Free Binarius by Kendra McMahan Page A

marble surface. Every time a door opened, she looked up
eagerly, hoping to see her uncle. So far, it had only been
straggling numbers of attendants who would look back at her in pure
suspicion. She didn’t care what they thought of her. She was not
here to receive their acceptance.
    Another door opened. It was her
Uncle this time. He approached her wearing a smile of indifference.
“It is good to see you, Firinne. How are you? How was the
journey?”
    “ Listen Uncle. I don’t have the
time or the temper to indulge in formalities. How is it that you’ve
been in union for near a decade and I am just now finding out about
it?”
    His face tightened. “I’m sorry if I
have made you feel in-the-dark. It was not my
intention.”
    Firinne stood there, staring at her
Uncle. She was waiting for him to finish his thought. After a few
unbearable seconds of silence, she realized he wasn’t going to
elaborate. “Right. Hopefully, I won’t feel the need to remind you
that we are family, after what I am about to discuss with you. Your
sister is in danger.” Her words hung in the air. She was expecting
his face to change. She was counting on the panic in his voice, but
it never came.
    “ I know. The King made me aware of
it shortly after you arrived. There is nothing I can do for
her—
    “ What do you mean there is nothing
you can do for her?”
    “ We cannot interfere with the
plans of Aldithen.”
    “ This is not the work of your
beloved God! Triphosa and Cyneric have betrayed my Queendom. They
are working with the Mist of Blacken.”
    “ Whatever you may think about this
situation, you have been mistaken. It is time you let go of your
old beliefs and put your faith where it belongs.”
    “ Don’t you dare tell me where I
should put my faith!” She could feel the color on her cheeks. “Do
you not understand what I, your niece, is telling you? They have
Auralia in the dungeons!”
    “ It is all a part in the plan
Firinne. I will not discuss this with you any further.”
    Firinne stood there, glaring at
Bricius. She could hardly believe his stupidity. “Then I will take
it up with the Order.”
    “ The king has denied your request
for an audience with the Order.”
    “ You’ve got to be…this is…I cannot
believe you! Your sister is sitting in the dungeons, guarded by
Desideriums. They killed Imphius and you’ll have nothing to do with
it? That was once your home as well. Our relationship has been
fragile ever since your allegiance to the Aldithenih faith but
you’ve gone too far! I came here for help. I can see that there is
no reason for me to stay.”
    “ Don’t leave. Stay here where you
are safe.”
    “ This isn’t safety Bricius…it’s a
prison of ignorance and submission. You’re just too damn naive to
see it.”
    She walked away knowing that her
uncle wouldn’t chase after her. It occurred to her that she hadn’t
even put her whole heart into that discussion. She had known from
the beginning, somewhere deep inside, that it was a waste of
energy. She had to find another way — she hadn’t the slightest idea
how.

 
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER
ELEVEN
    Convulsions
     
    After
innumerable attempts to sleep, Firinne decided that her restful
desires were utterly pointless. She was too troubled to sleep. Her
mind was racing back and forth, looming together angry thoughts,
which left no room for ideas to thread themselves together. Maybe
it was out of spite, or perhaps just child-like curiosity, whatever
it was, she decided that while she was forced to be awake, she
should ensure that the time was well used. She was going to explore
the castle. She took the large crystal from her traveling sack
which instantly became warm as it lit up between the palms of her
hands.
    She hadn’t the faintest idea where
she was going, or what she hoped to discover. The marble was cold
on her feet. The only sounds in the seemingly endless hallways were
the sticky sounding, pat
pat , of her footsteps. Sealed doors