The Iron Butterfly (31 page)
Read The Iron Butterfly Online
Authors: Chanda Hahn
Tags: #teen, #young adult, #magic, #teen fantasy books, #love story, #fiction, #romance, #fantasy, #adventure, #teen adventure
“HO!” Someone yelled and the horses started moving.
“Wait!” a familiar voice interjected. “What’s going on?”
Turning in my saddle I saw Joss running out of the main hall at a sprint toward me. Joss was stopped short by the clansmen wearing fox fur, who quickly pulled a sword and pointed it at his throat. Joss’ throat bobbed nervously as the sword rested calmly against his Adam’s apple. The caravan of horses stopped.
“Where are you taking her?” he asked bravely.
“None of your business; this here is clan business and you are not clan,” Fox Fur retorted.
Joss’ eyes sought mine for an answer.
“Home,” I answered softly, feeling a catch in my throat at the thought of leaving him.
“But you are home?” Joss stated, refusing to blink and break eye contact. “You belong here.”
“No, I don’t. Not really.” I broke eye contact first as I looked down at my shoe and then back up. “Joss, I don’t remember anything up until a few months ago. I need to find out who I am and where I come from.” A stir followed my answer as the crowd parted and Syrani stepped forward and grabbed Joss’ arm possessively.
“Joss,” she purred. “Let the sewer rat go home with the smelly dogs, and then it can be just the two of us again.”
Whether it was her verbal attack on me or the Valdyrstal clan, I wasn’t sure, but Fox Fur spurred his horse forward and knocked Syrani down into the mud, spewing a few unknown curses at her in his native tongue.
It startled me to know that I understood what Fox Fur had said to Syrani, and it wasn’t pretty. Trying to hide my grin behind a straight face, I looked into Joss’ handsome one and rode Faraway over to him, amazed that the clan members let me through. I could see Bearen astride his horse ready to be on the move.
“I’m sorry, Joss. I have to go,” I spoke quietly.
“Will you come back?”
Looking over my shoulder at Bearen’s stiff posture, his body language spoke volumes, speaking what he would never voice aloud.
“I don’t know? Maybe, someone needs to come back for Council Meetings, but I can’t make any promises.”
Joss took another step forward to try and reach up to touch me, but Fox Fur moved protectively to my side and Joss backed up, giving him a look of pure hatred.
“Thalia, we need to go!” Bearen called out. Nodding my head to him in understanding, I turned back to Joss.
“Please tell Avina and Berry that I’m sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye, and tell Garit I will keep practicing everything he taught me.”
“What about me?” he asked. “What would you have liked to say to me?” He looked at me intently.
“Joss, you saved me and you are one of the most important people in my life right now. I will never forget you.”
“It sounds like you’re saying a permanent goodbye.” He looked angry and hurt at the same time.
Fox Fur move forward again and grabbed Faraway’s reins to get him turned in the right direction so we could get going, but Faraway violently jerked his head in protest and almost unsaddled Fox Fur from his horse.
Bearen had waited all he cared to, and started the horses toward the Citadel’s gate. Faraway could do nothing but follow as he was trapped in the middle of the pack. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Joss standing there looking after me, and I waved good-bye.
It was not how I imagined leaving. I desperately wanted to turn around and run back and tell him how I really felt. But I didn’t, I couldn’t. My heart felt heavy and as we passed through the gates, turned onto a side road and headed toward the Shadow Mountains, toward home, toward answers.
~~~
About the Author
Chanda Hahn takes her experience as a children's pastor, children's librarian and bookseller to write compelling and popular fiction for teens.
She was born in Seattle, WA, grew up in Nebraska and currently resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband and their twin children; Aiden and Ashley.
Visit Chanda Hahn’s website to learn more about her other forthcoming books.
Connect with Me Online at:
Blog:
www.chandahahn.blogspot.com
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/chandahahn
Smashwords:
www.smashwords.com/profile/view/chandahahn
Discover other titles by Chanda Hahn at Smashwords.com:
UnFortunate Fairy Tale Series
UnEnchanted
: An Unfortunate Fairy Tale
Fairest:
An Unfortunate Fairy Tale
The Iron Butterfly
The Steele Wolf
Special Thanks-
I want to say a special thanks to everyone who took part in the process of helping me with the Iron Butterfly, whether you were a reader, editor, encourager, or critic. Thanks to Philip Hahn, Steve Hahn, Jane Hawkey, Alison Brace and Richlie Fikes. I have the best team ever.
Table of Contents
