down at the sack and sigh. “I have no choice, Tat. I need all the help I can get. I know these are for extreme emergencies only, but that’s what this is. I can’t think of a better use for them. But I did save one. It’s in your room next to a few arrows. Just in case…”
“As you wish,” she says quietly.
I know what I’m doing is nothing short of suicidal. And taking these stones is selfish and reckless. But I can’t help it. If I was being held prisoner, Kieron would do the same for me. I know he would. But it’s more than just that…I have to rescue him. I cannot lose another person I care for. I just can’t . I’m not designed to handle grief the way Liora is. And now that I know he’s out there somewhere, maybe hurt and afraid…wondering if anyone will come for him, or if he will die alone and forgotten…I can’t think of anything but saving him.
I raise my hood over my head. As I turn to bid farewell to Tatiana, I’m taken aback as a single tear rolls down her cheek.
“Tat? What is it? Please don’t cry!”
She makes no move to wipe the tear away and just stands there like a tiny frozen statue.
I throw my arms around her and hold her tight. “Don’t be sad, Tattie. Everything will be all right. I promise . I’ll be fine.”
She nods as I pat her long, silver hair. “Just know that I love you very much. I always have, and I always will.” Her voice lowers to a whisper. “Whatever happens, know I’ve always been on your side, and always will be. As long as you need me, you’ll have me.”
“I love you too, Tat. But don’t be so worried, and quit talking like this…it’s freaking me out. I’ll be careful. You’ll see me in a few hours and everything will be cool. Just watch.”
I pull away and head out the door.
~~~
Diablo races through the night, and as we approach the thick fog surrounding the Portal to Thiberoux, my heart thuds ominously. I take a deep breath and recite the secret command:
Hasish Auria, permissum mihi obduco.
Hasish Auria, permissum mihi obduco.
Hasish Auria, permissum mihi obduco.
The fog breaks and the scenery changes. Instead of the gloomy, moonless night of Sapie-land, I’m suddenly surrounded by a sparkling oasis of golds and greens, glowing and illuminated by the three full moons of Illyria. At my urging, the black stallion races around the curves and up a mountain, my body pressed to his powerful neck as he flies through the forests of my homeland.
“Whoa, boy,” I whisper as we near the River of Kings. Diablo eases his pace, and I glance around. Even though I don’t see anyone, a prickly unease creeps up the back of my neck…I feel vulnerable and exposed…like I’m being watched. I check in every direction, then reach into my boot and withdraw my dagger.
“Bones?” I call out meekly. No answer. I’m not sure if he’s supposed to be on patrol tonight, but someone should be here…
“Bones?” I call, a little louder this time.
A faint bark sounds in the distance, and I breathe a sigh of relief. A moment later the massive black beast emerges from the shadows, phasing into the shape of a beautiful man. He saunters over to a pile of rocks, grabs the jeans and shoes lying on top of them, and quickly dresses.
“Hi, Bones.”
He draws a long look over my body. Not his usual sexy, longing look, but one of guarded apprehension. “I meant to be here for you when you arrived. But you were late, and I needed to check on something.” He pauses and looks away. “I was getting worried,” he adds under his breath.
I dismount and take a few steps toward him. “Tatiana had to do something for me before I came in tonight. It took a while. But it’s okay; I’m fine.” I give him a small smile.
“Yeah, you’re awful fine for someone who’s on a suicide mission. Tell me, Lucky, why do you want to die so badly? Is this life really so unbearable for you?” Bones’ mocha-colored eyes are both sad and angry.
“Bones,” I sigh, “I
“As you wish,” she says quietly.
I know what I’m doing is nothing short of suicidal. And taking these stones is selfish and reckless. But I can’t help it. If I was being held prisoner, Kieron would do the same for me. I know he would. But it’s more than just that…I have to rescue him. I cannot lose another person I care for. I just can’t . I’m not designed to handle grief the way Liora is. And now that I know he’s out there somewhere, maybe hurt and afraid…wondering if anyone will come for him, or if he will die alone and forgotten…I can’t think of anything but saving him.
I raise my hood over my head. As I turn to bid farewell to Tatiana, I’m taken aback as a single tear rolls down her cheek.
“Tat? What is it? Please don’t cry!”
She makes no move to wipe the tear away and just stands there like a tiny frozen statue.
I throw my arms around her and hold her tight. “Don’t be sad, Tattie. Everything will be all right. I promise . I’ll be fine.”
She nods as I pat her long, silver hair. “Just know that I love you very much. I always have, and I always will.” Her voice lowers to a whisper. “Whatever happens, know I’ve always been on your side, and always will be. As long as you need me, you’ll have me.”
“I love you too, Tat. But don’t be so worried, and quit talking like this…it’s freaking me out. I’ll be careful. You’ll see me in a few hours and everything will be cool. Just watch.”
I pull away and head out the door.
~~~
Diablo races through the night, and as we approach the thick fog surrounding the Portal to Thiberoux, my heart thuds ominously. I take a deep breath and recite the secret command:
Hasish Auria, permissum mihi obduco.
Hasish Auria, permissum mihi obduco.
Hasish Auria, permissum mihi obduco.
The fog breaks and the scenery changes. Instead of the gloomy, moonless night of Sapie-land, I’m suddenly surrounded by a sparkling oasis of golds and greens, glowing and illuminated by the three full moons of Illyria. At my urging, the black stallion races around the curves and up a mountain, my body pressed to his powerful neck as he flies through the forests of my homeland.
“Whoa, boy,” I whisper as we near the River of Kings. Diablo eases his pace, and I glance around. Even though I don’t see anyone, a prickly unease creeps up the back of my neck…I feel vulnerable and exposed…like I’m being watched. I check in every direction, then reach into my boot and withdraw my dagger.
“Bones?” I call out meekly. No answer. I’m not sure if he’s supposed to be on patrol tonight, but someone should be here…
“Bones?” I call, a little louder this time.
A faint bark sounds in the distance, and I breathe a sigh of relief. A moment later the massive black beast emerges from the shadows, phasing into the shape of a beautiful man. He saunters over to a pile of rocks, grabs the jeans and shoes lying on top of them, and quickly dresses.
“Hi, Bones.”
He draws a long look over my body. Not his usual sexy, longing look, but one of guarded apprehension. “I meant to be here for you when you arrived. But you were late, and I needed to check on something.” He pauses and looks away. “I was getting worried,” he adds under his breath.
I dismount and take a few steps toward him. “Tatiana had to do something for me before I came in tonight. It took a while. But it’s okay; I’m fine.” I give him a small smile.
“Yeah, you’re awful fine for someone who’s on a suicide mission. Tell me, Lucky, why do you want to die so badly? Is this life really so unbearable for you?” Bones’ mocha-colored eyes are both sad and angry.
“Bones,” I sigh, “I
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