Page 23 of One Last Promise
After our breakfast of cornbread and water, I followed Darce out of the cave.It was daylight, but the two suns hadn’t crested the mountain tops.Pulling my cloak tighter around my body from the chill in the air, I swung my bow and arrows over my back.
“I know of a clearing where the smaller animals graze and go for water.We should be able to hunt there.”
Darce was quick, but silent on his feet.His body almost moved in the same way as the shadows he controlled.Looking down at my hands, I willed my power to the surface, but got nothing but a dull spark.My powers had manifested briefly yesterday, so what was I doing wrong today?
Darce led us to the most beautiful, still lake that was surrounded by mountains.We snuck behind a large rock and waited for something to catch our attention.
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“DO THE LARGER BEASTSdrink here?”I whispered into his ear.Our closeness wasn’t something I found particularly comfortable, but we needed to keep ourselves hidden if we wanted to catch something.
“You’ve already watched me take down a noc beast.Is there really any need to be concerned about other beasts?”The arrogance of this male.
“You said it wasmating season.What if two noc beasts come to drink here?”
“This is too far out from their mating grounds.We’ll probably see a few hell dryads and night howlers, though.Are you opposed to killing any of them?You don’t worship any of those beasts, do you?”
Darce was goading me to snap, I could see it in his star-speckled eyes.“Aren’t hell dryads peaceful creatures?”I inquired, ignoring his comment.
“You’ve done your research.Does your kind make you learn all of that before your pilgrimage?You can’t have known that off the top of your head.”
“I enjoy research,actually.The palace library back in Dallethas is one of my favourite places to visit.”
“You’re not a common Dylin female then?I can’t imagine you’d be allowed in that library if you were.”How could I be so foolish, almost giving away my rank like that?Quickly, I rebuffed before answering.
“I work in the palace, not that it’s anything to do withyou.AllDylin are granted access to the library should they need it.We are a giving, helpful race.”
Darce snorted under his breath.“As opposed to my race, who are barbaric, ruthless killers?That’s how you describe us, isn’t it?”
“Among other things.”The smirk on my face as I spoke made him narrow his eyes at me.
“That’s what your racewantsyou to believe.How often have you left your precious city, Dallethas, to explore Afterlight Veil for yourself?”
“This is my first time,” I admitted.“But I know all the battle stories between our races, and the pain your kind has inflicted on us in effort to gain more power.”
“The painmykind inflicted?”His tone was the most aggressive I’d witnessed since meeting him.“Do not say another word, or I’ll leave you here to die, you heartless, self-indulgedfledgling!You think you can sit here, preaching to me of battles you know nothing about!”His dark, deadly eyes froze me to the spot.This was what Raiden had told me to fear.The predatory gaze of my enemy was burning deep into my soul.I had no doubt that Darce could snap me in two with his power.
I had no idea how long our eyes were locked in a fixed stare.Neither of us seemed to want to break the hold.I dare not look away, for fear of Darce killing me where I sat.The turmoil in those eyes as I studied them, though.The entire universe seemed to be colliding inside their depths.It made me wonder for a moment what hehadseen in battle.Now wasn’t the time to bring that up.If I valued my life, a change of subject when Darce finally spoke would be a good idea.
A small boar wandered into the clearing, finally breaking our eye contact.
“Let’s see your aim.”Darce’s tone was still annoyed.“You must be useful for something.”
My blood boiled in fury at his statement.Reaching behind me, I drew my bow and an arrow.Waiting until the boar was busy drinking and I had a clear shot, I took aim, testing the slight breeze that might make my arrow stray from its target.It wasn’t enough to worry about.Pulling the string of my bow back, I let my arrow fly.It struck the boar in the side, killing it instantly.
“Are you disappointed that I didn’t miss?”I seethed at his shocked face.“I’ll have you know, I’m useful for many things!”
“Is that so?”His eyes lightened in humour.“If you’re offering yourself to me, the answer is still no.I’m not sure that I’ll ever find you attractive enough to want you in that manner.”
“Pig!”I seethed, watching him make his way to my kill.
We carried the boar back to the cave, along with more water that we collected from a fresh spring near the lake.
“Are you against me smoking this meat with my shadows to make it last longer?”Darce called over to me as he sliced the boar.“It will bring you no harm, but rancid meat will.”
“If you can eat my cornbread, I trust you with your smoked meat.”After raking the embers of the fire, I put another log on.It was starting to rain outside, and the night was drawing in.
“The cornbread will probably taste better with the meat.It’s so dry.”Slipping out of my cloak, and boots, I moved towards the back of the cave to join him.Darce was in his undergarments again after removing his armour.
