by Eliza Tilton
Before I could register it, I was only fifty feet from him, a trail of carnage at my back. I had been so focused on this man that I fought through a line of warriors without ever stopping. My cloak whipped with the strong wind. I was before him, blocking out the ray of light he tried to become. I removed my helmet, letting the strands of my hair carry with the smoke.
This would be a fight I would enjoy.
A circle of men made its way around us. All nearby battle seized as everyone drew close. This was a contest between leaders. The winner of this fight would claim Daath as their own. Taunts and words of praise echoed from the mouths of men, smirks and sneers on the face of the Reptilians. Some shifted into their true form, just to instill fear among the humans. This was going to be a fight talked about for years to come.
A strong gust of wind blew a cloud of smoke between us. I gripped my sword in anticipation. Jericho burst out of the gray fog, charging and yelling as loudly as he could. Each swing offensive but also defensive. He swung in and out, moving like the wind. Finally, a challenge!
His blade whistled as it zipped through the air. I countered the blow with a parry, but he was no novice; he was there waiting for my riposte.
Calculated in every move, his defense was immaculate. Our blades moved in a blow of sparks and fury. Neither one of us gave ground. Spinning in a deadly dance, we encircled each other, stabbing and slicing only to block and counter. This was truly a test of endurance, and one he could not hope to win. I smiled.
“You shouldn’t laugh when you’re about to die,” he panted through gritted teeth.
“You used to be part of my guard, and I don’t recall you being this well trained.” I stretched my arms, rolling my shoulders.
“I’ve been training just to kill you.”
I laughed. “It’s not I who will die this day.”
He pressed harder, pushing me toward the edge of the circle near his men. Clever. Cunning as well as formidable. What had changed this past year? Was I that much of a motivator?
A swoosh sounded from behind me. Quickly, I spun and lopped off the man’s head. “Cheap tricks? And here I thought you had more honor!”
“You will die, and I’ll mount your head at the gates of Daath so everyone knows we are free!”
I smiled again. “Show me your conviction, and let’s see if you survive.”
His next routine was different, high then low, his blade zigzagging as it rolled over him and around his form. I blocked the first two strikes, but he drove my blades high and scored a hit on my hip. A cut that bit, and the pain sent me into a murderous focus.
Again, he came in, this time with wide arching strikes. He feigned a strike and I foolishly fell for it. A quick stab to my bicep reminded me that Jericho was not the warrior I once knew. He had morphed into a masterful swordsman. Did his hate for me give him the focus he needed or did he fight for Daath to truly be free?
“I shall hew you down, piece by piece,” he snarled.
I offered him no reply. This was his ploy. He knew my pride would blind me. It was time to change this fight. I was the hunter. I was the more skilled. I would win.
Up and down his blade swept in at me. I left an opening and he took it. Rolling past him, I ended up by the man who had tried to backstab me, his sword lying near him, baiting me to take it up, and I did. Jericho pressed forward, raining blow after vicious blow. I parried and twisted my blade so our hilts locked. With the other weapon, I scored my own hit on his thigh. Blood coated my sword as he grunted and twisted out of the lock.
I smirked and crossed my blades in front of his face, glaring at him.
Someone shouted to Jericho and threw him a second sword.
Dual wielding was more natural to me, but my jagged swords were safe in my chambers back in Mirth—a slight oversight on my part.
My speed increased while his slowed. Strike after strike I pushed him around the circle. My fury increased with each hit. He countered and found a way into my gut, not deep, but enough to slow my movements. I fought past the pain and drove my sword tip through his shoulder. He screamed in agony and dropped one of the blades. The arm was of no use now, yet he showed no signs of yielding in his determined glare.
I dropped the weapon in my off hand. Not only did I want to beat Jericho, I wanted there to be no question from our audience on who was the better fighter.
“Where has your bravado gone, little warrior?” I quipped.
“Argh,” he screamed in defiance, but it was too late.
I sidestepped his strike, and slipped my blade under his guard, straight into his chest.
His eyes widened as if the realization of his death was not foreseen.
“Prince Lucino.” One of my guards ran up the hill. “I’ve received word that the party who left here is heading for the temple.”
“Finish this. I’ll go on ahead.”
Jericho dropped to his knees, holding his chest, his life force slipping away, faster and faster.
“It’s a shame I’ll have to tell Jeslyn you’re dead. She was fond of you.” I kicked his chest, sending him backward where he took his last breath.
Chapter Forty-One
Jeslyn
“Ugh! I can’t sit here anymore.” I threw the shawl off my shoulders and stood. How could I sit, fiddling by the water, waiting for news that my brother was dead, or that Lucino had been killed?
“And go where?” Gwen sat near the garden pool splashing her feet in the water.
“Lucino said Derrick is here. I need to find out why. If Derrick knows Avikar’s in Daath, he can keep him out of the fight.”
“Lucino said not to leave.”
“Lucino is busy killing my friends.” Those words tore at my heart. I prayed somehow Jericho and Lucino would never meet on the battlefield, and that Avikar stayed away from it all.
Gwen swung her legs onto the cobbled stone and shook off the water. “Do you even know where Derrick is?”
“No, but I know someone who does.”
I found Willis tending to the kitchen staff over the night’s meal. Dinner? How could he be planning dinner at a time like this?
“Willis,” I said. “May I have a moment?”
He scrunched his nose at me, then walked into the foyer.
Gwen and I followed.
“I have many preparations for tonight,” he grumbled.
“Preparations for what?”
“The victory feast. Prince Lucino was very specific with the list.”
I wouldn’t even respond to that. Sometimes I forgot how callous Lucino could be. “I have an important message I must take to Lucy. I’ll need an escort.”
“You and your ladies are not to leave the grounds.”
“Do you think I want to speak with Lucy? Have you forgotten how she treated me when I stayed here? I’d rather not, but Lucino gave me vital information about the rebellion that I need to deliver before sundown.”
Willis eyed me with clear disdain. I held my chin high, refusing to cower under his relenting stare.
“Are you refusing a direct order from Lucino?”
“No. I’ll have the carriage pulled to the front. Will your lady be attending?”
“Yes.”
Willis grunted, and I released the breath lodged in my throat.
Gwen giggled. “You’re so good at that.”
“Good at what?”
“Bossing him around.”
“I’m terrified half the time I speak like that, but it works.”
Gwen slipped her arm through mine. “Is Lucy really awful?”
“She hates me.”
“Should we tell the others where we’re going?”
“No time.”
Hooves beat outside as the carriage pulled in front. We stepped into the sunshine, arms linked, my heart beating at the lie.
&n
bsp; “Lucino’s going to be mad at you.”
“He’ll get over it.”
I held on to Gwen’s arm, gathering courage from my friend beside me. Willis gave the driver our destination as we stepped into the carriage.
“Remember, you are not queen yet.” Willis slammed the carriage door shut, taking my breath with it.
Gwen slid closer to me on the seat. “Don’t worry about him. He’s just an old grump. We should throw some blight weed in his tea.”
I laughed. The herb caused most people to have uncontrollable fits of laughter. “That’ll be the first thing we do when we return.”
Having Gwen with me made the journey less terrifying. I wasn’t alone. For so long I had no friends, no one to understand me. In Lakewood, I had friends, but that was so long ago … and I wasn’t that girl anymore. I had seen wonders and experienced horrors no girl ever should.
The carriage bounced along the bumpy road, rolling deeper into the dense woods. Large trees dripping with moss touched branch to branch in some areas. Vibrant flowers bigger than melons wrapped around the bases, vines crawled up and around, decorating the vegetation with a spiraled design. We traveled farther, until the white dome of the temple peeked above the tree line.
Gwen dug her nails into my arm when she saw Reptilians standing guard around the temple in their true form. Hulking, green-skinned men, armed, and somewhat exquisite. The strange coloring, pointed ears, and sharp features no longer frightened me. I even found them attractive.
“It’s okay,” I said patting her arm. “They won’t hurt us.”
“What are they?”
“Those are Lucino’s people. I’ll explain later.”
She froze in her seat, lost in the sight of the strange men before us. I could imagine her fear and disbelief, and if I hadn’t known Lucino before he showed me his natural form, I’m sure I would’ve been frightened too.
“Wait for our return,” I said to the driver as we exited.
Gwen clung to my arm, and I quietly reassured her we were safe as we hurried through the encampment. I had no idea where Derrick could be or if he was still here.
“Excuse me,” I said to a young Reptilian with his hair shaved on one side and sat at a grinding stone sharpening a curved sword. “Have you seen a dark haired human boy? He wields a large sword.”
The Reptilian nodded to a large tent with two guards posted at the front.
“Thank you.”
“I don’t think we should be here,” Gwen whispered, holding on even tighter.
“Nothing is going to happen. The battle is on the other side of the village.” I tried to reassure her we were safe, but fear plagued my wildly beating heart. Lucy never liked me, and I didn’t know how she would respond to me being here.
The two guards eyed me warily as I approached the large tent. “Lucino sent me. I need to speak with Lucy.”
Without glancing at each other, nor saying a word, they stepped aside and allowed me passage. Inside, Derrick stood near Lucy while she talked, smiled, and almost danced around him. When she moved close to his side, he didn’t flinch, and when she whispered into his ear, he grasped her hip and pulled her closer. He even smiled!
“Derrick?”
He spun around, and his eyes widened. “Jeslyn?”
Lucy folded her arms. “Well, well. You’ve finally shown up.”
Derrick gave Lucy a hard stare. “Let me talk to her, alone.”
“Are you kicking me out of my own tent?” Lucy feigned a hurt expression and leaned against him.
Derrick gently pushed her aside and glared.
Lucy sighed and rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll take her friend with me.”
“What?” Gwen shook her head.
“It’s okay. Just wait outside.” I touched her arm. “You’re one of my ladies. No harm will come to you.” I gazed at Lucy as I said those last words, letting her understand they were orders.
Lucy brushed passed me, her dangerous glare shattering my courage.
When they were both gone, Derrick rushed to my side. “Where have you been? What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same.”
Derrick had a new scar above his left eye. Slight stubble covered his strong face. He had grown from a boy to a man overnight.
“I went looking for you in Luna Harbor.”
“And Lucy?”
“It’s a long story.”
“We have a little time.”
His shoulders sank as his gaze fell from me to the floor. “She came to me, saying you were missing. I didn’t believe her until your father said he hadn’t heard from you in weeks. I rode to Luna Harbor, she followed, we talked to Beckett and found out you and your grandfather had both disappeared.” He glanced back at me, his honey eyes brimming with sadness. “We picked up the trail, but I couldn’t find you. I thought you were dead.”
“Shipwrecked, not dead.”
“Thank The Creator.”
Derrick smiled, and within his eyes I found the boy who had risked his life for the girl he loved. While I didn’t love him in that same way, I cared deeply for him. He was my brother’s best friend, the boy who first kissed me, and a boy who risked his life for mine. We had so much history, had been through so much. He was family.
“Why are you here?” I asked.
“You.”
My heart beat faster, drowning out my own breath. Heat washed over me at his confession, leaving me speechless.
“It’s not safe here,” I whispered.
“Lucy said you might be here, but I also came to assist the mages and repay my debt. The Order marches on Daath.”
“I don’t understand. You’re siding with Lucy?”
“After this, I won’t owe her anything.”
“Why would you be indebted to her?” My voice rose. “She doesn’t care about you, and she definitely doesn’t care about me.” I pushed his chest, forcing a distance between us.
He grabbed my arm, holding me closer. “I told her if she helped me rescue your grandfather, I would owe her one.”
“Grandfather? Is he …”
“He’s safe, and with friends he can trust.”
I jumped at Derrick, smiling ear to ear. He smiled and hugged me back.
“You saved him! I don’t know how to thank you.” I closed my eyes, letting the tears fall. Grandfather was safe. He was safe!
Derrick hugged me harder. “I’m just glad you’re safe.” He nuzzled into me, holding on as if I would fly away in the wind.
“Me too.” I gently let go and drew back from him. Derrick being here brought too many old feelings to the surface.
“Where did you go?” he asked.
“Lucino and I were shipwrecked.”
Derrick’s jaw clenched. I didn’t know what Lucy had or hadn’t told him. I didn’t want to hurt him, not after everything he had done and still did for me. Why was it so hard to tell him the truth? Maybe if I explained, it would be a little easier. He might understand.
“I know how you feel about Lucino, and rightly so, but he’s changed.”
“He’s not human.”
“Neither is Lucy, still you stay with her. You don’t shy away when she comes close, either.”
He shook his head and clenched his hands into fists.
Tears filled my eyes. “He saved my life,” I argued. “You have no idea what I’ve been through!”
“You think it’s been easy for me? I risked my life to save you, then you turn and run the second I ask you to marry me? And you go to him?” His voice rose and my throat went dry.
I knew Derrick was hurt over my refusal, but I didn’t want to fight with him. “It didn’t happen like that.” I kept my voice even, trying my hardest not to argue. “We weren’t together. He said he would help me find my grandfather, and then, w
hen we were shipwrecked, everything changed.”
“Do you love him?”
With our gazes locked, I couldn’t answer.
“Tell me.” His face softened and all the hurt I had caused stirred within his eyes.
Tears slipped down my face, and I wiped them away. Derrick was my first love, and back then, I never imagined a life without him.
“Please, I have to know.”
“Yes.”
Derrick sighed and shook his head. His eyes glistened. “Don’t be a fool,” he said softly. “He’s the enemy.”
“I didn’t come here to fight with you, or defend myself. I came here to ask for your help.”
“Are you in danger?” His tone changed, and suddenly he closed the space between us. Concern pulled at the corners of his eyes, erasing all the anger and hurt that was there only a moment ago.
“No, I’m fine. It’s Avikar.”
“Avikar?”
“Yes. He’s with Jericho and the rebellion. Lucino went there with his men.”
“Do you know where?”
“I overheard Lucino saying something about a valley.”
“He’s going after them, and you still love him?” Derrick cringed, and I wished there was more time to explain.
“He won’t kill Avikar,” I said. “He swore it.”
“And you trust him?”
“I do.”
“This is madness.”
“Derrick.” I grabbed his hand and held it within both of mine. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
He placed his other hand on top of mine and rubbed my knuckles. “Are you happy?”
“I am.”
He brought our hands to his lips. “I’ll take care of Avikar. You be careful. I don’t know why Lucy was so concerned with where you were, something to do with Lucino, I think. Don’t trust her.”
“I won’t.”
Derrick held onto my hands, bringing them back down, but not letting them go either. I didn’t pull away. Somewhere within my soul, I knew this was our goodbye. Derrick would not stay in Daath to watch me wed. He would leave, forever.