The Heart of Arima.

by Emma V. Leech

  “Rodney, if you eat any more you’ll explode,” I remarked as he undid his belt another notch.

  All of us who were able had eaten vast amounts and yet the table still seemed to groan under the weight of food it carried.

  “I know.” He sent a covetous look over the plates and bowls and sighed. “I just can’t bear to see it left, I aint never tasted a spread like this.”

  Moments later Raeshe returned with a small army of people who proceeded to clear the table, much to Rodney’s distress. They then returned and filled it up again with some of the most delicious looking desserts I had ever seen. Even Inés, who was no mean cook herself, looked very impressed.

  “Oh!” Rodney gave me a despairing look. “Bleedin’ ‘ell, I’ll never be able to get through that lot. Corvus, how long we stayin’ here then?”

  “We must leave in the morning.”

  “Awww.” He grabbed the plate in front of him and helped himself to a large slice of chocolate tart, which was the nearest thing to hand. “Oh well, best tuck in then. Come on, Jéhenne, help us out, will yer?”

  I’d never yet said no to someone asking for help with chocolate, and I wasn’t about to start now, so I took a slice for myself and we both chewed contentedly.

  “Who is Raeshe?” I asked Corvus between mouthfuls. “Where do you know her from?”

  “Before she died she spent some time in our world. We met many years ago. She has the gift of sight. I ... I went to see her a few times to ask if she could see you in my future.”

  I felt my heart do a little flip and found his hand under the table, giving it a squeeze. “And could she?”

  He shook his head. “No, she knew there was something, someone ...but whenever she tried to focus, the images slipped from her grasp. She always believed someone was interfering with her sight.”

  I looked up at him. Neither one of us needed to say the name that was in our minds. We both knew who could have done such a thing.

  “Corvus.”

  “Yes.”

  “Please don’t let her see my future. At least ... At least if she does, don’t let her tell me, OK? I don’t think I could stand any more ...revelations.”

  He gave me a smile but there was such sadness behind his eyes I felt like I wanted to cry. “Don’t let her touch you then, my heart, she can only read you when she touches you.”

  I nodded and made a mental note to keep as far from her as possible.

  Once everyone, even Rodney, had admitted defeat and eaten far more than was good for them, we said goodnight and returned to our rooms. I sank gratefully into the bed and snuggled against Corvus. The mattress was so squashy and the bed piled up with feather pillows- I didn’t think I had ever felt more cosseted and comfortable in my life. Mentally I took note of everything, every detail, the flicker of the firelight on the whitewashed walls, the smell of the smoke where we had blown out the candles, the feel of his arms around me, holding me close. I would remember everything, every tiny thing and take it with me. It would be a memory of what I had once had, of what I had to find a way back to, no matter what.

  We didn’t speak. There was nothing to say, but it was a long time before I slept.

  The next morning the table was once again piled high for breakfast and I arrived expecting to see Rodney in full swing. Instead he was sitting with a cup of what smelt like peppermint tea.

  “Oh dear.” I grinned at him.

  “Think I over did it a bit, luv, me guts are churnin’ like a bleedin’ cement mixer.”

  “Thank you so much for the mental image.” I turned at the voice behind me to see Cyd approaching. Somehow she still managed to look clean and glamorous, and her clothes didn’t have a single crease. Mine were clean at least but looked like I’d slept in them.

  “How do you do that?” I demanded, gesturing to her as a whole and she shrugged.

  “It’s a knack, and no, don’t ask me, you’d never learn it.”

  I snorted, there was no point in being offended, we both knew it was true.

  Corvus entered the room chatting with Raeshe and she smiled at me as they drew nearer. “I do hope you slept well, Jéhenne.” She reached out to place her hand on my shoulder in what I assumed was a friendly gesture, and I gasped and leapt back. Her eyes widened in shock.

  “Do not take offence, Raeshe, I told Jéhenne of your abilities and I’m afraid she has no desire to see what is ahead and as I explained to you, neither do I.”

  Raeshe nodded. “I’m sorry, I quite understand of course. I will leave you all to enjoy your breakfast.”

  Everyone sat down at the table, except Corvus who went to look out of the window. The shutters were open now and the trees were quiet again, and looking like trees, albeit bloody creepy ones. Weak sunshine filtered through the canopy of their leaves that crowded the clearing in which the building was set, and cast dappled shadows on the ground outside.

  “So ...what next?” Cyd had walked up beside Corvus. I wasn’t convinced she wanted to hear the answer.

  “The Ekhidna.”

  From the look on her face, I reckoned my guess had been spot on.

  Once everyone was packed and ready we gathered in the entrance hall and said our goodbyes to Raeshe. She smiled and wished us luck on our journey, though she never asked where it was we were going. We were just about to leave when she stumbled, tripping over the strap of one of the bags lying on the floor. Ever the gentleman, Corvus reached out and grasped her arm to stop her from falling and she gasped. Falling to her knees she looked up at him open-mouthed, with tears in her eyes. He looked down at her and gave the briefest shake of his head, before helping her up.

  “Goodbye, Reashe,” he said, and ushered us all out of the door.

  Chapter 49

  “Corvus?”

  We were walking through the creepy forest again and my heart was thudding in my chest. I could see the cottage disappearing into the trees as we headed farther in and I knew I had to ask him why Raeshe had looked like that. I just wasn’t sure my heart could stand the answer.

  “It’s nothing, Jéhenne. Stop worrying.”

  I ground to a halt and Rodney ploughed into the back of me.

  “Ooof! Bleedin’ ‘ell, Jéhenne, give me a bit of warning will yer.”

  “Didn’t you see the look Raeshe gave him when she touched him?” I demanded.

  Rodney shook his head. “No, luv, sorry. I just thought she tripped up.”

  I walked over to Corvus and put my hand on his arm, grasping it tightly. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  He sighed and cupped my face in his big hand. “We are going to fight an Ekhidna, Jéhenne, that is not something most people do every day, not even people like you,” he added with a wry smile. “Just seeing that monster in my future would be enough to worry Raeshe out of her mind. She’s a very gentle woman.”

  I looked at him and frowned. “I don't believe you. She saw something, something else.”

  He pulled me a little farther into the forest to give us some privacy before taking me in his arms and kissing me very thoroughly. He let me go and I looked up at him in surprise, gasping for breath.

  “I suspect she saw how I feel for you, my heart, the fear I carry of losing you.”

  “Oh.” I felt my heart melt at his words and he chuckled.

  "There is enough for us to worry about already, Jéhenne, don't look for trouble where there is none."

  I put my head on his shoulder and sighed. “You are telling me the truth, aren’t you?”

  “Of course, my heart, why wouldn’t I?”

  I shrugged and looked up at him. “I don’t know ... I ... I just feel like you’re keeping something from me.”

  He took my hand and we began to walk back to the others. “Of course I am, if you knew every time you scare me out of my mind, it would drive you mad.”

  I snorted. “OK, that I believe.”

  The others got to their feet as we returned and we carried on into the forest.

  It
was sunny and warm still but the canopy overhead was so thick that it was cool and gloomy under the trees. There were no paths as such and in places the ground was thick with brambles, not the kind I was used to at home, which were vicious enough and I had always considered vindictive. These however were actively aggressive, their thick, fleshy stems studded with thorns, lashing out at anyone who got close to them. The flowers were equally spiteful. We passed a patch of dappled light that was just enough to encourage a shallow carpet of woodland flowers, the tiny heads glowing like bright white stars under the glower of the forest. Cyd looked on them, enchanted, and stepped closer. I ran forward and grabbed her arm, pulling her back just in time. The flowers spat out dozens of tiny red stamen which flew out and slammed into the tree trunks around them. The surrounding trees groaned and then began to shrivel, the bark falling away in great flakes.

  "Shit," Cyd said faintly. She turned to me with big eyes. "How did you know?"

  "I didn't," I replied, feeling a bit shaken myself. "I've just learned the hard way not to touch stuff just because it looks pretty."

  "Thanks," she muttered, walking on. I nodded and followed her, keeping a sharp eye out for anything else that looked innocent and fragile. As I looked up I caught Cain's eye and he nodded at me with approval. Bloody hell. Finally I did something right.

  We walked for hours, fending off plant life as we went and, at one point, a swarm of massive wasp-like creatures that Cain, Inés and I burned in midair, though not before we'd all been stung a few times. The stench of them still clung to me and I scratched at the angry red bump on my arm with irritation. It was itchy as hell.

  "Stop scratching, you'll make it worse," Cain muttered and drew a small pot of cream from his supplies. "Here, put that on, it will stop the itching."

  I dabbed some cautiously on the red skin and sighed as the itching stopped abruptly. I passed the pot on to Dimitri and Rodney who both looked just as relieved. Somehow Inés had escaped being stung. Personally I thought the wasps were scared she was poisonous too.

  "Do you want to stop for a while, Jéhenne?" Corvus asked and I shook my head. I hated this damned forest. I could not shake the feeling there was something lurking in the undergrowth, I mean other than the psychotic plant life and murderous wasps. I wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible.

  "No, let's get out of here. I feel like we're being watched."

  The motion seemed to be unanimous and we moved on.

  A few hours later and the trees were beginning to thin out a little and more daylight was visible through their branches. I began to hope we were nearing the edge of the forest and we all picked up the pace, eager to be free of the oppressive atmosphere.

  It was Inés I heard scream first.

  We turned to see her being pulled down into the deep rich earth of the forest floor. She scrabbled for a hold on something but there was nothing but pine needles and crumbly soil. Before any of us could move to help her, Corvus was there, his arms wrapped around her waist, hauling her free. She gasped, chest heaving, and for once clinging to Corvus and looking at him with gratitude.

  "Merci ..."

  We had no time to contemplate the momentous occasion of Inés thanking Corvus as Dimitri bellowed and disappeared beneath the forest floor.

  Rodney dived head first into the gaping hole that had been left and moments later a massive pig-like creature burst from the opening, squealing and snarling, slashing at everyone it passed with razor-like tusks. Its back was covered with sharp quill-like points which stuck out like little daggers.

  Cain rushed at the snarling beast and jammed a knife in the back of its neck. It didn't even have time to squeal as it hit the ground dead at his feet. He looked up, the bloody knife in his hand. "Dinner," he said with a grin.

  I sighed and was about to thank him as the idea of roast pork was a welcome one but then the ground began to tremble. Rodney and Dimitri were clambering out of the hole, covered in earth and pine needles as all around them the ground opened up and dozen of the creatures headed for us, the noise of squealing and shrieking ear-splitting in volume.

  Corvus stepped forward and put up his hands and a wave of power flowed out from him. The pigs fell like dominoes as the power flowed over them but I had no chance to congratulate him as a horribly familiar spicy scent wrapped itself around me. I gasped and whirled around to glimpse Dis Pater standing in the gloom of the forest. My heart thudded heavily in my chest and I looked back, terrified as I wondered what Corvus' reaction would be, to discover everyone frozen in time.

  "What did you do!" I demanded.

  He shrugged, nonchalant. "I wanted a moment alone with you, little one. Is that so much for a husband to ask?"

  I bit back the desire to scream at him that he was no husband of mine until I remembered my plan. I would go willingly, act as though I would do as he wanted, be what he wanted. Until I could discover my true name. And then ... Then I would make him pay.

  I swallowed hard and forced a smile to my lips. "No. I suppose it isn't."

  Amusement flickered at his lips. "There now, my love, that wasn't so very hard ...was it?" I gritted my teeth, quite unable to answer him as he moved closer. Heat blazed from his body, making my skin flush as he reached me and put his hand gently against my cheek, trailing it down my neck."You have decided to come to me willingly then?"

  I nodded. "I can't fight you. I know I can't. Leave me alone until this is done. Let me return to my world and ... And say goodbye." I took a breath as the words stuck in my throat. "Do this and I will come back to you, as you want me to. I won't fight you anymore."

  He looked at me, considering as curiosity flickered in those black eyes. "Your word on it, Jenny."

  I nodded. "You have my word ...only, please stop calling me Jenny. My name is Jéhenne."

  He chuckled and the dark eyes flashed. "One of your names," he mocked and my heart stuttered as I wondered if he knew what I was playing at. He probably did but what did he care? It was all a game to him anyway. My life and the lives of those I loved, we were nothing more than counters on a board, to be positioned and sacrificed as the game demanded. All he wanted was the move that gave him the most entertaining outcome.

  I gave him my most innocent expression. "Yes," I said sweetly. "One of my names, the one I like most."

  A satisfied smile curved over those sensuous lips. "Oh, this is going to be fun," he said softly and pulled me closer, pressing his lips against mine. I just froze, rigid in his arms, willing my magic not to blaze at my hands and make it any more obvious than it already was that his touch repulsed me. He released me, speaking his words against my mouth. "Don't worry, little one, I will make you familiar to my touch once again. You will ache for it soon enough."

  I clamped my mouth shut before I illustrated the fact it would be a cold day in hell before that ever happened.

  "I don't doubt," I said. I had intended it to sound different but the bitterness in my voice was unmistakable. Sickeningly this seemed to please him."

  "Very well. I will leave you be. You have as long as it takes to fulfil Sariel's demand and return home. I will give you twenty four hours in the human world ..."

  "Twenty four hours!" I exclaimed, horrified.

  "Yes." He smiled at me, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I am being very generous, don't you agree?" The warning in his voice was unmistakable and I nodded as tears pricked at my eyes. "Good. Then all is settled." He kissed my forehead, tenderly, looking for all the world like a doting husband. "You will be by my side soon, my love."

  Suddenly he was gone and time moved once more and I could hear everyone exclaiming over the bodies of the pigs.

  "Are they dead?" I asked, feeling sick to my stomach and trying to act as if nothing had happened.

  Corvus shook his head. "No, just stunned." He looked at me curiously and then his expression turned to one of fury.

  "He was here!"

  Of course, the sickly sweet smell of him lingered around me so heavily even I could
smell it. Corvus grabbed hold of me, his hands at my face, his eyes searching mine. "Did he hurt you? What happened Jéhenne? Tell me!" He sounded so desperate that it broke my heart.

  "No." I shook my head and tried to smile at him but I was so close to breaking that I knew it would be unconvincing. "He just came to mess with my head a bit more, I'm fine."

  He held me tight to him and I saw the others move away to give us some privacy. All except Cain, he was staring intently at Corvus and they shared a look, some unspoken question answered that I did not understand. I expected Corvus to rage some more or to try and reassure me that everything would be alright but he didn't. It was too late and too obviously untrue.

  "I suggest we get moving," he said. His voice sounded dull, defeated and I wanted to cling to him and cry. To tell him that it wasn't his fault that he couldn't fight a god, but instead I just nodded and took his hand.

  There was no argument from anyone and Dimitri slung the massive dead pig over his shoulder like it weighed nothing at all, holding it by the back legs so the quills didn't stick in his back.

  "Well I guess you were right, luv," Rodney said as we strode out of the forest.

  "What?"

  "Well we were being watched, all those little piggy eyes." He shuddered at the thought and I nodded.

  "Yeah, I guess," I replied.

  By late afternoon we were standing on the edge of another weird but incredible landscape. The terrain dropped away below us and we were looking down on a broad green vista, cut through with many twisting rivers. The largest glinted red in the light of a great sun that sat low on the horizon, casting a vibrant orange glow over everything it touched. Corvus was kneeling with an ancient, velum map spread out before him and Cain was trying to help him figure out which way was safest to follow.