by Elisa Menz
Maeve rubbed her arms. She wasn’t cold, but all that uncertainty made her feel anxious, and a nasty chill crawled over her skin. A calming hand caressed her back, soothing her nerves. Even while entranced by the fire, Hakken kept a watchful eye on her.
“There’s no point in worrying about it now. We will have those answers tomorrow.” The twinkling flames shone on Regn’s eyes. “What we should think is what we can do if none of this works.”
“We kill them.” They both turned to Hakken, startled by his foreboding tone. “We fight hard, and we free them from that cruelty.”
Hearing those words, Maeve’s spirit plummeted, but they couldn’t hide from that possibility. Hakken would never say something like this lightly, but hearing it out loud was disheartening. His eyes searched the flames, lost in painful memories. “We beg for forgiveness after it is all over.”
The next morning they set out early in hopes to cover a long distance before the merciless midday sun hit them. The last stretch of their journey lay before them; a long and narrow ravine. Hua told them that right at the end, Astika’s palace would be like a beacon of pomposity, impossible to miss.
As soon as they entered the natural corridor, the wind ceased, and the heat became unbearable. Here, the vegetation grew different; abundant, and with vivid colors, a green so bright it was almost surreal. The humidity in the air soon had them covered in sweat.
“You can put me down Hakken, you can’t run here anyway, and you’ll get tired.” Here she could keep their pace. The thick branches proved difficult to cut, so it forced them to walk instead of run.
“It’s probably for the best. I can cut these vines faster.” He set her down on the ground. “I’m sorry, beautiful.”
Maeve gave him an encouraging smile and focused on walking while staying close to them. The high temperatures were so irksome. It took all her energy to move forward and avoid getting stuck on the thorny bushes.
Perhaps for that reason, they didn’t notice the Forest’s restlessness. Birds and critters fluttered around, alarmed. The heat caused Maeve to sway, woozy by the oppressive atmosphere and heedless of her surroundings. Hakken and Regn looked as groggy as her.
They didn’t hear him until he jumped right over them.
Regn led their march, so both Maeve and Hakken caught the blur of a large body slamming hard against him, sending him flying to the side. Hakken leaped in front of her, so fast the movement could only be fueled by instinct. But the mountain warrior grabbed him by his clothes and threw him away as if he were weightless.
Maeve now faced a deranged mountain half-breed. In a blink of an eye, she recognized how damaged he was, his body covered in deep wounds the dust could barely heal, and a leg so swollen it had to be broken. Whatever pain he must have been in didn’t seem to matter since he moved under the dust control, and he acted to kill.
Urging her body to escape, Maeve tripped and fell to the ground, terrified and defenseless. The man took a step towards her before Regn held him from behind, locking his arms into a tight grip.
“Do it! Free him! I’ll hold him!” He hollered, struggling to keep hold. With no time for fear, Maeve jumped to action, standing right in front of the man and holding his face with both hands, reaching to find his will. It didn’t take long. Like Flyg, this man struggled to be free, and Maeve found his resolve almost immediately. But his body was still attacking. Maeve watched in horror how he released his arms from Regn’s grip and shook him off his back. It took every bit of courage in her to keep her hold on his face.
But now she stood defenseless and right within his grasp. Her own dread threatened to make her lose the grip she had on the man’s emotions, and for a second, she feared this was the end.
He would kill her.
She considered letting go of his face and escape, but the look of despair in his eyes forced her to find her courage. Would she crumble at the first trial? It was her responsibility to save them now.
Maeve gritted her teeth, and with a last powerful pull, their combined efforts slipped through the cracks on the goddess’ will, ripping it off and freeing the poor man of his mental prison.
They both remained still, gasping and staring at each other. A trembling smile found its way to his lips, and Maeve let out a shaky breath, relieved, as tears filled his eyes. Still connected, she sensed him longing to meet his loved one, to learn about the fate of his friends. They could reunite once more.
His voice quavered, straining to find the words. “I-I am... y-you—” But their newfound peace shattered. The warrior’s body convulsed, and his teary, grateful eyes went wide in fear once more.
Maeve screamed and took her hands off his face. His fear invaded her and made her recoil. What was wrong? Was he in too much pain? They fought the dust away. Why did he still suffer?
But then she saw it—a blade piercing the mountain warrior’s heart. Hakken had jumped to her aid at the last moment, terrified beyond reason. In his fear, he didn’t see the danger was gone. He slew the man who had just regained his freedom.
Realizing their terrible mistake, Maeve took a step back, clenching her fists, and screamed. “No, no!”
Hakken let go of his knife, dodging the mountain warrior and running to her side. But when he tried to hold her, she pushed him away. She couldn’t believe the dreadful turn of events. The poor, tortured man lay dead.
“Are you hurt?” Hakken took her by her arms, pulling her to face him. He only wanted to protect her, but she had experienced every ounce of fear, pain, and that fleeting hope from the man—a few seconds of happiness and relief. And then the fathomless, desolating sadness when he realized he was dying.
His now empty eyes stared at her from the ground, and she couldn’t take it. “You killed him! He was free, and you killed him!” she yelled.
Hakken, standing right in front of her, let his arms fall by his side while catching his breath. Comprehending what he had done, horror filled his eyes. He didn’t try to move, reach her, explain. It was more than he could bear, and his face contorted in grief. He gasped, falling to his knees. “I’m sorry...”
Too stricken for words, Regn joined them. Overwhelmed by despair, the three slumped, wordless, while Maeve’s sobs echoed in the ravine.
After what felt like an eternity, Hakken was the first one to move. “We should bury him and keep going.” His voice sounded empty, detached of emotion, but the tortured look in his face showed how much this kill had affected him. “I-I’ll do it.”
“No.” Maeve dried her tears and pinned Hakken with an unflinching stare. “You must leave, Hakken. Go back to the village.”
Her heart clenched when surprise and pain flashed in his eyes. She looked away, trying to remain firm; otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to send him back. “I understand you just wanted to protect me, but if you wouldn’t have been so rash, he might still be alive.”
“Maeve—” Regn took a step forward, trying to reason with her.
“No.” She wouldn’t yield. “We are trying to save them. We can’t give in to fear.” Her eyes landed on Hakken’s once more. “Hakken, please. Go back.”
He wrapped his arms around her with a little too much force, holding to her in desperation. “No, please, Maeve! I’m so sorry, I won’t be this reckless again, I promise! I can’t be away from you now!”
“I’m sorry, Hakken. I don’t want to leave you.” She feared she had to hurt him to make him understand. “But I need help to do this, and you are only causing damage.”
His body went stiff before slightly parting from her. Aghast, Hakken searched her face, pleading. Maeve escaped his gaze. She wouldn’t have the strength to let him go once she looked into his eager eyes.
Gently pushing his hands off her, she whispered. “Please... go.” Maeve was the first one to walk away. She turned her back on Hakken and began looking for a branch strong enough to dig with.
After a moment, she heard his footsteps stopping next to Regn, and he muttered. “Take care of her.” The pain coming from him was
so debilitating, she had to lean against a tree to keep her footing. When the awful feeling vanished in the distance, all her resolve blew away. She clenched both fists over her chest, shaking again with painful sobs.
Hakken was gone.
CHAPTER XXXVII
POINTLESS BEAUTY
Regn
He had wanted to be alone with Maeve for so long, out of Hakken’s reach. But now, with Hakken gone, it felt wrong. They worked in silence, digging a grave for the unfortunate man. Only the sound of birds, their tools hitting the soil, and Maeve’s occasional whimpers, disturbed the ravine stillness.
Hearing her cry made him uneasy and clumsy. Her sadness reached him, so strong he sensed it without even touching her. Or maybe he was just as sad. He wanted to hug Maeve, reassure her. Promise her he would make sure she could smile again. But the long-awaited opportunity to grow close to his beautiful friend felt like a betrayal.
They carried the body to the open grave; Maeve insisted on helping. After they finished covering him with dirt and rocks, they sat on the ground in quiet contemplation.
Ever since he lost his family, the ingrained emptiness inside of him prevented him from growing.
When he arrived at the village as an orphan, he was protected, nurtured, and loved. Kniv became something close to a father figure, and—he would never acknowledge this out loud—he thought of Hakken as an older brother. A taciturn, difficult older brother, who always pushed him away.
But it didn’t matter how well they treated Regn or the love this new tribe showed him. Something was missing.
It wasn’t until he opened up about his family’s death with Maeve, he realized what he lacked all these years. A kindred spirit. Someone to talk to about his darkest secrets, his most profound pain. Maeve made him free to be himself.
But now, when she needed the same comfort, he couldn’t find the courage to hold her. He feared he would learn what her pain meant. That she wanted Hakken back.
“Regn?”
His gloomy thoughts went away at the sound of her quivering voice. She looked pale, shaky, and once again at the brink of tears. Maeve peered at him, looking for answers. “Did I make a mistake?”
Was sending Hakken away a mistake? No. He wouldn't allow anyone to harm her, even if it meant hurting others to keep her safe. Was it the right thing to do? He couldn’t tell. He knew how broken Hakken was before Maeve’s arrival and how much he improved with her by his side. Her rejection might break him for good.
But he couldn’t tell her that. “He will be all right, you’ll see. We will come back to the village, and he will be all clingy with you again.”
A tiny smile. Her relief was a blessing and a curse.
“And we will be all right. I’ll keep you safe, we will be careful,” he reassured her.
They got back on their way soon after, assessing their surroundings with each step. Regn used his sharp senses, and Maeve focused on perceiving any dangerous emotion around them.
Reaching their destination took longer than expected, but the reward was worthwhile. At the end of the ravine, right in the middle of a gorgeous valley, Astika’s palace stood, shining like a pearl under the sunset. They both gaped at the scenery.
It was magnificent.
It was also inexplicable, obscenely ostentatious, and fitting for a womanizer, half-serpent, half-man guy.
A gigantic, pointy seashell stood proud, surrounded by the valley’s lush vegetation. Almost as tall as the Tree in the Warlock’s clearing, the only explanation for its presence was that thousands of years ago, this area lay under a vast ocean—an ocean populated by colossal beasts.
The abandoned shell of one of these sea creatures rose now as the home of the naga. Round, delicate windows were carved into the pearly spiral, and from them, colorful flowers hung, adding liveliness to the immaculate white of the shell.
Pleasant music reached them, carried by the breeze, and accompanied by laughter and merry voices. Female voices.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
They were both startled when a soft voice called from behind. They turned to find a gorgeous she-elf standing right next to them. Regn went to grab the hilt of his knife, but stopped as soon as he realized the woman didn’t move.
She displayed a provocative smile while observing them. “I guess you came to meet our ravishing Astika—” she nodded at Maeve— “but I’m afraid he does not take an interest in males.” She winked at Regn, causing him to blush, outraged.
“I’m not—!”
“That is not why we are here.” Maeve intervened. “We need to speak with Astika, please. It’s an emergency.”
Regn tensed when the smile from the elf’s face disappeared. Under the setting sun, her ebony skin reflected the golden rays, and the sight of her beauty was captivating. When Maeve mentioned Astika’s many brides, he imagined a handful of dumb, lovesick girls. But the one in front of them looked commanding and poised.
Both women held each other’s gazes for an instant before the elf smiled once more and sauntered past them to lead the way.
“Follow me, darlings. I’m sure Astika will be delighted to grant you an audience.”
They entered the palace through the shell’s half-buried mouth, admiring the carved wooden doors that had been added to the structure. The woodwork was exquisite, depicting a myriad of exotic flowers and delicate butterflies.
“This is magnificent.” Maeve couldn’t help to express her amazement. Regn tried, but it was hard not to gawk at the display of craftsmanship all around them.
“Oh, it is!” The elf beamed once more. “Many of Astika’s brides are blessed with remarkable talents. I believe this was a dryad’s work.”
“Does she live here?” Regn couldn’t hide his curiosity about the talented dryad.
“Oh, no,” she scowled, “that foul legume went back to her tree long ago.”
“Did she escape?”
The woman turned to Regn with a smirk. “Escape? Of course not, sweetie. She left.” The elf pressed on, hips swaying seductively. “We are not prisoners here, half-breed. We might be part of a plentiful harem, but we can come and go as we please.”
“Astika kidnapped me,” Maeve pointed out.
“Ugh... yes. He does that sometimes. But once we are here, most of us chose to stay. This is a beautiful place. We are safe and treated like royalty, and just wait until you visit the library!” She twirled like a child, oozing excitement. “My name is Dinnah, I have been living alongside Astika for 193 years.”
“I am pleased to meet you Dinnah, my name is Maeve, and this is Regn.” Regn nodded at her. The elf made him nervous since he wasn’t used to such an alluring female company. She winked at him and turned once more to lead them up the spiral.
During their ascension, they noticed how the shell had been modified to accommodate bedrooms, dining rooms, sitting areas, luxurious baths, and many other cozy or extravagant rooms.
They built platforms inside the shell to support each chamber, and the differences in style and decoration were noticeable. The surrounding opulence impressed him. He had visited the beautiful cities of the elves, but even they exerted some restrictions. This place was a monument to sumptuousness.
“I’m sorry for the long climb. Astika has his chambers to the top and climbing a spiral can be dizzying.” Dinnah giggled with mischief before stopping by a wide entrance, leading to the most scandalous room yet.
The entire top platform was covered in colorful rugs and fluffy cushions, decorated with fragrant flowers and shiny stones encrusted in the shell pearly walls.
The centerpiece dominated the room. An inconceivably massive bed, occupied by the lord and master of the palace. The naga, Astika.
He appeared to be sound asleep, his long white hair spread out over the soft mattress, framing his peaceful, scaly cheekbones. From his waist down, his body had transformed into a snake, dressed in silks and jewels.
“Where are his legs?” Maeve asked in a whisper.
“Oh! He shape-shifts when he’s traveling,” Dinnah answered, “a lot more comfortable and less shocking for his new brides to meet him with legs.” She took a small bell from an indent in the wall and rang it to awaken the naga. “Astika, darling, you have visitors.”
He coiled and stretched while yawning before groggily opening his pitch-black eyes and blinking at the sight of Maeve. He smiled before sliding out of bed and moved to loosely wrap his body around her. “Oh my! If I’m to wake up to this beautiful view every morning, I’ll be the happiest naga in the Forest.” He spoke with an annoying hissing accent.
Dinnah rolled her eyes, amused. “It’s almost nighttime, my dearest.”
Aching to dig his knife into the touchy snake, Regn reminded himself they were there to ask for his help. Maeve didn’t appear troubled by his closeness and stared at him with an impassive and slightly miffed gaze.
“Have you reconsidered and followed your desires? Are you going to become my wife, precious?” Astika said, running a hand through his hair.
“I thank you for the honor, Astika, but that is not why I’m here.”
The naga’s shoulders slumped, letting out a sigh, and moved back to the bed to sprawl on some cushions. He rested his head on his arm while smiling once more. “Then you must be confused. Is that meddlesome god still bothering you? And what of this boy you keep around?” he gestured at Regn.
“For someone so old, you surely are dense.” Regn almost bit his lip right after finishing that line. He had to maintain composure! Hakken’s stupidity ended up rubbing on him.
Maeve sent him a discreet scowl, and he lowered his head. Better to let her do the talking.
“Astika, please, you must have heard about what is happening in the Forest. The mountain half-breeds are prisoners to the goddess Pouri’s will and had been attacking other tribes, killing his kind.” Maeve stopped to assess the naga’s response, but he ignored her, analyzing his nails instead. “The attacks involved other races, and the red dust had captured many. Remember the dust you saw on the other girl when you kidnap me?”