by L G Nauck
She had powers now. She could summon.
And that kind of publicity… She could showcase her strength. Yes, she was fighting beside a horrible person. But she was still herself. She was fighting for herself and her world. She was fighting for Kaleck.
She looked Tane in the eye as she answered.
“I am ready as I will ever be.”
His eyes shone with something she couldn’t distinguish.
“We will head out tomorrow to meet them. You will be right next to me the entire time, surrounded by my pack. You will not step outside of it or try to get away. The other army will take full advantage and do worse things to you than I could ever do. And though I will get you back, I cannot promise you it will be before you undergo some unfortunate things. The closer you are, the more I can protect you.”
Tomorrow? That was so soon. The possibility made her feel dizzy, but she knew she needed to ground herself. This was her time. She had been preparing for this moment.
She nodded but stiffened when she watched his hand raise towards her. It didn’t help to relax her when he used his claws to gently brush against her cheek. It also didn’t help to see the soft look on his face. What was he thinking? What was wrong with him? Was he drunk on her blood or was he trying to lure her into a false sense of security?
“You are beautiful.”
Her heart stuttered. Not because of any amount of tender feelings. No. She was incapable of feeling those emotions towards him. It was because she was caught off guard. The bastard. He enjoyed fucking with her head.
She pulled away roughly, glaring at him.
“I expect that I will be given some weapons and armor.”
His eyes traced her face before pulling back to her eyes.
“Everything will be taken care of. Finish what you need to do here. We will leave at first light.”
And with that, he stood and walked away. Once he was out of her view, she immediately stood up and forced herself to move back towards her room. She had much to do. And needed to do a lot of meditation if she was going to be mentally ready to face down an army.
She didn’t want to think about the confusing behavior of the king. Or everything that could possibly go wrong. He had said the other army could potentially capture and torture her. Had he said that just to keep her in line? She doubted they would be very compassionate. Also, there would be little chance to sneak away with so many eyes on her.
She took a deep breath and let it out.
She had to trust her summons would work, and if not, she would be protected. Perhaps Tane would be mad if she failed but who cared?
And if she succeeded?
She would probably become the most famous person in Zidania.
Talk about her world changing drastically.
Alena looked towards the sky and sent a silent prayer to the Gods for strength, resilience, and luck.
She could do this. She just had to put her faith in things working out.
Chapter Eighteen
They had been riding for a day and a half and Alena’s derriere was now sufficiently numb. She had never ridden a horse before yesterday. It had been embarrassing when she had been lifted onto the large, muscled animal and had promptly fallen back off. Infuriatingly, Tane was the only one who had laughed. That stab at her pride was enough. But he had also taken the opportunity to place her on his own horse. A decision she hated beyond anything. After proceeding to consistently complain, she had been shown how to ride her own horse. And now she was trying to make the best of her pain by readjusting every few minutes. There was no way she was going to let anyone know of her situation.
“How are you doing?”
The smugness in his voice was enough to infuriate her.
“I’m fine.”
“By the way you keep wincing every few minutes, I would guess you are feeling the effects of being saddle sore. Never had pony rides when you were younger?”
“The only pony rides I had were riding broom sticks and running from predators on the street.”
She couldn’t help it, she felt ornery. She did not get the royal treatment like he did. Every action had been to survive. And no matter what Serena had said, they had still lived different lives. He might have had to run from family, but she had to run from everyone. No one had taught her to protect herself. She had no one to give her food and shelter. She had to do it all on her own.
“You were hurt.”
She swiveled her head to pin him with a glare and sneer.
“We both know you don’t care. You have done way worse in less time. Now, why don’t you leave me in peace!?”
Tane kept his gaze forward, his expression blank.
While he wasn’t paying attention, she shifted again, wincing as pain shot up her back.
How did people do this for long periods of time!? Days of riding was too much.
All of a sudden, she was moving, flying through space until she was draped across something hard. She was then flipped and stared up at her ultimate enemy.
“What are you doing!? You can’t just toss me around whenever you want to, I’m not a sack of potatoes.”
“By the way you were groaning, I assumed you needed a change in environment. If you want, I can massage where it hurts.”
She gasped when she felt one of his hands rub against her butt. She tried to lean up, but the pain stopped her. She relaxed against one of his arms, allowing herself to use him as a prop. She hated him, but she could use him. The way she was draped made it easier to stretch out her back.
“If you do that again, prepare to lose that hand.”
He snickered.
She took a deep breath and decided not to argue. She needed to save her energy for the upcoming battle. She couldn’t fight if her ass was numb.
“You don’t need to worry about those people again.”
She looked at him, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
“What do you mean?”
“Those who hurt you. They will not do that again.”
“I mean…. Yea. I am far away from them and that was a while ago. It’s not like they are just going to show up.”
The harshness of Tane’s expression had realization dawn on her.
“You killed them.”
Silence. Not even a twitch.
“But… how? How did you even know? I don’t even remember who they were. Did you just kill random people?”
“I have ways. I was able to see some of your memories, and from there, it was easy.”
An icy feeling settled down on her. This beast… He kills without another thought. Why would he care? Was it just another excuse to hurt and kill? Or was he angry because his possession could have been potentially damaged? That was before her usefulness to him, so it shouldn’t matter.
She hated him for confusing her. She hated him for causing her to feel so many complicated emotions. And she especially hated him for this bond that was, no doubt, causing all of these confusing emotions.
“No one will hurt you.”
She turned her head to look into the distance, unable to look at him anymore. Everything was confusing. The bond must be messing with her mind. And perhaps his as well.
“You hurt me.”
She whispered but did not hear a response. Nor did she want one.
They rode for a few more hours until it was dark, and they decided to set up camp.
Tomorrow would be the day.
And she couldn’t be more grateful to be off the horse and sitting down.
She blocked out everything as she sat by the fire. She blocked out when Tane handed her food or wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. She blocked out when those around her tried to address her. She blocked out the discussions of war.
She focused inward because that was easier. She blocked out the world around her and focused on energizing her spirit. Of reminding herself that all this had a purpose.
Please, help me.
She took in a deep breath and let it out, channeli
ng her energy. She sent out positive energy to the universe. Or at least, that’s what she thought she was doing. Positive things came to those who generated positivity, right?
Alena didn’t even argue when she was shuffled into Tane’s large tent and trapped within his arms. At least he wasn’t trying to touch her in other ways. So, she just kept blocking things out. She closed her eyes and focused on the sound of crickets outside.
In the next moment, she knew she must be dreaming because she was sitting on top of what looked to be a large body of water. Perhaps an ocean? She couldn’t see any land around her, so she assumed it had to be large.
Under normal circumstances she would be terrified of falling into the water of unknown depths. But right now, she felt at peace. It was as she knew she would not sink. She would not be attacked. She was safe.
She saw the rippling of water and knew something big had to be moving from the large rings that were cascading outward. She was unafraid though. Whatever it was could not harm her. She felt as if she was a floating ball of light.
The water parted and a large face emerged. It had piercing black eyes and a long, bottle-like face. Its’ skin appeared to be like rubber and it had fins running up the side of its’ long neck. The creature also had feathery tentacles that were floating around its’ figure, giving it an ethereal appearance. Its’ mouth opened slightly to reveal long fangs.
She was unafraid as she stared at the beast. She had seen this one before. In the lake.
I am Leandra. Goddess of the Sea. You, little one, are so young. Why do you attempt to harness the power of the Gods?
Alena was struck for a moment, feeling as if she had been put on the spot and now she needed some in-depth answer. Why indeed did anyone want to harness the power of the Gods? It was best to be honest though, wasn’t it? She felt as if the being would be able to tell if she was just answering in a way to appease it. Might as well be honest.
I want to protect myself and those I care about. I want to be free.
The being’s head tilted, its’ eyes glinting at her.
Do you not desire power, my child?
Only as much as it takes.
She found herself responding honestly. She did not want to rule the world. She only wanted to be happy.
You are a unique one. I am interested to see how you develop. Your path has many twists and turns but your spirit is what is going to carry you through. Do you fear the future?
Alena paused, contemplating.
No.
Then there is nothing you should fear.
Alena felt confidence swell through her. As if nothing could harm her. As if she could face and defeat hundreds of armies. Was this the power the Gods were giving her? And if the Gods knew her future, could they tell her anything?
Will I free myself from Tane in the future?
The being studied her silently. It was a little disconcerting having such a powerful creature staring at her with complete access to her destiny.
Silly girl. Mortals are all the same, wanting to know answers to their questions without creating the answers themselves.
Alena paused, finding that her calm feeling was being replaced with annoyed anxiety.
What does that mean?
It means to not bother me with such foolish questions.
It’s my life we’re talking about!
If Alena could accurately read the being, it seemed as if it sighed in exasperation. Either that or it snorted at her.
You act as if everything is set and unable to change. Look inward instead of looking for answers from those around you. Create your destiny, child.
Alena sucked in some air to hold it for a couple seconds before letting it go, Of course the being made sense. It just wasn’t what she wanted to hear. She wanted reassurance that everything was going to be okay. That someone was on her side.
There was a rustle of waves again
Why do you need someone else to bolster you? You are on your side, what else could you desire?
Alena sighed, feeling both irritated and foolish.
Help.
Help does not always come. You must be your own help. You are a Dayuki and therefore have been blessed with abilities that others can only dream of.
All the power yet she was caged. Shackled to a man she hated. No. Not a man. A beast. If she couldn’t get answers about her future out of the deity, then perhaps she could get information about her past.
Can you tell me where I come from? What happened to the Dayuki? Where is my family?
Now, that is a question. Mortals tend to be fickle in their feelings. They wish to possess and control. It is their downfall. While some grew prideful and hungered for more, those who saw the Dayuki as different began to let their fear spread. Pride and fear clashed. Extinction was the result. The gods do not serve those who are unworthy. Worldly matters disinterest us when they are impractical. A good power struggle is fun at times but not when it gets sloppy.
You abandoned them?
We do not abandon. We pick and choose when we may get involved. Do not think of as loyal pets or capable of being fickle.
Alena nodded. She understood that getting on a god’s bad side did not sound like the best option. Mutual respect is what bred cooperation, right?
What about my family?
The large water serpent turned its’ head to the side and blew out more wind, causing the water to part slightly in front of her.
Born from an unlikely union. Hidden away. A last survivor.
What does that mean?
You ask too many questions.
She felt her irritation peak again as she moved to lean towards the god, but instead she found herself suddenly sucked under the water. She gasped at the suddenness of the move and found herself inhaling water. Just as she was surrounded in darkness, she found herself opening her eyes to the tan coloring of the tent. It took a moment before she realized where she was. She was sleeping in a tent with the king.
They were on route to battle.
Alena sighed heavily, thinking of how many questions that were left unanswered. Were the gods intentionally so ambiguous and frustrating? Was that their form of amusement? Or perhaps torture?
Alena glanced over at Tane who was sleeping soundly. He looked so at peace as he was sleeping. The stern expression on his face was softened, the creases straightening out in a way that almost made him look innocent. If she did not know better, she would think he was actually a kind person. But she had enough experience to know that would change as soon as his eyes opened.
Alena thought back to her dream and what information she had been able to wheedle out of the sea serpent. Her people had been destroyed by their own ambitions. And apparently, she had been born from an unlikely union. What did that even mean? Were they different species? From different classes? Cultures?
She sighed in frustration, rubbing her face with her hands as she felt tiredness overwhelm her. She had far too many questions without any real answers. It seemed like the gods enjoyed leaving her feeling confused. They saw how she suffered yet did nothing to actually help her. Night after night she had endured rape and other forms of torture, yet they had stood idly by. And now, they couldn’t even tell her how to escape. Use her own power? How was she supposed to do that when the monster could track her wherever she went, and she couldn’t raise a finger against him because of their blasted bond.
Alena lowered her hands to her pallet and turned away from Tane to lay on her side. She had a feeling that dawn was approaching, and she would need her sleep for the oncoming fight. It wouldn’t help to obsess over a silly dream. She needed to focus on the task at hand and worry about things later. She would find a way to get away eventually.
She faded in and out of sleep over the next few hours. So, when she was shaken gently awake by Tane, her eyes immediately opened. Although she felt tired, she was determined. Alena remained quiet as she stood and slowly got dressed, donning her armor. She already knew there would be a battle today
. She had been told that the army was on the other side of the ridge.
So close.
She stood silently as Tane helped her adjust her armor. The look of pride on his face made her want to vomit. He looked at her as if she was a prized horse. She was his tool for winning the race.
Just remember you are doing this for Barthamos. For your people. This isn’t for him.
When she exited the tent, she was immediately surrounded by a horde of soldiers, each firmly ignoring her but shadowing her movements perfectly. She had been explained the rules, so she knew they were there for her protection. They couldn’t afford their unique weapon to get hurt.
The army was moving within minutes. Something that was quite impressive for such a mass amount of people. But apparently efficiency was a top priority.
Alena refused a horse, knowing she would need to be on the ground to summon. And the other army was close. She could practically sense them even though she was human.
As she moved to the top of the hill, she could feel the vibrations of footsteps and horse hooves on the ground. And she was not left disappointed. Within the next couple of minutes, the opposite army revealed themselves from out of a distant forest. Alena controlled her expression as lines of Meticians poured out of the treeline. It appeared they had gone all out. They must have known the king was in attendance.
Did they know about her?
No, that was impossible. No one knew about her.
As the army revealed themselves, she felt a pinprick of apprehension as she considered what it would look like if she was unable to summon. Would they all die? Were they outnumbered? Would she be whisked away from battle or cast aside for being worthless?
She had to admit the other army looked quite impressive.
As she glanced around at the Meticians surrounding her, she felt a small measure of respect for the men and women around her. They didn’t show a hint of fear and never broke their lines. They were prepared to fight to the end.
Alena walked in front of the row of soldiers who were all standing ready and motivated to lay their lives on the line to protect Barthamos. Such loyalty. That’s who she wanted to be. And now she was fighting in her own way. Did she love this nation? She loved certain parts of it. It was enough to save it she supposed. Although she hated Tane, there was more at stake than just him.
