Addi was now perched at the front of the boat, scanning the faint horizon. The mist had finally stopped, and she pressed her vision to see as far as possible. “Nellis doesn’t live too far from the lake. If ‘someone’ doesn’t take too long to get us to shore, then we should be able to make it to his house in two or three days,” she informed, glancing back at Wyatt.
“Right. ‘Someone’ here, ready and reporting for duty,” Wyatt quipped, chuckling to himself.
Nev moved to the back of the boat and let the fingers of her right-hand trail just below the water’s surface as Wyatt moved to the middle seat.
Wyatt pulled out one of the spindle vine leaves Nev had given him a while back and popped it in his mouth. As the headache he had gotten from searching for Nev began to fade, he set out to row them towards the shore. “So, Nellis?” Wyatt questioned, cocking his head slightly. “This should be fun. Well, for me, anyway,” he joked.
Addi just shook her head and groaned. “It has been five years, Wyatt. I’m sure he is well past it,” she suggested, trying really hard to sound convincing.
“Hey, I think it is a swell idea. Of course, I am not the one…,” Wyatt responded, before being splashed in the face by Addi.
“That is quite enough,” Addi interjected, sounding annoyed. “No matter how you think Nellis may or may not respond to seeing me… us, he is a good man. He will help us,” she stated.
Wyatt laughed and replied, “Like I said, it should be fun.”
Nev leaned towards Wyatt and whispered, “Should I be worried?”
Addi glared towards the stern of the boat before refocusing back on the horizon.
Chuckling, Wyatt responded quietly, “About Nellis? Nah, he really is a good guy and a damn good cook. But about Addi? Well, we’ll just have to see how Nellis takes this reunion.”
Grumbling Addi splashed water towards the rear of the boat and said, “That will be quite enough, from both of you.”
Wyatt laughed quietly to himself and focused on rowing the boat.
Nev, meanwhile, decided to let herself enjoy the moment of calm she found herself in. Her shoulder’s pain had been subdued to a dull, throbbing ache, and the cool lake water felt refreshing on her fingers. She watched the sunlight dance on the relaxed waves of the lake for several minutes before turning her gaze to Wyatt. His curls had started to reappear and were now being bounced lazily around by the cool lake breeze. She wanted to capture this moment in her mind and hold on to it forever because something told her there was far more than just Nellis waiting for them on the horizon.
She hadn’t told Wyatt yet, and she hadn’t decided if she was even going to—but something had changed since her face-to-face encounter with Sagrine. She could sense him now. It was similar to the connection she felt with Wyatt but more subtle and far less pleasant. Staring down at her now-dormant amulet, she knew there a was a piece she was still missing. She knew the amulet, the ring, and the connections she felt with Wyatt and Sagrine all had to all fit together somehow, but she couldn’t see how yet.
Nev’s thoughts turned to her father, her heart missed him terribly. Sighing, she yearned to know if it had really been him in the clearing near their cabin or if her desperate mind had just imagined him. I wish you were still here. I wish I could tell you about Wyatt, and you could tell me what I was missing, she thought. She shook her head and took in a deep breath. No, I can worry about that later. Be here. Here is worth it, she reminded herself. With that, Nev went back to watching Wyatt’s curls being caught by the breeze. For a few precious moments, she let herself get lost in that simple pleasure.
Chapter 27
Sagrine never liked taking time out of his hunt, especially when he was so tantalizingly close to his prize. Still, he was eager to tell General Razine of his progress and what he’d learned. Hopefully, the general would be pleased, and he would finally take another step towards redeeming himself in the general’s eyes. Sagrine had lived with the disgrace of failing to bring in the lost heiress for twenty years. Having that failure shape every moment of his last two decades. He had failed the Oracle, emperor, general, and his training that day. Now he was on the precipice of righting his most painful mistake.
Finally he had a name and a face. He found an isolated spot just outside of Birclan and meditated, grinning momentarily as he savored the memory of tasting her wound. He allowed only thoughts of her and his hunger to exist. Suddenly feeling a faint and distant pulse, he grinned again. It was her. The sensation was not as strong as it had been previously when it beckoned him, but it was unmistakable. Once he was done meeting with Razine, he would track her essence. Then she would be his and his alone. At least, for a while. He knew he must present her to the emperor, but not until his appetite was at least partially sated.
For now, he waited until night to fall. Once shrouded in the comfort of darkness, he would approach General Razine’s door. Sagrine breathed in deeply and savored the sense of anticipation. He would pass the time replaying his encounter with the lost heiress over and over in his mind, relishing every moment and hungering for the next time he would encounter and then ensnare her.
Chapter 28
Nev, Wyatt, and Addi had reached shore by mid-afternoon. After walking for a few hours, they decided to set up camp just inside the woods that bordered the north side of the lake. They were all tired and opted to call it a day a little early. Besides, they figured, the impromptu boat ride had shaved off at least a day’s hike around the far west side of the lake.
Once settled in, Nev offered to go find food for dinner, but Wyatt insisted she rest her shoulder. Nev relented quickly. Her shoulder, while improved, still ached. So, the group dined on some dried fruit, bread, and jerky that Addi had packed.
As dusk settled onto the camp, Nev was sitting at the edge of where their campfire’s light reached. She had only taken a couple of distracted bites of food as she stared out past the fire and into her memories. She was replaying the encounter with the prowler over and over in her head. Perhaps if she analyzed his moves enough, then things would go better the next time she encountered Sagrine. She could not afford to be unprepared again. Next time she had to be able to beat him.
Addi had been watching Nev closely since they stopped to set up camp, trying to determine what it was about her that her brother had fallen in love with. She was pretty enough, and her hair and eyes unique. However, her brother had never seemed swayed simply by looks. Addi couldn’t remember her brother ever even having a crush on a girl before. Indeed, Nev must have done or been something special to make her brother fall for her so hard and so quickly. Perhaps Wyatt simply appreciated her stubbornness. She had, after all, proven that stubbornness by rowing with an injured shoulder. Addi sighed. Guess that means I get to take care of two stubborn pains in the ass now, instead of just one. Lucky me, she thought. With that in mind, Addi leaned over towards Wyatt and whispered, “You’ve noticed she has barely eaten, right?”
Wyatt nodded and replied, “Yeah. Unfortunately, it’s kind of her thing, especially lately.” He had already noticed she hadn’t eaten much, along with her being especially distant tonight.
Addi looked at him and cocked her head. “And?” she prodded.
“And… and I am going,” he conceded quickly, gesturing for her to back off before sticking his tongue out and winking at her.
“Wow, with maturity like that, no wonder she fell in love with you,” Addi whispered, rolling her eyes before going back to focusing on her dinner.
Wyatt stood and watched Nev for a moment. Dozens of small white moths fluttering all around the edges of their campsite had come out to enjoy an evening free from rain. Smiling, he watched as one landed on the ground in front of Nev and gently quivered its wings up and down. Wyatt focused, catching the light of the campfire on the moth’s wings. It suddenly glowed with bright reds, oranges, and yellows. The moth looked like a tiny flame dancing in the encroaching evening shadows. Without warning, the moth, as if on cue, flew up and landed gen
tly on Nev’s hand. Wyatt pushed his thoughts and caused the light to glow even brighter.
Addi was watching the display and grinned to herself before going back to pretending like she was not paying attention to either of them.
The flash of light coming from the moth snapped Nev back into the moment. Unexpectedly, she found herself entranced by the small, winged insect. Gently she turned her hand from side to side, watching the light shimmer and dance on the moth’s wings.
Wyatt grinned and took a deep breath. The ground was instantly showered with the warm light of the fire as it danced on the wings of a dozen nearby moths.
Addi saw the flash of light and looked up at Wyatt and Nev. She knew her brother had special talents, but he rarely displayed them. He always said it made him feel awkward to use them. After she returned with her mark, he’d only hidden them more. Addi smiled at the sight of the moths. Mostly, however, she smiled at the sight of her brother feeling so at ease. She watched him grinning like a fool and chuckled softly to herself. Maybe I misjudged you, she thought, looking at Nev.
Nev gasped when the other moths began to glow. As the moth that was resting on her hand flew up to join the others, she simply stared in astonishment. Standing, wide-eyed, and smiling, she watched the beautiful glowing symphony that played all around her. Nev outstretched both arms and slowly began to twirl amongst the moths.
A memory from her childhood pushed into her thoughts. The purple butterfly she had often chased as a child danced in her mind’s eye, while Wyatt’s fire moths cavorted around her. In a flash, other thoughts raced through her mind: Nightlights from moonbeams, her father’s stars, warm air around her chilly hands, fire from tiny embers, and countless other “tricks” her father had performed to her young heart’s delight.
How had I forgotten? How did I not remember my father could make lights dance like Wyatt? That he was a…Tink, she thought. Nev stood still as her mind flurried. There had been so much she’d simply shut out and forced herself to forget those first few days, weeks, and months after her father’s death. The pain of her memories had been so intense. Survival had become her only focus, leaving little to no room to think about anything else. She’d let herself—made herself—forget. Now with memories swirling, she felt pieces of her life’s puzzle finally start to fit together. “I remember,” she noted, looking up at Wyatt in astonishment.
Wyatt had been entranced watching Nev dance among his moths. He could have watched her like that for hours or perhaps forever. Suddenly, he felt his concentration broken as Nev raced over and hugged him. “Remember what?” he inquired, searching Nev’s face for a clue as the moths all returned to their normal state. “What did you remember? Are you okay?” he asked, with growing concern.
Addi was now standing and watching the two of them closely.
Nev kissed Wyatt quickly and then grinned. “You showed me. I had made myself forget, but you and your wonderful moths reminded me,” she bubbled, almost bouncing with excitement.
Wyatt smiled at her and questioned, “So, I take it I helped you remember something good?”
Nev looked up at Wyatt and nodded emphatically, replying, “Yes!”
Shaking his head, Wyatt laughed heartily. “Well, good then,” he asserted.
Looking at him, Nev realized he had no idea what she was talking about. “I am sorry. I just got excited. I can explain,” she offered, still smiling.
Wyatt grinned at her and replied, “First, you never have to apologize to me for getting excited. Secondly, you are so damn adorable right now I can hardly think straight. So, you had better hurry and tell me whatever is on your mind before I lose all control and drag you off into the woods for a bit.”
Addi groaned with disgust and annoyance. “Really, you do realize your sister is right here?” she grimaced, sounding very perturbed.
Wyatt laughed and replied, “You are the one that insisted on coming along. Now, Nev… tell me what you’ve remembered.”
Nev felt her cheeks go red, but she was far too excited to reprimand Wyatt at the moment. “There was a purple butterfly that would always come and play with me as a child. I remember it glowing, just like your moths did. I remember other things now, too. ‘Tricks’ he did to make me happy. I had forgotten. I thought almost every minute had been spent training, but I was wrong. Those minutes spent training are just the minutes I didn’t forget,” she noted, sounding a bit sad for a moment.
Wyatt placed a hand on her cheek as he attempted to deduce what Nev was trying to tell him. Caressing her cheek softly with his fingers, he proposed, “You are talking about your father, aren’t you? Are you saying he was a… what? A Tink?”
Nev nodded. “Yes, I had forgotten. But you, you helped me remember him. Thank you,” she gushed, leaning up to kiss him.
“The empress and a Tink? There is no way. It would’ve been far too scandalous. Not to mention highly illegal,” Addi stated, injecting herself into the conversation.
Wyatt thought about it for a few moments. “She might be right, Nev. It would never be allowed. Every aspect of a Tink’s life is closely monitored and controlled. I mean every aspect. That doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, though. It would explain the falling out between the empress and her fiancé, Malicus,” he suggested.
“Wyatt, do you hear what you are suggesting? Let’s say I believe the two of you and Nev is the heir to the Obsidian Throne. You are suggesting the real reason the coup happened was that Nev’s mom decided to have a child with a Tink. That she would risk her kingdom, her throne, and her life because of what, love? Empresses and emperors are not like us, they do things for power. Not love,” she concluded, sounding incredulous of their suggestion.
Nev shook her head. “He was a Tink. I know it,” she countered, feeling frustrated.
“Okay. Well, let’s just play this out then. The empress was engaged to Malicus at the time of the uprising, and we can all see how well that betrothal went. Maybe the empress did fall in love with a Tink in secret, and then they had Nev. Then the coup happened, and Nev and her father fled the capital. If Nev’s father was a Tink, that might have aided their escape. It also may have made things extra dangerous for them,” Wyatt theorized, still trying to piece it all together.
Nev had been listening to Wyatt and Addi’s debate over her parentage. You are the risk worth taking, recalled Nev. “I think my father knew what the risk would be and took it anyway. Not for power, but for love,” she concluded.
Addi shrugged. “Look, it sounds great. Perhaps you and your dad were… are Tinks, and maybe your dad really did risk everything for love. Even so, we are talking about reality and not just some bard’s tale. So, answer me this: Why would any actual empress risk so much?” she inquired.
Nev looked at Addi and gave her the only answer she had. “Because it was worth it,” she responded steadfastly.
Feeling Nev was getting agitated, Addi relented. She replied with a simple, “Maybe.”
Nev sighed and said, “Parts of things are starting to make more sense, but I still don’t know why my father and I escaped and my mother didn’t.”
Wyatt was playing with the dark black ring on his finger that Nev had given him. It hummed with a quiet power that he thought was likely invisible to anyone besides Tinks. “I think I do,” he offered softly. “Nev, do you remember what you said when you handed me this?” he asked.
Nev thought and replied, “Yes.”
Looking at Nev, Wyatt took her hands in his and pulled her close. “You told me that you should give it to the one you love and that with it, they would keep you close to their heart and far from danger,” he stated tenderly. “What if it is that simple?” suggested Wyatt.
Nev looked confused.
“When I thought the prowler might kill you, I didn’t know how I would keep you safe. I just knew that I loved you, and I had to find a way. I was so determined to find a way to shield you. I remember holding your hands and feeling nothing beyond my love for you and my desire to protect you,
” he explained softly. “The next thing I remember, I was standing with you in my bedroom. A place where I had always felt safe and somewhere that had flashed in my mind a moment before. We were suddenly out of harm’s way, and I was with the woman I love.”
Tears rolled down Nev’s cheeks. “You saved me… again,” she stammered, her voice trembling. “But it shouldn’t be possible for a ring to… and if it can, then why did my mother not survive too?” asked Nev, feeling overwhelmed.
“I don’t know. I can feel the power confined within it. The same energy stirs within your amulet and dagger. But I still don’t understand how it works or why your mom didn’t make it. Maybe the ring only works for Tinkerers. I mean… you are half your father, and it seems obvious that you inherited that trait from him. So, maybe your mom couldn’t use the ring. Or maybe it only works for two people? Didn’t your father say he left the woman he loved to save you?” he asked gently.
The realization of the truth hit Nev hard. She felt her knees go weak and her head spin. “She died so I wouldn’t. They both died so I wouldn’t,” she whimpered, her voice barely audible. The weight of her mother and father’s sacrifice pulled on Nev’s heart, and she felt herself struggling to come to terms with it.
Wyatt hugged her close and kissed the top of her head. “Nev, please look at me,” Wyatt pleaded gently.
Nev shook her head in refusal and pulled away from him. Becoming very quiet, she walked to the other side of the camp and sat down with her back to Wyatt and Addi.
Addi felt herself feeling sincerely sorry for Nev. True or not, it was a lot to wrap one’s mind around. It was obvious Nev was taking all of it pretty hard. Earlier, Addi had been so sure of her assessment of Nev and of her brother’s relationship with her. She had pegged Nev as just some troublemaker that Wyatt had grown sweet for, but maybe she’d misjudged them both. Either way, Addi decided she should give her brother and Nev some privacy. Nodding towards Wyatt as she walked past him, Addi grabbed her crossbow and headed towards the shore.
The Obsidian Throne Page 14
