The first time she thought of learning Life magic was after all that happened to their father. She knew that it would’ve been able to do something, whether that be fixing it altogether or making it easier to bear. She’d never been able to do it while they were at Ryobel; they struggled enough as it was, she didn’t even want to bring up the idea to their mother. But plenty of opportunities arose when the connections between Kamila, Haris, and Queen Minne were realized. Domenique almost immediately stepped out of the group in order to pursue those goals… not like she’d been too particularly interested in adventuring anyway. She trusted Imre and Dimas to keep her sister safe.
When everyone else had settled down, she’d tried to use the skills she learned in Seothia. It hardly went well—there were plenty in need but few willing to trust someone do things little of them understood. She’d considered some other options but never made a decision until her sister disappeared.
With memories fading and those remaining being the worst of them, she went to Qizar.
“She’ll be fine,” Domenique assured him.
It wasn’t working. Dimas still hadn’t technically left the castle and he was already worried. “What if things get worse again?”
“I’ll be able to handle it.”
“Wait, she knows that you’re stepping in, right? Does she even really know you..? Maybe I should—”
Domenique ushered him out the door. “You are going to go back to Seothia, apologize to your fiance, and give him that big damn kiss he’s been waiting months for. Trust me, he probably needs it.”
“Are you sure you have everything under control?”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Get some rest, make sure to eat, and don’t worry about Zofie.” She offered him the best smile she could. “I know what it’s like to want to keep your little sister safe. I’m going to do everything I can to help so you can focus on your own life.”
Dimas thought for a moment before nodding. “Alright, I’m trusting you. Tell me immediately if things get worse, I’m not going to hesitate coming back if I need to.”
Domenique waved and watched as he disappeared into the streets of Hyasari. She really, really hoped he didn’t come back. When she became aware of the guard that walked up beside her, she sighed, “Please don’t tell me I’m going to have to deal with that regularly.”
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“Usually I would say yes,” he remarked, “though I have a feeling it won’t matter as much once you’ve proven yourself to us.”
She turned back into the castle. “Remind me of everyone I need to make sure I don’t tick off again?”
Luckily, it didn’t seem like he minded. “I wouldn’t have expected you to remember us from the last time we’ve seen each other at the border.” He gestured for her to follow him before she could get herself lost. “I’m Thero. Aside from Zofie, the only other one you’re going to need to get involved with regularly is Lord Kadol. It would be relatively safe to assume to treat any strangers you come across as officials… it won’t take you long to recognize all of them.”
“On a scale of one to ten how forgiving are the children of Fleyw Bresh if I accidentally insult one of them?”
“I believe you’ll find them quite friendly. Orestis speaks of treating everyone as equals; most of us abide by the rules He set out for us.”
The only other thing he said to her as they walked through the halls was pointing out Kadol—someone Domenique knew she would remember—when they passed him. Thero showed that they were there by motioning to the door, though she hesitated to open it.
“Thank you again for coming, Father Phanes.”
“The pleasure’s all mine, Your Majesty. It brings me great joy to see you well enough to accept visitors; surely, a gift from Orestis for your devotion. Too few would go to the lengths you have to hear His teachings.”
Domenique glanced at Thero.
“Were her health to permit it, she never would’ve missed a day of service,” he explained quietly.
She waited until who she could only assume to be Phanes leave the room before entering herself. Zofie was sitting up but otherwise hardly showing a sign of being well; according to Dimas, though, even this was an improvement. She didn’t smile at them until Thero crept in behind Domenique.
“I suppose Dimas left, then, if you’re here.” Zofie paused to think. “You’re… Domenique, right? The other magister he hung around with, other than the Red Rose.”
Domenique nodded. “Though, I’m not considered a magister—my grandmother was a child of Fleyw Bresh.”
“I don’t suppose that means you’re familiar with our legends? It’s probably too much to expect of you… but Minne was able to surprise me once. We’d had quite the conversation about Peiros’s many works while at the border.”
“The most my mother ever told me was the warnings… what happens to those who get on the gods’ bad side.” Domenique decided not to mention that she wasn’t sure of how much of it she believed. Sure, she couldn’t truly deny it… but she wasn’t so willing to trust everything she’d been told either. She’d learned from observing the others interacting with Dimas that it wasn’t something to bring up, however, so simply said nothing.
“You may not consider it my place to offer, but… if you’re willing to know more, I’m more than happy to tell you what I know. I think you’ll find it rather enlightening, if you choose to listen.”
She managed a smile. “I think I’d like that.”