Light and the Night Sky

Nadiia

By the time Daphne had returned to her room, it was dark. The duo had spoken for hours, and Lirael had satiated his immediate curiosities. Though Daphne sensed that he had not asked what he was really wanting to know.

Closing the door behind her, Daphne relished in the silence. Though she was not tired yet. With a sign, Daphne walked over to the wall of books, there were hundreds of them here and yet she had only picked up one the whole time she had been here. Being unable to read the language or understand it made it pointless to try and read the books.

Tracing her hand along the leather backs of a few dozen on the shelf eye level to her, she settled on one in the far side of the room. It looked like it had been on the shelf for a long time, flicking it open she traced her finger over the pages. Not putting much merit to what it was saying until she realized what she was looking at.

Her mind was fighting against it but she knew this language. It was English, there was now doubt about it. This entire book was written in English. Daphne tried to read it but nausea filled her enough where she had to close the book.

It would have to wait. English was not her native tongue right now and trying to force it would just cause issues. However, it raised so many questions that she desperately wanted to know. How was there English in these books?

After a moment, Daphne scoffed because there was no way she was right. Could the last light bringer be from her world? If so, these could be journals of her travels here. It could explain what happened to cause the fall of the house of Hecate.

But then, why where they here?

How had the Court of Morvanna gotten their hands on these books?

Daphne reached up and grabbed another book, feeling the same feeling. Again, and again until she realized that there had to have been hundreds of books here that were all in English. They were all in the same handwriting as well, a lifetime of writing was in front of her and she had to wait a week to even begin to digest it.

What the hell?

Groaning, Daphne gave in. She could not change it today and only time could. So, she gave in, and tried to sleep. Though she failed at that as well because that was where she met Nadiia, unfortunately it was a memory that Daphne could have skipped.

With a jolt, she was standing in the very same room they were in now. Daphne was standing by the terrace, confused in the moonlight she looked around. The room looked so similar yet newer. There was a woman that ran up to the door across the room, she had blond hair that nearly reached her knees that was braided in two. She had a stoic look on her face as she opened the door, in the darkness Daphne immediately recognized the tall frame that answered.

“Nadiia, we agreed.” Riven’s voice was low, it was almost sad. Daphne almost took a step forward bust was prevented from moving from this spot.

“Riven. I never agreed.” Her tone was condescending, but silky. Nadiia grabbed Riven by the wrist, moving him to the bed and climbed on top of him. “I am so stressed from the council meetings; you know the only thing that helps is you.”

Daphne felt bile creep up her throat, it was so manipulative. But looking down at Riven, Daphne could see the look in his eyes. This was something that was said to him so many times, he loved her enough to not care that she was using him. “Nadiia.”

With a growl, she leaned down and latched her mouth to his.

After a moment, he reciprocated.

Daphne fought against it, wanting nothing more than to leave. Before she was able to break free, Daphne saw Nadiia turn her head to Daphne and rest he head on his chest. Smiling at Daphne while she slowly sat up, not losing eye contact the whole time.

Gasping, Daphne shot up in bed. Her heart was racing. Magic swirled around her, light pulsing from her. She had to take a few moments to calm herself before shifting her feet out of bed. It was close to dawn, close enough that she got dressed in her new wardrobe of loose-fitting pants, long-sleeve shirt and leather tunic. One of the conversations from yesterday was how she hated dresses.

When she had her shoes on, she quickly walked out to the garden. When she found the highest point, she settled down to watch the sun rise and try to make sense of what she just saw. Hecate had warned her that her connection to the world between the living and dead was more mailable than others so they might try and visit her. But this? This was not even close to a visit; this was a forced show.

“Trying for a third?” The one voice she really did not want to hear right then came from behind her, startling from its proximity.

Riven was no more than two feet behind her, jaw clenched like always. His arms were crossed as he stared at her with disinterest.

“I hate that you do that. I can’t hear you coming.” Daphne ignored his comment and turned back around, immediately feeling guilty for snapping at him. If that one memory was anything to judge by, he had been punished enough and was snarky for a reason. “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t sleep.” Nausea welled again thinking about what Nadiia would do.