Broken Forest: Book One of the Daath Chronicles (17 page)

I swirled my finger in the fountain, watching the ripples. I never thought I could be bored in such a beautiful place. I decided it was time to do more than stare at the sky all day. Reginald, the guard assigned to watch over me, stiffly followed as I walked through the gardens. He was quite a nuisance. Never speaking, but always watching.

Tall shrubbery blocked my path. Two marble statues of dragons, I think, guarded the entrance. Their dark expressions didn’t fit with the enchanted surroundings. I cautiously walked past them, entering the giant maze. Reginald followed.

The green walls of the maze rose to the sky. They were at least triple my height. I turned around with a fabulous idea. “Oh, my, look! What a magnificent creature!” I pointed behind Reginald, who turned.

“Where? I don’t see anything?” Reginald said.

I hoisted up my dress and ran. A moment distraction, but enough for me to get a head start.

“Lady Jeslyn!”

I turned left and then right, giggling as the cries of my watcher decreased. Wind caressed my cheeks with my quick steps. I felt free. I knew I’d most likely be scolded for this, but I didn’t care. For the first time in weeks, I was on my own.

The maze twisted and bent. I let it take me wherever it wanted. Dead ends forced me to double back more than once, but I was finally rewarded with a secret cove.

Beautiful.

In the center sat a giant willow tree surrounded by wildflowers. I caught my breath and stepped into the luscious garden.

“Not many people are able to find this place.” Lucino sat on a bench nearly hidden within the green surroundings.

“What are you doing here?”

“I come here when I need to think. Walking the maze can be daunting and no one bothers to search for me once I enter.” He stood, eyeing me with curiosity. “How did you find your way here?”

I thought back to my run and shrugged. “I’m not sure. I ran in the direction the maze took me.”

He grinned.

My heart raced with exertion and bliss as he stepped closer. Since our day at the sea, I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him. How he looked, painted against the stunning waters, and how he rescued me from those vicious animals. I knew these feelings were wrong, and I tried to push the desire away. Yet it stayed, tugging me in every direction.

“Is that why your face is flushed? And I thought it was because of me,” he said, stroking the left side of my cheek. “I’m glad you found me. I have something for you.”

He handed me a scroll.

I snatched the letter out of his hand and carefully unrolled it. “It’s from my mother!”

Dearest daughter,

I cannot tell you how relieved we are you are safe. We have been worried sick since your disappearance. Lord Lucino’s courier explained everything. What a horrible misunderstanding! I pray Lord Lucino disciplines those responsible.

As for your engagement…I always dreamed of my sweet girl marrying a lord and now it’s happening and to think Daath really exists. It’s all so wonderful. We are overjoyed and give you our blessing. Due to your father’s current work, we will not be able to come see you until after the summer season. I wish we could visit sooner. I miss you terribly.

Stay safe, and enjoy the ball, darling. We love you very much.

“What does she say?” Lucino asked.

My hands clenched the sides of the paper. “She says, she’s thankful I’m safe, they miss me terribly and would love to come but can’t … she says to enjoy the ball and they give me their blessing … .”

“That’s wonderful.” He followed me to the bench.

I stared at the letter, re-reading Mother’s words. What did the courier say? I never agreed to marriage and yet she wrote as if it was a certain thing.

“What’s wrong, my lady?”

“I wasn’t expecting that. I thought she would want me home. She doesn’t even know you.”

Gently, he placed his hand over mine. “Every father and mother wants the best for their child, and I can give that to you.”

My eyes watered. “She said nothing of my brother. Isn’t she concerned for him?” I looked to Lucino, who seemed thrown by the statement.

“Your brother?”

“Yes. When I was kidnapped, he and his friend went looking for me. They were at the attack when your captain took me back here. I didn’t mention it in the letter; although, I should have. I need to find him.”

Lucino sat very quiet. I watched his face, searching for a response, but his expression was stone, imparting nothing.

“He could be anywhere.”

“Please, I need to know he’s safe.” I squeezed Lucino’s hand forcing his attention back to me. “Do this for me, and I will be forever grateful. I don’t want anything to happen to him.”

“Very well, my lady.” Lucino stood. “If you’ll excuse me. I must leave you for now, but I will send some men out to look for your brother. I’ll have Lucy get the details from you.”

“Thank you, my lord,” I said, bowing my head and watching him disappear into the maze.

Lucino had been pre-occupied the past two days, but I could wait no longer.

“Reginald, I need to speak with Lucino, immediately.”

“As you wish my lady. I believe he’s training.”

“I don’t care. Now, Reginald.”

“As you wish, my lady.” Reginald walked down the corridor. I followed.

Even after spending time here, I still couldn’t navigate the twisty mansion. A secret stairway here. A locked door there. I had gotten lost once and never tried gain. Although, I couldn’t place the fear, the mansion frightened me. A strange darkness hovered over everything, including the silent servants.

We walked down a stone curved stairwell leading deep into the mansion. The sounds of fighting echoed up towards us. Reginald opened the oak door and we entered into a sparring match.

Lucino fought another man. His bare skin glistened with sweat and he shouted as he thrust his sword forward. There was no doubting his beauty, and my own heart betrayed me by beating faster. I shouldn’t stare at such a sight. A proper lady would avert her eyes.

“Jeslyn?” Lucino stopped once he saw me, flicking his partner away.

Willis handed him a towel, and Lucino wiped his face.

“Sorry to interrupt, but may we speak?” I kept my eyes away from his bare chest.

“Of course.” Lucino waved the other servants and guards away, including Reginald.

I clasped my hands together and waited while Lucino drank from a nearby mug.

“Do you have news of my brother?”

Lucino stood, wiping his mouth with the back of his hands. His look chilled me.

“I meant to see you later,” he said softly.

“What is it? What do you know?”

He stepped closer. “I’m sorry, Jeslyn. There was an attack on one of the villages. Your brother and his friend are dead.”

No.

“You lie!” My legs crumbled.

Lucino’s hands caught me before I reached the ground. “I’m sorry. We arrived too late. There was nothing we could do.”

My brother … the boy who teased me and put a frog in my bed was gone. I’d never hear his loud boisterous laugh or his constant grumbling. Another brother lost.

Tears filled my eyes. “No, this can’t be. It’s a mistake!”

“Let me escort you back to your room.” Lucino guided me, and I walked in a daze.

“I am sorry for your loss,” he said, his arm holding me up. “If there’s anything I can do.”

“I want to go home.”

“Of course, my lady.”

“Well, boys, welcome to paradise.”

The sight of the painted landscape made me forget about everything. Scarlet and cerulean hues covered the rolling hills. I slid off Brushfire, bent down and picked a sunset-colored flower out of the flowing grass. I lifted it to my nose and inhaled. It smelled like honey. My hand grazed the silky wildflowers covering almost every inch of the area. Closing my eyes, I breathed in the dewy scent of fresh rain. The tranquility of the terrain pulsed around me. Every thought vanished as I let Daath pull me into her essence. I belonged here. I didn’t know why, but I felt it in my bones.

“We need to move,” Jericho said.

I picked another flower, inhaling its honey scent. I twirled it around, examining the bright red petals. In the valley, every flower, blade of grass and small tree became alive. I watched the landscape breathe. In and out. In and out. An invisible weight pressed against my chest and warmth spread through me. I needed to lie down for a minute
.
I spread out my arms as I lay on the grass, watching Derrick stretch and grin.

Jericho grabbed me by the shirt, pulling me away from my nice, soft bed and forced me onto Brushfire.

What’s gotten in to him?

He snatched the flower out my hand, threw it away and dashed over to Derrick.

“Hey!” I reached for my falling flower. “Why did you do that?”

“Because those are deadly,” he said while struggling to get Derrick on his horse. “It’s one of Daath’s natural defenses. If you fall asleep here, you’ll never wake up.” He slapped Brushfire’s backside, and we took off, leaving the beautiful valley far behind.

We approached a two-story cottage with a thatched roof. A petite woman worked in the garden on the side of the house. She looked up when we were close.