Page 34 of Six Burning Candles

I didn’t have time to stop Melrose before she wrenched back her hand and slapped her godfather across the cheek as hard as she could.

And unfortunately for me, I’d gotten her a blessing of strength from Vien just the night before…so it was fresh.

Chapter Nineteen:

~Melrose~

Islappedmygodfatherso hard he spun. Papa gawked at me in confusion. I seethed, like a bull seeing fluttering red fabric. Sucking air in and out through my teeth, I stared at Janus sprawled across the ground. If it weren’t for Keida’s hands finding mine, I would rattle. She tugged me backward till I stood behind her. Using her wings like a wall between us, Keida raised her hands up, patting down the air in front of Janus and Leonardo. “Your Eminence, Your Holiness…it’s so good to see youback from your sabbatical. We weren’t expecting you back for a few days.”

“It is good that I was called back when I was,Your Lunarence.Is this how you protect the Cathedral, the Kingdom, and my daughter in my absence?”

My heart skipped a beat and I lost my fury.No, don’t be mad with her.I jerked toward him. Both Keida and Leonardo flashed a palm in my direction. I lurched to a stop. My heart in my throat, I forgot how to breathe.

His gaze flickered to me as a warning, and I stumbled back a step. “I’ll speak to you about your assault of your godfather later.”

Betrayal stabbed deep into my gut.

“Assault?” I barked, jabbing a hand at the man struggling to sit up. A very good acting job if I did say so myself.But I’d never let him know I thought so. Not after what he did.“He’s plotting to blackmail you! He’s the one who set up the kidnapping.”

Papa turned his attention to Keida, who neither stepped down nor flinched. She, in fact, stepped further in front of me, putting herself directly between us.Defending me…The thought knocked into me and left my legs unsteady. Papa’s brows knitted down on his face.

Keida spoke, sharp and quick, “Your Holiness, I would like to discuss this matter further in your office, if we can. With the Cardinal as well. I am sure we can clarify this situation easily without the distraction of others. I’m certain you’ll agree?”

The Hierophant Rex spied around the room, finding the entire Order observing the scene. The knife he already rammed into my gut twisted as he spared one dismissive look in my direction, then nodded to Delainey and Ramone behind me.No. Wait. Papa, please.I could hear their haggard breathing as they bent over at the waist.Almost forgot they raced to catch up.Tears welled in my eyes involuntarily as he spoke over me to his clerics. “Take Melrose to her chambers. Then I want the Cathedral cleansed again for tonight’s festivities.”

“Yes,” Delainey and Ramone wheezed, “Your Holiness.”

It stung. Betrayal nipped at all my insides as the serrated edge of his knife spun within my belly, catching every organ and tugging mercilessly.He’s never done this before.I opened my mouth to speak but nothing escaped my throat. Delainey and Ramone gingerly looped their arms with mine and led my limp limbs away from the scene of the crime. The HierophantRex did not spare another glance in my direction. Not as they dragged me back past the confessional booth, or up the stairs toward my chambers.

I heard the clatter of all the clerics fleeing like field rabbits having their den attacked by foxes—scattering in every direction at maximum velocity. The man they all feared was finally in control of the church.I never believed it before…because he’s never been this mean to me.I glanced over the balcony to the second floor and finally saw what Keida tried to tell me.I just didn’t want to listen.

I stepped up to my door, my fingers curling around the doorknob. Magic washed over me. A minty cold blanket that wrapped around my shoulders and eased the tension in my shoulders. It weighed down my rapidly beating heart and forced me to take a deep breath till I was woozy. Delainey and Ramone didn’t speak or mention anything.This isn’t them.The magic that engulfed me was nothing I’d ever felt before, and I stumbled forward till my shins hit the bed.

The bedroom door clicked shut behind me and I folded, dropping to the floor on my hip. My hands and forehead pressed to the duvet, the hot tears welling in my eyes brushed aside by spectral fingers. Encompassed in darkness, I didn’t realize until that moment all my curtains were drawn. It should be terrifying, but I’d only ever been comforted by the dark. Hands continued to stroke my cheek, then my hair, and it grew more real with each passing breath. I peeked up from the blanket to find it wasn’t my bed any longer.

I sat at my mother’s feet, weeping like a lost child. Her hands cupped the back of my head. Most children grow up with a face that is part their mother, part their father, but I always looked more like papa. He said it was the satyr in me.However, my mother and I shared the same honey brown eyes. Affinia St. Augustine was a gorgeous fae, long red hair in loose waves falling over long pointed ears and heart shaped face. She was of the moss court, with a tiny crown of mushrooms poking up out of her hair and wings the color of dried moss that dangled off trees. I didn’t realize how much I missed seeing her autumnal colored freckles, some forest green, some mud brown, some dusty maroon, all over her face. Her bushy brows were knitted, full of concern as her gaze roamed my face. “My sweet Rosebud, what’s the matter.”

A sob, hard and ugly ripped out of me as I threw myself into my mother’s arms. I buried my face in her shoulder. Throwing my arms around her, I cried harder and harder till I feared I would pass out. Lady Avaris was the goddess of winter, of the moon, of loss. She protected the world, enveloping it in her love during the winter, and sat back to enjoy watching our life through the summer. She resembled force of nature and stood as a protector…and until that moment I didn’t admit I blamed her so much for taking my mother away from me.

How could we pray to you each and every day? How could we be your most dedicated followers? And you still took her from us?

But my mother was ill since the day she was born. Her time was always borrowed. Avaris kept her safe, nestled in her palms for as long as my mother could bare it…and when she couldn’t take it any longer, Avaris took her back as kindly as she could.

I wasn’t sure if it was the blessings talking, or maybe Keida was rubbing off on me, but I felt better. Like I understood. Or maybe Avaris was finally talking directly to me?

Pulling my face out of my mother’s robes I stared up into her round face. Her big eyes sparkled as they studied me again. “Rosebud, you’re alright.”

“Yeah, Mama,” I whimpered, smiling finally. “I’m alright. Our Lady blessed me again.”

“Oh? And with what this time?”my mother teased, brushing her long fingers along my cheeks. My tears turned into sparkling stars that drifted off my face and floated up into the darkness around us.

“When she had to take you, she blessed me with someone else to help soothe the pain. Someone who is kind, patient, and really,reallycold.”

“Well, you and your papa always did run warm. Nearly boiled me like a potato in our bed every time you both snuggled up to me!” Her laugh eased all the tension in my body. As she slowed her giggles to a stop, her hands cupping my cheeks, she spoke, “My sweet child, I think there’s more wrong than you missing me. What’s wrong?”

“Janus,” I confessed, my heart sinking into my hooves. “He’s betrayed us somehow. I think he means papa harm and…you didn’t see the look on his face. Like I’d finally done something he couldn’t excuse me from.”

I’ve disappointed him.He looked disgusted with me, and I couldn’t fathom it for a moment. I tried to see things from his point of view, and I hated myself worse for it. He’d gone out on some quest for Avaris, entrusting my care with Keida only to return three days later and I’m gone. Janus probably told him I was kidnapped. Suddenly, I show up totally fine and slap his best friend, and my godfather.