by Katie Ashley
“From what we’ve heard, the Muharib is just as organized—they just haven’t had funds lately to keep their camp running as smoothly as the Abir have,” Griff replied.
“Micah!” someone cried.
We turned around to see Naomi running towards us. “Mom!” Micah cried. As they fell into each other’s arms, I turned to Griff with tears in my eyes.
“But how—?” I began.
“It was Naomi who came to me and told me what had happened to you two. She never went back to the palace since Richard and Roarke knew Micah was a believer.”
When Micah and Naomi finished hugging and kissing, she came over and put her arms around me. “I’m so glad you are both safe.”
“And, I’m so happy to see you’re all right, too,” I said, hugging her tight.
She smiled. “I guess it would be wrong of me to say I’m glad to see you’re with Micah in more ways than one.”
“No, it’s all right. I’m happy myself.”
Both Naomi and Micah beamed at my words.
Griff tugged my hand. “Come on, I want to introduce you to Piper and Ezra.”
“We’ll be back,” I said.
Naomi nodded. “I’ll be fixing you something to eat.”
We hadn’t walked very far when a twenty-something guy and girl came toward us. “I assume that’s Piper and Ezra,” I said.
Griff nodded.
Like his brother, Asher, Ezra had the same blond hair and blue eyes, but he was a heavier built version. Piper, on the other hand, had wavy, jet black hair and piercing green eyes. “We’re so glad you made it back and with Cadence,” Piper said, smiling at me.
“This is my friend, Micah Greene,” Griff introduced. I fought the urge to roll my eyes at how he had clearly left off the part about me being with Micah.
“You’re both very welcome here,” Piper said.
“Asher came to us with an interesting proposition,” Ezra stated.
Griff nodded.
“So, what are you going to do about this interesting proposition?” I asked.
Ezra stared at me in surprise. “Griff was right when he told us you spoke your mind.” A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
“And?” I prompted.
“Cadence,” Griff cautioned.
“I said I would think about it.”
“Think about it? What’s there to think about?” I asked.
Piper glanced between us. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to get something to eat and freshen up before we talk about all this?”
Micah shook his head. “Cadence and I have been through a hell of a lot in the last forty-eight hours. Don’t you all see? We’re standing on the edge of a crossroads—one way might lead to our salvation while the other might lead to our demise. Standing here arguing about who we should go down the path with, and all the indecision, is only going to force us to remain here forever.”
“Or be caught and killed,” I chimed in.
“Time isn’t just ticking for us. It’s ticking for Kellan and Maureen as well. Their lives depend on us just as much as your livelihood depended on her,” Micah said.
Ezra stared between Micah and me. “I’m impressed with your conviction. I haven’t seen as much in two people in a long time.”
“Yeah, well being thrown in prison, not to mention being whipped and beaten, will do a lot to you,” Micah grumbled.
“Our surroundings might look nice to you, but they’re a prison all the same,” Piper said, her face shadowed in sadness.
“Then let’s break out of this prison,” I said, emphatically.
Ezra and Piper exchanged glances and then nodded. “All right then. We’ll meet with the Muhabir tomorrow.”
I closed my eyes momentarily to give thanks. Ezra patted Micah. “I think you should come with us tomorrow.”
“Me?” Micah questioned.
Ezra nodded. “You have a way with words that we could use if the Muharib need convincing.”
With a pleased expression, Micah replied, “Sure, I would be glad to come.”
“I’m coming, too,” I piped up.
Ezra grinned at me. “I would think that would be a given. I mean, I don’t think we’d be able to stop you!”
“You got that right,” I replied, with a smile.
Micah snorted at my response while Griff only shook his head.
Ezra shook my hand and said, “You know, Cadence, my brother-in-law is single. I think you two would make a good match.”
Micah coughed beside me while Griff quickly stepped forward. “That’s very nice of you, Cadence is seeing someone.”
“But I thought she and Kellan were all a façade for the cameras?”
“That’s true, but she’s with Micah.”
Ezra’s eyes widened. “Oh, man, I’m sorry. I just made a huge ass out of myself!”
I laughed. “No, no, it’s fine.”
Noting her husband’s discomfort, Piper said, “Why don’t you guys head over to the sanitation tent. There are hot showers, and you guys can get freshened up before dinner.”
“Thanks for the offer, but the best thing you could offer us right now would be a hot meal and a bed. It’s been an exhausting forty-eight hours,” Micah said.
Piper nodded. “You two can stay in Griff’s tent. I’ll have them send over two more cots and some linens.”
“Thanks,” Micah and I both replied.
As we started to the tent, Griff grinned at me. “Since when did my little sister grow up to be such a ball buster?”
“Excuse me?”
“I think he’s alluding to the fact that every guy in a fifty mile radius is hot for you,” Micah replied, glumly.
I snorted exasperatedly. “Might I remind the two of you that until this past week, I never had an issue with anyone liking me?” Before Micah could protest, I said, “Okay, well no one professing they liked me. I went seventeen years before I was even kissed. So, I think it’s safe to say I went through quite a dry spell—a desert is more like it!”
“And now, it’s monsoon season,” Griff joked.
“Whatever,” I grumbled.
The “resident” tents reminded me of the kind I saw in the military. Inside Griff’s tent, Maggie sat folding bandages. When she saw me, she dropped the one she was working on. “Cadence! I can’t believe it!” she cried.
We shared a warm hug. It seemed like an eternity had passed since the pageant when in truth, it had barely been four days.
“You must be Naomi’s son,” Maggie said, as she shook Micah’s hand.
Micah grinned impishly at me before saying. “Why yes, I am, but I’m also Cadence’s boyfriend.”
Maggie’s eyes widened and then she smacked me on the arm. “You little liar! You swore to me there wasn’t anyone you were throwing the pageant for.”
“Well, it was kinda complicated then…”
Fortunately, I was saved by Griff coming back with ointment and astringents to clean my face. He instructed Maggie to take Micah to get his wounds cleaned and redressed. As he got busy working, I gritted my teeth from the pain. “What is that stuff you’re using, battery acid?”
“I know it’s strong, but it’s exactly what you need to keep from scarring.” At the look on my face, he said, “Okay, it’s about more than vanity really. The stronger the astringent, the less likely you are for infection. I just didn’t want to scare you.”
“It’s okay.”
“Besides, if you’re scarred, then Roarke wins. I won’t let that happen.”
His conviction touched me. Changing the subject, I asked, “How do you guys even have medicine?”
“Maureen’s funding ensured that we had everything we needed.”
“That’s good.”
“Okay, I’m going to start stitching you up.”
Griff worked quickly and tenderly, and I was thankful I was in such good hands. “When all this is over, I hope you get to go to medical school,” I said.
“That’s a lofty dream
for me. At this point, I’ll just be happy to survive.”
I smiled. “I want better for us than just surviving. I want our dreams to finally come true.”
Griff returned my smile. “I want that, too.” He surveyed his work. “Looks good. We’ll keep putting the ointment on it, keep an eye out for infection, but you should be fine.”
Micah returned at the same time Naomi came in with a tray piled with food from the Mess Hall tent.
Micah and I immediately began devouring the spaghetti and buttered bread. “Would you two slow down and try to at least chew?” Naomi scolded.
We tried to eat a little slower, but it was almost impossible. I was thankful the food was soft, so it didn’t hurt when I chewed. While we scarfed down every morsel on the plate, Maggie filled us in on what had been happening in the Province as well as the camp. Even in the short time they’d been in camp, her medical experience had her assisting with surgeries and other procedures. “The ‘hospital’ looks just like scenes from that old show, MASH. It’s amazing,” she said.
Yawning, I murmured, “That’s great, Maggie.”
Propping his elbows on the table, Micah yawned as well. “Guess I’m putting you guys to sleep, huh?” Maggie teased.
“We’re sorry. It’s just been so crazy.”
“All right, you two need to get into bed. You’ve got a busy day ahead of you,” Naomi instructed.
Neither Micah nor I argued with her. I guess for propriety sake, Maggie steered me over to a cot in one corner or the room while Naomi put Micah in another. “We can be cot mates since mine’s right here,” Maggie said.
Drowsily, I murmured, “That’s great.”
She helped me pull my shoes off and then she pulled the covers over me. Exhaustion settled in the moment my head hit the pillow. Almost the moment my eyes closed in sleep, I began to dream.
This time it was much, much different than the last two times. Instead of the tunnel or a field of wildflowers, I walked in forest filled with emerald green leaves. Light radiated from above and then enveloped me. I found myself humming a familiar tune. When it sounded like someone was humming along with me, I stopped. Instead of humming, it was faint singing from beyond the line of trees.
I began to sprint through the forest. When I got closer to the edge, I stopped, my ears strained to hear more. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, I knew it was Fields of Athenry. So I began to run even faster, my breath coming in pants. But the closer I got to the singing, the terrain became more rugged. Struggling through the high grass, I hurried as best I could towards the voice. Weeds tripped me up as they wrapped around my legs and waist. Then thicker, cane-like weeds began beating against my back and bruised my flesh. Harder and harder I ran, as thorns dug into my legs and arms.
I finally reached the edge of the forest. Below me, color echoed from every corner of the meadow. Royal blues, soft lilacs, emerald green and blushing pinks, all dotted the landscape. My eyes honed in on two people standing in the middle of meadow next to a flowing crystal stream.
A strangled cry erupted from my throat. Although every muscle in my body ached and blood trickled down my arms and legs, I lurched forward and started sprinting down the hill. Sobs rolled through my chest while salty tears clouded my vision, making the couple only a blurry, hopeful image.
When I reached the stream, the blood evaporated along with the cuts, bruises, and aches. I was no longer winded or teary-eyed. My voice still trembled when I said, “Is it really you?”
My mother’s face broke into a wide smile. “Should you doubt us?”
The last time I’d seen my parents was at their funeral. Their faces had been shrouded in death—pale, cold, lifeless. The bullet holes that ended their lives were concealed under their clothes.
I shook my head. “No, I just want this to be real and not a dream.”
My mother’s smile faded along with my father’s happy expression. “So, it is only a dream?” I asked, tears stinging my eyes again.
They nodded. “We’re sorry, sweetheart. But our time is limited,” Dad said. Stepping forward, his warmth and tenderness filled me as he reached out and wiped the tears from my cheeks. His signature scent filled my nostrils, wrapping me in a blanket of security and love. “We’re so very proud of you, Cady.”
My eyebrows rose in surprise. “You are?”
He laughed. “Are you saying we shouldn’t be?”
I shook my head. “No, I guess I’m just surprised, that’s all.”
Mama brushed my hair away from my face and cupped my chin. “Don’t ever be surprised by how amazing you are, Cadence. Your fiery strength, your compassion, your heart—those are all something to be proud of. And then, the way you stood up for your beliefs…that was inspiring.”
“Let’s not forget about the gift of dream interpretation, too,” Dad said.
Mama nodded. “Now that you’ve come into your own, you’ll be able to understand your own dreams now.”
I gasped. “I will?”
“Oh yes.” She smiled. “But, I think you were already starting to realize that.”
“Maybe a little bit.” Sighing, I said, “The last two dreams I’ve had, I really can’t make them out,” I admitted.
Mama patted my back. “Oh, I think you interpreted them fine—just not the way you’ve been interpreting for other people.”
“Huh?”
“The two dogs…the star and the moon eclipsing it…” she said.
“Oh,” I murmured. “The Abir and the Muharib?”
Dad nodded.
“Then in the dream I was asking for help…the dark skinned girl was Sumayyah…and Griff was with her.” I gasped. “So the meeting tomorrow—the Abir and Muharib will unite to work together?”
Mama smiled.
Then Kellan’s face flashed before my mind. “And, I asked them to help with Kellan. Does that mean he’ll be all right?”
“He’ll be fine,” Dad replied.
“And what will happen with Roarke and Richard and the rebellion?”
Before they could answer, the pulsing light over us began to fade. “We have to go now,” Mama said.
Tears stung my eyes. “No, please don’t go. We haven’t had enough time!”
Mama leaned over and hugged me. “We’re always with you, sweetheart. In your heart, in your dreams—we’ll be with you. Always.”
She released me and kissed my cheek. Dad took me in his arms. “You take care of yourself and Griff. And don’t ever doubt your faith and your strength. They will serve you well.”
“I love you both so much,” I cried, choking on my sobs. I clung to them as long as I could until I started coming back into consciousness.
Darkness, rather than light, enveloped me. I was alone on my cot. The others were nestled into their cots and were sleeping soundly. As I rolled over, something clattered to the floor. Peering over the side, I saw some kind of necklace.
The moment my fingers touched it I gasped. It wasn’t a necklace. It was my rosary. The one I had buried in the apple orchard behind our house. I grabbed it up and held it to my chest. As I did, a prickly, uneasy feeling came over me. How had it gotten here?
I gazed over at Griff’s cot across the tent. Maybe he had dug it up and brought it to give to me. Maybe my parents had given it to me in the dream. Neither scenario made any sense, but I didn’t try fighting it.
Instead, I lay back on the cot. Working my way through the beads, I began prayers for everything we were about to go through, as well as thanks for the outcomes my dreams had shown. It wouldn’t be easy, but we would right the wrongs—we’d be reunited with Kellan and Maureen. I fell into a sleep without fear or worry for the first time in a long, long time.
the END
Katie Ashley is the New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Best-Selling author of The Proposition. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her two very spoiled dogs and one outnumbered cat. She has a slight obsession with Pinterest, The Golden Girls, Harry Potter, Shakespeare, Supernatural
, Designing Women, and Scooby-Doo.
She spent 11 1/2 years educating the Youth of America aka teaching MS and HS English until she left to write full time in December 2012.
She also writes Young Adult fiction under the name Krista Ashe.
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Other Works of Katie Ashley
The Proposition | The Proposal | The Party
Music of the Heart | Beat of the Heart
Search Me | Don’t Hate the Player…Hate the Game
Nets and Lies | Jules, the Bounty Hunter | The Guardians
Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
About the Author
Unnamed
