Authors: Paulette Miller
They arrived back at the camp hand-in-hand. Nathaniel noticed and a slight growl sounded in his chest.
“I must get this female out of my mind
,” he said to himself and stomped to the other side of the camp.
Now that Tianna and Gabriel were back, Marcus sat everyone down to discuss the new rules. Given the attack on Tianna, they needed to ensure her safety at all costs. They discussed options. Marcus reiterated that Tianna was never to be out of their sight. She wasn’t to sleep in any trees. Instead, she would continue to sleep between two of them.
Tianna gawked at him in shock. “I can’t give up my trees. They make me feel safe. I need them.”
She was about to begin pleading when Gabriel walked up and took her hands in his. “Your safety has to be top priority. We can’t ensure your safety when you’re tucked up in a tree. The evil found you there and knocked you out. If I hadn’t been there to catch you…” His breath caught for a moment while a different ending played out. He shook his head and remained firm. “No trees. You could’ve been killed. Let us help protect you on the ground for now. Give us a chance.”
Tianna wasn’t exactly comfortable with the idea of lying in bed with males every night that weren’t her mate. If humans saw her, she would be called many names that she didn’t even like to think of in her mind. She decided that maybe the rules were different in the magical world. Her circumstances changed everything, so she agreed.
Seth explained that they needed to hide their trail as they traveled and cloak their camp site each night. He and Tianna consulted her wizard book and found some spells that they thought would work.
Marcus pulled Tianna to the side and handed her two letters. “I was asked to give these to you once you knew the truth. One is from your parents and the other from Zarin. I’d suggest you give yourself a few days before reading them.” He left her standing there with the letters in her hand. She immediately went to her bags and tucked them into a pocket with her journal. She wasn’t ready to read their words yet. Given the events of the day, her journal was going to get a work out before going to bed that night.
Nathaniel and Gabriel, after some arguing, came to an understanding about sleeping arrangements. They would rotate who slept next to Tianna each night. Given Seth’s age, they wouldn’t allow Seth to be in the rotation. Although Seth was disappointed, he agreed. Anyone not lying with Tianna rotated guard duties throughout the night.
Marcus and Seth discussed the path to the next village. It would take almost a week to arrive and they planned to stop at human villages just long enough to gather supplies. While Marcus and Seth discussed their plans, the others packed up everything. Tianna was trying to act normal, except Nathaniel could sense she was having a very difficult time accepting what she had learned about herself. He stayed close so that he could keep an eye on her, although he rarely took his eyes off her anyways.
Over the next few days, they traveled through woods, down into small valleys, and across large fields. Seth laid out a path that kept them out of open areas as much as possible. As they traveled, they continued to find signs of battles and destruction. Tianna was touched when her companions insisted on stopping to offer food to the hungry, heal the wounded, and bury the dead they found along their path.
They were all very tired by the end of each day and Tianna felt guilty that her protectors lost sleep guarding her. She worked very hard on perfecting a spell to hide their campsite. She knew that she was getting better when Seth stepped out of their boundary and instantly lost sight of the camp. With a huge smile on her face, she helped him get back in.
With her spell in place, her protectors stopped having to stand guard every night. That left the person assigned to lay behind Tianna as the only one that didn’t get much rest. She vowed that she would find a way to block her dreams so that no one would have to watch over her. Although she hated to admit it, she would miss having someone lying next to her. Their touch gave her security, strength and energy.
Occasionally they had to stop at a human village for supplies. Per normal routine, as soon as they entered a village, Nathaniel was drug off by an overly friendly female. Tianna’s heart ached watching him walk away. While Nathaniel was busy, Seth and Marcus went off together to learn stories about attacks nearby and find any maps of the area.
Tianna walked around the village gathering needed supplies with Gabriel at her side. To help Tianna blend in, she had changed into the typical human woman attire. Given how nicely Tianna’s traveling companions treated her, she had forgotten how she was typically treated by humans. She was reminded of that human life as soon as she watched people start to point and stare. If they ventured too close to her, she could feel their unease and they would quickly turn and run the other direction.
Tianna shook her head in disgust and walked closer to Gabriel. She whispered, “So, this is what it means to be magical?”
From that point forward, Gabriel held her hand tight. He understood why they would run from him, but he couldn’t understand their reaction to Tianna. He guessed that the villagers must be sensing power from her that made them uncomfortable. Humans seemed to lash out in fear at anything they couldn’t understand or explain.
When they were back at their campsite, Gabriel explained what had happened in the village. Nathaniel, Marcus, and Seth became very angry at themselves for leaving her side and vowed to stay closer during future visits.
After returning from one particularly nasty stop at a village, Tianna immediately changed back into her home-made traveling attire. While she stood holding her human dress tightly in her hands, she lost her temper. She took out her dagger and slashed everything she owned that looked even remotely human. Everyone kept their distance and let her take out her anger.
When she was out of clothes to destroy, she gathered up the shredded material and carried them to where Nathaniel had started their campfire. She threw everything in her arms into the flames. She stood quietly while she watched the material burn, turn to ashes, and then disappear. Once satisfied, she announced to the group, “If we need to stop at another human village, I’m going in my traveling clothes. If they are going to insist on staring and pointing, I’m going to give them something to really gawk at.”
She stomped off in a huff to retrieve her journal. She sat on the far side of the camp alone and wrote silently. She was left alone to gather her thoughts and calm her inflamed temper.
The next evening after their meal, Tianna decided it was time to read her letters from home. Although she stayed within sight of her protectors, she sat privately. She stuck a torch into the ground and leaned back, feeling the calming touch of a tree’s trunk. Although she was nervous about reading the letters Marcus had given her, she knew it was time. She took a deep breath and slowly retrieved the letters from her bag. She opened the letter from Zarin.
Tianna,
I know that you’re very angry with me right now, and I wish I could be there to explain. I never meant to cause you pain and for that, I’ll always be deeply sorry. I hope that someday you can forgive me. Just know that your wellbeing was always foremost in my mind.
You were brought to me for a reason. When I took you into my arms the night I delivered you, I promised to protect you above all things, even if it meant sheltering you from the truth of your heritage until you were old enough to face it. I’ve done my best to prepare you for your future, but it’s time for me to let you go. It’s time for you to stretch your own wings.
You’re the strongest apprentice I’ve ever known and you possess extraordinary gifts. You and I together have only touched the surface of the power that I know lies waiting within you. Even though you may question the purpose of some of your gifts, they were all given to you for a reason. Embrace them, don’t fear them. Let your heart be your guide and you’ll meet your destiny with your head held high.
Trust in those traveling with you. Destiny has chosen them to be a part of your future. You’ll be strongest when working together as one.
I’ll anxiously await the day we see each other again. Zarin
She did care deeply for Zarin even though she was still angry with him. Given what she had learned about herself and after considering the evil that was after her, she could understand why she was sheltered for so long. But getting it thrown at her all at once was overwhelming. It would take some time to accept her new reality.
She wasn’t sure if she was ready to read the letter from her mother, but she decided she needed to confront her feelings. The term mother had a whole new meaning for Tianna. Not only was she not her real mother, she was human and Tianna was not.
Tianna began to read.
Dearest Tianna,
I can’t begin to imagine how confused you must be right now. One day you’re a human woman and the next day, your whole reality changes. I wish that I could be there to help you through this, to hold and comfort you.
From the moment you were placed in my arms, a permanent bond was set. You’re a blessed gift to your father and me. We may not be your biological parents, but you couldn’t be more my daughter than if I had carried you within me.
As you learn about yourself, don’t forget to embrace the woman within you. You haven’t had an easy childhood. Despite it all, you’ve grown to be a beautiful, strong woman. Don’t be afraid to let others into your heart. Never underestimate the power of friendship and love. They’ll give you strength beyond measure.
No matter what you do or where you go, our home will always be open to you. I count the days until I can see you again. Even if I’m not there physically, I’m there with you in your heart.
All my love, Your Mother
Tianna desperately missed her human mother. She wished she was there to pull her into a warm embrace and hold her until the hurt went away. She had no one to take on this role, not a human or a Faye mother. Tianna took a second to think about her real Faye mother. She had so many questions running through her mind. “
Where is my Faye mother right now? If my mother is alive in the world of Faye, why hadn’t she bothered to contact me? If a Faye could give birth to a child in human form, were their others like me living in Lagrangia? Do I have brothers or sisters?
” She knew that she might never get answers to any of these questions.
Tianna folded up the letter and tucked them back into her bag. She curled up her legs and rested her head on her knees. She wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn’t come. She hadn’t been able to truly cry since a very young age.
She glanced up when she heard footsteps coming her way. Nathaniel sat down next to her, stared out into their camp, and started to talk. “When I was fourteen years old, both of my parents died in battle and I was left alone. Although others were willing to take me in, I stubbornly stayed isolated. Other than a few close friends, I kept everyone at arms distance. I regret that decision to this day.” He looked over at Tianna and put his hand on her knee, squeezing gently. “Don’t make the same mistake. You aren’t alone. You’re now a part of our Draak family. Our arms are open to you, don’t push us away. Let us help you learn about your new and wonderful reality.”
He stood and held his hand out to her asking her to come join them back at the fire.
At first Tianna didn’t want to go but, when she saw the others drinking Fire Wine, she decided to embrace her Draak nature and give the wine a try. She took Nathaniel’s hand and let him lead her back to the fire.
Marcus was passing the wine around. When it reached Tianna, she grabbed it and didn’t pass it on. She wanted to try to taste it. If she truly was Draak, she should be able to take a drink without being burned. At first everyone said “No,” but then they reluctantly agreed. She did need to test her dragon natures.
Everyone held their breath and Nathaniel sat next to her with his blue fire ready. Tianna closed her eyes and put the wine bottle to her mouth. She took the smallest of sips.
Tianna couldn’t believe the sensation as the wine went down her throat. It was like liquid fire except it didn’t burn. It was a bit overwhelming and she started to pant as if she had drunk something very hot. She waved her hand in front of her mouth as she exhaled a small amount of smoke. Nathaniel jumped up, but she waved him back down and started to laugh.