Keyon points his finger at Tao. “The only thing I’ve ever wanted was the chance for our people to survive. I asked Father for nothing. You were always his favorite. It’d be easier to accept if you were chosen to be the next ruler because you were born first. But, it’s the one thing that you’d never be good at since you put yourself above all others.”
“I never asked to be leader, nor did I want it.” Tao throws his arms in the air. “You’ve always known this to be true.”
“And that’s why he chose you. Because you didn’t want it. He thought that you’d make better decisions because you didn’t crave the power of being in charge.” Keyon sits down and wipes his face. “Do you know what he said to me before the boats arrived? He said, ‘Take care of your brother.’ He knew that I’d always look out for you no matter what obstacle got in our way. He knew my loyalty to you was above all others, but what he failed to realize was that I didn’t crave the power either. All I’ve ever wanted was for our community to thrive and work together. I’m smart enough to know we aren’t warriors. We are a peaceful people who care. We can’t go to war to save Alania. It would cost us too many lives. There’s no winning here, Brother.”
Tao’s demeanor softens. He sees the pain in his brother’s words, as we all do.
“He’s right, Tao.” I step in front of Tao and look him straight in the eye. “There’s no winning in this situation, but there is a way to have fewer lives lost.”
Tao shakes his head and pulls me to him. He squeezes me so tightly, as if he never wants to let go. “I can’t lose you.” He breathes into my hair, and his warmth comforts me.
“It’s not your decision to make. It’s mine. I can’t allow anyone else to suffer at his hands. He’ll not stop until he gets what he wants. We all know this.” I push away from him and see a tear streak down his face. My eyes water. “I didn’t mean to fall in love. I never imagined what it would be like to truly care about someone so much that their happiness means more than my own, but you gave me that opportunity. I’ll cherish each memory of our time together. What little time we had was worth more to me and will last me a lifetime.”
He brings his lips to mine and kisses me deeply. I savor each moment of it as the feeling invades my body. The thousand butterflies awaken once again and scream with joy.
I vow this will be my last kiss. I’ll never allow another man’s lips to near my own. I’d kill any man who tried. Makoa will know he’ll never be my husband, or I’ll refuse to heal anyone for the rest of my days. He may think he’s won, but he’ll never win my body or affection. That belongs to me.
He pulls away too soon. “I’ll always love you, Alania. Know this, and never forget it,” Tao whispers in my ear.
Keyon stands and faces me. “I’m sorry, Alania. I wish things could have been different.” He hugs me. “Tao was always the sweeter one anyway, and I now know he truly loves you. Always remain strong, like the girl we first met on that beach who saved us.”
“I will,” I say. I wave to the others and walk down to the village... to finish the fight and stop the killing.
18
“Let her go!” I yell as I come out from the shadows.
Makoa’s mouth widens into a smile, revealing crooked, yellow teeth. He throws Esther to the ground. Her body makes a thud on the sand and rolls into stacks of wooded fishing traps. She scampers up and away from him. He claps his hands in delight and holds out his arms to me.
“Ah, my love, you’ve come back to me.”
I glance around at the horrid sight before me. Bodies are strewn across the sand like rag dolls. In some sick way, they remind me of the one I used to have when I was child. Its legs would never go the way I wanted. She never sat up and constantly fell over.
Spears, that I helped to make, are scattered like broken toys instead of weapons. Splatters of blood cover the sand and clothes of the fallen. These people were brave. They were fighters. They were just unprepared for the wrath of an insane man.
I continue to walk to Makoa. Fear isn’t something I feel because the anger surging through me drowns out all other emotions.
Apela stands off to the side, near the other guards and hostages. His eyes flash with horror when he sees me. I’m not sure if he’s completely under Makoa’s regime or if he’s seen enough of the destruction the man has caused.
“I’m sorry,” Apela mouths. It’s then that I have my answer. Using my eyes, I glance at the barricade and give him a slight nod. Knowing what I want him to do, he steps closer to the prisoners.
I look at Makoa. “Let the others go,” I demand.
He laughs. “When are you goin to learn, my love, that you are in no position to demand anything.”
“It’s me you want, not them.”
He studies me for a brief moment. “You’re right.” He turns on his heel. “But, these useless souls are perfect leverage to get you to behave and obey your future husband.”
I scoff. “You are out of your mind if you think I’m marrying you.” I came out here with a plan, and not getting Makoa upset is part of that plan, but I’m not doing a very good job.
He rushes toward me. “There is only one thing I want—you—and I’ll be damned if I can’t have you.”
“Let them go,” I repeat.
He trails his thumb down the side of my face. I don’t move.
“I’ll let them go when they are all dead.”
“What if I leave with you right now?”
He tilts his head, and his eyes darken. “That’s more like it.” He clasps his hands behind his back. “Every man needs an obedient wife.”
I want to ask him if that’s what he thought about Mya, his first wife, but I don’t want to upset him by throwing that question in his face. I ignore him and squeeze the shell in my hand.
“Don’t you agree, my fellow men?” he bellows.
His men throw their arms in the air and holler in return, agreeing with their leader.
Makoa circles me. I don’t trust him to be behind me, but that’s when I make my move. I nod to Apela. He releases the latch, and the makeshift door swings open.
“Run!” he yells.
The villagers scatter. Disruption and chaos rings out from all sides.
Makoa comes around to my front. “What have you done?”
“Nothing yet.” I raise my hand, bring the blade to my wrist, and slice through the tender flesh.
19
“No!” Makoa cries out. “You selfish—”
He doesn’t have the chance to finish his words as Apela’s spear hurls through the air and impales Makoa’s throat. Blood spews from his mouth, and his eyes grow larger than I’ve ever seen on any person. The spear’s head remains lodged in his throat. Makoa’s hands immediately rise to the area, and he loses his balance and falls to the ground thrashing.
Apela races to my side and immediately wraps my wrists with pieces he tears from his shirt. “What were you thinking?”
“I’m fine, Apela. It’s already healing.” I unwrap one wrist to show him. Tears run down my face. “I couldn’t let him kill any more people.”
Apela scoops me up into his arms and holds me. “I can’t lose you, too.”
“You won’t.” I squeeze him and feel the release of all the anxiety he’s kept inside. “I won’t let you lose anyone else. I promise. I’m so sorry, Apela.”
He shakes his head. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I was hurt and I took it out on you, but I know it wasn’t your fault.” He sobs onto my shoulder for a long moment, letting out the emotions he’s held in for so long.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Keyon and Tao rushing down the mountain with the others. Apela pulls away from me and holds up his hands. The men’s shocked expressions register as they watch a lifeless Makoa on the ground.
“It’s over!” Apela says.
Keyon, Tao, and the others stop several feet away, weapons at their sides.
“This war must end now!” Apela bellows. “Enough blood has been shed on
both sides, and we can’t continue massacring each other this way. Alania has made her wishes known. She’d rather die than see anyone else die.”
Makoa’s men listen to Apela and drop their spears. Keyon and Tao follow suit, nodding to their people to do the same.
Apela takes my hand in his.
“He’s right.” My voice cracks, and I clear my throat and speak louder. “Apela is right. No one else needs to suffer or die. We can work together and live in harmony. There’s no reason to allow history to repeat itself. We’ve all heard the stories of how our ancestors’ numbers diminished due to fighting over selfish needs. We shouldn’t be following their example because we live in a world where some of us have evolved differently than others. Malalo is the same as we are in many ways. They struggle to help their village, feed their people, and live as we do. As a matter of fact, we can work together to help each other achieve more greatness than we already have. We can utilize each other’s knowledge of the land and water. We can share our goods and help each other thrive, as we once did long ago.”
Several of our people exchange glances. They didn’t know we’ve traded with them in the past.
“Alania’s right. We have traded in the past, and it worked well for each of us. Our elders allowed their fears to blind them from what would be best for all of us, but we don’t have to do that. We can work together and help each other.”
“What about the healer?” one of the voices in the crowd asks.
“It’s true. I heal the sick and realized my gift is more than I once thought. When you’re in need of my help, I’ll be happy to provide it to you. We don’t need to fight over who I’ll help and who will be left to die. I’ll gladly help anyone that needs it, but I will reside here on the shore of Malalo. If the sick can’t come to me, then I will go to them. I’ll do what I can to help everyone, but you need to learn to live together in peace. Without it, living in this world is useless, and no one will be worth saving at that point.”
Murmurs erupt all around us, and I see several people nod.
Tao rushes to my side and embraces me in front of everyone.
Apela releases my hand and steps back.
“I’ll never let you out of my sight again,” Tao says. “I love you.”
Keyon helps Esther to her feet. She stares at us, purses her lips together, and nods.
We will all work together to dispose of the dead and hold vigil for the lost. Apela takes on a leadership role over the Lanui and Molu people. Several of them start talking with the Malalo and the Wai. Some stay to themselves, but that’s to be expected. Esther keeps busy with preparing meals and doesn’t look at Tao or me for the rest of the day.
Apela takes the time to talk with Keyon and Tao. He sets up an arrangement with them to trade at least once every full moon. He then introduces himself to several other Malalo, including Esther. He helps her serve one last big meal for everyone in the village and the visitors who once held them captive.
After the meal is finished, the Molu and Lanui men set up camp on the shore, with the intent to leave at first light to return home. One of the Lanui men starts to tell stories around the fire ring, and the Malalo become enthralled, especially the children.
Apela sits next to Esther and talks with her, but I hear none of that conversation. After a while, Esther leaves with her sister for the night and Apela sits next to me. Tao and Keyon discuss fishing with some of Apela’s men.
“I want to apologize to you for sneaking in here and kidnapping you, for blaming you for Inoa’s death, and not listening to you.” He kicks a shell in the sand. “You were right about how we were raised... to help people not harm them. I allowed my pain to dictate my character.”
“You’ve already apologized,” I say.
“It’ll never feel like enough to me.” He looks at me. “You belong here. I see that. These people are much like us, and I judged them too harshly. Haku painted a very different picture.”
“What are you going to do about him and Grandmother?” I ask. “They won’t be too pleased you bargained with us... I mean Malalo.”
“They won’t have much choice in the matter. Their time has passed. They no longer will dictate how our village will live.” He watches the remaining people lingering near the fire. “Besides, Malalo’s ways can teach us many things, like no more arranged marriages.”
“I’d love to see the look on Haku’s face when you return with this news.” I laugh. “You’ve changed a lot, Apela. You’re not the same boy prying the coffins open on the beach.”
“And you’re not the same recluse staying in her hut all the time.” He smiles. “I’ve thought a lot about Fenton. I want him to grow up in a caring, loving world. I don’t ever want to imagine him fighting in a war and harming other people.”
“I bet he’s the cutest baby in Molu.” I beam.
“He’s the only baby in Molu at the moment.” Apela smirks. He watches Keyon and Tao. “Do you really love him?”
“Yes. It’s one of the strangest things I’ve ever felt, but his happiness means more to me than anything else,” I say.
“That’s what love’s all about.”
“I saw you talking with Esther. She was engaged to Tao. She must hate me,” I say. “I don’t blame her. I’d hate myself, too.”
“She mentioned it.” He nods. “But, I don’t think she hates you or blames you for your feelings. She knows love is a thing we often can’t control. She said she’s grateful you’re here and helping her people.”
“She’s helped me in the hospital often. She’s nicer than I am. I was so jealous, Apela. I was jealous she had him and I didn’t. I shouldn’t have allowed myself to be taken by that awful feeling, but I did my best to hide it.”
“It’s hard to imagine you being jealous. You always hated relationships. You’d always roll your eyes when I kissed Inoa.” He chuckles, then his expression catches up to the memory of his wife, and his face softens, and his chuckle tapers off. “I did it on purpose to annoy you.”
I shove him. “It’s funny how you’re so perfectly good at the annoying part.”
“Well, I’m exhausted, and I’m going to crash on the floor in your hut, if you don’t mind.” Apela rises. “We will leave first thing in the morning. I have a son to go home to.”
I smile. “Yes, you do. I don’t mind at all. I’ll be in shortly, too. I wish you would stay longer, but I understand.”
I watch as Apela says goodnight to several people on his way to my hut.
“I guess we will have to wait until tomorrow to move in together.” Tao slides next to me and puts his arm around me. “Your brother probably wouldn’t appreciate me climbing into bed with you tonight with him being in the room. I’m not sure I’d be able to keep my hands to myself.”
“Yes, you will have to wait a little longer than you planned.” I graze his cheeks with my lips, teasing him.
“That’s all I get for rushing to your rescue today? I was willing to charge to my death in order to save you,” Tao says.
“Apela came to my rescue today. You merely rushed down after the fact.” I roll my eyes.
“Had they taken you away in the ships, I would have come to find you.” The smile leaves his face. “I wouldn’t have been able to settle down knowing you were alive and elsewhere.
“I was afraid you would have done something that foolish, but I’m glad it didn’t come to that.”
“Me, too.”
I kiss him because I can’t resist any longer. I pull away and look into his sparkling eyes, where the dim light of the remaining fire reflects.
“What was that for?” he asks.
“For being you and for loving me,” I say. “It’s time I get to sleep. It’ll be a big day tomorrow.”
“And every day after, but, yes, tomorrow will be a busy one,” Tao says. “I’ve decided to move in with you so you can still be close to the hospital and the shore.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Tha
t deserves another kiss.” I grin.
He pulls me into him and kisses me deeply. When he backs away, he whispers. “I love you, Alania.”
“I love you, too.”
The sun inches above the sea as Apela’s ship pulls away. He will have a challenge ahead of him, but I’m sure he’s up to it now. I’ll miss him every day he’s away but look forward to his return.
20
It’s been a month since we buried the dead. The villagers of Malalo have adopted many of the practices I was raised with. I miss my home but not as much as I used to. So many changes have happened, and in my eyes, they are all for the best.
Word has spread to the other surrounding islands about what I’m capable of. I’ve had several of them bring me their sick to heal. I revel in the ability to help another soul. My only wish is I would have liked to know what I was capable of many moons ago; I would have been able to help more people. I never knew why the secret was kept from me until Apela told me on one of his trading visits. He had told me the elders of my island make an arrangement with the elders of Makoa’s side of the island. Every other generation our elders would trade a healer for supplies to that our island was unable to produce.
I was groomed and used for my entire life only to be traded and abandoned. The reason still cuts a deep gash in my heart. Emotional wounds are very different than physical; they need a lot longer to heal.
We continue to rebuild our village. We’ve mourned for the dead and their families. Most have moved on, but others have had a harder time. Nasir lost his wife in the battle. Now, he spends more time on land than he does in the water. I think it has to do with their home and her belongings down there. It’s too much of a reminder of her lost.
Later, I learned Banu was one of the fighters who had come out of the sea to help win our war. She is a brave girl. Each day, I go down to the water to see her. I’ve even gone swimming with Pōpō again. The creature is more than fascinating.
Nether Tears (Underwater Island Series Book 2) Page 10
