The pair of demons enter a clearing in the human realm. It feels familiar to Lucinda. Then she remembers this is the clearing where she and Xylek first met. But something is different. The trees look larger and fuller, their foliage creating a large canopy overhead. The meadow that is the clearing appears to be overgrown with wild flowers. Vibrant colors of purple, yellow and orange decorate the meadow. Confusion takes over Lucinda. The whereabouts of the two fugitives will be obvious if they linger here.
She expresses her concern to Xylek. “Why here? Won’t they check here first?”
“No worries,” Xylek says. “We are just passing through. We are heading to a city called Verona. But we need to make a quick stop in a village on the way.”
They begin their journey towards the village. Once there, Lucinda admires the quaint village, even under a clouded, gray sky. The small structures appear to be made from lumber and various stones, painted white and have thatched roofs of straw and water reeds. Square windows adorn the front and backs of each home. The people wander about the village doing various tasks. Some are tending to crops, others are tending to animals. Two men are on top of a house repairing a roof. No one notices the two wanderers entering their quiet village.
Xylek approaches the men on the roof. He calls up to them. “Pardon me, kind sirs.”
A man with a bushy, dark brown beard and dark brown eyes looks down. He nudges another dark haired man on the roof. The two men climb off the top of the house to greet the newcomers.
“Greetings travelers,” the younger of the two men says. His eyes are a shade of golden brown. “Name’s Henry.” He points to the bearded man. “This here is William.”
“Nice to greet you,” the bearded man says. “What brings you to our village?”
Xylek steps forward, Lucinda staying close to his side. He offers a hand to William, who promptly takes it and firmly shakes. “I’m Thomas, this is my new wife, Matilda.” He is released from William’s grasp, then shakes hands with Henry. “We are on our way to Verona, but we need a few things. And I have come to see someone.”
William looks to Henry, distrust filling his eyes and contempt drawn on his face. “Who are you looking for?” he finally says.
The demon smirks. “Agatha Taylor.”
Confusion appears on the young Henry’s face. “You mean my wife?”
“Oh!” Xylek exclaims, still smiling. “I’ve heard so much about you! You’re the fine man who married my cousin!”
Now suspicious of the newcomer in their village, Henry says, “She never mentioned her having a cousin named Thomas.”
“We haven’t spoken in several years.” Xylek is quick to lie. Lucinda is trying to hide her suspicions, knowing the name Agatha as the young woman Xylek spoke to only days prior. “I’m sure when she sees me, she’ll remember all the fun we had in our village when we were young.”
Henry looks to William, both still wearing suspicion on their faces. Then William nods for the demons to follow. The four walk to a small cottage, very similar to the rest of the village's houses, at the far end of the village. Henry opens the door and holds it open for the two travelers. Xylek leads Lucinda in by the hand. Trying to hold up the charade, Lucinda allows him to do this. In her mind, she wants to let go and punch him for touching her. But she can’t let her anger show. Not here. Not now.
The young man calls through the house, “Agatha, we have guests.”
A young woman with a dark blue head scarf wrapped neatly walks over to the door. She smiles, looking dotingly at her husband. Then a flicker of fear crosses her face, but only for a split moment, as she sees the two demons enter. Two small children run past the woman and into the arms of their father. Henry squeezes the children, keeping his eyes on Xylek.
“Co-cousin,” Agatha stutters out. “What brings you here after four long years?”
“To see you,” Xylek says as he steps closer to the woman. “I need to discuss something about Nonna.”
Agatha gasps. Henry stands and looks at Agatha. “Should we sit?” he asks.
“No, no, dear,” she hastily responds. “Go finish the chores and I will tend to our guests.”
William squeezes Henry's shoulder. Concern washes over the young man. But he is whisked away by the bearded man.
As the door shuts, Agatha shoos her young children out the door to play in the village. “Mama needs to discuss some adult things with her cousin.” After the two rush out the door, the young woman presses her back to the door and lets out a loud sigh. She looks up as anger and confusion fight for a position on her expression.
“So,” she begins to say. “What is it you want?”
Xylek steps towards the woman. He presses his palm to the door, face inches from hers. Worry overcomes the woman. And Lucinda stands in shock, not sure what to do. Xylek stands over the woman, her eyes filling with fear.
“You know what I want,” he says as he licks his lips. “Where is it?”
Agatha begins to stutter. Lucinda starts to step forward. “I hid it,” Agatha sputters out.
The look of victory is replaced with that of defeat on Xylek’s face. He balls his hand on the door into a clenched fist. “You, WHAT!?” he shouts in a hushed voice.
“I hid the cursed and retched necklace.” she shouts back.
“Agatha, darling,” Xylek leans closer to the woman. “That wasn’t part of our deal. I gave you an extra year with your father, and you gave me the necklace. Did you enjoy the extra year?”
Agatha stutters out a yes in response. Xylek asks once more, only more stern. “So, where is the necklace?”
“In Verona.” she exclaims, wincing away from fear. “In the ponte Scaligero.”
Xylek’s eyes grow wide. Through gritted teeth, he growls out, “Where in ponte Scaligero?”
The terrified young woman stutters. She is becoming hysterical. Having a demon questioning her is making her distraught. Lucinda places a hand on Xylek’s shoulder. She leans close and whispers in his ear, “You should calm down.”
Anger fills his glittering purple eyes. He looks at Lucinda and growls. Looking back to the woman who is sliding further and further down the wooden door, he says, “Fine, don’t tell me. But know this, I will be back to collect. And if I have to take a year from you, I will.”
As fear brims in her eyes, and her body becomes tense, Agatha stands, gripping tightly to her apron. Xylek turns around to face Lucinda. He says to the princess, “Let’s get what else we came for, and get moving. Verona is a long trek from here.”
Agatha stutters out, “What else brings you here?”
“Supplies and a horse,” says the male demon.
“If I provide what you need, will you leave me be?” she sheepishly asks.
Xylek perks up. “I can make that work.” he says, a devilish smirk dancing onto his face. He tells Agatha the supplies he needs and about the horse, her nodding slowly at all his demands. When she offers him money, Lucinda stops her, telling her they have plenty of monetary support.
The two demons go to exit the home, when Agatha stops them. “Oh, Thomas?”
Xylek peers back at the human.
“Thank you.” she sweetly says.
With that, the two collect their new supplies and walk out to the stables. Agatha leads the two demons to a stall containing a small murgese pony with an all black coat, mane and tail. Agatha says the name of the equine is Umbra. She explains that the horse is mostly for working the fields but should be able to help with the journey.
Xylek hoists Lucinda up and sets her on the saddled back of the dark horse. Then he places their supplies into the saddlebags. He takes the reins and guides the horse and Lucinda out of the stables.
Henry sees the travelers with the family horse and rushes over. He demands an explanation from his wife as to why she has given away their best horse. He scolds her for not discussing it with him first. Agatha explains they need a riding horse to travel to Verona to see Thomas’s dying grandmother. Henry asks Agatha if she is going as well. She declines, explaining that the children need her there and she was not close with her Nonna.
Suspicious, Henry looks at Lucinda and Xylek. “Bring her back on your way back through.” he says, defeat in his tone.
Xylek nods. “As you wish, Henry.” Finally, the two start their journey to Verona.
Taking to the trails, Xylek guides the horse at a steady pace, Lucinda bouncing along with every step in the horse’s movement. Once outside the village, Lucinda looks down at Xylek. He looks forward, keeping an eye on the path.
Lucinda clears her throat. “Um, Xylek?”
“Yes, princess?” he says in a sort of taunting tone.
“Why did you get upset back there?” she says after a moment.
Xylek looks up at Lucinda, his brows in a downward tilt, nose slightly scrunched and lips tightly pursed. He looks back to the ground and lets out a long sigh. Lucinda sees he wants to speak. After a few minutes, he finally does. He tells the story of his adoption. The tale of the amulet. And how they both play a part in his personal adventure. Explaining how his abilities will work more effectively, or at least he hopes, if he has the amulet.
He tells her that he wants to know where he came from, and the amulet should show him just that. It will show him the death of his parents. And why he was abandoned as a newborn.
Lucinda, biting her lip, listens to the story. She holds onto every word, trying to understand what everyone means about him being more than meets the eye. He speaks in passion and frustration.
“And now,” he says, after leading up to current events. “The amulet is still out of my reach.”
“But you said we are going to Verona,” Lucinda interjects. “We can look for it while we are there.”
Xylek looks up again. “You do realize that Ponte Scaligero is massive, don’t you?”
“No,” she admits.
“Four hundred feet across.” he clarifies for his traveling partner. “A lot of bricks. A lot of nooks and crannies to search.”
Lucinda responds with a defeated “Oh.”
The two travel in silence for a while. Lucinda wants to ask more questions. But she doesn’t know what to ask. Umbra stops by the river’s edge to drink from the cool fresh water. Lucinda dismounts and stretches. She walks about, pacing in a small circle. Xylek sits by the river. He looks out into the distance. Lucinda sits next to him.
“You know?” he asks. “Things are going to get strange.”
Lucinda chuckles. “Things have already gotten strange.”
No emotion shows on Xylek’s face. “What happens when I do find the amulet?”
Thinking for a moment, Lucinda looks at Xylek. She says, “I’m not quite sure what you mean.”
Xylek looks down at the ground. “What if the amulet doesn’t show me how they died?” he asks.
“Then,” she begins. “I’ll help you find them.” Lucinda takes Xylek by the hand. “You said we are in this together, right?” .
The purple eyed demon gazes up at Lucinda. For a moment, Lucinda gets lost his eyes. She finds comfort in them. They are mesmerizing. The way they glitter in the dimming light is spectacular, like sparks of divine flames. But they look somber and lost.
“Lucinda,” a voice in the distance says. It’s faint, but audible. “Lucinda,” the voice calls again, louder this time. Then she realizes the voice is right in front of her. Xylek is calling her name. Lucinda snaps from her trance and asks Xylek what he had said.
“It’s nothing. Let’s get moving, sunset is coming and we need to set up camp soon.”
The pair stand. As Lucinda smooths out her dress and wipes away the forest debris, Xylek pulls the maps from the saddle bag. He looks over them for a moment before placing them back in the bag. Continuing their journey, the two set off. This time, Lucinda walks with Xylek, Umbra strolling along without a passenger.
As the miles pass and so do the hours, the two chat. Lucinda tells him about life in the palace. How she wishes to be like a peasant for a change. She explains how she felt so alone since her mother’s passing. Even with her father by her side, she feels like something is missing.
Xylek tells her about how he came into his family with Zakasi. He tells her about the joys of being part of the family but how he understands her feeling like something is missing. He talks about how his adoptive family took him in and nurtured and cared for him like their very own. How he and Zakasi became close and how their father was a man of many talents. As he speaks of his adoptive father, sadness washes over him.
“What’s wrong?” Lucinda asks, seeing the change in demeanor. “Do you miss him?”
Fighting back tears, Xylek shutters. He says, “I haven’t seen nor heard from him since he and Zakasi got into a fight.”
This confuses Lucinda. “I thought he passed away.”
“Oh?” Xylek asks curiously.
“Zakasi said he died in battle.” Lucinda blushes. “We were talking about my mom and he was trying to empathize.”
Xylek begins to chuckle. “He is alive. But to Zakasi, he might as well be dead.”
“Why is that?”
“He forced Zakasi to fight. When my brother lost his last fight, the one that would have brought our father the most money, he picked a fight with Zakasi. He went to hit him and I got hit instead. I made the choice to protect my brother. Well, Zakasi stepped in and didn’t see me and he lashed out. Zakasi threw me through a wall, scarring my back. Then beat the ever loving piss out of our father. He left him there to die, but someone stepped in. That is how we both got our scars.”
Lucinda’s chest tightens. Knowing that changes her perspective on the brothers. “Is your father the reason for Zakasi’s former anger issues?”
Xylek nods. “He used to beat him and call him dumb all the time.”
“But he’s not dumb.” Lucinda thinks about Zakasi. He doesn’t seem to be the kind of demon to be dumb. He knows so much.
“That is because our mother and I tutored and taught him.” Xylek says with a sheepish grin.
Lucinda nods, wondering what else the demon she is walking with has in store for her.
The two stop in a clearing. Xylek ties the horse to a nearby tree. He then opens the saddle bags and pulls some items out. Lucinda finds a spot in the center of the clearing and sits down. As Xylek starts a fire, Lucinda tucks her knees to her chest and stares up at the night sky. Clouds still cover it, hiding the stars and the moon. But the lunar light shines brightly through the overcast skies.
Xylek stokes the flames, before starting to cook up some kind of meat. As the meat sizzles over the flame, he sits next to Lucinda. He lets out a loud sigh of contentment, then looks at the princess.
“So,” he starts. “You seemed quite distracted by the river earlier.” he teases.
Lucinda begins to blush. She doesn’t want to tell him that she was lost in his eyes. She doesn’t want to tell him that his eyes make her feel less alone in the world. So, she lies. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Uh-huh,” he chuckles. “Keep your secrets.” Xylek’s face turns somber. “Do you really think we can find the amulet?”
“Do you think we can save my father?” Lucinda counters.
Xylek is quiet for a moment. “If we can get back to Hell, I think we can.”
“And I think we can find the amulet.” Lucinda smiles.
He furrows his brow. “Why do you keep smiling at me? We hate each other.”
Lucinda snickers. “We don’t hate each other. We just don’t want to be stuck together.”
“But here we are,” Xylek gestures to the space around them.
Turning the meat, checking to see if it is done, Xylek hands a piece to Lucinda. “Eat up, princess. You need your strength.”
Lucinda looks confused at the meat. She asks what it is, being told it’s beef. She takes a small bite as flavor bursts over her taste buds. She hums with enjoyment. She takes another bite. Before long, her portion is completely gone.
With a satisfied sigh, Lucinda stretches. Then a thought occurs. “Where are we sleeping?”
Xylek explodes in laughter. “In the dirt, under the sky.”
Lucinda is not amused by this revelation. She misses sleeping in her bed in the palace. She misses her father. She misses everything. Pulling her knees back to her chest, Lucinda reminisces of her comfortable life. Xylek lays down in the grass beside the princess, placing his arms behind his head.
“You should probably get some sleep,” he says with a yawn. “We have an early day ahead.”
But sleep never comes. She lays in the grass, listening to the sounds of insects and Xylek snoring. She sits up. Lifting her skirt, she looks at her leg. If she lets her anger best her, the scar will grow. If she lets her anger overcome her, it will be the most unbearable pain.
She thinks to herself as to why she is angry. Her anger started so long ago. Why is she always so angry? Is it the burden of being the heir to the throne? The fear of losing her father? The loss of her mother? Or could it be from any combination of each of these? She looks to the sky. She wishes she was less angry. Maybe then she wouldn’t be in this mess. She spends the whole night wondering.
She wonders about her emotions. She wonders about her feelings for Xylek. Does she really dislike him or does she dislike the happenings of their first encounter and everything that followed? She thinks about the last few days. What would she change if she could? What would she leave the same?
As the clouds disperse and the sun begins to rise, Lucinda’s head feels heavy, her eyes feel puffy, and her body worn out. She looks down at Xylek as he begins to stir. As he sits up, he asks Lucinda how she slept.
“I didn’t,” she admits. Xylek scowls. She knows she should have slept, but she couldn’t. She tells him just that.
“You are riding the horse today,” he orders. She doesn’t argue.
After putting out the coals of the fire, Xylek goes to untie the horse from the tree. He helps Lucinda up onto the horse’s back. Then, he climbs onto Umbra’s back as well. Lucinda blushes, thinking how inappropriate this is.
Xylek assures her, “I’m just here to make sure you don’t fall off.”
The pair begin the trek to Verona. Trotting along, the movements relax Lucinda. Her eyes growing heavy, she leans back into Xylek’s chest. His aroma of fire is more prominent today. Probably due to him sitting so close to the campfire. Lucinda’s head bobs, leaning forward and back, she struggles to stay awake.
“Get some rest,” Xylek says. “I got it from here.” His voice is calm and sweet. He hums a tune. The humming is soothing. Lucinda fights hard. She doesn’t want to spook the horse if she has a nightmare. It’s not long before exhaustion takes hold, and she falls to sleep on horseback.
Lucinda jolts awake, Xylek gripping her tight by the waist with one arm. She looks up at him, he gazes down at her. She looks down at his arm.
“You almost fell off, so I caught you.” he says, still looking at her. “We will be stopping soon.”
Sure enough, they stop within a mile or so. Xylek scoops Lucinda into his arms, despite her protest. He slides off the horse and sets her down, then chuckles.
“What?” she exclaims. “Why are you laughing?”
“You, princess,” he reveals.
Anger starts to billow inside her, her scar burning more and more as she swells. ‘How dare he laugh?’ She asks herself. ‘What did I do that warrants laughter?’
“You don’t even know what you want,” he says smuggly. “You slept so soundly in my arms, yet you fight me when I sweep you off your feet. You hold my hand to comfort me but you recoil when I do the same for you.”
The anger blossoms into rage and her leg erupts into fiery pain. She stumbles but does not fall. She steps closer to him, tears of pain in her eyes. She puts a finger to his chest, goes to speak, but the words do not come. Gritting her teeth, she looks for the words to say. Does she tell him she hates him and his existence? Does she tell him he doesn’t know anything about her? Or does she break down again, knowing he has a very valid argument?
Instead, she pulls her hand back and growls, letting the pain engulf her leg. She can feel it rising ever so slightly. The fleshy pink scar creeping up her leg. She doesn’t want the pain. But she doesn’t want Xylek to be right either.
She turns her back to him, wincing at the pain. Taking in a deep breath, she closes her eyes and finds a calming thought. The smell of fire, purple eyes, a scar from shoulder to hip. ‘Wait,’ she thinks. Her eyes shoot open and her chest begins to pound. Why is she thinking about Xylek? She screams out to the world. Her lungs strain and her throat feels sore. But she screams.
When Lucinda stops screaming, she pants her breath. She turns back to Xylek and smacks him in the face. His smugness is replaced with confusion and anger intermingled as a red hand print appears on his cheek. He grabs her by the wrist and pulls her close. He growls at her, his eyes sparking with rage. Bearing his teeth, Xylek looks down at Lucinda. She looks up at him, still brimming with rage.
The angrier she gets, the more pain erupts from her leg. Lucinda tries to hold the rage inside her. But the emotion is becoming too much for her to handle. She struggles to stand. Soon, she collapses, her wrist still in Xylek’s grasp. He falls down with her, still holding her wrist.
Sighing, he releases his grip and sits with the writhing princess. She takes hold of her leg, hoping to massage away the pain. But relief does not come. Anger fills her further, only not at Xylek. She is angry that when her emotions take hold, she is forced to endure this excruciating pain.
Xylek sits near Lucinda. She ignores his presence, hoping that will help her settle her rage. She thinks of her father. She thinks of his warm smile and how well he treated her. But she can’t help but think of his imprisonment. She imagines him alone, afraid and distraught. This upsets her further.
Cutting through air and through her fraught cries and groans, Xylek’s words are subtle but firm. “You have to talk to me,” he says. “Tell me why you are so angry. Why did you hit me?”
Lucinda thinks for a moment, pain and rage still fueling her. It is hard to think. Hard to speak. She wants to tell him that he is the reason she is angry. That her feelings for him are just as confusing as their situation. However, she knows he won’t want to hear what she has to say. She tries to explain that her happy place has been corrupted by rotten memories and her alternate is filled with dread. She tries to speak, only for moans of anguish to reverberate through her mouth.
Xylek wraps his arms around her. He holds her close and strokes her hair. Lucinda does not know if she should feel anger or this new emotion. She felt this way back in the market when he whispered in her ear. What is this new emotion?
She buries her face into Xylek’s chest, screaming once again in anguish and frustration. All the while, he is petting her head, trying to sooth her. He hums a tune. The same tune he hummed before. As screams become sobs, Xylek holds her tighter, shushing her and humming.
After what seems like ages, the pain slowly ebbs away. The tears fall less and less. And she finally feels calm. Exhausted, but calm.
“You ready to get moving?” Xylek whispers in her ear. She nods. The pair mount the horse named Umbra once again and continue their trek to Verona.
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