Chapter 14: The Great and Terrible: Chapter 14

“

ake the serpens-rosa and punch me.”

I gaped at Jasher. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am deadly serious.”

We stood in the same clearing as last night, where we’d stared at the stars and enjoyed a private moment of connection. This morning, Patch and Leona sat off to the side, eager to be entertained by my first self-defense lesson.

Nugget hunted a snack nearby, ensuring Patch’s warning constantly clanged inside my head. If he made a kill and turned on his mother…if I had to hurt him to protect myself…

Nope. Not happening. What constituted a kill, anyway? Surely not a rodent he intended to eat. Maybe a person who irritated him. I just had to make sure he kept his cool, and we’d all be fine.

Besides, a survivalist like Jasher would never agree to travel with a rabdog that might morph into a murder machine. But come on! Could I not go one day in this world without having a bombshell dropped on me?

“Moriah,” Jasher grated, snagging my attention. “I know you’re upset about your pet, but worrying won’t do any of us any good. There’s a chance he’ll defy expectation. I have. Now take the serpens-rosa and punch me.”

Bright sunlight glistened on the tiny grain I held in my uninjured palm. “I shouldn’t.” Couldn’t. “You told me this wasn’t for sale.”

“I didn’t sell it to you, I gave it.”

Yes, but I didn’t know why. Or why the frustrating man refused to start the lesson until I took it. “My dad needs it more than I do.” Daniel Shaker might not be my biological father, but he was still my dad, and I would do anything, suffer anything, for his health. Though, yes, the temptation to heal was great. Down the hatch, and all my aches and pains would go away.

Jasher’s features softened the slightest bit. “I’ll bargain for more when we reach Lux. If no one bites, I’ll make some. You’ll have to stay a few days longer, since the concoction must steep, but you won’t return empty-handed.”

He made it sound so easy. “You told me acquiring serpens-rosa is exceptionally difficult.”

“It is.” He rolled his shoulders, preparing for my attack. “But it’s not impossible.”

“I…no. My dad might not have extra days.”

Jasher snapped his teeth at me. “Take the grain, Moriah, or I’ll leave our tagalongs behind.”

“You wouldn’t.” The gals might not be my friends, but they couldn’t survive this forest without him. No one could.

“Try me.”

“How dare you!” Leona called. Her favorite phrase. “They are my tagalongs.”

“Kiss already.” Patch covered her eyes and peeked through her fingers. “The sexual tension is too much for my young sensibilities.”

Jasher bent to put his nose level with mine. “If you can’t trust me to keep my word, I have no business traveling with you.”

Dang him! He just had to go and deliver a great point, didn’t he? The fact that I suddenly wished to gift him with the compass before we reached our destination only added weight to his claim. Not to mention my unceasing—and growing—desire to do as Patch suggested and kiss him.

“This isn’t life or death. I can learn with a bum hand.”

Anger crackled in his expression, his ferocity a rival to his intensity. “I hate seeing you in pain. So take the serpens-rosa, put me out of my misery, and punch me.”

Oh! His admission stole my good sense. I teetered on the brink of caving and tried one last time to win the argument. “According to your own admission, I’m your boss. My pain shouldn’t matter to you.” There was no way he’d admit he had deep, meaningful feelings for me. Because he didn’t. Right? “Why does this matter so much to you?”

“Because,” he snapped. “Enough questions. I won’t train you while you’re injured. That is a matter of life and death.”

“Why?” I insisted.

“Because.” He snarled this time, baring those straight, white teeth. “Take the grain because I’m your guide, I know best, and I won’t take you farther if you refuse.”

“You’re stubborn,” I complained.

“Thank you for noticing. You won’t win this, so stop wasting time.”

“Fine! I’ll do it. But I expect you to replenish my supply, as promised.” I popped the speck into my mouth and swallowed before I could talk myself out of it.

Patch and Leona cheered for his victory.

His anger evaporated, replaced by frothing hunger. Just a flash of it, but a flash was enough to make my pulse race. “That’s my good girl.” Desire tinged his tone.

Tremors rocked me. “Yours?”

He stepped closer, his pupils spilling over his sunset irises. “Mine today, tomorrow, and every day we are together.”

I lost my breath.

“Are you finally gonna kiss?” Patch cackled with humor.

“Kiss, kiss, kiss,” Leona chanted.

Jasher huffed. “I might leave them behind anyway.”

“I might let you,” I grumbled. Our first kiss, if ever it happened, wouldn’t be witnessed by an audience. I—whoa! A wild, effervescent sensation rushed through my veins, and I swayed on my feet. Though Patch’s serpens-rosa had rolled in with subtlety, Jasher’s crashed in with engines roaring at full power. Nothing had ever felt so amazing!

A laugh bubbled from me. “You have the cutest ears,” I told him.

He rolled his lips between his teeth to maybe, possibly prevent a grin. “The lightheadedness will pass in a few minutes.”

“But what if I don’t want it to pass?” I threw my head back and spun. Wait. I wasn’t spinning, the world was. Another laugh escaped. “This is wonderful! You should ask me on a date. I’ll say yes.”

“Is that so?”

“Oh, yes.”

“You should say no,” he said, his tone tragic. “I’m nothing special. One of many.”

How could he even think such a travesty? “You are everything special.”

He blinked at me, a slow lowering and lifting of his lids.

Hmm. The dizziness was fading fast, my wits returning. Groaned, I pressed a hand to my brow. “Tell me I didn’t compliment your ears.”

“What do you like about them, exactly?” he asked, clasping my wrist and unwrapping my bandage. “Describe them in detail.”

He was trying not to laugh, wasn’t he? “No, I don’t think I will.” I’d rather learn why he thought so poorly of himself.

“That’s too bad.”

This interaction reminded me of our flirtation during the revenge lottery, and it left me off kilter. Even more so when he studied my hand in the light.

“It worked!” Great waves of relief crashed over me. No hint of the brand remained. “The connection to West is severed.”

“Yes. Much better.” Jasher grazed the center of my palm with his finger before taking a step back. “Now punch me so I can tell you what you’re doing wrong and fix it.”

I snorted. Dang, but I liked this boy. “I’ve never punched anyone. But if I did, I’d do it this way.” I balled my fist and softly performed a mock punch.

“Then you would break your thumb and nothing else.” He readjusted my fingers, saying, “In the royal guard, we’re taught three facts within the first hour. If you break your thumb on the first punch, you’ve already lost. If you aren’t prepared for an enemy’s attack, you’re already defeated. If you entertain doubts about your chances, you’re already dead.”

For the next two hours, we trained. He corrected my errors, offered advice, and demonstrated techniques with a gentleness I found endearing. He also showed me how to best utilize the dagger I still hadn’t returned and equipped me with lifesaving information and skills. I admit, my gratefulness got the better of me a time or five, and I hugged him.

He received the affectionate gestures stiffly in the beginning, but by the final, he wrapped his arms around me without hesitation and squeezed. At the end of the session, I wasn’t any kind of expert, but I had a clearer understanding of self-defense, and a new appreciation for my guide. He never lost his temper, seeming to draw from a never-ending well of patience. Even when he could, even when I wished would, he didn’t take undue liberties. He always went to great lengths to ensure he never caused me injury, no matter what we practiced.

“You did good,” he praised.

“So did you.” We shared a smile, and it rocked my world. No one, anywhere, could be half as beautiful as this man when he lit up like this.

“Is it my turn to punch you?” Leona asked, batting her lashes at him.

“It’s only fair,” Patch quipped.

Oops! I’d forgotten about our audience.

“We leave in ten minutes,” he barked, stalking into the heart of our camp. “Be ready or be left behind.”

The change in him proved as jarring as the mayor’s interruption, my encouraging instructor now a military commander. Was he as unnerved by our interaction as I was?

Damp with sweat, I knelt at the riverbank and splashed my overheated face. Hmm. My reflection. Was that… Iris! The water appeared endlessly deep as the water maiden breeched the surface bit by bit.

I cast a furtive glance over my shoulder. No one paid us any attention, pre-occupied with packing.

“How much do you trust your executioner, hmm?” she asked.

“More than I trust a tricky water maiden who hates the only person able to send me home.” As the telltale burn erupted in my ring finger, I considered my options. Alert the others. Use the dagger hooked to my pants. Find out what she had to say? Ding, ding, ding. We had a winner.

Waves rippled around her. “The unnamed favor you owe ensures I do everything in my power to keep you alive, girl. I suggest you thank me rather than complain.”

“Please. You didn’t help me in the trapper village.” And now, the burning shadow ring promised only danger.

“Oh, I helped you. Just because you didn’t see my efforts doesn’t mean I did nothing. Who do you think bought you time while your precious executioner made his weapons?”

A breeze blustered, and I shoved a lock of hair from my face. People kept making good points.

Iris noticed the discoloration on my finger and brightened. “Well, well. Is that a forever key I spy? Now that is a surprise.”

I squashed the urge to hide my hand behind my back. If the water maiden demanded the ring as payment, I’d have to amputate my finger to comply. “What’s a forever key?”

“That isn’t the question you should ask. You want to know what it does,” she purred. A grin spread until her amusement stretched from ear to ear. “I should charge you for the information, but I want you to know. A forever key transforms its owner into the Guardian’s worst nightmare.”

An answer that was a mystery, rousing a thousand other questions I couldn’t afford to ask, plus a tendril of fear I couldn’t shake. Transform how? “Why are you here, Iris?”

Oh, the look she gave me. A schoolteacher with an errant student. “You still have much to learn, I see. But no matter. I’m here to tell you the Guardian has learned of your connection to King Ahav, and he’s offered a prize to whoever brings you to court. Mostly alive.”

Shock and trepidation converged. I shook my head hard. “What does he intend to do with me?” Imprisonment? Execution?

She hiked her shoulders. “I’m unsure. Do you think the trappers told him? Perhaps Jasher sent word. Maybe I’m the culprit. Who’s to say?” Another grin, there and gone. “Trouble awaits you at every turn.”

I ground my teeth. This didn’t alter my plan. If the Guardian was the only one capable of navigating the storms to get me home, so be it. I would risk his wrath. “I’ll turn myself in.”

With an elegant twirl, she offered, “If you’d like me to recharge the compass, so you can bend him to your will, I’m happy to oblige for a second unnamed boon. Practically for free!”

Yeah. Right. “No, thank you.” Even though being able to control the Guardian could serve my purpose. I’d erred before, granting the first promise to her so hastily. Had totally discounted my own strength and abilities in favor of relying on her. A mistake I wouldn’t make again.

“Your loss.” Iris sank slowly, giving me a chance to change my mind. When silence persisted, she sang, “I’ll leave you with a final warning. Death nips at your heels, my dear, and soon he will bite.”

“Is that a reference to the executioner?”

Now she smiled. “You’ll find out.” The top of her head submerged, and she faded from view, leaving only a rosy shimmer in the water behind.

Frustration flared, joining the emotional medley swirling in my chest. First Iris had arranged for me to acquire Jasher’s protective services, then she attempted to cast doubts on his motive. There must be a reason.

A commotion drew my gaze up. Nugget burst from a thicket, sprinting straight for me. His eyes flashed red as sharp tusks extended from the end of his bloodstained snout. Gasping, ring practically on fire, I jumped to my feet.

Run! His switch must have flipped. I planted my heels, refusing to believe the worst of my pet. We’d taken care of each other for days. Now he raced to me for comfort. I’d stake my life on it.

Behind me, pounding footsteps sounded. “Moriah!” Jasher shouted.

Nugget leaped and crashed into me, taking me to the ground. A heartbeat after landing, a spear whooshed through the air and embedded in the dirt mere inches from my head. My eyes widened. If I’d been standing, I would’ve died. “You saved me.”

The rabdog bounded off.

Arrows whooshed next, but they flew over me, aimed at the executioner. ‘Jasher!”

He skidded to my side and hauled me to my feet. “Let’s go.” Capturing my hand with his, he hurried us to the camp. All around, spears and arrows peppered the ground.

Jasher grabbed his pack with his free hand. Patch and Leona had already bolted. We easily caught up with them, following Nugget, who darted in front, taking the lead. Pounding hooves created an ominous soundtrack behind us as our fivesome entered the woods.

“Mayor,” Jasher snapped, yanking her aside. Whoosh! An arrow embedded in his shoulder. He merely grunted, maintaining his speed, while I cried out with horror, anger, and concern. He’d taken the missile in Leona’s stead, and I wanted him doctored NOW.

Death nips at your heels…

“You won’t escape us, enforcer,” an unfamiliar voice bellowed. “Your only other option is the poppies.”

Cheers met his proclamation.

Heart slamming against my ribs, I cast a glance over my shoulder. At least twenty men and women chased us. They were decked in armor, each laden with a wide arsenal of weapons and riding crimson-colored horses. The riders flashed in and out of sight.

“Who—what—are they?” I asked between panting breaths. Running faster, faster still. “They keep disappearing!”

“Rebels at war with the Guardian.” Jasher gritted out the words. “Their armor is…special.”

“In books and movies, rebels are usually heroes.” A branch slapped my cheek. Others cut my arms. Stings erupted all over my body.

“I don’t know what movies are, but if given a chance, these rebels will chop me up and mail the pieces to the Guardian.” Zero emotion accompanied Jasher’s admission.

My instincts locked on flight. “Faster!”

“Give us the girl,” the same man shouted, “and we might let you go.”

Had they heard of the Guardian’s prize, and hoped to cash in?

As Jasher maneuvered me along the uneven terrain, zigging and zagging, he slammed his palm against certain tree trunks. An action I didn’t understand.

Up ahead, Nugget scaled a tree with unnatural grace and speed. He crouched atop a limb, peering down at the action, safe, and I nearly sobbed with relief when we passed him. Panting, I threw another glance over my shoulder. The soldiers rode hard, gaining ground.

The flashing man in the lead neared my pet’s tree, not that he knew it. He swiped out his arm, intending to snag Leona’s long mane, but the rabdog leaped, clamping onto the would-be assailant’s arm and dragging him down.

The rebel died with a broken scream, and dread coated my heaving lungs. I watched, guided by Jasher. The savagery! And now, the switch had definitely flipped.

Other soldiers rode past their fallen comrade. One swung a sword meant to take Nugget’s head. I screamed a warning, and the rabdog zoomed off, narrowly avoiding decapitation. He circled around, coming alongside us to keep pace. What he didn’t do? Attack me. See! I’d known he would always be my baby.

A sharp sting in my cheek drew my focus forward. Sharp, twisted branches slapped at me, cutting my skin. “We can’t outrun them.” Despite the plethora of obstacles, their horses weren’t deterred.

“Not yet.” Jasher released me to palm his axes. “Brace yourselves.”

Boom! An explosion discharged, shaking the ground. A sizzling gust of hard wind knocked into our group, tossing us several feet. I crashed, eating dirt and choking on smoke.

I blinked rapidly to clear my vision and soothe the burn in my eyes. Spotting the other women, I crawled their way. Both appeared dazed, but other than a few cuts, they were uninjured. “Jasher? Nugget?”

A growl sounded as the smoke parted, revealing Nugget. He flew over us and ripped into a soldier knocked off his horse. As soon as the attacker died, my warrior dog aimed for another soon-to-be victim with glee in his bright red eyes.

“Jasher!” I shouted, lumbering to my feet and helping the women do the same.

Boom!

Another explosion rocked the ground, another wind gust sending me stumbling. I fought to remain upright. “Jasher!”

“Here, I’m here.” He sprinted through the smoke, his shirt soaked in blood and a second arrow protruding from his torso. Not by word or deed did he betray his pain as he collected me and the others. “Run until I say stop.”