real. Just a moment ago, he was laughing and smiling at her. She was gone less than five minutes. What could have happened? She needed to tell someone. She needed to replace Master Elgan or Prince Gareth. Before she could muster the strength to stand, the door opened, and Amelia heard a scream. She turned to see a young female servant run from the room.

Soon others joined her. The head servant came in, followed by Prince Gareth. He hurried to her and lifted her.

“What happened, Amelia? What did you do?” he said furiously.

“Nothing, I did nothing,” said Amelia. “I left to get his book. I came back, and he was gone.”

He let her go as Master Egan came into the room. Amelia continued to cry, folding her arms and holding them close to her body as Prince Gareth spoke with her master. Master Egan went to the king and kneeled beside him. He put his hand on the king’s chest and closed his eyes before looking at Amelia.

Standing up, he came close to her. “Did you do this, Amelia?” he asked. “Even if it were an accident, you need to tell me. I can help you if you tell me the truth.”

“I didn’t do anything. I wasn’t even here,” said Amelia.

“It took strong light magic to do this. You know how hard it is for us to take a life directly. It is practically impossible, but it can be done with the extreme power you possess. I am sure it was not intentional. I know how hard you have been pushing yourself. It is only natural some magic would escape you.”

“I have complete control over my power, as you well know, master. I had nothing to do with this,” said Amelia. She held out her hand. “Search me.”

Master Egan looked at Prince Gareth, who nodded. Master Elgan took her hand and stared at her. She tried to show him everything, from their conversation to Amelia leaving the room, to her coming back and replaceing the king dead.”

Her master let go of her hand and took a step back. “On Alinia’s name, what have you done, girl?”

Prince Gareth moved forward and grabbed Amelia’s arm, turning her to him. “You did this? You killed my father?”

“No,” said Amelia desperately. “I would never.” She looked at her master. “Why are you lying? You must see that I did not do this?”

“There is no reason to deny this. I can see all that you did, but why do it? Why kill him? What did you hope to gain?”

“We can ask her all this later,” said Gareth furiously. “Guards! Come take Lady Amelia to the cells, now.”

“But I have done nothing,” said Amelia desperately. “I would never hurt the king.” She moved forward and put her hands on Gareth’s chest. “You have known me almost my whole life. You know how much I loved him. I would never hurt him, please.”

He took her hands and threw her off of him. “Light magic can do strange things to those who are not strong enough. You must have pushed yourself too far, my lady.” He looked down at her as she wiped her eyes before turning his eyes to Master Elgan. “Do you believe she could have done this magic without realizing it?”

Master Elgan moved forward. “I do, your highness. I have warned Lady Amelia many times she was pushing herself too far. She could have blacked out as her magic moved on its own. She may think she is telling the truth.”

Gareth nodded as the guards came forward. “Take Lady Amelia to the north tower. There is a room there at the top. Have a fire lit for her and lock her in. We will have some other things moved in to give her some comfort. Whether she meant to do this or not, we cannot discount who she is. She is the daughter of the most powerful lord in this land, and we must remember it.”

The guards grabbed Amelia as she shook her head. No matter what Master Elgan said, Amelia knew she did not harm the king. She remembered everything. “I did not do this. You should search the palace because a killer must be on the loose.” She stared at Gareth. “Please, believe me. I know I am telling the truth. I didn’t kill your father.”

Gareth touched her cheek and wiped a tear from her face. “You don’t know what you are saying. We must protect others as well as you. Take her away.”

The soldier started to drag her from the room. Amelia stumbled backward, keeping her eyes on the dead king, wondering what really could have happened.