Page 18 of Up In Flames
“So, it was the magic that made him into the Corrupter?”
No, Ember. No magic can make you evil. It was the way he used the magic that broke his mind. Then his madnesscreated the Corrupter. Aranren was a good man. He still is. That goodness has just been broken. It hides beneath the darkness of his mind.
I didn't want to hear about the Corrupter's goodness, so I moved on. “What about the Emperor? I feel like he's hiding something from me.”
If he is, I know nothing of it. The Emperor's mind is warded even more strongly than his palace. But I can tell you what I witnessed between him and Aranren when Aranren first summoned me.
“Go on.”
They were very close. And yet, when Aranren needed Sarthares's help, he turned on him.
“You mean, when Aranren went mad?”
Yes. He could have been saved if the Emperor had put some effort into it. Sarthares was not as powerful back then, but he could have reached Aranren. Love can cross the darkest of barriers.
“Were they lovers?”
I never saw evidence of that, but they loved each other as companions.
“I wonder if the Emperor realizes that he could have saved Aranren?”
I'm sure he does, and I'm just as sure the regret is heavy upon him.
“How sad,” I murmured as I headed downstairs through the tower stairwell, then crept down the stone corridor, past the children's rooms and the rooms the adults of Fress slept in.
Keltyr and Taroc had suites further down, closer to the stairs, so I reached the suite I shared with Xae and Rath first. But I didn't go in. Something was propped against the door.
I bent to pick up the folded parchment. “What's this?”
It has your name on it,Death said.
“Yes, I see that. Did you happen to see who left it?”
No. I was focused on you.
I grunted as I opened the letter. Then my eyes went wide.
What is it?Death asked.
“I . . .” I opened the suite door and crept into the sitting room. Instead of undressing and heading back to bed as I usually did, I went to sit at our little dining table, unfolded the letter, and read. “Oh.”
A love letter,Death murmured.How arousing. How mysterious. How—
“How about you give me some privacy to enjoy it?” I drawled.
Ah, yes. My apologies. I will leave you for now.
After I felt Death depart, I refocused on the letter, my fingers coasting over the bold, black script. The writing was at odds with the delicate words. Whoever had left this for me wasn't an elegant man, but he had beautiful thoughts. So beautiful. Tears gathered in my eyes and my chest constricted. Ifelt his longing through the page, and I recognized it. I had once felt it myself—the dream of a great love.
I couldn't read it aloud, but I went over it again, drawing the words into my mind to treasure even should this parchment be destroyed.
Ember,
I see you. I know your smiles—the real expressions of joy that turns you from an ember into a bonfire and the false ones you hide behind. The masks you wear around those you love when you can't share your pain. I see it all. The fear you have for the future and the hope. The burden of destiny upon your shoulders but also the blessing of being who you are. I silently share your joy and your pain. But I wish I could ease that pain for you. I wish I could be someone you loved and never hid from. I want to be the man you tell your secrets to. The person you go to for comfort and joy. I want to see more. Everything. But you never look at me. You never see me. So, I am left in the shadows, waiting for the day when your smile drives them away, be it real or mask. I crave its warmth. Please, see me.
“Ember?” Ratharin's voice jerked my head up.
I didn't have time to school my features or swipe at my eyes.
