Splintered Fate Read online

  I feel so lost She whispered to him in her mind.

  Don’t be. We have made it here. This place is what we have heard legends of. A place that the King of all the lands used to rule from! It is a victory.

  One victory, to be replaced by yet another challenge, a struggle to get the Alogrin counsels’ support.

  It may take time but it will happen, have faith.

  I suppose. Though she doubted she would ever manage Cale’s support and time was not something she wanted to waist if this lead to no where.

  What is your plan? If we get their support that is.

  Honestly? I am not sure. If there is truly a war waging then I do not want either side to win, we need to suppress both. Lana looked up at the small moon crossing the sky. A thought hit her. Do you think they would allow us back into Ucu?

  I don’t know. They have a rule against adults going there, not to mention their rules if war ever broke out. Now that war has started they will not accept any more Madonians or Rami children after they return the students who are currently up there.

  Lana looked down at the forest beneath in thought. Yes, I know. She then turned her gaze back up at the stars. But they see everything, know everything. If we made the journey to their gate, do you think we would be turned away?

  They do not like to get involved, you know that.

  But they take Madonian and Rami children for an entire moon cycle of time and help them learn to control their gifts! They broke their own rules in doing that. They allow for themselves to be involved with us even though they say they do not wish to be involved beyond what’s necessary. Who chooses how much of their involvement is necessary? Surely they would see that helping us would be for a greater purpose and they will accept us! The instructors are not monsters. Many Madonian and Rami will die in the times to come. I know they would want to help.

  I simply don’t know. That was all Ardin could really say for no one knew.

  If Lana traveled to the Ucu’s gates when the moons aligned and they let her through, this would be the first time that the instructors had let someone other than a young child from the lands into the school. There was no say whether they would be willing to grant her entrance or if the trip would be a wasted one.

  Lana and Ardin both stood gazing over the balcony in silence thinking their own thoughts.

  I'll leave you two.

  Before she could ask her Aorra what he meant he was walking off of the balcony, passing a tall, dark figure. The figure stepped closer and Lana could see a familiar face with eyes, which were deep pools of blue. The intensity of his eyes caught her breath and she had to look away. She fidgeted with her dress, pretending to fix an invisible wrinkle. Once in front of her the figure stopped and Lana forced her gaze up, meeting the eyes of the handsome Rami before her.

  "Hi," she managed to say. Why was she behaving foolishly, feeling so infuriatingly strange? This was just Kaiden. So what if he was cleaned and dressed up all nice. He was the same guy she had been traveling with for weeks now, they were friends. Nothing more. Her heart wouldn’t listen as it beat out of her control.

  His eyes glided over her. "You look, beautiful."

  Lana's heart fluttered at the complement and she looked out over the balcony trying to distance herself from the feelings that stirred within her. She wanted to tell him he cleaned up rather nicely as well but decided against it. Not wanting him to have the pleasure of her complement, not wanting to muddle things between them.

  "You have been avoiding me." Kaiden stated. It was not a question but an observation, letting Lana know her avoidance had not gone unnoticed.

  "I have not. You have been busy." Lana countered, glancing into the grand ballroom, to Clyte who was busy entertaining guests. She wore a cream loose fitting dress that curved around her muscular body accentuating her best features, with the back completely open, showing off a ragged white scar across her flawlessly tanned skin. Her long dark hair was wrapped around her head in a braided crown.

  Kaiden followed Lana's gaze to Clyte and turned back to her with a large stupid grin on his face. "Oh I see. Jealous?"

  Lana felt her face abruptly get hot at the accusation.

  "You’re ridiculous." She retorted, the irritation painfully clear in her voice. She turned in an attempt to get away from him but a hand gently grasped hers, pulling her back.

  "Clyte was a legendary Rami warrior, I thought she had been killed and I am shocked that she is here. She used to serve under the Right Hand General to the king, she is an idol of sorts for our people.” He unsuccessfully tried to mask a smile.

  Lana did not reply. She stared at the ground unable to think of a response, feeling embarrassed. Was she really jealous?

  “I am sorry about what I said about Donn this morning.” Kaiden’s apology brought her eyes up to his. “I know you like the old man, I did not mean to upset you-“

  “It’s fine” She cut him off. “He was hiding some facts from us, but it doesn't matter now, we made it to Alogrin.”

  Lana noticed that Kaiden’s hand was still on hers, she pulled it away and took a step back. Being close to him was too much.

  "We are to fight tomorrow." Lana informed Kaiden, attempting to change the subject.

  "I'll go easy on you in that case." He smirked.

  A small smile spread across her face at his remark.

  "Ha! You’re just lucky we are fighting with other people. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of everyone. Kaiden the great, lost to a girl.”

  "Oh is that so?"

  “It sure is.”

  Kaiden smiled his dazzling smile in response. His angular face, handsome, in the face of the soft glow of the moon.

  “What do you think of the Council and their advisors?” Kaidens head tilted towards the ballroom.

  “They are nice.” Lana shrugged, “Except for Cale.”

  He snorted, “That guy is an egotistic turd.”

  “Yes, a turd.” Lana laughed. It was so easy to laugh with Kaiden.

  Biting her lip, she looked back over the balcony, Kaiden joined her gaze at the valley bellow. Taking in the grandness of the mountain that surrounded them. It was peaceful to look over the lands by the moonlight. Kaiden glanced back at Lana, watching her a moment.

  “Why do you look so troubled?”

  "Are there any reasons to not be?” She replied, turning to face him.

  “We made it to Alogrin.” He shrugged, still watching her.

  “I guess I'm afraid. I fear I'm not going to be taken seriously and what about my people? They are in danger and I am not with them. I am here, all dressed up like a doll…. and you." Lana looked into his eyes "I have put you in danger.”

  Kaiden stared at her, she was afraid for him? He had to suppress a laugh, since she was the one getting into trouble all the time. If anything he should be the one worried about her safety not the other way around.

  "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 t
o 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.”