Dark Oceans (Ocean Series Book 1)

by Rhonda Nelson

  "Footsteps," Luke replied. "Eyes watching us..."

  Kelsie swept her eyes around her. She couldn't see anybody...wait...was that a shadow of someone? "We need to speed up," she said. She lashed the reins, pushing the horse to its limits. Faster, faster...Kelsie could sense someone or something following them.

  "Hurry up," she muttered to the horse. Whoosh. The horse collapsed underneath them. They all went flying over the top of the horse. Luke was screaming his heart to pieces. Kelsie skidded into the path; her clothes scraped up and ripped on the stony path. Her head pounded she tried to stay conscious. Luke landed suddenly on top of her, knocking the air out of her. Heavy footsteps surrounded them. They were inside a circle of bandits.

  "No. Sudden. Movements," Kelsie commanded. Slowly she stood up, facing the dark eyed bandits. She saw her horse lying wounded on the ground with an arrow sticking in its right thigh. Anger built up in her chest. They were outnumbered; she could count a dozen bandits all grinning cruelly around her. She sniffed the air. Humans. Eww...they smelt disgusting.

  "Put down your weapons," the leader ordered. His stubbly face grinned at her in a disturbing perverted way. Kelsie put her hand on the hilt of her sword. Every single bandit pointed their weapons at her throat. Luke clung to her leg in terror.

  "You really have no idea who you're messing with," Kelsie gave them her best sinister smile. Two of the thieves stared back at her with a dreamy smile, their eyes full of lust. She smiled hypnotically back at them. Drool trickled out the corner of their mouths. She really didn't like humans. The leader pointed his sword directly at her heart.

  "It does not matter who you are, only what you are worth. Although I bet you could sell for a good amount." Creep. Quick as a viper, she stepped back and drew her sword, charging headfirst at the leader. He blocked her strike, though his arm wavered under the pressure. The rest of the bandits started closing in on her and Luke. Bang.

  "Kelsie! I actually managed to use magic!"

  "Awesome! Keep going," she yelled, whilst she slashed repeatedly at the bandit leader. She sensed another one coming up behind her, without thinking she kicked backwards and landed her foot in a soft spot. She heard a scream and was satisfied. This group of puny humans were no match for her. Disarming the leader, she stabbed him right in the gut, twisted the sword and dragged it out. He was shrieking in pain; blood was pouring out his mouth and belly. He collapsed to the ground, writing on the rough stones. Bang! A burst of light erupted from behind her, sending her flying backwards into a tree, along with several bandits.

  "Luke!"

  "Sorry!" he called back as he continuously blasted the robbers into tree trunks, denting the fine wood. Five of the bandits lay unconscious or dead on the woodland floor; there were nasty bruise on their heads. Kelsie stood up and blocked a strike from an oncoming bandit; she attacked him relentlessly, hardly even tiring from the effort. Finally, he gave in and tumbled to the ground, covered in cuts and bruises. If Alyssa were here, she'd probably faint from all the blood – although on the other hand, she did survive watching both of the first Millay challenges... An arrow was flying towards her, she ducked just in time. Sending a beam of energy towards the archer, he fell to the ground screaming in agony. Ahh...sweet music to her ears... Luke suddenly yelled in panic.

  Kelsie turned her head in his direction. Time seemed to move in slow motion. A bandit stood far back on a group of rocks; his hand was positioned as if he had just thrown something. A silver dagger was flying straight at Luke's heart...NO! She couldn't think, only act... She raced towards Luke, tumbling on top of him. He collapsed under her weight, falling heavily to the ground. Pain erupted in her lower back. Her vision was blurry, a pounding started in her ears. She couldn't hear anything but her silent screams of pain. Her back felt like it was on fire, she really hated humans... She heard a muffled bang...Luke, where was he? She couldn't see anything but black now. Her head hurt too much...she couldn't see anything... But she saved Luke, didn't she? At least that was something.

  She woke up lying on her stomach, surrounded by a flickering fire light. Blearily, she looked around the night covered forest. Fireflies shimmered between the heavily shadowed trees; a small neat fire was burning next to her. A familiar looking goblin was sitting next to her...was he crying? "Kelsie! You're alive!" he cried into her, hugging her body.

  "Elves can't die, silly," she said light heartedly, but she too felt a tear prick at her eye at his vulnerability. She didn't care if he was getting black snot on her shirt, or tear droplets running down her leggings. It was worth it.

  "I – I thought y-you were d-dead," he stammered, his red eyes looked at her with emotion. "You were s-so still for so l-long." Kelsie hugged him back, letting him finish crying. "You saved me..." he said with wonder.

  "It's what friends do, don't they?" Kelsie told him. "Get some sleep, I'll be alright." Luke gave her a drowsy smile and curled up on a small rug by the fire. His chest rose and fell evenly, a peaceful expression on his face.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Alyssa sat on the soft green grass, a sketch book resting on her lap, in her left hand was a lump of charcoal. The new morning sun lit up the distant skyline. She was sitting in the same place Ben had taken her two nights ago; the landscape had stolen a place in her heart. Her black and white drawing was just as beautiful as the real-life scene, it was perfect. Just like the memory of last night. She remembered sitting on the side of the cliff with Ben, taking in the stunning view...but the memory stopped there. Though she didn't care, it was enough to make her smile. The sweet salty scent of the ocean filled her nostrils. She scrunched her eyebrows in confusion, the sea was nowhere near Mylvehil, and it was at least a few days horse ride. Alltalos was near there. Alyssa admired the King of Alltalos for building his empire there, since it is a dangerous place to live. Mermaids could easily come from their hiding places and attack the nearest villages; the elves that lived there would have no chance.

  "You like drawing?" Alyssa looked backwards. Ben leant against a tree just behind her, as if he had just taken a stroll through the tall pine woods. He looked freakishly handsome like usual, just like Alyssa memories...

  "Yeah...it's so beautiful here, I had to draw it," she said smiling at him.

  "Um...ok, how do you feel? Are you...feeling...uh...ok?" Ben sat down next to her.

  "I'm fine, though I don't know why everyone is asking me this today..." she shrugged and stared deeply into his green eyes. He had a gentle aura of green emanating from his body.

  Ben laughed; it made her smile. "It doesn't matter. Follow me, I can show you real stuff to draw." Without hesitation, Alyssa jumped up and followed him into the forest. She had no clue as to where he was taking her; she just wanted to be with him right now. He took her hand and led her through a maze of rocks and swaying trees, she felt so peaceful being led by him...like finally she had found the home she was searching for.

  They ran down a staircase of crafted rocks and down to an enclosed part of the forest. A singing stream hummed as they walked past. Alyssa looked around in marvel at the remote deserted rocky stream. Walls of rock stood either side of her, the light of the sun splitting through the gap at the top. The birds chirped all around her, blending in perfect harmony to the rush of the water. Ben helped her over the steppingstones and onto the other side of the stream. Every time his skin touched hers, she felt warmth stirring in her chest.

  "Over there," he pointed slightly upwards to a glittering waterfall in the distance. Alyssa's eyes lit up. What a painting she could make from the sparkling colours of the water, all those different textures she could paint...

  "It's perfect," she breathed. "Race you there!" She sprinted over the rocks; her sketchbook placed securely under her right arm. She could hear Ben running after her, slowly catching her. She was laughing, suddenly, she felt free. Completely free, this was who she was and who she should be. Alyssa now knew she didn't belong in a cold gloomy castle, belonging to her husband. Women are equal to men,
and she was going to show the world that she didn't have to listen to anyone else; no one could tell her what to do, what to think, how to behave.

  Ben overtook her easily; she laughed anyway and ran faster trying to beat him. She suddenly slipped on a moss-covered rock and slammed into the ground. Her back flared with pain; her breath had entirely left her. Ben stopped running and turned back around. She could hear his footsteps getting closer and closer. "Giving up already?" he smirked, picking her up in his arms.

  She didn't object. "Too...slippery...you're really strong..." she managed to say between her breaths. She looked up at Ben's ethereal features, taking in his strong jaw and straight nose. It wasn't fair that his skin was so perfect...there was not one single flaw on his face. To everyone else he looked handsome and abnormally attractive...but to her...he looked alien. No elf should look this handsome...it was true that the elfish race was more elegant and good looking than humans, but Ben was different. Almost like...almost like... he was a...

  "Shall I leave you to draw?" Ben asked politely, setting her down by a rock next to the waterfall.

  "No... Stay, I like to have company...sometimes," Alyssa flipped open her sketch pad. Her charcoal flew over the white paper, filling it with a rough picture of the waterfall. When she got back home to the castle, she was going to paint a picture that would be remembered for an eternity.

  "Have you ever tried drawing people before?"

  Alyssa nodded, remembering sneaking around the palace when she was younger and drawing the random guards around the battlements. "Although, no one ever seems to want to be drawn. I can't find anyone who has the time to sit patiently for an hour whilst I paint them..." she silently hinted at him under her words. He didn't seem to realize. "I'm talking about you, seaweed brain," she giggled. "Please, please, please can I draw you? I've always wanted to do portraiture properly for someone."

  Ben hesitated. "Maybe..."

  "Thanks so, so, so, so much!" Alyssa said excitedly, a joyous smile was etched upon her face.

  "Does this mean I have to sit still for over an hour?" Ben complained. He stuck his bottom lip out. He looked so adorable...

  "Yes! Is that a problem?"

  "Uh – no..."

  "Perfect," Alyssa smiled. Her mind started envisioning Ben's flawless features drawn onto a clean white canvas. It would truly be perfect.

  "Is your back ok?" Kelsie rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but smile at the goblin's persistence.

  "I'm fine; you can stop saying that now."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes." Luke still looked down guiltily as they walked to the end of the forest. Kelsie's bag of supplies was slung over her back; her bag of money was still safely strapped to her waist, along with her sword and jewel encrusted dagger. She pushed open a gate as they strolled out of the woods, it creaked eerily with rust.

  In the distance, she saw a small little town in the middle of the moorland, smoke was rising from chimneys and she could see carts driving and leaving the entrance. "We will have to stop there for supplies and another horse," she said, leading them down a small trail through the long cricket infested grass.

  "Poor horse," Luke muttered sadly.

  "Poor horse," Kelsie agreed. She squeezed his hand comfortingly, making him look up at her and beam.

  "You know, if we don't find a cure at Alltalos, I'll still always be here for you. I promise."

  Luke sniffed; his eyes opened wide at her. "Promises," he murmured. "So many promises...you don't have to keep any promises for me. We haven't even known each other long."

  Kelsie gripped his hand tighter. "It doesn't matter about that. You're my friend and friends don't break promises." The walked on through the grassy sloping hill in a comfortable silence, towards the petite serene village. Luke gazed in wonder as a multicolored butterfly flew fluttering across their path, he tried to reach out and grab it.

  "You are so childlike," Kelsie said, though she was smiling.

  "But I love butterflies!" Luke told her seriously.

  "Do you think they'll have peppermint tea in the shops in the village?" Weird question...

  "Probably, you never know – they might even have spinach tea," Kelsie said optimistically. Luke's face split into a grin.

  He clapped his hands together excitedly. "I love spinach! Although artichokes are very nice as well... My mother would grow them in our garden – along with cabbages and Brussel sprouts!"

  Kelsie wrinkled her nose. "You like Brussel sprouts? – Eww."

  Luke looked at her like she was insane. "I love them! How can you not like them? I made Brussel sprout soup for Leo once, it reminded me of home..." his eyes suddenly went distant.

  "We'll get you back," Kelsie said encouragingly, although part of her felt a slight pang at the thought of never seeing him again. "You can go back to your proper family."

  Luke was silent for a moment. "Will you visit me? Your part of my family now; I've only ever had my mother to live with. My father left me when I was born, he never visited us once," there was a strange bitter edge to his voice. For a moment Kelsie saw a different side to him. His darker broken side, crueler and filled with hatred.

  She took his hand again, wanting to bring back his old side. "Don't hold it against him. He made his own foolish decisions, I'm sure one day he'll realize what he put you through." Luke nodded, his better side returning to existence.

  "We're here now," Kelsie said. "Shall we go and find you some peppermint tea, then?" A bright spark lit up his red irises.

  "Yes!" he started running towards the entrance.

  "Luke!" she yelled, sprinting after him. He stopped suddenly, almost making Kelsie crash into him.

  She pulled off her cloak. "You forgot this," she said, wrapping it his shoulders and pulling up the hood.

  "It's too big; I can't wait until I'm actually an elf. I hate being so small," he grumbled, treading over the dirt road and into the village. A flood of noise drowned Kelsie's ears; people all down the streets were advertising their wares and sale prices. She could hear talking everywhere, people meeting each other the streets and chatting to each other happily, a busker played on a banjo next to a small café. "Let's go there! Please, please, please?"

  "Sure, but let's not spend too long," Kelsie said, wanting to get to Alltalos as soon as possible. "Peppermint tea all the way!" Kelsie suppressed a groan. She really hated the smell of peppermint.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Alyssa shot her eyes open. Her head suddenly felt clearer, sharper as if she had just plunged out of an ice riddled bath. She sat up in her four-poster bed, rifling through her memories of yesterday. She froze. What had she been thinking? She had openly giggled in front of that super attra – annoying boy that she hardly even knew. Wait...she had asked to draw him. Alyssa fell back onto her pillows, groaning. That could not have happened. Why on earth would she behave like that? She remembered Kelsie storming out of her bedroom because she was yelling that she was different. Kelsie. No! She'd disappeared off to Alltalos with a – a goblin. No, she was not in her right mind yesterday. How could she have let a goblin in her chambers? Disgusting little...Uhhh...what had happened to her? Maybe she had just been happy about something, but she couldn't think what.

  Rolling out of bed, she changed into a casual dress. She tied her hair up into a cascade of curls, just like her father had told her to do every day. Apparently, it wasn't right for princesses to wear their hair loose. She opened her chamber door, the sunlight spilled onto her warming her gently. The citadel clock chimed ten times. Yep, she was late for breakfast. She would have to eat quickly, or she would be late for the Millay which started at eleven. As she ran down the stairs, she thought of Kelsie. What she didn't understand about her was the hostility in her eyes whenever she saw her. Alyssa had no idea what she had done wrong or what gave Kelsie a change of heart. And just how did she manage to find a goblin? Alyssa paled at the memory of it. Red eyes, small ugly pinched up face. Snot dribbling down his face. Eww... She
entered the large banquet hall; her father sat at the head of the table, next to him was the King of Alltalos and beside him sat Tristan.

  Alyssa froze again when another memory slammed back into her. Something was incredibly wrong with her yesterday. She remembered having a normal conversation with Tristan...how? Just how? He was a stuck-up jerk and there was no way she could ever had spoken to him – and smiled at him.

  "Alyssa, so pleased you could finally join us," her father said and then started talking to the King again, as if she weren't important. Without responding, she sat silently down at her place at the table. Prince Tristan leaned over, his warm breath hitting her in the face. It smelt suspiciously like fish.

  "Thanks for the chocolate," though he didn't sound very grateful.

  "I'm glad you liked it," Alyssa replied in the same tone. There was a short silence as she reached out and grabbed a piece of bread from the middle of the table. She could feel Tristan's piercing gaze upon her.

  "You hung out with that peasant yesterday, didn't you?" Tristan said, breaking the stillness. His words were harsh and cold.

  Alyssa pretended not to know what he was talking about. "What peasant?"

  Tristan snorted, that could put Kelsie to shame. "You know who I mean. Benjamin. I'm telling you, he's not to be trusted."

  "Yeah, well I didn't ask for your opinion," Alyssa snapped at him.

  Tristan laughed coldly. "He's dangerous, Alyssa. Admit it; you hardly even know who he is. Yet you act like your best friends."

  "It doesn't matter who he is," Alyssa defended, although she didn't know why she was even bothering.

  "Hold on that thought," Tristan whispered menacingly. His eyes flickered in the light and a cool shiver crept down her spine. Hold on that thought.

  "I hate horses, I hate horses," Luke chanted, his teeth chattering as their new horse ran faster and faster. "I love peppermint, l love peppermint." He started opening his jar, which was full of peppermint tea bags.