by B. T. Narro
Kalli was running toward me, flailing her arms. “It’s coming for Lisanda!”
I wanted to run to her, but just sitting up had taken enough effort to dizzy me.
“What’s coming for her?” I tried to ask, but it only came out in a whisper. My sister didn’t hear me.
“Hurry!” Kalli waved me forward and then pointed behind her at the cluster of trees she’d come from.
I got to my feet and staggered. I tried to run but only managed to stumble into a clumsy jog. My eyes kept shutting on their own from weariness. I shook my head and slapped my cheek, but I couldn’t seem to rid myself of the drowsy feeling…until I saw what was moving toward the trees from the other direction.
Like a hundred leaves dancing in the wind, my darkness glided effortlessly into the cluster of trees, and I heard Lisanda scream.
“Run, Lisanda! Come to me!” I shouted, actually hearing the words this time. I finally was able to focus, to keep my eyes open. Though, my legs were still slow to respond, stuck in a faltering jog.
Lisanda darted out of the trees, hustling toward me. My darkness was right behind her, wielding a hatchet that was connected to its shadowed body like a hand.
“Don’t touch her!” I yelled, knowing this was wrong, so very wrong. It never went after anyone else. Why was this happening? “It’s me you want!”
My darkness lowered its weapon, stopping just for a moment to turn toward me. Like a hawk swooping down on its prey, it soared toward me with shocking speed. I felt some relief knowing Lisanda wouldn’t be hurt, but fear quickly pushed down on the relief, squelching it and forcing my breath out with a gasp.
My darkness slammed the hatchet into my chest, just below my shoulder. Sharp pain exploded within me where I was cut, and the force of it knocked me on my back.
Finally, the grogginess faded as I opened my eyes back on the real world. Kalli had her hand on my face.
“Easy, Jek, just a nightmare.” Her other hand was holding an oil lamp over my chest. “Doesn’t look too bad this time.”
I sat up and knew exactly where to look to find my wound—right where I was struck by the hatchet. Sure enough, there was a thin cut running down my chest.
“You’re right,” I said. “Not bad at all.”
Then I noticed Lisanda peering over Kalli’s shoulder at me. Her eyebrows were arched over large eyes that looked to hold pity. It was the first time she’d looked at me in hours. But the moment our eyes met, she looked down at the dirt, stood upright, and walked back toward the trees. The heavy ache to my heart returned.
“Thank you, Kalli. But I’m fine. You should go back to sleep.”
“I will. Just…” My sister stopped herself to peer after Lisanda. Then she leaned lower and whispered, “Has it been normal in the last year for you to speak during these nightmares? I don’t remember that happening when you lived with us on the farm.”
Shame made my heart feel heavier, causing it to sink in my chest. What had I said this time? Actually, I didn’t even know what I’d said last time, now that I thought about it. I’d never asked Lisanda.
“Drent never told me if I said anything. Though we slept in different rooms, so I can’t say if he ever would’ve heard it.”
Kalli took a long look into my face. I could tell she was wondering whether she should tell me what I’d said. It made me nervous to ask, figuring it was probably something about Lisanda. I decided I didn’t want to hear. Bastial hell, especially if I was shouting it. I really hoped that wasn’t the case.
She moved her hand across my forehead, clearing some hair that had fallen over it. Her touch was warm, soothing.
“Goodnight, Kalli,” I said, showing her I didn’t want to speak about it anymore.
She nodded and left.
Chapter 26: Jug
When I woke, Kalli already was up preparing a fire. At the sound of her putting the rocks in place, Lisanda emerged from the trees. She met my eyes for a blink…no, actually longer than a blink. I just expected her to look away immediately. But she held my gaze for at least a breath before moving her eyes to Kalli. It was something, at least.
The sun was up. It was a nice relief from the chill that had settled deep within me last night. Though, Lisanda didn’t seem to be enjoying it. Her back stooped and her arms were limp, swaying to her sides as she puttered toward Kalli. She had an empty water pouch upside down in her right hand.
“Can I have some water?” she asked Kalli.
I noticed the massive jug next to my sister. Kalli bent to hoist it up with two hands. “Of course. Bring your pouch here.”
Straightening her back slightly, Lisanda picked up her pace and showed a thankful smile. But after just two steps, the long dress Lisanda had borrowed from Kalli got caught under her feet, sending her into a running stumble. On reflex, Kalli reached out to grab Lisanda’s arm as she fell forward. Kalli caught Lisanda before she hit the ground, but the force of Lisanda’s petite body still was enough to cause the jug of water to slip from Kalli’s arm.
Without enough time to draw my wand, I aimed my hand and tried to move all the Sartious Energy I could beneath the jug to stop its fall. But I only managed to create a small emerald cloud that did nothing but fizzle apart as the jug fell through it and smashed against the ground.
“I’m sorry!” Lisanda yelled, utterly distraught, “I forgot I had on this long dress.”
“It’s my fault also.” Kalli pulled her upright. “I should’ve just let you fall.” She let out a bitter laugh.
“Was that the last of our water?” I asked, nearly confident it was. We’d brought six pouches, each of them full, and had finished them before opening the jug to refill three—one for each of us that we’d continued to use. My only hope was that Kalli had brought water that I didn’t know about.
“Yes, except what you each still have in your water pouches,” Kalli said to my disappointment. I’d emptied mine into my stomach last night from the terrible thirst I had, and it was clear Lisanda had done the same by the look of her empty pouch.
This must’ve become evident to Kalli, for her head tilted and she raised a hand to her cheek. “Oh, this is bad. Sannil’s coming back today but probably not with more water than for himself.”
“I can get more from the river,” I said. “We have six water pouches. That should be enough for a while.”
Lisanda turned to me with a sad look. “Except you can’t carry six pouches, especially not when they’re full.”
“She’s right about that,” my sister added.
We fell into silence, knowing the dilemma couldn’t have a good outcome. Two people had to go. It couldn’t be Kalli and Lisanda in case Exo or someone else dangerous found them. It couldn’t be Kalli and me because then Lisanda would be by herself. As much as I trusted her, I felt she was too valuable to leave alone for the hours it would take to get back. We each nervously looked at the other, waiting for someone to suggest the inevitable.
“How far is the river from here?” Lisanda asked sheepishly.
“About two miles north,” I answered.
Again, silence came upon us, heavy and awkward. I could feel it pressing on the back of my head, making it hard to glance anywhere but at the dirt.
Lisanda shattered the quiet with a loud sigh. “Let me change into the other dress, and then we can get this over with.” She gathered the extra fabric around her feet and turned to Kalli. “Do you have any pins I can use for the ripped dress? It’s too loose on me with the tear across the collar.”
“Come, I’ll show you which bag they’re in.” Kalli waved her toward the cluster of trees.
It was calming to see that my sister and Lisanda were getting along so well, but I couldn’t help but feel a bit spiteful toward Lisanda for avoiding me so plainly. It made me miss when the Princess had been infuriated with me. At least then we could talk to each other, even if it was all bickering. At least then she didn’t avoid my eyes like they would give her a curse.
Every time she tur
ned away from me, I felt a dull pain in my chest that was getting worse the longer this continued. That kiss was like poison to us, quickly killing all the friendliness we’d built through so much trouble.
I knew I shouldn’t think about the kiss, but I couldn’t help doing so…couldn’t help wanting it again. I saw her lips in a new way now, feeling them pressing against mine whenever I looked. It made my heart flutter and then sink in disappointment, for I knew it was a stupid, stupid thought.
Kalli came out of the trees soon after entering, approaching me with a frown.
“I know,” I told her before she could say anything. “Lisanda and I shouldn’t be alone together. She’s just for the cure, nothing more.”
“I'm glad to hear you say it.” Kalli wiped some dirt from my back I wasn’t aware of. “I’ll clear the fire I was making and be out of view while I wait for you, in case Exo stumbles into our camp. Be careful out there. Don’t speak too loudly…actually, don’t even talk at all. It’ll just make it easier for you to be found.”
“I want to find him out there.” I looked Kalli in the eye to show her how serious I was. “I’m confident I can beat him. Only if he surprises me will he have the upper hand.”
Kalli studied my face for a moment, trying to determine if my confidence was appropriate or idiotic. Soon, she bent her mouth into a wry smile and nodded. She believed me.
“Hurry back.” She jabbed me in the chest with her finger. “Don’t make me worry like that again. It’s too much with Father out there already.”
I hugged her. “I can imagine how it felt.”
Lisanda came out of the trees just then, and my sister and I let go of each other. I was stunned by the sight of her. My heart tried to leap out of my chest.
Lisanda had pulled the light blue dress tightly around her body to keep it from slipping and had pinned it in place. There was no way to deny it. She was beautiful. One breast was sprouting from the dress that pushed against her, and the sharp curve of her hips under her thin waist was enough to make the moon jealous.
“My Bastial stars,” Kalli commented. “I didn’t get a good look at you last night, but now in the light…Bastial stars. If I had curves like that—”
Suddenly, there was a strong slap to my stomach. I would’ve lost my breath if the sight of Lisanda hadn’t already knocked it out of me. It took me a moment to realize that Kalli had hit me.
“Stop staring.” She lifted my chin upright with a finger.
Embarrassment flushed my face. Lisanda looked down at the dirt again, but I found a smile on her lips this time. She seemed to be flattered. She brushed her hair over her ear and peevishly came to my side, refusing to look at me the whole time.
“Thank you, Kalli,” she said sweetly. “The dress is still damp and sticking against me, but it’ll dry off soon in the hot sun.”
I felt Kalli squeezing my cheeks with one hand. She turned me toward her and only then did I realize my eyes had been clinging to Lisanda again. Kalli shook her head at me in a motherly way that made me even more embarrassed.
Completely flustered, I hustled around the camp looking for the six water pouches we needed. But I found only one.
“Where are the others?” I asked with a panic I knew was misdirected but still couldn’t stop it. Then I saw two more on the ground. “That’s three, what about the other three?” In my rush to look in each direction, I eventually noticed Kalli and Lisanda wiggling their water pouches back and forth with taunting smiles.
“And you have one in your pocket,” Kalli added, handing hers to Lisanda to carry.
Holding back a laugh, Lisanda strolled up to me with her usual confidence back in her stride. “Let’s go,” she said.
Next thing I knew, we were walking beside each other toward the river.
For a breath I felt the tension gone between us. But in the silence that grew longer and longer as we walked, it started to creep back like a fever coursing through my body. Soon, it reached my neck and made my head heavy.
It kept me from looking at Lisanda, stopping me from saying anything in fear it would only make it worse—especially because all I could think about was that kiss.
To my relief, Lisanda asked a question. “Will Kalli be safe on her own?”
I smiled as I felt some tension melt away. It looked like we would be ignoring what happened, which was fine with me.
“Definitely,” I answered. “She’s tough and good with a knife, but more importantly she knows how to take care of herself.”
Keeping her head low, Lisanda said, “Why is she so much friendlier with me now?”
“Kalli’s always that friendly. She blamed you for what happened at the farm, but I think she’s realized how wrong that was.”
I felt a small tingle of excitement just being able to speak with Lisanda again. I didn’t care what we talked about. Anything was better than the dreadful silence.
“I’m glad,” she said.
Though Lisanda’s voice was quiet, I still could hear its deep pitch and accent of nobility quite strongly. I’d grown to like her accent, not that I wanted to speak that way myself as it would just be silly coming from a farm boy like me. But it had a rhythmic cadence that made each word more of a delight.
But then her screams after the kiss came back to memory, and I realized her accent had the opposite effect when she was infuriated with me, causing each word to sting even worse.
While I took the time to reflect on her voice, the pause in our conversation turned into another dense silence. I quickly thought of something to say before it went on too long.
“Tell me more about your sister. The one your father almost had me marry.”
Her head snapped to me like I’d just insulted her but then conspicuously swung back to the trees ahead of us the moment our eyes met.
“I’d somehow forgotten about that.” She let out a breath, and I could see the surprise on her face turning into confusion. She looked up at me again. “Why didn’t you marry her? Most men would get itches in their britches at that opportunity. Did you worry she was ugly?”
A nervous laugh came out of me. We came to an opening where thick groups of plants dwelled in the absence of trees. The sun hit my skin with a burst of warmth.
Lisanda stopped for a moment to stretch her arms up and yawn, rising to her toes, then back to her heels with a relieving breath. It was the most graceful thing I’d seen in a long time.
“I wasn’t worried about that,” I answered. “I wanted the cure too much to think about anything else, and the offer of marriage just seemed like a way out of giving me what I was promised. So I demanded the cure instead.”
Lisanda started back into her casual stroll. “Do you regret it now?”
As I thought of an answer, I couldn’t help but notice the way the sun made her dark hair shine. I actually could see the brown in it in this light. The way it framed her face seemed to make her brown eyes glow.
“Well, if she’s anything like you, then…” I stopped myself. Panic came over me. I was about to tell her that I would’ve regretted not marrying Jessend if she was like her twin. What was I thinking?
Lisanda stopped to stare at me with a furrowed brow. I’m sure my face showed the panic I was feeling. It was too strong for me to hide.
“Never mind.” I waved my hands in hopes she would let it go. “I didn’t mean that.”
“It’s understandable.” Lisanda looked to the dirt. “I’ve been quite a nuisance.” She knelt down to pick up a smooth rock and started brushing the dirt from it.
Her comment made me realize I’d given her the exact opposite impression I’d meant. Lisanda thought I’d implied that I would’ve regretted marrying Jessend if she was like her sister. I contemplated correcting Lisanda, but she spoke again before I decided if I should.
“Jessend isn’t like me, though. I mean, we look similar, but she likes using the bow, walking through the city…even the dirty parts!” Lisanda shook her head in disbelief. “Jessend likes dangero
us adventures and the outdoors. I prefer being where I can wear pretty clothes, stay clean, hear good music, read, and gossip with friends, I’ll admit it. As petty as it is, I love it.” Lisanda sighed. “Surprisingly, you two might get along.”
Truthfully, the idea of a less-refined version of Lisanda wasn’t appealing. That sounded too much like Kalli for me, but I found no reason to delve deeper into the conversation. No good could come of talking about Jessend and me being together.
“Are these things what you’ll be doing with your husband? Wearing pretty clothes and gossiping?”
Lisanda rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what Varth Farro has planned for me, probably torturing me with every new song he’s working on.”
“Bastial hell, he composes, too?”
She laughed bitterly. “Yes, and it’s just as bad as you’d imagine.” She let the rock drop from her hands just before we entered the shade beneath the trees once again. “I made the mistake of telling him I love music when we met last year.”
“A year ago? I figured he’d just started singing. How long has he been doing it then?”
“I don’t know.” Her eyes turned and lifted to me. I saw a wry smile beneath them. “Too long.”
I laughed wholeheartedly, and with it came out all the tension that had built within me. I remembered something.
“You said you would sing for me. Will you now?” Without even choosing to do so, my body leaned toward her and bumped her arm playfully.
The other corner of her mouth lifted, but she turned to hide her face. “I’m not as good as you.” She leaned into me, giving me a harder but still playful shove.
“I’m sure you’re great.” The way the sun kissed the golden brown skin of her bare shoulder reminded me of a song. “Do you know Golden Girl?”
She brushed her hair over her ear, letting her slender neck catch the sun as well. “I know it, but I’ve never sung it.”
It was a strange concept to me to know a song but never sing it. I would’ve asked how that was, but I could sense that any chance Lisanda had to turn the conversation away from my request to sing would be pounced on like a cat waiting outside a mouse hole.