One…two…three…four…five.
Sweat broke out on his brow and trickled down his back, just as it had when he had tried to save the child Serra. And look how well that had turned out. He knelt and breathed again, Maddelyn’s chest rising and falling with the breath that he hoped would save her, her lips still soft against his.
One…two…three…four…five.
The reality of the situation crept slowly into his brain and filled him with more anguish than he thought one person could stand. He’d promised to protect her, to keep her from harm.
This was his fault.
With a sob, Draco scooted backwards, breathless with his exertion. Tears streamed down his face as he stared at Maddelyn’s lifeless body. She was the last of her family, and braver than any warrior he’d ever known. A bright, burning star in this darkness.
He sat in silence a few seconds, staring blankly ahead as he mourned the loss of what felt like a piece of himself. A piece of his soul.
“I’m sorry, Draco.” CAIT’s apology broke the silence, her slightly metallic voice echoing through the empty room, and cutting right through his heart.
I’m sorry, Draco. Empty words. And Maddelyn’s last to him. All that she had endured, and she died apologizing to him.
What good was there in being a member of the most powerful race in existence if he couldn’t even save the woman he loved? And he did love her. Even though it was impossible. Impractical. Irrational. The moment he’d looked into her bronze eyes, the fire inside him knew she was meant to be his. So why lead him to her just so he could lose her?
That thought consumed him, eating him up inside like a starving animal that would never be appeased. How dare the universe dictate who lives and who dies! The universe wouldn’t even exist without his race!
Spurred to action, Draco wiped the hot tears from his face with the back of his hand and rocked forward onto his knees. He raised his head to the ceiling, chin jutting out and jaw clenched. “I will NOT let her be taken from me,” he screamed defiantly. “Do you hear me? I. WILL. NOT!”
The roar of his voice echoed off of the gray walls that surrounded him. Draco wasn’t even sure what or who he was bellowing at, but the act helped him feel like he was at least doing something.
He let his gaze touch Maddelyn’s body once more, her soft skin now a dull gray that broke what was left of his heart. There had to be something he could do to fix this. There just had to be.
Draco opened his mouth and let loose the loudest, most utterly hopeless sound of frustration he could muster, the strength of the reverb almost knocking him backward. It was an inhuman sound, born of loss, anger, and helplessness on a level so primal, mere words could not do justice for all it contained. The sound of a sun dying, its galaxy collapsing around it, within it, consumed by the blackness of space.
Then a force unseen took complete control of Draco’s body, arching his back almost enough to touch his head to the floor as something ripped inside him. It tore at his insides like gnashing teeth, intent on doing as much damage as possible. His body contorted and twisted in pain under the unseen assailant. The invisible razor sharp teeth bit and gnawed, ripping away piece after piece. He cried out, the pain almost unbearable as he prayed to meet whatever end awaited, perhaps the same one Maddelyn had. But then his body slumped to the floor, released by whatever beast had sank its fangs into his soul.
With a shuddery breath that made spots dance behind his eyes, Draco sat upright, his chest tight with sparks of pain as he stared in awe at the ceiling.
A cloud of golden light coalesced near the ceiling. The light pulsed and swirled with a rhythm that Draco realized matched the beat of his own heart. It quivered and coiled, like a snake made of flame as it moved through the air above him. In open mouthed awe, Draco stared as it glided along the ceiling, then dipped to gently envelope Maddelyn’s still lifeless form on the floor. It swirled around her, a living flame, circling and covering every inch of the body he had caressed only hours before.
Had it really only been hours? For some reason, it felt like years since he had gently touched the curve of her shoulder, or kissed the nape of her neck, whispering promises softly in her ear.
Pushing those thoughts away, Draco watched in fascination as the light lifted Maddelyn’s body off the floor, floating her just enough off the ground that he could see across the room underneath her. Tendrils sprang up and circled her arms, her neck, her legs, like tiny streaks of glowing flame that for some reason, didn’t burn her, but cradled her gently.
One larger tendril sprang up and paused for a moment, as if contemplating its next move. Then it dove into her mouth, filling her from the inside as well as covering her on the outside. Her body jerked at the intrusion, flailing like a disjointed marionette whose puppeteer didn’t know what to do. Then she stilled once again as the light released its hold, lowering her back to the ground and disappearing into her mouth in a flash as silently as it had appeared.
Draco blinked, his brain unable to process what he had just seen.
And that’s when Maddelyn sat up.
****
A feeling of utter peace surrounded Maddelyn as she floated in the darkness, devoid of all pain and worry. She remembered being shot, the white needles of pain searing into her chest before the blackness took over. But now, there was…nothing. She’d expected a white light or something. Wasn’t there supposed to be a light?
As if on cue, a pinpoint of light appeared in her periphery, slowly growing larger like a train coming down a tunnel. As it neared, a warmth filled Maddelyn’s body. A warmth like the sun on a summer day, before the Raknorg had discovered her world. Maddelyn closed her eyes and basked in it, sure it would take her to where she was supposed to be, away from all this numbing darkness.
The warmth intensified, and Maddelyn found herself a little uncomfortable. The heat snaked through her veins and simmered her blood. She cracked open one eye, then the other. The point of light picked up speed, still heading her way. Her skin burned, and fear caught her in its bony grasp as she realized that something wasn’t right. It wasn’t supposed to hurt after you’re dead, was it?
Maddelyn tried to run, but there was nowhere to go. The inky depths of the void were never ending, and the light seemed to find her whatever direction she chose, growing ever closer with each passing second. Tendrils of it circled her ankles and yanked her down, pulling her toward the expanding light until it consumed her.
But instead of burning her alive, Maddelyn found that what she felt was something solid beneath her. She was lying down, possibly on a floor. It was hard to tell, because white light blurred her vision and she blinked against it. Pain sliced through her chest when she tried to inhale, making her swallow air in great gulps that made her feel as if she hadn’t breathed in years.
With some difficulty, she clumsily sat up. Her vision cleared and allowed her to at least try and see where she was. Familiar shades of gray surrounded her. How did I get aboard CAIT?
Slowly, Maddelyn turned her head to find Draco sitting on the floor, gaping at her like she’d grown a second head. His hair was a mess, and something was on his face. Were those tears? Maddelyn squinted, certain she was still hallucinating.
“Draco?” Her voice came out in a dry croak, her throat raw. Maddelyn looked down saw the charred hole in her shirt where the blaster had hit her. The flesh underneath should have been toast, but new pink skin peeked through the torn fabric. She glanced over at Draco and attempted to speak again, licking her lips. “What happened?”
Draco scooted forward, his amber eyes alive with fire, and still wide in disbelief. He reached out a shaking hand and lightly touched her hair, then skimmed her cheek. As if satisfied that she wouldn’t break into a million pieces, Draco grabbed her shoulders and pulled Maddelyn into the firm safety of his arms, almost hugging what air she had been able to breathe right out of her body.
“I thought I’d lost you,” he whispered against her neck, his lips grazing her skin
.
Maddelyn rested her head on his shoulder, and melted into his embrace. At least something appeared to have turned out for the best.
Chapter Ten
Maddelyn let her gaze touch everything in the small building that had served as her home. In so many ways, she never wanted to think of this place again, but in other ways, memories of her family filled each tiny crack and board, making her nostalgic for a life led no more.
Tears threatened to fall from her eyes as they burned and blurred, but Maddelyn held them at bay with a deep breath. No crying today. Today was about starting over, and moving on. Today was about saying goodbye, making the way for a new beginning. Sorrow could just take a hike. A damn long one, at that.
She grabbed a small bag from the far corner of the room and stuffed some clothes inside. Though she chose the least threadbare things she owned, it didn’t amount to much. While she packed, her gaze fell on Serra’s small section of the room. The box full of broken toys and tiny clothes next to the little bed with the drawings tacked haphazardly to the wall made her breath hitch for an instant of deeply resonating loss.
Slowly, Maddelyn stepped over to the small bed. She plucked the blanket folded at the foot and held it to her face, inhaling deeply. It still smelled like her niece; warm and full of hope. Maddelyn shoved it into her bag, along with a couple of the drawings, after carefully folding them into neat rectangles for safekeeping.
With a long sigh, Maddelyn plodded over to the small table by her bed. A petite wooden box sat beside the candle she’d used for light, its surface faded and chipped. Hesitantly, Maddelyn picked it up and opened it, the rusty hinges threatening to break.
Inside lay a small gold chain, with an oval locket attached. The piece had belonged to her grandmother, a family heirloom passed down from mother to daughter. It had been intended for Maddelyn’s child someday, but since there seemed to be no chance of her having a daughter to hand it down to, the tradition would stop with her. For a half second, Maddelyn considered leaving it in its box, forever encased in unmade plans and unfulfilled dreams. It had been many years since anyone had even been able to open the locket without the threat of permanently damaging it. Even her mother had never viewed its contents. Still, it was a tangible connection to her past, so Maddelyn gently pulled it from its resting place and placed it around her neck, tucking the locket under her shirt.
Grabbing her bag, Maddelyn shuffled with hesitant steps to the front of the room. The toe of her boot kicked some broken dishes out of the way. A small mirror hung on the wall near the door, its corner cracked. Maddelyn peered at her reflection, hardly recognizing the face that stared back.
Her light brown hair now shone with blond highlights, as if she’d spent weeks out in the sun. Even her eyes sparkled with golden flecks, lit from within. It was a little disconcerting to wake up after thinking you were dead, and not seeing the same person in the mirror you did before.
Draco acted like she was crazy, telling her that she didn’t appear any different, but she could tell he was not being totally truthful with her. Something in the way he looked at her, especially when he didn’t think she was watching, told her he was just as perplexed as she was. And even perhaps a little frightened.
He still refused to speak about what all had happened after the Raknorg soldier had blasted her in the chest. All he would say was that he was able to save her, and heal her wound. But Maddelyn knew there was more to that story. A whole lot more. And hopefully, she would get it out of him sometime soon.
Maddelyn turned and made her way over to the door, stepping over some more broken glass. The door still hung by only one hinge at the top, a leftover from where the Raknorg burst through the day before. Maddelyn strode through and shut the door behind her. The thing crashed to the ground as the remaining hinge gave way. Maddelyn smiled a little to herself. Good riddance to that place after all.
She trudged the now familiar path to CAIT, using her hand to shield her eyes from the blinding sun. Most of the remaining people were gone, now. The distress signal Draco had sent out brought help just as the Raknorg ships went out of commission, due to CAIT’s computer virus. The Raknorg had no choice but to surrender, given that every control and weapon they had was connected to their computers, and therefore, utterly useless.
Various friendly races offered help and amnesty to the survivors, and medical care to the sick. Some of the infected were even told they might recover. That bitter pill was a little hard to swallow for Maddelyn. If she had been able to get help before it all went to total hell, then perhaps she wouldn’t be the only one left in her family. That’s life. Riddled with “what ifs”.
Dust from the ground wafted up from her feet as she walked toward CAIT. Maddelyn had considered going with one of the other ships, starting over with someone who’d gone through this ordeal of an existence as well. But then Draco had offered her a place aboard his ship, and something inside her pulled her to him like a magnet. His warmth was like a drug to her after all of the icy darkness that had filled her life. They hadn’t really had time to talk about what had happened between them before the Raknorg ship, so there was definitely unfinished business to deal with. The fact that she was able to let herself care about someone after all of the losses her heart had suffered spoke volumes, even if some of the feelings she had were yet to be named. That alone was worth a further investigation, along with getting the truth out of him about what happened later.
Well, time alone on a spaceship should be adequate enough to accomplish those goals.
Besides, Draco still needed to find out what had happened to his own planet and locate survivors. Now that he and CAIT were healed and at full capacity, there was an agenda of his own to fulfill. And since he’d helped her in so many ways, some of them reluctantly, the least she could do was reciprocate.
Squinting against the light, Maddelyn could just make out the door to CAIT’s interior, a gaping hole in the surrounding area. It was still a little odd to see that, and even worse to walk up stairs that appeared as if they led to nothing at all. But Draco was adamant that he keep CAIT cloaked. With all of the air traffic around, he wanted to be careful. Especially since he was still unsure who or what had started the war that tore his own world apart. Even he had remained hidden during the duration of the surrender and subsequent relocation. Maddelyn had taken care to slip away unnoticed, to avoid any unwanted attention or questions for them both.
****
“You need to speak with her, Draco. She deserves to know what happened.” CAIT’s velvety voice floated through the air of the control room, making more sense to Draco than he liked.
Truth was, he had no idea what had happened to bring Maddelyn back to life. With a sigh, he shook his head. “And tell her what, exactly? I don’t even know what happened, so how can I explain it to her?” The living flame that had appeared to save Maddelyn’s life remained a mystery to Draco. So much so he had negated to share any part of the experience with her, making their relationship somewhat strained.
CAIT answered his sigh with a metallic one of her own. “You should at least tell her the details, even if you don’t understand them. She knows you’re hiding something. I can tell by the way she looks at you.”
Draco had noticed the pointed stares, when Maddelyn thought he wasn’t looking, silent pleas for an explanation that he failed to provide. He shook his head, at a loss for what to do. “I can’t, CAIT. Not yet. There are things I need to do and people I need to talk to before I go down this road with her. She’s just gotten her life back. Give her some room to breathe.”
“Give yourself some room to breathe, you mean.”
He hated to admit it, but CAIT had a point. There weren’t many things in this universe he hadn’t seen or experienced, so being faced with the unexplainable stoked a fear inside him he’d like to ignore. At least long enough until he had more information.
“I just want to gather more facts before I talk to her. I wish to have answers for the questions she�
��ll undoubtedly have.”
The sounds of the ship’s inner workings were all that was heard for a few moments while Draco tinkered with buttons and levers on the console in front of him. It was CAIT who broke the silence. “How do you think this fits in with the prophecies? And the fate of the house of Sol-Zhaduun?”
Draco thumped his fist on the counter in front of him at the mention of that name. It dredged up countless memories for him, most of them unpleasant. “You know how I feel about prophecies, CAIT! We are fate’s masters! Not some fiction carved into ancient tablets so long ago no one remembers when!” Eons of old arguments and frustrations bubbled to the surface, waiting to break free.
“But you can’t deny the merit of my questions, Draco. Only a fool would fail to recognize the implications of what possibly happened. Even her appearance has changed.”
Draco inhaled deeply, trying desperately to keep his composure. “Then call me a fool, for I see no reason to equate this with any of that drivel. Consider the subject closed.” He hoped the finality in his voice was clearly conveyed.
“Your refusal to comply will not stop her desire for answers.”
“I will gladly give them to her, CAIT. Just as soon as I get some of my own.”
And hopefully, that time would come sooner than later. For if any part of what CAIT implied came to be true, then the history of the Sun Whisperers would be forever changed, altering the universe itself for decades to come. Draco had a difficult time at best, giving any credit to prophecy, but what he had experienced made him wish to explore every avenue. Even if that fact was not what he divulged to CAIT. Right now, his main concern was to get Maddelyn off this planet so that the answers they sought might become known. Answers to the plight of his home and race, as well as her life. There were many things that had yet to be determined, and this was just the beginning of their journey together. Right now, all he could think about was how grateful he was to have this second chance at anything with her, especially since she agreed to travel with him.
Burn With Me (Legend of the Sun Whisperers) Page 12
