by Eliza Tilton
“When I let go, grab her,” Derrick shouted.
Let go? “No, Derrick, you’ll die!”
“I’ve always loved you,” he said. “From that very first day at the lake.”
“I’m losing you,” Lucino grunted.
“Take care of her, for both of us.” Derrick held my gaze.
“You have my word.” Lucino gritted his teeth and dug his feet deeper into the ground.
“Now!”
“No!”
Derrick let go and Lucino grabbed me. Derrick tumbled through the air, spiraling into a cloud of darkness.
Lucino wrapped his arm around me. “Hold on.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck, facing the maelstrom behind us.
He crawled away from the temple, using the massive uprooted tree as a guide. Each step he dug deeper into the dirt, steadying himself against the rising wind.
Numbness spread through me and I desperately searched the black center for signs of Derrick. Why did he let go? Lucino could have saved us both. I know he could have.
Small trees were uprooted and sucked away into the dark. Everything disappeared before me. I prayed Avikar was nowhere near the temple and that he was safe. We couldn’t lose anyone else. A loud boom shook the forest and we flew forward. Lucino hugged me as we tumbled on the grass. I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to watch the terror anymore.
When we stopped rolling, he held on. “Are you hurt?” he asked.
“No,” I replied, though the ache in my chest blossomed slowly.
We stayed on the grass, embracing one another fiercely, both waiting in silence for the storm to come to an end. When the wind was nothing more than a gentle breeze, Lucino released me. All the trees and brush had vanished, the temple gone, nothing but a large crater of scorched dirt.
A painful sob rippled through me as I stared at the nothing before us.
Derrick was gone.
“I think it’s over.” Lucino stood, holding his hand out for me.
I slipped my hand into his, shaking from the catastrophe. “Derrick?”
Lucino turned and glanced at the crater. “I will not say he survived, but there is a possibility the gate sucked everything into my world. Although, then he would be stuck on a failing planet of Reptilians. Dying would be a kinder fate.”
“Why would someone do this, and how?”
“It doesn’t matter how.” Lucino’s shoulders sagged.
With no gate, half of his people would be lost forever. How many had already passed over? Were his father and mother here? What did it mean for him if they weren’t?
What about Derrick? I couldn’t bear to think he was dead, but would being stranded in another world, one that was doomed, be any better? I shook from fear and hopelessness, the sadness so massive, I coughed through the tears.
“I need to find my brother.”
“I need to find Lucy and get a head count.” Lucino ran a hand through his hair, breathing out deeply.
I had never seen Lucino so disheartened. What could I say to make him feel better? Nothing could replace his loss. An entire race doomed to die.
“You,” he said pointing to an approaching human. “Go with her, and make sure she safely returns to me.”
“Who is that,” I whispered, wiping the wetness from my face. I had to find Avikar.
“One of the mages Lucy recruited. Your brother might try and kill one of my men if I send one.” He hugged me longer than normal. “Be careful. If any harm comes to her,” he said to the mage, “you’ll pay with your life.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
Avikar
The suns set, and still I remained, Raven’s lifeless body cradled in my lap. Fresh scars covered my skin from where the grok attacked. Yoshi’s magic healed every physical scrape, yet I couldn’t give one lick. Anger and sadness swirled into a thunderstorm, beating against my heart so fiercely each breath hurt.
Raven knew Yoshi couldn’t be trusted … and I didn’t listen to her.
What am I going to do without you?
I kissed her cold head, splashing her with tears. Her beautifully tan skin was already paled. She was my everything. She shouldn’t have died. I had dreams of us growing old, having kids … now I had nothing but loss. Losing Jimri was hard, but Raven…
My body shook and I held her lifeless body closer to me, breathing in the faint honey scent of her hair—a scent I would never encounter again. I dug into her, shaking, and crying.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you. I should have listened.”
Sob after sob ripped through me, shaking me to my core. I kissed her cheek, aching for her eyes to open, wishing she would say my name. How was I supposed to live without her? How could I face another day knowing she would never be a part of it?
Pulling back, I traced a finger down her nose and touched her lips.
This was his fault. That creature. This fight. Everything was Yoshi’s fault! I glanced at the sword he left. I’d find him, and I’d kill him.
I kissed her soft lips one last time and touched my forehead to hers. “I won’t let him get away with this. Yoshi and his pets will never hurt anyone ever again. I swear it.”
“Avikar?”
Jeslyn held her hands to her mouth, her eyes brimming with tears. A man I didn’t recognize stood with her. She kneeled by my side and touched Raven’s face. “What happened?” she whispered.
I tried to speak, but my voice croaked. Instead, I shook my head and held onto Raven tighter. I couldn’t talk about it. I didn’t want to relive the worst moments of my life.
“I have a carriage. Let’s take her home.” Jeslyn squeezed my arm. She tried to act strong, but her tearful eyes gave away her true emotions.
I picked up Raven, cradling her to my chest. Emptiness filled her body, leaving it cold and hollow. My vision blurred through the tears, and I could barely take a step forward.
“This way.” Jeslyn held my elbow and guided me through the woods, talking about the temple, and how a mysterious black hole had swallowed it up.
Knowing the gate was destroyed should have brought me comfort, but the cost was too high. So our world was saved. What did it matter without her in it?
I don’t remember getting into the carriage. I don’t remember how long it took or anything Jeslyn said. I remember Raven’s face, and how even in death, her beauty never left. I cupped the side of her face. Her last action was saving my life. Without that dart, we would’ve probably both been dead.
I wish I was dead.
The carriage stopped and Jeslyn got out first. She held out a hand to help me down, but I ignored it, clinging to Raven, refusing to let anyone near her.
Men hung around outside, one of them holding Jericho’s young daughter.
Trepidation surged through my steps.
No.
Anna’s wild cry reached my ears before I saw Jericho’s body lying on the ground. My legs gave out.
Jeslyn wrapped an arm around my waist, catching me before I fell. “It’ll be okay,” she said with a tremble in her voice.
Anna sat on the grass, crying and rocking with Jericho in her arms. I couldn’t tell her about Raven. I couldn’t do it.
I crumbled to the ground, and Raven slipped from my grasp.
No.
No.
Jeslyn dropped to my side, taking Raven from me. “Everything will be okay. We’ll get through this. I won’t leave your side.”
I pushed away from her and ran to the barn.
“Avikar! Where are you going?”
Clouds covered my head in a numbing haze. My legs and arms were weightless as I ripped open the barn doors, ignoring everything else spinning around me.
Brushfire neighed at her gate, kicking it with her foot. I unlocked the door and she eagerly stepped out. I touched my head to hers, rubb
ing her muzzle.
“Take me far away from here.”
She snorted, and I climbed on her back, gripping her mane and digging my face inside of it. She burst out of the barn and away from the pain I couldn’t bear to face.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Lucino
Every villager in Daath, standing member of The Order, and the young human prince, had come out to the beach. Bodies of those slain during the battle and after lay on wooden rafts crafted by loved ones. My brethren either appeared in human form beside the mass or didn’t show at all.
I stood on a wooden platform, Jeslyn by my side, ready to speak.
“Many were lost in the valley, and more when the ancient temple fell. We have fought against one another for many years. We have kept to ourselves, hidden from the rest of the world, but will do so no longer.”
Everyone focused on me. The crying, the angry. All of them tired.
“As we say goodbye to our loved ones, we start on a new journey. A journey of peace. Our borders will open, and those who wish to leave Daath are free to go.” I turned to look at Prince Edwin. “Discussions have begun for a peace treaty between our people. There will be no more bloodshed in this land.”
Claps arose among the sad faces. Prince Edwin nodded.
“Let us send our brethren to rest!”
As men and women pushed rafts out to sea, I leaned over to whisper to Jeslyn. “Do you see him?”
“There.” She pointed to the nearby cliffs where a figure stood, bow in hand.
“How do you know?” From this distance there was no way to see clearly.
“Brushfire.” She sniffled and gripped my hand. “I would know her anywhere.”
The chestnut colored mare stood behind Avikar. His long hooded cloak flapped in the wind, shielding his face. When the archers shot flaming arrows into the sky, he released his own, and it landed in a raft I could only assume belonged to his beloved.
Jeslyn held my hand as three flutists played a melancholy song. I wrapped an arm around her waist. While I may not have cared for her brother, I understood the emptiness that plagued him now. I gripped Jeslyn’s hand, thankful I did not share that same pain.
When I had returned to the palace, Lucy informed me that our parents were still in Mirth, along with the rest of our people. Father knew of another possible gate somewhere in the far south, a place full of ash and bone. While the sorcerers searched for another way to breach the two worlds, it would be up to Lucy and me to protect and lead our people in Tarrtainya. We didn’t have the numbers for another war.
Romulus informed me that my simulacrum lived, but was missing … another mess I would need to resolve.
Jeslyn had insisted on a meeting between me and the prince of Tarrtainya. Our first words were with blades, but Jeslyn would not allow anything more. She showed true leadership that begged order and respect. While I did not share all of my plans with the prince, I did discuss the plan for Daath. I would continue to be its lord, and the borders would open for trade.
Prince Edwin watched me with wise eyes, and I knew he knew more than he let on. I would feign allegiance to the human king, but only to protect my people.
Lucy left for the west to secure our alliance with the mages. The war between the king and the mages still raged on, and could for years to come.
Jeslyn pulled me closer to the breaking waves, away from everyone else. “I hope he’s okay,” she said softly.
The wind blew her long hair around her face. “He doesn’t even know about Derrick. There was no time to tell him.” She wrapped her arms around herself, hugging her chest. Her eyes misty like the foaming waves before us.
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “He may still be alive.”
“But in Mirth?”
“The world is not dead yet.”
“So much loss …”
Cobalt blue shimmered within the golden hue of her aura, reflecting the sadness in her heart. I turned her around to look upon her sorrowful face and lift her spirit.
“We can be the start of something better for our people,” I told her. “Let us plan a grand wedding, invite the village, and let the sorrow drown in a night of happiness.”
“I want to … but with my family not here and Avikar … is he ever going to come to me? He took off, and now …” She glanced back to the cliffs, but he no longer stood there. “Where is he going?”
“We’ll bring your family here. For now, let Avikar be. He needs to deal with the pain in his own way. I’ll have one of my men track him and make sure he’s safe.”
“Thank you.” She leaned into my side and gazed out at the sea.
“A wedding?” Sunlight beamed on her face, highlighting the soft peach tones of her delicate skin. “It’s too soon now, but by the next full moon.” She smiled. “We can keep the villagers busy with preparations. Maybe it could work.”
“Then it is done.”
“One thing,” she added. “Please, don’t ask your sister to help. I have my own ladies that won’t try to suffocate me in corsets and tight braids.”
I smiled. “As you wish.”
THE END
Follow Lucino and Jeslyn’s story in the 4th
installemnt of the Daath Chronicles
Deceptively Beautiful:
A Daath Wedding
Never give up on love.
Chapter One
Jeslyn
Jezebel carried the cream gown, draped across her arms, smiling, while Gwen giggled and clapped. I grazed a finger across the silky material, my heart thumping with happiness. The beautifully crafted dress had patterned lace sleeves with delicately woven intricate flowers and splashes of petal pink that traveled into a sweetheart neckline. A pink sash cinched at the waist while the rest of the gown flowed out in waves, trailing across the floor.
“Are you going to try it on?” Jezebel beamed, and my smile grew with hers.
“Yes, but not now,” I said. “Lucino and I have to visit with King Corban’s emissary. He’s travelled a long way to be here for the wedding.”
She nodded, and carefully took the dress to the wardrobe where she hung it. My gaze stayed on the mesmerizing gown until she closed the wardrobe doors.
“I heard the emissary is young and dashing.” Gwen winked at Jezebel who politely ignored her.
Most of Jezebel’s time was spent aiding me with the smaller internal affairs of Daath and keeping our ladies busy helping those in the village that she rarely had time for courting. While finding someone of her own to love wasn’t on her mind, many men had stated their feelings, and how could they not? With wavy chocolate hair and honey-brown eyes, she could have any man she desired.
“I’m sure the emissary is here on business, only.” Jezebel bumped her hip into Gwen’s side as she passed.
“What man doesn’t have time for courting or more?” Gwen giggled.
Jezebel whirled around. While a smile played on her lips, her face furrowed in a failed attempt to be angry. “I won’t waste time with a man who will be gone in a week’s time.”
“Not even if he is… endowed?” Gwen giggled and her red curls bounced with her laugh. Jezebel dashed over, colliding with her back on to the bed, Gwen howling with laughter as Jezebel tickled her sides.
My heart warmed at the sight of my dear friends. Only months ago, they had been prisoners, trapped in a nightmare where their vicious host wanted only to abuse and leave them barren. Not only had we defeated the regent of Daath, but we bonded in a way I never thought possible. Back home, I had friends, but none I trusted enough to share my secrets and dreams. These girls would be by my side forever, and I would do anything for them.
A knock sounded at the door, interrupting the playful mood.
“Enter,” I called out, trying my best not to laugh at the kissy faces Gwen made at Jezebel.
The young servant who
attended me, Madara, opened the door and bowed. “Lucino awaits you in the sitting room.”
“Thank you. I’ll be right down.”
Madara’s brown hair swooshed as she pivoted and bustled down the hall.
“Best not keep your beau waiting.” Gwen puckered her lips at me and Jezebel swatted her with a pillow, knocking her flat on the bed.
“I won’t.” I laughed. “I’ll see you both later, and Jezebel…” I waited until she stopped batting Gwen. “If the emissary is as cute as the servants say, I’ll put in a good word.”
Her mouth dropped open as I scurried out, leaving her alone with Gwen’s contagious laughter drifting behind me.
Hurrying down the hall, then the main staircase, I straightened out the knots in my hair with my hands. Nervous flutters filled my stomach. Seven days since I last saw Lucino. He had been visiting the tunnels, running a few inspections on the new housing. Many of his kind transformed into humans and lived above ground, my people never knowing the truth, while others chose the dark underground as their home. Besides the war in the west, quiet and peace filled Daath. The Nod Mountains protected us from the western lands and the sea to the east. A magical kingdom, hidden away in safety.
Lucino spoke little about the underground network, and when I asked to visit, he brushed the subject aside, reminding me how dark and dismal the tunnels were compared to the sparkling beauty of Daath.
Two guards flanked the towering cherry wood doors to the sitting room. At my approach, they stepped aside and allowed me in.
Lucino, his blond hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, faced the immense sunset painting hanging on the north wall. The midnight hue of his tunic sparkled under the incoming light from the open bay windows. My breath hitched in my throat as I admired the man who would soon be mine, forever.
With the thud of the doors closing, he turned and smiled.
