Dying to Return (The Station #3) Read online

  Noticing my interest, she holds her wrist in front of us as we walk and shakes her arm slightly. “This is our family crest - the Onyxidale. It's our City jewel,” she says with a smile.

  Rush stops before us and turns to add, “It's sort of like your Alexandrite, it can change in color but the Onyxidale is very rare and valuable here. The stone is usually a cloudy silver color but it can change hue depending on who adorns it.”

  “So you have jewels here? Valuable metals?” I ask.

  “Are you planning on returning to Dhara with a raiding company?” Della jokes.

  “No! I mean, your planet has so many similarities to mine. That's all I mean.”

  Della's eyes darken and she shifts her gaze off of me and onto her brother. Rush opens a wide gate and we pass through it, stepping out of the garden paradise onto a busy street. “We do not value metals and minerals here like your people do. They are simply embellishments. We value our people and our nature too much to gut it.”

  “Are you talking about mining?” I ask him nervously.

  He nods, a grim look compressing his face. “Yes…and other things. What has happened to your planet, what will happen to your planet, if things stay the way they are…it's a sad, sad thing. Many planets have created their extinction by stripping their home of balance.”

  “Brother, let us have a happy day. You promised me an adventure this morning. I intend on holding you to your word,” Della smiles.

  The three of us quiet and walk together down the narrow street, and not until I'm sure we've made a series of right turns do I understand we are walking somewhere specific, not just aimlessly wandering the streets of the city.

  “First I shall show you the lake. It is a splendid thing, even for us Lurrians. The lake itself is older than the city.”

  We pass through a crowded marketplace and a trail opens up that rises and falls with the low hills of land that surround the glowing body of water. When we are close enough for me to see the lake again, I notice a shimmer of light hovering over the water. Just as it was the day before, the hue is once again pink.

  “Why does it change color?” I ask.

  Della answers before Rush has a chance to, “We have different words and terms here, but I believe you call it ‘temperature’.” She pauses to look at Rush and continues after he nods. “Our water changes not only from the warmth of the suns, or the coolness of the moons, but from the stimulation of organisms that thrive within and around it. So, this lake changes differently than say, our rivers or oceans.”

  She stops at a modest wooden bench long enough to sit at least ten people comfortably, and rests her hand on the top while I take in the view. Lurra Lake opens up before us, still except for the tiny caps of water that are lifted up from the mild breeze. The water is warm; I can feel it from where we stand, and it smells. The odor is a spicy one and I twitch my nose, inhaling deeply while trying to place the smell. The closest thing it resembles to me is cinnamon.

  “Like a mood lake? Pretty amazing,” I say under my breath.

  “Yes, it is,” Rush laughs, and then slides his hand inside mine.

  Della notices and I look away, hoping she misses the blush on my cheeks. “Do you swim here, or drink the water?”

  “Oh no, not here. The minerals would cause too many skin problems, burning being the first. We enjoy it with our eyes only,” Rush laughs.

  “We should show her the Falls of Lorren. I am most certain she would enjoy the view. Plus,” she winks at me, “the water there is delicious.”

  CHAPTER 5

  For hours we walk and talk and both Rush and Della seem genuinely happy that I'm so enraptured with their world and the wonders of it. Dressed in my gown and walking with the two siblings, most people that we encounter don't stop to question me. A few have nodded at Rush and extended a respectful hand in greeting to Della, but we are left alone for the most part. I have been shown the lake, the forest edge and several monuments inside the city. It has reached high noon, according to the placement of the suns directly above our heads, and Della has insisted to Rush that we gather our supplies needed for the rest of the day. This includes food. I'm starving as if my body has never eaten before. My stomach now remembers what it is like to fill it and protests loudly while we wait inside a small corner shop that serves meals. Returning to the emptiness of the Station will be hard. I wonder to myself as I wait patiently with the others how I'll be able to part with these simple, yet satisfying acts of living.

  Our sandwiches are packed into a large cloth bag and then glass jugs filled with amber liquids are tucked neatly beside them. A few fruits are placed on the top and the whole bag is handed over by the shop keeper to Rush, who quickly slings it over his head so it rests neatly across his shoulder and on his hip. Though they are royalty, Rush and Della seem confident to do things their own way, which is a relief. Even though their father is a gentle and kind man, the fact that he can penetrate my thoughts no matter what I do to tuck them safely away, makes me nervous. I'm grateful we don't need to be escorted around the city by guards or have to regularly check in with anyone.

  “Shall we go on, now?” Rush asks, taking my hand once again in his as we leave the shop and enter the slow mingle of people on the road.

  “Of course, just feed me soon or I might lose my pleasant disposition,” I joke.

  Della laughs and entwines her arm with my free one again. This is how we walk back through the center of town toward the massive rock face with the elevator inside, stopping only once to eat our meal. When we reach the elevator door, Rush places his hands on the flat rock and summons our ride. It takes far longer to go up then I remembered coming down. But the view from the lookout is just as stunning. Now, however, as Rush guides me along a different narrow walkway, I look down at the city able to recognize places I've been. I know the moving dots of color on the ground are people going about their day and I try and spot someone I know.

  “Piper?”

  I turn away from the view to see Rush and Della standing at another set of doors buried deep in the mountain. The pathway has gone from a smooth, polished marble look, to one more rugged and uneven.

  “Yes?”

  “This will take us to the other side of the mountain; for those on foot, it's the fastest and easiest way to cross over to our border city, Eleth. It will only take a few minutes. Are you ready?”

  Of course I am. I've been ready to see more since I arrived, so I nod and step eagerly into the elevator car and lean against the wall just as Della does. It takes less than five minutes for us to arrive, and the only thing I've felt is a slight shift in the car when the doors first closed, and when they open on the other side of the Mountain.

  I'm not sure what I expected to see - maybe another version of Lurriah, but I'm pleasantly surprised by the city of Eleth. Unlike Rush's city, this one is nearly level with the elevator car, so when we exit, we walk down only three steps before we are inside the city. A busy street with people milling to and from the nearby structures crosses in front of us. The only thing similar that I notice immediately is the massive castle-like building centered perfectly in the middle of town. Even over the mellow roar of people, I still hear the soft rustle of Rush's tunic as his arm raises beside me. When his hand rests on my shoulder, I feel the subtle warming shock of his aura. A gentle wave of energy flows between us and I know that he's opened his mind to me.

  Eleth is like our sister city. We share many of the same laws…the same culture. The people here are kind, yet slightly more ambitious with their goals. You'll find that most people here have a set schedule. Always a place to be; always something new to see. Lurrians are a bit more…how would you say it…laid back?

  I laugh before answering him silently. That's something I love about your city. The people there seem so relaxed.

  Della smiles warmly, and spins her bracelet around her wrist a few times before nodding us forward. After Rush winks, he guides me through the crowd with his hand hovering at my back. I'm
wearing Lurrian attire, just like Della and Rush, but we stand out in this crowd. Both Rush and his sister are a great deal taller than the people of Eleth, and their lighter eyes and raven hair are the biggest giveaways that they are not from the city.

  Two young girls, perhaps teenagers around my 'Earth' age, pass by us with curious looks. One has bright yellow hair, yellow like the sun, with streaks of white curling away from her temples. Her eyes are layers of dark browns; so dark I can't see her pupils. She giggles over her shoulder at her friend, and though no words are spoken, I'm sure they are communicating mentally. The friend, with short-cropped hair a slightly darker blonde, smiles at me and then does a double-take. She seems to sense I'm different, but Rush doesn't stop, even when the short-haired girl opens her mouth to speak to us.

  Do they know I'm not from Dhara? Can they tell I'm different just by looking at me?

  Della has turned a corner in front of us, and Rush slides his hand into mine when he answers. I'm more comfortable with the gesture and relax now at his touch. For Dhara, you are exotic. Anyone within your presence surely can sense a difference, but what that difference is, they can’t identify. Your energy is unique.

  Unique? How?

  Rush pauses at a low brick wall. A metal gate is opened inward into a courtyard and Della is speaking with an Eleth woman with long blonde hair. He swallows hard and I look up to see that his cheeks are slightly colored. There is something special about you, Piper. I am not the only one that will see this.

  “Oh,” I whisper.

  “Rush, what beauty have you here?” The Eleth woman glides around Della and greets me with an open palm. After I extend my hand, hers hovers above my knuckles. Instead of the warm and curious look Della first gave me, this woman's already dark eyes blacken and the corners of her mouth tighten. It's a struggle to keep her from inside my mind. The effort makes me feel woozy and a sharp pang snaps like a wayward rubber band inside my head from one temple to the other.

  Rush roughly bumps my arm with his as he greets the woman, breaking our connection. The pain lingers inside my head but now the Eleth woman is focused on him. I'm aware of the heat of the day bearing down on the top of my head, warming the braids in my hair and the tip of my nose. All I want to do is find somewhere in the shade to sit down and nap. The exchange with the strange woman has drained me, even though I don't know exactly what passed between us.

  It happens in slow motion - I begin to sway and just before I crumple onto the cracked stone walkway Della is at my side, guiding me to a nearby bench.

  “Shh, it's okay Piper. Let us sit, shall we? Take a moment to gaze upon the garden?” Della pats my arm comfortingly, and Rush sends a warning glance at the strange woman who quickly walks away with her face set in an unreadable expression. Not before casting a sharp look over her shoulder at me, though.

  I feel very unwelcome here.

  “I'm sorry you feel that way. I don't think that was her intention. Cerra is a very powerful Seer, Piper. Even I could feel her pull. We should have warned you. Accept my apology.”

  Rubbing at my temples to ease the headache that throbs there, I glance up at Della. “You heard me?”

  “Yes, my Love. Cerra might have put a dent in your tremendous abilities to close yourself off from us. It's a temporary effect. Which is why we should just sit here for a bit, okay?”

  I nod at her. Grateful that Rush is still standing off to the side, arms crossed over his chest, watching the direction that Cerra strode off in. He seems upset and anxious. Though my head feels as if a mini explosion ripped through my brain, I can't help but gaze upon the wide expanse of Rush's back. With his arms crossed, the thin tunic is stretched in such a way that I can see each muscle. It is not an unpleasant view.

  “He is waiting for Cerra to return,” Della says with a smile.

  There's no point in hiding my blush. I can tell from Della's tone that she knows exactly what I was thinking about her brother. With a groan I lean forward on the bench and prop my elbows onto my knees, resting my tired head in my hands.

  “That was…intense,” I murmur. I'm less than thrilled that the woman will be returning. I have no idea how to prevent her intrusion a second time.

  “He has told her to back off, Piper. She won't violate your thoughts again. Cerra would never cross my brother.” Even though she spoke quietly, the hard edge to her voice is apparent.

  I look between Della sitting next to me, and Rush, still standing sentry-like several feet away, facing the furthest side of the garden.

  Why would Cerra care so much about upsetting him?

  The thought was meant to stay private, but Della answers it quietly.

  They were once in love. It was a long time ago. Many things have changed since then, like Andurush, for example. Della sighs loudly. Cerra has not.

  When Cerra rushes back out into the garden area a moment later with a slightly older woman in tow, I can't help but square my shoulders and appear as if my resting on the bench is simply a way to take in the sights around me - not regain my mental balance back. Without a word, she escorts her female companion to Rush's side and then turns on her heel, once again leaving us. I watch the skirt of her dress billow out behind her as she hurries off. The pale orange fabric swirls around her ankles in a furious dance, touching her olive skin for the briefest of seconds with each angry step.

  With an arched eyebrow, I don't have to think the words for Della to know my thoughts. Cerra is jealous of me. “I think I'm okay to get up now,” I say with a tight smile.

  “Good. Come, I'd like to introduce you.” Della takes my hand and squeezes it gently as I rise. Somewhere close by bread is being baked. The scent is spicy. My mouth waters at the warm fragrance and I gulp down my hunger as Della greets the Eleth woman standing with Rush.

  “Cetty,” Della says, extending her right hand. After the two greet, she turns to me and nudges me forward. “This is a friend of Andurush. Her name is Piper Willow. She is visiting Eleth for a little while.”

  When Cetty smiles at us, the soft lines around the outside of her dark eyes crinkle, warming her face in a friendly, almost matronly way. She greets me with a nod, not her hand. Confused, I rub my palm on the side of my dress, unsure if I've done something wrong.

  “Piper Willow. You come from a far off place. We are honored to have you in our city. Even if it is just for a little while,” she says with a respectful nod at Della. Subtle strands of silver flow from behind her ears, effortlessly blending into the short bob-like cut of her dark blonde hair.

  I've been longing for Rush's touch since the first Eleth woman assaulted my mind, and finally his arm brushes against mine as he speaks softly. “I have told Cetty why you are here. She's happy to show us around her home. If you'd like?” The cool crystal color of his eyes is hard to argue with when he grins; they glow without magic, they glow with a boyish sort of happiness.

  “I'd be the honored one,” I say in my most reverent tone.

  With a nod, she sweeps her arm out beside her and Della leads the way through the garden along a jaggedly cut rock path. I end up falling in pace after Della with Cetty and Rush behind me. “I apologize if my daughter's curiosity of you was a bit discourteous. Please believe me when I say that you are welcome and safe in my home.”

  Home?

  Hush, Piper. That 'door' of yours is still cracked open a bit.

  I resist the urge to turn around and glower at Rush's silent warning. Instead I swallow the huge lump stuck inside my throat and process what Cetty has said as quickly as possible while also trying not to not divulge my thoughts to the others. I don't like what I discover in her words.

  If Cetty is Cerra's mother, it can mean only one thing: I'm walking through a castle garden with the Eleth Queen - or whatever they call the royal matriarch. And Rush was once in love with a princess. What hits me next is an unexpected and not all together welcome realization.

  I'm jealous.

  With no reaction from anyone around me, including Rush's
prying brain fingers, I assume the only one that heard that embarrassing thought was me. The door is finally locked again. Thank GAWD.

  “Andurush tells me you are a Seer. This is a rarity among your people, I believe?”

  “Yes, he has informed me that it is. Though to be one hundred percent honest, I still don't know exactly what a Seer does,” I laugh.

  Cetty shoots me a funny look before passing through a large stone archway. I follow behind her, chewing fretfully on my lower lip. Rush falls in line beside me and he leans close to my ear as we walk down a marble-floored corridor at least one hundred feet wide.

  “That's distracting,” he says.

  “What?” I jump at the soft sound of his voice.

  “Chewing on your lip; it's distracting me.” He straightens and stares ahead as I blush.

  “Stop staring, then.”

  Just above a whisper, he tilts his head so I can hear him, “That's not possible.”

  Before I process his words, a male voice bellows down the corridor and we pass through a series of columns, ending up in a massive atrium. I stop dead in my tracks and gasp at the thick columns that line the round space. In the center of the cavaedium is a fountain at least twenty feet high, with several bowls of overflowing water extending from its center. The water shimmers a crisp icy-blue that reminds me of glaciers like Rush’s eyes. Immediately I want to lounge on the stone bench that curls around the fountain and dip my hand into the water.

  “Rush! Della! This is a surprise!”

  I finally blink to see an olive skinned man cross the room and greet the others. Absolutely everything about him is perfect; shiny hair as black as the night, a curved nose proportionate to his upturned and full lips, radiant teeth that are perfectly aligned and large eyes the color of dark coffee. He seems younger than Cetty; there are no age lines on his face, though it is a mature one. And there's a playfulness in his step. Something only young men exude - a confidence and arrogance that girls like me fall hard for.