Wyntier's Rise (Creatures of the Lands Book 3)

by Natalie Erin

  “I didn’t mean to hit him,” Soran mumbled. “I let my temper get the best of me again. I didn’t mean to.”

  “It’s okay, Soran. Sometimes the only thing you can do is get angry,” Cameliyon said softly.

  “No, it’s not okay! It means I’m just like him!” Soran got up from the table and ran outside. Zorna went to follow, but Luciana held out an arm for him to stand back.

  “I can talk to him. I know how he feels.” Luciana got up. “I used to get mad and do terrible amounts of damage. I’m sure most of you remember the incident.”

  “Yeah, we remember,” Ana said. “Who could ever forget that?”

  Ignoring her, Luciana walked outside. Soran was leaning against a tree in the backyard, arms crossed over his chest.

  “It’s Soran, right?” she asked, walking to him.

  “Why do you care?” he asked angrily. “I just want to be left alone.”

  “Because I want to help you,” she said, sitting in the grass carefully, struggling to get down with her large stomach. “My name is Luciana.”

  “Hi,” he said, looking down at her. “I appreciate the effort, but I doubt you can help me. I’m Wyntier’s son. I’m beyond help.”

  “I think that if you hear my story, it could help a bit,” she said. “Have a seat, Soran. It’s kind of long.”

  “Whatever.” He sat cross-legged in the grass next to her. “Let’s hear it.”

  Luciana took a deep breath and told him all about what happened to her, so many years ago. As she dove deeper into her tale, Soran’s eyes widened in surprise.

  “Wow. Did that really happen?” Soran asked when she was done, staring at her in shock. “You don’t seem like the kind of person who would lash out like that.”

  “I know. I look so kind and sweet, shy, and innocent,” Luciana told him, picking at the grass. “But I’m far from it.”

  “My friend Cam is like that,” Soran said. “She told me she freaked out once and...hurt someone. Really bad. She told me she’s afraid to do it again.”

  “If she’s like me, you should stay away from her,” Luciana warned. “I hurt Keota terribly when I vanished, and he did everything he could to help me. Your friend could end up hurting you, too, if you don’t keep your distance.”

  “Cam would never hurt me. I know it,” Soran insisted.

  “If you say so.” Luciana shrugged. “Just be careful.”

  It was quiet for a moment, before Soran spoke again. “Interesting, how people can be so different than what you assume them to be,” Soran commented. “Like how some people look really mean, and act super tough, but they’re actually good people on the inside. That’s how Allie was.” He looked sad as he said the words.

  “You all really miss her, don’t you?” Luciana asked, looking toward the sky. “I never thought that one death could hurt so many people.”

  “We all loved Allie, but Kennu loved her the most,” Soran said, standing up. “I should apologize for storming off like that.”

  Luciana tilted her head as she looked at him. “You know, you really do look a lot like Wyntier,” she said. “He turned out to be a horrible man, but maybe there’s hope for you.”

  Soran gave an angry growl, casting his arms towards the sky. “Really? After that big long talk we just had? I can’t believe this!” Soran kicked the tree they’d been sitting under, and then stomped toward the house. Luciana watched him go as Keota wandered outside.

  “What exactly did I do?” Luciana asked Keota as he helped her off the ground.

  “I’m thinking you brought up his resemblance to Wyntier,” Keota said.

  “Yeah, but I didn’t think it would be a big deal,” she replied.

  “Don’t bring it up. Ever,” Keota told her. “He’s had some rough times because of Wyntier, kind of like you had issues with him.”

  “Oh. I see.” Luciana looked down. “I didn’t mean to make him upset.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Keota comforted. “Soran will get over it. You and Rose should finish packing.”

  At the mention of her leaving, Keota looked downward. He seemed very upset. Luciana touched his arm and said, “I have to do what’s best for the baby. He or she can’t be born here. Wyntier will find us.”

  “I understand.” Keota took a shuttering breath. “I just wish I didn’t have to lose you, after just getting you back.”

  “I guess I’m pretty good at leaving you behind,” Luciana said, attempting a poor joke. He didn’t laugh.

  Luciana struggled not to cry as they headed into the house. Keota had kissed her back in the Verinian Forest, but Luciana knew her feelings weren’t the same. All he’d ever be to her was a best friend, not a lover. She knew he was still in love with Kia, but if she continued to remain in his life, he’d never admit it to himself. He’d always be constantly chasing after her.

  There was only one thing left to do. She’d hurt Keota before, and now, she’d have to hurt him all over again.

  At the end of the week, the two sisters and Rex stood outside Ana’s house, watching the sun rise over Nesting’s Haven. As soon as it was light enough, they would leave. If they prolonged their trip any longer, they would lose their chance to go before Luciana was forced to stay in one spot due to the baby’s birth.

  “Bye, Luce. I’m going to miss you,” Keota said, choking back tears.

  “I know where to find you, so I’ll visit as often as I can,” Luciana said, hugging her dear friend goodbye. “I promise I will.”

  Something was off about Luciana. She was even more distant than usual, her expression vacant, her embrace around Keota stiff and unwelcoming. Rose seemed herself, but there was an anxiousness about her as well.

  “Have fun with the elves,” Ana told them, embracing Rose. “Be safe, my friend, and let no harm come to your sister or her child.”

  “I shall protect her with my own life,” Rose replied. “And I know Rex will as well.”

  The large panther looked up at the sound of his name. “Are we ready to go yet?” he asked, sounding impatient.

  “Yes. You need to have a dragon form, Rex. It’s the only thing that can fit both of us,” Luciana said, stroking his soft fur.

  “Alright. If I must.” Luciana backed up slightly as he changed into a slender black dragon, his massive horns gleaming in the dim light of early morning. “We have to get moving if we are to arrive soon.”

  “Come on, Rose, we have to go now. It’s a long trip, and I want to get there soon,” Luciana said, climbing clumsily onto her Changer’s back. Rex had to use his head to push her up so she wouldn’t fall onto the ground, struggling to clamber on over her pregnant belly.

  “Coming,” Rose said sadly. She hugged Ana one last time and then climbed reluctantly onto Rex’s back behind her sister.

  “Keota,” Luciana started. “There’s something I have to tell you.”

  “Anything, Luce,” Keota said, reaching up and grabbing her hand.

  Luciana tightly clutched his hand in hers. “I told myself if I ever had to use my powers on you, I would tell you first. It won’t matter, because you’ll forget anyway, but it matters to me. At least I’ll feel I’ve done the right thing.”

  “Luce, what are you talking about?” Keota said, very confused.

  “Luciana and I are faders,” Rose explained quietly. Her nervousness had left, to be replaced with sadness. “We were born with the power to make people forget us, if we so choose. It’s the reason Luciana was able to make people forget her so easily after she left Azazael.” She looked at her sister.

  “Yes. Everyone forgot about me. Except for you and Rose,” Luciana said. “Sometimes, if the love is strong enough, people will remember you anyway.”

  “But not this time,” Rose interrupted. “Both of you, and everyone we’ve met here, must forget us entirely. It’s the only way to keep ourselves safe from Wyntier, so he doesn’t figure out where we are going.”

  “So you’re just going to erase our memories and make us for
get about you?” Ana said angrily. “Rose, this isn’t right!”

  “I’m sorry, Ana,” Rose whispered. “But this is the way it has to be.”

  Rose closed her eyes. Ana blinked once or twice before looking up, staring at confusion at Rex and his riders. “Who are you? And what are you doing in my yard?” she asked Rose. “This is trespassing. Get out.”

  “No, Luce!” Keota lunged forward, grabbing Luciana’s other hand. “Don’t do this. Please. I can’t stand to lose you again.”

  “If there was a way you could remember me, I’d let you,” she whispered to him. “But you can’t. I’ve already ruined your life multiple times. It’s better for you if you don’t remember I ever existed.”

  Luciana let go of Keota’s hands. With the absence of her touch, all his memories of Luciana, each one from the first time they’d met until now, vanished. Luciana leaned away from him and Rex beat his wings twice, carrying them into the sky. Tears marred Luciana’s face as she watched Keota grasp at the air, staring upward at the ascending dragon without realizing why he was doing it. She watched until Keota was a dot, and Nesting’s Haven a toy city of tiny buildings below.

  “We had to, Lucy,” Rose said quietly, putting a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “If they’re caught by Wyntier, we’ll be in danger. It’s better this way.”

  Luciana didn’t answer, only turned to face in the direction they were heading.

  After they’d been flying nonstop for several days over the ocean, the Lands finally came in sight. Rex sailed lowly over a sparse forest, eyes drooping in tiredness. He was exhausted. They’d have to land soon.

  “How much farther must we travel?” Rose asked, stretching her arms above her head.

  “How should I know? Look at the map,” Luciana said. She gasped and held her stomach, a pained expression suddenly coming across her face.

  “What’s wrong?” Rose looked at her sister, a panicked expression spreading across her face.

  “Nothing. It just hurts,” Luciana said through gritted teeth. “I’ll be fine.”

  At this, she screamed loudly, cry echoing over the Lands.

  “Or not,” Rose said, her face turning pale. “Please don’t tell me this is happening.”

  “I’m going to land now,” Rex announced. “I have a feeling that we don’t have much time.”

  “Much time for what?” Rose asked as the large dragon slowly descended.

  “The baby,” Rex responded. “I have a feeling that it is just about time.”

  “What? She can’t have a baby in the middle of a forest!” Rose shouted. “We can’t be that far from the elves! Come on, we can make it!”

  “I don’t think I can, Rose,” Luciana gasped. She was breathing heavily now, and sweat had broken out on her forehead. Both of her hands gripped her stomach tightly, and she looked like she was trying not to scream. “He’s not going to wait any longer.”

  “I see,” Rose said quietly. “Then I guess we better get ready for baby.” She smiled encouragingly at her sister, and Luciana nodded.

  Rex landed as gently as possible in a small clearing, and Rose helped her little sister onto the ground. Rex took the form of a panther and laid down to wait, unsure of what else he could do. None of them had any experience in delivering babies, but at the moment, they had no other option.

  “I’m gonna try to do this the best I can,” Rose told her sister. “If I screw up, you can’t blame me.”

  “I just hope I don’t screw up,” Luciana said in a voice mottled with pain. Unable to stand it any longer, she screamed again.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Not All Paintings Are Sanctuaries

  Kennu sat alone in the small room Ana had given him, the shades drawn and the room dark. Most of his friends were at the beach, and he’d wanted to go with them again, but the adults had told him to stay behind. His health was slowly getting worse as the days without Allie became weeks. He didn’t know how much more of life he could take without her. Soran had tried to help him feel better, but he only succeeded in making his younger cousin more depressed. Zorna was always at his side, and it made him think of Allie.

  Angel had tried to stay behind with Kennu, but he had asked the Changer to go along without him. He felt guilty he couldn’t provide the type of care to Angel that she gave him. It made it even worse that she was Allie’s sister, because he once again felt like he was letting his best friend down.

  I’m alone, Kennu thought. He brought back the curtains just a tiny bit and stared out the window. Birds flew about the yard without a care in the world. Their song made his ears ring.

  “Why?” he asked, desperate for answers. “Why me?” He slammed his head into the wall angrily, and unexpectedly, he felt a sharp pain. A small trickle of blood ran down his forehead and down his cheek before dripping off his chin and onto his pant leg. He looked to the spot on the wall he’d banged his head on. A small nail stuck out of the wood, most likely used to hold a painting on the wall, but now it was just embedded on its own. A small ruby dot was on the end of the old metal. Kennu stared at the blood, mesmerized.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  Kennu jumped at Ana’s voice. His aunt walked into the room and sat on the bed across from his chair, hands on her lap. He didn’t say anything.

  “What’s running through your mind right now?” she asked again, obviously determined to get some response out of her nephew.

  “Nothing,” Kennu answered quickly.

  “Don’t lie, Kennu,” she told him. “I’m not stupid.”

  Ana shifted and then looked him in the eye. “You were thinking about how easy it would be, weren’t you?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he mumbled, staring at the blood on the nail.

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Ana said, reaching out placing a hand on his knee. “It’s not so easy, Kennu. You may be free of pain, but what about those that loved you? It’s never an easy escape, because you’ll end up in a better place, watching the ones you loved suffer for you.”

  “How do you know?” he asked, looking up at her again.

  “I just...do.” Ana looked at the sheet, as if she were trying to memorize the exact pattern of it, unable to look her nephew in the eye. “The easiest way to get through everything is to just live with the pain. If life sucks, do something to make yourself laugh. If you can’t go on, then sit down, take a breath, and get up again.” She rose to her feet and walked towards the door. “I’ll be right back with some things to clean that cut up.”

  She was back a few minutes later with some bandages and a wet cloth. “I hope you understand that you’re not the only one that’s had a hard life, Kennu,” she told him, cleaning the wound gently.

  “But I am the only one with problems this bad,” he growled, flinching as she wiped the blood off his forehead.

  “That’s not true. Soran and Vivienna have to live with the knowledge that Wyntier is their father.”

  “Who cares about them,” Kennu snarled. “I sure don’t.”

  “Don’t say that!” Ana looked at him in shock. “Kennu, your family cares about you, so it’s time you start caring about them. We all have to deal with this together, whether you want to or not.” She finished bandaging his head.

  “Well, it doesn’t matter,” Kennu said. “They can all just go away and never come back for all I care.”

  “Kennu, I understand...”

  “No, you don’t! You can never understand! You have no idea what it’s like to lose your Changer!” Kennu burst. “None whatsoever! Maekrel might be human now, but he’s still yours! It’s absolute hell living without her! It’s constant torture, like a piece of me is destroyed, and I’m never going to fix it or get it back! Allie is gone forever! If I’m going to die anyway, why don’t I just hurry up and get it over with?”

  “Don’t say that, Kennu,” Ana said quietly. “Don’t ever, ever say that.”

  “Yeah, okay,” he said, crossing hi
s arms and turning away from her. “Just leave me alone.”

  Ana got up. She began backing away. “I think there’s someone who can help you more than I can right now,” she said. “I ask that you listen to her, even if she can’t say anything at all.”

  Ana swung the door open. As she went out, Angel walked in. The white griffin had a small bag strung over her head and across her shoulder.

  Hi, Kennu. I brought you something, she said.

  He looked up. Hi Angel. I thought you were at the beach?

  I didn’t want you to be lonely, so I came back early.

  Oh. He sat back. What’d you bring me?

  The swan walked to the edge of the bed and laid a sketch pad and four pieces of lead on the sheets. Soran said you liked to draw, so I brought you some things to draw with.

  Thanks Angel. This is great. Kennu smiled weakly, getting up from the chair and scooping up the art supplies. He laid across the bed on his stomach, tilted his head when he looked at the paper, and then began to draw. Angel watched him intently, as absorbed in the creation of the drawing as he was. When he was finished, he displayed it to her proudly.

  This one’s you, and this one here is Allie. He pointed to the two griffins he had drawn, and then hung the picture on the nail he had cut himself on a short time ago. Do you think you could see if Ana has anything else I could use to hang up pictures with?

  I can try, Angel answered. She waddled out of the room and Kennu began to sketch once more. He didn’t think about what to draw, or think about how it would look when he finished. He just drew whatever his hand wanted him to, and although it didn’t make him feel better completely, it made him feel...safe.

  When Angel came back with a small box of nails and a rock from the garden, he smiled. Can I see what else you drew? she asked, laying the things down on the bed.

  Yeah. I guess I can show you. He flipped back a couple pages and displayed the first picture. It was of a beautiful dragoness, with feathered wings. It’s supposed to be Vera. It would look better with color, but I guess it’ll be okay for now.