On Lonely Paths (Earth and Sky Book 2)

by Jann Rowland

  Holding the crown up in the air, Tierra gazed down at Skye and repeated out loud the words he spoke in her head:

  “I hold up this crown as a symbol of the future of the Skychildren. The one whose head shall bear it has been accepted by his people as their rightful ruler. And now, as I place the crown upon his head, the action will serve as a symbol of the cooperation of our peoples . . . a symbol of how the Skychildren and the Groundbreathers are coming together at last. Let the crown that signifies leadership now also symbolize unity.”

  As Tierra placed the crown on Skye’s head, nestling it into his hair, she wondered whether the eyes of the Skychildren nobility were boring into her back. She knew such would have been the case if this aberration from tradition had occurred in the ground realm.

  Still, she did not allow her nerves to show. She merely gave her fiancé a small smile and held out a hand to help him to his feet.

  Skye took her hand and stood, his face bright and content.

  Though she had a feeling it was highly irregular, Tierra did not release his hand. Instead, she squeezed it and gazed at the onlookers. Their faces were disturbingly difficult to read. “Skychildren, may I present to you . . . your new king.”

  And though she knew there could be some backlash, Tierra did not care. She and Skye were forging a new future for both their peoples, and they would face whatever came their way with heads held high.

  Terrain breathed again, a hot, fierce blast of fire, earth, and water, and from his mouth, a great mass of matter came into being. Terrain shaped it, molded it, formed it into a globe, forcing substance where before there had been nothing.

  “Truly, Terrain is mighty,” said the gods and goddesses he had brought into being, marveling at what he had done.

  The gods and goddesses created the lands and the oceans upon the great globe. Then the seas and rivers and lakes were spread across the surface of the lands, and the forests and mountains were coaxed into being. Plants sprung up all over the earth while the gods and goddesses worked, all as Terrain had commanded it should be, and all under Terrain’s direction.

  Then Terrain turned to Celesta the sky goddess. Together, they formed the sun to give the world light and warmth. Then they created the dome of the skies to separate the day and night. Then Thunder the god of weather began to dot clouds across the sky with the aid of Celesta the sky goddess, and the seasons were set into motion.

  Terrain looked on all that he had caused to be done. There was order, and it was good. A bright future lay ahead.

  CHAPTER

  FIVE

  Future

  With Tierra’s declaration, the Skychild ceremony—if it could be termed as such—was at an end. The gathered Skychildren, nobles and commoners alike, all crowded around Skye, offering well-wishes and congratulations. And though Tierra would have assumed that Skye’s decision to have a Groundbreather crown him would have led to some angry words, she detected only cordiality. Many of the nobles were standoffish, but that was to be expected. After all, while the nobles had the most to gain from the alliance, they would also bear the biggest responsibility if the alliance fell to pieces.

  Unfortunately, Tierra soon learned that not everyone in attendance was disposed to look on Skye’s actions with approval. Initially, she stood by Skye’s side, exchanging the most perfunctory of platitudes with those who approached, but as time went on, she became separated from Skye. As she wished to speak with her mother before the Groundbreathers left, she decided to take the opportunity to do so while Skye was occupied. Unfortunately, someone else also decided to take advantage of Skye’s preoccupation.

  The first sign of any trouble was the sight of Cirrus approaching Tierra after she had broken free of the milling Skychildren. She thought to greet him briefly and make her way toward her mother, but the man stopped her progress with a hand.

  Cirrus kept his voice quiet, but his ire was evident as he pulled her aside into a small chamber that adjoined the throne room.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Cirrus asked her. He still spoke in a low voice, as though he did not want to be overheard.

  “I beg your pardon?” Tierra asked, feigning obtuseness. She wished to maintain the pretense of civility for as long as possible. Though she did not idolize Cirrus as Skye did, she did not wish to anger him needlessly.

  The Skychild’s eyes narrowed. “Did you put Skye up to this?”

  “If by ‘this’ you mean the notion of my crowning him,” Tierra said as she crossed her arms, “then I must admit I was just as surprised as you were. But unlike you, I believe that it was a good idea.”

  Cirrus scoffed, “A good idea!”

  “Yes! Our peoples have been at each other’s throats for too long. There is no point to it! Nothing is gained—”

  “The point of it is to appease our gods. Celesta would be extremely displeased if she came down here and found a Groundbreather handling the Skychild crown, much less placing it upon the new king’s head in front of his people!”

  “Perhaps she would behave in a way that might surprise you. Perhaps she would be proud that her people are moving forward in life and trying to better themselves and their situations by participating in commerce with my people. I may not be familiar with the Book of Celesta, but I am fairly certain it says nothing about hating one’s neighbor.”

  Cirrus’s eyes narrowed. “The goddess may advocate mercy among her people, but she cannot support the worship of another god. This upcoming marriage between you and Skye is a mistake. You need to reconsider. Our peoples are much too different—”

  “Really?” Tierra interrupted. “The time I have spent with Skye has taught me that we are not that different after all.”

  Cirrus pursed his lips, as if biting back heated words. Then, after taking a few calming breaths, he said slowly, “Your Highness, I am certain you are a lovely enough girl. Even I must admit that you are pleasing on the eyes, and that is not an admission I would make lightly concerning a Groundbreather woman.

  “Unfortunately, that is not what Skye needs. He is now the king of my people. The Skychildren have certain needs that must be fulfilled in a ruler. For now, the king needs to be focused. Marriage will only distract him from his duties. You must convince him to give the matter more time. Everything has happened in such a whirlwind. Not too long ago, your people held him as a slave, for Celesta’s sake! Surely you must acknowledge that he should spend some time in the sky realm with his people before taking such drastic steps involving the very people who once held him captive. He has begun to identify with his captors, and that sort of behavior is . . . well . . .”

  Tierra’s eyes widened at the implication that Skye’s mental state was in question, and she snapped, “Skye grew through his experiences in the ground realm. While I am not proud of what was done to him, I believe he would agree that he has become a better person through his trials. In fact, I would go so far as to say that he knows himself better now than he ever has.”

  “How can he possibly know himself when he blatantly goes against our goddess’s ways?” Cirrus demanded. He threw his hands up in the air and began pacing the room, his motions clipped and agitated. “This will not end well. It cannot be allowed.”

  “What do you mean it cannot be allowed?”

  Something in the chill of Tierra’s tone must have penetrated Cirrus’s displeasure, as he stopped and peered at her, his disgust almost a physical bludgeon. Tierra, however, was beyond caring by that point, so great was her own anger.

  “It seems to me you have forgotten who exactly is king,” Tierra continued, her implacable gaze beating down on the man as he looked defiantly back at her. “Skye has been crowned as your ruler this very day. Furthermore, I shall soon be your queen, Cirrus. I suggest you become accustomed to the situation, for nothing will change it.”

  “You will never be my queen,” Cirrus exclaimed. “And if you believe the Skychildren as a whole will accept you, then you are delusional.”

  “I belie
ve you are the one who is delusional. I have been accepted by most of your people—welcomed by almost all with whom I have come into contact. When I first arrived in the sky realm, a couple welcomed me into their home, providing me with a place to sleep, clothes to wear, and food to sate my hunger. I am close friends with not only your dowager queen, but also with Gusty, the Skychild whom Skye befriended while in the ground realm.

  “The Groundbreathers, though cautious, are accepting of this merger, and even my mother, who has been a fierce opponent of your people, is coming around to this new way of thinking. The animosity between our peoples is only perpetuated by small-minded bigots like my sister, our nobility, and your nobility. And it seems as though you are caught up in it yourself, Cirrus.”

  The man’s face had darkened in anger. But Tierra could not regret her words. She spoke only the truth. The new world was upon them, and she and Skye would never give way. People like Cirrus were only holding back the progress she and Skye hoped to achieve.

  “I am asking you to end this of your own free will. End it before it is too late.”

  Tierra looked at the man with pity. After the way Skye had described his oldest friend, Tierra had expected Cirrus to be Skye’s biggest supporter. She was disappointed to learn he was nothing more than a bigot. Perhaps he was not as dangerous or as vocal as Hawkins had been, but he was a small-minded traditionalist nonetheless. Tierra mourned for Skye, as she knew he looked up to this man almost as a father. Now, however, it seemed he was not worthy of that honor.

  “I will not do as you ask,” Tierra said. “Beyond all the good I know this will do for both our peoples, I love Skye. I will not give him up, regardless of what you or anyone else says.”

  And then, after directing a glare at Cirrus, Tierra stalked from the room, intent on finding her fiancé.

  Skye soon found that those in attendance at his coronation were, for the most part, cautiously accepting of his decision to have Tierra crown him. In truth, Skye had expected some backlash, though he had been confident of his ability to soothe any hurts and deflect any criticism. It seemed, however, that the state of Skychildren feelings concerning the Groundbreathers had mostly been as he had hoped. In fact, he noticed a distinct pattern in that most of the younger lords seemed to be accepting of the situation, while the older lords—those of his father’s generation and beyond—were more likely to express some measure of disapproval. As for the common folk, those who were in attendance seemed to be the most welcoming of all.

  “I didn’t know you would choose Tierra to crown you,” Mista said as she approached Skye once he had finished speaking with several lords. “But it was a wonderful choice. I love Tierra! She has become such a good friend, and I’m happy you brought her here, Skye. She will be a wonderful addition to the palace. We shall be such a happy family when your sibling arrives to complete it.”

  Skye’s jaw dropped, and he stared at Mista, wondering whether he had heard her correctly. “Sibling?” he asked, though the noise he made was more like a croak than a word.

  “Yes, yes,” Mista said with a wave of her hand. “I am with child, you see. Your father thought it necessary to try for another child after you were banished, though I don’t think my uncle knew about it.”

  “And when did you plan on telling me about this?” Skye asked with more than a little peevishness. It was just like Mista to treat something so important in such a cavalier manner.

  “I would have gotten around to it eventually,” Mista said, waving her hand in lazy circles. “You were so busy with the coronation and your upcoming wedding that I thought I should wait to inform you.”

  “You should have let me know immediately,” Skye said, his voice tight with anger. “This is an important matter, Mista! This child will be my heir if I don’t produce any children.”

  “I doubt you and Tierra will have any problems there, Skye. And I would have told you eventually. I just didn’t think it important enough to worry you about it when you had so much on your mind.”

  The only thing Skye could do was shake his head. At least he knew now. What was done was done. But it would have made him more cautious in general had he known Mista was carrying his heir!

  It was then that Skye noticed the approach of King Tillman and Gusty. The Groundbreathers stood to one side of the room in a tight group, and though there were one or two conversations occurring between Skychildren and Groundbreathers, by and large there was a wide empty area around them. Skye sighed. It would obviously take time before the two peoples were comfortable enough to be able to speak together normally.

  “Your Majesty,” Tillman said as he favored Skye with a shallow bow.

  “Hello, Your Majesty,” Skye replied with a cheeky grin.

  Tillman laughed out loud. “Now that we have that out of the way, I wanted you to know that my people will be departing soon for the ground realm. I am fully supportive of our future cooperation, but I think it will take some time before we are all able to mingle agreeably.”

  “You are undoubtedly correct.”

  “Do you know where Tierra is?” Tillman asked. “I would like to speak to her before we leave.”

  “I’m not sure where she went, but I can look for her.”

  “I saw her leaving a few minutes ago with Cirrus,” Gusty spoke up, pointing. “I think they went over there somewhere, but they might be back by now.”

  “I’ll go find her,” Skye said. But he paused for a moment and looked at his friend. “Did you know that Mista is pregnant?”

  “Pregnant?” Gusty exclaimed in surprise.

  “At least I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know,” Skye muttered. Then, after taking his leave of Tillman and Gusty, Skye turned and began to search for his fiancée. The throne room was still populated by many of his people, and Skye found it difficult to find a small Groundbreather among the mass of bodies. Finally, however, he spotted her coming toward him, and he hastened to meet her halfway.

  “Tierra,” he said with a smile, “your father is looking for you.” He suddenly frowned as he saw the look of irritation on her face. “What’s wrong?”

  Tierra, looking at the Skychildren nearby, shook her head. “I will tell you in a little while. I would prefer to speak with you in private.”

  Skye furrowed his brow, curious and even impatient to learn about Tierra’s problem, but he knew he would have to wait, so he nodded. “Your father is over there,” he said with a sweep of his hand. “I will meet back up with you after you speak with your family, and then we can go talk.”

  “Very well. I do not think it will take long.”

  As Tierra moved away from Skye, he turned and saw a familiar face approaching. “Gale,” he greeted warmly.

  “Your Majesty,” she said in return. “You must be glad to have the coronation out of the way.”

  “It is a relief,” he admitted. “It’s one more step on the path to setting everything in order. One of the next steps—and one I particularly look forward to—is my wedding.”

  “Yes,” Gale said in a measured voice, “your wedding.” She paused for a moment before venturing, “You are marrying rather quickly, Your Majesty . . . but I suppose that is a hallmark of young love.”

  Skye tried to study the other woman for signs of disapproval, but at present, she remained decidedly opaque when it came to showing her emotions and opinions. Perhaps that in itself was a sign of something, but whether it indicated something about Gale’s feelings for Tierra or something about the fast transformation between him and Tierra from enemies to lovers was not quite clear. Still, as long as Gale was not vocal about any possible lack of support, there was no reason for concern.

  “It is,” Skye replied a few moments later with an unabashed grin. “It’s difficult to make time for each other, living in such different spheres as we do, and I can’t wait to bring her to the sky realm as my bride. I am confident she will be a wonderful queen.”

  “Indeed,” Gale said noncommittally. She opened her mouth to sa
y something else, only to cut off as she looked at something over his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but please excuse me. I must speak with someone.”

  “Of course,” Skye said. He turned to watch her go, only to have his attention arrested by a voice that dripped with malice.

  “Skychild.”

  Skye moved his gaze to Wisteria, who regarded him with a sneer. Skye believed it unlikely that the princess had any other expression in her repertoire.

  Though Skye longed to shoot off a suitable insult, he was mindful of the surrounding company and said in a controlled voice, “Princess Wisteria.”

  Wisteria stalked closer, and though she spoke quietly, there was no mistaking the vitriol in her tone. “You might feel proud to call yourself the king of this filth, but the king of sky-rats is still only a rat himself.”

  Skye gave her a smile, for once unaffected by her venom. “You may call us what you will, but we have a long and proud heritage behind us. And as for the future, it has never been brighter.”

  “That is what you may think. But I know that the time of the Skychildren is almost at an end.”

  “In a way,” Skye said calmly, “I agree with you. I foresee our two races intermingling more frequently in the future as commerce spreads, and perhaps one day, there shall no longer be this strict divide between us.”

  A smile played at the corners of Wisteria’s mouth. “You are wrong about the future, Skychild. You are quite wrong indeed.”

  Before Skye could be subjected to any more of Wisteria’s general malice, Tierra appeared, moving to stand beside him and glare at her sister.

  “You may return to our parents,” Tierra said sharply. “They are ready to leave.”

  Wisteria, far from being annoyed, actually seemed rather amused as she turned to go. “I hope you enjoy bedding your sky-rat, Tierra. I have a feeling all they are good for is breeding.”

  Tierra watched with disgust as her sister walked away. “I am sorry you had to deal with her today, Skye.”