I gently remove myself from his arms, climb out of bed and start dressing. I should probably slow down and make this last longer, but part of me wants to go ahead and get it over with—the leaving part. A few minutes isn’t going to make a difference but the sooner I’m gone, it’s like the sooner I’ll be coming back.
Once I’m done dressing, I take a deep breath and stand at the edge of the bed, looking down at him. When he wakes up I’ll be gone. When they all wake up, I’ll be gone.
I lean down and kiss his forehead.
Reid stirs but remains asleep. With a final look around the space and then back at him, I turn and head out of the wooden abode, trying my best to keep it all in. I can’t cry. I can’t do anything other than what I must, which is leave. When I get outside, Clarence is here, leaning against the beginning of the Eckle’s branch-bridge.
Looking up, he offers a slight smile. “Ready kid?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Well,” he offers his arm to me, “I guess it’s time, then.”
It’s still early—a good few hours before sunrise. I’m sure Clarence did this for a reason. Or maybe the Lynzees are already here. It doesn’t matter. I’m leaving for Arosin in a couple of minutes anyway.
Once we reach the ground, Clarence heads for the open patch of land where Tucker had to battle the Horrop two weeks ago. Sampson and Blovid are already there, waiting with the Lynzees who flutter between them. As we approach, both Dofinikes look up.
“Fallon,” Sampson’s mouth turns into a weary smile. He steps closer, his hands behind his back. “How did you sleep last night?”
It was one of the best nights of my life… and one of the most painful. I was given the thing I wanted more than anything—to finally hear Reid tell me how he felt, finally admit that I was his. That I was what he wanted. I knew this before, but hearing those words made it real for me. Reid loves me. And I love him. But knowing we’ll have to spend the next three months apart is like a knife to the gut. It’s longer than we’ve known each other and even though it could be longer—a year, a few years—anytime away from him is too much. Too unbearable. The dichotomy of last night wasn’t lost on me, but Sampson doesn’t need the details. “Fine.”
“Good,” he glances back to the Lynzees. “That’s good. Well…” he inhales, glancing around. “Looks like it’s that time.”
Clarence releases my arm. “We’ll see you real soon kid.”
I start to say bye, but realize I don’t want to say that to anyone. Not to Sampson, not to Blovid, not even to Clarence. Because it’s not goodbye—not really. It’s see you later. And I will. In a couple months I’ll be right back here.
The Lynzees float around my face, dancing in front of my nose.
It is time you leave with us, Fallon. We will take you to the Lost Princesses where they will educate and instruct you.
On Arosin.
That is correct. Come, it is time.
Unsure what I’m supposed to do, I stand still, looking past the Lynzees and to the three Arizal Dofinikes. Each has a soft smile, but no one says anything. I think maybe I could say goodbye, or at least a quick, ‘I’ll see you soon,’ but I never get the chance. With the Lynzees circling my head, the purple fog rises, surrounding everything, and suddenly, Nerwolix—and my three friends—disappear completely.
I’m in the middle of nowhere.
That’s what it looks like, at least. There’s nothing here. Nothing but dark red rock. Everywhere. It’s an endless sheet under my shoes and it stretches to the colossal rusted peaks in the far distance. Fat boulders of crumbled stones break up the space, dotting the landscape every fifty feet and a soft red wind whips past everything, dusting the horizon. It skirts low, sending loose pebbles scraping against the cracked ground. I crane my neck. The sky is mostly a light yellow but hints of blue peek through in some places. It reminds me of the west. Like Arizona or somewhere. I’ve never been, but I’ve seen pictures.
It is this way, Fallon.
The Lynzees fly forward, swirling past the first boulder. I follow, hoping to find something else. Some trees or a pond. Something other than the endless bleak red. But it’s just more of the same. Is this where I’m going to be spending the next three months? In a rusted, desolate wasteland?
I wish Reid was here. I just saw him and I’m already breaking. How will I make it three months? I know I shouldn’t yet, but I can’t help it—I’m already picturing him asleep earlier and I revel in it. He’s probably still there, peaceful and totally unaware I’ve left. He’ll find out soon enough. They all will.
This way, Fallon. Please follow us.
But there’s nowhere to follow. It’s just rocks. Peaks in some places—mostly the distance—but that’s it. Where are these Lost Princesses? And where am I going to be staying? There’s nothing here. Nothing but nothing. Just an empty, open—
“You have arrived,” a voice says behind me.
Startled, I spin and find myself staring into a set of white eyes. They’re inches from mine, and sit in a face that could be human. Except her skin is translucent; watery almost. And glassy diamond hair flows over her bare shoulders, covering her breasts and reaching to the top of her knees. It takes a second before I realize she’s naked. Her only coverings are her layered, ethereal hair which is braided in some parts with strands of golden gossamer intertwined.
“Are you…”
“We are,” another voice says.
Again I spin and find a second mostly naked woman just a few feet behind me. She looks to her left and a third woman appears, identical to the first two.
“Do not be alarmed,” the one behind me assures. I turn back to her and gulp. “We are here to help you, to teach and guide you on the difficult road that lies ahead.”
“Difficult…” I lose my words. “You’re the Lost Princesses?”
She smiles. “We have been sent by the Mother for you, Fallon. It is imperative that you stay with us; learn from us.”
“Why?”
“So fate may unfold as it must. You are here, because you have come before, and will continue to come in the future. It is the way,” she steps closer and the other two do as well, their tight trio enclosing me. “Come. We must begin.”
Thank you for joining Fallon in her adventure! Be sure to follow her and the others as the journey continues in Crusade Across Worlds, coming Spring 2015!
About the Author:
C.G.Coppola is a huge fan of Oreos, but not so much oatmeal raisin. She loves the cold, but somehow still finds herself in sunny Florida, where she grew up and obtained her creative writing degree (go Noles!) Maybe one day she’ll migrate north. New York would be nice. Or Amsterdam, perhaps. For now, she lives with her boyfriend and entirely too much stuff in their cramped two-bedroom apartment. She hopes this will change soon.
Connect with me online:
http://www.cgcoppola.com/
http://ninjallamaempress.wordpress.com/
@writercgcoppola
Friend me on Pintrest: Caitlin Coppola
Discovery at Nerwolix Page 38
