Ragwell's Short Story: Seer Borys

Ragwell stood in the half-open doorway, burnished by the flickering candlelight within. As they entered, Seer Borys fastened the great ebony doors with a thud. The empress sat behind her desk, scribbling furiously at a parchment she had taken from the tilting stacks. Always writing, thought Hunter, and the memories brought a sliver of a smile to his lips. He half-remembered the stories she had penned as they grew up together, eons ago, and for a moment he considered inquiring after them. No, he corrected himself, she’s my empress now. The chambers were lit solely from within, as the sun had fallen low toward the west. At the far end the leaded windows hung half-open, saturating the room with briny evening air and warm musky breezes. The tallow candles guttered low amidst frozen waterfalls of congealed fat, scattering …show more content…
After a beat, she waved Ragwell and the sisters away. The steward gave her an incredulous scoff, but replaced the tome and left, sealing the immense doors behind him. When they were alone, Borea steepled her fingers on the desk and favored him with a half-smile. “What is it I need to hear in private, Seer Blackwood?” Hunter cleared his throat and tugged at the collar of his silken undershirt. “Bree,” he dared. The childish nickname brought a wave of warm remembrance, and he smiled despite himself. The empress tilted her head and pursed her lips, nonplussed, but then her eyes brightened. “Hunt,” she returned with a grin, in a voice that brought all of his childhood rushing back. “Is that what you wanted to say?” Hunter’s words caught in his throat. “Well, no, I . . . it’s been too long since we’ve talked, Bree.” She’s your empress, you bloody fool, and you’re a chevalier! he scolded himself, but he couldn’t possibly stop now. Her smile grew. “It has, hasn’t it?” Gods, I want to do so much more than talk. His heart leapt aflutter. She’s all I’ve ever