Free Blinding Beauty by Brittany Fichter

says that
the Maker told him He was watching the quarrels of the land, and it
is this holy man’s job to mend it!”
    “ If you’re speaking of the
rebellion in your own land,” Ever frowned, “we ended that years
ago.” But the king waved his hand as though he were slapping away a
gnat.
    “ Fa! Disloyal subjects and spies
stay on. You know that!” His words were beginning to slur so badly
that Ever had to work to understand them. He wagged his finger
wildly at Ever with a rebellious smile. “You will see soon that our
holy man’s power rivals even yours.” Then he laughed, as though
he’d said something quite funny. “The holy man alone carries the
plans for the great structure. And the Maker gave him the power
alone to create it!”
    “ Plans for a structure?” Ever
pressed, hoping Rafael wasn’t uttering the gibberish some drunkards
were accustomed to doing. Still, a part of him hoped the king’s
chilling words were nonsense.
    “ Yes! For the trials!” Rafael
moved closer, sending his foul breath towards Ever once more. “The
impossible trial will be for only the one who miraculously receives
the means to pass it! And only the holy man will know who the Maker
chooses!” His eyes grew wide and he stretched his arms to indicate
the size of the crowd present. “It could be anyone! Even a
commoner!” He pointed at Launce in awe with a dramatic jab of his
finger. “Even you!” Launce’s jaw twitched in annoyance, but to
Ever’s relief, he said nothing.
    After such a revelation, Ever knew
they would get nothing else coherent out of the king. He politely
bid the king and queen goodnight, pitying the queen and princess as
they stayed behind with Rafael, not missing the look of disgust
Princess Olivia was giving her father as he yelled for another
goblet of drink.
    “ How long have you known him?”
Launce asked when they were well on their way back to their
chambers.
    “ All my life. He and my father
were like brothers.”
    “ Does he do that
often?”
    “ No,” Ever answered grimly.
“Though he’s always had a weakness for wine, he has generally been
careful to guard himself.” He shook his head. “Someone has been
manipulating him, and I intend to find out whom. Now,” they stopped
before Launce’s chambers, “the king will not remember to call a
servant to show you to the stables, so call one yourself, and if
the stable master does not allow you to bunk there, direct him to
me.” Launce nodded unhappily before opening his door.
    “ And remember,” Ever stopped the
door just before it closed. “This is for Isa.”
    “ I wouldn’t be doing it if it
weren’t,” came Launce’s reply. Ever itched to remind the boy that
he had promised to obey him, whether he liked it or not, but for
the sake of peace, chose to let it go. Allowing the door to shut,
he turned towards his own chambers, suddenly more than just a
little apprehensive of what he would find there.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    Apologies

    A single
candle still glowed on the nightstand between the window and Isa’s
side of the bed when Ever returned, although the large floor mirror
made it look as if two candles shone throughout the room. He
immediately felt a stab of shame as his eyes adjusted to the dark,
and he took in Isa’s sleeping form. It was as far from his side of
the bed as possible. Her auburn hair flowed around her like a sea
of dark amber, and her face looked sad. Ever rubbed his eyes, guilt
gnawing at him from deep inside. He hadn’t meant to stay out so
late.
    As quietly as he could, he changed
out of his ball clothes and slipped into the bed beside her. As he
did, he could hear her stir. Ever paused, waiting to hear her
breathing return to normal. Instead, he heard sniffles.
    “ Isa?” Reaching out, he gathered
her hair away from her face, not entirely sure what to say. He
hadn’t expected her to cry, and wanted to kick himself for it.
“Isa, please, tell me what’s wrong.”
    The sniffling only grew louder.
Then,