And
the night was starless. The moon was reflected in the navy blue surface of the lake. They stood on the terrace, leaning against the railing. He gently embraced her and pulled her closer. She didn't resist. Her hair was soft and smelled of chamomile. As always. Slowly and hesitantly, she raised her gaze to him. Her eyes were pupilless, and her light blue irises glistened with tears. I wish I could see you, she thought. For a split second, she closed her eyes. That was enough for a tear to escape. Just one, round as a transparent pearl. He caught it on his cheek and wiped it away. He didn't want her to cry. Not right now.
"Nakarin, I..." his whisper trailed off, unable to find the right words.
She nestled against him. Tears cascaded. Choking on a sob, she pounded her fist against his chest.
"You'll never forgive me for this..." he said, more to himself than to her.
She didn't answer. He hugged her tighter.
"Nakarin, don't go," he broke the silence. "Don't do this.
" "Kasyan... don't stop me. Don't make me hesitate. It hurts more.
" "But...
" "No," she cut him off categorically. "Don't say you love me. It's not true..."
She was wrong. He loved her. In his own way. But she didn't believe him. He knew why.
* * *
It was a rainy afternoon. He rode his black stallion along the edge of the forest, leaving hoof marks on the muddy path. It seemed to him that he had ridden this way before. For the third time, he passed the same fallen tree clearing the way. The horse nimbly jumped over the obstacle, splashing mud everywhere. The rain intensified. Kasyan realized that his back hurt terribly from the long ride.
He dismounted.
And then two men emerged from the forest. They rode identical, purebred bay steeds. Both wore dark green traveling cloaks with hoods, and from beneath each hood peeked a rakishly askew burgundy beret with a black feather. They rode closer and threw back their hoods. One of them, slightly taller, with an earring in his left ear, bowed with his beret, revealing his blond hair.
"My name is Thyrren Maxvell, and this is my brother Taiss. "
This time, the shorter one bowed, waving his beret as well, revealing identical blond hair.
"Well, now that we've got the conventions out of the way," Thyrren smiled. "Give me the gold!"
The brothers, still on their bay horses, surrounded Cassian. They wore identical, insolent grins.
"I have no gold. I'm a knight-errant."
He wasn't. He wore no armor or coat of arms. However, he had a rather bulky pouch tied to his belt. They noticed this. Thyrren pulled a dagger with an ornate hilt from his cloak. At first glance, it was obvious it wasn't cheap. Cassian was startled. Suddenly, the blade was near his Adam's apple.
"We'll just take what's ours and spare your life," Thyrren said with a sneer.
My money isn't yours, Cassian thought. But he didn't dare say it aloud. Then they might not spare his life.
Taiss began untying the pouch tied to his belt.
"Perhaps you still have something valuable?" he asked mockingly.
Help, Cassian thought again.
She emerged from the mist as if on cue. She was galloping toward them on an Isabella-colored horse. She sat ladylike, her legs crossed to one side. She wore a long black dress, a stark contrast to the coat of her horse.
"Maxvell! Leave him!" she said in a melodious voice.
She didn't seem like someone the Maxvell brothers would be afraid of. To Cassian's surprise, they were. Thyrren pulled the dagger away from his throat and without a second thought, tucked it into his breast pocket. Taiss stopped untying his purse.
"I'm warning you for the last time. Next time..." she trailed off. The glint in her eyes suggested it was best not to ask what he would do to them next.
The Maxvell brothers rode away without a word, bowing politely with their velvet berets.
The rain subsided.
Thyrren and Taiss disappeared into the mist. Cassian stood still, stunned, staring at her. Such an unassuming woman, yet she inspired such fear in the two bruisers. She
was incredible.
She radiated an extraordinary aura.
He felt he owed them gratitude.
"What is your name, knight?" she asked in her lovely voice.
"They call me Cassian, my lady." He bowed. He tried to kiss her hand, but she snatched it away. She smiled, revealing beautiful, even, and snow-white teeth.
"Don't call me 'my lady.' It's a title for princesses. I am Nakarin.
" "Nakarin... a pretty name. But if you're not a princess, then who are you?"
Silence.
He decided he'd asked an insensitive question. He wanted to apologize for it. Her name should be enough. He didn't need to know much, after all. She could even remain incognito.
Just as he was about to say "forgive me," she decided to answer.
"I am... a sorceress. That's why the Maxvell brothers fear me. But don't be afraid. "
He wasn't. She was beautiful. He wanted to go with her. Anywhere.
"Nakarin, may I go with you?
" "Come.
"
They were together. They always walked toward the sun, hand in hand. He loved her. He didn't know how much she loved him. Over time, they learned to love each other. He loved the chamomile that scented her hair and the sun that reflected in them. He loved the sky that was the color of her eyes and rainy days like the one they met.
He loved everything that was like her.
And she was his whole world.
* * *
"Nakarin, look into my eyes."
She looked.
"Nakarin... I love you," he whispered.
"I know," she replied so quietly he barely heard. "I love you too."
He wanted to tell her how much he loved her. He wanted to tell her he would always be with her. He wanted to tell her so many things.
He didn't say anything.
She closed his mouth with a kiss.
* * *
The moon was shining. Nakarin threw her arms around his neck and looked deeply into his eyes. He put his arm around her waist. She gazed at him with a loving gaze. She ran her fingers through his close-cropped black hair. His face was very masculine. He had sharp cheekbones and a fine stubble. To her, he was the most handsome man in the world.
She looked at him expressively.
"We've known each other for a year," she began, not having received what she had been waiting for. "I hoped you wanted to be with me again.
" "I do. Why the doubts?
" "I don't want to be a free bird forever. I want the warmth of a family. I want to experience the joy of being a mother. I don't know if you understand... "
Silence.
"Nakarin?
"
"Yes?" " Will...
" "Yes, Kasyan?" There was anticipation and hope in her voice.
"Will... will you marry me?
" "Oh, Kasyan." A tear of emotion ran down her cheek. "I so wanted you to ask that."
Still holding her waist, he kissed her. Pushing him onto the grass, she made him understand she wanted something more. Slowly, he began to undo her dress.
She helped him,
stroking her hair. Before they knew it, their clothes were on the ground.
They felt so good together. Their hands intertwined, then parted as they searched for each other again. He roamed her body. He touched her where she wanted to feel his touch.
She returned his caresses.
He rolled her over, so this time she was on the grass.
"Love me," she said.
He loved her. He poured his whole heart and strength into it. The whole world simply dissolved. It didn't exist. Only this moment mattered.
Only this one thing mattered:
They loved each other
.
She felt something burgeon within her. Develop and grow. Something new, something she hadn't seen before. Something she didn't know. Yet, as soon as it appeared, she loved it with all her heart. With her whole being.
Because it was within her, a part of her.
* * *
The bridge was lowered, and the gate was open. As if they were waiting for them.
They rode into the courtyard. It was empty. Only an old stable boy approached to escort their horses to the stables. They walked into the castle's entrance hall.
"Miss Nakarin!" the maid exclaimed, delighted to see her. "Your sister is already waiting in the dining room."
So, Kasyan thought, we were expected after all.
They entered the dining room. She was sitting behind a large mahogany table set for three. Seeing them, she rose and approached.
"Hello, Nakarin!" she said in a voice similar to her sister's.
"Hello, Nadia!" Nakarin replied, embracing her. "Let me introduce you. This is Kasyan, my husband."
Kasyan approached Nadia, bowed, and kissed her hand. She allowed him to.
They sat down at the table.
Now he could study them both.
Nakarin had curly auburn hair that reached halfway down her back. Nadia's hair was a shade lighter, longer, and less curly. Their eyes were identical, light blue, almond-shaped. Nakarin wore no makeup, while her sister's eyelids gleamed with silver shadow. His wife wore a black dress, while the other wore a red one of the same cut.
There was no denying it – Nadia was prettier.
But Kasyan loved Nakarin.
Or so he thought.
* * *
They met on the terrace. It wasn't a coincidence. Nadia knew she was there. She saw it in her orb.
"Hello!" he heard her voice behind him.
"Hello, Nadia!
" "Nice day.
" "Yes.
" "You seem happy with my sister.
" "I am."
She smiled beautifully. She's beautiful, Kasyan thought. He could smell her perfume. He liked her more and more with each passing moment.
She knew it.
"Kassian.
" "Yes?
" "I've been alone for a long time. Will you come to me tonight?
" "No, I'm married.
" "Think about it.
" "I won't come.
" "You will," it sounded like an order. "I'll wait. "
* * *
She wasn't surprised when he came, even though he refused. She knew he liked her more than Nakarin. She loved her sister and didn't want to steal her husband. She didn't want to sleep alone another night either.
"I love Nakarin," he said as soon as she pulled him onto the bed.
"And is that bothering us?" she replied, wrapping her legs around him.
* * *
Nakarin couldn't sleep. Bad thoughts swirled within her. Something had clearly been wrong for some time. She could feel it. But she didn't know what it was.
She slowly sat up in bed, groped for the nightstand, and picked up a glass. I won't sleep anyway, she thought, sipping her carrot juice. She got up and quietly left the room.
The cure for all sorrows and doubts was always a conversation with her sister. Nadia could understand her like no one else. She was always able to give advice. She certainly wouldn't get angry if she was woken from sleep at two in the morning. Nakarin headed towards her room.
Passing Kasyan's room, she hesitated for a moment. Should I come in? No... she's probably asleep.
She realized her sister was also awake before knocking on the door. She heard her voice, but she couldn't make out the words.
She knocked lightly.
Silence. She knocked a second time.
And this time, Nadia didn't answer. Nakarin decided to enter.
She slowly opened the door.
It happened suddenly, very quickly.
The bed. The duvet and clothes on the floor. Kasyan. Nadia straddling him. His hands on her bare back. That was the last thing Nakarin saw.
And then light. A devastating brightness. A brightness that blinded. It struck and hurt like a dagger driven into the skull. It enveloped everything and enslaved, only to throw it down painfully.
After the brightness came darkness.
And that was how it stayed.
* * *
The pillow was wet with tears. Nakarin sobbed uncontrollably, unable to even catch her breath. She couldn't understand what had happened. They had betrayed her. Her husband, who was supposed to be faithful until the end of their existence. Her dear sister, whom she loved so much. How could they?!
It was much easier for her to understand what happened next.
A defensive spell,
Nadia thus protected her bedroom from the gaze of unauthorized persons. She most often cast this spell when making love. Nakarin knew this, but she never imagined her sister could do such a thing.
She lost her sight. Irrevocably.
The spell also had another effect: a devastating pain in her lower abdomen.
Nakarin feared the worst. So she ordered a medic to be summoned.
* * *
Despite the best efforts of the best medics, magicians, and healers, the child was stillborn.
That night, no one in the castle slept. Nakarin sat in her bedroom, staring into nothingness.
Her child was dead. She
no longer had anything to live for.
The first to come to her room was Kasyan.
"Nakarin, I wanted to ask your forgiveness," he said bluntly. "I love you, not Nadya."
Silence fell on the room.
After a moment, Nakarin finally broke it.
"I love you, Kasyan," she said. "But I cannot forgive your betrayal. Until the child was born, I still had something to live for. Now I don't. That's why I decided to leave. And now, please, leave me alone."
Kasyan silenced his wife's room.
A moment later, Nadya arrived.
Without a word, she sat down next to her sister and embraced her. She heard her sobbing quietly.
"I hope you will forgive me for losing my sight and my child," she said after a moment, "And for the betrayal. I really didn't want this. You know, little sister, I love you.
" "I know," Nakarin replied. "And I love you too. But your betrayal and the betrayal of my husband, and the loss of the child, hurts me deeply, and no one needs a blind sorceress. I can't and have no reason to live any longer. I will leave.
" "Don't do this," Nadya pleaded.
Nakarin didn't answer. Nadya stayed with her until morning.
II
Kasyan cursed himself silently. It was his own stupidity that had caused all the tragic events. He looked straight into Nakarin's pupil-less eyes.
"Do you really want to leave?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied curtly. "Don't stop me."
She slipped out of his embrace and ran toward the palace. The fact that she couldn't see didn't stop her from moving freely around the castle. She knew it by heart, after all.
Kasyan glanced at the moon reflected in the lake.
* * *
Nakarin immersed herself in the warm-water-filled bathtub. She tied her curly hair into a neat, neat bun. She poured chamomile oil into the water, its scent instantly wafting throughout the bath. She placed her hands in the hot water. After a moment, she pulled them out and grabbed a small, sharp knife from the shelf beside her. The inability to see didn't bother her at all. She rested her head on the edge of the bathtub and lowered her eyelids.
"Farewell," she said quietly, as if to herself.
And slit the veins on both her wrists.
* * *
Nadia slowly walked through the library. She walked from the bookshelves to the other end of the large room where the potions were kept. She recalled the events of the past weeks. Days spent talking, walking, and horseback riding with her sister. Passionate nights with her husband. The night Nakarin lost her sight, and the night, a few weeks later, when she lost her child. It's all my fault, she thought.
And then she felt it. A stab in her head. A telepathic voice. Goodbye. A splash of water.
She knew what had happened; it didn't surprise her much. It's my fault, she repeated to herself.
Slowly, she walked over to the potions shelf. Her gaze found a tiny bottle of bright pink liquid. It was on the top shelf. She reached for it. It was the smallest of all the bottles. Nadia took it and walked to the other end of the library. She sat comfortably in an old, soft armchair.
"I won't leave you, Nakarin," she said loudly, then drank the entire contents of the bottle in one gulp.
* * *
It had been almost an hour since Nakarin had left the terrace. Kasyan was still staring at the lake, leaning against the railing. He heard someone running onto the terrace.
"Master!"
He turned. A maid.
"Master!" Mrs. Nakarin in the bathroom... and Miss Nadia in the library... she spoke in a very shaky voice. "Both... dead."
He felt as if a sharp iron spear had pierced him through and through. He turned back to the railing, ignoring the maid, who was trembling more and more.
He gripped the railing and leaned forward.
"Naakaarin!" he shouted piercingly into the darkness. The maid staggered and fainted.
Kasyan jumped straight into the bottomless depths of the navy blue lake.
Sunrise was approaching. The birds sang their eternal ballad of love a little differently today.
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