Memory's Wake Omnibus: The Complete Illustrated YA Fantasy Series (40 page)

The Wizard’s Council arrived, armed with scrolls and loose leaf pages of spells at the ready.

The guards beckoned them over to the edge and Hayes looked down.

“What happened here?” he asked. He approached Memory and began to shake her. “What happened?”

Memory put her arms up, clawing away his grasp on her. Eloryn stepped between them. “Memory had nothing to do with this. She merely tracked Thayl down.”

“The people are robbed of their execution,” someone said.

The world blurred and Memory realized she was crying. She couldn’t deny it or make excuses anymore. She’d grown close to Thayl. No matter what he was or what he’d done. Maybe because they were both broken and wrong inside. Memory couldn’t believe what she heard, disgusted that this death meant nothing to anyone else but the loss of their bloody execution. How could a life mean so little to these people, any life?

She pushed everyone away, stumbling toward the stairs. Eloryn called after her, but no one followed.

Memory stopped running only when she neared her room. Someone was up ahead, staring down the stairs. The figure stood in shadows, obscured, blurry, but familiar.

“Eloryn?” Memory called out, wiping her eyes clear.

“It’s your fault, all your fault,” was the hissed reply.

Memory charged forward but found no one there. She turned to look back the way she’d come but found herself alone.

A tap on her shoulder sent Memory jumping back against a wall. Clara, who had tapped her also jumped about a foot with a squeal.

“Highness!” she gasped like it was a curse word. “Are you all right? I was told what happened and sent to find you.”

Memory gave a hollow laugh. “Am I all right?”

“No, I suppose not by the look of you. Such a horrible thing, and you, young lady, running off like that! What were you thinking? Come, let’s get you cleaned up and into your dress. At least your hair is still decent.”

“Decent enough to curl up and sleep for the rest of the week?”

“Oh, Hope, no. I’ve been instructed to prepare you for the coronation. It’s going ahead.”

A set of eight white horses pulled Memory and Eloryn along in a gilded, open-top carriage. They drove through the streets of the city lined with billowing pennants, accompanied close behind by another open carriage carrying Hayes and key Wizard Council members, followed by battalions of soldiers and dignitaries. Massive crowds lined the streets and rooftops, trying to get a glimpse of the Maellan twins. The people of Avall had hoped for an heir of the Maellan line to return for so long, and now they had a matching pair. Her whole life had become a surreal side show in which the twin sisters were the biggest crowd pleaser, and folk from every corner of the known world came to watch. The people were so jubilant. Maybe Clara was right, and Memory just didn’t understand how much this meant to them and the hardships they had gone through under Thayl.

Despite the crisp coolness of late autumn, the sun shone warmly, making the carriage and her over the top coronation dress sparkle. It was a beautiful day, but Memory couldn’t focus on more than keeping her tears in. She struggled to breathe in her - she could hardly call it a dress, it was more like some kind of bizarre artwork. Folds and frills wrapped and tied into place so tight she couldn’t move or bend her back, the silver fabric covered in so many fine gemstones it weighed more than she did, and a huge filigree collar fanning out behind her.

Memory couldn’t believe what had just happened on the castle tower, and that this supposedly joyful scene could happen straight afterwards. She tried to take a deep breath and it came out more like a sob.

Eloryn, her dress matching but in rich gold tones, took Memory’s hand and gripped it tightly as she waved to the crowds with her other. Memory could feel her shaking. Eloryn kept smiling to the people around them, but it looked strained.

“I’m sorry for what happened with Thayl,” she said, while still looking out at the crowds, keeping up the happy monarch impression.

“For how you were going to have him killed, or how you didn’t get to because he killed himself?”

“I didn’t want for either outcome.” Eloryn gave Memory a pitiful look before quickly returning to the smiles and waves.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s over now.” As much as she wanted to, Memory couldn’t blame Eloryn. She could only blame herself for caring too much for a man that everyone else thought of as a monster.

“Look at them all, Mem. Look how happy they are. We owe it to them to do our best by Avall.” Eloryn obviously had the coronation on her mind. As much as Memory didn't care for the day, it was a much bigger deal for her sister, about to become queen. She sounded so nervous that Memory squeezed her hand back.

Occasionally amongst the exuberant crowds Memory saw small faces she recognized. The homeless children she had given coins. When she saw that they were cheering just as hard as the more well off people on the streets, she found herself actually smiling back. She spent the rest of the parade making her plans to visit them again soon with more alms and whatever she could get selling off her presents.

Eventually the cavalcade returned to the palace. The massive front yard leading to the castle was also crowded, filled with the nobility of Avall. As Memory and Eloryn were driven up to the front steps, fireworks streamed into the sky, hissing and exploding in the twilight.
Is it that late already?
Memory thought, looking blearily at the multicolored lights blazing like living flame in the sky, enhanced with behests to form sparkling representations of the twins and Maellan crest.

The carriage stopped, and Hayes helped Eloryn dismount, leading her up the palace steps that had been lined with red carpet. Another Councilor that Memory couldn’t name did the same for her. This wizard looked like the oldest of the Councilors, and Memory took baby steps to help him keep up pace with her.

The entrance hall and the public throne room that it led into had been decorated for the coronation. Banners hung from the ceiling and massive floral arrangements spread like gardens across tables. Wisp-lights hovered throughout the room, dancing around crystal chandeliers, casting a golden glow. Near the furthest wall, a grand throne stood the height of three men with a smaller throne beside it. They would have been the king and queen’s throne, but for now would be the queen’s and princess’s.

Eloryn and Memory took their seats. Clara appeared at Memory’s side, standing half hidden behind the throne. She offered a supportive smile as she did a quick adjustment of Memory’s hair. Memory tried to get comfortable, but the torturous dress didn’t allow it. It didn’t look like the night would come to an end any time soon and Memory groaned.

Following Memory and Eloryn into the room were delegates and representatives from all over Avall. Dukes, counts, earls, and the monarchs of the fae courts queued up to pay their respects to Eloryn. Clara indicated to Memory who was who, whispering in her ear as the guests greeted Eloryn, so by the time they turned to recognize Memory beside her she knew who they were.

The first to approach the throne was Aine, the seelie queen. She appeared as everything Memory expected a fairy to be. Her translucent skin emanated a comforting glow. Auburn hair that ran down the entire length of her back and a few feet along the floor behind her was woven with flowers and framed a too perfect face and eyes that shone like stars.

Next to Aine was Lugh, a handsome man, all in shades of bronze, who carried a golden spear twice his height.
Fairy gold
, Memory noted. He appeared human, and Clara confirmed as much with her gossip.

“Aine took a human lover, and just look at him, you can see why! He’s been with her for decades, some say nearly a century, but doesn’t show it. They say it’s the fairy food and spending time in the land of the fae, it makes a human ageless like the fae. Wouldn’t mind some of that medicine myself.”

Memory thought of Will, wondering how his time with Mina had affected him, but she didn’t have long to think on it before the procession continued and two creatures with the all black eyes of the unseelie fae approached.

“It’s her, the one from the play,” Memory whispered to Clara.

“Lady Nyneve, yes, she’s daughter to King Finvarra of the unseelie court.”

Memory stared at the raven-haired Amazon goddess. She was as stunning as in the play, but there was something unsettling about her. Her hands were delicately clasped together, and she wore a dress woven from black cobwebs, as though she were still in mourning. A huge sword hung from an ornate belt about her waist, as though it were jewelry. It seemed the fashion for the fae to be seen with fairy gold weapons. Memory wondered if they were just status symbols or actually put to use.

Nyneve and her father bowed to Eloryn. Where Aine was the picture of feminine beauty, Finvarra was a skeletal mess of geriatric masculinity, hunched and angular. He appeared withered like a dead tree and his fingers looked more like talons. When he opened his mouth a set of gleaming sharp teeth could be seen. His mouth held a permanent scowl, which seemed to stretch into a more grotesque anger when he turned to Memory. Nyneve put a hand on his shoulder and it seemed to calm him enough to continue on, muttering under his breath.

After the fae came the nobility of Avall, starting with Duke Lanval and Duchess Marian, followed close behind by Roen and his parents, Isabeth and Brannon. Seeing them brought a brighter moment in a long and difficult night. Both groups expressed great joy for the twins, but could only speak for a moment before the seemingly never ending stream of people had to continue. The twins' uncle was conspicuously absent.

The rest of the ceremony became a boring blur of speeches, etiquette, and a lot of standing up and sitting down. At some point Eloryn was crowned queen, but Memory couldn’t be sure when since it seemed to be mentioned so many times. The solid gold masculine crown just seemed to appear on Eloryn’s head at some point when Memory wasn’t looking. It appeared to be the very same one Arthur Maellan once wore, and she wondered if it was a replica or the real thing.

The girls were herded from their thrones into the ball room. The center of the room remained clear and some folk were already dancing to a softly playing string quartet. Around the edges of the room, great tables stood, piled with towers of food. Memory longed to go to them, desperately needing to eat, but Hayes interrupted her by handing her a sheet of paper.

“What is this? This had better be something I can eat.” She waved it vaguely.

“You will be speaking after Eloryn. Don’t worry. We kept your speech short.”

Public speaking? Kill me now.
Memory wondered why she hadn’t been told about this earlier or given a chance to read what she was meant to say, but she probably would have if she’d actually attended the rehearsals. Memory glared at Hayes as he herded her back to another dais and two smaller ceremonial thrones to sit beside Eloryn. Hayes drew the attention of the room. Clara had followed and took her place again just behind Memory’s seat and explained to Memory that Eloryn now had to read out and confirm the renewing of the Pact, which is something that every new ruler must do.

“It’s really more out of tradition than anything else.” Clara kept gossiping to Memory straight over the important words Eloryn spoke. “The only real way the Pact could be broken was if an act of war was committed, and even then, only if the offended monarch wished for it.”

Memory tried to listen to both Clara and Eloryn, and it sounded like Eloryn was doing a good job. Her voice seemed so small and shy, but she spoke every word perfectly, having memorized the whole thing. At the end of the speech, Aine and Lugh both nodded their heads, and Finvarra just sneered.

Hayes took over again. In his speech, he explained that ordinarily the various representatives of local governments and regions would confirm recognition of the new monarch, but as the Wizard’s Council was temporarily overseeing all governmental functions at this time the re-establishment of the government would be unfortunately delayed. This caused a few murmurs in the crowd, and Hayes thumped his cane on the ground to silence them and smiled gleefully.

“I also wish to share some good news. By the wishes of our Queen, Thayl Vaircarn was put to death in a private ceremony earlier this week.”

Memory’s head swung around in slow motion to stare at Hayes in disbelief.
He’s really going to lie to everyone about how Thayl died and pretend it was all their plan?

“Her majesty rightly felt that the tyrant needed no fanfare to his death, and the sooner he was removed from the land the better. We were, of course, happy to carry out that request.” He chuckled, as if he had made a joke. The crowd joined in, applause building through the laughter.

Memory’s inner fire raged. The sum of the day’s events caught up with her. She tasted bile. Memory didn’t think puking on the dais would make a good impression and stood to make her exit. Hayes smiled at her as she did and opened for her to begin her speech. Memory stood stunned for a moment, blinking at the roomful of people staring at her. So many expectant faces. Her gaze settled on Eloryn, who looked at her with an encouraging smile.
Crapness. I’m really going to have to do this damn speech.

Memory cleared her throat and stared at the written notes. Her hands sweated, smudging the ink, and trembled so much she could barely read the words.

“People of Avall,” she stammered. There were a few claps and cheers. “I speak to you today not just as a princess, but as one of you. A daughter of Avall, joyous to once again be free, delivered from the blight on our land.” Memory skimmed over the script.
What is this bullshit?
She’d never say these things. Making it sound like she’d grown up in Avall and that she was ecstatic that Thayl was dead. More lies from Hayes. Memory crumpled the paper in her hands. If she was going to say anything they would be her words, and something meaningful. Something she believed in.
And if it pissed off Hayes at the same time? One stone, twice the value.

“And as princess of Avall, I want to announce that the new Wizard’s University won’t be restricted to just nobles. The study of magic will be open to anyone, no matter who they are.”

Memory swore she heard crickets. Some muted applause from a few individuals was covered by Hayes, stepping beside her quick as anything and laughing over her announcement.

“Of course commoners are welcome to join the university,” he said. “If they can afford the entrance fee!”

The room roared with laughter again, as though they were putting on a funny skit together. Memory looked at Eloryn for support, but Eloryn just looked embarrassed for her.