by Stone, Leia
“What?” he asked, noticing my smile.
I shook my head. “Nothing, I’m just happy to be here.”
“I’m glad you’re here too.” He held my gaze. I didn’t look away and he leaned in closer to me. When our lips touched, I didn’t know what to expect, but it wasn’t what I felt with Seth. It was nice, but it left me feeling empty. Sadly, I pulled away. Maybe I shouldn’t have compared the two.
Kyler grinned. “I’m a lucky man. I hope I can make you as happy as you make me.”
I gave a nervous laugh and lay my head on his shoulder, unable to find words. Kyler was a good man; he would make an honest husband. Seth had made his intentions clear, so why did I feel so confused inside? I didn’t have a choice. My choice was made for me. Kyler was my future. We walked around for another hour before Kyler took me home. When I got back, Sebastian was waiting for me on my balcony.
I jumped when I got to the top of the stairs. “You scared me!” I nearly screamed.
His face held anger. “Good. Now you know how I felt when I noticed you were gone.”
I looked at my feet. “I’m sorry, but I was with the prince. I was perfectly safe.”
Sebastian stood and leaned close to me. “That’s what Maggie thought too.”
Chills ran up my arms. I swallowed hard.
“In the future, please come wake me. I will give you your privacy, but I would like to know where you are at all times,” he declared.
I cleared my throat. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry.”
I turned to go inside. “My son has changed ever since he went to retrieve you.” He observed as I shut the door behind me, pretending to not have heard him.
I tossed and turned with dreams that were vivid and intense. I was lying in the Salt Flats, bleeding water. It oozed out of my hands, my feet, and a gash in my stomach. Rain pelted my face as an army descended the Salt Flats, and I was consumed by water. I awoke sweating and panting.
I ran a shaky hand through my hair. I peeked outside; it was still dark with only a faint twinge of morning light. I dressed quickly, unsettled by my dreams. I tapped at Sebastian’s door, he answered quickly, half asleep.
“Sorry to trouble you. I had bad dreams and wish to go for an early morning walk.”
He straightened. “Of course. Thank you. Give me a moment.” He returned with full armor on and a sword at his waist.
We walked silently down the hall.
“Dream journal,” Sebastian said.
“What?” I asked him as we made our way out of the palace and into the sprawling gardens.
“Maggie kept a dream journal. Maybe you should too.”
I nodded. It was a good idea. “So Maggie had bad dreams too?”
He shook his head. “No, she had wonderful dreams. Dreams of water as far as the eye could see, green trees, and flowers. Children playing in the rain, unguarded wells, water for free, water for all.”
His words sent chills up my spine. It sounded wonderful but at what cost? My dream was in stark contrast to Maggie’s. I was so confused. Maggie was gone and I couldn’t ask her about my dreams. Seth was gone too and I didn’t feel close enough to Kyler yet. I sighed.
I walked the rest of the way in silence. I rounded the rose garden, beautiful but wasteful in water when so many needed. As I turned past the fountain where I kissed Prince Kyler, I saw Seth. He was jogging, wearing barely a thin tunic and cut off breeches. He was gleaming with sweat, and panting. He saw me and stopped. I gritted my teeth, nodded to him, and kept walking.
“Father, may we have some privacy?” Seth asked.
His father raised an eyebrow but walked away and behind a wall that encased the garden.
I rubbed my hands to give them something to do and gazed at the ground.
Seth reached out and tilted my chin up. “I’m sorry about what I said before. I don’t want you to remember me like that.” He was looking at my lips. I pursed them.
“Well, it’s been said, so …” I told him.
Seth sighed and looked away, across the valley. “I wish you and Prince Kyler a happy life full of laughter, love, and children. Can you do that for me? Can you be happy?”
His words made my chest heave. What did he care of my happiness? I put myself out there asking him to make his intentions known. He was clear that I was a physical conquest. I wished he would just go.
“I don’t know,” I said honestly. The kiss with Kyler had been mediocre.
Seth’s face looked pained. “I have asked to be assigned to guarding the entrance of the kingdom. I will be moving to the village to be closer to my post.”
All of a sudden fear gripped me. Would I ever see him again? There was something I wanted to tell him. If I was never going to see him again, I wanted him to know one thing.
“The man you killed that day in Death Valley, the thug, the one you asked me if I knew?”
Seth nodded. “Yes?”
I held my chin high. “He forced his way on me when I was fifteen winters old and stole my innocence. So, thank you. At least thank you for that.” My lip quivered.
Seth’s mouth opened in shock. Before I could register what was happening, he pulled my body into his so that my breasts were pressed against his hard chest. He kissed me with raw passion, forceful and unguarded. I moaned in pleasure as rain fell from the sky. He pulled away suddenly and whispered in my ear, “I would kill him a thousand more times if I could.”
Rain pelted down on us, soaking my clothes and hair. “Seth? I don’t understand.”
He looked toward the castle. “Understand this. I cannot be with you in the way that you want. Prince Kyler will be everything you need in life. Go forward with him and forget me.” He squeezed my hand. “Goodbye.” He turned away from me, jogging out of my life, leaving a huge gaping hole inside of me.
I suddenly felt so alone. My mother wasn’t there, Lake was always busy with Bennet, Kyler was nice, but …
I cried as rain fell from the sky. Remembering the king’s threat, I quickly shook my head to clear my thoughts. The rain eased. I turned around and saw Sebastian waiting for me. I wiped my eyes and smoothed my wet wrap dress.
I walked past him without looking at him or saying a word. But his face told me everything I needed to know, he had seen us kiss. The rain stopped and the sun rose. In my village the men chose the women. Seth didn’t want me, Kyler did. End of story.
Rain
I went back to my room and found Kyler waiting for me in the hallway. I was soaking wet, so I crossed my arms to cover my chest. He quickly took off his jacket and placed it around my shoulders.
I smiled weakly. “Thank you.”
He nodded. “I saw the rain and got worried. Are you all right?”
I nodded. “Sorry, I’m still learning to control it.”
Sebastian slipped away into his room.
Kyler shrugged. “I don’t mind. The roses have never been more beautiful, but my father isn’t pleased.”
I stared at him blankly. “It won’t happen again,” I said assuredly.
He smirked. “It’s okay. The village has begun making shrines for you in their windows. They call you the rain goddess.”
I was shocked. “Oh.”
He held out his hand. In it was a large felt jewelry box. “I just came by to bring you this. It was my mother’s. I wanted you to have it.”
I took the gift. “Kyler, you don’t have to give me gifts,” I said shyly.
He held my hand. “I want to.”
I smiled and opened the box. I gasped. It was a stunning ruby necklace with more than thirty rubies shaped into ovals. The necklace would buy water for my village for ten years.
“Thank you,” I said, but for some reason Seth’s gift of paints and brushes came into my mind.
He kissed my cheek. “There are more where that came from.”
I just nodded.
“Well, I will let you clean up. Join my parents and me for dinner? Wear the necklace,” he asked.
I n
odded. “Sure.”
After saying goodbye and entering my room, I changed and crawled into bed. After hours of torturing myself with thoughts, I made a decision. I couldn’t marry Kyler, I didn’t love him and didn’t think I ever could. Kissing him was like kissing a brother or friend. Lake loved living in the palace, so I wouldn’t bother her with leaving. Seth wanted to be left alone, and I didn’t want to drag Sebastian into my plans. That meant, after dinner, I would run away to Wheat Valley. Alone. I didn’t trust the king and honestly I couldn’t control the rain, so it was better if I left. If I could get to Wheat Valley and meet the other Water Blessed, I could get some answers.
I dressed in the finest red silk wrap, wore my ruby necklace and gave Lake a long hug after she braided my hair. She told me all about her picnic date with Bennet. When I pulled away from our hug, she was grinning.
“You’re in love,” I observed aloud.
She shyly nodded.
I smiled. “Can you believe how our lives used to be? Can you believe how much has changed?”
Lake grasped my hands. “The Fates blessed you and you blessed me. I will never forget that, Ocean. Not in a hundred winters.” She held my gaze.
I smiled sadly. I would miss my best friend. My sister. But marrying for love was a privilege in my village and I would not take that happiness from her.
*
At dinner, I made small talk with Kyler and the king and queen. After dessert, the king looked at me with a steady gaze.
“Ocean, I have been thinking.”
I sat up straighter. “Yes?”
“After meeting with my farming council, we have come up with a wonderful idea.”
Kyler creased his brow.
“Your rain has become a problem for me in the city. It fills the villagers’ pots and they don’t pay at the well.”
I cleared my throat. “Sir, I’m sorry about that. I will work on it.”
He put his hand up. “No, no. I think we can capitalize on this. Your rain only goes so far out. It seems to be centered near wherever you are. The farmlands near Jewel Mountain have been dry. The farmers are willing to pay double their price of well water for rain water.”
I stared at him.
“Father, what are you saying?” Kyler stood, looking angry.
“I’m saying she should move out of the castle and into a beautiful country house on the farmlands. We can keep her well-guarded and she will have the finest things. But when it rains it won’t be a problem for me. I have already arranged it,” he stated.
All the king cared about was gold. The idea of a country farm house sounded wonderful to me, but I didn’t like that my life was being moved like pieces on a chess board.
“I’ll think about it.” I stood and glared at the king. Kyler looked at me.
“I can find my way back,” I told Kyler. “Thank you for the lovely dinner.”
The king glared back. What did it matter, I was gone tonight. As I reached for the door handle, I heard shouting down the hall. The door burst open, knocking me back. A palace guard entered with a red flushed face. He was panting, holding tightly to a scroll.
Kyler quickly helped me up. “Be careful!” Kyler shouted at the guard.
The guard shakily handed the scroll to the king.
“Coal Mountain has declared war. Thousands march on the mountain, and are coming this way.”
The king grabbed the scroll and read it. He then looked at me, eyes narrowed. “One hundred winters’ peace about to be broken, all over her.” He pointed at me.
My hand flew to my mouth.
“Get everyone to the safety chamber,” he ordered.
Sebastian appeared and he and the palace guard took me back to my room to quickly gather my things. Lake was there. After packing a bag, we all walked with the guard to a tunnel, off the kitchens, that led underground to a series of rooms. In the main open room, the king and Kyler were hunched over a miniature sculpture of the realm.
"How dare Coal Mountain break a hundred-winter-old peace treaty over water! We are going back to the old days," the King roared to one of his guards.
Kyler looked back at his father and ushered me out of the room and into my new sleeping quarters. "I'll come check on you later," he told me.
“What did the scroll say?” I asked him. How was the act of war my fault?
Kyler chewed his lip. “The rain. The fact that you can make it rain so much has gotten around. Coal Mountain’s king asked my father last week if you could be shared. They are experiencing horrible drought. Food is scarce.”
My heart hurt for Coal Mountain. They were only doing what I would do to feed my family. “Kyler, that’s the thing. Why can’t I be shared? Why can’t there be enough water for everyone?” I asked.
Kyler put a finger to my lips. “Shh.” He looked behind him and closed the door.
“Ocean, I care about you. I see a future with you. You would do well to remember that my father paid for your village well, my father pays for your security, my father won the bid for you. Your allegiance should be with him.”
My heart crushed. “Your father owns me,” I said aloud.
He looked down. “No. He owns your gift. The people of Jewel Mountain need you. I need you.” He leaned in to kiss me and I turned giving him my cheek.
He kissed it but looked hurt. I needed to get out of here. I couldn’t run away to Wheat Valley while locked in secure chambers.
“I have an idea. I need to see your father,” I told him and brushed past him, making my way to the map room. I didn’t have a chance to memorize the map in the library. I needed another look before I left.
The king was talking to a man who was out of breath.
"In the North Mountains, cresting the top." He panted. "Word has gotten around that she can make it rain at will. That she made it rain in Death Valley and found a well there. They intend to take her.”
My body felt numb. Fear washed over me. The king glared at me, and then back at the map.
"Maybe I can help," I offered and stepped closer to the map. The north mountain separated the Coal and Jewel Kingdoms. It was dry and loose with dirt. There were no walls separating the kingdoms because it was originally designed to be one realm. I saw that I would need to hike over Jewel Mountain to get to the border of Wheat Valley.
The king saw me inspecting the map.
"Interested in our realm or do you have an idea?"
He was really starting to annoy me. "Isn't the north mountain really dry, with fine sand? I saw it coming in."
He nodded. "Yes, and it’s not very steep coming down, so they could make it down quite easily."
A thought struck me. If they thought that my gift was something to steal and own, then I would show them just how dangerous rain could be.
I grinned. "Landslide. I'll shower the mountain with rain and they will all come crashing down."
The king appraised me with a look of respect. "That's brilliant. I may just make you a part of my war council."
"Can you do it from in here?" Kyler asked.
I stared at the map, marking the way to Wheat Valley in my head. I had water, I could find food or barter for it. I looked up at him. He seemed worried for me.
"No, I need to be close. I’m still learning to control it."
"No!" Seth boomed behind me. "It’s too dangerous."
My heart picked up. The king gave him a look of annoyance. "It’s the best plan we have," the King told him.
"You once paid me to protect her. I'm saying it's a bad idea. Since when do we bring women into the front lines of war?" Seth's neck veins were bulging.
The king put a hand on my lower back. "Since now." He pushed me forward, past Seth, out of the tunnels and into the kitchen. The king stopped at the door and faced Kyler and Seth who were following us.
The king looked at Kyler. "You can go and make the war decisions. It will be good practice for when you take over the throne. I will stay back with your mother.”
Kyler embraced
his father quickly and then took my hand, leading me out. He held my hand in such a delicate way, like I was something to be treasured. I felt awful for planning to leave him.
Seth followed us outside and two royal guards were waiting with horses and more men. Sebastian was nowhere to be found.
Kyler swung atop his horse and reached back for my hand. I gave it, and we rode off to the front lines of battle.
What these men didn't know about me was that I was bred for war. Every week in my village someone died of heat death. Every day I trudged through twenty miles of scorching sun, only to defend my body and take what should rightfully be mine. Every day I fought a war at the watering hole. This war was no different. Just more thugs. I felt for the Coal Mountain people, but I would not be taken by force!
Thunder shook overhead and grey clouds rolled in. Anger. That was the key to the rain. My emotions. We rode hard and I gripped Kyler's chest tightly. When we crested the hill and dismounted, I could see thousands of Coal Mountain soldiers beginning their descent down North Mountain. This would be my way out. Cause the landslide as a distraction and then run the other way to Jewel Mountain.
Kyler walked me to a post that had been set up at the base of the mountain. Seth trailed behind us hand on his sword, murder in his eyes.
Kyler held my hand. "Okay, Ocean, make it rain."
The men were hunting me like an animal! I was sick of being treated like an object or a prize. A light rain began to sprinkle from the sky. Then, for the strangest reason, I thought of my mother. Her gnarled hands and weak back. Wouldn't I do the same? Hunt down the Water Blessed if it meant my people could live. Yes, I would. Water made you desperate. Made you do anything. The rain stopped and I wasn’t so sure that anger was the key to controlling it.
Kyler looked at me in alarm.
"Ocean, that's not enough. It needs to pour like when you first arrived. The men told me the ground was so waterlogged the caravan got stuck."