Queen of Light and Ashes by Mary Jung

Author:Mary Jung
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mary Jung

Chapter 6

Mèabh set her geology book aside and glanced out the window to check the sun’s position for the time. She noticed it was noon then directed her attention to Ràidhen. He was seated at a writing desk in the back corner of the bedroom, his body hunched over a book. His left forearm bent on top of the cherry oak surface, and his right index finger ran along the inked page line-by-line. Sunbeams shone on his braid, turning the strands the color of a campfire mixed with russet. She stretched her arms over her head; she was still in bed and called to Ràidhen for a break.

“We’ve been reading all morning. We should put the books down for a bit.”

He lifted his chin and straightened his position in his wooden chair. “I agree. I’m starting to get a neck ache from bending over.”

She pushed the covers off and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. “I’m ready for lunch and maybe a walk around the house.”

Ràidhen shut his book and jumped up from his seat. “I’ll have Aoife bring food here. We can set up a table, so you don’t have to move around too much.”

“I’m feeling a lot better, but lunch in here sounds great.”

He pulled the rope by the bed that would signal to a staff member they needed assistance. Mèabh had a similar bell system in Blackwood Castle, and she wondered if Ràidhen’s household operated the same way. In her court, the wires connected to a mechanism that rang a bell in the staff quarters, the kitchen, and the main hall.

She leaned against a bedpost and crossed her arms as she watched Ràidhen straighten a few books on the table near her bed. “I wonder if we will ever figure out what caused the Darkness. I feel like it is just as mysterious today as it was three thousand years ago when it attached to me in the first place.”

“I’ve had a thought since we began this journey of discovering the origin of the Darkness.” He turned to face her and leaned back on the nightstand. “How did Annanias survive all these years? It’s way past his expiration date.”

She huffed a laugh at his choice of words for Annanias’ extended existence on earth. “Since I had no idea how much time passed while I was imprisoned, I was unaware he was living past his expected lifespan for a being. I have no idea how he did it.”

She pinched her nose and decided to trust Ràidhen with the rest of the truth about her marriage. “He drugged me and kept my mind in a state of hallucination. I don’t know what herbal concoction he used. The last millennia was like walking through a nightmare world. My thoughts were disconnected and scrambled, even though I could do simple things like eat and move around. I felt like a puppet on a string, and Annanias was the master holding the cross sticks.”

Ràidhen put a hand over his mouth and leaned over to grip the table.

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