Secret Worlds (309 page)

“This surprise.” Danst’s voice fill my ears, forcing me to turn around.

“Danst!” I rushed to him, wrapping him in my arms, squeezing in the tall, lanky boy with long stringy brown hair and green eyes the shade of clovers under thin arched eyebrows. His face still seemed childlike, never aging. I understood why.

“I learned about what Tarn made you do. I’m so sorry!” I pulled back from him, happy to get my closest friend back. “You never told me about your heritage. You and I never kept secrets before. How did Tarn know?”

“It’s wonderful to see you too, Relena.” He cleared his throat.

“Oh sorry.” I stepped back, realizing I had him in a strong-hold from my new found strength. He stared at me, fear widening his eyes.

“It’s okay. It’s just…odd, Relena. Very odd.”

He confused me. My new life?

“What do you mean? My being a werewolf is nothing. I’m still the same Relena you know and love.” I added a smile for good measure.

“No, I mean the um…” He pointed to his eyes and dropped his gaze, tucking his hands behind him.

“I don’t—”

“Your eyes are as black as onyx,” Enid added.

“Are they? I thought they would stay the same considering yours aren’t black.”

“It may have something to do with the fact your eyes were dark to begin with, and you’re Marren’s heart song.”

“Oh,” I mused, then turned to Danst and said with my most maniacal voice, “The better to see you with!”

He stared for a moment, as if he was shocked, then relaxed and chuckled.

“I will leave you two to catch up,” Enid said and excused himself. He stopped just past the doors of the stable then spoke over his shoulder, “You may want to head indoors soon. The storm will be overhead before long, and it seems to be an angry one at that.”

“Thank you, Athair.”

“Athair?” Danst asked.

“It means father in his native language,” I replied.

He raised an eyebrow at me. “You never even called Tarn father, but you’re calling him one?”

“It’s a long story. Come on, let’s start heading back.”

“Well, start explaining, ‘cause I have all the time in the world.”

“Nuh-uh, you tell me first how Tarn knew about you.”

“To be quite honest, I’m not sure myself. I’m sorry for betraying you. I didn’t want them to come searching for me. Can you guess what humans do to races that get caught over here?” He shuddered. “It’s nothing good, and I had already figured Marren wouldn’t let you go to the Cyrs.”

“You say that as if you two are friends.”

“I wouldn’t go that far. Which speaking of…seriously? Marren? Of all people, you are in love with Marren?” His words were just as full of disbelief as I was when I first realized it.

“Completely,” I said.

A large rumble of thunder boomed overhead. The storm was upon us. “We better run.”

I kicked my feet, throwing up a few chunks of gravel in the process. Danst’s steps shuffled right behind me. Neither of us stopped until we crossed through the door and well into the corridor of the palace.

Our eyes met, bringing back memories of prior, less complicated days. A fit of laughter overtook us.

“Come on, I’ll show you around,” I said.

“No need. I’ve already been given the tour.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Well, I guess you should make yourself at home.”

A round of cramps sliced through my stomach again, bowling me over.

“I need to go,” I panted. “I’ll be back later.”

I struggled to make it to my room before collapsing from the pain.

***

The storm passed by with Danst sitting in the chair across from the table, still afraid I may seek revenge for setting me up and wasn’t sure of the new me as a werewolf. He seemed more relaxed as soon as his eyes rested on my sword, busying himself by twirling the blade in his hands and balancing the cap on the tips of his fingers.

Every rumble of thunder, every crash of lightning, increasing as the strongest part loomed overhead vibrated through me. I rubbed my arms continuously and jumped each time the lightning struck. Finally, Marren appeared, taking pity on me, and took me to the bench to sit with him wrapped in his arms.

“Storms, ceremonies, anything else you’d like to tell me you’re afraid of?” He sounded amused.

You mean besides losing you?

Yes. You shouldn’t fear something that won’t happen.

“Commitment,” Danst said.

I shot him a glare. He sulked into his chair, laying my sword on the table.

“Commitment?” Marren asked.

“Not in the sense that he said it in,” I said to my defense.

“Ah, I see. That does put a bit of a rut in my plans,” Marren mused.

“What plans?” I asked too fast.

Marren chuckled. “Yes, Enid also told me you dislike surprises as well.”

I sat up and gazed at his beautiful werewolf face and waited for him to continue. A jolt of hesitation pulsed through him. Following a heavy sigh, he said, “You said you would marry me.”

“I said someday and not traditionally, without a ceremony, and privately.”

“What is your fear of having a traditional ceremony? I know you won’t leave me, and you know very well I can’t leave you. What’s the problem?”

“You tell me? Why do you need to have something traditional to be happy?”

“The ways of my people are important to me. That includes traditions and ceremonies.”

Danst stood and feigned a stretch, pulling my attention to him. He walked out on the balcony and set his gaze on the storm.

“I don’t see the point in having someone place themselves into the middle of a perfectly good relationship and dividing the lovers instead of uniting them. Something I thought you and I already were.”

“In some views perhaps, but it’s important to me to do things the right way as much as possible. Especially concerning the sensitive nature of our union.”

I stood and walked toward the fireplace, chilled and wanting to warm up by the fire.
I don’t want traditional. And ceremonies make me uncomfortable. That doesn’t mean I fear them. But if I were to agree to your terms, there can be no middle man.

Marren approached my side. “The ceremony can be as simple as having Danst preside if you so wish.”

“Please, leave me out of this, she hates me enough already,” Danst said.

“I don’t hate you, Danst. I know you, and I understand the reasons behind what you did and already forgave you. Now stop sulking, and cheer up!”

Whether my words had finally convinced him or the light of the fire that reflected off them, Danst’s eyes lightened and seemed less heavy with guilt.

“What do I need to do?” I asked Marren.

“Follow a simple ceremony in front of my people where we are presented together and make public our intentions to remain together forever.”

“That’s all?”

Marren smiled. “Well, all you’re willing to give.”

“Okay,” I whispered.

“Okay,” Marren said just above a whisper.

A knock at the door caused all three of us to stand straight. Enid opened the door and stepped in. He walked to the center of the room with Marren meeting him halfway. The expression on Enid’s face was serious. Danst approached me cautiously, staring as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.

“What is the matter?” I asked.

“You’ve changed so completely that I hardly recognize you.”

“Happens when you become a werewolf.”

“No, I mean, besides that.”

“You should blame Marren and the enchantment on this place. I can’t explain any better than that. Marren literally swept me off my feet.”

“I guess love does change a person.” His words seemed distant. I opened my mouth to say something, but he stared into the fire, seeming lost in his thoughts, all traces of emotion gone from his face.

“Danst, I will take you to your room now,” Enid said.

He walked toward Enid, who stood at the door waiting for him. His green eyes fell on me. “Good night, Relena. It’s good to see you again.”

I rushed to him and wrapped my arms around him. “I’m glad to have you back as well, Danst.”

I released him, exchanging my embrace of him for the hand of Marren and followed him with my gaze as he walked out the door. As soon as we were left alone, I turned toward Marren, standing as close as I could. “What do you want to do now?”

“We should get some good sleep. It’s almost an entire day’s journey to the cross over, and I want to be there before sundown.”

“We’re leaving so soon?”

“I must return. We only stayed this long for you.” He led me by the hand to the bed.

I laid on my stomach on top of the covers. Marren sat next to me until the storm was nearly over and then left, claiming he had things to tend to. I fell asleep wondering why he refused to touch me. I pushed back the pain as much as I could to keep it from him, but the truth was, it hurt.

***

From the balcony, I took one last glance over the trees and the mountains in the distance. The sun rose beyond the thick layer of clouds that still loomed above, threatening more rain. The rain I didn’t mind, but storms bothered me. Rain nurtures and bathes the land, whereas storms are so strong and destructive they break trees and destroy homes.

I inhaled the smell of the flowers from below in the garden. I held the breath for a few moments then slowly let it out, turned, and left the room without another glance.

Outside, our group waited for the time to leave. Raden stood closest to the door, clear of soot, leaving his red puffy cheeks visible under his black beard. In the place of his tattered, soot covered clothes, he wore a short chain mail vest with a breastplate strapped to him and an axe resting on his shoulder. His bright green eyes that twinkled. “Well, there she is, looking fine and rested!”

I smiled. “Thank you much, Raden, the same to you as well!”

“Good morning, Relena,” Danst said, stepping up to me. He rubbed his hands together, interlocked his fingers and rested them on the back of his head.

“Hello, Danst. Did you sleep well last night?”

“I did. You?”

I shook my head.

“Come on now with the pleasantries,” Marren said, walking up and taking everyone’s attention. I couldn’t be sure if he was being playful or serious. His face was free of emotion.

Enid stepped up to my side and elbowed me. I smiled and elbowed him back with a little more force. He gave a grunt, bending over in exaggeration, then stood straight.

“This will be Relena’s first cross over. I want to make it back before the sunset. If she changes one last time in this phase, I want to do it in the shelter of the cave. Are we okay with that?” Marren asked.

Everyone nodded.

“My servants have already left to prepare living spaces for us when we arrive. It keeps our party smaller and less likely to be detected. I’ve been seeing quite a few hunters around so let’s be mindful of traps,” Marren added.

I stared at Marren as he spoke, realizing he deliberately avoided my gaze. My heart sank a little more, making me wonder what it was I did wrong. I felt the stabbing sting of tears nipping at my eyes. I turned my back to the group and tried to blink them away. If necessary, I could blame the lack of sleep. I didn’t pay much attention to the rest of what he said but started walking when everyone else did. At least Danst stayed by my side.

“Did something happen between you two last night?” Danst asked.

“I don’t know. I don’t think so, why?”

“It’s like he’s purposefully trying to keep his distance from you.” Danst caught on to how much it affected me, trying to get me to talk about it as he usually did, but I wasn’t in the mood.

“I’m sure he has a reason. This trip has had him on edge for several days,” I said, hoping it would be enough.

“Didn’t you ask him about it?”

“No. He’ll talk to me when he’s ready. He’s good about that,” I said.

“Danst, come up here to lead the line please,” Marren said. We both understood it wasn’t a request.

“Duty calls,” Danst said.

I smiled as he jogged to the front of the line. He stepped into the forest first with Raden in tow, then Marren, Enid, and finally, myself.

The terrain was slick and soggy from the storm that had passed through the night before. Even the air was thick and hard to breathe. The moisture caused my robes to stick to my back and legs.

It wasn’t long before I couldn’t stand the silence between us anymore. I had to know what was going on.

Did I do something that upset you?
I asked.

No.

Is there a reason for not acknowledging me then?

I am acknowledging you.
He said, but I wasn’t convinced.

You’re ignoring the fact that I’m behind you and done very little in the way of acknowledging me.

Now is not the time, Relena.
Even in thoughts, his words were tinged with anger.

I shoved back the pain that inflicted my heart, giving it a few more cracks appeared and a few chips fell off. Then I did what I normally do when I get hurt, I got angry. He had the nerve to avoid me and not give me a reason.

I think I at least deserve some form of explanation. Don’t you think?
I asked.

Relena, I need time to sort out my thoughts. Can we talk later?

No.

Gvgeyu, please?

I shoved my way through the trees in an uphill climb. Grunting with a few of them.
Nope. I’m not a woman of convenience. You should know that. And if you were going to be so turned off by me coming with you, you should have said something.

I tried to talk you out of it. Please let me get everyone to the cross over safely.

I stopped moving and stared at the ground.
So that’s it? You didn’t want me to be with you after all?

He ignored me.

We reached level ground with uneasy silence. A thick silence that didn’t come from my heated anger with Marren, but from within the woods itself. Nothing moved. Not a leaf in the breeze or a blade of grass. Nothing. No sounds, no movement.

Stay close to me.

Oh, so now you want to acknowledge me?

Relena, please, now is not the time.