Chapter 5: The Drumming Song

Fields of lavender stretched out on either side of the road. The soothing scent wrapped around the wheels and filtered through the open windows. Violet took a deep breath. She sat in the royal carriage, across from Eden who was consumed by a book on the origins of Basharr's drumming songs. More than one bookworm in the family, clearly.

Petros had returned to the city, leaving Violet and Eden on their fifth and final visit to the villages.

"Have you travelled much outside of Eloy?" Eden asked.

Violet smirked. "Is it that obvious?"

He closed his book. "I thought you were going to stick your head out of the window like a wild dog when we passed that field of roses."

She laughed. "Anything to get rid of the stench that broccoli field left on the carriage."

Both their noses wriggled at the recollection.

"I enjoy seeing the kingdom through fresh eyes," Eden said. "What has been your favorite part so far?"

"That's easy," Violet replied. "Every time the villagers put an instrument in your hands. You light up like the North Star. It's a nice change."

Eden's brows rose in surprise. Violet gulped, realizing what had just escaped her lips. She couldn't find a single thing to say. Utter silence gripped the carriage.

Eden cleared his throat. "You're right."

"I am?"

Eden touched his crown. "I've worn this since I was twelve. And I've managed to hold onto it through the manipulation and disloyalty of several advisors and one uncle. Being king affords me many luxuries, but it offers no chance of escape."

"So you've made your own?" Violet offered.

Eden nodded, gesturing to his book. "I've learned nearly every instrument our land has provided. Music is essential to my court. I bring in artisans from all over to make me the finest instruments and musicians fill the palace."

"You haven't learned the drums, yet, though?"

"They continue to elude me," he admitted. "But Catalina is famed for its drum songs and circles. This rain ritual is the perfect excuse to learn from the best."

Violet saw the eagerness he was trying so hard to conceal. Like a boy about to pick out a favorite toy. "Aren't we here to bring prosperity to your people, my king?"

He turned to her, a wicked glimmer in his amber eyes. "I'm the king. I can do both."

***

Catalina didn't have a platform for the king to perform his ritual on. The village was too small and too poor. This left Eden in the center of the crowd. Violet didn't like it so she kept as close as possible.

"We are bound to one another," Eden declared, the villagers hanging on his words. "The Royal House of Tamarix has always brought their storm magic to every corner of our kingdom. The storms do not discriminate and neither do I."

Arms outstretched, Eden began his task. The temperature dropped. Clouds packed on top of each other. Wind blew through Catalina. Parents held their children close.

The first raindrops fell. They pinged off the rooftops. The villagers brought out their drums as the rain fell harder. Soon, a rhythmic symphony accompanied the storm. The entire village, no matter their age, joined in, dancing and pounding at the skins. Eden waded in to join, but unlike the other villages where the songs were of celebration, this was a song of protection. Violet had sung similar ones in Eloy when violent storms would grip the farms and homes.

"My king, stop!" she cried.

She was too late.

Eden's magic collided with the protection of the song. It threw him back into the mud. The music swelled. The clouds turned a dangerous shade of gray. The rain turned to knife pricks against Violet's skin. The storm wanted to protect Eden and her magic wanted to take hold of such power.

She shook off the desire and ran toward Eden. The song was driving him from the village. The song had become an invisible barrier, pushing him to the outskirts. Violet drew her bow and shot an arrow into the side of the tavern.

"Grab hold!" she called.

Eden reached out. He caught the arrow but the music kept going strong. Violet looked back at the villagers. They were engrossed in their music, unaware of what it was doing to their king.

Or her.

Her skin crawled with magic. She was so close. Eden was inches from her touch. Thunder bellowed in the distance. Violet didn't hear it. Her focus zeroed in on the Storm King. He held onto the arrow with both hands, a death grip against the protection of the song.

Violet's fingers brushed his pale skin. Electricity jumped into her veins. Dust coated her lungs. The gold of his power stole into her heart, settling into her gaze. She was the eye of the storm, and it was delicious.

Eden stared at her, realization hitting him at the same time as her magic. The storm he'd conjured roared with life. Lightning struck the fields. Hail pummeled the roofs. Clouds dropped low, consuming Catalina and swallowing her song.

Violet felt like she was at a banquet. She'd never been fed this well. She let her magic amplify Eden's, shattering the boundaries. The storm swelled. Nothing could stop it.

"Violet!" Eden shouted against the wind. "You have to let go!"

Her eyes saw him as if for the first time. The calm prayer he was saying to her. She felt the hail hammering her back; the wind whipping at Catalina. Mist circled her and Eden. She noticed her brown hand on his.

"No!"

She pulled away, stumbling back. The storm died instantly. Hail began to melt. The villagers stumbled from their shelters.

"You're The Eye," Eden breathed. "The amplifier to the Monarchs."

People were starting to gather.

"Don't tell anyone, please, my king."

"That's why Curzon took you. He knew."

"My king, please."

"You lied."

"Eden," she whispered.

He didn't answer. His long strides carried him away from her, toward the terrified crowd. Her heart sunk.

"Our magics didn't mix," Eden told the villagers, trying to calm them. "The crown will pay for the damage. Don't be afraid."

Peace seeped into Catalina, but distrust had already taken root, fattened on the storm. It gnawed at Violet's mind, as well, tearing apart everything between her and Eden.