“Ugh,” Zaden groaned, following her. Why was it so hard to talk to women?
When he got to the campsite, Kala was sitting on the ground facing away from him, her face hidden in her knees. He sighed and didn’t say anything as he began to skin the rabbits and set them up to cook. She didn’t budge until the smell of the rabbit meat began to waft in her nostrils.
“That smells good,” she said quietly.
“Don’t know if you’ll like the taste,” Zaden said grumpily. “But I’m trying.”
Kala sighed, secretly staring at the handsome man as he cooked the meat. His long hair was down now, and his chiseled face looked even more handsome in the golden glow of the firelight. He was pensive, giving his task his full concentration, and she realized suddenly that there was a sort of comfortable simplicity by which he lived his life. Maybe she was over thinking everything. Maybe she could trust him.
She sat down beside him when the food was finished and he handed her a skewer with the rabbit on it. She took it, examining the meat curiously. It looked nothing like the cute creatures she had seen living, which made it easier for her to stomach the idea of eating it. Her stomach rumbled loudly and Zaden chuckled.
“Sounds like you’re ready for this,” he said, nudging her playfully.
She allowed herself to smile at him. Maybe she had been too hard on him. All this time he had just been doing the only thing that he knew to do to help her. What kind of person would automatically know what to do with someone who had lost their memory? But he had saved her from men who were trying to take her, men she had a negative physical reaction to, and had simply been doing his best to take care of her, even though he was just as lost as she was.
“Go on, take a bite,” he said with a small smile playing his lips. She gazed at him for a moment, feeling embarrassed by his attention. In an effort to distract herself from her feelings, she sunk her teeth into the rabbit’s flesh and chewed, shocked by how well he had prepared it.
“This is good,” she said, eating as if she hadn’t eaten in years. In truth, it had only been a day since they had run out of rations, but that was long enough for her stomach to rumble violently.
“I know,” he said with a smirk, before he started to nibble on his own rabbit.
She was already finished by the time he made his way through a third of his, and she watched him eat, her eyes intent on the delicious rabbit flesh. She was still feeling starved, but she didn’t want to tell him that. He could tell by the way she was staring at him like a dog begging though, and smiled.
“Here,” he said, handing her the rest of his rabbit. “I feel done for the day. Don’t want to sleep on a full stomach.”
“But-“
He stood up and headed to the edge of the camp. Her eyes once again secretly roamed the defining contours of his muscular body. She felt safe enough to do it while he wasn’t looking, but she would be horrified if he suspected any of what she was thinking.
“I can’t keep watch if I’m full enough to sleep,” he said, sitting cross-legged with his back to her. He stayed poised there, his ears alert for any signs of danger. Kala sighed, looking from his silhouette to the rabbit he had left for her to eat. Being a man, she was sure he had a bigger appetite, but he had been generous enough to give her his meal. She was half tempted to join him across the campsite and give it back to him, make sure he ate it, but it felt taboo. A man and his pride shouldn’t be crossed. She had heard that somewhere.
And so she ate, her thoughts in a flurry of emotion as Zaden perched at a distance, fearless and ready to protect her at any sign of danger.
Chapter Eleven
Zaden gazed at Kala as she slept. Her cheeks finally had some color to them, he noted. The rabbit meat had done her good. It was always nice to have a good meal, and she seemed to be in higher spirits, even as she dreamed. Her gentle eyelids fluttered as she slept, and her lips curled into a smile that brought a surge of longing through his body.
He frowned. What in the world had happened to that girl? Where had she come from? If the Guardians knew who she was, that was a bad sign. But maybe he could go there to find out after he got her to safety. He could help her get her identity back.
He knew it was a dangerous move. The Guardians had weapons and technologies that the dragon clan feared more than anything. As time went on, their intelligence and malicious intent simply evolved and continued to become more and more lethal. But he would face it. And if nobody else would go with him, he would go alone.
Morning finally rolled around, and Zaden sighed to himself. He didn’t want to wake Kala up for another day of trudging through unfamiliar ground. Neither of them were any good at navigating this terrain and he didn’t want to disappoint her by being unable to get her the answers she needed as soon as possible. He would do whatever it took to get her back to the Kersh clan in one piece.
When Kala finally awoke, Zaden had breakfast ready for her once again. She seemed to notice the determined look on his face, because she looked at him inquisitively.
“We’ll get there soon,” he said simply, and her face softened. However, she said nothing and ate quietly. She wasn’t very talkative in the mornings, and chose to spare her words for when she truly needed them. It was strange to Zaden, who was used to being around the boisterous soldiers, but it was also refreshing. Still, he couldn’t help but feel that she was keeping him at a distance and wished there was some way they could get closer without having to overstep any boundaries.
They set off, and instead of trying to make empty banter this time, he remained as focused as possible. Something had changed in him during the night. He realized that he didn’t necessarily know what he was doing automatically by being a strong dragon shifter. He would have to read his environment carefully. He’d seen the sun rise and knew that he had to lead her to the east, which is what he did.
Kala, who hadn’t been expecting the grim, silent hike, fell into step beside him. He could feel her lavender eyes examining him, and wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or self-conscious. He settled for a mixture of both and pretended he didn’t see her watching him.
“Thank you,” she finally said. “For taking such good care of me.”
Zaden glanced over at her, sure she was teasing him or pulling his leg, but her eyes were serious and the ghost of a smile was on her lips. His heart hammered wildly, but he didn’t want to betray the way she made him feel. It wasn’t right. A woman like her was sure to have a husband or boyfriend in the life that happened before they had wound up together. He was sure of it. What kind of man would he be to ignore that?
“You don’t have to thank me,” he said casually. “I just know of a lot of people in your shoes. It’s not a big deal.”
It felt good to man up and stop goofing around. He felt different with a purpose. The determination and drive was exhilarating. Maybe that was the feeling that kept Clayton going, always thinking of what was best for the whole group. Putting himself last and working toward a greater purpose. He would never be Clayton, and wouldn’t choose to be, but for now he was having a good time.
“Whether I have to thank you or not, I’m grateful. Even if I don’t act like it.”
“It’s nothing.”
They continued on in a comfortable silence, until Kala spoke again.
“You remember your life, don’t you? Can you tell me about it?”
It seemed a simple request, but the thought of describing the torture of his formative years made his chest tighten painfully. He looked away from her, not sure what to do. He wanted to do whatever he could to please her, but his secrets were his own.
When he looked at her to tell her so, he was caught off-guard by the gentle nature of her lilac colored eyes and the pure beauty of her face. She didn’t look like she was capable of harming another living soul. Instead of the prying look he had expected, she seemed only to be curious to know more about him. Maybe she was beginning to trust him.
“Let’s see,” he said, sea
rching his mind for any of the lighter moments of his life. He had a ridiculous urge to protect her from the muddied despair of his past and give her only things to smile and laugh about. If her face looked wounded on his behalf, he felt it would be too much to bear. “I was more or less brought up by the leader of the Kersh clan. He taught me how to fight better than most of the sorry sacks he calls an army.”
“That’s fortunate for me, it seems,” she said with a soft laugh.
He grinned. “It seems that way.”
He had hoped this tidbit of information would be enough to sustain her, but she pressed on.
“What of your parents?” she asked, looking down at the ground. She looked sad. She couldn’t remember anything about where she had come from. Perhaps it was giving her comfort to hear somebody else’s story when she couldn’t remember her own.
He wanted to cry then. To tell her every heart-wrenching detail about the death of his parents, but instead, he pursed his lips in a pained smile. “They died when I was little.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
She seemed horrified, even though he hadn’t told her how they had been killed by the Guardians. He decided not to tell her anything about that though. She deserved to have her peace of mind.
“It’s all right. I was raised well enough.”
He was shocked when Kala laced her arm through his and laid her head against his bare shoulder. It was as if she were agreeing without vocalizing it. Her nearness brought the thudding of his heart to his ears. He had never felt so close to anybody before, and he had half a mind to tell her so. But he was embarrassed by the way he felt. She might misunderstand and think that he was trying to seduce her. Although the thought had crossed his mind more than once, after all, she was strikingly beautiful, he would rather die than make her think he was a dishonorable man. They walked that way for a while until suddenly, Zaden smelled something familiar. His eyes widened and he looked around.
“I know where we are!” he exclaimed, beaming down at her. She seemed surprised, but pleased. “It’s this way!”
He broke off into a sprint, and this time Kala kept up, laughing this time instead of scowling.
Chapter Twelve
Kala stared at the settlement, her eyes wide. She had been expecting something glamorous when Zaden described the Kersh clan. He seemed to really revere his home, and their leader Clayton. But what she found was a dingy collection of underground tunnels that were hidden by entrances made of trees and carefully fashioned turf.
“This is where you live?” she asked, trying not to let the disappointment show through in her voice.
“Yes,” he said, standing in the entrance of one of the tunnels. “Don’t worry, you get used to it.”
She sighed inwardly, not sure that this would be true for her. He turned and began walking through the dark tunnels, and she had to run to follow him lest she lose sight of him in the dark. She was nearly ready to turn on her heel and head back into the open air when something froze her in place. A smell, full, almost musical in its goodness, wafting through the tunnels. Something like what Zaden had cooked for her on her first meal but even more intoxicating.
“What’s that?” she breathed.
“What?” he asked, barely slowing down. He was eager to get her to Clayton.
“The smell!”
“Oh, that. It’s a special recipe,” he said. “It’s made on important days. I forgot the celebration was coming up. We got back just in time.”
Soon, her eyes were shocked by a bright skylight that illuminated a huge underground burrow. There was furniture in the same beautiful, shimmering colors that she had seen in the shooting star. Was it possible that this was her home? Is it where she had come from? But if so, wouldn’t Zaden have recognized her?
“Zaden!” a booming man’s voice exclaimed.
“Clayton!”
The two men exchanged a brief embrace.
“I found someone who needs our help, Clayton.”
“Oh?”
Zaden whispered something into Clayton’s ear and then led the broad man over to where Kala was standing shyly, fingering the fabric of a beautiful sofa. She hadn’t expected to find anything beautiful in the dark, earthy tunnels. Suddenly, Clayton looked at her with intense interest.
“Come my child,” he said, though she was clearly no younger than Zaden. “You have been through quite the ordeal. It is time we get you a proper meal and some rest.”
“Thank you,” she said, feeling shy despite herself. Clayton smiled kindly at her.
“Papa!” a small child said, running toward them and gripping the ends of Clayton’s majestic, flowing robes.
“Well hello, Archer,” Clayton said, beaming down at the boy. He was adorable, and gazed at her with wide eyes.
“Who’s she?”
“Ask her yourself,” Zaden said, a little curtly. Kala studied him for a moment and noticed pain in his eyes. Before she could register it, little Archer was in front of her, peering up with wide, inquisitive eyes.
“Who are you?”
“Kala,” she said, though she wished he hadn’t asked. Her first impulse had been to say that she didn’t know and it reminded her of the terrible feeling her plight had given her.
“Where are you –“
“That’s enough, Archer,” Clayton said, gripping the small boy’s shoulder.
“But –“
“Weren’t you supposed to be doing crafts with Mother for the celebration?”
The boy’s face brightened.
“Oh yeah!” he exclaimed, and ran off down one of the long, dark tunnels.
“Please forgive my son,” Clayton said. There was a small pulse of dark energy from Zaden’s direction, and this time Kala had time to let it sink in. Could he possibly be jealous of Clayton’s biological son? Her heart ached suddenly for the man, who stood with a stony face as Clayton took her by the arm and led her through a different tunnel than the one his son had disappeared into.
Chapter Thirteen
Zaden smiled as he watched Kala eat. Her eyes were wide when Clayton summoned the cooks to serve her in a private chamber, where the three of them sat in comfortable silence as the most traditional and coveted dishes in the entire clan were served. She seemed to especially love the one that she had smelled first upon entering into the Kersh clan’s labyrinths. They were Loni specialties that most people had a hard time stomaching. The mixture of flavors was overwhelming to some, but to Lonis, it was like a symphony.
It was nice to see her enjoying herself in a safe environment. And he also loved that Clayton had immediately taken a liking to her. She was a brazen and beautiful woman, just the kind of person Zaden had always imagined himself settling down with.
But those were the kinds of thoughts that would get him into trouble. There was no way he could settle down with anyone, especially a woman who didn’t even know who she was. He politely excused himself from the table and sighed as he walked to his room. He could still hear Kala laughing with Clayton.
Suddenly, the shrill voice of Clayton’s son wafted toward him and he cringed. He didn’t mean to hate the boy, but he couldn’t help but feel replaced. He wasn’t proud of his feelings, but it was something that he didn’t have any control over. It was best not to think about it too much. Still, if Clayton suspected his true feelings, he was sure that it would put an end to their relationship.
He plopped down on his bed, staring at the dark ceiling. It was Loni magic that kept the place alight, or else none of them would be able to handle the dark. Somehow, the magic had lasted for as long as they resided in the underground burrows, and having more Lonis in the mix kept the place bustling with beauty and animation. They were the true miracle workers of Kaldernon – they could make even a hole look and feel like home.
Zaden suddenly realized just how tired he was. Perhaps laying down had been a mistake. But he had been staying up to keep watch the entire time that he was trying to guide Kala home. He had spoken privately to Cl
ayton for a moment to let him know that the Guardians were after her and to tell him that she couldn’t remember anything. It implied that she had been captured and experimented on. Clayton would know what to do with her from there. Now he was finally free to sleep.
Chapter Fourteen
“Your room is this way,” Clayton’s wife Krista said. There was something that Kala had immediately loved about Krista, but she couldn’t place what it was. She seemed familiar somehow. Beautiful and kind, as if she couldn’t hide all the love in her heart and had no intention to. There was something peaceful about that.
Krista led her into a small room, furnished with a bed and an oak nightstand. There was a small shelf with some books leaning on it, and a notebook resting on a tiny table beside it.
“When you want to sleep, you can just clap your hands and the lights will dim. We don’t want them to go out though, or the room will seem too dark. We are underground, and it can take some time to get used to.”
“Thank you,” Kala said, sitting slowly on the edge of the bed.
“I’ll bring you some night clothes,” Krista said with a gentle smile as if reading her mind. “I know it’s all a bit disorienting at first. When I came here the first time it was very difficult to adjust. But don’t worry, you’ll feel at home before you know it.”
Krista left briefly and returned with a soft lilac colored nightgown.
“That should bring out your eyes,” she said with a wink before disappearing into the darkness of the labyrinth. The curtain covering the doorway swished behind her, and Kala slowly changed. The room was uncomfortably small, but it would do until she was able to find out more about where she had come from.
It didn’t take long before she fell into a fitful sleep. She had expected to sleep soundly after having such a wonderful meal, but instead, she was haunted by voices of people she knew but she couldn’t remember and the terrifying images of creatures that seemed impossible. More impossible even than the floppy eared rabbit that Zaden had caught for them to eat.
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