Closing the door, adjusting the collar of his thick blue tunic, Domino stepped behind his uncle and Memek in the main street of Visha.
If no one in the clan had paid any attention to him until now, tonight all the nichans Domino came across glanced at him. The news had been announced the day before. Tonight, things would become official. In Domino’s veins, they already were.
As he walked up through the city to the fortress, curious and interested eyes locked on him. Domino felt apprehension and doubt, but also excitement. He could hardly contain it. His whole being was reacting to the approach of his new leader. He hadn’t talked to Lienn in days since he’d been sworn in. Tonight, they would both proclaim the Ueto-Riskan alliance treaty.
The young man bowed in greeting to all the nichans he caught staring at him. Most of them, sometimes surprised by this friendliness, returned the same gesture. Although distracted, part of him urging him to quicken his pace, Domino found a way to calm his nerves. He offered a smile to an elderly couple wearing shellfish on their necks, a good evening to the guards who kept the fortress doors open for the crowd.
Most of all, he controlled his breathing. Mora’s advice would never cease to be precious to him. Now that he kept a secret that could easily destroy the future of this alliance and everything that bound him to the rest of his family, Domino found the ability to draw strength from it.
No one should control this beast inside me. It only belongs to me. It is mine.
He repeated these words to himself throughout his ascension.
The right doors were opened to lead the way. The others were guarded to deny access to the rest of the fort. Extra skin lanterns shone and hung from the ceilings, casting a warm light on the loud passersby.
As Domino reached his destination, Lienn’s aura overwhelmed him before he even realized what room he’d just entered. He looked for her through the lined-up tables and the many lamps hanging from the walls and every beam. A small crowd already gathered around the benches, and a head table at the end of the long room had been set on a platform overseeing the rest of the space. Standing before this table, eyes focused on the entrance, Lienn waited. She noticed Domino and immediately pulled herself away from the nichans conversing with her.
The young woman had tied her fair hair in two intricate braids set with a golden chain and cultured pearls. She had also put a gold ring through her nose that drew even more attention to the tattoos inked on the bottom of her face. Her clothes remained as simple as those the Riskans had given Domino and his, although the purple was a perfect match for the young woman’s lighter complexion and ash-blonde hair.
Lienn joined them. Domino smiled at her and found himself relaxing, as if the bond that had recently united them had been stretched too far by staying away from her for several days. He’d never felt this way with Ero, but his uncle wasn’t a Liyion.
Although he felt physically more serene, Domino remembered that the sooner he’d be rid of this new oath, the better off he’d be. That Lienn’s mere presence had this effect on him was a weakness he found intolerable.
Soon I’ll be the only one left in me.
“Welcome,” Lienn said as she reached them.
“Riskan Lienn,” replied Ero, still supporting Memek with an inflexible arm, then he pointed to the head table. “Is this the table reserved for the clan leaders?"
He wasted no time in politeness. Looking proud, Ero stood there as if he owned the place. He didn’t need any details about what was to come. Nothing could surprise me anymore, said the jaded look he casted over his host.
Lienn nodded. “My mother waits for you there. Your daughter will naturally sit by your side.”
Without thanking her for her consideration, Ero walked away to the platform and the table, guiding Memek.
Domino followed their progression through the room for a moment and then returned to Lienn. She was staring at him intensely, an impenetrable expression on her face.
“I doubt all your nichans will fit in this room,” he said.
“Don’t doubt for a moment their determination. They were all invited. They will all come.”
“An event that won’t happen twice.” Domino considered the large room framed by rough stone columns carved here and there with Torb texts. “Even if my marriage wasn’t to be announced, I wouldn’t want to miss it either.”
Lienn smiled. “Your uncle didn’t give you too much trouble?”
Domino understood what she had in mind—Vevdel had probably repeated the altercation between her and Ero—and he took it upon himself not to blush. “He smelled your scent on me,” he said in a low voice. The hubbub of the conversations and the distance Ero put between them was enough to conceal his words, but Domino preferred not to take any chances.
“You should have taken a bath before running away like a thief.”
“A bath wouldn’t have made a huge difference. You know that.”
“I do. What did you say to him?”
Either Vevdel hadn’t told her daughter, or Lienn was testing him for lies. The young woman’s question was no order, but Domino refused to lie to her.
He marked a brief hesitation. “I told him we’d spent the night together.”
“Spent the night together?”
“Just as we’ll do once we’re married,” Domino said. Facing him, Lienn raised her eyebrows imperceptibly, visibly controlling her reaction. Her mouth shut, slightly tense. “I’m sorry.” He was sincere.
He knew so little about Lienn and didn’t know her opinion on the matter of such promiscuity before their official union—or even after it. Yes, he knew so little about her and couldn’t tell whether he was eager or anxious to change that.
“There’s no need to be sorry,” said Lienn.
“My uncle was very suspicious. You’ve marked your territory, after all.” This time Lienn really raised her eyebrows and Domino pursed his lips to repress a smile. “Forgive me. I didn’t get the time to come up with another excuse as credible as that one.”
“It is credible. It’s going to happen anyway, right?”
He nodded slightly. “Right.”
“Having an intimate relationship with my future husband won’t offend anyone.”
Domino nodded again and looked away. In that instant, other eyes had appeared in his mind, black and amber eyes whose existence had always been an important part of his life. The nichan swallowed with difficulty. There was still a side of this alliance that he refused to think about for the moment, a part of himself and his hopes that he wasn’t yet ready to give up.
“So your uncle is convinced that you shared my bed?”
Domino came out of his musing and laid eyes on Lienn. “I’ve never seen him so . . . ecstatic. He was overjoyed. He’s disgusting.” To utter such words without pain left a taste of victory over Domino’s tongue.
“And what about you? Did this night of . . . love suit you?” Lienn asked.
She smiled slightly, but barely knowing her, Domino could hardly tell if the young woman was joking or testing him again. So he played the same game, relying on Lienn’s shortcomings about him to get himself out of this difficult conversation.
“No regrets so far,” he said. “But I’ll reserve my final judgement for later. After all, you’re still the one in charge.”
“Not for long.”
To break the oath again, this time without the help of anyone.
Lienn.
His betrothed.
He stepped to her side and offered his arm to her, inviting her to join the head table. When Lienn’s hand rested on Domino’s arm, many voices fell silent and attention shifted to them.
They went up to the stage where Vevdel, Ero, Memek, and another middle-aged nichan waited for them. The others sat down at the tables as the large room filled up again and again, soon leaving no space to move around. Those nichans were there for one reason. It was useless to keep them waiting. The meal would come once all these people were satisfied and gone.
&n
bsp; Lienn walked around the table and stood up straight in front of her clan. Vevdel stood as well. Domino and his uncle followed in the next few moments.
The clan leader waited for silence. “On this day, we are preparing for the future,” said Lienn. “The Gods have seen and felt our distress. In their infinite Light, they found the strength to thwart the Corruption’s schemes. Behind me stands a pure blood, just like me, heir to the power of our ancestors. Ueto Domino.” Lienn turned her eyes to Domino and reached out to him. “Come.”
Ueto Domino.
A lie. For the last two days, he’d been a Riskan.
Not for long.
Domino complied under the watchful eyes of those who were now his people. He walked past his uncle, not without receiving a slight hug from him on the back, and stopped at Lienn’s right. He grasped the hand she held out to him. A long, thin hand. Warm fingers as strong as the jaws of a nichan. For a moment, Domino watched this interlacing of fingers and thought about the last time he’d held someone’s hand.
That someone was waiting for him in Surhok, and the urge to lay eyes on him again stole Domino’s breath.
He looked up and met Lienn’s gaze instead. Although he couldn’t read her, she seemed much more confident and serene than he was. But when she smiled at him, the same smile appeared on Domino’s lips.
In one movement, Lienn guided their bound hands toward the crowd. All eyes fell upon this strong and symbolic bond.
“Since the Great Evil, we have struggled, and we have conquered. Today, we are stronger than ever before. This strength will turn into greatness. It will only grow. On this day, the Riskan Clan promises to unite with the Ueto Clan from Surhok. My marriage will be its binding force. Ueto Domino will walk at my side. Our clans will become one. Nichans don’t run away.” Whispers of assent rose up here and there in the compact crowd. “Our people will even overcome the end of this world.” Chin high, Lienn glanced at the crowd, but Domino felt as if she was giving every face the same attention. In this moment, even he couldn’t look away from her. “The Gods have blessed me and saved me twice. Now they bless us all. Faces above, bring us the Light!”
Words chanted during the Calling, at the feet of the Prayer Stones. Domino knew them, had shouted them fervently since his earliest childhood. He didn’t need to look back to see if Ero and Memek would follow. They would, just as everyone.
“Bring us the Light!” the nichans repeated in unison.
“Bring us the Light,” Lienn whispered as if to herself.
“Let it shine on the way,” Domino said softly.
Lienn turned her eyes towards him, smiling. She seemed out of breath and, through the storm of hearts beating in front of him, Domino perceived the one of his new Unaan. A clear and steady beat, to which his own heartbeat matched. Part of him wanted to let go of Lienn’s hand and break this contact as quickly as possible. Another part begged him to hold on to the nichan, for soon she would be his wife.
“I will fight with all my strength to protect this union,” Lienn said to Domino.
Words are worthless. Only actions matter, Domino thought, remembering bitterly the truth he’d learned from his best friend.
Soon the couple was joined by Ero, who grabbed Domino’s shoulder with a firm hand. A reminder of two intricate realities.
Ero was in control, or so he thought.
This alliance was born out of a lie.
The cheers of the nichans shook the fortress.
Glossary
Arao: High altitude Holy Land located in the western center of Torbatt.
Artean: Religious book written by the Blessers, following the Great Evil.
Bathia: Multi-purpose plant mainly used for oral hygiene.
Blesser: Sirlhain religious cult created after the Great Evil whose dogma aims to bring back the Gods by destroying the creatures carrying Their light.
Calling: Monthly meeting at the Prayer Stones to praise and thank the Gods for their generosity.
Coroma: Continent composed of Torbatt, Sirlha, Meishua, and Netnin.
The Corruption: Unknown phenomenon that caused the disappearance of the Gods and the alteration of many elements of the world they created.
D’Jersqoh: Country located beyond the southern sea and not included in the Coroman continent.
Dohor: One of the three main dominant species in the world. The dohors are now devoid of intelligence and enslaved to their baser instincts, an effect of the Corruption.
Great Evil: One of the names commonly given to the appearance of Corruption and the simultaneous disappearance of the Gods.
Head (money): Name given to a silver coin (or coin of the highest value) by Torbs. In the country, this denomination applies to any currency, local or foreign.
Kaibalar: A group of mainly dohor (but sometimes human) riders who trained and rode mounts reputed to be indomitable. This order quickly disappeared (all of its dohor Kaibalars tainted and reduced to beasts) as did its mounts, after the Great Evil.
Kesek: Plant with soothing and decongestant properties often consumed in the form of broth or cigar. It is mainly cultivated in hot or subtropical climates.
Kispen crystal: Highly flammable crystal whose fractures are as sharp as razor blades. Kispen’s crystal is used among other things as ammunition for flintlock pistols.
Kivhan (or Major): Elected in charge of a Torb village and its council.
Koro: Culmination of a year celebrated by nichans at the summer solstice.
Laranga: Capital of Sirlha
Liyion: Torb contraction of the words “li” “ayi” “yon,” meaning “pure blood.” Title given to a present-day nichan capable of achieving a complete transformation to their original bestial form.
Matron: Giant crystal deposit having developed its own consciousness. Five of them have been listed in the world. They founded the Santig’Nells Worth to protect the creatures of the Gods. Two of them (Hope and Reason) were destroyed by the Blessers during the siege of Laranga.
Meishuana: Refers to the people and the main language of Meishua.
Myrt: Currency used in Sirlha.
Netnin: Smallest country on the Coroman continent. Located north of Sirlha, it is one of the two countries of origin of nichans (with Torbatt).
Nichan: One of the three main dominant species in the world. Once powerful beasts, the Gods gave them the ability to take human form at will. Since the arrival of the Corruption, nichans have lost the power to return to their original form.
Nohl: Very large centipede whose nutrient-rich fat is used as fuel, most often for lighting.
Oné: Gold-colored and translucent flesh fruit growing in the warmer regions of Torbatt. Its shape is reminiscent of a human heart and its consumption is said to bring strength and luck.
Op crystal: Rare crystal that sometimes appears on certain burials. It is known to some for its devastating effects on the organism of Vestiges.
Orator: Nichan entirely devoted to the worshipping and memory of the Gods.
Prayer Stones: Monoliths carved by nichans to honor the Gods. It is at the feet of these stones that nichans religious ceremonies take place.
Ponsang: Capital of Meishua.
Riskan: Nichan clan based in the city and fortress of Visha in Torbatt.
Santig’Nell: Humans chosen at a very young age to serve the Matrons.
Sard: Title meaning “the people of the Gods,” or “divine people.” The inhabitants of the Netnin consider themselves Sards although most other people call them Netninyts.
Seasons (rut): Peak of puberty in a male nichan characterized by a strong desire, a rise in temperature, and the creation of hormones to stimulate desire and pleasure in female nichans. Only sexual intercourse puts an end to the seasons without any risk of physical or even psychological after-effects for the man.
Sirlhain: Refers to the people and the main language of Sirlha.
Spirit: Unknown entity appearing on the location of death of a human or a nichan left unburied. Although thei
r origin is also unknown, their emergence is attributed to the Corruption.
Torb: Refers to the people and the main language of Torbatt.
Tuleear: Refers to the language spoken in the eastern lands adjacent to the Tulleen Sea. It is today the main language of Netnin and north of Sirlha.
Ueto: Nichan clan based in the village of Surhok. Its Unaan is Ueto Ero.
Ukatehontasan: The northernmost large lake in the Osska region.
Unaan: Leader of a nichan clan.
Vestige: Human, animal, or plant developing deformities or gift. The origin of these creatures varies from one people to the next.
Acknowledgments
I wrote this book alone, but did I? In many ways I was surrounded by a lot of kind souls and kind words (and a messy desk).
First of all a big thank you to my family for their support, especially Laurine, Olivier and Jennifer. Sorry for releasing a book that most of you won’t be able to read. You’ll have to believe me when I tell you that it’s great (or wait for the French version.)
A big thank you to Susan Dennard for all her advice on writing and planning and for supporting me when the art block kicked in. This book wouldn’t exist without her dedication and time.
Of course, many thanks to Meredith Spears, Natalia Leigh, and Enchanted Ink Publishing for their work. It’s never easy to entrust your baby book to a stranger, yet you made it exciting and simple.
The Nichan Smile Page 43