The Beauty of Darkness - Mary E. Pearson Page 0,18

only things all of the histories did have in common was a surviving Remnant and a storm. A storm of epic proportions that laid waste to the land.

“I had warned Venda not to wander too far from the tribe,” I read aloud from Gaudrel’s testament. “A hundred times, I had warned her. I was more her mother than her sister. She came years after the storm. She never felt the ground shake. Never saw the sun turn red. Never saw the sky go black. Never saw fire burst on the horizon and choke the air.”

I read a few more passages, then closed the book for the night, but the descriptions of the storm lingered, and I turned Gaudrel’s account over silently in my mind. Where was the truth? The ground shook, and fire burst on the horizon. That was a truth Gaudrel had actually witnessed.

And that was what I had seen too.

When the Komizar showed me his army city, fire burst forth as the brezalots exploded, the ground shook, and the testing fields stained the sky with copper smoke, choking the horizon.

Seven stars. Maybe all the destruction wasn’t flung from the heavens.

Maybe there had been a dragon of many faces, even then.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

RAFE

Lia’s question stuck with me. Why in the gods’ names would you keep it?

I had fumbled for answers because I didn’t know myself. When I found the gown, I had cursed her repeatedly as I untangled it from the thorny branches. I’m the crown prince of Dalbreck for the gods’ sake. Why am I cleaning up after a spoiled runaway? When I freed the gown and held it up, I was even angrier. I wasn’t one to dwell on fabrics or fashion like Jeb, but even I could see its matchless beauty. Her complete disregard for the careful work that had gone into it only fueled my fury. But that still didn’t explain why I went to the trouble to stuff it in my bag.

I knew now. It wasn’t to burn it or wave it in her face. It was something I wouldn’t even admit to myself at the time. It was the warrant for her arrest I had heard about. Her own father was hunting her down like she was an animal. I’d stuffed the dress in my bag because I knew eventually someone else would come. I didn’t want one of them to find the dress—or her.

I finally reached a crest where I had an open view of the trail behind us. I waited, studying the landscape. How many more excuses could I conjure for Lia? This time I claimed I was scouting for the ridge that led to the valley we would reach today. I didn’t want her to worry needlessly, but now there was reason to worry. I spotted what I suspected all along and rode back to tell the others.

“Go,” I whispered to Tavish. “Less than a quarter mile back. Circle around to the south. There’s good cover, and you’ll be downwind in case the horses make noise. I couldn’t see how many through the trees. I’ll stay here with her.”

Tavish nodded, and they rode off.

I loosened the strap on my sheath and gripped my hilt just as Lia limped back from a brief trip behind some brambles. She saw them riding away, and an annoyed crease furrowed her brow. “Now, where are they going?”

I shrugged. “I spotted a flock of geese, and they’re all craving a juicy goose for dinner tonight.”

“I don’t understand. I thought we were in a hurry to get to the valley floor.”

“We’re making good time, and we do need to eat tonight.”

Her eyes narrowed. “All of them needed to go?”

I turned away, using the premise of searching for something in my saddlebag. “Why not?” I said. “Orrin’s not the only one who likes to hunt.”

I felt the silence at my back, and I pictured her with her hands on her hips. I didn’t think she’d buy it again.

When I turned, her head was angled with accusation.

“I spotted something through the trees when I was out,” I explained. “It was a long way off. I’m certain it was only a herd of deer, but they’re going to go check just to be sure.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

I knew it wasn’t deer.

Fifteen minutes passed.

Then an hour.

“Should we go look for them?” I asked.

“No,” Rafe insisted, but I saw him circling. Positioning the horses. His hand returning to his hilt again and again.

Finally we heard the ruffled nicker of a horse through the trees,