Page 45 of Unfinished

“Yes. We’ve already waited months—moon cycles, right? It’s time for jumping practice!”

Veesha’s wings spread open and the feathers fluttered with excitement as she looked up at both of them. “Jumping practice!” she repeated, her pointed little teeth showing as she flashed a happy grin.

“But first, a race back to the temple!” said R’kash.

Veesha was off before he even finished speaking. Sienna glanced at him and lifted her eyebrows. “I guess we better hurry then.”

R’kash lifted his robes, holding them up in the crook of his elbows. “I guess so. Are you ready, Sienna?” That wicked grin she’d seen the day before made another appearance, hitting her full force.

She started running, glancing over her shoulder to see R’kash laughing behind her. She couldn’t remember when she’d last felt so carefree. It wouldn’t take long to catch up with Veesha. She was fast for a kid, but no competition for grown adults with her short legs tangling in the long grasses.

“Left! Go left,” she called, pointing to an area that was a bit more worn down. She could make out a faint path to the temple. The priests hadn’t cut the grass back, but it’d been trampled down by multiple people walking the same way.

Veesha laughed and darted to the left, looking back again to see how close Sienna and R’kash were. She flapped her wings and went faster, and Sienna shifted into a light jog. R’kash soon came up beside her.

“What are you going to do with all of the flowers?” he asked, eyes straying momentarily to the spray tucked behind her ear.

“You’ll see. Quick—we have a race to finish.”

Sienna pumped her arms and ran faster, much to Veesha’s delight. The girl hissed happily when she looked back again and saw her approaching, and she swept her wings up and down like she was preparing to take flight.

“Not so fast, Sienna.” With his long legs, R’kash could’ve easily overtaken her, but he placed his hand on her upper arm. “Slow down. Veesha will fall if she goes much faster.” The rueful lift of his lips as he watched his daughter let her know that he wasn’t upset with her, so the comment didn’t sting like it could’ve.

“How often do those herds come through? Is that something we have to worry about if I bring Veesha outside in the future?”

They’d both slowed to a walk to give Veesha time to pull further ahead. They were only about five minutes away from the temple, give or take, and it was unlikely she’d get into trouble this close to home.

“Herds? Like thev’kelth?”

“Maybe. Are those the animals you saved Veesha from?”

R’kash glanced back and to the left towards another barren stretch of field, his face back to the stern mask he’d worn when he’d greeted her in Verkissat. “You know about that?” He was still staring off into the distance when he asked.

Sienna frowned. “Of course. You wrote to me right afterwards. It sounded harrowing. Honestly, the description of those creatures made me worried about coming here.”

“Please excuse me for not remembering.” His thumb rubbed a light circle on her upper arm as he turned his face to her. “It was a stressful time, as you know. I don’t like to think about it often, but I don’t want you to worry about thev’kelth.They’re not violent creatures. It’s their size and speed that make them dangerous in large groups. It’s probably best if you don’t go out on your own yet until you know the area better. There’s no chance of getting lost, but some paths here are safer to take than others.”

She glanced up at his troubled eyes. “I guess that makes sense. So, nothing like it has happened again?”

“No. Faseeth arrived soon after the incident, and I’ve been replacing her missing communication devices as I told you before. The hope is that she’d have one available if somehow a similar situation ever arose,” explained R’kash.

“Good. I still can’t imagine how awful that must’ve been for you.”

R’kash slid her hand through his. “It’s over now. Wait until you see the river. The place where I’m taking you is one of my favorites in all of Evathi’s territory. I’m hoping you will enjoy it as much as Veesha does.”

“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” replied Sienna.

They passed between the maize fields while Veesha stood in front of the open doors that led into the courtyard. She reminded Sienna of a hummingbird, her small frame vibrating with energy as she bobbed up and down on her toes and fluttered her extended wings. The iridescence of her black feathers furthered the impression.

“She looks so joyful.” R’kash sounded almost wistful as he said it, eyes firmly fixed on his daughter.

Sienna leaned into his side and gave his hand a light squeeze. “She’s lucky. I know what happened with her mother was awful, but she has all of you now—and me, if she wants me.”

He looked at her then, eyes brimming with some fierce emotion that she couldn’t quite read, and then he gave her one of those curt nods before they walked the rest of the way to the temple entrance.

20

The glider was much smallerthan the flyer they’d taken from Verkissat to Evathi. The silver-toned craft was designed more like a typical human vehicle with two short benches and room for no more than four adults. There was a small area in the back for storage, but not much else.

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