Broken Forest: Book One of the Daath Chronicles (15 page)

Lucino hopped down from his mount and walked over to me. “Would you like a closer look?”

I smiled. “Oh, yes!”

He helped me off the horse and then tied the horses to a nearby tree. He removed his black boots and rolled up the bottom of his pants.

I slipped out of my slipper shoes and dug my toes into the sand, feeling the warmth. I wiggled my toes, enjoying the feel of the soft texture moving across them, and watched the distant waters lapping on the shore. I grabbed my dress, lifted it, and walked to the water’s edge. The breeze blew through my hair, and I inhaled the salty scent. Aqua blue stretched before me with no end in sight.

“It’s magnificent.” With my eyes glued to the shining horizon, I stepped into the cool water. “Where are the waves?” Mother had shared bits of information about the sea, which I’d mostly forgotten, except the waves. I remembered her saying they were tremendous.

Lucino placed a supportive hand on my back. “The barrier reef stops them.”

“What’s a reef?”

His lip curled, and his blue eyes shined underneath the suns. “I’ll show you.”

I followed him down the beach to a rocky out cove. Tied to wooden poles were a handful of rowboats. He untied one and pushed it to the shore.

“Get in,” he said.

I climbed into the boat and sat on one of the planks. With a few shoves, Lucino had us in the water, and he jumped into the boat. He grabbed two oars from the floor and rowed us out to sea.

With my hands folded in my lap, I watched him. He wasn’t like other boys. He exuded nobility and power. He reminded me of Lord Tyre riding through our village. The first time I’d seen Lord and Lady Tyre I’d been overcome with envy. It didn’t seem fair that they rode around in fine silks while I dressed in rags.

Lucino stopped, placed the oars on the bottom of the boat and smiled. “Look below us.”

I peered over the side and gasped. Orange stone, surrounded by hundreds of bright colored fish, reached out in every direction. “Where does this come from?”

Lucino explained the natural barrier in great detail. The stone he called corral was a living life form. Face aglow, he spoke about the community of fish, and he gladly answered my many questions.

“How come no one has found Daath? Surely many boats have tried.”

“Yes, many do, and die. Past this barrier, the air wavers, and a man’s perception becomes distorted. They go in circles, lost beyond reason, until one of the whirlpools swallows them.”

“That’s horrid. Have you ever tried leaving?”

His gaze went past me, out into the open water. “I have a … tool … that allows us to navigate around the whirlpools and find the shores.”

Fish swam under the boat. A turtle floated by, as large as a pig. I’d never imagined the sea could hold so many beautiful creatures. Each animal different than the next. And the colors. Different shades of reds, even purple. Mother never mentioned how colorful the sea was.

The touch of fabric hit my feet. I looked over at Lucino, barechested and beautiful. I knew I should avert my eyes, but besides my brother I’d never seen a man topless. Heat rushed over me in a vicious wave.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

He stood and put a foot on the edge of the boat.

“You’re not going in there are you?”

“Don’t worry, my lady. I’ll be back shortly. Stay in the boat, and you shall be safe.”

Before I could reply, he dove in.

The wind was my only companion. Lucino had been gone too long. I rung my dress in my hands, and my left leg trembled. Instead of making a fuss over nothing, I kept my thoughts focused on the world below. I leaned over the side and dipped my hand into the sea, tracing my fingers across the surface, loving the refreshing feel.

A silver object appeared on the north side of the boat. I squinted, wondering what it might be. With my hand, I splashed the water, searching for the peculiar sight. I looked behind the boat and spotted a shape moving in the water. My eyes widened at the size of the creature as it swam past. I reached out and touched its smooth and slippery skin.

I smiled.

The fish disappeared again. I hoped it would return. I wanted to stroke it once more. I scooted to the opposite side, placing both hands on the ledge and peered into the water. Two similar shapes swam beneath me. I reached into the water attempting to catch the friendly creature.

Something slammed into the boat and I lurched forward. The boat rocked again and I slid away from the sides, my heart hammering louder than the waves. The rocking turned violent. I grabbed the edge for support.

“Lucino!”

The front of the boat popped out of the water, and I was thrown into the sea. Salt water filled my lungs and I swam to the surface, breaching right below the capsized boat. My dress weighed me down, threatening to send me to the sandy floor. One of the fish swam at me and bit the dress, dragging me away. I kicked my heel into its eye and it retreated, taking with it half my dress.

Three more grey shapes darted underneath me and to the side. I was scared of the dark and terrified of snakes, but nothing compared to the growing fear inside me now. I treaded water and tried to keep my head above the surface. The bodice that had desirably shrunk my waist now constricted me.

I didn’t want to cry. I was afraid if I let one tear fall, I would panic.
Think of the prayer Mother said to use,
I thought. She said The Creator always protected his own if they called on him. I closed my eyes, forgetting the shiver of death grasping my skin or the monsters below, and whispered the words.

“Creator above, merciful and pure, surround me with your holy aura and protect me from those who would do me harm.”

“Are you alright?!”

I opened my eyes to see Lucino in front of me. I threw my arms around his neck and squeezed. “Thank The Creator!”

He pulled my arms off. “I need to flip the boat. Swim over there.”

“No, I can’t!”

He held my face with both hands and stared into my eyes. Again that strange stormy image swirled inside his pupils. “Swim over there and wait for me. Go now!”

I took a deep breath and plunged back underwater. The salt stung my eyes, but I refused to close them. I glanced down and saw pools of crimson mixing with the sea.

Blood.

I vigorously swam through the water until my head reached the surface. “Help!”

The boat turned over, and Lucino appeared beside it. He swam to me, grabbed my waist and in one swift movement he hoisted me up and over. I fell onto the bottom of the boat and hugged my shivering body. Lucino returned with one of the oars and climbed in next to me.

“The blood,” I whimpered. “I thought they’d killed you.”

He looped my wet hair behind my ears.

“I killed them,” he said, without the slightest hint of remorse.

When we arrived at the beach, Jeslyn sighed. I helped her onto the shore. I stepped back, examining her disheveled appearance. Humans never seemed to do well in difficult circumstances. A Reptilian female would never allow herself to look so disarrayed.

“You are an absolute mess,” I said.

She looked at her tattered dress. It had been ripped in half, revealing her thin legs. She touched her messy hair and water sprung from her eyes. I wanted to be on our way, crying humans made me uncomfortable.

“Can you ride?” I asked.

She nodded, but her wavering steps proved her instability.

“Such a fragile creature you are.” I swooped her into my arms and carried her to the horses. I tied her mount to mine, lifted her onto my horse then climbed into the saddle. She sat behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist. As we galloped back to my home, her small sobs faded into sniffles, then into heavy breathing.

We arrived at the mansion just before night—the hour I preferred. The day had been strange. I sensed the dolphins’ presence but the intelligent beings always kept their distance from me. I assumed they had been trying to take her away from me and not actually harm her. If she had known about the docile creatures, she would not have been so terrified.

As she was still in no shape to walk, I carried Jeslyn inside. Willis greeted us at the entrance.

“Willis, take Jeslyn to her room.”

“No, please,” said Jeslyn, “don’t leave me.”

I held my irritation in as she clung to my neck. “Very well. I’ll take her upstairs. Willis, have the servants prepare her a bath.”

“Well, today was interesting.” I glanced at her flushed face. Even with puffy rings around her eyes, she was still beautiful.

She buried her head into my chest as we walked up the curving staircase. The sensation invoked in me a strange emotion. I opened her bedroom door and walked inside, then gently placed her on the chaise and went to retrieve a towel from the washroom.

“Here.”

I wrapped the towel around her shivering shoulders. One of the servants entered the room and curtsied. Then she began running the bathwater.

“Lucino.” Jeslyn looked up at me and reached out her hand.

I knelt beside her, taking her hand in mine. “Yes, my lady?”

“Thank you, for saving me.” Her lips parted as if she wanted to say more, but no words followed. She stared at me, cheeks flushing pink.

It seemed our little escapade had a positive effect on her. Interesting.

I could sense her wild emotions, bordering on admiration and passion. Her golden aura shone even brighter than before. I took out the black pearl I’d pulled from the sea floor and placed it in her hand.

“Is this what you dove for?” She rolled the pearl back and forth in her palm, eyes wide with intrigue.

I nodded.

“It’s beautiful.” She fell into my arms, hugging me. “Thank you.”

A current spread across my chest as if the places she touched lit on fire. I placed my hands on her waist, pushing her away. I didn’t know what magic she possessed, but I’d soon learn.

Lucino. Lucino?

Yes, Lucy, what is it now?

“The bath is ready, my lord,” the servant said.

I helped Jeslyn to her feet. “I will see you at dinner,” I said.

She nodded, and I left the room.

I received word from The Council,
Lucy continued,
that the hunters they’d sent out were successful. The group who attacked the caravan has been eliminated.

Very good.

I broke the connection before Lucy could drabble on. My sister tended to abuse our telepathic connection with nonsense, and I didn’t have time for her. I needed to see if Romulus had finished the tonic I requested. He was always testing, testing, three trials were never enough and he had been on his fourth last I saw him. He’d better have completed the formula and prepared it for the ball.