by J. G. Maltos
A soft cough brings me out of my thoughts, and my eyes shoot open.
Nathanial smirks from under his hood. "Would you like to see something, Princess?"
I simply raise an eyebrow and smile.
He eagerly takes that as a yes and his smile widens. He ties the reins around the horn of the saddle and extends his hands in front of him. They clap together tightly. The veins in his firm hands thicken and turn frost blue. I love seeing the change our abilities have in our veins.
With fire abilities, their veins turn a burning red, lightning an eclectic dark blue, air a lilac purple, frost a light blue close to white hue, and from what I’ve heard shadow would be charcoal black. The colors are similar to the color of our crystals.
I stare at his hands in awe. I have seen the frost people use their powers but it never ceases to amaze me the things people can create.
The blue light between his palms dims and he opens his hands. A single snowflake so detailed lays delicately in his palms. The snowflake glows a bright blue, matching his own sapphire eyes. Nathaniel stretches his hand toward me. "For you, Princess."
I give him a look at the title, but he extends his hand once more, urging me to take it. I remove the gloves and reach for the gift.
The snowflake is surprisingly warm. The edges of its intricate lines prickle my fingers. It is so detailed, every little line so delicately made, I couldn't help but glance at Nathaniel with a dumbstruck expression.
"A little gift from the Frost Kingdom." He shrugs, although it's clear he became bashful by my reaction. "I can create weapons quickly with my frost. It's one of my specialties."
"It's absolutely beautiful." I fiddle with the flake on my palm. “But where would I keep it?"
Bash pulls up next to me with his flashy smile. "Oh, I can fix that." He clasps his hands together, and the same radiant blue shines through his palms. Bash releases his grip and an icy clear band appears on his hands. A bracelet.
A smile tugs at my lips and I extend my hand and give the snowflake to him. He pinches the tip of the snowflake to the clear crystal band, melting it together.
Finally, I take the bracelet and place it around my wrist. A perfect fit. "But," I jingle the bracelet, admiring the way the snowflake clinks against the band, "won't it melt?"
"Our creations are an extension of our energy," Nathaniel explains.
"So as long as we breathe, you'll have that bracelet," Bash finishes.
"Please tell me you use that line with all the ladies," I glance between the two large men. "That would be a horribly missed opportunity if not."
Bash laughs next to me. "Oh yeah," he mocks. "He's a big lady’s man."
I raise a questionable eyebrow towards Bash, sensing his intense sarcasm. "Oh, so you're the lady’s man?"
"Bash?" Now it was Nathaniel's turn to laugh. “A lady’s man? Oh, please. He has as many ladies as fingers in a closed fist." Nathaniel laughs harder. Bash's cheeks flush red from Nathaniel’s comment.
"Settle down both of you. Do I have to treat you like children?"
"Nooo, Princess," they both say at the same time. I swear they might be children.
“Good. Now tell me a little about yourselves,” I suggest and tighten my jacket as the night brisk air picks up slightly.
To my surprise Bash is the first to speak. “Well, I joined the forces due to my father's debt.” I look at him with sad eyes, but he says, “Don’t look at me like that Princess. Even though it was to settle my father's debt, I enjoy what I do. Plus, now my sisters can wed any man they like without family debt hanging over them.”
“That is very selfless of you,” I whisper. “How is your family now?”
“My sisters are doing well. The oldest is getting married in a few months. I send my spare money to my mother for her spending.” He smiles from under his hood.
My eyes soften at the mention of his mother. “That is great. Your mother is lucky to have you.”
“Thank you, Princess.” He chuckles lightly. “My youngest sister is obsessed with your royal line.”
“I would love to meet her one day,” I offer.
Bash's head turns towards me as his smile broadens, exposing his white teeth. “That would mean the world to her. I would officially be the favorite sibling.”
“The sacrifice you've made for your family should automatically make you the favorite. But, I’m glad my title can help you secure it.” I smile as my attention turns to Nathaniel. “What about you, Nathaniel?”
“How do you expect me to go after the selfless story,” he argues. His horse quickens slightly but he controls him with ease.
“Everybody's story is different,” I say. “Mine is not selfless, but more of a battle but it shapes me. What story shapes you, Nathaniel?”
He sighs heavily. “Fine. I was adopted and joined the force.”
“Common, there is more than that.” I urge.
“Nope, that is it.” He shrugs.
I shift on my horse feeling the ache from the ride. “It’s great you joined. Koura considers you as a brother. It’s great to know he has great people around him, like family.”
Nathaniel looks at me. A smile breaks on his lips and he caught on to what I was trying to do. “He is like a brother,” He shakes his head. “Being adopted and not knowing where you belong can have a number on your mind. Not knowing where you come from, people voicing their theories of you.” He angles his face slightly toward me “That's how I got this scar. Someone was being very vocal about their thoughts on my family and the ones who gave me up. I walked away with this but he limped away with a broken foot.” He looks at me with strong emotions, “I love my parents. They showed me what unconditional love is. I have brothers here, brothers I chose as my parents chose me.”
My eyes brim with tears, “Unconditional love.”
“Ahh, Princess. I didn’t tell you my life story to make you cry. We are all happy, now be happy.” He fiddles with the reins, like seeing a girl about to cry is the scariest thing he has seen.
“Great, way to go, Nathaniel. You broke the Princess,” Bash points out, passing me a clean cloth for my tears.
A laugh escapes my lips while I dab away my tears. Koura horse slows and turns around to face us. I grip my reins and stop my horse. Everyone else follows suit. "We will be camping close to The Black Lake," he declares. "We've traveled long enough through the night. The sun will rise in a few hours. Our horses need water and we need to rest. We must be prepared for when we enter the kingdom," he finishes.
"Is it that bad?" I ask with sweaty palms.
"The Lightning kingdom has grown immensely powerful with the resources of your kingdom," Koura explains. "Apart from that, their numbers have doubled over the years. It would put surrounding kingdoms at greater risk if they chose to intervene."
As if on call, the thunder rolls through the sky causing my horse to pick up in pace. I try to hold on to the reins but my hands fumble with the leather. Zee's horse goes out of control. Bash rushes to her side seconds before she falls. Another roll of thunder and lightning sound from a distance. Koura's horse has sprinted a few meters forward. He yanks on the reins and regains control.
The sky above me starts to swirl, and the wind whistles past my ears. I try to grip the reins just before a flash of lightning hits the ground near us. My horse jumps onto its back legs. My hands fumble with the leather strap and I start to slide down. I yell out in surprise as my horse lands on all fours and rushes forward at full speed. The cold wind slices my cheeks and my hood falls backward.
I pull on my horse reins and try to regain control but my horse will not listen. I tuck my chin into my chest to try to protect my face. I hear a pair of hooves close to me. I tilt my head and see Koura catching up to us. His face is set in a scowl while his speed increases.
Koura horse is parallel to us now. His face is red from the sting of the wind. He looks at me with worried eyes while he guides his horse closer to mine. I pull at my horse's reins to slow it dow
n but it does not listen. Koura leans in close enough to slightly graze the side of my hip with the tip of his fingers.
“At three, you jump!” He yells against the wind.
I shake my head, “I will fall!”
My horse jumps and Koura leans back onto his horse. I frantically grab the reins more firmly, causing my knuckles to whiten. Koura nears my horse once more but this time he grabs my waist.
“Trust me, I will catch you!” He promises, his hazel eyes narrow as he sees something I don’t. “Althea! I got you! Trust me!” He yells with determination.
He squeezes my hip, telling me it's time to jump. My horse jumps once more and I go up with it. Koura tightens his hold and I kick off my horse. A grunt escapes Koura as he pulls me towards him. I slam face-first against his chest. I wrap my arms and legs around him.
Koura’s left arm is still wrapped around my waist as he starts slowing his horse. His heart slams against his chest just like my own. I try to control my breathing but I am still shaken up. His horse eventually stops. Koura doesn’t say a word but only wraps his other arm around me and pulls my shaking body closer.
I am engulfed by the warmth his body is radiating. He rubs his arms against my back, noticing my cold state. My body slowly stops shaking. I dig my face deeper into his chest. Thoughts of what could have happened flash past my mind.
“Are you okay?” His raspy voice fills my ears.
My breath comes out in gasps, “I am now.”
Koura's hands are still on my back. He slowly pulls back and looks down at me. I slowly raise my gaze and I am surprised by a foreign emotion that dances between his eyes. Koura's back stiffens under my touch as I see his head start to incline.
“Whoa! I have never seen anyone dismount a horse like that!” Nathaniel boasts from behind, causing Koura and myself to pull back. I flush red but Koura only smiles. Another roll of thunder sounds through the sky. Koura's horse shifts and I grip Koura's torso once more.
Bash and Zee near us. Zee's face looked a lot paler than normal. I guess I look the same as her. Bash looks up at the sky, “There have not been signs of bad weather.”
Koura looks up in confusion, “There are only two ways this storm appeared.”
Nathaniel shakes his head, “Let's go before we find out who created this storm.”
Koura nods and looks down at me, “I can ride with Nathaniel the rest of the way.” I offer.
Koura shakes his head, “You are staying right here.”
My eyes widen, “I don’t think riding this way will be effective for either of us.”
“She can ride with me, I won’t let her fall,” Nathaniel offers, “or I could lead the way,” he laughs. I tilt my head, obviously confused by this hidden joke.
Koura groans, “Fine, she rides with you but stays close to me.”
“Yes, boss!” Nathaniel barks out while he extends his hand towards me. I roll my eyes and take his hand. I am placed behind Nathaniel. I glance at the sky that has started to calm.
I look forward but my view is blocked by Nathalie's massive frame. I try to wrap my arms around his firm tone but I just settle on the side of his waist. I look back at Koura and I catch his gaze already on me. A smile breaks on his lips and turns away.
What just happened?
Chapter 11
My eyelids hang heavy as we reach the Black Lake. Although it is a night’s travel with the sun still hidden beneath the horizon, it will be a few more hours for it to rise.
The others unmount their horses when a familiar palm taps warmly against my knee. I peer down to see Nathaniel smiling up at me with a mischievous grin.
“Ready to hop down, Althea?” He smirks. “Or are you planning on sleeping there the rest of the night?”
I roll my eyes, holding out my arms to him like a child waiting to be carried. “As lovely as the horses are, I wouldn’t mind stretching my legs for a bit before they remain this stiff.”
Nathaniel wraps his two large hands around my waist, lifting me from the saddle. I wait for the hard floor to graze my dangling feet but the feeling never comes. A small smile touches my lips at the memory of being lifted like this as a child. After a few seconds, I look down at Nathaniel in annoyance.
“Well,” He huffs, genuine surprise pulling at his scarred eyebrow, “I must say, Princess, you weigh less than you look.”
“I’m five eight and carry a mean right hook,” I grunt against his grasp but remain in the air, nonetheless. “I suggest you put me down before I have to prove it to you.”
My threat falls on deaf ears as Nathaniel gives a hearty laugh. It isn’t until his eyes focus on something behind me that he drops me promptly next to his side, all humor gone from features. He wraps a thick arm around my waist, pushing me behind him. “Pull up your hood, Princess.”
My heart slams against my rib cage with the tense energy that surrounds me. I look to Bash, whose hands reach into the closed bag that hangs from the saddle. The wind tugs at the cover flap, and I catch sight of his hand wrapped around the hilt of his ice dagger. His back is rigid just like Nathaniel, calculating and anticipating.
I eagerly stand on my toes, trying to locate Zee and Koura. The uneasy-ness of not finding them causes a knot to form in my stomach. A swift breeze prickles my back and I feel a weight land on my shoulder. I stiffen at the touch.
"You must relax, Princess," Aries' voice echoes through the wind. "Your hands."
I look down in surprise to see the green glow radiating from my fingertips. My green veins have not yet expanded from my fingertips. I ball them into a fist and hug them close to my chest. Now is not the time to lose control. The wind picks up with such force it causes my hood to flop with the wind. I grab my hood and pull it tighter around my face. I close my eyes and slow my breathing.
The sound of horses nears. The muscles in Nathaniel's back contract and our horses become restless at the incoming riders.
By the sounds of it, there are five, maybe seven, riders coming our way, leaving us outnumbered if anything goes wary. I can’t hold the anticipation anymore and peer around Nathaniel's shoulder. I was right. Seven horses are coming our way, most of them with weapons in their own hands. My palms itch for a defense.
The leader comes to a stop in front of Koura. The wind blows his curly hair away from his young face. Looking at his torn jacket, covered in black stains, he must work in the mines as well. The stern look on his face gives no kindness. His other followers carry the same tense stares, all except one. Her hair is platinum and maybe the only one out of the rest close to my age. When she catches my gaze, she offers me a smile.
I become uneasy with her stare and force my eyes back to the leader. His eyes hold no emotion as he nears. He looks like any regular traveler but the weapons that hang on his hips tell me otherwise. The other riders hold the same or more weapons on their person and horse. My leg starts to shake from the nerves.
He scans our group, settling on Nathaniel for longer than appreciated, but still addresses Koura."You are nearing the Earth Kingdom." His voice booms. "State the reason for your trip."
Koura shows no sign of intimidation as he peers up at the man. "We come to visit family." He wraps an arm around Zee's, who lets herself be guided into his embrace. My breath hitches at his words. I know his words are not true but they still sting.
"Family?" The man questions, doubt lacing his tongue. "A lot of you?"
I peek around Nathaniel's broad shoulders. Koura settles into his role of a loving husband and leans in closer to Zee. "My wife and I had to find work at the castle. She hasn't seen her family in months. This was meant to be a surprise." The riders exchange glances between each other. Bash notices their exchange and broadens his shoulders.
Zee says nothing. She simply leans in and follows Koura's lead. Their leader nods after a moment before switching a tentative stare to Nathaniel. Both Koura and Bash notice his lingering glance. It is calculating and tentative, two things we do not want when traveling.
; I manage to shuffle out from Nathaniel's broad shoulders once more. My mistake. One of the riders' heads turns to me. "Then are your siblings also visiting family?"
Nathaniel’s back stiffens from under my touch, "Does she look like my sister?" I pat his back, hoping it would help to calm him down. Bash's hand twitches towards the bag on his horse.
This isn’t good.
The rider only shrugs, unaffected by Nathaniel's tone. "I only question since he mentioned family."
"I wouldn't go making assumptions,” Nathaniel suggests, bringing a protective arm around my shoulders. “My wife and I are joining our friends on their trip.” My glance lands on Koura and his eyes narrow but only slightly. I move to stand in front of Nathaniel. Only the Elites have seen how I look now but the people still don’t know how I look. Being in the cells for years and being malnourished helped blur some of those familiar features from my family.
I hope.
The leader who has yet to give us his name stays silent. The longer he is quiet the more nervous I get. Different scenarios of how this interaction rushes through my head. I chew on my lower lip, trying to find a good way for us to survive. My nerves get the better of me and my mouth open without a thought.
"Is there anything else you need from us? We are quite tired from our long trip and you're holding up our time to rest," I say, mocking annoyance. I am not a good liar but I hope the riders are too focused on the guys to catch on.
Koura shoots me a warning glance, silently begging me to be quiet.
"Our apologies, Miss," their leader says, though his voice is telling me he was not at all sorry. "We must protect our Earth Kingdom. That includes knowing who comes in and out of it. I am sure you understand."
I eye his torn attire, "And why would the kingdom need common workers to interrogate travelers, especially far from the border?" I question back.
