Arwan approached the group of men gathered near the truck of supplies and lifted a wooden crate of corn into his arms. They would use maize as offerings tonight, just as their ancestors had done from the birth of their empire.
His muscles flexed under the weight as he carried the crate down the steep hill to the valley. He appreciated having something to do—anything other than being lost in his thoughts.
It took nearly two hours for him and the men to haul the last of the corn to the fire pits. By the time he placed the final crate on the ground, his skin was slick with sweat. He lifted his arm and wiped his forehead, then turned to the hillside, where an older woman stood alone with a heavy shawl draped over her shoulders.
Arwan smiled. The solstice celebrations wouldn’t have been the same without Drina.
He hiked up the hillside toward the group. The air became cooler as he distanced himself from the glowing fires. When he reached the top of the hill, Drina was standing with her back facing him. He placed his hand on the old woman’s shoulder. Without turning around, she reached across her chest and rested her hand over his.
“I’m glad you made it, Drina. I was hoping—”
She turned and smiled sadly. “I would not have left you to celebrate alone.” She glanced at the rest of the group, clustered together just yards away.
“I would’ve been fine. But thank you.”
She patted his cheek with her wrinkled hand and smiled. “Cualli and Balam are here.” She turned toward the nearby forest. A pair of yellow eyes glowed from the thick of the tree branches. Drina tugged on his arm. “Go. Go enjoy t’e lights from t’e lowland of t’e valley wit’ your people.”
***
Zanya
“It is almost time.” Renato turned to Eleuia. “Are you ready?”
Eleuia beamed, dressed for the occasion in a green, blue, orange, and cream patterned dress.
Zanya hadn’t had the foresight to bring something special to wear for the event. She glanced down at her jeans and T-shirt paired with sandals.
Renato and her mother smiled at each other. “We have something for you. For your first solstice.” Her mother revealed a package she had hidden behind her back.
Zanya examined the burlap tied with a thin piece of rope. “What is it?”
“We picked it up for you in town,” her mother said. “Actually, Renato picked it out. He said you would wear it well.”
Zanya took the gift and glanced up at her mother. “Should I open it?”
Renato chuckled. “I would hope so. And you may use the cab to change if you’d like. The driver is enjoying the festivities. You will have your privacy.”
Zanya’s breath stalled while she gently tugged the twine loose. The folds of burlap fell open to reveal fabric—deep blue patterned with gold and burgundy diamonds.
“It’s a dress. And there’s something else in there, for your stone.” Eleuia slipped a leather bracelet out from between folds of the fabric. “I thought maybe you could use a place to keep it with you all the time, now that you’ve shrunk it down to a more portable size.”
Zanya’s lips parted. “But how…”
“Renato told me.” Her mother grinned. “Very clever. I never thought of doing that.”
Zanya dragged her fingers over the soft fabric. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“Let me help you with this.” Her mom rested the bracelet on Zanya’s wrist and wound two braided straps around several times, then tied it in a knot. On the main strap of the bracelet was a pouch, just large enough to house her stone.
“Did you make this?”
Her mother smiled. “It’s been a long time since I’ve done any leather sewing, but I think it came out pretty good.” She brushed her fingers along Zanya’s hand as she pulled away. “Now go change into your dress so I can see it on you.”
As Renato had promised, the cab was empty. Inside, she quickly stripped and wrapped the dress around her body. The fabric brushed against the tops of her feet, and a golden rope hung around the waistline. A single shoulder strap went over only one shoulder, leaving the other one bare.
She pulled her stone out of her jeans pocket and held it between her fingers. It glowed and swirled with color, as if cooing with joy. She smiled. “It’s pretty exciting, right?” The stone buzzed in affirmation. Her smile faded. “And you’ve got a new home. Compliments of Mom.” Zanya tucked the stone in the pouch on the top of her bracelet and tied it shut. The stone’s light pushed through, illuminating the edges of the pocket. “What do you think?” It hummed in a low tone, then fizzled out. “Oh, come on. You’ll warm up to it.” Her stone flashed with annoyance. Zanya chuckled and pushed open the taxi door.
She stepped out of the cab onto the cool, soft earth. Her mother waited with Renato, her hands perched on her hips. “Well then.” She scanned Zanya head to toe. “You look…” She swallowed and pressed her fingers over her lips. “You look beautiful.”
Zanya fiddled with the strap of her dress.
“Here.” Her mother stepped behind her. “There’s a button back here to keep the dress from coming loose. She pulled the fabric tighter and secured it in place. “There.”
Zanya admired the patterned fabric, soft and flowing against her skin with the gentle breeze. “Thanks, you guys. It’s beautiful.”
“I couldn’t have you attend your first solstice in jeans.” He glanced over Zanya’s shoulder. “Looks like someone else has taken notice.”
Zanya turned to see Jayden staring at her with his arms crossed over his chest and a crooked grin. She turned back to her mother, suppressing a smile. “He’s such a clown.”
“A handsome clown.” She stepped around Zanya. “We should join the others. It’s almost time.”
When they passed him, Jayden raised an eyebrow. “Wow.”
She lifted her finger. “Enough, Jay.”
“Hey, most women appreciate a compliment.”
She dropped her hand and smiled. He was right. At least he wasn’t being a total ass. She smoothed down the fabric with her palms. “Thanks.”
Jay extended his arm. “Shall we?”
She snorted. “Suddenly you’re a gentleman?”
“I had to try it sometime.” He winked and looped her arm in his, and they walked toward the rest of the group.
The energy of the night sparked in the air, flickering around them, mixing with the twinkle of stars and fireflies.
Zanya spotted Drina lingering at the edge of the group. “I’ll be right back.” It would be rude not to greet Drina after everything she’d done.
The old woman’s eyes lit up at her approach. She clapped her hands in front of her and skimmed her gaze over Zanya’s attire. “Hats’uts!”
Zanya didn’t need to know Mayan to understand the sparkle in her eyes—beautiful. “Thank you, Drina.” She took the woman’s hands. “It’s so nice to see you here.”
The old woman nodded. “You are going to remember t’is night forever.” She rested her finger on Zanya’s chest. “Is very special.”
She squeezed Drina’s other hand. “That’s what everyone keeps telling me.”
A tiny gasp escaped the woman’s throat, and her eyes softened as she tilted her face toward the night sky. “T’ere.” She gestured to the city of ruins, which was now basking in the glow of dozens of fires in the valley below. “You see how t’e sky shakes? Do you feel it? T’e gods will soon descend. I must go.”
Before Zanya could respond, the woman hobbled off toward the valley. Zanya watched her crooked frame balance down the path until she reached the ground, where Arwan waited for her.
Zanya examined the perfect, clear sky. Her eyes widened when the atmosphere seemed to shift far beyond the point of the moon.
Wavering clouds of shimmering color formed in the distance.
A cheer roared from the crowd below, and flames from the fires cast flickering shadows over the celebrators dancing around them. Children ran along the outskirts of the valley, their faces an
d chests painted in bright colors as if they were tiny ancient warriors.
Zanya stepped forward, admiring the royal blue, emerald green, and deep purple streaks illuminating in the sky. The dancing lights were mesmerizing.
Energy surged through her, forcing her heart to race. But this time it wasn’t her. It was her stone, reacting to the presence of the gods of Tamoanchan.
A warm hand took hers. She looked to see Tara beside her, her lips parted. A tear ran down her friend’s cheek. Zanya squeezed her hand. She looked back down at Arwan, who stood beside the base of a temple. Drina’s arm was interlocked with his. As much as the priestess wanted to seem cold and callous, it was clear she loved Arwan like a son. At least he had that.
She inhaled, fighting back the flood of emotion tearing through her. If only things would have turned out differently, this night could have meant so much more.
Cold skin grazed the outside of her other hand. Jayden’s fingers slipped between hers, and he stood silently beside her. She tried to smile. She really did. But her heart ached so intensely, she couldn’t stop the sob clawing up her throat.
Jayden rested his cool lips against her forehead. “I know,” he whispered. His familiar voice brought a tiny shadow of comfort.
The chants grew louder as the lights reached toward the crowds. The first swirl of color wound around two Riyata, who stood on the other side of the valley with their hands interlocked.
Zanya sucked in a gasp while a soft white glow surrounded the lovers. Inside it, streaks of blue and green swayed and fluttered, bonding the two for life. Then there was a burst of light, as though a star had exploded, sending a rippling glow around the bonded pair.
Jayden squeezed her hand tighter. She glanced at him and then at Tara. Neither of them took their eyes off the scene in front of them.
Peter approached and took Tara’s other hand. The four of them stood side by side, watching the lights of Aurora bond willing souls. Another streak of light touched a couple, then another. It was magical and heartbreaking all at the same time.
A cluster of purple and green swirled and wove above her. Zanya lifted her gaze, watching as it became denser. The lights pulsed with life. Her stone buzzed wildly, streaking adrenaline through her veins.
“What’s going on?” Peter lifted his gaze to the gentle cyclone of colors above them.
Tara shook her head. “I don’t know.”
Zanya stared at the lights of Aurora slowly sinking down to the earth. She glanced to either side of her, then back up to the sky just as the lights engulfed them.
A cool wave of light washed over her skin. The hairs on her arms stood on end, and her chest quivered with every breath.
A burst of light exploded in the valley below, as if a star had fallen.
She gasped when the light in her chest burst to life with hues of white and blue, intertwining with the lights of Aurora, and creating an invisible bond that could never be broken.
The heartache and fear lifted, finally allowing her to embrace what was underneath. The desire she’d pushed down for so long rose up like an army, staking its claim over her heart.
As the lights softened and lifted, Zanya opened her eyes and peered through the colorful layers. A smile spread over her lips, and she let out a long exhale.
As the colors drifted upward, she stood breathless, smiling the first real smile in a long time.
Tara and Jayden had let go of her hand. They stood on either side of her, their eyes wide. Zanya swallowed, not sure what had just happened. She was…different. Excitement bubbled in her chest. Her heart was open and free. The bonds that had shackled her with such deep regret had been broken, and all she wanted was Arwan.
***
Arwan
Arwan held his breath, his feet rooted to the ground. Drina fisted her hand and pressed it over smiling lips, staring at the sky.
He raised his gaze to the heavens. The wavering outline of a woman’s face lingered in the lights. Arwan blinked and peered more closely at the familiar features. The image danced and wavered for a moment longer, then dispersed into the starlit night.
“What just happened?” Arwan said. He stilled, and for the first time since he could remember, the darker half of him was quiet. There was peace. “Tia Drina?” He turned to the old woman, who was pointing at the hillside. A soft laugh pushed between her lips.
Arwan’s breath picked up. He scanned the hillside, and spotted Zanya, her light like a beacon.
A breeze ran over the land, lifting Zanya’s dress and pushing strands of hair across her face.
He brushed his fingers together with the urge to touch her.
Drina smacked him on the back of the head. “Stupid boy. Go to her.”
Arwan stepped forward, his chest rising and falling with every anxious breath. Something had happened. Something impossible.
He burst into a full sprint, darting between people and weaving up the trail leading to the peak of the hill.
When he reached the top, Zanya stepped forward with her lips gently parted, looking beautiful and surreal. He closed the distance between them and then slowed his pace as he drew close.
“What the hell is going on?” Eleuia snarled.
Arwan heard her rigid voice but never broke his focus on Zanya. He took her hands, and a current of energy sparked between their fingers. “How is this possible?”
She slid her fingers between his, shaking her head. “I have no idea.”
A moonlit shadow swooped over the ground. Arwan lifted his gaze and watched as a great white owl soared above, her eyes glowing like two small gems.
Zanya rested her hand on his chest, her fingers splayed. She shifted closer.
The bond pulling him into her nearly ruined him.
“I’m not just going to stand by and watch my daughter bond with that thing.” Eleuia charged toward them with a scowl.
Zanya spun and shielded Arwan. “Mom, please—”
“No!” Her body trembled. “This isn’t even possible. He must have done something. Something dark.”
“Ellie.” Renato rested his hand on her shoulder.
She slapped it away. “Don’t you try to stand up for him! He is an abomination, and as long as he’s here, he’ll do nothing but bring the middleworld down in smoke and fire.”
“You don’t know that, Mom.” Zanya’s tone had turned desperate.
Arwan gripped Zanya’s hand tighter. She needed to know he was there. That he’d never falter.
Eleuia’s eyes narrowed. “Then I won’t allow it. Choose. Him, or us.”
Zanya glanced at Arwan. “You can’t be serious.”
She squared her jaw. “It’s your family,” she said, gesturing to the group behind her. “Or the half-breed.” Her glare shifted to Arwan. “Make your choice.”
Epilogue
Contessa
Contessa smoothed down her hair, content to see her beauty and charm had been rejuvenated when she’d returned to the underworld. The souls of those men—those stupid, piddling, mortal men—did nothing for her. She would have to find another source of energy if she was going to continue to exhaust so much power.
Contessa waited, tapping her polished nails against the petrified chair in the king’s greeting room. The once-majestic castle had deteriorated since she’d last visited the ninth realm of the underworld.
The king hadn’t seen it yet—the first layer of the underworld. She’d passed it as she descended. It was still in ruins from Sarian’s failed attempt to stake his claim. That was one of Sarian’s most treacherous downfalls. He thought small.
The heat from the ninth layer of the underworld was fierce, scorching her cheeks. This time she took the opportunity to examine what she hoped would be the kingdom under her rule one day. Fire, death, and anger flourished and grew here as if the realm itself were alive.
Giant arched doors made of charred wood burst open, and a sweltering breeze crawled over her. Contessa blinked and squinted against the inferno. She stood from h
er seat and pulled her shoulders back, her chin tipped up. “Your Majesty.” She curtsied.
“What news have you?” he demanded. His eyes flashed red and black.
She sauntered toward him, swaying to and fro, enjoying the decomposed mush of death and rot under her feet. “It seems the prince is reluctant to reclaim his throne. I gave him ample opportunity to come home.”
“You delivered my message? You told him I still have hope he will accept his place as heir to my throne?” He watched her intently, homing in on any clue she was being untruthful.
Fortunately she was a very talented liar.
“I did, and rather than returning to his father, he returned to the group of Riyata instead.” Her gaze shifted to the pair of hellhounds trotting into the room, their fur singed to expose boiled flesh. She used her power to demand they heel at her sides. When they obeyed, she ran the backs of her fingers between their ears, grinning at the king. “It seems your guards have taken a liking to me, my lord.”
He watched the hounds pant, their tongues licking at their oversized jaws. “It seems they have.”
She tilted her head. “I’ve come to wonder if they are the only ones who find my company…” She licked her lips. “Pleasing.”
The king squared his jaw and his eyes darkened. “What kind of trickery are you playing, witch?”
She cringed at his final word and pressed her lips into a tight line. “I play no tricks. But if you prefer this to be all work and no play, I can certainly get straight to the point.”
“Please do.” He paced while listening, his hands linked behind his back. Getting into the king’s head would be more difficult than she’d thought. It would take finesse.
“Your son rejects his rightful place,” Contessa stated bluntly. “He has made that abundantly clear. Your general is dead, killed by the very person you hoped would take over your throne.”
The king continued to pace with no change in his expression.
Lights of Aurora (The Stone Legacy Series Book 3) Page 22