Broken Forest: Book One of the Daath Chronicles (35 page)

My hands slid down the fine smooth cloth, a mix between satin and the softest cotton. I stared in the mirror and at the gem around my neck. Magnificent green sparkled from the necklace. My heart raced faster. When I envisioned my wedding day, I never thought I would look this beautiful.

If only Mother could see me
.

“Are you ready?”

I turned and nodded to Lucy.

Her eyes looked over my dress then my face. “Hmm, something is missing,” she said and searched the nearby vanity. “Perfect.” She came back over with a jeweled comb and placed it in my curled hair.

“Look,” she said, guiding me to face the mirror.

The comb had a vibrant blue butterfly in the center. Tiny studded diamonds crusted the wings.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“We’re ready,” she said.

I followed Lucy out of the room and down the stairs. Reginald followed, like always. Outside the mansion stood the same carriage in which I’d arrived. The horses had been adorned with flowered wreaths. A man, I didn’t recognize stood next to them. We walked past, and I wanted to inquire about the stranger, but we were in the carriage before I could.

Since my arrival in Daath, I’d only seen Lucino’s grounds, the beach and the grotto. I assumed we would be wed in a beautiful temple with hundreds of residents standing by, a true royal wedding.

“What is happening?” I grabbed hold of the wall, watching the ground fall beneath us as we rose into the sky.

“Where we are going, the horses can’t travel,” Lucy said, relaxing back into the seat.

“But how is this possible?” I didn’t know whether to be frightened or awed.

“Magic.”

My head spun with questions. Everyone knew The Order controlled magic in Tarrtainya. Any magic users found were immediately captured and recruited. But Daath lived outside of The Order, far from the king’s eye. I had never met a magic user or seen magic. What wonders it could do.

We flew past trees, higher into the clouds, and I slid closer to the window, absorbing in the sensation of flight. I could see the trees change, the faster we went. Giant moss-covered oaks, bending in different directions and beautiful green everywhere. From up here, the forest shone like the emerald in my necklace. Breathtakingly beautiful.

I lost myself in the scenery and jumped when the carriage landed.

We’re here.

The suns were high in the sky, shining on the large white temple.

Reginald held my arm, escorting me from the carriage and to the entrance.

The closer we came to the temple, the more my heart beat against my chest. There were no residents, no cheering village folk, just the silence of the forest and my quaky footsteps.

“I’ll take her from here,” Lucy said to Reginald, placing a hand on my back.

I looked to Reginald for support. I didn’t want to be left alone, but he stepped aside.

Tears stung my eyes and I lost my courage. Walking to the marriage altar with Lucy, a girl who plainly showed her disdain for me, was disheartening. My family wasn’t here, and I needed someone who cared for me to be by my side. I craved the support of a loved one. Someone to look me in the eye and pat my hand, reassuring me.

Lucy led me inside the massive temple and down a stone corridor which opened up into an enormous chamber. The inside of the temple had been decorated with candelabras, bustles of white roses and plum colored flowers. But what drew me in and held my attention the longest was Lucino.

He wore a leather doublet with green embroidery, matching breeches and black boots that had the most intricate golden buttons. His hair had been tied back and his golden sword hung at his side. All of that was lovely, but it was his gaze that set me on fire.

His eyes smiled at me under the sunlight. I thought I should walk to him, but he moved towards me first. With our eyes locked on one another, he stepped closer and closer. The fear and doubt melted away as I saw true passion rise in his cheeks. When we met, he grasped my hands, his eyes still on mine.

“I never thought I could feel the way I did when you first walked in,” he said.

His voice was hushed, as if he only wanted me to hear. “This may not be the ceremony you were expecting, and for that, I am grieved. A woman who looks as stunning as you should have a gala where the suns sing, but my people have their traditions.”

He glanced away from me and towards Lucy, who stood off to the side watching. Her forehead creased.

Lucino moved beside me, whispering in my ear. “Don’t be frightened about anything you see, I swear, everything will be fine. Do you trust me?”

I knew nothing of what he meant or the strange traditions of his people, but I believed him. His eyes had lightened as if a fog had been obstructing them. They shone bright and clear, and I knew, no matter what had transpired or lies had been told, right now, he meant what he said.

“I do.”

He smiled, lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it. “Then let us be wed.”

We were near the temple. Drums beat in the distance. The sound made my heart pound and I glanced at Derrick who was already in position. Our job was simple—take out the perimeter guards and do it quickly. The large moon almost covered both suns; time was running out.

An owl hooted—our sign from Jericho.

One … two … three

I shot an arrow at the nearest guard. The missile cut through the air and landed in the center of the man’s throat. Before the guard collapsed, I ran full speed, stringing my bow with another arrow.

We moved at lightning pace. Guards dropped before they could scream a warning. Rushing wind flew through the trees and whipped around me, matching the increasing tempo of the drums. Four guards blocked the temple entrance. We had one chance. I stepped around a tree and pulled back on my bow. I lined the shot on the guard to the far right and waited. Another hoot. I counted to three and released.

Three of the guards fell clutching their throats while the fourth stood looking at them in horror.
I missed! I can’t believe I missed.

The lone guard screamed and ran in my direction. I watched him as he drew closer and closer. When he came in range, I aimed the bow at him, another arrow notched.

He waved his hands rapidly. “Please don’t kill me. I have a family!”

Derrick kicked the guy and sent him running into the forest. “Get out of here and tell no one or we will kill you!”

Jericho and the rest of our group were waiting at the entrance. He handed each of us a black cloak. “Keep your hoods up and stay behind the pillars like we planned. When the eclipse happens, move in.”

I slid the cloak on. “Don’t forget, Lucino is ours.”

Hesitation filled Jericho’s eyes. Yesterday we had argued over this for half the afternoon. “Jericho, you promised,” I said, reminding him.

“Yes, I know. You’ll have your shot. We’ll take care of the rest.”

We slipped into the temple and broke out into three separate groups, each entering the main hall from different sides. Derrick stayed by me, cautiously walking to the first set of pillars.

Before us stood twenty or more black robed figures chanting and making strange gestures with their hands. Their bodies lurched back and forth in weird spasms. The runes around the temple glowed an eerie blue. In front of the dark pit knelt Jeslyn, in a white gown, next to a man dressed in all black.

Lucino

The priest performing the ceremony chanted in a strange language. The same language Lucy sang in. All three of them were before a black altar with a creature tied to it. It was too far away to discern.

I heard a low growl next to me. Derrick, staring at Lucino, clenched his fists. The hooded figures chanted louder and began lighting torches on large candelabras around the room. Each lamp changed the rune next to it to blood red.

Clouds passed over the moon as the moon turned the sky black.

Arrows descended onto the dark figures who immediately screamed and scattered. I dashed down the steps and towards Jeslyn.

“Avikar, to your left!” Derrick yelled, slashing one of the robed men with his claymore.

Lucy.
I strung my bow, aiming for her head. Not this time. I shot the arrow, but she moved out of the way. “Jericho!” I pointed at Lucy. “Don’t let her sing!”

Jericho chased after Lucy, who started running out of the main room. Lucino had his arm around Jeslyn. They stood in the center watching the chaos.

“Jeslyn!” I shouted, running to her, readying my sword.

Derrick reached her first. He pointed his claymore at Lucino. “Get your hands off her.”

“Derrick? What’s going on?” Jeslyn stepped out of Lucino’s embrace. “Why are you attacking?” She looked back at Lucino with a confused expression.

“You are a fool if you think you’re going to escape here with your lives,” Lucino said, pulling out his long sword. “How dare you interrupt us.”

“Wait!” Jeslyn put her hand against Lucino’s chest. “There’s no reason to fight. This is a misunderstanding.”

With Lucino busy watching Derrick, I crept to the side and grabbed Jeslyn.

“Avikar, what are you doing?”

I held her arm. “Getting you out of here.”

She shook her head. “This is ridiculous. Someone will get hurt. I’m only getting married. I would’ve sent word, but after I saw you, Lucino had me sent to a preparation house. I planned on finding you after the wedding.”

“Jeslyn, he’s not
human
!”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

I didn’t know what had happened to her in the past few weeks, but seeing that shocked expression said enough.

“Jeslyn, please,” I said, “go with Derrick.”

She shook her head. “No. You lie. Why would you say that?”

“What?” I couldn’t believe she was acting like this.

Derrick moved before I could react. He swung his claymore at Lucino who blocked the attack.

“What have you done to her?” Derrick sidestepped and attacked Lucino again.

“I have done nothing,” Lucino grunted, easily fending off Derrick’s vicious swings.

“Stop it!” Jeslyn screamed, but both of them ignored her.

“We need to leave, now,” I said.

She looked at me with sad eyes. “Make them stop, please, Avi.”

It had been a long time since my sister had asked me for anything. She ordered me around a lot, but nothing like this. It reminded me of days past, when she didn’t blame me so much. I wanted to give in to her, to be the brother that made her smile.

“I can’t.” It killed me to see her cry. “Jeslyn, you don’t understand. He’s not what you think.”

Her expression hardened. “I don’t care. I will not watch the two men I care for kill each other.”

What did she say?

I should have grabbed her, done whatever I could to stop her from walking away, but her words paralyzed me. I watched her scream at Derrick and Lucino, begging them to stop as they ignored her and continued to fight. The scene unfolded in slow motion. Her cries, Derrick’s loud warrior yell and the fury on Lucino’s face. Jeslyn stepped too close to the fight. I think I screamed her name, horrified at what I knew was about to happen.

Derrick threw his whole body into the next attack; his sword slashing at Lucino’s left side, right where Jeslyn stood. He realized his mistake, but not soon enough.

“No!” I sprinted and caught her before she hit the ground.

“Oh, no, what have I done. Jeslyn … ” Derrick dropped to his knees.

Blood spilled from her side. She gasped and I held her in my shaking arms.

“Don’t die on me.” I held her close. “You’ll be fine. I’ll get you out of here.”

“You fools!” Lucino yelled.

I glanced up and saw a red haze outlining Lucino’s body. He glared at Derrick, who sat on the ground shaking his head in disbelief. Lucino gripped his sword and snarled.

He’s going to kill him.
I ripped the dagger out of its holder and threw it at Lucino. My aim was dead on. He screamed and went to pull out the dagger.

“Derrick, you have to get her out of here. Find Jericho,” I said.

Derrick’s face paled.

“Derrick!”

He snapped out of his daze and moved.

The red aura around Lucino vanished. I kissed Jeslyn on the forehead. “Stay alive.”