Read Online Between Darkness and Light Trilogy by Brianna Hawthorne - Free Book Online Page B

though everything
around me sings with more complexity than usual, as if I’m hearing the song of existence more clearly than ever
before.
    “I must say, never before have I heard
someone wax so eloquent without uttering so much as a single word.”
I look up to see Casanova, smiling very warmly.
    “Excuse me?”
    “Your music, it has far more depth than last
evening.”
    “Yes, I imagine it would, much like
everything here has more depth now.” I glance at my surroundings
and almost gasp – even more people are in attendance than last
night, but that alone can’t account for the feeling I get as I gaze
up into their faces… they vibrate with power on a level I’ve never heard before. This time they do not look away from me…
though I wish they would; their gazes are so intense I feel like
I’m standing naked before the entire Universe. I wish they would
find something else of interest! Casanova’s voice proves to be my
lifeline to sanity.
    “Tell me, what did it feel like when the gem
was touched to your brow?” I can’t help my smile as I think back on
the event.
    “It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever
felt – my soul was suddenly flooded with music, I simply couldn’t
contain its mighty song. And then there was light, everywhere,
drowning out all other sight.” My voice trails off as I’m caught up
in the memory.
    William’s voice cuts through my
consciousness, “Shi'ahn, are you alright?” My vision clears again
only to see Casanova’s face near mine, his eyes gazing deeply into
mine as his fingers gently cradle my chin.
    “Such a beatific smile… as though it echoes
throughout your soul.”
    William’s hand pulls me toward him, out of
Casanova’s grasp.
    “I said, are you all right, Shi'ahn? Is this
what happened to you up at the throne?” His expression is terribly
concerned.
    “I’m sorry, William – the memory seems to
overshadow all else when I think of it. It was so beautiful, so…
welcoming. We are truly home, William.” His familiar smile returns
to his relaxing face.
    “That’s what I’ve been telling you ever
since I got my eyes on those first books in my rooms.”
    I turn back to Casanova. “What is that Jewel
to have such an effect on my mind?”
    “Well, it is said that the… Guardian,
created the Emperor’s great crystal from the very light of the
Spire itself. That she created it while she was within the Spire,
where a metaphysical reality exists that only she can reach. Others
claim that it is the heart of a star that attempted to form near
the Spire. Both, of course, are merely rumors. What I know is that
the gem is used to intensify our link to this realm. It is touched
to each of us soon after birth so that it will recognize us, and so
that we can begin to learn what we must in order to prepare
ourselves for our first steps upon the path. The Emperor’s link to
the gem is far greater than anyone else’s, aside from the Guardian,
of course. It allows him to greatly increase his control of reality
here in Lumina, where such control is exceedingly difficult.”
    Alma’s voice barges into our conversation,
“Which reminds me… how is it, Shi'ahn, that you had so little
trouble manipulating the matter in here last night? You claim to
have never been here before, you certainly have not ascended the
Path of Enlightenment, and now you claim that everything seems to
have more depth than it did yesterday. How could you possibly have
had any control over your surroundings then?”
    “I… I don’t know.” I feel like I’m about to
melt under her stare, then I hear a voice clearing behind me.
    “Lady Shi'ahn? The Emperor has instructed me
to escort you to the court sculptress.”
    “The what?”
    “The Emperor likes to keep sculptures of
each of the Imperial family in his private office. Please come with
me; I will return to collect William in due time.”
    ~~~
    What about my dinner? I suppose there's
nothing for it; I grab some bread and allow myself to be