Broken Forest: Book One of the Daath Chronicles (12 page)

“My Lady!” I caught Jeslyn in my arms as she fainted. Her icy blue eyes fluttered open. “Jeslyn,” I whispered with the litheness of a harp. I activated my captivation spell watching the storm in my eyes reflected in hers, pulling her conscience in, knowing she could not escape. I drew closer, washing my cool breath over her face.

“Sleep, my beauty,” I said. “Sleep, and when you awake, all will be well.”

Her eyes closed, and the serenity of sleep filled her face.

Willis appeared by my side. One of the few competent servants I had; although, his human form did not suit his lanky Reptilian body well. I handed Jeslyn to him. “Take her upstairs to the red room.”

He bowed his head and carried Jeslyn inside. I wiped my hands with the handkerchief under my lapel. Lucy stepped out of the massive doorway and down the stone steps. Passing Willis, she examined Jeslyn and smirked.

“What a delicate face,” said Lucy. “Is she your newest doll?”

I laughed. “Ahh, my dear Lucy, that is my future bride!” Lucy raised an eyebrow and I offered her my arm. “Shall we?”

We strolled down the curved walkway leading to the gardens. “Tell me, dear sister. When were you planning on informing me that my entire shipment of females had been intercepted?”

“That’s why I came outside.”

I placed my hand over her arm and squeezed. “Lucy, Lucy, you knew how important this assignment was. And one I expected you to see through.”

“Why can’t you choose one of your many dolls to wed? I have more important things to attend to.”

I stopped and tightened my grip. She winced as I dug my fingers into her skin.

“Securing your rule outside of Daath is the main goal. You know this!” She struggled to pull away but I held her in place.

“I will not be questioned,” I said. “You are under my authority. Do not forget that.”

“And I am your sister. Your fate is the same as mine.”

That was true. The females of our race were only as powerful as the ruling males and we were royal blood. “Then you will listen to my orders. Do we have an understanding?”

“Yes.”

A butterfly flew past. I swatted the insect, killing it instantly. “I cannot stand these bugs. I’ll never fathom the obsession humans have with them. They are vile things. Where was I? Oh, yes.” We passed the marble fountain and continued walking.

“In order to appease The Council I must be married, this you know. The dolls are my private collection. The finest specimens from all of Tarrtainya, and sadly, I cannot tolerate any of them, and none of them have the aura I seek. All you had to do was take the girls Romulus instructed and bring them here. Yet, somehow, you managed to fail at such a simple task. If it weren’t for Gerard’s quick thinking, we would be having a different conversation. During our last meeting, you said you took care of the problem. What happened?”

“The spell broke sooner than I planned.”

I disengaged from her. “Only Gerard survived. Do you know what happened to the rest?”

“Not yet, but I have sent out one of my personal scouts. He should report back within a week.”

“The Council is not going to be pleased.”

Lucy cleared her throat. “Eldesar has called a meeting.”

I backhanded her across the face. “I want these boys dead!”

This was turning into a disaster. Eldesar had already warned me once about sending men out of Daath for what he deemed unnecessary assignments.

“I will see to it personally.”

“No.”

“Lucino, I will … .”

“Enough! You will stay here and be Jeslyn’s caretaker.”

“You want me to babysit?”

“Yes, a job you are more suited for.” Lucy glowered. I knew it would agonize her, such a menial task. I placed a hand on her shoulder. “She will be awake soon. Go and introduce yourself, and do make sure she’s properly dressed for dinner.”

Lucy bowed and walked away, her frustration clearly visible in her loud steps.

Hours ago, I’d been a prisoner. Now I sat in a room of royalty, richly decorated with a speckled granite fireplace and an oversized white bear rug. Ruby silk draped the mahogany four post bed. Garnet and maroon pillows covered the bed, matching the delicate rose petals on the butter-cream wallpaper. My mind was hazy when I first woke, and it took a while to get my bearings straight, but after soaking in lavender bubbles, I felt like myself again.

I brushed my knotted hair with a silver comb I found on the table. The hot bath had washed away the past weeks’ grime leaving my skin soft and smooth. It was the nicest bath I’d ever taken.

The brush passed through my hair methodically. I sat on a velvet seat in front of a large oval mirror that hung above a vanity table, arrayed with perfumes and powders my family could never afford. I loved my home, but my heart had always desired finer things. I wasn’t meant to live on a farm pulling weeds and milking cows.

I wanted to believe in this fairytale setting, but my heart refused to be steady. I recited the prayer for protection. When I spoke the final words, an intense urge to flee swept over me. Even though this was all very wonderful, I couldn’t trust it. I had to leave.

I threw the brush and ran to the door
.
I grabbed the knob and the door opened.

“Going somewhere?”

In the doorway stood a catlike girl with black hair. She wore a full-length gown, laced in a tight bodice, revealing too much skin. Around her neck hung a giant sparkling ruby—the biggest gem I’d ever seen.

She circled, inspecting me. “Hmm, such a pretty girl shouldn’t be dressed in such dreadful attire. I’m sure there’s something in here you can wear.”

The girl walked to the armoire and flung open the wooden doors. Hanging inside were a myriad of gowns. She took a honey brown dress off the rack.

“This will do.” She threw the dress at me. “Get dressed. I’ll return for you in a few moments.” She opened the door and looked back at me before leaving. “The name is Lucy.”

The door slammed shut, confirming no escape.

I sat at the head of the table waiting for Jeslyn. Bowls of fresh cabbage dressed in a lemon-garlic sauce and honey breads surrounded the duck in the middle of the table. She entered the room, escorted by Willis. He pulled out the chair for her.

From here, I could see the golden hue of her aura. Romulus had been correct in his choosing. Not only was she a pure vessel, but the purest human I had come across.

“Thank you,” she said, and sat at the opposite end of the table.

I raised my goblet. “Good evening. How do you find your room?”

“Very well, thank you,” she replied.

Watching her, I sipped the deep bodied wine.

She is ravishing.
Her chestnut hair hung around her shoulders, her skin like a warm peach. I stared at her, examining each freckle lightly sprinkled around her petite nose and the loose tendrils of hair caressing her high cheekbones. I had spent decades in this world collecting women of exceptional beauty, and she was unique. Delicate features, almost perfect. Other men might not notice her left eyebrow was slightly higher than her right, but I considered the female anatomy the humans’ greatest form of art and studied it intently.

Jeslyn shifted in her seat, picking at her meal. Perhaps the kidnapping still bothered her—a minor detail.

“Does the duck not meet your satisfaction?” I asked, knowing very well it was not the taste that disturbed her but me. I relished in this and enjoyed her silence. Very few women disliked me.

“It does,” she replied. “It’s very good.” She continued in her silence.

Her lack of conversation did not bother me. I found human females tended to talk often and without good cause.

I put the goblet down and clapped my hands. Four minstrels, strumming violins, entered the dining room. I walked to Jeslyn and bowed. “May I have this dance?”

She slipped her hand into mine, and I placed a hand around her thin waist. In one swift movement, I twirled her up and around. The momentum swept her off her feet and the tiniest gasp slipped out of her. I glided around the room. Each step matched the slow melody flowing from the strings.

She gazed at me, intrigued.

“You will be happy here. There is no other place like Daath,” I whispered. “You will be loved by everyone.” I let the words sink into her mind, watching her face light with wonder.

I danced her outside and into the gardens. We stopped and sat down on a bench underneath a rose-covered archway in front of my favorite fountain. A marble statue of a serpent encircled the stone woman standing in the center, water spurting from her mouth. This symbol represented conquest of the humans.

Jeslyn stared at the beds of sunny yellow and cadmium roses. No one could deny the beauty and magic of this land.

I grabbed her hand and she flinched. “Have you made your decision about my proposal?” I wanted her to think she had an option.

She sat in silence.

“Do you find me attractive?”

She looked away, her cheeks tinted pink.

“There is nothing to be embarrassed about,” I said.

“It’s not proper for a lady to reveal those types of things,” she said softly.

I chuckled. “By the color of those perfect cheeks, I will take that as a yes.”

She continued in her silence, not once looking at me.