Into the Unknown (The Djinn Kingdom Book 4)

by LJ Andrews

  Raine studied his eyes, her skin raised beneath his stalwart gaze. His face never flinched; he truly believed what he said. For the first moment since setting out on the quest with Nova, Raine wondered if they had been wrong about the Djinn temple. Suddenly, the caretaker as well as the gardeners lowered their heads, bowing or kneeling where they were. Raine turned and saw a man sauntering toward her. His hair was a beautiful shade of brown, like a milky brick of chocolate. His eyes sparkled like molten fire, the color was mesmerizing and Raine flushed when she caught herself gawking.

  “What kind words,” he said. His voice was soft yet powerful as he smiled at the garden caretakers. “Lovely Raine, welcome to Unten and the temple of the Djinn. It is truly a pleasure to meet you. You are quite a wonder to behold.”

  She furrowed her brow. “Why do I matter to you?” she questioned taking a step back in apprehension.

  He clasped his hands together, and the white silk shirt tightened over his taut chest. When he smiled, his eyes sparkled like fiery explosions. She reversed her step and came closer, fascinated by his perfect features. “Why would we not care for you? Are you not royalty in Launi Kingdom? But more importantly, you are a person of great integrity, a person who will only speak truth. We have need of such a person. My name is Pacem—ˮ

  “Are you a Djinn?” she asked abruptly, her voice angry and untrusting.

  Pacem smiled, undaunted by her change of tone. “Yes, my family resides in the temple. I help keep the people of Unten safe and well-tended. I had hoped you would join my sister, Lurlina and I, on the upper veranda. I can take you. My sister will answer any questions you have, nothing is off limits.”

  Pacem held his arm out, offering her to take it. He smiled again, sending the fiery flares shooting through his eyes. Raine’s shoulders relaxed, and slowly she reached out to take his arm. Her hand fit perfectly in the crook of his elbow, and she reveled in the notable strength of his bicep.

  Pacem spoke over his shoulder. “I will be taking Lady Raine in for the afternoon. Thank you, Dahl, for taking such… perfect care of her,” he said with a slight pause.

  The caretaker quivered in pride, dipping even lower in a bow, so his hair spilled around his tanned face like an ebony waterfall. Once he turned to the hedge against the back wall, which was dotted with beautiful white flowers, Pacem gently tugged Raine toward the gilded temple.

  They walked in silence through the side door and across the white marble entryway; the tiny hairs on Raine’s arms pricked in tension, though her angst slowly slipped away the longer she strolled with the Djinn. The silence, once awkward and uncomfortable, was now refreshing and welcomed, but Raine fought against her inner peace and forced herself to defend herself to Pacem.

  “I won’t help you bring Nova here against her will,” she said, though the words tumbled from her throat like a badgered cough.

  Pacem faced her, his striking eyes seeming to pour through her soul as if searching her mind for her true feelings. “Why would you say such a thing?” he said, his mouth twitching into a polite smile.

  Clearing her throat, she turned away, regretting speaking in the first place. “That’s why I’m here. Lurlina wants Nova to embrace the Djinn and join you at the temple. That’s why she took her mother, and now me.”

  Pacem chuckled, pushing through a wide glass door which opened onto a beautiful veranda that seemed to float. Raine gasped and slowly peeked over the rail. The veranda jutted out over the edge of the hillside, but the view below was littered in beautiful forests, rolling hills, and winding rivers. The vastness of the land was overwhelming and so spectacular it was truly breathtaking.

  The sky was turning a deep royal blue as the sun began to set behind the forest. Nothing above her gave any indication a land of floating islands was there. Frowning, Raine turned away, unsure why she seemed to feel more at home in the Below than she did in Launi.

  Pacem was standing behind a long chaise lounge with gold birds stitched along its surface. A woman with vibrant hair the color of the fiery sun as it set smiled at her. Her white robe seemed to twinkle in the light from its purity, and its sprawling folds covered the top of the lounge like a layer of fresh snow.

  “Raine, it is a true pleasure to meet you,” she said. Her voice was smooth like a sweet, strumming harp playing a soft melody. “I am Lur—ˮ

  “Lurlina,” she interjected. “I know who you are.”

  Lurlina smiled sweetly and sipped a clear drink from a crystal glass. “Won’t you sit? You must have so many questions,” she said, her sparkling eyes watching Raine over the rim.

  Raine stayed standing, feeling waves tumble inside her stomach as part of her struggled to retaliate—scream, shout, run. But there was another part, a stronger part, that urged her to sit and revel in Lurlina’s presence.

  Lurlina cocked her head and gently placed her drink on a glass tabletop. “As you wish,” she said. “I hope you will forgive how you were brought to the temple. I never would have condoned such behavior if I had known.”

  Raine scoffed and squared her shoulders. “You were the one who told Captain Phoenix to bring me. You are only trying to manipulate Nova.”

  Lurlina shook her head, her lips turning into a sympathetic smile, while her eyes watched Raine like an ignorant child. “No, my dear, not at all. I would never wish such a trauma on anyone, especially someone so innocent as you. You have experienced enough horror in your young life.”

  Raine’s voice caught in her throat as flashing, vibrant memories of Insel’s fierce, dangerous temper flared through her mind. Her heart pounded as if it might beat through her chest and onto the veranda, but just as Raine believed she might faint, her pulse slowed to a rhythmic, calm beat. Taking a deep breath, she buried the memories back into the dungeon of her mind, locking them away.

  “Then why am I here?” she said softly.

  Lurlina glanced at Pacem. “Well, I hope you will forgive me. When Phoenix brought you here, I admit, I thought it a good opportunity to plead our case with you. I’m sure Pacem told you we find you honest, and a woman of truth. We hoped we could show you we are not the villains people are painting us to be to dear Nova.”

  “Well, I think Phoenix’s attack might have made that a little hard for you,” Raine said sarcastically.

  Lurlina nodded. “I agree. So, when I heard you’d been taken, I thought it might be a good chance to meet you, and show you we are not trying to bring any harm to anyone. Do you understand?”

  Raine paused for a moment, studying Lurlina. “So, I’m not your prisoner?”

  Lurlina smiled sweetly, standing. She walked elegantly as she approached. She stood a head taller than Raine, her long neck speckled in gold leaves entwined in a beautiful vine wrapping down her chest. The jewelry was stunning, more decadent and valuable than anything Raine had worn as queen. “You,” Lurlina said, placing her soft hands on her shoulders, “are not a prisoner. You are free to leave whenever you wish.”

  Raine shifted uncomfortably, backing away from Lurlina. If she were free to leave, there would be no need to play the frightened captive as she’d intended. She needed to go, and quickly. Lurlina made her feel too comfortable. She wasn’t supposed to trust this woman. “Good. I think I’d like to leave then,” she said, though the uncertainty in her voice was apparent.

  Lurlina’s eyes fell, notably disappointed. “Of course. We will arrange transport for you off the mountain.” Lurlina turned, but then stopped, slowly bringing her eyes back to Raine. “I wonder, though, if you would answer something for me, and be honest Raine.”

  “Okay,” Raine said slowly.

  “Do you feel at peace here? Does it feel comfortable?”

  Lurlina’s face was stern, yet loving. Raine felt her fine posture fold inward as Lurlina’s gaze pierced her. It was as if Lurlina was reading her mind; it was the only explanation for the sudden desire to run and think nothing but blank thoughts.

  “I…I suppose I do…but it is surely because of the grandeur.”<
br />
  Lurlina sighed, taking in the temple. “Yes, it is a marvel. But that is not why you feel the comfort. Not everyone feels such a peace here. When I learned about you I…” Lurlina paused, smiling the same sympathetic smile while reaching for her hand. “Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter now, with you leaving. But I would say this—if you give us one more day, I can explain about your history, Raine. You remember the horrors you endured in the king’s palace. Horrors bestowed upon you without answers.”

  As she spoke, it was if Raine was taken to a different place in time. Insel was pacing in front of a roaring fire, his wiry hair wild from frustration, and his dark eyes seemed to smolder like burnt coal.

  “I risked it all to bring you here, you worthless woman,” he ranted. Raine held her shoulders high, but her heart pounded heavily against her chest. Insel crossed the room and took her long hair in a tight fist. “You are selfish, basking in the glory of being queen, yet you have not held up the bargain.”

  “My Lord,” Raine said softly, grimacing as he pulled harder on her head. “The doctor insists under stressful circumstances, it may be difficult…”

  “I don’t care what that imbecile says.”

  “Perhaps we would do well to get to know one another. It may help…to…have an…outing or something,” she said, the desperation evident in her voice.

  Insel scoffed, releasing her hair. “You foolish woman.” He leaned close to her face, so their lips were nearly touching. “What makes you think for a moment I would waste my time on you? Do you think I married you because I loved you? Don’t flatter yourself. You have what I need for an heir, that is all. Now, do your duty or I will find another. Be gone.”

  He brushed her away. Raine had left the king’s study with a pain in her heart that would not repair easily.

  “You do remember,” Lurlina said, watching as Raine wiped hot tears away. “My dear, if you stay, what I can tell you may give you clarity as to why you feel such a peace. I can tell you why that horrid king picked you out of everyone else he could’ve taken.”

  Raine’s jaw clenched. Inside she had a sudden, ravenous desire to learn all Lurlina knew, but she couldn’t betray those she cared about in such a selfish way. “I cannot,” she said. “I will not betray Nova after what you did to her mother.”

  Raine stepped closer to the doorway leading off the veranda, but stopped when a woman with long dark hair stepped out. As the setting sun reflected along her head, her hair seemed to shine in a beautiful blue hue. She was petite and her face was without blemish. Beneath the green silk robes, her feet hardly touched the ground, almost as if she was floating. She met Raine’s eye and smiled. Raine gasped. Her eyes were like diamonds, almost identical to…

  “Raine,” Lurlina said, interrupting Raine’s critique of the new arrival. “I’d like you to meet my sister, Kamali. This is Nova’s mother.”

  Raine’s eyes widened as Kamali turned to face her. She smiled widely as she sat on the chaise. “It is wonderful to meet you, Raine,” Kamali said. “I want you to know I am no prisoner. I am here of my own will. Please, won’t you let me explain?”

  Raine watched Kamali sip her own drink from a second glass. Her face was calm, comfortable, and beautiful as she smiled lovingly between her two siblings. She turned, rushing away from the three Djinn. Her heart pounded as she took the tower steps two at a time. Finally, Raine huddled in the velvet chair in her room.

  A silent tear rolled down her cheek. How was Nova’s mother walking freely, conversing freely? How could they be wrong? Her mind whirled in confusion as the sun sank below the gilded tower. There was more to the story, and she was determined to find out the truth behind the Djinn temple.

  Chapter 4

  The Below

  Raine’s fingertips tingled from being folded over her chest for so long. It seemed like hours she’d sat in silence, simply watching Kamali, Lurlina, and Pacem. They’d allowed her a night’s rest, but the next morning she’d been summoned to an enormous dining hall with long polished cherry wood tables.

  The room was incredible in size and grandeur. The domed ceiling was lined in sparkling gold leaf, with cherubs painted on the ceiling as if silently guarding those who sat below. The windows were painted with beautiful flowering vines of petals in various hues of purple, blue and green. The intricate paintings created an incredible likeness to the foliage and flowers she’d seen in the garden. If she didn’t know better, at first glance, it would be easy for one to think the flowers were pressed directly into the large panes of glass.

  The table was topped with flowering blossoms in blue vases down the center and lined with braided bread, sweet jellies, and steaming meats. Although the room was large, Raine felt cramped and her lungs labored to breathe as if she were buried beneath a tumbling pile of boulders. The three Djinn watched her with calm, subtle smiles, and occasionally one would sip the blue tea they’d served.

  Raine’s eyes narrowed into tiny slits, shooting angry daggers at Kamali. The woman appeared as if life was in perfect rhythm as if she couldn’t be happier. But all the while, Raine knew Nova was risking her life above trying to rescue her. Finally clearing her throat, she succumbed to the boiling anger building up inside. She crossed her leg, letting the lavender gown flow around her ankles, and smiled smugly at Kamali.

  “I hope you’ll forgive my impertinence,” she began sweetly. The Djinn perked when she finally broke the tense silence. “But what kind of mother are you?”

  Raine’s jaw clenched as she awaited the response. Freeing her numb fingers from their static position, she clasped the edge of the table as if to brace for what was to come.

  Kamali’s brow furrowed as she set the dainty silver-lined china cup on the table. “I’m not sure what you mean, Raine.”

  “I think you do,” Raine spat. “Nova thinks you’re miserable here. She’s fighting to free you and she might get killed in the process. You sit here, all content. Do you even care?”

  Lurlina patted Kamali’s hand as she interjected herself into the response. “Dearest Raine. We want to answer these questions you have, but I fear you might be so biased to your own beliefs you would not listen to the truth.”

  Raine’s arms trembled as her frustration built up. Whisking her long hair over her shoulder, she lifted her chin slightly, as if trying to look down upon the Djinn as a superior. “I want the truth, and I don’t appreciate your assumption I would be anything but fair.”

  Lurlina smiled. Her expression full of confidence Raine could only hope for. Her body was strong and regal as she’d been taught in her days living in the palace, but inside her stomach twisted and tears burned the inside of her eyelids. The Djinn were strong, they had powers she could only dream of, and yet somehow, she sat straight and tall never giving in to the paralyzing anxiety rushing through her mind.

  Lurlina slowly lifted herself from the chair seated at the head of the table and settled next to Raine. Raine’s jaw clenched as Lurlina took one of her hands. Her head jerked subtly until Raine made eye contact. Up close, Lurlina’s eyes sparkled with a celestial glow of hundreds of stars. Her skin was perfectly smooth, with not a blemish in sight. And her auburn hair glimmered in gold highlights creating a glistening effect.

  Leaning closer, Lurlina whispered close to Raine’s cheek. “You are not at ease with us, are you, Raine?”

  Raine turned away, feeling the strangling hand petrify her vocal cords, the way she was silenced when Insel took out his wrath on her. Lurlina’s hand gently stroked her palm. “You can be yourself here, Raine. There is no need for false pretenses. You have such fear inside your heart, why?”

  Raine gulped down the lump gaining mass in her throat and nervously cracked the pressure from her knuckles in the hand not covered by Lurlina’s. How had the Djinn seen through her? Was she so transparent?

  “Would you be willing to listen to our sister’s side?” Pacem said, his voice surprisingly calming. As he spoke, Raine felt as if a cool breeze passed through her, filling
her chest with relaxing peace.

  Pacem pointed toward Kamali, who watched Raine with hopeful eyes. Her head seemed to take on the movement as if she had no choice in the matter; she nodded, offering the three Djinn a small smile to show her willingness.

  “Wonderful,” Lurlina said, her red, perfect lips pulling into a wide, satisfied smile. “Kamali, it is your time to help our guest understand the truth that so many have misconstrued throughout Launi Kingdom.”

  Kamali stroked a bit of her long, ebony hair before trading places with Lurlina on the bench near Raine. “I’m very pleased you’re willing to listen to the truth. Long ago, I was taken from my family, against my will. I admit over time I fell in love with my husband, but I cannot deny, he should never have taken me from the temple.

  “I cannot express the daily pain I experienced being so far from where I truly belong. It was only a matter of time before I would have had to return even if my husband had not been taken from us. I was growing weaker, and eventually, I would have faded into nothing. That is what happens with the power of the Djinn. It must be near the energy source to be of any use. The source of our power lies within the temple, you see.”

  “But…but what about your notes you left for Nova? What about how you came to help her?” Raine asked after Kamali paused.

  Kamali sighed, taking her hand just as Lurlina had. “It is true, I asked for temporary power so I could help Nova on the Island of Bones. It was no place for her, and it was another way for other Dia pirates to find the mountain and possibly kidnap another of my siblings. The island had to be destroyed. I love my daughter, Raine; of course, I didn’t want to see her lost in the life she had become trapped in.”

  Raine shook her head. “No, you told her not to trust the temple. She told me about your warnings.”