Heartbreaker

by V. Romas Burton

  “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful before,” Damien said, staring at the sunset. Like me, he seemed to be trying not to blink, but soon his eyes watered, and he shut them for a few seconds.

  “Got something in my eye,” he said gruffly before turning away. He quickly stalked to the shoreline and began collecting pieces of driftwood.

  I laughed before Silas came next to me, taking my hand in his own and giving it a kiss. I loved my small hand in his. Leaning into his chest, I relished his strength. I was protected, safe.

  “I’ve missed your laugh," he said with a crooked grin.

  I ruffled his hair with my hand. "I like your smile."

  “Oh, will you two quit it!” Claire called from behind us. She and James had joined Damien in gathering pieces of grass and driftwood that had washed ashore. “I’m going to vomit if I have to hear any more.”

  Silas planted a kiss on my cheek, and Claire pretended to throw up.

  “Speaking of vomiting,” he said, “we need to find something to eat before getting some rest.”

  As if an answer to our prayers, two men carrying a canoe and a fishing net appeared in the distance. Besides their skin, which had been bronzed by the sun, they could have been Silas’s twins. Both had shaggy golden hair with chestnut brown eyes. But it wasn't just that. Their long, steady strides—and the way they favored their left sides when they stood—were just like Silas's.

  The men dropped the canoe near the water and strode up the beach toward us. The one on the left raised an arm and waved excitedly at us with a welcoming grin. Though not as crooked, his grin definitely resembled Silas’s.

  “Hello!” he called cheerily. The other man’s stance stiffened as he leaned over and grumbled something, causing the first to shrug and wave again. “Welcome!” he said when they reached us.

  “Oh, please don’t,” Claire said, shuddering. “I don’t want to hear another ‘welcome’ ever again.”

  The young man scratched his chin, confused, before turning back to us. He was a few years younger than his counterpart and stood a couple of inches shorter. “We saw you come out of the grasses and thought you looked like you needed assistance.”

  “Clearly, they don’t,” the other said, pointing to the fire that James and Damien had just finished. “Come on, Brand. We can’t miss another order.”

  As the grumpy one reached out for his friend’s arm, the cheerful one, Brand, swerved out of the way, escaping his grasp.

  “So,” Brand said, flipping his shaggy strands out of his eyes before leaning toward Claire. “Where are you guys from?” He then surveyed her thick red sweater and black pants. “Obviously, not from around here.”

  I wriggled my toes, realizing we were all still dressed in what we wore in Barracks. Thick pants with sweaters were the everyday outfit in our cold wasteland of a home. But this place was different. It wasn't cold and bitter, but warm and comforting.

  The two men wore nothing but dark cut-off pants, exposing more leg than I’d ever seen and flowing cream shirts.

  Instead of answering his question, I asked my own. “Where are we?”

  “You don’t know where you are?” the grumpy one asked skeptically.

  “We’re on our way to visit family.” Silas glided closer, wrapping an arm around my waist. “We just want to make sure we’re heading in the right direction.”

  “Hmm,” the grumpy one narrowed his gaze at Silas with suspicion. Silas lifted his chin and glared back in challenge.

  Was I the only one who saw the resemblance between them?

  After a few testosterone-filled moments, the grumpy one broke his gaze and turned toward the ocean. “You’re in Ratcha, home of all things nautical.”

  “We’ve been traveling for quite some time,” Silas said, not missing a beat. “I’d be willing to help you fish if you agree to allow us some of the catch.” He gestured to the canoe and net at the shore.

  The grumpy one started to protest, but Brand cut him off, pushing more hair out of his eyes as he extended his hand to Claire. “We can always use more hands. Especially yours.”

  Claire snorted. “I don’t fish.”

  Brand took a step closer, giving her a dashing grin. “You don’t have to fish. I’d just enjoy your company.”

  Claire gave Brand a once over before a mischievous glint twinkled in her eyes. “Little boy, you’re not my type.”

  Brand beamed in challenge as the grumpy one scoffed and took off down the beach toward the canoe.

  “Don’t worry about Gaius,” Brand said, waving behind him nonchalantly, keeping his attention on Claire. “He’s always opposed to anything new. He’s been a stick-in-the-mud ever since we were kids.” He wriggled his brows at Claire. “Unlike me. I’m always fun.”

  Claire rolled her eyes before joining James.

  “So, he’s your brother?” I asked.

  Brand nodded with a sigh. “Sadly, yes. We’ve always been so different, so I don’t know how we're related.” Shrugging, he motioned to Silas. “All right, you want to eat, you have to work.” Brand cupped his hands around his mouth. “I’ll be back soon, my lady!”

  “I don’t care!” Claire shouted back.

  I gave Silas’s hand a squeeze of thanks before he headed off with Brand, looking like the perfect piece to an incomplete puzzle.

  “I’m going, too,” Damien announced, stalking after the blond trio.

  Silas whipped around, clearly annoyed. I lifted a shoulder, then waved. Damien had proven himself useful more than once during our journey. I’m sure he would do so again. And it would be nice for him and Silas to try to get along. I just hoped Brand and Gaius had another canoe.

  I joined Claire and James by the fire, where we swapped stories of adventures, failures, and successes until the rumbling of laughter echoed in the distance. Four figures strode confidently against the horizon, two of them holding huge bundles of fish. As they trekked closer, the fire's light reflected off three golden heads and Damien’s dark locks. The group marched toward us with giant grins.

  “Did everything go okay?” I asked, glancing at their exhausted faces.

  “We haven’t had a catch like that in ages!” Brand said, plopping down by the fire next to Claire. He ran a hand through his shaggy mane, then shook it out, spraying water everywhere.

  “Ugh,” Claire said, scooting away as she covered her nose. “You reek of fish.”

  “You don’t like it?” he replied, sticking out his bottom lip in a pout.

  Claire grabbed a nearby stick and whacked Brand in the head before relocating to the opposite side of the fire.

  “Brand,” Gaius chastised as he carefully sat next to his brother, smoothing the wrinkles from his pants. “Try to be somewhat civilized.”

  Ignoring Gaius, Brand rubbed his head before pointing at Damien. “And you! No offense, but just looking at you, I thought you were nothing but a pretty boy who had never worked a day in his life. You sure proved me wrong!”

  Damien reached for a knife on his belt, passing it between his hands as he nervously chuckled.

  Silas was the last to sit, unloading another sack on the ground as he dropped next to me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me in for a quick hug. My stomach jumped as I breathed in the salty scent of the ocean.

  “You’ve got yourself a fine fisherman there,” Gaius said, nodding toward Silas. “I’ve not seen a man work harder than him in a long time.”

  “Hey!” Brand said, throwing a small piece of driftwood at his brother. “I work hard!”

  Gaius dodged the stick. “Napping in the canoe while I haul fish is not working hard.”

  Silas laughed, bringing warmth to my heart. I couldn’t help but give him a kiss.

  Claire groaned and started reaching for the sack. “Are we going to just sit around and talk, or are we going to eat?”

  “I like a woman who knows what she wants,” Brand said.

  “Good. I don’t want you. Leave me alone,” Claire replied, stabb
ing a fish onto her stick.

  In a few moments, we skewered several fish and cooked over the flames before we feasted. The roasted fish melted in my mouth. Besides the few items Eman and James had packed and what Damien had foraged along the way, we had barely eaten anything since our journey began. Within an hour, we had made up for lost time.

  After we stuffed ourselves, Gaius neatly wiped his lips with a cloth and asked, “So, where did you two learn how to fish?”

  Silas motioned to Damien, offering for him to share first, but Damien ignored Silas and continued to filet his fish with a thin knife.

  Rubbing the back of his neck, Silas answered, “I’m not really sure. I’ve always loved the water, but there was never any where I grew up. I guess I was just figuring it out as I went along.”

  Brand belched before letting out a laugh of disbelief. “Are you serious? You could’ve fooled me.”

  “Brand,” Gaius scolded. “What about you?” he asked Damien.

  Glancing up, Damien gripped his knife. “My father wasn’t around while I was growing up. He always sent me away to different places, so he could spend more time with his wives.” His lips curled deviously. “I also wasn’t the most obedient child. But one time, he sent me to an old fisherman, probably somewhere around here.” He waved the knife, gesturing to the beach around us. “I hated it and him. It was hot, and he smelled like rotting fish. But every day, he tried to convince me of the wonders of fishing until I reluctantly agreed. After I did it one time, I couldn’t get enough.”

  “Really?” Claire asked. “You don’t seem the fishy type.”

  Damien snorted but couldn’t cover his grin.

  All this time, we thought he had been spoiled and condescending, growing up with luxuries none of us had.

  Yet Damien’s story weighed on me. His parents didn’t want him. Although my parents died when I was young, at least I had Nana, and now a wonderful grandfather who protected and kept me safe. Maybe Damien’s arrogance and snide comments were just a front. Maybe he wasn’t as rude as he made himself out to be. But then again, there was his harem of women. I wasn’t sure what to think of that now.

  “So, none of you know what’s going on in Ratcha?” Brand asked, his gaze bouncing between us. At our silence, Brand’s face filled with grief.

  Gaius gripped his knees with his slender fingers, blowing out a heavy breath.

  “What is it?” Silas asked, leaning forward.

  The brothers shared a look. “That’s why we fish. We have to supply food for the champions of Obesque and Ratcha. We’re trying to prevent a war.”

  Chapter 27

  Claire spat out the piece of fish she was chewing on. “A war? With who?”

  Brand fidgeted with his pants, seeking Gauis’s guidance. The elder brother rubbed his temples. My chewing came to a stop as I studied their exchange, anticipating an answer. Divad had said that some of the other Lands had been engaged in a long period of battle. Is this what he meant?

  Finally, Gaius took a stick and drew in the sand.

  “As you all probably know, there are twelve Lands in Decim.” He drew semi-circles in the sand, symbolizing waves. “This is Ratcha.” He tapped the stick on his drawing before poking deep holes in the sand next to Ratcha. “And this is our lovely neighbor to the north, Obesque.” His voice dripped with sarcasm as he threw the stick into the fire when he completed his picture.

  Silas cupped his hands over his mouth as he focused on Gaius, completely absorbed.

  “Have Obesque and Ratcha always been enemies?” I asked, placing my cleaned fish bones aside.

  Gaius frowned. “Not always. But I can’t remember the last time we’ve had a pleasant encounter with an Obesquean.”

  Brand groaned, gathering his wet strands into a ponytail before tying them with a strip of leather. “This ‘combat of champions’ has been going on for ages. It’s been, what, seven, eight years? Most of my life, I’ve been hauling fish so those brutes can eat.” He pointed to his ponytail. “Do you like this look better? I can shave it all off, too.”

  “I don’t like blonds,” Claire retorted before turning to Silas. “No offense.”

  “None taken,” Silas replied then turned to Gaius. “Now, you fish for Ratcha for the champions? Why?”

  “We don’t have a choice, and it’s better than being sent into Perda Forum,” Gaius muttered.

  “What did you say?” I asked, the name tickling the back of my mind.

  “Perda Forum,” Gaius repeated with a raised brow. “The Market of Thieves? That’s where the combat of champions has always been held.”

  “Please forgive our questions,” James said with a gentle smile. “But we only just found out your two Lands were not at peace.”

  “Of course,” Gaius replied. “The competition between Ratcha and Obesque is unlike any other battle. While there are still soldiers, things are settled in a different way.”

  “What do you mean?” Silas asked.

  Brand glanced at Gaius, grabbed the partially filled sacks, and stood. “We’ll take you there.” Silas quickly joined them.

  “What?” Claire and I gasped simultaneously as if the same thought passed through our minds.

  “I haven’t made it all this way to be killed by some greedy thieves,” Claire said.

  “Agreed,” I added. I didn’t want to go waltzing through the Market of Thieves in the middle of the night.

  Silas subtly sunk back down onto the sand, trying to hide his excitement.

  “No need to worry, my lady. I’ll protect you.” Brand puffed out his chest.

  Claire poked him in the ribs, and Brand deflated.

  “Brand, they've been traveling all day and are probably tired,” Gaius said, placing a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “We'll come back for you in the morning. Then all your questions will be answered.”

  “I’d be happy to stay the night and lead you there first thing.” Brand started toward Claire before James blocked him.

  “I think we’ll be okay for tonight, son. Thank you for the offer.”

  Before Brand could muster a reply, Gaius yanked Brand’s shirt collar and dragged him back to their canoe. We watched silently as they waved before picking up the canoe and disappearing into the night.

  Claire wiped her forehead. “Well, he was annoying. Thanks, Grandpa.” She then flopped down next to Damien, giving his arm a playful punch. “So, who knew you were a fisherman at heart?”

  “I suppose so,” he replied, trying to sound annoyed, but instead, he sounded tired.

  “I have a question,” Silas said quietly, his head bowed.

  Everyone turned. The stillness of Silas’s body made me nervous.

  Slowly lifting his head, Silas’s eyes became slits as they focused on Damien. “What happened to all the girls?”

  “What girls?” James asked, turning to me for an explanation.

  Silas’s shoulders tensed. “The girls’ hearts you took.”

  Nausea rolled in my stomach. How many women did he have now? Five, six? Silas and I would always bet on who would trade their heart to be in Lord Farmount’s harem each year at Heart Reign. But that game ended when I had received an invitation from the lord. Though he couldn't emote then, Silas made it clear he wasn't happy about the invite.

  I gave Silas a wary look.

  “You’re still doing that?” Claire gasped. “Like your dad?”

  Damien stiffened at the question. “I’m nothing like my father,” he growled as he slowly stood, not taking his focus off Silas. “You would like to know that, wouldn’t you, hero?”

  Silas met his challenge, and the fish soured in my stomach. This wasn’t going to end well.

  Damien’s hands were at his sides, but his arms tensed, ready to grab his knives. Silas was the same, his fingers twitching above the hilt of his blade.

  "Silas," I said cautiously.

  "Stay out of this, Addie," he snapped.

  I jerked back before a thick charcoal cloud replaced Silas’
s beautiful eyes, reminding me of the siti in Ophidian's Realm.

  With the skill of a warrior, Silas unsheathed his sword and lunged at Damien. Quicker than light speed, the lord grasped two knives and flung them at Silas. Silas batted the blades away as if they were nothing but bugs on a summer day. In a blink, Damien threw two more. This time the knives pierced Silas’s right shoulder. A rumbling roar rolled from Silas’s throat as he launched at Damien.

  Claire scrambled out of the way, retreating to where James and I were.

  "What's the matter with you, Silas?" she screamed.

  Silas growled and lunged again, aiming his blade at Damien, this time hitting his mark. Damien gasped as bright-red blood dripped from his side onto the fire-lit sand below.

  Panicking, I yanked Damien out of the way. Claire ran to him with her satchel and started working on the wound.

  I held out my hands, using myself as a shield to protect them. "Silas, stop, it's me. It’s Addie."

  My chest tightened with each breath as his black eyes stared back at me. Sweat trickled from my brow. "Whatever is going on, you need to fight it. This isn't you."

  Are you sure? This may be who the real Silas is.

  Silas's chest heaved before he shoved me out of the way. My boots tangled in the thick sand before I stumbled to the ground.

  "Addie!" James yelled as I landed inches from the burning fire.

  The clang of metal rang through the once peaceful night. James had intercepted Silas's attack.

  Sitting up with a groan, I shook my head before my gaze darted to James. Though he was older, I finally saw James’s experience. With each attack Silas made, James blocked it and returned with his own attack without once harming Silas.

  And Silas. Though I had seen him fight off siti before, I had never seen him against another skilled opponent. It had been years since he'd fought with a sword. But the way he parried and jabbed was incredible. It was like a dance he had unknowingly memorized the steps to.