The wolf lowers itself to the ground as Kai approaches. Kai matches the action by getting down onto his hands and knees. Kai holds out his hand with the scraps of meat. The wolf crawls toward him and takes the meat from Kai. Kai stays still while he eats, but then slowly inches up and starts to pet him. It’s amazing to watch.
The wolf lowers his head and lunges out Kai, but brushes against his leg. He wants Kai to continue to pet him. Soon, the two run through the trees and chase each other. I’m so enamored with the game they play, that I don’t hear the other horses approaching.
An arrow flies across the field. My heart skips a beat. The stick pierces the wolf, nearly missing Kai’s head. The wolf whimpers.
“Bastin!” I jump up as he rides in on his horse. Duggon rides next to him.
The wolf’s body goes limp. Kai holds it in his arm.
“Bring me my prize boy,” Bastin orders Kai.
“Why did you do that?” I ask. Tears form in my eyes. Thunder booms overhead.
“Careful, Sister.” Bastin grins. “Your fiancé will think you care for monsters.”
Kai’s face turns red, anger boiling to the surface.
The rain starts pouring and thunder roars. “I care for all life and I don’t care who knows it!”
The drops become heavier and lightning streaks across the sky.
“Let’s get out of here. She’s out of control,” Duggon says. He turns his horse and races away.
“Wait until Father hears about this,” Bastin smiles and follows Duggon.
Kai brings the body of the wolf out of the woods. Tears roll down his face. “I’ll kill him for this.”
“Kai, you can’t. You mustn’t.” I meet him in the center of the meadow. The rain pelts us, soaking us to the core. The light-energy in the air and the trees dims to a soft glow. The sadness reaches all around us.
Kai lays the wolf onto the ground. “Did he call that gorilla your fiancé?”
I nod. “Father arranged the marriage. He told me this morning. They are to announce it tonight, but maybe he won’t want to marry me now.”
“You have no say in this?” He grabs my arms and squeezes. Water drips from his brows. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was going to, but Bastin showed up and…” We look down at the dead wolf. “I’m so sorry. He almost hit you.”
“He wanted to kill me,” Kai says. “He cares for no one other than himself and he’ll do anything to hurt you.”
“If he harmed you, I’d strike him dead,” I say. “I’d kill him myself.”
“He’s your brother. He knows you wouldn’t dare harm him.”
Kai bends and kisses me. “I won’t let you marry that man. We will run off together and leave.”
The prospect of leaving with him swells me with excitement. “I know nothing of the outside world. Those people enslaved you. How will we survive?” All I’ve ever known of the outside world consists of the dirty scum that arrives on our shores to trade.
“As long as we’re together, we will be fine. We will go to the north and live away from the desert. It’ll be an adventure for both of us.”
The rain subsides.
He pulls me into him, holding me. The comfort soothes my soul and the angry weather surrounding us.
“I can’t lose you. I love you, Thera.” He kisses me for a long time.
The tingling inside me becomes a warm nest of joy. Happiness blooms in my core and at that moment I know we will be together no matter what happens.
“I love you too.” I bury my head into his chest. “I won’t marry Duggon. I’ll tell Father tonight that it’s you I want and if he refuses, then we will leave. No one will be able to stop us.”
“Do you mean it?”
“With all my heart.” I smile and his eyes sparkle.
“It appears I’m not the only one who uses the slaves in that way.” Bastin rides out of the trees. “Can’t wait to see how Father reacts to this news.”
Chapter 12
Thera
“We need to leave now.” My heart feels like it’ll leap up into my throat. Bastin rides away over the hills.
“I won’t let him get away with this,” Kai says. “We’ll leave tonight, under the light of the moon.”
“Are you sure?” I ask. “In the dark?”
“That’s the best time to navigate the sea. With your gift, it’ll be smooth sailing to land. We will be fine.” He squeezes me. “I’ll gather as much as I can for the trip. Pack light and meet me at the stables when the moon is highest in the night sky. It’ll be full tonight.”
“That means I’ll have to go to the banquet with Father announcing my engagement.” I frown. “Bastin will surely tell him at that moment about us. He’s evil enough to do it.”
“It’ll be meaningless by then. We will be gone before morning.” Kai gathers our horses and helps me mount Star. As we trot away, I look back and see the body of the wolf, Kai II, in the meadow. Goodbye sweet wolf.
Nervousness bubbles inside me when we reach the palace. I pat Star’s head and whisper into her ear, “I’ll miss you sweet Star.” She whinnies.
Kai takes her from me and places her into her stall, rubbing against my hand.
We exchange looks before I head to my room.
The servants flurry about, preparing for the banquet. As I pass each one, they bow. Not long ago, I’d ignore them, but now I acknowledge each one, wondering how they ended up here. It pains me I didn’t get to know every one of them over the past year. Even though they have no gift of their own and they serve us, I’ve come to realize they are as special and worthy as we are. I wish all Minoans knew this.
From my room, I look out over the bay below. Our palace reaches the highest point in the city and only from this height can we see over the entire city and shore. Several of our ships anchor off the coast with countless rowboats lining the shore. I wonder which one we will steal and sail north with. Kai had talked about sailing for days across the sea from his native land. He was enslaved because he stole bread for his family. It seems like such a barbaric consequence for a worthy reason, but in his world the rulers didn’t provide for the people.
A shiver runs through me as I picture the rulers with their outrageous heavy gold crowns placed on their heads. They claimed to be gods to be worshipped by their people, who spent countless hours of their lives working to build shrines for them.
Let’s hope the people to the north weren’t as vicious. I would always make sure no harm would come to Kai or me. With my gift, we could help the people prosper and teach them the importance of working together for peace and prosperity.
A knock interrupts my thoughts. “Yes?”
Bastin walks in and my stomach churns. “Can we chat a moment?”
“What do you want?” I cross my arms and back away from the balcony. “Haven’t you tortured me enough today?”
“I want to make amends.” He crossed the room and steps out onto the balcony. He surveys the bay and shifts his gaze to the town. “I apologize for interrupting your moment with the stable boy in the woods. I was going back to gather my prize. It wasn’t intentional.”
“What are you saying? You won’t tell Father?” I narrow my eyes at him. “I don’t believe it.”
“Do you think Father dense enough to not have noticed how often you and the stable slave spend time together?” He places his hands on the stone wall. “Why do you think he arranged your marriage the same time as mine? He knows your attachment grows for the barbarian. He’s even agreed to provide him to you when you move.”
“I don’t believe it.” I shake my head. Thoughts scurry around inside and begin to scatter. “Are you saying he knows already?”
He pivots, facing me with his elbows against the stone. “He’s being as delicate with you as he possibly can be. Had you any other gift, you’d be married off and that boy slaughtered for even looking at you.”
I sit down at the edge of my bed.
“Why do you think he chose
Duggon?” he asks. “Have you not noticed his affinity for boys? He’ll let you continue your trysts with the slave while allowing you to keep the crops plentiful. Unless he develops a liking for your slave boy, I think you’re safe.” He laughs.
“Why are you telling me this?” I ask.
“I’m tired of fighting with you, sister. Our lives are changing and there’s no need for us to carry on this petty rivalry.” He waves his hand toward me. “You always win anyway. No matter what you do or say, Father needs you. The entire island needs you. You’re the Minoan treasure named for the island. Thera of Thera.”
He faces away from me, looking once more over the city.
All of the things Bastin said sounds too good to be true. I can still help my people and keep Kai by my side without upsetting the Minoan way of life. There will be no having to leave with the uncertainty of what’s in store for us north of here. No stealing a boat and leaving at midnight. Will Kai be happy with this arrangement? Will I be able to convince him things will be all right now?
“Will you join us at the banquet this evening as planned?” Bastin asks. “One big happy family celebrating the next phase of our lives?”
I hop up and run into his open arms. “Thank you Bastin. This means more than I can say with words.”
“I can tell your truthful.” He laughs and hugs me.
“Of course you can. That’s your gift.”
“It helps when dealing with foreign traders, but not as much needed here in the city these days.” He releases me and walks toward the door. “I’ll tell Duggon we’ve talked. He’ll be most eager to learn of your acceptance. He was afraid you’d refuse him and he’d be stuck with some enamored girl who expects more than he’s willing to give.”
“That would be unlucky for both of us.” I smirk.
“Indeed.” He closes the door behind him.
I walk out onto the balcony and watch the mountain’s vapor spew into the air. “Sorry my friend, you’ll have to stay subdued a whole lot longer.” For the first time I wonder what would have happened to the peak had I actually left the island.
Hoping to catch Kai before the banquet, I run through the palace and out into the courtyard, heading toward the stables.
Tears of happiness build in my eyes upon seeing Star and Midnight, as well as each of my mares. They will bring me many more years of companionship and will enjoy the stables near the country house and the large pasture where they’ll roam free.
“Kai.” I run through the barn to where his room is, swing open his door and find it empty. “Kai?” I search the stables to see if he’s cleaning or taking care of the horses. He’s nowhere. Wondering if he’s out gathering supplies for our trip, I sit on a stool at the entrance.
Guests start arriving and my gown’s hanging in my room. Kai hadn’t returned.
Running again, I almost bump into the jester, who arrives with his wife. They bow, but I hurry past. Father is probably searching for me now. I’m late to my own banquet.
If the dinner ends early, I’ll hurry to the stables once again and try to stop Kai with the preparations for our departure. Knowing him, he’ll be ready to go way before the moon reaches its peak in the night sky.
In the banquet room, candles line the wall candelabra, and the chandeliers hang low above the tables. The guests stand at the front of the room, surrounding the king.
“There she is.” Father beamed. “We’ve been waiting for you. Our guests are famished.”
Several surrounding nobles chuckle.
“Let’s eat!” Father says.
The guests move to the seats and wait behind them before Father sits first, followed by Bastin on one side of him and me sitting on the other.
“What took you so long, Thera?” Father asks. “Aren’t you excited about this evening?”
“Sorry Father. I lost track of time,” I say.
The servants pour wine for everyone before bringing out the courses.
Father holds up his goblet. “We have some exhilarating announcements this evening in which there is much cause for celebration.”
The crowd murmurs with excitement.
“First, my son Bastin will take a wife. The lovely Nicola, daughter of Ren,” Father says. Nicola blushes, but smiles. Her gift will be useful if she ever needs to find Bastin. Sure hope he knows what he’s getting into with her by his side. “We welcome her to the family and look forward to their joyous union in two days.”
Applause echoes through the room and the candles flicker all around.
“Second, the time has come to unite Thera with a husband. We’ve thought long and hard about this and it was no easy decision, as she’s very special to us all. She’ll be married to Duggon, son of Eli within one week. We welcome him into the royal family. They will be living in the country house.”
Again, applause erupts all around us.
“We’ve arranged for several festivities for our honored guests tonight, so please enjoy the entertainment and the food.”
The servants bring out roasted pig first, followed by boiled potatoes and tart cranberries. Conversations take place all around us as a soft melody plays in the corner. Once dinner concludes, the jester comes forth and juggles knives, followed by fire. This pleases all who watch. He’s truly gifted.
Some village girls enter dressed in full-length colorful skirts, adorned with gold and silver circles in their hair and around their chests. The jewels clink as they dance, their moves synchronized. It’s both mesmerizing and exciting to watch. When I was younger, I wanted to learn the moves, but Father said it wasn’t suitable for a princess.
The servants keep pouring wine and the discussions become louder. Laughter fills the hall.
“I look forward to our nuptials.” Duggon slurs his words. “It’ll be nice to get away from the city life, don’t you think?”
My mind feels fuzzy, so I stop drinking the wine.
“It’s becoming too crowded here. Too loud. Hardly any time for hunting,” Duggon says. It becomes abundantly clear I know nothing about my future husband, other than what Bastin shared with me earlier. I don’t even know what his gift is or even if he has one. I’ve been so caught up in my own world, I’ve neglected to get to know those around me.
“Excuse me. I need some fresh air.” I smile. He heads toward Bastin and Nicola.
Passing the dark, empty corridors, I leave through the courtyard and head straight to the stables. The moon inches closer to the center of the sky which is when we we’re supposed to meet. Time got away from me. I didn’t realize the banquet would last so long. There are still guests in the hall drinking and talking. They could continue to be there for several hours. We haven’t had a party of this nature in years.
One of the horses’ neighs as I enter the barn. “Kai?”
He has no candle lit, so I feel my way through the stables. The moonlight provides streams of light through the beams above. Touching along the wooden planks, I find the handle to his room. Opening the door, I locate his bed. It’s empty.
“Kai?”
I trip over a bag. Searching through the bag, I pull out his clothes. He’s packed and ready to go. I wait on his bed as the moon reaches its peak and crosses over. He never returns.
Chapter 13
Thera
A deep-seated uneasiness brews inside me as I stare across the bay from my balcony. I had stayed two or three hours, almost falling asleep on Kai’s cot, but he never showed up to whisk me away. His packed bag makes me think he meant to return, but something happened to him.
A knock at the door startles me. “Yes?”
A servant girl comes in and bows. “I have a message for you, princess.”
“What is it?”
“It seems your stable boy has run off.” She looks at the stone floor. “He never came for his breakfast this morning and his chamber is empty of all contents.”
“Is that so?” I ask.
“Yes, princess.” She bows.
“Don’t leave. Come
with me.” I grab her hand and hurry across the hall, banging on Bastin’s door.
“What is it? His cranky voice cracks. “Leave me alone.”
Entering his room, I see his naked body sprawled across his bed.
“Bastin!” My non-existent patience makes me bold. “Get up. I need your help.”
“Thera?” He rolls over, pulling the sheet to cover his body. He moans, holding his head. “What’s happened? Is someone at port?”
“Is this girl lying?” I thrust the servant forward. “Tell him what you told me.”
She repeats the message word for word.
“She tells the truth.” He plops back down in bed. “Can I go back to sleep now?”
“Leave.” I release the girl and she rushes out. “I don’t believe Kai ran off.”
“He’s as savage as all the others, sister. It’s most likely my fault after catching you two in the meadow yesterday. He became scared of being punished and left in the night.” He moves to his side, his eyes still closed. “Check to see if a boat is missing. If there’s none, he’s probably hiding on the island. I’ll help you look when I wake.”
Bastin’s sincerity warms me, but my heart feels like it’ll break in two at any moment.
Kai planned for us to leave together. I know deep down he wouldn’t have left without me.
“I’ll be back after checking.” I start to shut the door. “Thank you, Bastin.”
He raises his arm, shooing me out of his room. His intake of wine last night will make him hurt today.
Hurrying through the palace, I stop at the stables. The horses neigh as I pass, most likely because they are ready to go on their morning ride. Kai’s room door swings open and shut with the draft sweeping through. I inch around the corner and see the empty chamber. His bag’s gone. My heart sinks.
Racing through the street, I avoid all the vendors and the greetings from the townspeople. The wind accompanies me, blowing everything loose in the process. Flowers shoot out of their bins. Ladies skirts flip up. Hair whips around and covers many people’s faces, making it difficult for them to see. A powerful gust knocks over a bread cart.
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