The Daath Chronicles- The Complete Series

by Eliza Tilton

  She titled her head to the side, a fish head in her mouth,

  I marched to the waters. There was nothing to be afraid of, but I said a quick prayer to The Creator just in case. You can do this.

  To walk or run?

  I smiled.

  Run.

  I ran to the water and jumped into the small waves. The coldness splashed against my hot skin and I laughed at the refreshing feeling. Bravery soared through me and I went farther, enjoying the freeing feeling of swimming. There were no attacking creatures or dangerous beasts, just Hadda and me.

  “Come in!” I waved at Hadda.

  At first, she stood, rustling her feathers, then she soared forward, pushing the water around her as she came to me.

  “Oh, you amazing bird!” I clapped my hands, jumping in the water.

  She squawked and flew back and forth, playfully splashing water at me with a mysterious force. Laughter bubbled out of me, and I danced in a circle, my toes swirling in the sand. Hadda flew close and I held out my arm for her to stand on. She landed and I rubbed her neck with my finger.

  Her head bobbed up and down and water rose around me, splashing my face and shoulders.

  “Jeslyn!”

  Lucino had returned from his search.

  “No more of that water trick,” I said to Hadda. “I don’t want him knowing you can do it, too.”

  Hadda nuzzled her head against my hand.

  “Here!”

  While I waded toward the shore, Lucino washed his hands off in the water. His skin had tanned, making his blond hair shine even brighter.

  “We’re ready.” He dipped his hands back into the water, then splashed his bare chest.

  “Already?”

  He nodded. “We can leave tomorrow at dawn.”

  I walked out of the waters, Lucino holding my arm steady as a wave pushed me forward. “I’ve gathered enough fruit to last us a few days.”

  “Let’s hope that’s enough,” he said.

  We walked back to our little overhang, and Lucino started a fire. I sat and began peeling the fruit. “If tonight is our last night here, we should celebrate.”

  His eyebrow rose, but he didn’t look away from the fire pit.

  “I’ll find a crab for tonight.”

  “Don’t go far,” he said as I headed to the part of the beach scattered with black rocks.

  I had never caught a crab before, but I watched the young boys at the harbor do it all the time. It couldn’t be too difficult. Big rocks covered this part of the beach. I stepped softly and carefully, searching the pools of water that collected there. I was rewarded with one pink crab, skittering around.

  Placing my foot on either side of the pool, I positioned my hands above the crab. I had to grab it from behind and keep its pinchers away from my hands. I waited until it stopped, then dove my hands in, snatching it out.

  “I did it!”

  The crab wiggled in my hands with its snapping claws, and I triumphantly walked back to Lucino.

  “Ahem.”

  He looked up, and I held out the crab.

  “Well done.” He took the crab from me, throwing it on the fire.

  “Is there anything I can help with?”

  “There’s some fish I caught over there. Stick them and we’ll cook those too.”

  I grabbed the fish from Lucino and began poking them with sticks. When I was finished, I handed them over. “Oh, I forgot.” I ran over by my boots and grabbed the flower wreaths I had made. I took the green and white one and slipped it over Lucino’s neck.

  “What’s this?”

  I put the smaller purple one on my head. “A wreath. You wear them during a celebration.”

  “It looks nice on you.”

  “Thank you.” I met his gaze, wanting to say a thousand things I shouldn’t.

  Heat filled my cheeks. After our kiss, he hadn’t said another word about our conversation. We didn’t talk about what happened, and I wasn’t sure what he was feeling. The kiss had been unexpected and, ever since, he had been nicer. I don’t know what had changed or why, but he seemed calmer, almost enjoyable.

  The suns lowered, and the fire created a glow around us.

  Lucino fished out the crab and dumped it into a small pool of water to cool it, and then broke off one of the claws. He picked out a piece of white meat and tasted it before handing me the claw.

  “Here.”

  “Thank you.” I took the claw and ripped a piece of the slippery meat out. The crab had a strange texture. It was smooth, and different from the tiny crabs we had eaten on the blue.

  The smooth texture rubbed against my tongue, but tasted delicious. “This is good!”

  Lucino broke his claw in half and bit into it. “It is. Well done, Jeslyn.”

  Hadda squawked beside me, and I ripped off a piece for her.

  I didn’t want to sit in silence, not when this could be our last chance to talk. “Tell me a story about your home.”

  “What kind of story?”

  “A happy one.”

  His brow creased as if such a story didn’t exist. Surely even Reptilian children had fun?

  “When I turned four hundred twelve . . . that would be . . . .”

  I tried to hide my surprise of his age by eating another piece of fish.

  “Thirteen human years,” he continued, “I was sent to the wilds. Each Reptilian male goes through the trials. It’s our most sacred tradition.”

  The fire highlighted the wildness in his eyes, and I listened attentively.

  “For one year, we are left alone.”

  “One year? Even a prince?”

  He nodded. “If a prince cannot survive the trials, he is not fit to rule.”

  “I had been hunting a brushk—they’re similar to the deer you have. The brushk was large enough that I could survive awhile on the meat, and the skin would provide clothing.”

  “You were naked?”

  He grinned, and it must’ve been because I was trying to envision a young Lucino, naked and playing in the woods. “You enter the wood with nothing. We are taught all the skills needed to hunt, gather, and build shelter at an early age. Mirth is a harsh world, and you need to be strong and fierce to rule it.

  “I carried a bow I made. It had taken a while for me to find a good sapling to make it from. The arrows were even more difficult, but I did it. I followed the brushk, waiting for the moment to strike.”

  I’d never seen Lucino so focused on a story, so alive. I scooted closer.

  “The arrow landed perfectly, right in the heart of the beast. I left my spot and walked over, watching the animal twitch. Its large black eyes stared at me while it drew its last breaths. Once its spirit had passed, I cut it open and took out the heart.”

  My stomach twitched.

  Lucino eyed me, his gaze intense and sharp. “The heart of a creature is its essence. By removing it and burying it back in the dirt from which it came, we are returning the cycle.”

  “Ouroboros.”

  His lip curled up in the corner. “You remember.”

  “I remember much.”

  I gazed into Lucino’s eyes and something unspoken passed between us. He wasn’t so different from me.

  “At that moment, the wood had accepted me. I was worthy of my title and worthy to rule.”

  The heat from the fire caused my skin to warm. Lucino was close, and no matter how hard I wanted to ignore the sensation his glances gave me, I couldn’t, not after the way he had kissed me.

  He didn’t move away when I slid across the sand, closer to him. “Is your planet really dying?”

  “Yes.”

  What would I do if my planet was fading away? Would I risk the lives of another world to save my own?

  “Can’t we coexist peacefully?”
/>   Lucino sighed. “My people don’t coexist well.”

  “But there must be a way. There has to be. We can figure it out, together.”

  Hope filled my chest, and when Lucino observed me with eyes that said more than his lips ever could, I knew there was a chance. I wanted to convince him, to keep talking, but I was afraid I’d say the wrong thing and this moment would end.

  “Why do you do that?” he asked.

  “Do what?”

  He reached out to touch my cheek. My skin reacted to the warmth of his fingers, igniting fire and spreading it through me like a flame. I wanted the fire to blaze me into the sky and I wanted the sand to swallow our bodies whole.

  I wanted him.

  He studied me, rubbing my face. “Your aura glows brighter at times. The color is so brilliant and bold it reminds me of gold shining under the suns.”

  My breaths were heavy and my heart thumped with each glance he gave. His palm cupped my cheek and I leaned against it, closing my eyes. The smell of winter air surrounded him even in the warmth of the fire. I opened my eyes, wondering if he was moving closer, and his lips were only a breath away.

  His mouth touched mine in a gentle rhythm. My body sang with bliss, and I wanted to wrap my arms around him, but I waited.

  My patience was rewarded.

  As his strong hands grasped my neck, pulling me near, I let my body fall against his. When we touched, the fire within me burned, and I hugged his neck, drawing him deeper into the kiss. His mouth forced mine open, and all the fear and anxiety faded in the moment. The only thing left was us.

  We kissed and we kissed, the fire warming our backs, and the ocean singing its loud chorus. I pulled away to catch my breath and glanced at his face.

  “Let me see you.”

  Lucino’s brow arched. “You’re staring right at me.”

  I placed my hand on his leg. “No, let me see you. The real you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  I nodded. He shouldn’t be nervous to show me. After all, I had seen him as two different boys. I wasn’t afraid of him and I wanted to know all of him.

  “Very well.”

  Then, like a curtain unveiling a beautiful scene, he revealed himself.

  Beautiful jade skin, smooth as cream, covered him. His features became more angular, more refined. His ears pointed at the top, peeking through the long strands of golden hair. The blue in his eyes became more radiant and almost sparkled.

  In my mind, I had imagined a monster, but he was no monster.

  I touched his face, feeling the smooth skin and how it patterned together.

  “Well?” he said. “Do you approve?”

  I leaned into him and pressed my lips onto his, telling him how much I approved.

  Since I had left Daath, I’d wondered if our connection was real. I thought his affection was, but I couldn’t be certain. I remembered how Derrick’s kisses made me feel, and they never set fire to my heart the way Lucino’s did. This was more than passion.

  In one kiss, he could sweep me into the clouds and everything else disappeared.

  I loved him.

  I understood that now. Whether right or wrong, our love was true, and I was ready to embrace everything those words would mean.

  Lucino’s hands traveled across my back. All my thoughts whirled. When we separated to catch our breath, Lucino’s brow furrowed.

  “What is it?” I rubbed his arm.

  “You’re not what I expected.” The words came out low and soft, and his eyes had turned solid black.

  I placed my hand on his cheek. “Your eyes . . . .”

  “Don’t be afraid.”

  “I’m not.”

  His breaths matched mine. I traced his strong jawline, and he shivered under my touch. For all his bravado, Lucino was still a boy.

  I didn’t know why his eyes were black, but I knew he wouldn’t hurt me.

  His hands rested on my hips as we kissed again, holding me and pulling me across the sand. It was more than what was appropriate, but I couldn’t stop and I didn’t want to.

  Lucino slid his hands up my sides. Ripples of desire coursed through me when his fingers gently squeezed my skin. I moved to my knees, kneeling so our faces were as close as they could be, letting my hands roam every muscle of his arms and back.

  He slipped his hands under my thighs, and he lifted me onto his lap. The movement caused my breath to slip away. He laid me on the sand, lying on top of me, kissing and touching my face as if we’d never kissed before. I lost myself in his kiss, letting go of every fear.

  Suddenly, he grunted and pulled back, his chest rising and falling. His hair covered his face, his head bowed.

  Shock and confusion threatened to give me tears.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No . . . I . . . just need a moment.” He stood and dashed to the water, diving in.

  Hadda squawked at my side.

  I brushed the sand off my clothes and followed him. The water cooled my hot skin, drowning the fire I had inside. He stood, waist deep, running his hands through his hair. Moonlight caressed the muscles in his back and arms.

  “Is everything all right?” I stepped behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist.

  “Yes.” He placed his hands over mine.

  He turned, and under the moonlight, his eyes were back to beautiful blue.

  “What happened?” I released him and washed the bits of sand off my arms.

  He shook his head, droplets splattering across the water. “It’s difficult to control myself with you.”

  “I know what you mean.”

  He rubbed my cheek with his hand.

  “I don’t want to spoil you.”

  “Spoil me?” His word choice was crude.

  He frowned and sighed. “Would you prefer defile?”

  My stomach twisted in hurt. Defile? His tone was sharp. Was he trying to be a gentleman or his usual cold self? Regardless, the words sent a wave of shame through me. I regretted letting our kiss go so far.

  Confused and unsure, I scowled. “Don’t worry, you won’t.” I headed back to the shore. Hadda was already flying to me. She nudged my face with her beak. I patted her head, thankful for her company.

  I glanced back at the sea. Lucino stood waist deep in the water like a glittering shadow. The glowing plankton sparkled pink on the shore.

  Was I being foolish?

  From the distance, Lucino’s gaze found mine and we stood in that moment, silent and longing. Neither of us made a move.

  I wanted to, desperately.

  But he had upset me.

  He dunked underwater and I turned around, sadness overwhelming me, then sulked back to the fire.

  “Don’t go.”

  I gasped as his breath hit my neck and he hugged my waist. He appeared so quickly, my heart skipped at his presence. I traced the top of his hand that rested on my stomach, relaxing into his embrace. “I won’t.”

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Avikar

  “You and Cael will travel to King Corban with one of my messengers and inform the king of this threat.”

  Cael and I sat in General Malak’s office. After Jonas delivered Croxley’s note, the tree had been in an uproar, and I’d been summoned back to the general.

  “I have to go home,” I said.

  “You will go to King Corban.”

  “You can’t tell me what I have—”

  Cael placed his arm in front of me, blocking me from the general. “When will we leave?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  I shook my head. “This is ridiculous.”

  I should never have told them what I remembered. If I had kept it to myself, they would’ve let me go home. They would’ve had no need for me. The one thing I should’ve lied about and I didn’t.r />
  Cael pushed me out of the room before I started yelling at the general. When we were far enough away, he grabbed my shirt.

  “Are you insane? That’s the general of The Order you were speaking too. Disrespect is considered treason!”

  I pushed him off. “My family needs me.”

  “Your king needs you.”

  “You don’t get to tell me what to do, Blond Boy.” This time I pushed him harder.

  “You don’t have a choice.”

  “Raven and I are leaving, and there’s nothing you can do to stop us.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong.” Cael raised his hands and started chanting.

  I sent a right hook at his face.

  The punch landed squarely in his jaw. He absorbed the shot and I pulled back to strike again. He shook off the punch and slammed into my chest, throwing me against the wall. He turned his head to the side so I wrapped my arm around his neck in a chokehold. He kept his chin tucked and I couldn’t get a solid grip.

  Prying his head out, he twisted away from me and stepped back. It was the first time I’d ever seen him angry, and he was livid.

  Good. I’d enjoy this fight.

  A sudden loud boom shook the tree forcefully.

  “What was that?” I grabbed the wall to steady myself.

  Cael’s eyes went wide.

  We both stopped moving and listened.

  Boom. Shock waves vibrated the floor. Not good.

  We were under attack.

  Raven!

  Cael and I sprinted to the tunnel, passing guards grabbing weapons and priests running around.

  “Who could be attacking us? No one knows this location,” Cael said as we descended the steps into the tunnel, heading back to the work tree.

  “Lucy.” She was never going to stop hunting me.

  It had to be Lucy. How could we be so stupid? She never gave up. She waited, and we led her straight to our people’s most sacred place.

  Dirt fell from the ceiling as we ran. I should never have left Raven alone.

  When we reached the secret entrance to the work tree, Cael listened, but the screams and sounds of metal rang through the door. He opened it slowly. No one was nearby. We slipped out.