Jaxson seemed tense, but for the first time on such a difficult day, I actually felt relaxed. I would pretend we were just another couple sampling all that the Festival had to give. We walked hand in hand, taking in all that was offered.
“My lady, come try a peach. You will not be disappointed you did,” Jefferson enticed. He loved fruit, and since his wife died ten years before, it had become his sanctuary; spending all his time growing the perfect peaches.
“I must work up an appetite. Then I will truly appreciate them. Save me one?” I winked.
His face brightened and he plucked two peaches from the stand. “I will,” he responded, turning to place them on a shelf behind him.
I turned my attention to a game at the end of the walk. I looked up at Jaxson and he must have caught the scent of my mischief because his eyebrow perked.
“What are you dreaming up in that head of yours?” he asked.
I bit my lip and glanced at my target, then back at him. “I was wondering if you were daring enough to let me try to dunk you?”
He looked down the walk at the children throwing stones, trying to dunk whatever poor sap had been voted the victim this year. He looked back at me and seemed to be wrestling with what to do.
“How about we visit some other booths first, get some food. When you are fully satisfied I will let you take one shot before we leave. That way, in the unlikely event you are successful, I do not have to walk around in front the whole town sopping wet.”
I jumped once, unable to contain my excitement, and clapped my hands.
“You will be getting wet today,” I whispered, trying to keep my smile from consuming my entire face. He laughed and kissed my hand.
We stopped in front of Pimilco, the fortune teller’s booth.
“A reading for you, Sir?” she asked in the gypsy speak she had recently adopted. No one from the City had ever seen or heard a gypsy, or any race for that matter, other than the Gods. So no one could really call her out, and anyways, it was kind of fun.
“Oh, please?” I took both his hands and begged. He started to shake his head but stopped. I knew I had him.
“Try it please? For me?”
“Alright, I’ll try.” He rolled his eyes but sat in the chair opposite her.
I stood behind him, draping my hands over his shoulders. I watched, almost holding my breath as Pimilco set the deck on the little table. Everyone in the City came to Pimilco because, in spite of her silly accent, she was incredibly accurate.
She smiled as she flipped over the first card. “Ah, The Lover’s,” she drummed her fingers on the table for a moment. “Your feelings of love and respect for one another have been reignited of late, no?”
Jaxson reached up and squeezed my hands. Her eyes caught the gesture and she seemed to glow with the confirmation. Jaxson looked up at me and I could not help giving him a peck on the lips.
She flipped over another card and placed it next to the first. “You have found a passion you have not yet had. I see it not only in the cards but in your eyes.” Her accent dropped away for a second but came back as she regained her composure. “You are on a new journey, a journey of discovery. Learning things of yourself you did not know, and in turn, finding a new capacity to love each other.”
She flipped the third card and froze. All the blood seemed to drain from her face.
“What is it?”I asked, feeling suddenly foolish for standing in front of someone who sees the truth of things. She shook her head. I snatched the card from her hand and looked at it in shock. I knew this card and what it meant. I had watched hundreds of her readings and had seen the emotions this card fostered in the eyes of the hopeful, especially when placed next to the previous card.
She snatched the card back and collected the two from the table, shuffling them all back into the deck.
“What does that mean?” I asked, feeling lightheaded and hoping for another explanation, one that did not match what I believed the card to signify.
“It means that I should not be trying to tell the fortune of a God. I apologize. This is just a silly hobby I have, to keep me entertained. That is all it is good for, entertainment. It means nothing.” She turned on her heels, her long turquoise skirt swirling around her as she vanished through a curtain.
“What was it?” Jaxson looked concerned as he stood and embraced me.
“I do not know,” I lied. I knew he would sense it but I had no other choice. She was right, it meant nothing and it was a cruel reminder that we could never have the normal things everyone else wanted. Even Anaya, who was so quiet lately, trying not to be silenced, was sympathetic.
He stared at me for a long time, probably confused at how a card could cause such turmoil. Finally he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then opened them with a sigh. I felt bad that I was causing him pain, but telling him would cause so much more.
“Hey, there are still so many booths to see before I get a chance to dunk you,” I said, punching him softly. He looked at me through skeptical eyes.
“Besides, I am starving. Can we get moving so I can get something to eat.”
He still seemed unconvinced, but reluctantly followed as I pulled him towards the one shop I was dying to visit.
“Try some pork roast, my lady?” Marcus’s wife, Lena, leaned forward with a large chunk of meat skewered on the end of a stick, cupping a hand below it to catch any that might escape.
I leaned in took the bite right from the outstretched stick. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the tender meat. Why had I never thought to order this on the ship? I opened my eyes to both Lena and Jaxson watching me. Lena looked pleased, but it was Jaxson’s face that held my attention.
“Good?” he asked, sounding as amused as he looked.
“Marcel must speak with her. Get the recipe.”
Lena made a little sound of excitement and bobbed back toward the counter behind her. “Let me get you a plate,” she called as she busied herself dishing up a bed of rice for the meat to rest on. She ladled some juice out onto the rice and placed a fork on the plate.
The smell of the open cooker wafted from the kitchen, making my mouth water as she waddled back toward us. I took the plate, eager to get started.
“I will bring you back your dishes when we are done,” I said, holding up the fork.
“Keep them. I have more,” she said, waving her hand dismissively.
“Thank you,” I murmured, looking at the food. She giggled as we turned away to continue along the walk.
“Here, try this,” I said, holding up a fork full of rice and pork. Jaxson leaned in and took a bite. It was my turn to be amused as his head bobbed from side to side.
“You see?”
“Yes, I will send Marcel to consult with her as soon as possible,” he said, looking longingly at my plate. We took turns feeding each other and the food was gone far quicker than my hunger was.
We stopped and got two ears of corn from Wendel. He did not actually grow the corn, but he enjoyed cooking it and everyone loved eating it. His was one of the most popular booths since everyone, including those of Choosing age, could eat corn.
We stopped at a puppet show while we ate our corn. I laughed a little harder than was ladylike as two of the puppets got into a fist fight. Jaxson looked at me like it was the first time he ever heard me laugh. He pulled me close and kissed the side of my head.
The way he was looking at me quenched my desire to be there any longer.
“Come, I am ready to go home, so it is time for you to get wet,” I said smugly, resting my hand a little lower on his back than was appropriate for public.
“When you say it like that, it does not sound like such an unpleasant thing, especially if I get you alone afterward.”
I could not help the blush that spread across my cheeks, but I still did not adjust my hand to an appropriate spot on his back.
I reluctantly let him go so he could climb into the tank and await my one shot. What he did not know was I had perfect ai
m. Niko, Lizanne and I spent much of our free time helping out the local farmers with rodent problems.
I picked up one of the rocks and hefted it up and down in my hand a few times. Jaxson looked a little worried. I turned to the side and winked at him as drew my arm back. I let the rock fly with precision aim, nailing the target dead on. The surprise in his eyes lasted only a second before he was dropped into the ice filled water.
“Reka!” A voiced called from behind. I began to turn before I realized my error. Niko grabbed my hand and pulled me in between two booths.
“I knew you were in there,” he said in a rush, his eyes flashing wildly.
“Niko, you are holding to a belief that just is not correct. She is in here, but only as background noise. I am sorry.”
“I know it is you, Reka. I have been watching you. You clapped your hands when you were excited, you bobbed your head when you ate something you loved, and no one has dead on aim like you,” he said, shaking my hands.
“I have inherited a lot of Reka’s mannerisms because I inhabit her body. It is lucky for me she is such a good shot because I am not. I know you love her… She cannot hide things from me. It is unfortunate, and I am very sorry that she made you love her when your lives were undecided, but what you hope for is no longer here for you. You must move on and find someone else to love.”
“No! Reka, you are strong. I know you are in there. You have always been able to get people to do what you wanted. Do it now. Come back to me.”
“Even if she could, which she cannot, you could never be together—”
“We could run away,” he interrupted.
“Her body is filled with a toxin that is lethal to both her and anyone she joins with other than my king. You could have one night together, but by morning, you both would be dead. A sweet way to go, but an unpleasant one to be sure. Every nerve in your body would feel like it was on fire while the toxins paralyze you so you cannot even scream in agony. A wicked punishment for your crime. but there is no mercy for such a betrayal of your Gods.”
He dropped my hands, defeated. I felt like a knife had been pierced through my heart. I stared at him for a second before turning away so he could not see the hot tears stinging my eyes. I was grateful to Anaya for supplying me the terrible information that crushed his spirit, and the emotions to deliver it so coldly.
The memory of the bodies of two lovers after exactly such a scene was now etched in my own brain. It was a sight that even brought Anaya deep sadness to witness.
“What was that?” Jaxson nodded toward the little hallway where Niko no longer stood. His voice startled me out of the memory.
“Nothing. He thought he saw the girl he loved in me,” I said, feeling as defeated as Niko had.
“Do I need to speak with him?” he asked, a dangerous edge to his tone.
“No.” I shook my head “He will not bother us again.”
“What did you say to him?”
“I told him that the love he is looking for no longer exists, that the only one who will ever have Reka is you.”
He looked unsure for a moment, then he drew me close and tucked my head under his chin. “I know you are strong, but I am sorry you had to go through that. I will never put you in that position again.”
“You? You did not cause this,” I whispered. He pulled me away and looked deep into my eyes. He had that determined, almost angry look.
“This is not your fault.”
He would not say that if he knew what I had done, what I was capable of, and that he too, likely fell prey to my gift. I looked away and caught sight of Niko watching us. Jaxson was quick to follow my gaze.
Chapter 25
Jaxson raised his hand high into the air. He snapped his fingers and twirled one in a circle. There were gasps from every direction as dozens of guards appeared from the shadows.
I had to stifle a gasp of my own. Even though I knew how many had accompanied us, where they had gone had not even occurred to me. I was completely unaware of their presence during our tour of the booths.
I had never been aware of their presence in any of the past Festivals either. How often had I done things that were against the rules, right in front of a guard? How much did they know? It was both frightening and inspiring that so much of our behavior was overlooked.
The guards filed in on all sides of us until they blocked us almost completely from view. I could see through our wall of guards that still more lined the walk on either side of us, remaining close to each booth.
The show of force was something new. Was this a jealous response from Jaxson, or a warning to those who sympathized with our attackers? Either way it was very effective. What was worse was that for each guard I could see, there were nearly as many still unseen.
As we made our way toward the pedestal, I tried not to draw attention to the fact that Niko was following us, popping up in the crowd after every couple of booths we passed. If he kept this up, with the guards on edge after the attack, I feared he would end up getting himself killed.
We stopped suddenly and I tensed expecting the worst.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Your peaches.” Jaxson motioned toward Jefferson’s booth. I had completely forgotten.
The guards stepped aside to let me through. Jefferson stood with two perfect peaches in his hands. His face shown both happy and sad.
He placed the fruit in my hands and patted them lovingly. “Be safe,” he said with an intensity that made me want to reach out and embrace him. I refrained, but it ached to do so. My own father was killed when I was very young. I do not remember him, but I do remember Jefferson and others who have filled his role in one way or another.
I was the wrong thing to everyone. Jefferson was showing kindness to a God Queen because he saw me instead of her. Jaxson loved me because he saw his God Queen instead of me.
And then there was Niko, who was blindly devoted to me because he could not see the truth through the lie I had forced upon him.
Jaxson touched my shoulder, pulling me back from the edge I was teetering on. I had to be strong, for my family and for him. If anyone could make me keep up the illusion, it was him. He deserved a little happiness, and though I was confused, I wanted to be that happiness more than anything
I turned and stared into Jaxson’s uncertain eyes. It was time to stop living two lives. I turned my attention back to Jefferson who looked somewhat bewildered.
“Thank you, Jefferson. I will enjoy these.”
He brightened again and waved as the swell of guards fell back around us. I took Jaxson’s hand and did not look back as we climbed aboard the pedestal and headed for home.
Chapter 26
Daniella rounded the corner as I stepped into the hall. I took a right towards the control room, hoping to avoid conversation.
“Anaya,” Daniella called, picking up her pace until she fell in step next to me, bowing her head in a show of respect, a gesture that still made me uncomfortable.
“Daniella,” I responded with a less formal nod.
“I know you have been busy lately, helping Jaxson. It is a pleasure to see you two getting on so well, working together even, but it does not allow us much time to speak. I was hoping only for a moment of your time.”
“Of course. Any concern of yours warrants my full attention.”
She smiled, but the way her jaw was working, made me uneasy. I was hoping she would lose her nerve. The attack was all anyone spoke of lately and the thought of another discussion made my stomach knot and the muscles in my legs feel restless. I suppressed the urge to run.
“I am so glad to hear you say that. You see, it is actually you that I am concerned about.” Her words were rushed, but she continued almost without taking a breath. “I know this all must be very hard for you, seeing that young man burning.”
“Things could not have ended differently without one of us being the one to lose our life. It was either him or me, Daniella.”
“I know,” she
said, swallowing, licking her lips before continuing. “I know this one.” She motioned to my body. “This host has affected you more than any ever has. She is strong; we all see it. Her emotions… What I mean is. It must not have been easy for her to watch one of her people – someone she may have been friends with even – destroyed to save you, or herself, even.”
“No, you are correct. Her emotions have been a trial, but one I am learning to bear. I am, after all, responsible for them being in my head, am I not?”
“I did not come to make you feel guilty. I wanted you to know that I understand. I am sure you never meant to be this way. Living with them in your head, experiencing their suffering. It changes you. Even now, after so many years, Anna’s emotions still have the power to influence me. It seems Reka has this same effect on you. She is a good influence. Ending the restrictions is a step in the right direction. You have a chance to do something—”
A commotion in the hall behind us cut our conversation short.
Several guards were escorting two of Niko’s friends through the hall. I did not know both of their names, but the one I did know, Terrence Layton, was putting up a struggle. He threw an elbow at the guard holding him. The guard staggered back, allowing Terrence to break free of his grasp.
Terrence sprinted a few steps and spotted me. He held me locked in a stare. This might have been what he had come for, but as he stood before me, he seemed frozen, unable to carry out whatever intent he had come with. The eye contact lasted only a moment before three guards tackled him to the ground.
The guards dragged him from the ground and surrounded him, one holding his head forward so he could see only the ground.
“Take them to their cells,” Griff said, appearing seemingly, from thin air.
I watched, unable to look away, as the guards led them past me, both surrounded and held so they could not look at me. Griff did not follow. Instead, he turned and headed towards the control room. This stunned me back to life and I chased after him.
“What will become of them, Griff?”
“That is for Jaxson to decide.”
Children of the Gods - A Chosen Novel Page 14