Jo thought about Cerise and she thought about Leo and all the reasons he could possibly have to fear being with her and she knew it had to be something horrible. And her eyes filled with tears as she cried. Cried, not over Leo Cassavant, but for him.
Chapter 26
Marzanna
Writhia, 5220
The Wastes
Marzanna's heart ached in sympathy as she observed the people of the Wastes. She had heard the arguments for the island prison before. That it was the safest way to make sure killers and terrorists couldn't escape. Some people even argued that it was more humane than the death sentence because it allowed the criminals to live unobstructed and survive by their own 'merit.' Those people had obviously never seen the Wastes before. Or if they had, they didn't care.
With the howling winds and the legacy of days of rain showing up in filthy, ankle-deep pools of muddy water, Marzanna was surprised that the members' already threadbare tents were still standing. The deluge had been somewhat of a relief as sanitation and hygiene was almost non-existent. The pungent smell of stale sweat lingered in the air as damp, sticky bodies clumped together, dotting between their makeshift homes.
The people of Asta's camp were far kinder than any of the other people Marzanna and her friends had met so far in the Wastes. And by kinder, she meant that none of them had tried to murder them. At least, not since Asta had made a deal with Westin. No, these people only stared at them with their eyes clouded with anger and suspicion.
Marzanna couldn't blame them. No matter what happened to her here, she would get to leave. She would return to a world that paid her the utmost respect. She would return to a family who loved her dearly and a country that celebrated her birth every year. She would return to a life where she slept comfortably each night and filled her belly each day.
These people didn't have that.
Welcoming warmth flowed into Marzanna as she and her friends sat around a small fire with Asta and a few others eating a breakfast of berries and some kind of gruel. She eyed a few children nearby who played ball with an empty coconut shell. Though their clothes were tattered and misshapen, they looked as if they were well taken care of. Their smiles were bright as they laughed and played. Then their mother called for them and they ran to her, burying their faces in her handmade skirts. She looked tired and much too thin, but when she looked at her children, her lips tilted in a smile and genuine love shown in her eyes.
It made Marzanna realize that evil certainly was made and not born. That people in the Wastes were far kinder than Azmodeous, a man who had known luxury and had shelter and food his entire life, while these people only just existed through life. Instead of living, they watched life float by like a flower in a strong wind. As if they could chase it, but as soon as they were close to catching something beautiful it fell from their grasp.
They shouldn’t be here, Marzanna thought as she watched them. Children should never be forced to grow up in a place like this. And their mother-she watched the woman lightly scold one of the children, her love showing through even when she frowned. Anyone who loves their children like that can’t be so awful they deserve this place. I refuse to believe it.
You aren't even that close with your own parents, the insidious thought rippled through her leaving the sour taste of shame in its wake. Shame because she shouldn't be thinking about herself in a time like this. Shouldn't even amuse the slightest comparison that her life was anything like the children of the Wastes. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly wondering where the thought had even come from.
Asta's voice brought her back to the present. "And how exactly did you all get here?" she asked, eyes on Noelani and Jo, choosing them as the leaders. Or maybe the biggest threat.
Noelani gave a dark smile, the cuts and bruises on her face stretching, making her appear sinister. "I'm afraid we cannot divulge that information." Her tone was mocking, and Marzanna knew if they didn't need Asta for the night, that Noelani would have her revenge.
Asta's jaw was tight, and her voice was low when she spoke. "Look, I know you guys aren't from around here. None of you are criminals," her hard stare met each of theirs before trailing to Leo, "Well, maybe you. But a pretty boy like you wouldn't last too long here."
Leo smiled, "Oh, I don't know. I could probably last a lot longer than you'd think." He winked.
Zahra mimed throwing up.
Astra continued as if Leo hadn't spoken. "But I have my people to worry about. Believe it or not, I don't want them hurt."
The sisters shared a look, a thousand thoughts flowing between them without either of them speaking a single word. No emotion shown on their faces so as not to give anything away. Marzanna loved her siblings dearly, but she had never shared that sort of bond with them. One that transcended words. Maybe it was from growing up in a palace, or growing up as royals, she couldn't say. She wished she shared that bond, though. The closest she'd ever come to such a thing was. . .
Her eyes trailed to Khione who had awoken at last in the middle of the night, chest heaving and scared out of her mind. The only person who had been able to calm her down had been Marzanna, who had soothed her with the touch of her hand. Now, she sat there quietly chewing her food, listening to the conversation around her.
"We came for Westin. His landing here was an accident. But we're not telling you how we got here, and we're not telling you how we're getting home. That's a risk we can't take," Jo said.
Asta nodded. "I wouldn't burden you by trying to use you as a way to escape, if that's what you're worried about. The only way I leave this island is if my people come with me. All of them."
Her gaze locked with the sister's and they seemed to come to some sort of understanding.
"What I want to know is why you're so far south," said Liam, Asta's second-in-command. The man who had held a knife to Marzanna's throat the day before. He caught her looking at him and gave her a pleasant smile. She shuddered.
Jo and Noelani seemed to have one of their silent conversations again before Noelani spoke. "Apparently, there's a darkness we're supposed to take care of. Super big and scary. It's going to kill everyone," Noelani shrugged, "Looks like we're the heroes in this story." She finished with a cheeky grin, and when Westin stared her down with a displeased frown, Noelani's smile only widened.
Now it was Asta and Liam who shared a look, and Noelani lost her smile. "What do you know?" she asked.
Asta's dark eyes blazed with intensity. "There have been rumors about the southernmost point of the Wastes. Trees dying, people disappearing. No one outside has taken a look because who cares what happens in the Wastes? I keep my people away from there, though."
"They're telling the truth," Noelani and Jo said at the same time.
Marzanna leaned forward, her interest piqued. "Is there anyone here we could talk to about these rumors? Anyone who has seen it for themselves?"
Asta shook her head, "Like I said, I told my people to stay away from there. Although," her voice trailed off as her eyes turned to trace the edges of the mountain whose foothills her people lived in.
Liam shook his head, "Don't. Don't let them go there. That place is cursed by Agares himself."
"Go where?" Westin asked.
Asta let out a huff, raising a brow. "There's a being, who lives in a cave near the top of the mountain. Some people say they're an oracle. Some people call them a demon. Either way, they're known to have great knowledge, to be able to answer any question they are asked."
Kian snorted. "Anyone can answer a question, doesn't mean the answer will be right."
Liam glared, "The oracle is always right. My wife went up there to ask if she would ever bear children. The oracle told her she would have six children, but only two of them would live past infancy." He looked away, his eyes hard. "Our sixth child died last year before he was even weaned off the nipple. Only our first two children lived past infancy, just as the oracle said." He met Kian's gaze. "Sometimes I wish we would never have known. Do you know what
it's like? To see your wife become pregnant and give birth and come to love the child, all while knowing that baby will die before they even get a chance to live? To know with absolute certainty?"
A chill ran down Marzanna's spine at the haunted look in the man's eyes. Kian looked away, his arm drawing Zahra closer to his body.
It was quiet, everyone lost in thought.
"We should go," Marzanna startled everyone with her words, including herself. Liam opened his mouth to object, but she cut him off. "I'm terribly sorry for everything you've gone through. I can't imagine the loss and grief you've experienced. But we need to know what we're facing. Any information at all could save the life of one of my friends when the moment comes."
Noelani nodded, "I agree, but we should put it to a vote. All those in favor?"
Marzanna and Noelani raised their hands. Then Jo, followed by Leo and Westin. Seren raised his and Zahra immediately after. Kian hesitated, his eyes meeting Liam's before he slowly raised his own hand. There was determination in his eyes.
"Then we're going," Jo said simply.
Asta looked on impassively while Liam got up and stalked away angrily.
The group nodded and chatted some more, making plans, before splitting up.
Marzanna was heading to see how she could help with the vegetable gardens when a gentle hand stopped her.
Her eyes widened in surprise at Noelani. "I just wanted to see how you were feeling after yesterday?" she said.
Marzanna lips curled into a smile. "I should be asking you that."
Noelani's eyes darted away as if she was embarrassed and Marzanna reached out and gave her arm a gentle squeeze. "Hey, it's alright. We're all fine. You did all you could."
Noelani stared into her. It was the stare of someone haunted. Someone with too many burdens to bare. "But will it ever be enough?" she whispered.
Marzanna squeezed her arm again and nodded. "It will be," she said, "it will be."
Noelani gave a grateful smile. "Thank you. I'm glad you're alright."
As she walked away, Marzanna realized that, though Noelani was one of the most confident people she'd ever met, she was still scared.
Scared, insecure, uncertain.
And that's what made Marzanna realize that Noelani would make a great queen one day. For confidence didn't make a great leader-wisdom did.
Chapter 27
Khione
Writhia, 5220
The Wastes
Khione sat on a log staring out at the water. Her fingertips skimmed over the surface, the tiny ripples sending the bugs and fish swimming away. She sent small crystals of ice skittering after them, swirling in their wake, dissolving quickly in the sun-warmed water.
It was all she could manage at the moment.
Her body felt stretched too thin, as if her skin was a glove too tight for her bones. Her thoughts felt like the shards of ice she created, forming and then melting before they could fully take shape.
Her contact had lost its battery days ago. She had no idea how Asteria was faring.
She could be dead for all she knew.
And what will you do, if she is dead? A dark voice whispered at the back of her mind. What will happen to you then?
I'll be an advisor to Noelani when she takes the throne, Khione assured herself.
As if she would want you to help her. You couldn't even keep her grandmother safe. Why would she trust you?
I'll prove myself, Khione thought. I'll make her see.
I'll make them all see that I'm valuable, that I can help.
Valuable? The dark voice seemed to laugh at the word. Your own mother didn't want you, why would they?
Tears stung Khione's eyes.
It was the truth. Throughout her entire life, Asteria had been the only person who had wanted her there, who had seen value in her work. The only person who had given her a chance.
The tears spilled over, but she fought them back.
She forced her mind to focus back on Asteria, on the preparations she had made for her queen.
Asteria was counting on her to keep the kingdom safe. Counting on her to bring her granddaughter back.
She had left General Jiraq in charge. He wasn't as good with political affairs as Khione, but she trusted him to keep Vianna safe while she was gone.
She only hoped that Azmodeous had stopped targeting the border in favor of searching for Jo and Noelani. He had claimed in Noelani's dream that he was tracking her. Tracking them.
Part of her was terrified at the idea of the Dark King looking for them, hot on their tail.
The other part of her, however, was relieved. If it meant Asteria was safe, then maybe it wouldn't be as bad as she feared.
She shook her head, As if anything to do with Azmodeous could be less awful than I fear.
She had never met the king, at least not formally, but she had heard the stories. Stories from Asteria herself.
"That man is nothing but a cruel, useless bastard," the queen had told Khione more than once. "He was always jealous of Silvius. He knew he would never grow into the sort of king my son was. Knew he would never be more than his mother's bastard."
Asteria had never seemed fond of the king of Ettria, but in that moment, Khione was sure she hated him. She could still recall the fire in Asteria's blue-green eyes. The way the fine wrinkles around her mouth had deepened, making her look older than she was.
Khione knew many of the Viannese queen's secrets, but one she had never been able to figure out was why Asteria seemed to hate Azmodeous so deeply.
Leaves rustled behind her, drawing her out of her reverie.
She sensed Marzanna behind her before she spoke. "Over here sulking?" She tried to smile, but there was fatigue and weariness behind her viridescent eyes. "Yes."
"I think I know something that will cheer you up." Giddiness sparked through her as she spoke.
Khione's head whipped around, her hair swinging with the motion. Her eyes immediately sought out Marzanna's full lips before drifting up to her eyes.
Marzanna's eyes had a knowing look in them, and heat flared through the bond, but she just jerked her head to the side in a "follow me" motion. "Come on."
Khione stood, smoothing out the nonexistent wrinkles in her suit. They walked through the camp together. Smiling politely at the people they passed who in turn gave them suspicious stares.
Fog was drifting through the camp giving it an eerie vibe causing Khione to drift closer to Marzanna. She felt the movement from her arm as it swung back and forth. A little closer and Khione could grab her hand. Feel the warmth of her skin.
Just for comfort, Khione told herself.
She looked up at Marzanna, wondering how she would respond if Khione took her hand. Would she jerk it away and pretend nothing had happened?
Or would her eyes widen in surprise before her long fingers wrapped around Khione's, her palm warm against hers?
As if sensing her thoughts, Marzanna glanced over at her. Khione bristled a bit at the fact that Marzanna seemed so tall. So. . . far above her.
She hated that she didn't have her heels there in the Wastes. Not that they would have been practical in any way, but at least then Khione wouldn't feel so short.
Marzanna smiled a bit and nudged Khione with her shoulder. She felt Marzanna's playfulness and found it refreshing.
Shaking her head, Khione nudged her back, with just a bit more force.
A challenge lit in Marzanna's eyes and she nudged Khione again, this time causing her to stumble a bit.
Khione bit back a smile and cut to the side, pushing against Marzanna, her long legs tangling in the branches of the bushes on the other side of her.
Marzanna giggled, easily regaining her balance. A root near Khione's foot lifted as she walked, tripping her. She let out a shriek as she fell forward.
The ground stung her knees a bit when she landed, the wet mud splashing up as she threw her hands out to catch herself.
"Khione! I'm so sorry! I didn't me
an to-" Marzanna's voice cut off as Khione looked up at her.
Then, she burst out laughing. Khione gaped at her.
"Oh gods, your face!" Marzanna said, gasping for breath. "You're covered in mud, it's the dirtiest I've ever seen you." She chuckled, her hand reaching out to help Khione up.
Khione took it, letting the princess pull her to her feet.
Then Marzanna reached into her pouch and pulled out a mirror, handing it to Khione.
She looked into the offered mirror, taking in her mud-coated hair and the dark splatters of it all over her face. The right side of her hair was plastered against her face while the left was sticking out haphazardly, held there by the thick coating of damp soil.
And she began to laugh.
She doubled over, she laughed so hard, Marzanna joining in after a brief look of delighted surprise.
She laughed so hard she snorted, which only caused her and Marzanna to laugh even harder.
They laughed as they walked, Marzanna slinging her arm over Khione's shoulders, and a sense of contentment passed over them. She could feel Marzanna's body against hers, her sides contracting with every chuckle. Not even minding that Khione's mud was rubbing off on her as well.
Eventually, Khione saw the rest of the group, minus Noelani and Seren, standing around, their attention focused on something out of sight. Their expressions ranged from concerned to intrigued, and she had no idea what to expect.
Then, she saw huge dark figures moving closer, and upon closer inspection realized they were giant centipedes.
And Noelani and Seren were riding them.
"Agares in hell," Khione swore causing the group to turn in her direction.
"Isn't it neat?" Jo asked excitedly.
"The kids wanted a new pet, and you know me, I just couldn't say no to such cute, cuddly little things," Leo grinned.
Westin stood resigned as if he pondered his entire existence. "Mactans," he said as if in answer.
So, they’re called Mactans.
The Mactan's body was long, almost snake-like the way it slithered here and there, dozens of legs sprouting from its sides. It was low to the ground, coming up to Khione's waist. It had yellow stripes racing down the length of its body, which was at least three times longer than Leo, the tallest among them, and down its many legs which were covered in fine hair. Long pincers snapped and chittered at its head.
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