by Eliza Tilton
The woman must have been drugged; she neither fought nor tried to run.
“Do a simple order, hmm,” Romulus said, moving out of my way.
Staring into the woman’s eyes, I activated the spell. “Touch your nose.”
She did.
“Again,” Romulus said.
“Close and open your eyes three times,” I ordered.
She obliged.
I sighed. “The spell works fine.”
Romulus told the guard to take the specimen away. Then he turned to me, tapping his chin. “Tell me about this human girl.”
“What is there to say? She is human.”
“Hmm, yes, but you’ve spent some time with her, alone?”
I stood, towering over him. “Yes, but that means nothing. I’ve been alone with humans before. My spell has always worked.”
“When was the last time you captivated her?”
I thought back to earlier. After I played the piano, though there was no way of knowing if it had worked. “I’m not sure.”
“If you are not honest with me, I cannot help you.” He turned and went back to his corpse.
Telling Romulus what happened would be dangerous. Even though he was loyal to the royal family, it was too risky. But if my powers were ineffective, I would need his counsel. I checked the room, making sure we were alone. I went to Romulus and whispered, “She kissed me.”
Romulus’ eyes bulged. “And your powers, they stopped working on her after?”
“I can’t be certain, but possibly.”
Romulus mumbled to himself and tapped his head.
“What does a kiss have to do with my powers?”
He muttered and paced around the room. “I must think on this. Very disturbing.”
Telling by his frantic mumbling and pacing, he would not speak much more with me this night. “I’ll be in my chambers. See me with your findings.”
And I left him to his madness.
Later that evening, I sat in my private chamber by the fireplace, contemplating the day’s events. How could a human cause me to react in such a lucid manner? Jeslyn had more of an effect on me than any female I had come across. It was distressing.
There was a knock at the door.
“Enter.”
Lucy walked in and sat in the chair across from me. “I discovered the spirit used was a demon of coercion.”
I was not expecting that. “But the way she acted? By the sulfur you found, I assumed it was a possession spirit.”
Lucy shook her head. “Jeslyn would have had traces on her skin. She was clean.”
“Do not fret my child. This is one of many attacks coming against our house.”
“Father!” Lucy and I looked at each other in shock. It had been months since our last contact.
“Yes, it is I, my children,” he said, his voice echoing in our minds.
“This attack came from The Council.”
“The Council? What would they gain? Lucino returns to Mirth in less than two days.”
“Before I explain, I must tell you something that has been kept from you both for all your lives. Do you know why you two are unique among our race?”
Twins were rare; almost non-existent—I assumed it was because of that. When neither of us answered, Father continued.
“Your mother is not your real mother. Your birth mother … was human.”
“This cannot be!” Lucy’s expression mirrored my own.
“It is the truth. A small group of us discovered the gate to Daath when we were searching for a new world. That was over three hundred years ago. There I met a young woman; they were not forbidden then. We did not know much about the humans. It was all new to us. Your mother was astounding. She showed me what the humans refer to as love—a powerful emotion they possess, capable of great deeds. She gave birth to you two—half-human, half-Reptilian.”
Lucy buried her head in her hands. “No.”
She hated the humans more than I did.
“Eldesar and I were both on The Council. When he found out about your mother, he killed her. He only spared you two because of me. The Council is afraid of what you two possess—the best from each race. It was then they created the law about humans and the incident was never spoken of again. You two have been raised thinking you are simply an anomaly, but you are so much more.”
I had many questions to ask him, but only one pressing matter. “Why am I a threat now? My loyalties have always lain with our people.”
“The abilities you and your sister have are enhanced by your human traits. The Council is afraid your human side will be more dominant after you ascend and your current objectives may change, but there’s no more time to discuss this. I must go.”
“Father, wait!”
“Not now, Lucino. I will see you soon. In the meantime, watch yourselves.”
Our father broke the mental connection, leaving us in disarray. Lucy stood and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“I need to be alone.”
“Lucy, we need to discuss this.”
“It changes nothing,” she said. “I am full Reptilian, regardless of what Father says.”
She stormed out of the room.
Human? All these years I’ve been planning their extinction and treated them as the lower species. I had discovered I am part of that which I despise.
Chapter Sixty
Lucino
The night hours passed by, long and arduous. My father’s words haunted me until the moment the suns rose. Too many unanswered questions rattled my mind.
I decided to pay Jeslyn a visit.
When I entered her room, she was still asleep. Her hair feathered across the pillows. I stood at the door, watching her. When she woke, she bolted upright in bed. Her chest heaved and she frantically looked around the room.
I was by her side in an instant.
“I had such a horrible nightmare,” she moaned.
I rubbed her back gently. “You’ve been having a lot of those lately. They are only dreams. You are safe.” She sighed.
I stared at her rosy cheeks and the freckles splashed across them. Her chestnut hair was messy, diminishing nothing of her beauty.
That foreign warmth spread through me and I slid away from her.
“Are you upset about last night?” she said. “I shouldn’t have been so bold. That’s not like me.”
“Not at all, but I should leave. You have a big day ahead of you. I’m sure you need to get prepared.”
“Today’s the wedding,” she said quietly, her hands pulling the blanket closer to her.
“It is. I will see you shortly.” I bowed and left the room.
On my way out, I summoned Lucy. She was in my chambers when I arrived.
“I have changed my mind about killing Jeslyn.”
Lucy crossed her arms, glaring at me. “I’m sure you have a valid reason, especially since the girl diminishes your powers.”
That loud fool told her. “Yes, I do have a valid reason, sister.”
Lucy grabbed a canter from the table and poured herself a glass of red wine. “This should be interesting.”
I ignored her sarcasm. “I need to study her. Did you not find it odd that The Council did not use a spirit of possession?”
Lucy raised an eyebrow. “Yes, coercion demons can only influence not control. They made a poor choice.”
I rubbed my chin, shaking my head. “No. I don’t think they were able to.” Now I had her full attention. “I have read about this creature the humans refer to as The Creator. Jeslyn mentioned this deity on occasion and I observed her performing an act they call praying. I believe this deity protects her. We need to find out if this deity, spirit, whatever denizen it may be, can be controlled. That may be why my powers were
losing effect on her.”
“You think she’s being protected?”
“Yes, and I believe she actually loves me, or thinks she does. That’s the only reason the coercion spirit worked.”
Lucy emptied the goblet. “What do you propose, brother?”
“I need you to switch out the wines before the ceremony. Once Jeslyn’s aura is fused with mine, she won’t go against me. Take Jeslyn to Dune Island where I will meet you after I make an appearance in Mirth. We’ll say Jeslyn tried to escape after the wedding and we had to dispose of her.”
“And after you study her, what then? She must not live, not after what Romulus told me. If you do not kill her, I will.”
“You dare to order me?”
Lucy glared at me with an intense malice. “I will not have a human weaken the prince of our race. You are too important. Kill her, or I will. Do not make me inform father.”
“Very well, sister. She will die by my hand.”
“Good.” She placed a hand on my shoulder. “If you’ll excuse me. It seems I have some work to do.”
The hours drew near to my ascension and the wedding. Anxiousness bubbled under my skin. I visited Jeslyn one last time, to see if my powers truly did not work.
I entered the room quietly, observing her. She faced a full-length mirror, wearing a flowing white gown encrusted with crystalline beads, creating an iridescent design. The dress draped off her delicate shoulders. Shoulders I suddenly wanted to touch.
“It’s bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony,” she said softly, staring at me through the reflection in the mirror.
“I have a gift for you,” I said, walking to her.
In my hands, I held a silver pendant with a heart-shaped emerald in the center. I dangled the necklace in front of her. “I hope you would honor me by wearing it.”
She touched the locket. “It’s breathtaking. Thank you.” With one hand, she lifted her hair and I clasped the necklace around her neck. She stared at us in the mirror, her fingers grazing the sparkling gem. “I’ve never seen its equal.”
I slid my arms around her waist, staring at our reflection. “You are absolutely stunning.”
She smiled and her cheeks tinged pink. “You flatter me too much. And you are quite handsome yourself. It’s strange a man like you had trouble finding a bride.”
You came in here to test your spell, now do it.
Staring at her through the mirror, I thought of what I wanted her to do. When she was locked in my gaze, I activated the spell. “Close your eyes.”
She smiled ruefully. “Why?”
I hid my disappointment and anger. “Because I have another surprise for you.”
“All right.” She shut her eyes.
Placing my hands on her shoulders, I turned her around. I lifted her chin with my hand. The pink of her cheeks reddened. Slowly, I placed my mouth on hers. Her hand reached for me, sliding across my chest, and in that moment, I understood why my spell had no effect.
Chapter Sixty-One
Jeslyn
Avikar and Derrick were both alive and somewhere in Daath. Once Lucino and I wed, I would find a way to send word to Avikar, and bring both him and Derrick to the mansion where we could sort out this mess. I didn’t believe Lucino was as evil as they portrayed him to be. I sensed goodness in him. Any other man may have taken advantage of me, but not him. A true gentleman through and through.
I was going to be the Lady of Daath. That title gave me an exciting shiver. My family would never go hungry, and we could all live here in Daath.
The only issue tugging at my mind was Derrick.
How could I explain my marriage to Lucino after Derrick came all this way, for me? I didn’t want to hurt him, but I knew he would be.
Every choice will leave someone in misery. But didn’t I deserve my own happiness?
Lucy arrived at my room in another tight-fitted gown. Her sense of fashion had always made me feel as if I dressed in children’s clothes, but not today. Today I was a woman, and I was beautiful.
My hands slid down the fine smooth cloth, a mix between satin and the softest cotton. I stared in the mirror and at the gem around my neck. Magnificent green sparkled from the necklace. My heart raced faster. When I envisioned my wedding day, I never thought I would look this beautiful.
If only Mother could see me.
“Are you ready?”
I turned and nodded to Lucy.
Her eyes looked over my dress then my face. “Hmm, something is missing,” she said and searched the nearby vanity. “Perfect.” She came back over with a jeweled comb and placed it in my curled hair.
“Look,” she said, guiding me to face the mirror.
The comb had a vibrant blue butterfly in the center. Tiny studded diamonds crusted the wings. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“We’re ready,” she said.
I followed Lucy out of the room and down the stairs. Reginald followed, like always. Outside the mansion stood the same carriage in which I’d arrived. The horses had been adorned with flowered wreaths. A man, I didn’t recognize stood next to them. We walked past, and I wanted to inquire about the stranger, but we were in the carriage before I could.
Since my arrival in Daath, I’d only seen Lucino’s grounds, the beach and the grotto. I assumed we would be wed in a beautiful temple with hundreds of residents standing by, a true royal wedding.
“What is happening?” I grabbed hold of the wall, watching the ground fall beneath us as we rose into the sky.
“Where we are going, the horses can’t travel,” Lucy said, relaxing back into the seat.
“But how is this possible?” I didn’t know whether to be frightened or awed.
“Magic.”
My head spun with questions. Everyone knew The Order controlled magic in Tarrtainya. Any magic users found were immediately captured and recruited. But Daath lived outside of The Order, far from the king’s eye. I had never met a magic user or seen magic. What wonders it could do.
We flew past trees, higher into the clouds, and I slid closer to the window, absorbing in the sensation of flight. I could see the trees change, the faster we went. Giant moss-covered oaks, bending in different directions and beautiful green everywhere. From up here, the forest shone like the emerald in my necklace.
Breathtakingly beautiful. I lost myself in the scenery and jumped when the carriage landed.
We’re here.
The suns were high in the sky, shining on the large white temple.
Reginald held my arm, escorting me from the carriage and to the entrance.
The closer we came to the temple, the more my heart beat against my chest. There were no residents, no cheering village folk, just the silence of the forest and my quaky footsteps.
“I’ll take her from here,” Lucy said to Reginald, placing a hand on my back.
I looked to Reginald for support. I didn’t want to be left alone, but he stepped aside.
Tears stung my eyes and I lost my courage. Walking to the marriage altar with Lucy, a girl who plainly showed her disdain for me, was disheartening. My family wasn’t here, and I needed someone who cared for me to be by my side. I craved the support of a loved one. Someone to look me in the eye and pat my hand, reassuring me.
Lucy led me inside the massive temple and down a stone corridor which opened up into an enormous chamber. The inside of the temple had been decorated with candelabras, bustles of white roses and plum colored flowers. But what drew me in and held my attention the longest was Lucino.
He wore a leather doublet with green embroidery, matching breeches and black boots that had the most intricate golden buttons. His hair had been tied back and his golden sword hung at his side.
All of that was lovely, but it was his gaze that set me on fire.
His eyes smiled at me under the sunlight. I t
hought I should walk to him, but he moved towards me first. With our eyes locked on one another, he stepped closer and closer. The fear and doubt melted away as I saw true passion rise in his cheeks. When we met, he grasped my hands, his eyes still on mine.
“I never thought I could feel the way I did when you first walked in,” he said.
His voice was hushed, as if he only wanted me to hear. “This may not be the ceremony you were expecting, and for that, I am grieved. A woman who looks as stunning as you should have a gala where the suns sing, but my people have their traditions.”
He glanced away from me and towards Lucy, who stood off to the side watching. Her forehead creased.
Lucino moved beside me, whispering in my ear. “Don’t be frightened about anything you see, I swear, everything will be fine. Do you trust me?”
I knew nothing of what he meant or the strange traditions of his people, but I believed him. His eyes had lightened as if a fog had been obstructing them. They shone bright and clear, and I knew, no matter what had transpired or lies had been told, right now, he meant what he said.
“I do.”
He smiled, lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it. “Then let us be wed.”
Chapter Sixty-Two
Avikar
We were near the temple. Drums beat in the distance. The sound made my heart pound and I glanced at Derrick who was already in position. Our job was simple—take out the perimeter guards and do it quickly. The large moon almost covered both suns; time was running out.
An owl hooted—our sign from Jericho.
One … two … three
I shot an arrow at the nearest guard. The missile cut through the air and landed in the center of the man’s throat. Before the guard collapsed, I ran full speed, stringing my bow with another arrow.
We moved at lightning pace. Guards dropped before they could scream a warning. Rushing wind flew through the trees and whipped around me, matching the increasing tempo of the drums. Four guards blocked the temple entrance. We had one chance. I stepped around a tree and pulled back on my bow. I lined the shot on the guard to the far right and waited. Another hoot. I counted to three and released.