I nodded, even though I disagreed. Caldiri could always use more rain.
Already, the bright sun’s rays peeked through the lingering clouds. Once they broke through, the ground would dry within hours.
“Is there anything in particular you wish for me to do with Jane? I have seen you perform physical exercises with your injured patients. I could try to help her regain movement.”
My mouth popped open.
She noticed my reaction and released an exaggerated sigh. “Despite what you and Lin think, I do pay attention to things.”
Immediately, I was ashamed. “I know you do. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”
But Lorie, it seemed, had opened her own floodgates. “I’m not like you two. Lin is a master of growing crops in nutrient depleted soil, and you are a miracle worker with the sick and injured. I don’t have a skill of my own that can help bring in money. I don’t have any talents.” The self-deprecation was heartbreaking. I wondered how long she’d lived with such doubt.
Embracing my big sister duties, I aimed to alleviate her troubles. “That’s not true. You are a gifted writer. I’ve read your stories, and others in town enjoy reading them, too.”
“Reading is a luxury many in our town are unable to enjoy,” Lorie murmured sadly, stepping to the right to avoid a clod of mud.
I wanted nothing more than to protest Lorie’s statement but she was right. The majority of Caldiri’s population was literate thanks to the teachings of the local instructors—it was the one skill King Roderick insisted each human learn so we would not be limited in our abilities if recruited—but many of our neighbors spent their days toiling to earn enough coin or goods to trade for their family’s needs. Even if Lorie wished to write and sell or trade her stories, few would deem their worth above that of food and other necessities.
Who could blame them?
I offered the only consolation I could think of. “Caldiri may be different one day. Perhaps, in the future, you will be able to earn a living with your quill.”
Instead of comforting my forlorn sister, my words had the opposite effect. Her cheeks reddened.
“Please, don’t patronize me. I know my hobby isn’t a viable career, and it isn’t likely to become one in Caldiri.”
Her sudden frustration took me by surprise. Lin’s reprimand yesterday must have truly rattled her.
Lorie continued her speech before I had the chance to reply. “Perhaps I should hold out hope of being recruited. At least, then, I’d be out of this run-down region.”
The blood drained from my face.
I spun around. Lorie squeaked and hopped back. I reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her close until our faces were inches apart.
“Don’t you ever say something so foolish again.” I gave her arm a small shake. “Recruits are forced to spend their lives serving draekon. None are allowed to return. Do you truly wish to be forced to be someone’s servant the rest of your days? Do you desire to never see Lin or me again?”
I knew I sounded harsh, but I refused to hold back as fear consumed me. Recruitment was the equivalent of banishment from Caldiri. No recruit ever returned—and no one heard from them again.
“Some recruits don’t work,” Lorie said with false conviction. “Some become companions.”
I scoffed. Companion was nothing more than a polite word for concubine.
Along with the curse that destroyed the draekon’s original home, the draekon’s enemies also cursed their ability to procreate. It was a retaliation curse, delivered once the draekon overcame the repercussions of their original punishment. Apparently, their mysterious enemies were unhappy with the draekon’s fruitful new home. They wanted to make them suffer.
Unfortunately, it also made humans suffer.
Due to the power of the curse, draekon became unable to reproduce with one another. Their kind lived for many centuries, but the population slowly began to dwindle. The draekon needed to have children with new, compatible non-draekon. Lucky for them, they conquered a continent full of them.
“Companions are only a different version of a slave,” I informed my sister. “Draekon partner with more than one person. They have harems. Even if you were a companion, you would not be valued or considered equal for the rest of your days.” I’d seen how Lord Stanley’s soldiers treated their own companions. I’d witnessed their dismissive words and controlling behavior. I could never forget the dead looks in the eyes of the selected men and women as their freedom, and ultimately their existence, was completely determined by their draekon companion.
I shuddered to think of my sister living such a life.
It was only by the grace of the tiniest draekon decency that census recruits were allowed to choose in what way they served the superior beings. Humans couldn’t get out of being chosen, but we could decide a small part of our fate: work or become a draekon’s companion. I couldn’t imagine choosing to bed a draekon and produce their offspring, but I knew very little about the working positions offered in the capital. Perhaps they were equally horrific.
Lorie, growing tired of my tight hold, pulled back. I released her. She rubbed her wrist, acting like I’d hurt her. It took all of my willpower not to roll my eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I apologized, both for my tone and for grabbing her.
Lorie looked to the side. The wind blew her long hair across her face. She waited for a moment before saying, “I’m sorry, too... I didn’t mean it.”
I resumed tiptoeing across the muddy ground and lied, “I know.”
We walked in silence the rest of the way. I didn’t know what thoughts occupied Lorie’s head, but mine were filled with visions of Lorie’s recruitment.
I watched as an unknown Census Agent called her name at the ceremony.
I saw Lin and myself weep as they led her away.
I felt the loss of her presence in our meager home like it was real.
I placed a hand against my tight chest. Sometimes, my imagination could be as painful as real life.
A shadow fell overhead. Glancing up, I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I saw the distant form of a draekon.
That’s strange…
Royal scouts rarely spent time surveying Caldiri. There wasn’t much to observe in our meager region, and Lord Stanley’s soldiers did most of the policing. But I’d seen a draekon in the area less than a week ago.
I’d mentioned the unusual occurence to Lin, but he’d dismissed the sighting as nothing. He guessed the scouts were there to prepare for the upcoming census. I wasn’t so convinced, especially not after potentially seeing another draekon in his beast form.
What could have motivated another visit from the powerful creatures? Were they visiting Lord Stanley?
The object faded into the distance, taking my curiosity with it.
Ten minutes later, we arrived at the edge of the village marketplace. I escorted Lorie to Jem’s cottage, reminding her to ensure Jane stayed off her feet.
“If that means you must complete household tasks, I ask that you please do so. She needs to allow the muscles to strengthen and heal before she so much as washes a dish.”
“I understand.” Lorie offered me her charming smile. It had won over many of the young men in the village. “Don’t worry, Lissy. I’ve got it covered.”
I smirked as I watched her dip into the cottage. Lorie knew I had a soft spot for that name. She had been unable to say Lissa until she was well past six years of age, and Lissy sort of stuck as an endearing nickname between us.
Grinning, I stepped back into the main path and moved toward the north side of the village. It wasn’t the cleanest part of town, but Mistress Martin was in need of ointment for a rash, and I had recently made a new aloe-based recipe I wished for her to try.
Needing to cross to the other side of the road, I hopped over a pile of horse dung when I collided with a figure exiting the shop directly in front of me.
“Oomph.” My torso crashed into the firm body. The contact knocked
me off balance, sending me backwards.
“Whoa!” Strong hands grabbed my upper arms before I could fall onto the filthy ground. The man jerked me forward and spun the pair of us around until I regained footing on solid stone.
The sudden movement left me dizzy. I closed my eyes to refocus my vision.
“Are you all right?”
I grew rigid the moment I recognized the voice.
Blowing out a breath, I opened my eyes and met Hyde’s concerned stare. A piece of dark brown hair fell over his eye, making him appear even more good-looking than usual. Though only half-draekon, Hyde sported the strong physique of most draekon despite the fact I doubted he worked a day in his life. I’d seen him training with his father’s soldiers, but that hardly accounted for the firm jawline and rugged handsomeness.
“Are you all right?” he repeated.
“Yes.” I swallowed. “I’m fine.”
To my relief, Hyde dropped his arms and took a step back. Just like last time, I was surprised to see he did not have his usual escort. “My apologies, Amelissa. I did not see you standing there.” My full name rolled off his lips effortlessly, but it sounded harsh to my ears. Few people used it.
His politeness disarmed me, making me want to apologize as well. “No, it’s my fault. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
Hyde looked ready to say something but averted his gaze as if he thought better of it. He remained that way a moment longer before returning his attention to me.
“Well, if you are all right, I will be on my way.” He moved to step around me.
My heart leapt in my throat.
“Wait!” I called before I could change my mind. My gut clenched at the notion of asking Hyde for anything, but I meant what I said to Jem: I would try to be nicer to Hyde, if only so I might get something out of it.
He halted. Slowly, he faced me.
“Yes?” It was impossible to miss the hope lighting his eyes.
Guilt pricked my chest.
“I-I have a favor to ask.”
Instantly, the light faded away. His brown eyes darkened. “Oh.”
The drastic change made me wonder how many people asked him for favors.
“It’s a small one, really,” I said, clearing my throat. “You see, I have a lot of work as the only healer in Caldiri. I was wondering if it would be possible to obtain a pupil—someone to help me treat patients and follow up with them.”
He blinked, waiting for me to continue.
When I didn’t, he asked, “Is that all?”
Well, that’s a good sign.
“Yes. Do you think your father would allow it?”
“You don’t need his permission to take on an apprentice.”
“I do if I wish for my apprentice to receive a wage.”
A knowing look crossed his face. “I see.” He rubbed the stubble along his jaw as he pondered the request. “Do you have anyone in mind for the position?”
“My sister.”
Hyde balked. “Your sister?”
“Yes.”
Hyde frowned. “My father could not approve that appointment, not if you are wanting a stipend from the region. He could be accused of favoring your family.”
The stipend he mentioned was small. The leader of Caldiri offered payment to those working as public servants, but the majority of my income came from trading medicines and herbal remedies with my patients for the goods they provided.
But money was money, even if the stipend was small.
My shoulders rolled forward. “That’s what I was afraid of.”
“You could always enlist Alorie as your apprentice without pay. You and I both know the majority of her income will take other, more practical forms.”
“You’re right.” I tried to hide my disappointment. “Thank you for the advice.”
“Of course.” Hyde’s eyes filled with sincerity. “I only wish I could have given you favorable news. If you’re ever in need of anything, please promise to reach out to me.”
The tone of his voice and pleading expression both shocked and awed me. I didn’t think I’d ever seen the half-draekon sound so genuine. I scanned his body, confirming he was Hyde, son of the lord of Caldiri.
“Amelissa?”
My eyes snapped back to his. “Yes?”
He offered a small smile. “Will you promise to tell me if you are ever in need?”
What was I supposed to say? Refusing would be rude, far ruder than simply ignoring his admiring stares and attempts to engage me in conversation.
But accepting would forever link my fate with his or so it felt.
In all truth, what harm could a simple promise make?
“Yes.” I dipped my chin. “Of course. Thank you.”
“It is my honor.” Hyde bowed low, revealing just how out of place he was with the poor, low-born population of Caldiri. “Until we meet again.”
I dipped into a short curtsy. “Have a nice day.”
Hyde turned on his booted heel and confidently walked down the road. I watched his departure with an unsettling feeling in my gut.
Maybe I was mad, but I suddenly regretted the simple promise. The last thing I wanted to do was link myself with any draekon. Even if Hyde was only half-blooded and I’d never seen him shift, the beasts were powerful enough in human-like form to make him an unsettling foe.
I reminded myself to proceed with caution. The last thing I wanted was to get burned… both literally and figuratively.
5
Summer began, and the week of the Census arrived. The entire town and surrounding cottages underwent a transformation. Lord Stanley spent an absurd amount of coin to prepare for the capital draekons’ visit, all while the unfortunates and other poor were left to scrounge for food and shelter.
Wooden storefronts and signs were painted to hide their weathering. Straw roofs were spruced up with stronger, brighter strands. And each resident’s home was scrubbed from top to bottom, just in case one of our visitors decided to stroll inside.
The change left Caldiri nearly unrecognizable, and it was the same each year.
Anger boiled beneath my skin when I thought of all the good such an amount of money could do. Homes could be built to house the needy. Clothes could be purchased to help them survive the winter. Funds could be invested into farmers’ fields and increase our food production. Instead, the region’s little wealth went to making Caldiri presentable to visitors who would stay there less than a week.
What. A. Waste.
The sun was just beginning to set as Lin and I walked down the recently-leveled dirt road, following the crowd of villagers toward Lord Stanley’s manor. Every eligible candidate was required to attend the banquet to welcome the census agents to Caldiri, and every member of their family was permitted to accompany the young adults to the event.
Despite the general distaste for the Census, every single citizen donned their best attire for the banquet. There were few occasions in Caldiri where the entire region would gather together to enjoy an evening of nutrient rich food, not to mention fine drink. Most aimed to make the experience pleasant and memorable, choosing to forget the true purpose behind the banquet, at least until after the mouthwatering food was served.
“Are you certain Lorie’s absence will go unnoticed?” Lin asked for the tenth time since I informed him of Hyde’s note two days ago.
“That’s what Hyde said,” I replied.
Though I sounded confident, I felt just as unsure about the risky plan.
Ever since my request to have Lorie as my apprentice, Hyde managed to find a way to speak with me every day. At first, our exchanges seemed innocent enough. I thought Hyde was taking advantage of my willingness to speak after years of giving him the cold shoulder. To a certain extent, I was probably right. But I couldn’t shake the feeling there was something else motivating Hyde.
After the third day of running into him as I left Mistress Martin’s, I finally realized he must have some other motive for seeking me out in su
ch a bad part of the village.
“Hyde,” I said his name, interrupting whatever tale he was beginning to weave. He thought I found them entertaining. In truth, I rarely listened to the stories in their entirety. I couldn’t help it. There were too many thoughts and questions in my head. Many of them centered around how I had become so comfortable interacting with a half-draekon.
“Yes?” he replied, not appearing the least bit bothered by my rude interruption.
“Please don’t take this the wrong way.” I halted my steps and turned to look into his face. I wanted to see his reaction. “But can I ask why you are intentionally seeking me out? Surely, you have more important things to do than wait for me to finish seeing patients every day.”
His cheeks glowed, but he didn’t hesitate. “I enjoy your company, and I wish to earn your trust.”
“My trust?”
Why would Hyde care about my trust?
“Yes. I wish for us to become better acquainted. I know you don’t think highly of me, but I want to change that.” He lifted one hand towards me, stopping my protest. “Please, don’t object. I know my words are true.”
I closed my mouth.
Then, clearing my throat, I said, “I don’t know you well enough to either like or dislike you.”
Days ago, that would’ve been a lie. I spent years thinking the worst of Hyde, but our recent interactions had me wondering if I was premature in my judgment of Hyde. Was he truly a villainous snob, or did I hold his family’s wealth against him unfairly?
I wasn’t sure.
My words earned a genuine smile from his lips. “Precisely. Which is what I meant when I said I want to earn your trust. I want you to be able to tell me why you really wanted the apprenticeship for Alorie.”
The muscles reinforcing my spine flexed. “I-I don’t know what you mean.”
“Call it instinct, but I believe your request was for more than Alorie earning a livable wage.”
My pulse quickened. I wasn’t sure what to say. Should I deny his uncanny ability to deduce the truth? Or should I admit Lin’s suspicions regarding the Census, and how candidates were selected?
Chosen Page 3
