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He wasn’t the only one who was surprised to see me standing there, in the shadows behind my brother, both my father and his Catalyst were staring, whispering to each other the same way they had the night of the fight. Jahn nodded, looking from me to Father, his lips pinched in some secret I was missing.
I hadn't been able to speak with him since I went to his rooms so many moons ago, not that I had really been speaking to him. Then he had been lost in madness, trapped in a past and a future and a world I didn’t understand. Right then, however, he seemed so alert, so present. My attempts to speak with him yesterday were for naught, but we were traveling together for days. Perhaps I could still see him, perhaps I could ask him about what Mother was up to when he was alert. Perhaps I could still find a way for him to escape with me.
“We should try to get in Father’s carriage,” I hissed to the Boy, his clicks of agreement soft as Batian and Queen Dalyah made their way down the steps, both of them heading straight for us.
The Boy stiffened behind me and took a step closer, the bracelet on my wrist growing warm as heat skittered over my skin like rocks on a pond.
“Elara.” My mother spoke the second she was within earshot, something about the way she said my name made it sound almost painful. “I am surprised to see you here after your escapade last night. You didn’t tire yourself out too much, I hope.”
I didn’t miss the way her lip curled. You would think she was eating rotten meat and not just talking to her daughter.
“I am well, Mother,” I lifted my chin, sure she would demand I call her Queen as she usually did. Her lip curled into a fouler disgust. Too many people must be watching. “I am quite ready to attend my brother's wedding, as promised.”
I flicked my eyes from Dalyah to Batian, who was standing there, shuffling his feet as he glared at the Boy. He almost looked angry to see him there, a disgust I didn’t understand curling his lip.
“The Boy as well?” Dalyah’s voice was ice as I turned back to her, her focus only on the shroud of black behind me.
“Yes, quite well.” I spoke slowly, watching her eyes narrow and lips purse as the air around us became even colder.
“Perfect.” It was not possible for her to say that word with any more vitriol. “Now, if you will excuse me. I must see after my Catalyst.”
She pursed her lips and walked off toward the golden carriage that was set aside for her, the one Father and Uncle Jahn were already being loaded into. Perhaps this leg of the journey would not be best to speak to my father, then.
It was only as she walked away, that I noticed that her Catalyst, Adain, wasn’t there. Batian’s Catalyst was missing as well. They were usually only a few steps behind them as was required. Now, however, they were nowhere to be seen.
In fact, I didn’t see any of the bright red capes of the Catalysts anywhere.
“Where is your Catalyst?” I asked Batian, looking around as though the girl would emerge on command.
“She will be along.” He straightened his cape, that darkness in his eyes fading. “I am glad to see you here, Elara. I was concerned after last night that you would stay away, but you are my sister and I truly do want you here.” I stiffened. It hadn’t sounded like that last night. He must have seen the words on my face for he added, “I only said what I did because it is so important we keep you safe. I hope you understand.”
Safe and locked away.
I forced a saccharine smile and nodded. I was so used to playing this game with Mother, but with Batian? I was sure something inside me withered and died at the realization.
“Yes brother, of course. You and my Boy are the same that way. I am so glad I was able to help him last night. Consider it a lesson learned.” I didn’t shift from Batian, my heart thundering against the knot in my chest as I admitted what had happened, what I knew he had done. I watched him, that deep, bright part of me hoping that he would refute the idea that he had any part of it, that he had been the one to give the order to have the Boy returned to me in the state he was in.
“Good. I am glad to see him up and around. I was afraid that I had been too heavy handed.” His lips pulled up as he spoke the words that were so much worse than I had anticipated.
My heart stopped, my mouth instantly growing dry. He didn’t question, didn’t refute. But worse, it sounded as though he had been the one to carry out the punishment.
“No,” I shook my head, forcing myself to pull together. To not play into the absolute panic that was everywhere around me. Luckily, I was saved from saying anything by the second horn. This one announcing Aeinya’s arrival.
The doors atop the stairs were thrown open, a line of maid servants dressed in white stepping down, each holding a different piece of Aeinya’s usual wear. Her dress, her shoes, stockings.
They each held them out as though there were an offering before Aeinya emerged, barefoot, the blonde coils of her hair unbound. She was dressed only in her small chemise.
Batian said nothing as he walked to her, the Sun Prince moving into position at the foot of the stairs as his future bride, and the future queen made her way down.
Everyone watched as they stood together, the shivering Aeinya falling to her knees to kiss the toes on each of his golden boots.
It was the sign of the start of the Walk of the Maiden, the seven day walk to the temple in which Aeinya would rely on the support and strength of her people, and of her future husband. She would walk as the Goddess Leilan once did to the final battle that would save her people, showing servitude and affinity with those she served. Seeing Aeinya there, kissing his boots, however, made the whole thing look as though she was showing her place against her future husband, against the Ramal.
Not that anyone else saw that, they all cheered as she made her promise to him and to Okivo, the horn sounding again before everyone began moving to their wagons. Aeinya took her place behind the gold and ivory gilded one that Batian would ride.
Batian would ride, while Aeinya would walk.
I knew the tradition; I had been raised knowing what would be expected of any high born royal before their marriage. For some reason, watching Batian strut away, my mind repeating the snarled threats and promises he had given the day before; thinking of him being the one to hold the whip, my whole body lurched forward as he turned to me with a smile I had seen my whole life.
