Splintered Fate (25 page)

"I am not a helpless little boy,
Lana. You don't have to fear for me or try to protect me. I chose
this."

"Yes but in a way your hand was
forced. If it was not me who Garin had, but some other, would you
have saved them?"

He looked out over the balcony,
suddenly self-conscious.

"I don't know," he whispered the
lie. But he knew what he would have done, nothing. He didn’t want
to think of it, fearing what Lana would think. Surely she would
think he a monster. How could a decent person let another innocent
die?

"But it was me. And because of our
history you reacted and saved me, making you an outcast from your
people." Her eyes showed no trace of judgment.

Kaiden couldn’t help but stare at
her in confusion.

"How can you care about me being an outcast
when I just told you, were it anyone else I may have...” he paused,
“no I definitely wouldn’t have done anything to save
them."

"Life is not easy. I took a risk
going to the Rami camp, I know that. After you got me out of there,
you know what I did? I killed men with families, wives and
children, in an attempt to get to my father. Those men were
following orders from their King. They had little choice in what
they were doing.” She shuddered at the memories. “I killed your
people and then took you away from them. So after what I did,
taking lives like I did, how could I expect you to save some
stranger who took a risk coming into your camp? We all try to
survive in the world we are stuck in."

Kaiden looked into Lana's eyes
with a gentle expression. He stepped towards her. She couldn’t
retreat from his gaze. Her feet were rooted to the ground. Gently,
his hand rose to her face, cupping her cheek.

Lana's green eyes stared up at
him, full of emotion. She was close enough to feel his breath on
her. A desire to taste his breath rose up within her. Heat coursed
through her as his hand touched her cheek, gliding down to her
neck, collarbone, shoulder, and then back up. It was such a gentle
touch, but one that left a mark under the surface.

Her heart hammered away, as her
eyes soaked him in. The way his hair gently moved in the light
breeze, how his eyes looked so dark and blue in the moonlight, they
were deep enough for her to get lost in. The way his lips slightly
parted and his eyes locked on hers. She should have pushed him
away, that would have been the smart thing to do.

Kaiden brought a hand to her
waist, pulling Lana closer, closing whatever distance was between
them. For a hesitant moment their breaths mingled between them and
then his lips found hers. Butterflies erupted in her stomach and
burning desire took over whatever thoughts she was
having.

Wrapping his
loose hand around her waist, he pressed her body to his.
The smell of pine off of his skin filled her
lungs, while his lips moved with hers. The kiss was gentle at
first, teasingly soft, before it turned to one of need. Kaiden's
strong and safe arms tightened around her, holding her
close.

Lana grabbed his shirt wanting to
relish in this moment forever. She let her free hand feel the
muscular curves of his back. She wanted this. To be lost in his
warmth, in his hold, in those lips, in those blue eyes, for
eternity. She wanted to be lost in him.

But that would not have been real
life, that was a fairytale. Reality crashed around her, people were
dying, fighting a war. Then Lana pushed him away, her breath
unsteady.

"We can't," she said turning away
to look over the balcony, afraid that if she looked at him all
resolve would vanish. Her breath was ragged and she had to grab
hold of the railing to keep her hands steady and in place. To keep
them from turning back to explore more of the body that stood
beside her.

She could feel Kaiden’s eyes
watching her. He was standing there, right next to her. The silence
was worse than anything and so she broke it first. “Apart from
Ardin you are... I can't risk losing you." When he did not speak
she slowly turned to look at him.

By the look in Kaiden’s eyes, he
did not seem deterred. Sparks still flicker within those deadly
blue eyes. Desire burned in them, it was hot enough to set her skin
on fire. Even though every inch of him seemed to only want to close
the space she had just put between them, he took a step back,
allowing for Lana to have some room.

"Then why do you push me away?"
His voice was soft.

"I have so much to think about, to
worry about. For us to be more… here in Alogrin it is safe but out
in the world it will make things more dangerous for you and I. Even
some of my own people may try to kill you.” Lana turned and looked
down over the balcony. “Those closest to me die as pawns in some
big scheme. I can't have that happen to you too. And I cannot risk
loosing you, your friendship--” Her voice broke. She did not have
the strength to say more, she did not want to say any of it. But
her fears of what may happen to him were powerful, stronger than
her want to be in his embrace.

If she were to take on Arkhip
Dukran then he would take whatever he could from her in his attempt
to regain control. Kaiden would be a target, and she couldn’t let
him have a fate similar to Valdor’s. To have Kaiden forever gone,
was unthinkable.

Kaiden's hand quietly found
Lana's, igniting her skin at the touch. She could feel his sweet
breath on her skin before he kissed the back of her hand, sending a
single pulse through her body. Then he dropped her hand and walked
away, leaving her to herself. With troubled eyes Lana watched him
leave.

Ardin I am going
to go to our room for the night.
She
called to her Aorra after a moment alone on the
balcony.

Do you mind if I
explore Alogrin a bit?

Knock yourself
out.
She replied, wanting to be alone
anyway.

Lana was relieved to find Connor at the party.
She almost did not recognize the boy at first. He was all cleaned
up, and even though he was still working and serving at the party
his black uniform made him look older. Connor smiled at Lana as she
approached him, his chocolate eyes warm and friendly. She was
pleased to have him show her the way back to her room.

This time the boy led her through
the main halls to her room and she was able to remember the
way.

When Lana entered the room she saw
her original clothing, now cleaned, hanging on a beautifully
crafted wooden wardrobe in the room. She decided to open the
wardrobe. To her surprise it was full of clothing. All of the
clothes seemed to be well crafted and expensive, fit for royalty.
Looking it over, Lana thought to herself that she may as well
accept how the Alogrinians viewed her and wear the clothing they
had kindly provided.

An elegant rose-colored nightgown
hung amongst the other things. Lana touched the soft fabric. Her
hand glided over the smooth silk before slipping it on and sliding
into the bed. The sheets were remarkably cool and soft against her
hot skin.

Laying in bed Lana stared at the
ceiling. Moonlight seeped in through her window, providing enough
light to see by. She ran a finger over the back of her hand where
Kaiden’s lips were not too long ago. Her skin tingled at the touch
as she thought of what had happened. The way he had smelled, the
way he felt, the way his eyes darkened when they looked at her. All
of it fed the wild burning fire within her. She ran her fingers
through her hair, trying to rid herself of the memory.

What am I
doing?
She thought to herself as she
rolled to her side. The need for sleep was strong. She needed to be
well rested for the fight Cale had forced her to agree to tomorrow.
A fight that Lana assumed would be on display with everyone
watching her, judging her.

Still she couldn’t stop thinking
of Kaiden.

Chapter

Twelve

Once outside Kaiden made his way
towards the open center of Alogrin. The city was unlike any other
he had ever been in. Most cities had a heart, a center point where
life poured out. Alogrin did not.

It had a silent center,
like an eye of a storm. The life of the city surrounded a peaceful
center. Alogrinian citizens lived in the mountain that surrounded
the valley, just outside of the mountains were a few small shops
and cobble streets, however past that, in the center was a vast
space. There was a very small-forested area off to the right, but
other then that there were just grassland and gardens.

Kaiden marched past
everything, deep in thought. He was heading towards the quiet heart
of Alogrin. The sent of lavender still followed him, Lana’s skin
had smelled of it and now it chased him into the night.

Fondly he thought about
the rose blush he saw on her cheeks. Her feelings were evident in
her eyes, her voice, the way her breath turned ragged, the way her
hands dug into him. He could feel the frantic beating of her heart
when he held her, matching his own. Kaiden
felt relieved to not have been falling for a girl who didn’t
feel the same.

Yet he was still rejected
by her and it irritated him that she would push him away for
reasons he found insubstantial. Every day was a risk, whether they
were together or apart. He didn’t expect that to be a reason she
pushed him away.

He saw the feelings that
stirred within Lana. They threatened to overpower her as she
struggled to fight them, so he decided not to press the issue. If
she needed some time then fine, he would give her some space.
Eventually she would work it out, understand what it is that she
wants. He would give her room, even if it left him so very
frustrated.

Kaiden got to an area where, by
the blue tint of the moon, he could not see anything in the
distance but grass. He made a sphere in his hand, condensing the
energy into his palms. Taking the electric ball, he threw it into
the night sky, watching it fly off into the distance. When it hit
the ground small electrical tendrils radiated out of the impact. It
felt good to release the energy that had pint up within him. He
formed another sphere and threw it as hard as he could into the
sky. Then he made another and another.

As Kaiden watched one of his
spheres fly through the air something came from the side, hitting
the sphere he had created. An electrical explosion briefly lit up
the sky. He turned to see a Rami boy standing several feet away,
holding a bow and arrow. The boy was short with olive skin and dark
hair.

“
You know its dangerous just
throwing those around.” The boy said to Kaiden.

“
Its dangerous shooting arrows
aimlessly into the night sky too.” Kaiden replied.

“
There’s no one out there within
reach, and it wasn’t aimless.” The boy responded, taking a few
steps towards Kaiden and holding out his hand. “My names
Jakobe.”

Kaiden grabbed the boy’s hand, and Jakobe
proceeded to give him a surprisingly stern handshake.

“
I’m Kaiden.” He said with a
smile, slightly amused.

“
Where are you from?” Jakobe
asked.

“
I am from the Rami
lands.”

“
Oh cool! So you are from where
Clyte comes from?”

“
Yup.” Kaiden looked the boy up
and down, he seemed the same age as Alex. “How old are you?” Kaiden
asked.

“
Seven moons.” Jakobe
replied.

“
Your pretty good with that bow,
for someone so young.” Kaiden stated.

“
I know.” Jakobe released a drawn
out sigh, as if being good with handling a bow was somehow a
difficult burden that had fallen upon him. A smile surfaced on
Kaidens face at the boy’s theatrical burden.

“
Would you be willing to help a
friend of mine learn? His name is Alex. He has only just begun
learning but he is a quick study and he is new here, doesn’t know
anyone in Alogrin yet.”

“
I guess it could be fun.” Jakobe
replied with a shrug. “But he has to get his own supplies.” The boy
added.

“That wont be a problem,” Kaiden
said with a small laugh. Alex could create all the supplies the two
could ever need, besides bowstring.

Sounds of people gathering began
to carry over to where Kaiden and Jakobe were. He turned to look
towards the noise. By the blue light of the moon he could make out
shapes of people congregating in the distance.

“They are gathering around the Arena. Zorin is
probably practicing, he always draws a crowd.” Jakobe informed.
“Want to go see?”

“Sure.” The two began heading
towards the crowd. As they approached Kaiden could see a white wolf
standing amongst the group, his tail moving in a happy rhythm. For
a moment his pulse quickened as his eyes darted around, searching
for Lana. She was nowhere to be seen, Ardin must have wandered over
here on his own. The wolf turned to him when he
approached.

“Hey Ardin.” Kaiden acknowledged the wolf.
“This is Jakobe.” He pointed to the boy before turning to Jakobe.
“This is Ardin. He is the Aorra for my friend.”