The Mark of Motish (An Elemental Diaries Side Story) Page 2

  “Apologies, amaries. I got held up. One of my mates lent me the outfit.” He brushed a hand over his clothed chest.

  I eyed him with suspicion. “What mate?”

  “Another warrior in training,” he replied.

  I had yet to meet any of his mates, but I relented. He had no reason to lie.

  He held up a piece of dark cloth. “Trust me?”

  “Of course, though I don’t understand why you’d need to cover my eyes.” This was strange, but I was curious.

  “It’s part of the surprise.” His full lips curved up mischievously.

  I turned around and let him tie the soft cloth over my eyes. Once he was sure I couldn’t see, he took ahold of my hand and led me away from my hut. I prayed we’d return before my parents woke to find me missing. Papa would kill me—or Jehvad. He would most likely kill Jehvad.

  I had no idea where we were going, or even which direction he was taking me. The feeling of his warm, calloused hand put me in ease regardless of the fact that I was at his complete mercy. I realized in that moment, I truly did trust him; a fact that shocked me more than being blindfolded and led towards some unknown destination.

  The terrain grew smoother beneath my feet the longer we walked, and the gentle breeze almost disappeared.

  “Here we are,” he said, stopping me. There was a creak before he added, “Alright, step up. Just a bit. There you go.”

  The temperature warmed slightly, and the scent of old smoke filled my nostrils.

  Jehvad untied the cloth from my face. What I saw when I opened my eyes, filled me with a sense of awe. We were in some sort of empty building. The whole room was filled with tons of glowing, white tapered candles. A purple blanket lay in the center of the room.

  “How did you find this place?” I asked with fascination, turning to take in the romantic sight.

  “My mate told me about it. It’s an abandoned smoke shop. Men used to come here to share cigars and tell stories. The business grew so popular they had to relocate to a larger shop. No one’s yet claimed this one.”

  “And the candles? Where did you get those?” I asked, suspicion creeping into my tone once again.

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “I didn’t steal them, if that’s what you’re implying.”

  I waited for him to continue.

  His lips molded into a reassuring smile. “I’ve been helping an elderly woman. Fetching her water each day and helping her with other physical tasks. She gives me coin in exchange. I’m trying to do away with my thieving ways, believe it or not.”

  The thought of him helping an elder, even if it was for coin, warmed my heart. I stood on the tips of my toes and kissed him behind the ear. Pulling away I asked one more question. “And the blanket?”

  “I borrowed it from her. What? Don’t look at me like that. I’ll return it. She won’t even notice it’s gone. She has an abundance of them. She used to be a quilter.”

  “As long as you return it,” I said, taking a step back.

  “You have my word, amaries.” He took my hand again and led me to the soft, thick quilt. I could tell it was of high quality by the tight stitching. Jehvad ran his hand across my cheek and down my neck, stopping at my collar bone. “Does this please you? I know it’s not much, but I wanted to do something special for you.”

  “I love it.” I leaned forward and put my palm on his chest. Being with him…it felt so right.

  He ran his hands up my arms. I reveled at how they felt on my bare skin. He pulled me closer, and our lips met. I could’ve gotten lost in his kiss for an eternity. I wanted to, but he pulled away and said in a voice barely above a whisper, “We don’t have to do this. We can just talk if you aren’t ready.”

  I’d shared kisses with others before, but I’d never lain with any of them. Now I gave a silent prayer to Minyota, the goddess of love and desire, for her guidance. I bit my lip, sitting on my knees. “I’m ready.”

  My answer was all he needed to continue. We slowly peeled each other’s clothing off until skin met delicious skin. We explored each other’s bodies until no space was left untouched, and when he finally took me, I let out a cry of pleasure that shook the world.

  We lay curled together afterwards, in comfortable silence. I couldn’t remember a time when I’d felt happier.

  I forgot all about being discovered missing by my parents. When we were in danger of the sun climbing the horizon, we gathered everything, leaving the room completely empty. We walked back to my hut hand in hand. Jehvad told me stories of his childhood. He’d always dreamed he would grow up to fight in a mighty army. I loved how certain he was of his future. I lived my life day to day; content just to have food in my belly, but could there be more waiting for me? If Jehvad got his way, there certainly would.

  Chapter 3

  I sat quietly, watching Jehvad train one summer evening. The sun during the hottest season brightened the land until near the middle of the night. I admired the way his muscles flexed beneath his bronze skin as he went through the motions with his scimitar. The shiny metallic blade made whooshing sounds as it cut through the air with precision His deep brown eyes were sharp with focus. He would make a good warrior. I only wished it wasn’t Khadji he strived to fight for, but every time I brought the subject up, he argued Khadji was the fiercest leader the islands had ever seen. It’d be an honour to be in his army, he’d tell me with pride.

  Jehvad slid his scimitar into its scabbard and sat on the ground beside me, wiping the sweat off his brow. “I think I’m ready,” he stated, trying to catch his breath.

  “Ready for what?” I played dumb, hoping he wasn’t talking about what I feared he was.

  “Ready to join Khadji and his warriors.”

  I sighed and leaned back on my elbows. “I wish you’d join another island’s army.”

  “And leave you? Never. You know Gwon’s army is the only one that matters. If I were to go to another island, I’d be useless. Their armies are there for nothing but defense. I want to do something that matters. I want to help Gwon conquer the other islands so we can be one nation.”

  I shook my head, my lips pulled back in a thin line. “You wish to take other’s freedom.”

  He took my hands in his, his eyes piercing my gaze. “We’ll stand stronger as one. You must know that. The islands are prosperous with resources. We need to protect that.”

  His vision for our people did please me. I just didn’t agree with the way Khadji was going about it. I conjured up the best smile I could, dropping the subject yet again. “I admire how passionate you are.”

  That won me a grin. Leaning in, he placed his fingertips under my chin. “You are what I’m most passionate about.”

  I chuckled softly and wrapped my arms around his neck. He was easy to love. We’d only met two full moons ago, but we had already proclaimed our love for one another. He was the sweetest man I’d ever crossed paths with, and he truly did have eyes only for me. Jehvad was different from any of the other’s I’d showed interest in. My father hadn’t been successful in chasing him away, and he didn’t care about the status of my fortune—or lack of it.

  Jehvad claimed my mouth with his own, and my thoughts slipped away. “Marry me,” he breathed against my cheek.

  I pulled back and stared at him with wide eyes. My lips wouldn’t work.

  “I love you, you love me. Why wait? Besides, I would like you to be my wife before I join Khadji’s army.” He rubbed my shoulder.

  My eyes became wet with tears. I blinked them away and nestled into the space beneath his chin. “Of course I will.” I sat with him silently for a few moments before adding, “Mama will be so happy.”

  He frowned down at me. “Not your papa?”

  I waved a hand in the air. “He’ll come around.” He had to.

  “He likes me. I know he does,” he said, tickling my sides.

  I squealed and squirmed away from him. “I should go home. It’s late. I’ll tell my parents the news—or should I wait un
til morning? Then you can tell them.”

  “No, please don’t make me.” He clasped his hands together before him dramatically.

  I playfully slapped his arm. “Coward.”

  He shrugged innocently.

  When I got back to my hut, I heard voices from within. We never had visitors. Who could be in my hut, and why were they there? Something felt wrong.

  I entered slowly, cautious of whom I would find inside. The first person I spotted was Mama. She sat, watching me with sad eyes and shook her head.

  I frowned and looked past her. Papa stood facing a man who wore robes made of silk with intricate golden designs embroidered on the material. His clean, black hair was tied high on top of his head. His amber eyes turned on me, causing me to shudder. He was flanked by two guards with bare chests and matching red trousers. Both men rested their hands on the scimitars at their waists.

  “Papa, what’s going on?” I was afraid to ask, but I needed to know.

  “Malyi, go to bed. I’m taking care of this.”

  I hesitated. I never disobeyed an order from Papa, but the expression on Mama’s face made me unusually stubborn. “No. I’m part of this family. I deserve to know what’s going on.”

  “The lady’s right.” The important-looking man lifted his chin. “I’m Hepbar. We’ve come to collect funds for Khadji. Warriors need to be paid to fight, ships need to be built. Everyone must pay.”

  “How much?” I asked.

  “Twenty gold coins,” Papa answered, glaring at Hepbar as though he could kill him with a look.

  I let out a breath. “We can’t afford to give you that much. We’ll starve. Is there nothing else we can offer?”

  “Well…” Hepbar rubbed his clean shaven chin.

  “Malyi,” Papa warned.

  I waited for Hepbar to finish his answer.

  His sly smile caused his sharp cheekbones to protrude even more. “Khadji is looking for a woman to bear him sons. You are perfect for the job.”

  “No!” Mama shot off her seat at the same time as Papa moved toward Hepbar.

  The guards pulled out their weapons and stepped in front of their superior.

  “Halt!” Hepbar raised a hand and the guards lowered their weapons. He fixed a cold gaze on me. “If you agree, your parents will never be bothered for funds again—”

  “Done,” I answered without thinking twice.

  “I’m not finished.” The irritation in his voice was clear. “Your parents will never be asked for coin again so long as they leave this island and never return. They must disappear from Gwon as though they never existed.”

  “But where will they go?” I asked, not looking at them.

  Hepbar threw his hands up. “I don’t care! Another island. As long as it’s not Gwon. I’ll even give them two coins to help pay for their passage.” He reached into a pouch and dropped two gold coins onto the floor.

  I pursed my lips, weighing the options in my mind.

  “Malyi, I forbid this!” Papa’s eyes darted back and forth between me and Hepbar.

  I knew if we gave away twenty coins, we wouldn’t be able to afford to eat for at least three full moons. We would starve to death, unless we became thieves. I knew my parents would never steal, even if it their lives depended on it. If we did steal and were caught, we’d end up imprisoned and likely die anyways. If I gave myself instead, at least my parents had a chance. Jehvad would soon be working for Khadji. I had to have faith he would save me. The choice was clear.

  I locked eyes with Hepbar. “I’ll do it.”

  Papa froze. Mama rushed to Hepbar, fell to his feet and begged for him to take her instead.

  “The offer only stands for your daughter,” he told her, pushing her away with his foot.

  She fell to the ground and wailed.

  “Asmeet!” Papa rushed to her side, but she pushed him away. “Look what you’re doing to your mama!” His eyes flashed with anger. No, not anger…pain.

  “I’m sorry.” I turned my eyes towards him as the guards grabbed ahold of my arms. “This is the only way. Tell Jehvad I’m sorry, and I love him.”

  Mama grabbed fistfuls of my skirt, but one of the guards used his scimitar to slice the material free. She fell back, holding onto the ruined pieces of material. Papa rushed to her side. I was shocked to see the tears streaming down his face. I suddenly knew that would be the last memory I was going have of my parents.

  I looked back one more time before I went willingly with Hepbar and the two guards.

  I was thrown onto the back of a camel, Hepbar wedged in behind me, and taken to a fortress on the other side of town. We entered through a small, dark entrance in the back. I realized I was being sneaked in.

  “Go find Tavah.” Hepbar ordered one of the guards once inside the fortess.

  Moments later, a petite, young woman with dark brown hair approached us. She wore a simple tunic that brushed the floor as she walked.

  “Tavah, this is Malyi. Make her look worthy of our leader,” Hepbar ordered. “She’s the one we’ve been waiting for.”

  She glanced at me before bowing her head to Hepbar. “Of course. Follow me, Malyi.” She turned and began to walk away. I hesitated. She looked back and paused to wait for me. I caught up to her and let her lead the way.

  The fortress was dark, with high doors and ceilings. The walls and columns were made of pale grey stone. There were no windows in this part of the fortress.

  Tavah ushered me through a door and closed it behind us. She lit a torch on the wall inside the small room. It shone enough light to allow me to view the small space. A large basin sat on a tiled floor at the center of the room.

  “Strip,” she ordered. “I’ll have some water brought up.” She didn’t wait to see if I’d obey before she disappeared through the door.

  I did as she asked and left my clothes piled on the floor. I shivered. The air on my bare skin made me feel vulnerable.

  Tavah returned with two brawny women who held two buckets of water each.

  I wrapped my arms around my naked breasts to cover them.

  “Into the tub, please,” she said tightly while pointing at the copper basin.

  I moved slowly but did as she asked, sucking in a breath as my skin met the cold metal. The water was poured over my body. It didn’t offer much warmth. Once the buckets were empty, the two women servants left.

  Tavah used a brick of floral smelling soap to scrub my body and hair. Once she was satisfied with my cleanliness, she fetched a robe to wrap my shaking body in.

  While she fixed my hair into tiny braids and twists, I decided to ask her what Hepbar meant when he’d said I was the one they’d been waiting for.

  She lifted a shoulder, but her hands stayed busy. “Khadji wants to ensure his line continues. He’s been waiting for someone worthy. Though, I’m not sure why Hepbar chose you. You’re poor. I mean—apologies.” Her hands went still in my hair.

  I wasn’t offended. It was the truth. It dawned on me that that was why Hepbar had ordered my parents to leave Gwon. He didn’t want Khadji to know where I came from.

  “Well, you better make me look wealthy then.” I smiled genuinely at her and she seemed to relax.

  Her own lips formed a sly smile, and she went to a wardrobe at the back of the room and pulled out a bright scarlet dress. After she helped me into the dress, I saw it didn’t leave much to the imagination. The skirt had a high slit, which showed off my left thigh. The front was cut so low, I was worried my chest might pop out, and the back scooped down to my waist. I felt extremely bare, but to be honest, I kind of liked it.

  Once I was decorated with golden earrings and bracelets, and we found some leather sandals that fit my feet, Tavah deemed me ready to meet our leader.

  “I see why Hepbar chose you. You are most ravishing,” she complimented, admiring her work.

  I ran a hand down my waist and asked, “Who does this stuff belong to?”

  She blinked quickly a few times, thrown off by my question.
“One of the many ladies who left when Khadji killed King Sahyied and seized this fortress.”

  “I understand.” I’d heard the story of how Khadji had gained his position. King Sahyied was lazy. The people hated him for it and for his ignorance, so it wasn’t hard for Khadji to find men willing to fight for him. The King’s own army was unprepared and unfit for battle. They’d grown used to peace, and thusly, were easily defeated. There were still some who called Khadji a usurper under their breaths, but most felt he was a necessary evil. I hated to admit it, but he’d done a lot of good for Gwon as a whole. I’d never set eyes on him myself. That was about to change.