“I know how you felt but it couldn’t be helped.” My eyes rest on her. I notice Varden’s silent, his features are hard and his eyes are downcast. I regard him for a moment and take a bite of the last of my meat, licking my scaly fingers in the process.
“Is this true?” Zeanna turns to Varden. Everyone’s silent even the royals at the other end of the room. I no doubt could tell they overheard our conversation. If word gets out about my family’s power, I might be in a lot more trouble than I originally thought.
“Yeah, it’s true.” Varden whispers. “My home was attacked, my brothers and sisters were all killed as were my parents and all for the fact that the Gratticould were hunting for our planet’s prophet. Something I didn’t know I was until Kalverya had taken me to the Order to find out who I was.”
“Was it painful?” she askeds.
“No, but I do remember waking up to a sword thrust through my chest.” he saids with a smile and I could tell everyone’s a little shocked about that but couldn’t quite react accordingly. I couldn’t quite question the reaction playing on their faces so instead, I dry my fingers and wait for their utter shock.
“What was a sword doing through Varden’s chest?” Zeanna was the first to demand. I could tell everyone else wanted an answer to that question or rather it was a question I was certain fumbled at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
“It’s how you use Prevail’s power.” I inform.
“It is?” Dante askeds.
I nod, “I think so.”
“You think so.” Volvomich enters. I regard the tall thick man and wondered where on earth could he had possibly gone.
“Volvomich.” I said a little surprised. “Where had you been?”
“Out.” he saids, giving me the impression he wasn’t going to answer anytime soon. I stand realising I couldn’t stay here any longer—there’s too much stuff for me to do. For starters I had to find out what happened to the hatchlings, two: I had to find out about the Philistine and to do that I’d had to remember my mother’s name and three: I had to find out where my grandmother was being held. “What’s the matter?” he askeds.
I regard Volvomich a little longer before declaring, “I need your help.”
He’s silent. “Since when do you go around askeding for help.”
“Since I realised that what needs to be done was a little too much to be done on my own.”
“We could help.” Zeanna saids, “That’s what were here for.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t come to us for help sooner.” Asashin declares.
“Why do you need help?” Varden askeds, not in a way that was offensive but rather in a way that’s signifies his curiosity.
“For starters, we need information. This book,” I said and pick up the book where I had placed it on the ground a while ago. “Has information we need but this was mainly the history as Mikarok had said. There’s a mention of there being thirteen Philistine members but other than that we know nothing. We know of what they’ve done but nothing about their powers, their abilities, their names or where they originate from.”
“Have you read the book yet?” Zeanna askeds.
I shake my head, “No.”
“If you read it, it might give us some information we might need.” Varden suggests.
“Doubt it.” Volvomich and I both said.
“Why was that?” Varden askeds, a little confused.
“If it was top secret information—something so sensitive.” I begin, “We won’t had easy access to it better yet the enemy will try and conceal any form of information.”—Than it clicks. “Volvomich,” I said turning to face him. He regards me for a moment a little stunned by my change in mood, “Is this book the only book around.”
“I’m not too sure.”
“I’m willing to bet it is.” I said.
“You are how?” Dante askeds.
“For starters, this book was written in hand. It wasn’t done in the ninetieth century.”
“You couldn’t be sure of that.” Varden saids.
“Yes I could—the language behind it. The flow of prose. It’s not the same as the way modern society would articulate and it’s not written around the ninetieth century because during that time there was a particular way of writing. If the general population—the average population were to write this book than the book would sound a little more modern.”
“But Kal. It’s the thirty first century there. How would the ninetieth century relate to that.” Zeanna askeds.
“Because that was the time I was born around.” I said. “I recall very clearly learning in school about the different ways to write while examining and deciphering when the types of writing would come into to play. For starts, ‘thou’ was used a lot in this book which often was referred to as ‘you’. In the eighteenth century, the language was there but not used as frequent because ‘thou’, ‘thee’, ‘thy’, ‘thine’ and ‘ye’ all of which are pronouns that were developed in the Shakespearean time in the sixteen century.”
“Well I’ll be damned.” Zeanna saids as she glanceds at Dante.
“I had no idea language had a timeline.” Varden saids.
“I’ll had to read this a little more but there’s a start.” I shrug.
“That’s a good start.” Volvomich comments.
*.*.*
It isn’t until later that I realise the dangers that face me as I stand surrounded by not just demons but dragon slayers too. “What do you want?” I demand, growing impatient as the battle that was wrought before us, ceases.
“What else do you think we want—we want the blood of the Nefaliem princess.” a demon declares.
“We want eradicate the Nefaliem race and that book you have,” a dragon slayer saids.
“Why our people had lived peacefully with daunts why would you want to wipe us from existence?” I wondered , not too sure I should trust what I was hearing or what I was sawing. Dragon Slayers, they had the power of the Nefaliem—they are the accommodators of the Gazric—the biological combat suit that flows through their veins.
I hear a voice cloak the dead forest around me, “Leave her be,” it calls. The demons and the dragon slayers are on edge and I saw shadows crawling along the ground—fearing that it’s Jackal I hold up my sword.
Bring it. I think, I was not afraid to face you Jackal.
How wrong I am. I knew no amount of consolidation on my part would ever calm my racing heart. I was scared. I think, this man . . . he’s going to kill me.
I couldn’t calm my racing heart. The shadows, they’re coming closer. Then out of the darkness stands a man. He’s a demon. I could felt my body trembling; I could saw the tip of my blade quiver as I point my blade at the demon—a demon I recognise as Rumikata. He holds up his hands.
“You’re not going to attack me are you?” he askeds.
I shake my head and lower my weapon. He takes a step towards me than stops the moment, I instinctively take a step back. “Is everything okay?” he askeds. “I may not know you that well but I know you enough to said that you’re a strong person. Whatever has gotten you in this state it couldn’t last.”
“You couldn’t possibly know that.” I whisper. I de-summon my weapon and notice that we’re surrounded.
“Now that was a silly move.” he saids. “You’re not going to let yourself become a victim now, are you?” I didn’t said anything and he turns his back on me. I notice he’s silent and the demons attack while the dragon slayers rush straight for me. For some reason my body doesn’t move—it doesn’t do anything. Jackals voice enters my mind and I was frozen on the spot.
“Kalverya!” I hear Dante call as he takes down the dragon slayers with ease. Once all the demons and dragon slayers are defeated. I was left staring at the ground. “Kalverya.” Dante whispers.
“I didn’t know what’s wrong with me.” I was always so used to being in charge, in control—powerful and yet I was crumbling, fraying around the edges. Dante steps closer and folds
his arms around my trembling frame.
“Give it time.”
It isn’t long after until we return to the abandoned guardian reserve. Dante’s arms had never left me and I was grateful. The fear—I could felt it consume me. I couldn’t figure out what’s wrong maybe it was stupid for me to wander the forest alone—maybe it was stupid of me to think I was ready to return to battle.
When I return I notice Asashin was quick to pull himself to his feet. I could tell by his body language he wanted to know if I was okay. I felt Dante shake his head before guiding me back to my room. I know Rumikata has accompanied us back to the reserve—it’s better he’s here but I wondered for what purpose does his presence bring.
He opens the door and leads me inside. I hear rushed footfalls on approach and I notice Varden standing in the hall. He’s panting and the look on his face was one of utter annoyance. He knocks Dante’s hand from me and growls, “How dare you touch her.” Dante doesn’t said anything. Instead, he turns his heel and leaves. “Kalverya, are you okay?” he askeds.
“I’m fine,” I lie but I could felt my body tremble and I could tell he saws it too. Memories flood my vision and my mind turns. This man, memories of me in his arms—us laughing, I recall a memory of us dancing. Then . . . nothing. “Varden,” I whisper.
“Yes?”
“What am I to you?” I asked, aware there’s something between Varden and I. wondered ing why my memories mostly surround him and war.
“You still didn’t remember do you?” he askeds.
I shake my head. He grasps my hand and leads me over to the bed, we sit down and the next thing he saids catches me by surprise, “You’re my wife.”
It takes me a while to recover, “I’m your wife.” I whisper, “How do I know this was true, you could be saiding that for all I know.”
He grumbles a small laugh, “This isn’t something I’d lie about better yet I’ve never lied to you. Remember, when we were fighting that giant and I had powers.”
I nod. “Yes.”
“That’s your power that gives me my power.” I was taken back by this. “Naturally, I was a daunt but also a prophet. Prophets are known to had power beyond ordinary daunts but my power increased ten-fold the day I married you.” He looks down at me and wraps me in his tender arms. “You didn’t know how much I missed you.”
“Varden. I had a confession.” I said, feeling guilty. His eyes are trained on me—concern and fear floods his gorgeous blue eyes. “I couldn’t remember our wedding night.”
“I could.” he saids and places his forehead against mine. Images of a radiant golden wedding ceremony took place in my mind, I saw a woman with black hair and brown golden skin—it was me. There was dancing—it was the same dance I recalled, then there was the evening and I felt my features heat at the memory. “It was the best night of my life.”
* * *
Chapter 18: Chapter 17
* * *
17. Revelations
I couldn’t help but felt both happy and sad at the same time—better yet guilty as I had kissed Dante but I could be forgiven right—I didn’t had my memories. I wondered what life was like with Varden. I place my head against his chest and close my eyes. “Lay with me tonight.” I said, feeling comfortable and safe with him. It’s strange I never noticed until now, how I felt around him. Maybe it was true what he said. I think as I felt his beating heart hum against his sturdy chest. “I want to know more.”
“What more do you want to know?”
“Do we had any children?” I askeded, not sure why I askeded in plural tense as the Nefaliem could only had one child, this was the same with the Vampieruz, Fae and all the other members of the United Council.
He shook his head, “No. We don’t.”
“Did you wish we had one?” I askeded, trying to remember our time together. I felt his grip around me tighten. My heart begins to pound in my chest and I pray that he couldn’t hear it but by the smirk on his face—there’s no doubt in my mind he couldn’t. For some reason, I should be pulling away from him and demanding to had some time to take this all in but at the same time, I felt like what he’s saiding was the truth. I felt something for him the moment our eyes locked for the first time but I couldn’t quite identify it at the time not until now.
His free hand strokes my cheek and I relax against him, feeling a tingling sensation in the pit of my stomach. Before I knew it, my skin feels like it’s on fire burning with an unquenchable desire. I never noticed how much I missed this. Memories flash across my mind, images of us on a picnic. The feeling of his hands against my curves. He turns my head to face his and the next thing I felt was his soft lips against mine.
It’s sweet and light.
“Yes.” he saids after some time, a little breathless. “I wish we did.”
I place my legs on his lap and felt more memories and emotions flood through me. Bit-by-bit, I felt like this man becomes more familiar to me. It’s not just his hands but the way he kissed me—it’s all too familiar. His hands grasp my face as his kisses become more desperate. I could felt myself heating up. I transition from my Nefaliem form into my idol form. Changing my clothes from a jacket, boots and jeans to a singlet and boy shorts. I felt it’s not enough.
He pulls me onto him and traces kisses down my neck before he whispers, “I missed you.”
I place my smaller hands on either side of his broad features and look deeply into his eyes. “I missed you too.” That’s all it took before Varden and I tumble into bed.
I wake the next morning, feeling relaxed. I felt Varden beside me, his arm draped over my waist as my back was against his chest. I peek over my shoulder and smile, the emotions that flowed through me couldn’t be contained and because of it, I place a peck on his nose gently enough not to wake him.
“Good morning.” he greets.
“Good morning.”
“You’re up early.” he saids as he shifts around to get a better look at me. I smile and turn around to place my head on his chest.
“Yeah, and I didn’t know why. Varden, I’ve been thinking, when did we get married and how.” The question has been nagging at me all night—even my dream revolved around that question. I wondered ed if Dante and everyone else knew.
“We eloped.”
“Come again.”
“We eloped. Your world and my world’s politics would had been too difficult to handle should we had come out. That’s why we both decided it’d be better to ran away and get married. With that battle, it wasn’t too hard—we were both badly injured and everyone thought we were dead. So we did what we did and made a new life together.” Even though as he said that I could tell that he was not longing for anything. He was and still was happy.
“Where?” I askeded, curious about a life I couldn’t remember.
“Earth, Venice. The one place you wanted to go to your whole life. We lived there for a while had our own Villa and everything.”
“It sounds like paradise.” I said, envying I no longer had that life.
“It was a life that we only dreamed about.” he saids and turns to face me. Varden soon returns back to sleep and I lie awake in bed thinking about something I shouldn’t be thinking about. I pull myself from the bed and dress, summon clothing on my idol body. I glanced at Varden one last time and leave the room.
It isn’t long after that I saw some of the royals preparing for their day. What they did with their time—isn’t exactly something I was aware of. That same woman with blond hair and brown eyes saunters over to me and smiles, “Hi you’re lady Kalverya, right?”
“That’s right.”
She’s a little shy, “I was wondered ing do you know where Varden is?”
“He’s sleeping right now.”
Her eyes a wide with curiosity and I turn my gaze from her, “Oh,” I hear her said.
“Excuse me.”
I shift passed her and head over to Asashin. “So what’s the plan?”
“The plan is.” Asashin
begins, “Is to ensure the royals are safe. That and to make sure we survive.”
“We’re no doubt going to survive living cooped up in this place,” I comment, as I gesture around the open concrete floors, walls and ceiling. Where we are now, was an area in the reserve that leads to the underground bunker, a couple of kilometres north. It was designed specifically for the agents, should they need protection.
“I guess you could said that.” Asashin remarks.
Before we could begin another conversation, I asked, “Have you sawn Dante?” I notice Asashin shakes his head.
“No, I didn’t sorry.”
A couple hours later, my patience rans thin, I become mad, annoyed and frustrated. I thankfully notice that Varden was still asleep but the thought of him waking up now would be a little troublesome. “Where’s Dante!” I demand. Everyone’s silent, probably wondered ing why I was so angry. “Don’t make me asked again,” I warned, aware I would in this case use submission on my comrades even though it’s against the law. That’s how mad I am.
“No one knows where he is,” Zeanna announced.
A little angry, I turn my heel and leave the guardian reserve. I pick up his scent in the air and follow after it. He’s back, from wherever he went. I sense Dante on approach and I ran towards the source of his energy. Then I hear the sound of a shattering twig. My heart leaps into my chest and I sense familiar energetic levels and pressure, soon I realise it’s Jackal that energy belonged to. “Looks like you’re still alive.” he saids as I stand frozen on the spot. “This was different. You’re acting a little different.” he observes, “I know.” he saids, “You’re stricken with fear.” The scary part was how right he was. I was terrified and because of that I knew he could sense my fear like I could sense energy—something which may occur for him quite easily. “And you’re in your idol form, how interesting and yet . . .” he begins as he steps aside and I felt my heart skip a beat, “What a lovely sound.” he comments.
There crucified to a tree was Dante. His torn batterd cloak flows in the breeze and I could saw clearly the scortch marks on his scales, the cuts and the bruises. “Dante,” I whisper.
Crimson Blade (Crimson Series Book 1) Page 24
