The Divine Apprentice (The Divine Series) (33 page)

             
“His ride is smooth,” Darcienna said, trying to lighten the mood by changing the subject.

             
“He is incredible, isn’t he?”

             
“Yes,” she said and paused for several long moments.  Kade sat silently, hearing the intake of air, indicating she was going to continue talking.  “Kade?” she asked meekly.

             
“Yes?” he responded, wondering what she was working up the courage to say.

             
“I…I just wanted to say thanks.  You saved my life twice now.  I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to repay you for your kindness and willingness to risk your life for me,” Darcienna said, sounding small and scared.  Kade did not answer.  The one thing he would ask for, she wasn’t willing to give.  She had already pledged her love to someone else and that person didn’t even seem to want it.  The feelings in his heart started to come to the surface again.  He clenched his jaw, hating himself for being so weak.

             
“Kade?” Darcienna asked hesitantly.

“What?” Kade responded, trying not to listen to the melody of her voice, and hating himself for hanging on her every word.

              “What is going to happen to us?”

             
Kade’s heart leapt when he heard her refer to them as “us.”  He felt a struggle raging inside of him.  One part of him wanted to touch her and be with her all the time, wanted to hear her voice and watch the way she moved her lips when she spoke.  He recalled how soft her hands had been when she had laid them on his arm, and he felt himself craving that feeling again.  He put his hand to his cheek where her kiss still seemed to linger.  The other part of him wanted to throw her off the dragon before she clouded every last bit of his senses.  He shook his head, forcing himself to answer her question.

             
“Well, first, we are going to Arden.  I need to see if my parents made it out safely.  If you want me to drop you off somewhere, I can do that,” Kade said.

             
The voices inside his heart started to argue again.  One side hoped that she would leave as soon as possible before he was affected too much, and the other side that was making him hold his breath, wanted her to say that she would stay with him.  It was only logical that she would tell him someplace that she wanted to be dropped off, especially since she had a young child to consider.

             
Darcienna looked at the strong muscular back of this man as she considered his words.  She was certain that he was going to try to get rid of her.  He seemed the type to be over protective.  She also feared that he may think of her as a burden.  She did not hold out much hope that he was not going to send her away, but he had to let her come.  He just had to.

             
“Kade, please let me come with you.  I will make sure the boy is safe,” Darcienna pleaded.

             
She looked at him, knowing that she was already becoming dependent upon him.  She felt safe with him and the thought of being on her own with this unknown evil after her scared her more than anything.  She feared that if a third time came, she would not fare well at all.

And, how would I keep Marcole safe without Kade there to protect us?
she asked herself.  She believed, with all her heart, that he could fight off any danger that presented itself.  She just knew he could take care of them. 

Kade turned and studied her for several long moments.  Not only was she going to stay with him, but she was actually begging him to let her come.  The only thing that would explain her pleading was her desire for revenge.  He dearly wished her motivation for staying were for other reasons, but as long as she was staying, that was good enough for him.  At least…for now.

              “You can stay under a few conditions.  First, you will leave if I tell you,” Kade said firmly.  He felt Darcienna stiffen and he was sure she was preparing to argue.  When it came to her safety, there was no compromising.  If it had to do with anything else, he was afraid that she could maneuver him into doing what she wanted.  She saw the look on his face and quickly closed her mouth.  She would fight it later if she had to, but for now, she knew to keep quiet.

             
“You can be tough,” Darcienna said as she looked into those deadly serious eyes.

             
“Next,” he said, ignoring her comment, “you will follow my instructions without arguing no matter what,” he said just as firmly.  Remembering how Zayle talked to him helped him put a tone in his voice that allowed no room for argument.  He put every bit of firmness into his words because he knew that this was where she could affect him and manipulate him if he showed her weakness.  She just nodded.  “And lastly, you do not ever leave me unless I say it is okay.  You are to let me know where you are at all times.  No exceptions!”  Kade said.  She opened her mouth, preparing to argue.  “No exceptions!”  He emphasized again in as firmly a voice as he could muster.   He put a little heat into his words to make his point and even managed a glare.

“Everywhere?” Darcienna asked, thinking about the few times a female would want privacy.  Her face reddened slightly.  Kade found it very satisfying to see the tables turned where embarrassment was concerned.  He almost smiled, but he did not want her to think he was softening.  “Everywhere,” he said with finality.

              “Okay,” Darcienna said with just the slightest hint of a smile.  The corner of her mouth quirked just barely.

             
Kade hesitated momentarily, seeing a look of satisfaction in her eyes.  It seemed as if she had agreed too quickly to that last part. 
For that matter, he
thought,
she had agreed to it all pretty easily.
  He got the odd feeling that even though he felt he was in control, he was not.  He thought back hard on how the conversation had gone and could not pinpoint where he did not make it clear that he was in charge.  Seeing nothing, he shook his head and dismissed it as just a crazy passing thought.

             
“How is Marcole?” Kade asked.

             
“He seems to like riding the dragon,” Darcienna said in a cheerful voice as though there was never any tension between them.  Kade looked over his shoulder and studied her.

             
“He has been pretty quiet,” Kade said as he narrowed his eyes while watching her closely, his suspicions tugging at him.   Darcienna was smiling sweetly now; almost too sweetly.  Kade sighed and let it go.  “Is he always this good?”

             
“Most of the time,” Darcienna said and then hesitated.   He waited patiently as he heard her take a breath.  The more time that went by, the more curious he became.  “Kade?” she finally asked, almost too quiet for him to hear.

             
“What?” he asked, sensing her trepidation.

             
“Did you mean what you said back there?”

             
“I meant everything I have said to you.”

             
Darcienna sat quietly, trying to formulate her thoughts.  Kade could tell that she was thinking hard and sat patiently.   As he waited, he found himself enjoying the way she was pressed up against him.  He took in a deep breath and reprimanded himself for not keeping his thoughts under control.

             
“What’s his name?” Kade asked to give his thoughts a different direction.  A part of him could not help but want to know.

             
“He…never told me,” Darcienna said in a whisper.

             
Kade was not sure if she was ashamed or if it was regret he was sensing.  After a bit, he thought that she might even be sad.  He could feel it, even though he could not see her.  But, why would she be sad?

             
“Was he your first?” Kade asked, and for the second time, realized he was prying into things he did not want to know.  Was this jealousy he was feeling? 
Why am I so bothered?
  He asked himself.   He vowed to stop walking so clumsily through this conversation and put just a little more effort into not being such an oaf.  “I am sorry.  You don’t have to answer that.”

             
“Yes,” Darcienna said, ignoring his apology.  She needed to answer his questions.  She wanted him to know her and get the judgmental part out of the way before it was too late.

Kade found he was at a loss for words.  He made it a point not to ask any more questions that he did not want answered.  The more he thought on it, the more he realized having that answer helped nothing.  If her heart belonged to the stranger, even if it was just once, then once was too many times.

              “What are we going to do when we get to Arden?” Darcienna asked, changing the subject.  Kade was grateful for the shift in topic.

             
“I am not sure, yet.  It all depends on the situation when we get there.  If my parents are safe, then I am going to find another Chosen and get some help,” Kade said as he thought about the information in the small, black book.

             
“What if they are still there?”

             
“I don’t know.  I do know if they are there, I will do everything in my power to free them.”

             
Darcienna smiled at Kade’s back.  His bravery and dedication were strong traits that made her feel secure and safe.  She leaned forward and lightly put her head on his back.  Kade did his best to keep still, enjoying the feel of her being so close.

             
“Kade?” Darcienna asked.

             
“What?”

             
“How did you get so good at using the Divine Power?”

             
Kade almost laughed out loud at such an absurd question. 
Me?  Good at using the Divine Power?  Zayle would have had a good laugh at that one,
Kade thought.  He took a deep breath to confess his status as an apprentice and hesitated.  How would she see him once she knew he was no more than a mere apprentice?  Would it cause her to lose confidence and want to leave?  Would she not feel as safe?   Darcienna sensed his hesitation and felt like they had stumbled into, yet, another conversation that was causing discomfort.

             
“I learned from my Master, Zayle.  He was my teacher for most of my life.”

             
“Was?” Darcienna asked as gently as possible, hearing the sadness in his voice, even though he was trying to be strong.  Kade sat silently, trying to decide how much he would tell and how much was just too painful to relive.  He did not want to let his emotions get the better of him.  He wanted to be done with sadness and this topic was going to make that difficult.

             
“Would you like to talk about it?  You don’t have to if you don’t want,” Darcienna said gently.

             
Kade took in a breath and held it as he considered how much he was ok with telling her.  He felt the pain in his heart and resented her for asking the question that brought back these unwanted feelings.  After a few moments, the resentment evaporated and he decided it was best that she know, but before he could answer, his heart told him to think twice about opening up to her.  Sharing was only inviting pain.  Sighing, he decided to confide in her.

             
“A month ago, several creatures came to kill us.  They were able to get Zayle but Rayden and I escaped.  I wouldn’t have survived without Rayden,” Kade said as he patted the dragon on the neck.  Rayden’s head came up in response.  “He got me away from the danger.”

             
“You…weren’t able to kill them?” Darcienna asked in surprise.

             
“Not until later,” Kade said firmly.  “But we did end their miserable lives.”  Kade’s lip curled in a slight growl as he recalled the memories.  “One of his monsters made the mistake of coming back.  It was a giant cloaked in the Divine.  A targoth,” Kade said while looking over his shoulder.  Darcienna’s eyes widened in shock and she inhaled sharply.  “You know of this creature?” he asked, easily seeing her reaction.

“I do.  They are abominations.  I was taught that there are evil creatures that love nothing more than to torment and kill.  They revel in causing misery,” Darcienna said but did not offer anything more.  After a moment, he continued.

“Well, this one will enjoy no more misery,” Kade said, remembering how Kroden had fallen at his hand.  She felt him stiffen and gave him a squeeze for support.  He instantly relaxed and even smiled ever so slightly.  He found it easier to talk to her than he expected.  “I believe whoever or whatever knew I was Zayle’s apprentice and tried to have me killed.  With the help of Rayden, I was able to bring their lives to an end.”

             
“I was right about you.  You are strong and powerful,” Darcienna stated resolutely.

             
Kade wished he could bask in the praise and even would have loved to let it go to his head, but he just did not feel he deserved it.  He thought about the many times that he could have died in the last few days and laughed sarcastically.  He recalled how the giant had just barely missed killing him and shook his head.