Chapter 4—More Heaven Than A Heart Can Hold

Azkedellia sat in DG’s room, settled in a chair next to her sister’s bed, regarding the younger girl thoughtfully. Occasionally, her eyes would close, and, but for the creasing of her brow in concentration, a casual observer might have thought that the chocolate-eyed maid was having trouble staying awake. However, this was not so. Azkedellia was probing, reaching out to the link between her sister and the Tin Man, trying to read the subtle nuances of the magic around it. She couldn’t deduce exactly what it was and she could easily tell it was beyond her experience and knowledge.

DG stirred in her sleep, slowing emerging from her dreams. She sat up slowly, not noticing yet that Az was in the room. When she did see her sister, she didn’t even have to ask why she was there.

“I’m going to kill him,” she said grimly.

“Why?” asked Azkedellia.

“Because he went behind my back…because I told him that it’s not a big deal…because I don’t want to talk about it and he knows that damn well. Do I need any more reasons than that?”

“Yes, you do,” said Az flatly. “DG, you’re not the only mage* here, and don’t forget that. He came to see me after dinner and told me something was up. He told me that you were researching some heavy topics, including bonding methods. Since he was in the room, it wasn’t hard for me to probe.”

DG stared for a moment in disbelief, the stare turning into one of annoyance and anger within a few moments. Azkedellia didn’t let her voice that anger, though.

“There’s a reason that newer books don’t even touch the subject of bonding, Deej. It’s an archaic practice, and the long-term results were usually unpredictable, at best. Also, both parties have to be active participants in the bonding process, which you have already read is long and involved.”

“Yeah,” said DG shortly, “I have already read that, and you’ve not told me anything more than I’ve found through diligent research of my own.” She threw off the blanket that she assumed Cain had covered her with and stood up from the bed, quickly crossing the room to her door. As she touched the knob, she said: “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ve had enough meddling for one day.”

Azkedellia didn’t move from her chair as DG opened the door. “I have answers for you that will take you weeks to find on your own,” she said quietly, her eyes holding her sister’s in a firm challenge.

“I guess that’s something I’m just gonna have to learn on my own, Azkedellia.”

The older girl said nothing as she stood and walked to the door. She drew up short of it, turning to look at DG. Her voice was steady and calm as she spoke.

“You’re not going to find your answers before you actually need them DG. This isn’t something that you can do on your own.”

“While I appreciate your concern,” said DG, setting a hard edge to her voice, “I need a lecture on independence about as much as I need another babysitter.”

She immediately regretted those words as she saw their effect on her sister. The girl’s brown eyes grew large and haunted, the word an unintended reminder of that fateful day at the Cave. Az didn’t reply. She just lowered her eyes, blinking back the tears that crowded their corners, before sweeping quickly through the door. She nearly barreled into Cain as she hurried down the corridor.

The Tin Man looked at DG in shock, a reproach on his lips. He’d heard every word since the younger girl had opened her door. When he saw the shame already on her face, he decided he didn’t need to verbally scold her. He was however, less than kind when he handed her the dinner tray he had been holding. Neither the Tin Man nor the Princess said a word as she took the tray and he closed the door behind her.

Though her stomach had growled with hunger immediately after waking, DG lost her appetite until a few hours after her confrontation with her sister. She hadn’t intended to be so rude. Face it…you were down-right hateful to her, and she was only trying to be a good big sister. She didn’t even have a good reason for it. True, she had felt betrayed by the fact that Cain went to Az behind her back, and she hadn’t been sleeping, but that was really no excuse. This particular slice of humble pie is extremely bitter.

After changing her clothes, she stoked up the fire on the hearth and sat down in front of it, losing her thoughts and her sense of time as she stared at the flames. That’s when she felt it—a tugging at her heart that she could literally feel. At first, she didn’t know what it was. Then it got more insistent. She closed her eyes and didn’t even have to concentrate on Cain before she knew that it was him. Jerking up from her reverie, she quickly glanced at the clock, which showed that the time was well past midnight already.

Quickly, DG threw her robe over her slender shoulders. She didn’t even give her customary “keep quiet” gesture to the guards posted outside her door as she rushed down the hall. It took all the self-control she could muster to not bang through Cain’s door. Opening it as quietly and slowly as she could, she immediately heard him crying out her name already.

Cain had been tossing for some time; there was a thin sheen of a cold sweat on his body and he had mostly kicked off his covers. DG’s bare feet made it easy to rush to his side without making any noise. She placed a hand on his exposed shoulder, trying not to be distracted by the fact that he wasn’t wearing anything at all. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the light that was flowing through her into his dreams.

She stumbled back, shocked an terrified. The connection between her and Cain had somehow deepened. Closing her mind, she felt along the cord between them again, noticing that it had grown thicker. It had physically pulled her to him. Drawing a ragged breath, she slumped down into a chair nearby, watching him sleep. She stayed there, a silent guardian, until the clock on his desk chimed the hour.

One o’clock, she mused to herself. She rose, her knees still a little weak, approaching him again. She brushed her fingertips through the short blond curls on his head and dared to lean down and place a chaste kiss on his cheek before turning to go back to her rooms.

The guards outside the door, who had followed her down the hall, gave her a puzzled look, which she pointedly ignored.

“Don’t say anything to anyone, do you understand?” she asked quietly and tiredly.

“Yes, Your Highness,” they replied as she pulled the door of her chambers shut behind her.