by M. R. Polish
“Really? So no keys to a Chevy, no clutch or dusty back roads?”
“Nope, no keys, and I’m not sure what a Chevy or a clutch is, so I’ll say no.”
“Seriously? That seems like a waste.”
Karis stared at him. His clean shirt fit tight across his chest and arms. She blushed when she realized she was openly gawking at him and turned away. “Why is it a waste?”
He scoffed. “I got a sweet truck back home. If we ever leave this island, I’ll show you.”
She gave him a bitter smile. “That’ll never happen.”
“Then I guess you don’t need to worry about it.”
She tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “Yesterday, when you told me about you and your friend, and how you fight underground, can you tell me more?”
“Sure. What do you want to know?”
“I don’t know. I mean, why do you fight? Do you get hurt?”
Brady gave a small chortle. “For real? Okay, well, I started fighting when I was small. My old man was kinda pushy and started me in private fights they held inside the old barn. He said I needed to learn how to defend myself. He trained with me every day. I just never stopped.”
She felt a twang in her heart for him. “What about getting hurt? Doesn’t that scare you?”
He gave a half smile. “Naw. I mean when I was ten it did a little, but after a while the fear went away. Now I just get pissed when someone gets a good hit in.”
Karis tried picturing him in a fight, but cringed at the thought of him being hit. “What about your scar? How did you get it?”
“This?” He pointed under his eye.
“Yeah.” She stared at the small jagged scar as if to paint it into her memory.
“There was a fight in Las Vegas. The guy was mad as hell that I beat him. After the match and the money had been collected, he came after me. I didn’t see him till he slammed a beer bottle in my face.” He chuckled. “But like I said, I get pissed when someone gets a good one on me.”
She leaned in closer to him. “What did you do?”
“I made sure he never fights again. I broke his hands, nose, ribs, whatever cracked under my anger.” He looked away.
She couldn’t imagine that kind of aggression coming from anyone. “Did you…” She wasn’t sure how to finish her question.
He tensed up. “Did I kill him? No. And after that, I watched how angry I got with people. I fight for a living, but I’m not a killer, and don’t want to be.” He emphasized the last part, making his point.
“I’m sure he’s on some island right now telling the exact same story to some other girl.” She smiled and tried to lighten the mood.
“Ha! I bet his girl ain’t as pretty as mine.”
She blushed. She hadn’t been called anything in so long that she forgot how it affected her. “I bet she doesn’t have healing powers either.”
He winked at her and let out a sigh. “I wonder if they think I’m dead.”
“I don’t know, but eventually they will.”
“I honestly thought I’d get more out of my life. You know?”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “I know. Trust me, I know. I was supposed to lead my people, but instead I got banished.”
“Lead your people?”
She chewed on her bottom lip.
“What are you not telling me? Seriously, if you want me to believe you, the truth matters.”
“I was the Princess. My father, the King, died, and since I wasn’t married our law states that Shamike will be ruled by my closest cousin.”
“Ouch. And this cousin, this is the King they think you tried to kill?”
She nodded. “Only it wasn’t me. Marin set me up. He has dark powers and wants to rule. He used me to get close to the royal family, and then when his plan to kill the King, my cousin, failed, he set me up to take the fall. I just know it was him. I think he hated being the son of a handmaid with no father.”
“Why didn’t anyone believe you?”
“Oh, plenty believed me, but not enough of the council. I still have faithful supporters who wait for me and believe me to be the true Queen of Shamike.”
“Wow, not only am I stranded on a cursed island, but I’m also with royalty, and one who does magic. Are you sure I’m not in a coma dreaming this?”
She shook her head. “I promise you’re not. I saved you, but I’m still not sure at what cost. So a coma is definitely something you won’t have to worry about.”
“What do you mean?”
“When I used my powers to keep you alive…” She waved him off. “Long story, but anyway, a light flashed and a surge of energy flew out from between my hands and your chest.”
“All the trees around the plane?”
She glanced at him. “Yes.”
“Okay, well, what do you think happened?”
She swallowed and began to bring up the basket from the water.
He placed his hand on hers, making her stop. “Karis.” His voice was serious and deep.
“I might have changed you.”
He cocked his head. “What do you mean changed me?”
“Awakened your dormant abilities. Tarine believes your family line comes from another world. He thinks you’re immortal as well.”
“Holy shit.” He sat back down hard on the rock. “Is that why I feel so alive, so energized?”
She chewed on the inside of her cheek and nodded.
“That’s freaking awesome!”
She snapped her head at him. “What?”
“Well, yeah. I mean how many fights can I get into and not have to worry about dying? That’s tight.”
“How old are you?” she chided him. “You discover that you could be immortal, and all you can think of is fighting? You’re not scared or freaked out?”
He grinned at her. “Hey, I am probably older than you. And I’m a fighter, remember? I eat, sleep, dream, and breathe fighting.”
She let out a short sigh of relief. “Yeah, I get that.”
“At any rate, I’m immortal. Really? You’re not joshing me are you?”
“Joshing you?”
He stood up and held his hand out for her to take. “Never mind. Come on, let’s take a walk.”
“A walk? What about dinner?”
“I’m not hungry right now, and besides, it’ll be here when we get back. It’s not like anyone’s gonna steal it. I just have so much adrenaline flowing through me right now that I can’t sit still.”
She took his hand. “Okay. Where to?”
“There’s a little beach I know of. And from what I hear, it’s pretty secluded.”
She chuckled. “Well then, lead the way.”
Karis tossed and turned in bed. Her nightgown twisted around her legs, and she fought the dream that ensnared her in sleep. She’d had the same nightmare for the past week. Familiar faces filled her mind. One of them she knew all too well—Marin. He was planning an attack, but this time was different. In the background, she could see Tarine and others crying out for her to help.
Her breathing quickened. Marin wanted to kill her people. But why? She wanted to save them, but was trapped on an island.
She woke and sat up in bed. Her pendant hummed loudly, and the heat radiating off it burned her skin. “Tarine,” she whispered.
How was she supposed to communicate with him? She knew something wasn’t right back home, and he was trying to send her a message through her necklace.
She let out deep, calming breaths, attempting to slow her heart.
“You okay?”
Under the glow of the moonlight, she could see Brady sitting up on his side of the bed. She didn’t have a spare net, and sleeping without one would be painful with all the small critters that ate away at flesh. Immortal or not, it would be excruciating.
“Um, I think so. Just a bad dream.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yeah, go back to sleep. I might go get some fresh air.” She threw back the net th
at surrounded them and slipped out of bed.
“I can go with you.” He moved to get up also.
“No, it’s okay. I’ve been here this long by myself. I think I’ll be alright tonight.”
“If you’re sure.”
She smiled at him and closed the netting around the bed, then shook her head. It was strange to have another person in her home, especially a man. A man who was in her bed nonetheless.
Once outside, Karis took off her pendant and held it in her hand. She stared at it, willing it to show her some marvelous message. She didn’t know how she was supposed to use the necklace, and wished her father would have told her about its power when he gave it to her.
She cleared her mind as much as she could. “Tarine, I am here.”
The necklace heated up against her palm. It worked. He heard her, she knew it deep down.
“Tarine, what is your message?” She was convinced there wasn’t a lot of time left to receive whatever it was.
Nothing. Ugh. She raised her head to the starry night sky. “Please tell me how to use it.” What did he say she needed to do in order to speak with him? She couldn’t remember.
“Maybe I can help?”
She spun around to Brady standing behind her with his shirt off, showing his well-muscled torso. Her mouth hung open.
She hesitated. “I’m sorry, did I keep you up?”
He shook his head minutely. “Naw. I had a strange dream that I can’t explain and was awake before you woke from yours.”
She opened her hand and showed him her necklace. “Somehow this pendant is supposed to help me communicate with Tarine, my father’s Constable. I just recently learned this, but haven’t a clue how to do it. It heats up when he is trying to tell me something. It’s hard to explain.” She looked back down at her hand.
“Well, you said everything in your world takes power to operate. Would this be any different?”
“It does take power, and I’ve tried.” She let out a deep sigh. “He came here, when I was on the top ridge, without the council knowing. He told me you were here for a reason, that I changed you, and not to give up.”
“When did your necklace start heating up?”
“When you crashed here…” Her voice trailed off and she became lost in thought. “You.” That was it. Tarine said she needed him. Hope filled her.
He shrugged. “I don’t know, but you said I’m here for a reason, and it didn’t start till you healed me.”
“It can’t hurt to try. Come here.” She reached out and took his hand before he could object.
Tingles of energy raced through her hand. She looked into his eyes and could tell he felt it to. “Ready?” She closed her eyes and focused. “Tarine, we are here. What is your message?”
“Open your eyes, Karis,” Brady whispered.
She peeked at him. His face went pale, and his eyes widened. She followed his stare and gasped. The pendant began to glow red and a faint voice began to speak in the air around them.
“You have figured it out. I am proud of you both. Brady, I know this must be difficult for you to understand, but trust me when I say you were in this long before you were born. Your family lineage originates from Aridam. That is why when Karis healed you, it awakened your inner energy. I don’t have time to go into detail right now, but know that you are a true fighter. A warrior, a protector.”
Brady looked at Karis and grinned, all fear washed from his face save for a small glimmer of doubt that shimmered in his eyes. “I told you I was a fighter.”
“Shh,” she scolded and returned her attention back to her necklace.
“Karis, you are the rightful ruler of Shamike, and there are many of us willing to fight and die if necessary to bring you back. Marin has threatened all the common citizens of Shamike. Everyone in the city is scared to go against him for fear of dying. The Lord is under the belief that there's an immortal without royal blood who will overthrow him. I personally think something else is going on, but haven’t been able to find out.”
Karis’s breath caught in her throat. The Lord? Didn’t he mean the King? “I have to help them. My people need me.” She squeezed Brady’s hand.
The pendant stopped humming, and the glow disappeared. “That was the freakiest thing I’ve ever done sober.” Brady blinked and stared at the necklace she still held in her other hand.
She shook her head. “Brady, this changes everything for me. I need to get home.”
Brady opened his arms and turned around in a circle. “And just how you gonna get off this island?”
“I don’t know. I just know I need to.”
He nodded. “Well, you let me know how that works out for you, cause I have an interest in leaving too.”
She smiled. “Why? So you can fight?”
His face sobered. “Fighting is all I have.”
“Maybe not.” She chanced a glimpse into his chocolate eyes.
“What are you talking about, Karis?”
“You’ve changed. Tarine even said you have a family line connecting you to Aridam. What if fighting isn’t all you have?”
“You know I can’t believe all that yet. I mean, it’s a little surreal to find out I have some mystical otherworldly blood runnin’ through my veins. What exactly are you? Alien?”
Karis chuckled. “Alien? No. From a different world, a different dimension, yes. I’m really no different than you.”
“Yeah, other than the fact that you’re immortal and have super powers.”
“As well as you probably have, I might add.” She clasped the pendant around her neck and turned away to go back inside.
He grasped her shoulder and stopped her from leaving. “I believe you. I don’t know why or how, but I do. All my life, I felt like I needed to prove I was the best. For my father, I needed to be the best son and fighter. But with you I believe I’m already the best. Like you accept me without me having to prove anything.”
“Brady, I’ve lived here for years hoping and dreaming of contact with another being. You are my blessing. Why wouldn’t I accept you? I mean other than your bizarre attitude.” She playfully slugged him in the shoulder.
“Hey, now. I’m perfectly normal here on Earth, so I’m pretty sure it’s you who’s the weirdo.”
She couldn’t argue with that. It was true. She was the odd one on the island. She opened the door to the house. Tarine’s message still burned in her mind. “Maybe, but at least I’m not alone anymore.”
“Seriously, woman!” Brady flung himself off the bed and ran after her.
Karis let out a squeal as he gave chase. Pouring water on him while he slept might not have been the smartest idea, but it was good to laugh with someone again. Two days had passed since hearing Tarine’s message, and she needed to let some stress go.
He grabbed her around the waist, pulled her down to the ground, and sat on top of her. “You’re in trouble. I could’ve drowned.”
She laughed even harder. “I’m… sorry.” She gasped for air as he tickled her sides. “I give!”
He stopped tickling her but stayed where he was.
She looked up at him and felt a twinge in the pit of her stomach as he stared back at her. Maybe it was because she hadn’t been around any other men in ninety years, but she loved how her heart sped up any time he was near. She gazed over his body, memorizing the tattoo that traveled up his arm, the scar under his eye, the way his muscles flexed when he helped pull in a heavy fishing basket. Everything about him fascinated her and now here he was, shirtless and sitting on her.
“Karis,” he whispered and leaned down closer.
She tried to focus, but his closeness fogged her senses. It was because she was the only woman around, she told herself. She placed her hands on his chest and stopped him from moving in any closer. It wasn’t hard to notice his breath was just as heavy as hers was.
“I’m sorry.” She glanced away.
He moved off of her. “Yeah.”
She didn’t want to hurt him. R
olling to her side, Karis sat up but remained on the ground. “So…” she trailed off.
He held a hand up. “Don’t. Just don’t. I’m going for a walk.”
She didn’t try to stop him, but watched as he walked away, down the forest trail. Her shoulders slumped. What was her problem? A gorgeous hunk of man crashes on the island, and she turns him away? She fell back to the ground and let out a deep sigh.
“Of course,” she whispered.
She laid there and watched the clouds overhead. The little yellow bird family sang as they rested on the tree closest to her house.
How was it that she was on a beautiful island, but her people suffered? Tarine’s message replayed in her mind. He wouldn’t have told her all of that if there wasn’t a way off the island. Would he? She shot straight up. “Brady! Wait for me.”
Karis took off toward the trail. She found him in the cove, by her favorite rock. His knees were up and he leaned over with his elbows resting on them. He stared out over the calm ocean. The soft light of morning glistened on his recently tanned skin, making her all the more aware of how close he was moments before. She stopped to shake off the memory of his chest under her fingers, and began scaling the rocks to be with him.
He never looked her way, but she could see his body tense as she sat down on the rock beside him.
“Brady, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have thrown water on you.” She played with a small tear in her skirt.
“Do you honestly think that’s why I’m upset?” His voice rose as he spoke.
Karis chewed on her lip. It was a nervous habit her father told her to stop, but she never could.
“You know, I don’t get you. You act as if you’ve never been with anyone. I’m sure it’s not that different in Shamike.”
“I don’t understand. I’m with you right now.”
He bowed his head. “You’re like, what? Twenty or twenty-one? Are you telling me you’ve never been with anyone? How old are you really? Twenty?”
She smiled a little. “Something like that.”
He looked at her with a raised brow.
“Twenty.” She didn’t want to tell him how old she was, not yet anyway.
He chuckled. “Yeah, see, that’s not that old.”
