The Binding Page 2

  I stay pinned into the sofa, stunned by how fast he moves. Staring at him, a memory from tonight slowly returns to me. The knives flash in my mind ’s eye, the lightning speed with which he threw them at Lucas and the way Lucas fell to his knee s. The rage comes quickly. Without a thought, I fly straight at him . Before I can reach him, he’s on his feet and catches me head—on. As he roughly twists me around, I swing up hard with my elbow landing a lucky hit to his jaw. The contact makes a solid thud. I pray that I broke something. With my back against him now, I kick hard at his legs. I continue to struggle, trying to hit him with my elbows hoping to connect again. Within seconds, he pins my arms down and widens his stance so that my kicks miss him. Through my rage, I hear a strange sound from behind me. I realize he’s laughing! This onl y makes me struggle even harder.

  “You killed my brother!” My rage turns into a winded sob. I feel his grip loosen and with a final effort, I push away from him and land on my knees. Although the fight is no longer in me, my emotions take over. I hang my head hoping my hair will cover my face. As I try to catch my breath, I feel the tears start to well up . The last thing I want is to give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry , but there are some battles you just can’t win.

  *

  Chapter Six ~ Tharin ~

  I watch her cry wretchedly on the floor , and I feel like the bastard she must think I am .

  It wasn’t until she accused me of killing her brother that I realized why she hesitated at the park . Why she moved toward him instead of away from him, even though Lucas had an arrow pointed at her heart. When she just stood there, as Lucas released that last arrow, I wanted to kill her myself. And, yet, I have to ask, would I have been able to turn my back on my own brother in the same situation?

  I remember the way she looked at him . When she finally realized what he was trying to do, it was like watching a flame go out. My reaction to her sorrow surprised me. Lily was not what I expected. I was told that she would be a timid bride. I rub at my chin where she caught me with her elbow and wonder where that timid girl is . One moment she’s as helpless as a newborn, but the next she’s a raging bull. Now, she’s both vulnerable and untouchable.

  My thoughts drifted back to watching her sleep. Her expressions revealed that in her dreams, she struggled to outrun whatever demon was chasing her. But, even when her face was soft in sleep, there was a kind of sorrow that enveloped her. When she cried out and struggled harder , I wasn’t sure what to do s o I pulled her up and tried to wake her. Upon waking, instead of thanking me, she yelled at me as if I was the demon chasing her .

  I gro w more irritable. Finally, unable to take any more of her sobbing, I decid e to shock her out of her misery.

  I call for Cessa.

  *

  Chapter Seven Lily

  I don’t know how long I was on the floor , but through it all, he never made a move. I take in a deep breath , thinking about how to regain a little dignit y , when something huge, sleek and black enters the room. Its quiet stealth brings me to attention . When I see what it is, not only do I scream, but I’m up off my knees and in the stranger’s arms. I nearly climb onto his shoulders in an attempt to get as high as I can. Hi s annoyance is obvious , but I don’t care.

  “Cessa, stay!” his deep , commanding voice is too much for our small living room. The black stealth that is now sitting in front of us and looking at me curiously is a giant panther . At least I think it’s a panther. I know they a re big cats, but this cat is unnervingly huge ! My rescuer seems to be a bout six foot-three, maybe four, while his cat’s head almost reaches his shoulders. And she’s even sitting on her h a unches . She thinks we a re playing a game because she lifts one of her huge paws and tries to swat at me . I yelp and try again to climb over his shoulder and get behind him, not that it would matter. The cat is so huge all she has to do is stand on her hind legs and swallow me whole!

  “Will you stop it!” he demands as he tries to hold me still. That only makes me throw my arms around his neck and squeeze as hard as I can, hoping to melt into him , escaping from the giant black paw. I hide my head in his neck and start speed praying.

  “My name isn’t ‘God ’! I t’s Tharin,” he says as he tries to pull my arms from around his neck. I hold on even tighter and start to struggle again. He finally lets out a hard sigh and sits down taking me with him. Then something unexpected happens. He begins to rub my back, in a soothing up -and -down motion. I’m breathing hard, and I’m not sure if it’s from my struggles or from the sensation he’s sending through me. He whispers something softly and I feel my body relaxing.

  “She won’t hurt you, you know. She’s just curious about who you are.” His voice is soothing. I feel myself loosen my hold on him as I pull away enough to look up at him. He is young, and he is beautiful. I want to reach up and trace the line of his jaw, his lips and his eyes…his eyes ! Startle d , I realize he’s looking right at me, and un like his soothing voice, there is no gentleness in those green eyes. There is only annoyance and impatience. To cover myself, I do the only thing I can think of.

  Pushing against him, I shout defensively, “Let go of me! What do you think you’re doing?” And being such the gentlem an that he is, he does as I ask and pushes me off him, roughly. I hit the floor with a thud, c oming face to face with “Cessa.” I can’t breathe and I move back closer to Tharin’s legs, grabbing at his knee, hugging it to me …hard!

  “Cessa.” The voice from the kitchen door is not as booming, but still commanding. Tharin’s look-alike walks slowly into the room. He stops near the entrance and with a crooked smile takes in the scene before him. Tharin sitting annoyed in the armchair, with me clutching onto his knee for dear life. The big cat sits staring at the both of us waiting to find out what the game is.

  Tharin’s double walks over to the small desk in the corner and sits down. At first glance , I thought he was identical to Tharin, but there are small differences . His hair is li ghter and shorter than Tharin’s, tuck ed under a beanie of his own , and its length falling just above his shoulder. He seems fit, but his frame is not as broad, and Tharin is slightly taller. The biggest difference between them is their eyes. Tharin’s are green, burdened and guarded, while his twin’s are also green , but clear and open . I can’t explain how I can r ead these differences, but they a re clear to me. Whatever connection Tharin and I share, it seems that everything about him is apparent to me . Then again, what do I know? I’ve only known the two of them for …what ? A bout an hour?

  “Cessa,” says the soft voice, “you’re scaring her. Go.” His order is quiet, but to my surprise the big cat does as she’s told. Cessa moves away from me and hops onto the sofa . I imagine hearing the springs strain under the big cat’s weight. I don’t know how I would explain it to Marilyn , if the sofa should snap in two under such bulk, but Cessa doesn’t seem to care. I wince as she kneads at the cushions. I wait for the fabric to tear and the stuffing inside to fly everywhere, but the old worn cushions endure Cessa’s assault. She lays her big head down and closes her eyes. The rumbling purr is instant, vibrating through the floor.

  I realize clear green eyes are on me and I turn to face Tharin’s twin . He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees . A s he stares at me, the memory of the black mist comes back. I hold on to Tharin’s knee tighter, digging my nails in and ignoring his startle d intake of breath.

  “I’m Tolan.”

  He is so warm and easy going . It’s hard to imagine that he is the black mist demon I saw earlier. His smile is inviting , and he looks at me as if I’m an old friend . I feel myself relax and I sit for a moment looking at Tolan not sure where to start. He smiles again and before I can stop myself , I’m smiling back at him. I’m so at ease with Tolan, I find myself loosening my grip on Tharin’s knee.

  “Thank you,” snaps Tharin as he jerks his knee away from me. I scoot away putting some distance between us . I’m too embarrass ed to look at h im. I sit with my legs crossed, pulling the tie from my ha
ir , letting it fall down my back. Quick ly , I pull my h air back up and re-band it into a fresh ponytail, all the while keeping my eyes on Tolan. He keeps quiet and waits patiently until I’m done. It’s a cozy scene. If anyone came in they would think that we we re friends , just sitting around sharing the day’s events.

  I swallow before asking Tolan, “Can you tell me what’s going on?” When he doesn’t respond , I rush on, “Why was Lucas shooting arrows at me? I s he al l right? How did he just appear after all these years ? A nd why did he disappear again right in front of me? I mean, he literally disappeared into thin air! Am I crazy , or is this just a bad dream?” I take another breath and lean closer to Tolan, asking, “Who are you?”

  At that, his smile broaden s as he replies, “I told you…I’m Tolan. Tharin’s twin brother.”

  “No, I mean, what are you? Where did you come from? And why did he ,” I point an accusing finger at Tharin without taking my eyes off of Tolan, “kill my brother ?”

  In an instant Tharin i s on his feet. Through clench ed teeth he says, “I saved your life!”

  I’m up in an instant , “He probably thought that you were attacking me!”

  “I don’t recall you hitting your h ead causing memory loss , but you must have, because you seem to have forgotten the part where I saved your life .”

  “You know, I’m surprise d I didn’t hit my head , but I should have with the way you knocked me over!”

  “No, you didn’t hit your head. Instead , you have a cut under your eye from the arrow that your brother shot at you !”

  “You son-of-a-biscuit eater!”

  “Son-of-a—wha..?” Tharin can’t finish because I land my fist i nto his jaw. It’s like hitting a brick wall . I feel like his chin broke my hand . I grab my hand , trying not to yell, but when I see the smug look on his face, I can’t help myself . I throw another punch, but i nstead of trying to stop me, he just stands there waiting with that damn smirk on his face . It’s as if he wants me to hit him . But , before I make contact, we drift apart. I mean, we literally drift apart ! I look down at my feet and find myself dangling a few inches from the floor. I look over at Tharin and he’s also floating, but he isn’t looking at me …he’s glaring at Tolan.

  I look toward Tolan and with his hand raised he says, “Princess, I can’t have you harming your betrothed.”

  Princess? Betrothed? His words shake me out of the panic of finding myself floating above the floor. I look behind me to see if someone else has entered the room. I turn to Tolan and ask, “Who are you talking to?”

  “I’m speaking to you, Princess.” He replies quietly.

  “Tolan, ” calls Tharin quietly, a warning in his voice. Tolan gently puts us down.

  “Please, sit.” I return to my place on the floor. He looks at Tharin quietly, waiting patiently. Tharin drops into the armchair, throwing his head back and shutting his eyes. Tolan turns back to me, eyes twinkling.

  “It’s not who I am that’s important. What’s important is that you know who you are, Princess.”

  “Please don’t call me that. I don’t like it.”

  “I’m sorry Lilianethia , but I only called you that because it’s true; you are a p rincess.”

  “What did you call me?”

  “Princess.”

  “No. You called me Lily-something?”

  “I called you Lilianethia. That ’s your name.”

  Shaking my head slowly, “My name is Lily. Just Lily.”

  “No.” Tolan replies with a satisfied smile. “You are Princess Lilianethia Senestra Michaels of the Willow Clan. That’s your name. That’s who you are , and you are the rightful heir to the throne of the Willow Clan.” He looks like a smug messenger delivering good news.

  “What are you talking about? What clan?” I ask confused . “I’m not a princess of some clan or an heir to anything! Besides, if Lucas is the oldest, then he should be the heir, not me.”

  Tolan shakes his head at me, “No. Each clan has one throne, the seat for the ruler of that clan. The throne would not accept Lucas, which means you are the rightful heir, Princess.”

  I repeat, “My name is Lily. Lily Michaels , not Lily-what-ever of the Willow Clan , and what do you mean it didn’t accept him?”

  Tolan’s smile freezes. He looks at me carefully before turning to look at Tharin who i s watching our exchange intently.

  Tharin smirks and asks, “Lily? That’s what you call yourself? Lily?”

  I can feel my hackles rising on the back of my neck at the sound of his voice.

  “Listen,” I say, “this has been a really, rea lly strange night for me. I don’t understand what’s going on , and I’m not even going to pretend that I do. But I’ve been tackled, and shot at, with arrows, by own my brother! There’s a huge beast sleeping on my sofa and a sadistic brute sitting in my armchair with his kinder, less rude twin sitting at our desk calling me names. I just saw my brother who disappeared four years ago die before my eyes and disappear again , just after he shot arrows at me. So , I know that none of this can be real because my br other would never, ever hurt me!”

  I’m breathing hard and fast. I try to keep the sobbing out of my voice , but I fail miserably. When Tolan tries to speak again, I raise my hand to stop him. He goes still, his eyes on my hand before him.

  “No,” I continue , “Don’t say anything else. I went for a run. I tripped and hit my head . This must be some hysterical dream . You’re all an illusion. I’m going to close my eyes and when I open them , you’ll all be gone.” I shut my eyes. I wait as the sound of the purring cat gradually disappears and all is quiet around me. I slowly open my eyes. A frustrated groan escapes me and I bow forward touching my head to the floor as the purring starts up again. They a re still here.

  *

  Chapter Eight ~ Tharin ~

  I watch Lily as she closes her eyes, wishing us away. When she reopens them, I almost feel sorry for her. The look of disappointment to find us still here is almost comical.

  She confuses me. One minute she’s weeping uncontrollably , but in the next she almost strangles me to death trying to get away from Cessa. Then , she’s standing up to me and hit s me with her tiny fist . Does she not notice that I’m twice her size? I could break her with one finger for calling me a son -of-a-biscuit eater! And what does that mean, “son-of -a -biscuit eater ”? What does that even mean ? That I’m a …puppy ? Is she calling me a puppy? The thought is so ridiculous , I don’t know if I want to laugh or shake her again.

  Why do I want to take her back into my arms, sit in the armchair and comfort her once more ? The thought that she would turn to me in the face of danger is both pleasing and confusing. She makes me even more irritable than before. I don’t like being confused, but I especially resent that it’s her making me feel this way. I can’t figure out why she continues to desperately question not only who we are, but more importantly, who she is . Don’t all girls want to be princesses? Well, t his girl really is a princess. The sooner she accepts that, the sooner we can move on. If she doesn’t get it soon, Lucas will send the Ange after us . If that happens, then Lily may never know who she is. My chances of getting her to Velesi safely will be much slimmer if the Ange should reach us. I have to get her moving soon, or instead of marrying Lily, I will be burying her.

  *

  Chapter Nine Lily

  “Princess, we have to get moving. We don’t have time to waste,” repea ts Tolan for the hundredth time, though he doesn’t make a move to get up.

  “Please don’t call me that,” I insist, rubbing at my tired eyes. I feel a headache coming on again, starting at the back of my skull. I’ve spent the last thirty minutes trying to convince Tolan and Tharin that not only do they have the wrong person, but I’m far remove d from being anything close to royalty. I even threatened to call the police and report a murder , but that didn’t faze them. Tharin , still sitting in the armchair just snorted derisively , and Tolan continued to smile , quietly explaining to me that in
order for there to be a murder, there has to be a body. Through it all, no matter how much I rant ed and raved , they sat without a word of interruption, letting me wear myself out. At some point Cessa turned on her side with her large paws hanging off the sofa almost to the floor. Not even my hysterics stopped the loud purring from vibrating through the floors.

  I drop my head into my hands trying to make sense of everything that has happened. For a moment no one says a word. The vibration from Cessa’s purring is soothing . I feel the exhaustion slowly begin to seep in . I feel like I’m floating on water . I can hear the roaring shore break along unseen reefs. Then, the water turns turbulent and I’m roughly tossed about. I open my eyes with a start to find Tharin shaking me roughly.

  “Will you stop that, please ?” I fall to my side pulling away from him.

  “Perhaps you didn’t hear my brother,” pointing toward Tolan without taking his eyes o ff of me . “He said that we don’t have time to waste. You can fall asleep later when we reach Velesi.”

  “Velesi?” I look over at Tolan for an answer.

  “Velesi, Princ…uh, Lily, Velesi is where we must take you, to keep you safe. It’s the land of your birth. It’s also where the wedding will be.” I hear Tharin move restlessly and glance quickly his way, only to find him staring down at his hands, a pissed off look on his face.

  I turn back to Tolan, shaking my head and slowly saying my words as if to a five -year—old child, “I was born in San Diego , I was raised in San Diego and I will probably die, right here, in San Diego .”

  “Well, if you just keep sitting here that may just happen tonight,” Tharin remarks through clench ed teeth.

  I refuse to look at him , keeping my focus on Tolan, “Why am I in trouble? Why do we need to leave here now? And why, for the hundredth time, is Lucas after me?”

  “Lily, I am Tolan, brother to the future king of the Oak Clan. We are known for being unable to tell a lie . I promise you, if we don’t leave soon, we’ll all be in mortal danger.” He pauses for a moment and then asks , “Do you believe your brother is dead?”