The carriage rattled past the gates, leaving Yalda behind. Noah looked through the window at the towers and turrets reflected on the calm waters of the fjord. Boats and merchant ships dotted the bay like giant water striders, entering and exiting the safety of the harbor. Carts and riders passed their carriage on the road, many recognizing the ducal crest and slowing down to pay their respects.

But Noah saw nothing of it. The revelations of Bishop Petronius still occupied his mind like a dark, malevolent fog - words and sentences popping out of the chaos to strike at his heart and shake his already crumbling will.

His whole body stiffened when a woman’s hand caressed his chest but relaxed again the moment Lorelei’s head rested on his shoulder. Her bitter-sweet scent of herbs and lily-of-the-valley calmed down his throbbing heart.

“You are still worried.” Her warm shoulder pressed against his, her palm - resting over his chest.

“Not in the slightest.”

“Liar.”

“I’m not lying. I'm just having some trivial thoughts.”

“So trivial that you haven’t said a word in a day?” Lorelei’s slender fingers touched his chin and made him look at her. “You know, you don’t need to bear this burden alone.”

“I… I know.” He sighed and kissed her hand. “But it’s still hard. A duke of the empire shouldn’t be going around whining like a baby but be a steadfast, unshakable pillar.”

“According to whom?”

“Custom, need, and people’s expectations.” Noah laughed listlessly. “But do you know what the most pathetic thing is? I’m complaining about this to you when you already have more than enough worries.”

“You know, a single pillar might break, but two distribute the weight.” Lorelei wrapped her arms around his waist and pecked his cheek. “Besides, it is unfair to hoard all the protecting to yourself. I want to play the hero too.”

“A sword and banner would hardly suit you, my fair physician.”

“You doubt my ability?”

“By the Gods, no! I rather dread the possibility of it happening, dearest wife.”

“Why?”

“Because it would mean that I’m no longer able to shield you.”

Lorelei measured him up before sighing and rolling her eyes.

“Then, my noblest protector, you mean to tell me that you can’t bear the thought of me suffering even the lightest sorrow?”

“Exactly.”

“Well, when you are hurting, I am hurting,” she poked his chest, “so you’d better start talking now. What’s eating you up?”

Noah futilely tried to avoid her penetrating gaze, but her burning eyes were his bane and irresistible temptation. Looking at her pouting face, he couldn’t contain himself. Leaning in, he kissed her - deeply and eagerly. The sweetness of her lips and the warmth of her body pressing against his brought him a momentary respite. Her lush hair, free from the captivity of braids and pins, flowed between his fingers like silken ribbons. His heartbeat fastened, yet this time there was no pain but elation. For a while, no thought or fear remained, his body and mind concentrated on her.

When they finally separated, he felt the unquenchable longing still burning in his chest.

“Don’t you try to dodge the question!” panted Lorelei, her cherry cheeks and shaking frame contradicting her calm tone. Seeing her chirping like an angry sparrow, her finger poking again and again at his chest, brought up a smile on his face.

“Alright, alright! Who am I to deny my lady’s orders if she insists on blackening this beautiful day with doom and gloom?”

“Seeing you brooding since yesterday has already been dejecting enough. Now, spit it out. It’s about you being an acolyte, right?”

“Yes. But it’s not what you think.” Noah rubbed his face, trying to figure out the right way to put his feelings into words. “It’s less about the powers per se and more about… my family.”

Lorelei gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. Her head leaned again on his shoulder, her body - snuggling against his. Noah chewed on his lips before continuing with a sigh.

“You heard what Petronius said. That, unlike the saint-vessels, the acolytes don’t get detected during the baptism but rather manifest their abilities at a later age. And that there are separate rituals to confirm one as an acolyte to a saint.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t anyone bother to tell me about my so-called ‘gift’ until now?”

“Maybe they didn’t know. It could be that you’ve awakened your abilities just recently, like Castor. Baron Firmon also had no idea about him being Saint Oronte’s acolyte.”

“With the Firmons, an obscure, broken bloodline, I could accept this explanation.” Noah snorted. “But with the Imperial Family? The direct descendants of Saint Arslan? How big is the chance of not testing their children?”

Lorelei’s grip on his hand tightened.

“No.” Noah looked through the carriage window, trying to put a lid on his feelings. “There are only two explanations. One - I was such an insignificant, dirty existence that no one even bothered to perform the ritual. Two - they knew but withheld that information.”

Clenching his teeth, Noah shook his head and his heart felt empty. He had hoped, secretly and despite all signs, that all those years ago his father had banished him to Norden as a twisted show of mercy. A convoluted way to keep him away from the Empress’ machinations. But he could no longer lie to himself. Facing his naive delusions brought him shame, pain, and scorching anger.

“I think the Emperor knew,” he hissed. The next words he uttered hurt even more. “And I am sure my older brother knew. After all, he gifted Nerodris to me.”

“But why would they withhold such information?”

“Who knows? Maybe they found it funny - seeing the bastard fumble around with powers he doesn’t grasp. An entertainment with the added value of getting rid of an inconvenient dreg. After all, if I were to be announced as an acolyte to Saint Arslan, this would have further legitimized my claim as the Emperor’s son.”

“Maybe they had good reasons to hide it.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, but-”

“Don’t try to defend them without knowing them, Lorelei!” snapped Noah, but his fury dissipated almost immediately. He pressed his forehead against Lorelei’s and took a couple of deep breaths. “I’m sorry. I… Llewellyn was the only blood relative I truly trusted, but now… I fear that he… might have given me Nerodris for his own benefit.”

“What do you mean?” Lorelei stroked his cheek.

“What if… he gave me Nerodris in order to harvest my soul?” whispered Noah, finally giving shape to his fears. “An untrained acolyte given a powerful artifact never bodes well. I’ve heard that my uncle needed years of training under the supervision of some of the strongest priests and knights in order to master Saint Ursule’s sword. In comparison, I was given an old journal of dubious origin and told that Nerodris would protect me. And the idiot me trusted all that.”

“Maybe it’s the truth.”

“Maybe. Or maybe his aim was for Nerodris to erode my soul to the extent of losing my mind and inflicting irreparable damage on Norden. Or maybe he intended for me to be a sacrifice to be devoured completely and serve to strengthen Nerodris’ powers. After all, the more magic and powerful souls it consumes, the greater its defensive capabilities. And an acolyte’s soul should be a pretty nice treat.”

“But you managed to defeat Nerodris.”

“Says the one who had to save my ass from that hissing abomination… twice!”

“I just… nudged you in the right direction, but you were doing a fine job…” The slight tremor in her voice told more than a thousand words. Noah’s heart spasmed.

“We both know the truth, so you don’t need to lie, my love. I knew very well the risks and the price I had to pay for using that dreadful piece of scrap, but I did it anyway… like a true idiot.”

“Price?” Lorelei pushed him gently back in order to get a better look at him. Her brows locked. “What price?”

“That… isn’t important…”

“Noah!”

“No, really!” He held her shoulders and tried to smile, but her scowl told him any attempt at dodging was futile. “It’s just some memories…”

“Memories!?” She gaped as if he had miraculously turned into a talking pig or something.

“Just a few minor ones,” he blurted, trying to minimize the damage. “There is no need to worry. I won’t be missing some childhood-”

“Stop!” Lorelei put a finger on his lips, her expression darkening further. “Don’t try to downplay the situation. Enough with all the pride and bravado! Tell me the truth!”

Noah swallowed hard and dipped his head.

“That snake said that it’s going to devour some happy ones… But since most of my relationships have been on the bitter-sweet to tragic spectrum, I don’t think I’ve forgotten anything… or anyone important, so...”

“This isn’t a joke!” Anger and fear twisted Lorelei’s beautiful face. “What are you missing?”

“I can’t tell you exactly which ones Nerodris took, but… I think the ones about my mother. And there are some white spots during my childhood and youth. But this might also be due to it being so long ago. Honestly, how can I tell what isn’t there?”

“We need to speak with Kush-turgan Akasha and the Elders when we return!”

“Don’t panic, my dear.” Noach drew her into his embrace again and kissed her forehead. “Everything will be fine.”

“And what if it isn't?” Her body shivered in his arms. “If all your nice memories get destroyed and all you have left is pain and anger… Would… Would you turn into the monster I met in the depths of Nerodris?”

Her words were like a bucket of cold water. His precious wife sure had the keen aim to pinpoint his greatest fears. Noah clenched his teeth. He couldn’t tell her that amongst the missing memories were several about Shana’s childhood and his youth with Yanosh and Orhana. He couldn’t confess that he dreaded the moment he’d reunite with this little girl and the possibility of looking at her and feeling… nothing. His arms convulsively wrapped around Lorelei’s body.

“It will be alright, my love,” he whispered, trying to persuade not only her but also himself. “As long as I have your light, everything will be fine.”