The Lies that Made Us
One Step

Amelia

As they pulled into the good-sized harbor town in Annelia that held the palace, Amelia stood close to Brynn, a heavy cloak thrown over the borrowed green dress she wore. The wind was harsh, and the sky cloudy. It should have been too early for snow, but Amelia would not have been shocked to see flakes fall down. She looked over to her other side to see Prince Aadyen stretching to look into the distance. She followed his stare and saw the palace in the middle of the town.

“I know you are happy to be home, your highness,” said Amelia as she smiled down at him.

“I was afraid I would never see it again. I hope my mother and father aren’t angry with me.”

“Why would they be angry with you?” asked Amelia.

“They told me to stay in the palace grounds while they traveled, but as soon as they left for Evalmore, I snuck through one of the gates to visit my friends in the town. I was taken close to the temple of Neomana as I laughed at something my friend Cary said.”

“It is not your fault you were taken,” said Amelia. “You should listen to your parents, but you should have also been safe so close to your palace. I’m afraid you and your parents were both tricked. Your parents will not be angry. They will be overjoyed to have you back with them.”

“You will stay for a day or two, won’t you?” asked the prince.

Amelia looked away for a moment. She wasn’t sure how welcomed she would be in the palace. They probably still believed her to be a murderer, and she was sure Queen Juliane knew of her activities with Gareth.

“We will stay for at least one night,” said Brynn as he smiled at the boy and took Amelia’s hand.

As they walked through the town, Brynn must have sensed her nerves because he pulled her close and whispered, “It will be alright, Amelia. They will be grateful to have their son back. I am sure they have a hint of what Gareth is.”

“Queen Julianne will be here, and I doubt she thinks well of me, Brynn. She has good reason not to. I have spent many nights with her husband.”

“Not by your choice. Stay close to me if it helps. If they ask you to leave, I will go with you. You will not be alone. You never have to be alone again if you do not wish it.”

She almost stopped walking as she realized he knew one of her deepest fears without telling him. She supposed it should have been obvious after spending three years feeling alone, but the fact he noticed it and tried to calm her fears made her love him even more.

As they approached the palace gates, Amelia realized her love for Brynn was a source of much joy and sorrow. She had been overwhelmed to realize he had never stopped caring for her, kept from her by lies and his own fears. Now that they were together, she could not get enough of him. She knew she stayed too close to him and touched him too often. She was sure she was annoying him with all her attention, but she couldn’t help it.

Perhaps she was trying to fit in as much of him as she could before she knew she would have to let him go. Some small part of her still hoped for a future with him, but she was afraid it could not be. She knew Gareth could not remain king of Evalmore. Even if they were able to spare his life somehow, he would have to be locked up or banished. Brynn would become king, and she knew he would be great.

His father saw it as well, and she was sure that was why he wanted to pass over Gareth. King Iver saw that Brynn possessed the kindness and restraint his older brother did not. All this nonsense that the king wished for her to rule could not be true. The king loved her, but she was not his child. She could see now that the king sent Brynn away to mature into the man needed to rule Evalmore.

King Iver probably did want Amelia to rule with Brynn as his queen. He was a kind man who wished to see those he cared about happy. He knew of the love between them and would want them to be together. She wished things had worked out. She could have already been married to Brynn, perhaps traveling before he had to take on his responsibilities.

Now, everything had changed. She was thought to be a murderer, and she was sure her activities in the tower had gotten out. Too many guards knew what had happened. Many lords would never see her as worthy of being Brynn’s wife, even if her name was cleared. He would need complete loyalty from the court, and she couldn’t bear to think of herself as a barrier to him having a successful reign.

She could not think of it now. There were too many things that needed to happen. Perhaps, it would be wiser to distance herself from Brynn and face the heartache now, but she could not make herself do it. The last two nights with him in her bed had been the happiest that she could remember. Being with him made her feel complete and loved in a way she thought she had forgotten. She would live in the present, stacking up memories of what it felt like to be so cherished and whole. Hopefully, when she finally accepted she had to leave him, the memories would be enough for her to move on and live some kind of life.

They came to the palace gate and were met by three guards who immediately recognized the young prince. In no time at all, they were shown into the palace and taken to a parlor where the king and queen rushed in, followed by their daughter. The prince’s mother immediately went to her son and wrapped him in her arms while the king put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. Queen Julianne had tears in her eyes as she watched her brother and parents.

The parents eventually broke away from their son and looked at their visitors.

“Prince Brynnwynn and its Princess Melwa, isn’t it?” said the king. “I am not sure how you joined in, but I thank you both for bringing my son back.”

“I happened upon Brynn as I stopped in one of his harbor towns for repairs to my ship,” said Melwa. “You have others to thank too, your majesty. We never would have escaped from Achillia without Lady Amelia, and Owain was actually the man who took the prince to safety.”

The king nodded. “Of course, thank you, my lady, and you too, sir.”

“You must be very ready to head back to Evalmore and gain your freedom,” said Queen Julianne softly as she stepped towards Amelia.

Brynn looked at Amelia before turning to the king. “We actually have much to discuss involving how your son came to be in Achillia. I think you should take time to settle your son, and perhaps we can rest and clean before we meet somewhere to speak.”

The king glanced at all of them before nodding. “Supper is a few hours away, but I can have someone show you to your rooms and have anything you need fetched for you. We can meet back here in an hour or so if that is convenient.”

Brynn nodded. “That sounds adequate, your majesty. I can speak to a servant about a few things that need to be brought for our comfort.”

The king bowed slightly and walked off to call a servant as Melwa looked at Brynn. “I am well set up for a quick stay here, but perhaps, Lady Amelia or Owain might need a few things.”

“A clean shirt is all I require,” said Owain. “It doesn’t need to be anything fine.”

“I am well in my borrowed gown as long as you don’t mind me keeping it a little longer, Princess Melwa,” said Amelia.

“I do not mind, my lady, but it is too large for you.”

“I will see some things are brought for your comfort, Amelia,” said Brynn. She opened her mouth to argue, but he cut her off. “It will do no good to protest. Now, go up to the room you are shown to, and I will replace you soon.”

“Come along, my lady,” said Princess Melwa as she took Amelia’s arm. “I am sure you know how stubborn Brynn can be. You probably have more experience with it than I do.”

Amelia turned to Brynn before walking away with the princess. “You might know him better than me, now. I believe he has changed much since he left for your kingdom.”

“In some ways, yes, but the essence of him is the same, and I can tell you for certain one thing never changed, “ said Melwa.

“Oh?”

“He has always belonged to you. I know I am much too familiar with you, and I hope you will forgive me. It is only that Brynn spoke of you so often that I feel as if I know you.”

“The girl he left and the broken woman he came back to are barely the same person, your highness,” said Amelia looking down.

“I don’t believe that is true. You are quieter and more melancholy than he described, but that is to be expected. You are still recognizable to the creature he spent hours telling me about. I saw your kindness and patience with the young prince, as well as how a fierce a fighter you are. You have not lost who you are, my lady. You should not give your tormenter the victory in believing it.”

The servant brought them to two doors side by side and informed them they were their rooms. Telling them a fire would be lit, and water brought up promptly, he bowed and left.

Before going into her room, Princess Melwa turned towards Amelia. “My lady, I know some of what you have experienced these past three years, and I hold no judgment towards you. You are a strong woman who did what she needed to survive. I hope that we can be friends or at least allies. Brynn is one of the few people in this world I call a true friend as I do not make them easily. I know how important you are to him.”

Amelia shrugged. “I have grown used to having very few people I can depend on. I hold no ill will towards you, your highness, and am not opposed to getting to know you better. Brynn trusts you, which is enough for me.”

“Good,” said the princess before hesitating. “I am on your side, or at least I am not against you. I hope you will remember it.”

Amelia did not quite understand her, but she nodded before going into her room. Soon water came for a bath, and when she was done, a dress was brought in for her. She didn’t know where it had come from, but it was a blue dress that was simple but well made. It fit her well, and the material was soft. A servant helped her braid her hair and pull it up, and when she looked in the mirror, Amelia gasped.

It had been so long since she had seen herself dressed as a lady. She had for years before her time in the tower worn black when she was training as a Light Bearer, but on days off and for court functions, she often dressed as she was now. All she had in the tower was the black dress she had worn in there and a couple of shifts to wear under it. She ran her hands down her side as she gazed into the mirror.

“Is something wrong, my lady?” asked the female servant. “Queen Julianne believed the two of you were close to the same size, but she said I could do with this dress as I wish to make sure it was comfortable for you.”

“This came from Queen Julianne?” asked Amelia as she turned from the mirror.

The servant nodded. “I am her personal servant, and she sent me here to wait upon you with this dress.”

Amelia looked away, feeling confused and, for some reason, embarrassed. She cleared her throat and looked back into the mirror. “There is nothing wrong with the dress. It is very comfortable. Thank you for your assistance.”

“You are welcome, my lady. We are all so grateful for the young prince coming home. My queen was afraid she never would see her brother again. She is very close to her family,” said the servant.

“It must be hard for her to leave them behind when she must be in Evalmore.”

“I know it is,” the servant sighed as she started gathering some things. “I’m sorry to say that neither the queen nor I like being in your kingdom. I do not mean to offend.”

“You have not offended me. I know you know who I am and where I have spent the last three years. Sometimes I think I would rather go anywhere than see the palace again.”

“You didn’t do it, did you?” asked the servant quickly. She covered her mouth and took a step back. “I am sorry, my lady. I spoke out of turn. It is only that some of the palace staff could not believe you would be capable of killing King Iver. They said you were like a daughter to him.”

“I have a father I have always respected and cared for, but King Iver understood me in a way that my father could not. I miss him every day,” said Amelia softly.

“Please excuse my impertinence, my lady. I should be going,” said the servant.

“There is nothing to excuse. I know I have been an object of gossip for many years. You cannot help but be curious. Don’t worry about it.”

The servant curtsied and went to the door. When she opened it, Amelia saw Brynn out in the hall, waiting for her. The servant left as Amelia walked forward, Brynn looking her up and down.

“You look much refreshed,” said Amelia seeing that his hair, now much longer than he wore it when he was younger, was combed back, and he had shaved.

“And I’m glad to see they found you a dress that fits,” said Brynn as he took her hand. “We need to get down to the parlor. This will not be an easy conversation.”

“But a necessary one. Queen Julianne needs to hear the truth, and we need to know if she has been hiding anything. If it is possible, you will need the King and Queen of Annelia to support you as King of Evalmore.”

“If I chose to wear the crown.” Brynn led her to the stairs.

“Who else would do it? You are the only other heir of King Iver.”

“I could replace another to rule. Perhaps even your brother. The Fox’s have always been the second-highest ranked family in the kingdom. It would not be a stretch for them to take the throne.”

“But the crown should rightfully be yours, Brynn. Your father wanted you to be king,” said Amelia.

“If that is what you are going by, then you shall have to fulfill his other wish by being queen, Amelia.”

“Brynn…”

“No arguments, not today. We are taking this one step at a time, right? Let us focus on stopping Gareth and making sure he doesn’t destroy the world. Then, after the fight, I will only ask for the opportunity to convince you to be my wife.”

“You think you can convince me?” asked Amelia with a hint of laughter.

“I believe so. I am sure you remember how convincing I can be,” he said with a small smile.

“I do, and usually, you convinced me into something that brought me nothing but trouble.”

They came to the bottom of the stairs, and Brynn pulled her to the side, bringing her close. “Is trouble really all you found with me, Amelia?” He reached up and stroked her cheek softly.

“There were other things as well,” she said as he leaned down towards her. “I believe there were some times of excitement, maybe a little fun.”

He laughed quietly, inches from her lips. “It’s good to know not all your memories of me are tainted.”

“I have many good memories of you. They helped keep me alive these past three years.”

“Almost all my best memories include you in some way, Amelia. They have brought me this far, but they are not enough to sustain me. We need to make new ones.”

He kissed her, but it was short as they heard footsteps on the stairs. They turned to see both Princess Melwa and Owain walking towards them. Owain came to stand by Amelia’s side while Melwa raised an eyebrow at Brynn.

“Are we all ready to go in? I doubt we want to keep our hosts waiting,” said Melwa.

“We are ready,” said Amelia. “We were only having a quick conversation while we waited for the two of you.”

Melwa chuckled while Owain grunted. “Come on, then. Let’s get this over with,” said Melwa as she led the way.

They walked into the parlor replaceing the king, queen, and Queen Julianne standing close to the fireplace. Amelia joined the others, who all found seats close together, Amelia sitting on a sofa next to Brynn. She glanced at Queen Julianne, replaceing the woman watching her.

“Now, what do you have to tell us about what happened to our son?” asked the king.

Brynn looked at the others before speaking. “I’m sorry to say it, but it was my brother, King Gareth, who arranged for your son to be taken. This may be hard to believe, but he is the one controlling the Achillians. They call him the Night.”

The king and queen looked surprised as Queen Julianne looked away. “You are sure this is true?” asked the king.

“I swear to you it is,” said Brynn. “We all three saw it. I believe my brother arranged for me to be lured back to Evalmore, where he had me go on this mission, hoping I would perish. I think he planned it to have Lady Amelia go as well.”

“Why?” asked Julianne. “He had her right where he wanted her. I have a hard time believing my husband would send her away. She was the only thing that seemed to give him pleasure.”

Amelia swallowed hard, fighting to keep her eyes on Queen Julianne. “Your majesty, I know what you must think of me. I am disgusted with myself as well. I can plead with you and tell you I was forced into it, which is mostly true, but I should have been stronger. I should have let him kill me before-”

Queen Julianne put her hand up. “I hold no ill will towards you, Lady Amelia. It has been over two years since I realized how awful my husband really is. I only feel shame in how you have been treated. I know you had nothing to do with killing the previous king. I heard my husband as good as say it once. I was only too much of a coward to help you. I chose to run away and spend most of my time here, avoiding any responsibilities I had in Evalmore.”

“I was not your responsibility, your majesty. I do not blame you for running away.” Amelia leaned forward. “Did you know about the king’s dark powers?”

“Not really,” answered Julianne. “He scared me, and though I could feel something at work within him, I thought it was only my own fear playing with me, but hearing the news of him leading Achillia makes sense. He was always answering letters and speaking to visitors I had never seen. They would be in the palace one minute and gone the next.”

“So, you are saying that King Gareth is not only ruling Evalmore but Achillia as well?” asked the king.

Melwa nodded. “From what he told Lady Amelia, he wants to unite the kingdom, using light and dark magic together to rule the world. He has the support of the Master of the Light Bearers.”

“He has done horrible things,” said Brynn. “He had my father killed and blamed it on Lady Amelia, imprisoning her for three years. Before that, he blocked all correspondence between me and my father and Amelia while I was Erialla. I had planned to come back to marry Amelia when my training as a Guardian was complete, but Gareth found out my father planned to pass him over as king so Amelia and I could rule.”

The king and queen were both quiet for a few minutes as Julianne put her head in her hands. She finally looked up. “He has to be stopped.” She turned to her parents. “I told you he was awful, but you kept sending me back to him. I know you wanted the alliance, but he was always cruel to me, mocking me, telling me how inadequate I was compared to him.”

The queen reached over to take her daughter’s hand. “What can we say, Julianne? You married him. You are his wife. How could we keep him from you when he sent for you?”

“Please don’t make me go back again. I cannot do it,” cried Julianne. “I doubt he will call for me again, but if he does, do not make me go.”

“You should stay here,” said Melwa. “But you must let us know if your husband does try to correspond with you. Any news we have of him is needed.”

“What do you plan to do?” asked the king.

“I will build up alliances inside and outside my kingdom, telling all who Gareth really is. I will replace out who I can trust, and when the time is right, I will face him. Whatever it takes, I will take his crown and replace a way to subdue him, even if that means his death.”

“You want our support then. You want us to back you as King of Evalmore,” said the king.

“I know you have aligned your family with Gareth, but you must see now your alliance with him cannot continue. You should declare your daughter’s marriage to him invalid as he lied about who he was. I am sure you could replace a priestess to invalidate it. She should stay here and give up her title as Queen of Evalmore.”

“I have no desire for it anyway,” said Julianne.

“What happens if King Gareth has his way, do you think?” asked the king.

Everyone was quiet as Amelia felt herself grow cold. She wasn’t sure why. The fire was burning brightly, and she was dressed in her fine, thick gown. She closed her eyes as a wave of sickness overtook her for a moment. In her mind flashed Gareth’s face. He had a wicked smile on his lips, and his blue eyes were cold and hard.

“He will destroy everything,” said Amelia shakily. “If he has his way, he will not stop until he controls everyone and everything, not caring who he kills or what towns and villages he destroys. He will not rest until he is worshiped as though he is a god.”

She opened her eyes to replace everyone staring at her. A sharp pain hit the front of her head, causing her to put her hand to it.

“Amelia, are you well?” asked Brynn with concern.

“It is just a headache due to weariness, I am sure,” said Amelia.

“Perhaps, you are hungry,” said Princess Melwa. “You have not eaten much since leaving Achillia.”

“Then let us go into supper a little early,” said the queen. “I am sure the servants will have it ready promptly.”

Amelia ate what she could and tried to attend to the conversation around the table as they talked more about the situation with Gareth. Towards the end of the meal, her eyes grew heavy, and she could not shake off the coldness from earlier.

Owain leaned over and whispered. “Are you not well, my lady?”

“I am sure it is nothing but the stress of the journey and some fatigue,” said Amelia.

He didn’t look reassured, but he let it drop. After the meal, when all went back to the parlor to speak, Amelia excused herself, Brynn looking at her in concern. She reassured him that it was nothing but the need for some sleep in a good bed.

“You will allow me to check on you in a bit, won’t you?” he asked quietly.

She nodded before wishing them all a good evening. When she got to her room, she found a servant tending to the fire and one placing a nightgown and robe on her bed. Amelia looked down at it, running her hands on the soft gown. It looked and felt new.

“What is this?” she asked.

“A servant was dispatched earlier to replace you a nightgown in the village. I know it is not as fine as you might be used to, my lady, but she did her best,” said the woman.

Amelia stared down at the simple white garment with its light blue ribbon that tied at the neck. She felt silly as tears came to her eyes. “It is perfect,” she whispered. It had been so long since she had slept in anything but the dress or shift she wore or nothing at all.

The servant helped her change, and once she was gone, Amelia slipped off her robe and got into the bed. It was such a luxury to be so comfortably dressed in a beautiful room with a soft bed. She had planned to wait up for Brynn, but her eyes grew immediately heavy as soon as she burrowed under the covers.

“My lovely, Amelia,” said Gareth as he stared at her. “Why do you resist what you know is inevitable.”

Amelia stood before Garethin in a dark room lit only by a fire. She was dressed in her nightgown before him as he towered over her. “I don’t know what you mean. I want nothing to do with you except to stop you.”

He reached out and touched her cheek. “You don’t mean that. You cannot forget all those nights we shared. You cannot deny the pull you feel towards me.” He took her hand and placed it on his chest. “Feel the magic inside of me, Amelia. Feel how it reaches for you.”

She slowly moved her hand down his chest, feeling the dark power swirl inside of him. It made her light magic spark within her, moving around her chest making her feel light-headed. She breathed in and out slowly, following the movement of his magic with her hand.

“Come to me, Amelia. I am waiting for you, and you know where to replace me. I promise it will not be like before. I will not hurt you again.”

She looked up at him into his blue eyes. No matter what tender words he spoke, she could still see the coldness found in his stare. There was no love behind them. He only wanted her to use her power and sate his desire. Perhaps he wanted an heir. He would use her as he saw fit, and though not locked in a tower, she would still be a prisoner.

She shook her head. “No, I can never come to you. I wish I never had to see you again.”

He laughed as his arm went around her, and he pulled her closer. She wanted to push away from him, but something wouldn’t let her. Her chest felt tight as though something was tired around it, heavy and knotted. He leaned towards her, and Amelia tried to struggle, but it did no good. Just as his lips touched hers, something loosened the bind, and she pushed away.

Sitting up in bed, she looked around the room, trying to catch her breath. She felt a hand on her arm and, thinking it was Gareth’s, tried to push it away.

“Amelia, it’s all right. You’re safe. I’m here. It’s me,” said Brynn soothingly.

Amelia stopped struggling and looked up at him, feeling the wetness on her cheeks from the tears she had shed. She stared at Brynn for a moment as he sat by her on the bed before throwing herself into his arms. He held her close while he kissed the top of her head.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Just bad dreams,” she answered though it felt like a lie. It had been more than a dream. She could still feel Gareth’s magic swirling through her as her light shone brightly through it. Another wave of energy flew through her, and she realized Brynn was using his own magic as he held her. His power moved through her slowly, pushing through the darkness to join with her light. Her breathing slowed as she collapsed even further into Brynn’s arms.

“Do you need something?” he asked. “Water, wine?”

She shook her head. “Just stay with me. Do not leave me tonight. I don’t think I could take it.”

He pushed back from her, looking into her eyes. She could see that he was already comfortably dressed as though ready for bed. “I would not want to be anywhere else, Amelia. I will never leave you if you ask it of me.”

She let go of Brynn and lay down as he did the same, taking her into his arms. She felt him kiss the side of her face as her eyes grew heavy. Feeling safe and at peace in his arms, she quickly fell asleep, and no dreams or nightmares disturbed her that night.