The Violet Flamberge

Chapter One Raindrops splattered gently against the roof above Starlyn. She sat quietly, with thoughts pressing against her brain. All she wanted to do was open her mouth and confess everything. Yet, she already was such a burden for Noraes. She had been so afraid standing outside his door the night before, and yet, all of her worries had been for naught. She’d always believed he would take her in, although she would be lying to herself if she didn’t admit her irrational fear of rejection. Noraes walked toward her with a bowl of porridge in his hand. He gently set it down in front of her with a smile before taking the seat by her side. His hand found hers and he tenderly rubbed it. “How are you feeling this morning?” he asked, concern clear on his face. Her heart raced with warmth at the compassion in his voice. She spent such a long journey crossing Calthoria to find him, and he was more than she ever dreamed he would be. Not only had he taken her in, but he didn’t ask anything of her. He did not press her with questions, but only held her in his arms all night. The entire journey had been worth it once he’d wrapped her in his arms. She needed his warmth, his compassion, especially after her long journey. For a long while she’d felt so alone, so isolated from everyone around her. Charlotte was such a comfort to have around during the journey, but she could not ask Noraes to accept that burden as well. “I am feeling a little better this morning, thank you,” she said. “If there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask.” “You are sweet.” Starlyn smiled. “But I’m afraid there is little you can do. There is little anyone can do.” “Surely there is something. After all, I am a great cook—so long as it is not difficult to make.” Noraes winked. Starlyn smiled weakly. “I’m sorry. I wish there were something you could do—I really do—but my condition isn’t curable.” “Condition?” “I am with child … your child. Kheshlars are not meant to be with humans. In fact, it is forbidden by our king. I never understood why, but now I think I finally do. I am sick, Noraes … very sick. My body is rejecting our child.” “Surely there is something that can be done. Have you not spoken with someone in Sudegam?” “Have you not been listening to me this whole time, Noraes?” she asked. “What?” “Kheshlars aren’t to be with humans. Such things are forbidden. It is not allowed. Against our law as you would put it.” “Illegal? What is the penalty?” “I do not know. Those found rendezvousing with humans are not heard from again.” “That is terrible,” Noraes said. “And yet, I understand it now. I am ill, I am weak. I will not survive.” “Do not say such words, Starlyn. I will take care of you.” Starlyn tried to smile. “I do not doubt you, my Noraes.” She stroked his cheek softly with her hand. “You do not understand. I am a kheshlar.” She inhaled deeply and tried to control her pain. “Kheshlars are immortal, and we are not supposed to take ill. Yet here I am, ill and very weak.” “But surely that does not mean you will die,” Noraes said. “This has happened once before, a long time ago, and back then I didn’t know what it was, but now I am sure.” Tears filled her eyes and threatened to come down her face as she remembered her past. She held them off, barely, by pressing her fingertips against her eyes. Her head shook slightly as she pulled it away, and she took a deep breath. She sank her head back and began to steady her breathing. “You do not have to talk about it,” Noraes reassured her. “I know, and thank you, but I feel I must. It has been a burden I have held for a long time, and only now do I understand what really happened those many years ago. I need to tell someone, and out of all the people I could, I feel I can trust you.” Noraes shifted, uncomfortable. “You can tell me anything. My ears and heart are always open.” Starlyn smiled warmly. “I know, and that is something I am growing to lo—like, about you. We have only spent such a short time together, but somehow my feelings for you are so strong I can barely contain them.” “I know we barely know each other, but I know how you feel. Ever since that first time you walked into my life, it’s been impossible to get you out of my head.” Starlyn squeezed his hand and took a deep breath. “It was a little over two hundred years ago when my mother got sick. Both my sister and I were flabbergasted when it happened. Kheshlars do not get sick, and here was my mother growing weaker by the day. We did not know what to do. At first we thought it could be poison and began to monitor her meals. However, our mother was such a sweet soul, and for the life of us we could not understand who would want her harmed. She never got better, no matter what we did. We even had our friend, a healer and herbalist, take a look at her. There was nothing to be done.” Starlyn took a breath and ate a few bites of her now cold porridge. All of her past emotions surfaced in her mind after holding them at bay for so many years. “How old are you?” Noraes asked. “When we met I was three hundred and twenty, but I have aged one year since.” Noraes scratched his forehead. “You never told me you had a sister.” Starlyn sighed. “I do not bring her up often. She lost her mind when Mother got sick. She became involved in dark magic. All of it she did to try and save Mother, but her mind was lost in the process. I truly wished to save her, but I’m afraid she may be lost forever. I have already had to kill her once, and I really hope I won’t have to again.” “Again?” “Dark magic brought her back, but she is only a shell of her former self. When she first came back, she united the draeyks on a campaign against us, and I was forced to stop her, but that is a tale for another time.” “And your mother?” Tears no longer threatened to escape, but rapidly poured down her face in streams. She tried to keep her composure, but her body refused to cease shaking. Before she had a chance to collect herself, she felt Noraes’s warm arms around her, holding her tight. Instead of pushing her emotions away like she normally did, she released them and clung to Noraes tight. Kheshlars by nature held their emotions inside and were taught inner peace and peace by nature. Now, however, Starlyn was learning how great it felt to let her emotions go, and that was something she could never get from another kheshlar. “I am sorry to upset you,” Noraes said. Starlyn pulled away and wiped her tears. “No, no please. It is not you. These are things I have spoken with no one about, and I am feeling a great relief to get them out of my mind.” “And you believe your mother was pregnant with a human as well?” Noraes asked. “I never considered it at the time, but now that I look back, it makes perfect sense. Over the last few years of her life, she would often travel for several months before coming back to Sudegam. I know she was devastated when we lost father in the war against the daerions when I was a baby. And she was always opposed to the king’s efforts to keep us away from humans.” “But you are not certain that was it?” “Certain? I suppose not, but surely it must be as I am experiencing the same symptoms. And if I am not mistaken, soon I will take to bed—without the energy to rise from it.” “What did my brother think?” “Searon? I have not told him why I left.” She paused and closed her eyes tight. “I told him I had to leave, but I did not give him the reason. I could not risk him accidentally letting slip that I am with child. Not only is it forbidden to be with you, but it is forbidden to be with child this present year.” “What?” Noraes asked. “Kheshlarn children are only born at the turn of each century, every one hundred years.” “And if they’re not?” “They must be.” “But what if they aren’t?” “The mother has two choices: to eat leaves of the nelmlar tree or go into custody until delivery—where the child is packed securely in a boat and pushed out to sea.” “And these nelmlar leaves?” Noraes asked. “Flush your entire system.” “That is terrible,” Noraes gasped. “Many do not agree with the king, but because of his leadership, we have stayed safe all of these years.” “So you fled to avoid becoming an outcast?” “Or worse. I have broken many kheshlarn laws and would continue to do so if I stayed there. I would refuse the nelmlar leaf and the boat. If there is a chance, even a small one for this child, for our child, even if it kills me, I will take it.” She squeezed Noraes’s hand tight and felt him respond. “Have you talked to the mage or the wizard?” “I have not, but I met Shronan Onderon many years ago when my mother got sick. He helped me defeat my sister Arria in the war against the draeyks back then.” “So even if this nelmlar leaf could save your life …” “I would not partake. I have felt the child move inside of me, and if there is a chance, I would not spoil it.” “This leaf could have saved your mother?” “I will never know. It is only used for one purpose, and so it was not something we thought of. It is considered a destroyer, not a healer. Besides, there is but one tree, and it resides inside the king’s throne room.” “Starlyn, I would love to bring this child into our world. I would love nothing more than to raise this child by your side, but I would not if the cost is your life. I treasure you.” Starlyn pushed her finger against his mouth, silencing him. Her sapphire eyes stared deep into his for a long moment before she spoke. “Promise me, Noraes. Promise me that no matter how bad I get, if our child inside of me is still strong, you will not give me the nelmlar leaf.” Noraes sighed. “I promise.” A knock at the door startled both of them, and Noraes nearly fell out of his seat. He composed himself with a deep inhale of breath before getting to his feet to open the door. At the door stood a young warrior bearing a scroll bound by a blue ribbon, and he handed it over to Noraes. “Your Highness.” The warrior bowed and departed. Noraes closed the door, opened the scroll, and began to read. He nodded to himself and laid the scroll on the table next to her before taking a seat. He reached for her hand. “Highness?” she asked. “Ah, yes. Well, I suppose a lot has happened with me while you were away. I am no longer a duke but have been appointed king.” “King?” she asked. “Yes, and in one week’s time, they want me at the enthronement.” He paused and blinked his beautiful, long dirty-blond eyelashes at her. “And I want you there, by my side.”