Killian

The carriage ride was filled with an awkward silence. Father was in deep thought as he looked outside the window at the passing terrain. He never said anything after I told him about my nightmare. That was our relationship, I shared everything, and he gave nothing in return. No words, no emotions. He was like an empty shell of a human being.

Our butler said he didn’t use to be like this. I cannot fathom anything different however, it’s all I’ve known. Cold steel that is unbreakable. No matter what I do it just never makes it past the wall. And honestly, I’m done trying. Soon as I pass Selection, the bastard can live alone like he prefers.

As the capital gets further behind us, I can see the farms scattered around. Men and woman working in the fields, kids playing by their homes. They look happy. I wonder what that Is like. I watch in interest as a pair of children seem to be playing a game only, they know the rules of. My mouth twists in a small smile. And that’s when it hits.

My chest is on fire. I instinctively grab at it but there are no actual flames. Lurching forward I let out a groan. Breathe. I need to breathe. The paid is blinding as it flows from my heart, coursing through my veins. Tears well up in my eyes. I need to breath.

“Stop the carriage!” I can hear father’s shout. The whinnying of horses. The shouts of the coachman.

“Boy look at me.”  Father’s voice is stern. A flicker of worry passes over his eyes as he stares down at me.

My body is encased in sweat, the pain has moved into a dull ache inside my heart. I’m grasping my shirt trying to control my breathing. I feel my father’s hand on my shoulder. Breathe. Breathe. It’ll pass. Don’t let him see you as weak. My breath sounds strangled. I can’t think straight.

After what seems like hours the ache resides. As quick as it coursed through me it disappeared as if nothing happened.

“What…. What was that?” I croak out.

“Has the paid subsided?” His stern voice slightly shaking.

“Yes….” I search his face trying to get anything from him.

“How do you feel now?”

“Like it never happened” I answer. The pain was gone. Only the memory of the ache remained.

“Thank the gods….” He breathes out. His body slumps backward in relief as he goes back to looking out the window.

“You can continue” he hits the wall between him and the coachman and the carriage starts forward with a jolt.

“Father… What was that?” Not now, you cannot go back to silence now.

But he just continues to look out the window. Giving me nothing in return. Fury flows through me, I need answers. How can he do this?

I sit back in daze. I have a source. Already? Are we not bonded during selection? How could I have someone bound to me already?

Pushing the anger down, I follow suit and look out the window. I can see the edges of the forest coming into view.

I am so lost in thought I barely notice that the carriage has stopped yet again. I look towards father to see if this was a planned stop. It’s not like I was in pain again. And that’s when I can hear the muffled yells.

“Your Grace. You should see this.” The coachman’s voice comes from the other side of the wall.

“Stay here.” And with that father leaves.

Muffled voices continue, too low to make out what is said. And then disappear entirely. A silence barrier.

The silhouette of a man stands in front of the window across from me, blocking whatever the hell is happening out there. Time passes slowly, I can only see trees from my window. My hand reaches for my necklace for comfort. I may not remember her, but the necklace she made has always been a source of relief for me.

The silhouette moves aside, and the door is opened. Father gets into the carriage, and I try to peer around him to see what is going on. But the door is shut quickly, and he sits down across from me. With no words he just stares ahead.

“Fa...” The words are barely out when he raises his hand to stop me. Closing his eyes, he leans back, and the carriage begins to move once again.

Guess I’m not even worth explaining things to. I move closer to the other window and peek outside. I can make out knights rushing about. We continue down the dirt road and a carriage comes into view. The palace crest shining brightly on its door. His majesty? Was there an accident? I continue trying to make out the scene, to piece together what was going on. Royal carriage, guards and... wait. Further up the road is another carriage. The doors open with no one in it.

All around the carriage, the dirt is soaked in what seems to be blood, but there are no bodies to be seen anywhere.

I let out a yelp as I am yanked away from the window and the curtains shut. Father glares as he leans back once again. His hand reaches for his necklace but stops halfway. And that’s when I notice it. His necklace is gone.