Broken Forest: Book One of the Daath Chronicles (38 page)

Even in Daath the suns looked the same. Bright and magnificent. Derrick sat on the cloth we had laid on the grass, examining the food in the basket Anna had packed for us. In Lakewood, Derrick and I often had picnics by the lake. The familiar setting made me long for home. I couldn’t wait to return. Daath had too many strange memories.

Derrick told me about Lucino’s heritage, and even though I knew it was a blessing we were rid of him, I ached. The necklace he’d given me lay hidden beneath my chemise. I thought about throwing it away, but that seemed silly. I could sell it and the money could be used to buy supplies or food. It made sense to keep it; although, I did hide it from Derrick. I didn’t think he’d be pleased if I wore it.

“Here,” Derrick said, handing me an apple. “I think there’s some cheese in here too.”

“Thank you.” I took the apple and held it in my hands.

“Everything okay?”

Derrick smiled. His face reminded me of wonderful days. “Yes.”

His stare became more intense and he moved closer, reaching for my hand. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” The words flowed out, but the meaning had lessened over the past weeks. I was not the same girl he fell in love with.

He smiled and leaned over, his hands cupped my face and he kissed me. Part of me thought of Lucino. I hated myself for it, but I couldn’t erase him from my mind. Every time Derrick touched me, I thought of Lucino.

“Marry me,” Derrick whispered.

“What?” I pulled away, shocked at the question.

His hands grasped both of mine. “I already have your father’s permission. I planned on proposing during the festival, but I don’t want to wait any longer.”

He waited for my response, but I couldn’t breathe or speak. Marriage? It was too sudden. Too many things had happened.

“When you were taken, I was terrified. I never want to lose you again.”

My chest pounded. “Derrick … .”

We stood on the road, heading towards the valley, where Jericho and one of Lucino’s disloyal guards waited to take us back home. I hadn’t told them about my decision to stay. I didn’t know how either of them would react.

I walked over to Jeslyn and hugged her.

Her face scrunched in confusion.

“Tell Mother and Father I’ll be home soon.”

“What do you mean? You’re not coming with us?” Jeslyn stared at me with wet eyes. “I don’t understand.”

I glanced at Raven. “I’m going to stay here for a while.”

Jeslyn hugged me again, and then stepped aside, letting Derrick step forward. I slapped a hand on his shoulder.

“Take care of my sister. Get her home safe.”

“I will,” he said and we locked arms. “I’ve asked Jeslyn to marry me. If she accepts, we’ll be wed by the winter festival.”

I hugged him. “Then we’ll be sure to visit before then.”

We finished our goodbyes. I watched them get into the carriage and waved. I knew I’d see them again soon.

I draped an arm around Raven. “What do we do next, pretty lady?”

Raven’s stomach growled before she could answer. “Excuse me,” she said, covering her belly with her hand.

“Guess that answers that. Let’s eat, but first one back has to cook.” I removed my arm and shifted my left leg forward. “On three.”

She smiled at me, determination in her eyes.

“One … two …” I gave her a quick smack on the butt. “Three!” And sprinted away.

She squealed. “Not fair!” She chased after me and within seconds, passed me. She really was fast.

“Hey, get back here! I can’t lose. I’m a terrible cook!” I held my side as I ran, trying to catch her.

She glanced back over her shoulder and winked before heading onto the path that would lead us back to Jericho’s.

Pumping my legs harder, I sped faster.

Somewhere between lies and truth is reality, and that is a dangerous place.

But now I was ready for it.

In the past one hundred years, I never thought I would be frustrated with spending my afternoons in the palace, but I no longer belonged in this world. It was only a matter of time before my wounds healed, and I could finish what I started. New jade skin covered my body. The burns almost gone. In Daath, I rarely stayed in my true form, but now that I knew about my human side, which form did I consider true: Reptilian or human?

The court physician stood by the door. Our physicians went beyond physical ailments. They were doctors of the mind. Very strong in psionics, and our court used them for more than just healing. “Prince Lucino, you have a visitor.”

I nodded, allowing the physician to open the steel door.

“You are looking much better,” Krischa said.

My old friend, here for another visit. With my hand, I motioned for the physician to leave. Krischa folded her hands neatly in front of her. Her long crimson hair fell around them. The overhead light danced across her pale green skin. Reptilian women were exquisite creatures and none were finer than Krischa.

She opened her cloak and revealed a thin black bottle. “I thought you might yearn for something other than groth.”

“You know me too well.” I took the bottle from her hand and ignored her lingering stare as our hands touched. “The doctors think this drink will slow the healing process. Fools.”

Twisting the top off, I grinned, then drank the cool sour liquid. It warmed my throat as it went down, relaxing my body and sharpening my mind. The taste was potent compared to the healing brew I had been drinking.

I gestured towards two seats positioned in front of a large window that over looked the royal red city. Krischa willing followed.

“Tell me, Krischa,” I said, “you’ve come to see me quite often since my arrival. Surely, you have better things to do.”

She glimpsed out the window, pushing her hair back behind her pointed ear. “You’ve been gone a long time. I feared you would never return home.”

“There’s much to learn there.”

She turned to me, her gold eyes meeting mine, eyes I used to enjoy watching. “My father says hunters will be sent to kill the human who did this to you.”

Her father—our royal emissary and a very powerful wizard—tended to overshare with his daughter, but not without reason. Krischa held the power of foresight and was keen to our dealings on Tarrtainya. It was her vision of the future that had led us to the danger faced by our planet. The rest of our people thought the mission was to bring new resources and knowledge back home. They did not know our sun is dying.

The view from the window overlooked the diamond towers of the palace and the flickering sands of our borders.

“And what did you see?” I asked.

“I see failure.”

I laughed, then leaned towards her. “Impossible. You think a mere human can defeat them?”

“He bested you.”

“Enough!” I stood, infuriated by her accusations. “Your visions are neither law nor absolute.”

Krischa stood, facing me. Her posture straight and rigid. I had known her all my life and there was always more behind her words.

“What else did you see?”

“Enough,” she said in a low voice.

“If you have not come to share your wisdom, leave.”

A long breath left her mouth, and she lifted her head to look at me. “I saw that I am no longer the female you desire.”

Her words paralyzed me. I had spent the past weeks thinking of Jeslyn and her death. I had not excepted it to affect me this much.

“I will not share my vision with anyone, but if I saw it, another seer could.”

My chest rose with agitation, and I turned away. Even though Jeslyn was no longer a threat, The Council would see my
feelings
as treachery. I could not afford to lose anymore trust.

“Lucino.”

Lightning flashed in the dark clouds moving closer to the city. The electrical storms came frequently now, burning any foliage they touched upon. We only had a few more cycles before this place would no longer be habitable.

“Lucino, I fear you are in great danger. If anyone finds out …”

“It does not matter. She is dead. What is past is past.”

“Dead? Lucino, the female lives.”

I had seen the blade strike her chest. “Are you certain?”

“Yes.”

“And what did you see in this vision that has you so concerned with my wellbeing?”

Krischa gripped my arm. I winced and growled, ready to throw her off for her insolence, but her wide eyes stopped me. I saw fear in them.

“She will be the end of you … and all of us.”