The Chronicles of William Wilde Boxset 1 Page 13

  Of course, there were no such spectacular events, and he had to resign himself to imagining them.

  “You still excited?” Serena asked with a teasing grin.

  William shook off his thoughts and returned his attention to the here and now. “Is it that obvious?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe it’s that empty-headed smile you’ve worn all day.”

  “It’s not that bad,” William said.

  “Sure, it is. The lights are on, but the house is empty.”

  “I wonder how hard it’ll be for you to stack your luggage on the way back.”

  Serena wore an unrepentant grin. “Not hard. I’ll just ask Jason or Daniel to do it.”

  “Just make sure to ask them nicely,” William advised. “They’re not nearly as kind as me.”

  “Probably not.”

  “What’s your father going to do while you’re gone?”

  Serena shrugged. “Work, I guess. He says he has a lot to do before Christmas. Bunch of customers needing last-minute orders filled.”

  “Yuck. Sounds like we’ll be having way more fun.”

  “Probably, but he’ll be fine. He likes what he does.”

  “My parents were like that, too. Same with Landon. He was the scholar in the family.” William frowned. He shouldn’t have brought up his family. Most times, doing so didn’t bother him so much any more, but sometimes, like now, talking about his parents and his brother triggered melancholy.

  His excitement ebbed.

  Serena noticed. “Still hard, isn’t it? Thinking about your family. This is your first Christmas without them.”

  “It’s not easy,” William admitted.

  They fell into silence, and William continued to stare out the window, not really seeing or thinking about anything, until he turned to Serena. “You never told me why you decided to come with us,” he said. “I mean, you thought we’d be freezing and uncomfortable, but you still wanted to come.”

  “Maybe I like the company,” Serena answered. “Some of you guys tend to grow on a girl.”

  “Like a fungus?” Daniel suggested.

  Lien smacked Daniel on the head.

  “Ow!”

  “Stop eavesdropping,” Lien said. “It’s rude.”

  “So is smacking someone on the head.”

  “You deserved it.”

  “Let me smack you on the head next time I think you’re being rude,” Daniel replied.

  “Sorry,” Lien said, not sounding the least bit apologetic.

  Serena and William shared a smile.

  “You know, I don’t have cooties,” Serena said after a moment of quiet.

  William’s brow furrowed in confusion.

  “You’re all squished up on the other side of the seat,” she explained.

  She was right. He was cramped into the corner of the back bench.

  William straightened, but when he did, his leg touched Serena’s for most of the length of their thighs.

  He shifted to pull away, but Serena reached out and held his knee in place. “I won’t bite,” she whispered so only he could hear. “Unless you want me to.”

  William tried not to gape. Had she really said that? That was as explicit an offer as he would likely ever hear in his entire life, and yet William felt . . . nothing. He searched his heart, trying to figure out what was wrong with him. How could he not be crazy about Serena? It was that stupid sense of . . . whatever it was.

  As William silently berated himself, he realized the silence between them had lasted too long. He had to say something. “No biting. Kissing is a lot nicer.”

  Now why the hell had he said that?

  Serena noticed none of his anxiety, and she grinned. “That can be arranged.”

  THE SAHA’ASRA

  The drive to the state park wended through the hill country of southeastern Ohio and West Virginia. The road they followed twisted and turned through long valleys with fallow fields, and steep inclines of forested foothills, gray-brown and bare, that would eventually transition into the Appalachians.

  Eventually, they left the highways behind and traveled ever-smaller country lanes. Mr. Zeus took a final turnoff from one such road, and they drove along a gravel driveway. The Scout’s tires crunched as they journeyed through a dense, copse of trees. Half a mile later, the driveway reached a dead-end, and Mr. Zeus killed the engine.

  Full dark reigned, and the only light came from the moon, the stars, and the lit windows from a few nearby cabins.

  William stepped out of the Scout and arched into a back-cracking stretch before taking in his surroundings.

  A handful of rustic lodges clustered along the northern edge of a small meadow. They pressed like a peninsula into the surrounding woods. Warm light spilled out of their windows, and the smell of wood smoke scented the air. The world lay quiet as a cold wind caused William’s breath to mist.

  “Move,” Serena said.

  William stepped out of her way, and helped Jason and Daniel unload the Scout. After everyone had their belongings, they followed Mr. Zeus to their cabin, a simple log home nestled amongst several tall pine trees, with a stream gurgling in the back, and a wide front porch overlooking the meadow.

  “Where’s the blasted key?” Mr. Zeus grumbled as he fumbled about in his pockets. A moment later he gave a satisfied grunt, threw open the door, and stepped inside to turn on the lights.

  The others pushed in after him.

  An open space took up the front room of the cabin and included a kitchen, dining table, and a seating area with a sofa facing a fireplace.

  “Not bad,” Serena said.

  “A lot better than a tent, eh?” Jason asked.

  William tested the kitchen faucet. The pipes sputtered, and orange water poured out for a few seconds before running clear. “A lot better,” he agreed. He explored deeper into the home.

  A small bathroom and two bedrooms, each with a pair of twin beds, filled out the rear of the place.

  “Who gets the beds?” Daniel asked.

  William tossed his bag on one. “Mine.”

  “I got the other one,” Daniel said.

  Serena and Lien claimed the other room.

  “Where do I sleep?” Jason asked as he walked in.

  “Sofa city, sweetheart.” William gave a cheesy grin and snapped his fingers.

  “No you don’t,” Mr. Zeus called from the front of the cabin. “You get the floor. The sofa belongs to me.”

  Jason stalked off, grumbling under his breath.

  “We’ll take a more thorough tour of the environs tomorrow morning,” Mr. Zeus said. He gave William a meaningful glance. “Let’s settle in and have some dinner.”

  “As long as I don’t have to cook,” Jason said. “If I have to sleep on the floor, I should get out of having to cook.”

  “More like we should get out of having to eat your cooking,” William replied.

  Mr. Zeus ended up mixing some frozen corn and okra he’d brought along with fresh vegetables, sausage, chicken, rice, and spices into a jambalaya. Afterward, a stuffed Serena, Daniel, and Lien decided to call it an early night.

  William was about to follow suit, but Mr. Zeus called him back. “We need to talk. There are further truths we need to discuss, but before we do, how are you feeling?"

  “Fine. Same as always,” William answered. “But didn’t you say I’d feel different in a saha’asra?”

  “You will,” Mr. Zeus said. “You haven’t actually entered a saha’asra, though.” He gestured outside. “It’s the meadow. That’s the saha’asra. But even there, you’ll only experience a shadow of what you would on Arylyn.”

  “Why’s that?” William asked.

  “You’re wearing a nomasra, a device that can do many things. For us,” he pointed to Jason, “it can hold enough lorasra to keep us alive in the Far Abroad. For you, the one I gave you, suppresses your lorethasra so it won’t awaken when you walk into the meadow.”

  Irritation riled William. He was tired of all the s
ecrets, the choices made on his behalf and without his consent. “What’s this magic thing I’m supposed to be wearing?” he asked.

  Mr. Zeus pointed. “The pendant on your chain. It’s the nomasra.”

  William fingered the locket, staring at it for a moment. “Any other secrets you want to tell me?” he asked Mr. Zeus, not bothering to hide the annoyance in his voice.

  “You’ll learn what you need to when you need to,” Mr. Zeus said, which wasn’t much of an answer in William’s estimation. “As for the locket, it’s best that you never take it off until you’re absolutely sure you want to become a magus.”

  “I thought I was sure,” William said with a scowl, “but if it means lying to everyone and hiding who I am, then maybe this isn’t for me.”

  Jason sighed. “I thought we already went over that. We would have told you everything sooner, but the timing never worked out.”

  William glared at the two of them. “I thought the pendant was a thoughtful gift. I loved it for that.” He knew his tone sounded petulant.

  “Are you sure that’s the only reason you’re angry with us?” Mr. Zeus asked. “There isn’t someone else who stirs your passion? A beautiful, young woman perhaps?”

  “Serena has nothing to do with this. It’s about what I said before: secrets, lies, and manipulation.”

  “I understand why you’re upset,” Mr. Zeus said, “and I can only apologize again for what we’ve kept from you, for what you feel that we’ve tricked you into doing. If you decide other than what we hope, then so be it.” He paused. “But please don’t make your decision now while you’re angry. Give yourself time to consider your choices. Go over them carefully, deliberately. There is no reason to decide today, or even tomorrow or any time during the Christmas holidays. And talk to Serena. Make sure you know where you stand with her.”

  Some of William’s anger ebbed away. “Yes, sir.”

  The next morning dawned cloudy and gloomy, a typical Appalachian winter’s day. A wicked wind gusted, and the remnants of an early snowfall littered the ground. The smell of wood smoke rose from some of the other cabins.

  “Who’s ready for a hike?” Mr. Zeus asked after breakfast.

  Jason, Daniel, and Lien quickly agreed, but Serena said she wanted to read. William glanced her way, wondering if she wanted to be alone, but she winked at him.

  He got the hint but hesitated. Did he really want what she so strongly said she did? Maybe not, but he did need to talk to her about where they stood. “I think I’ll stay behind and read, too,” he finally said, glancing at Mr. Zeus and offering him a barely discernable nod.

  None of the others noticed.

  Jason rolled his eyes. “Right. You’re going to read.”

  “Is that what they call it,” Lien muttered.

  “Fellowship for the umpteenth time, right?” Daniel guessed. “By the way, did you ever learn to speak Elvish?”

  “Pedin edhellen,” William answered.

  Daniel rolled his eyes. “Dork.”

  “I’m waiting,” Mr. Zeus shouted from the front porch.

  Jason, Lien, and Daniel shuffled out. After they left, William went to his backpack and drew forth his battered copy of Fellowship of the Ring.

  Serena rose from her seat on the sofa and approached him. “Were you really planning on reading?”

  His heart beat faster. “Serena, look . . .”

  She silenced him with a kiss. Her fingers laced behind his head. Her lips were soft and warm. The scent of the apple she’d had for breakfast lay on her breath, and the kiss lingered.

  Based on his limited experience, William figured it was a good kiss, but nevertheless, it left him disappointed. He found little passion or desire in it. Again rang that warning signal, that lack of trust, and he pulled away, unable to meet her eyes.

  “You like me as a friend but not as anything more,” Serena said. Her voice was frank and held no hint of anger.

  William’s head snapped up to meet her matter-of-fact gaze. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I should feel more. But, yeah.”

  Serena shook her head. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

  “But the kiss—”

  “The kiss was nice,” she said, “but you aren’t the only one who’s been wondering why you don’t feel more than you do. The kiss . . . was a test. I guess for me just as much for you.”

  “You, too?”

  “Yeah. Me, too,” she replied. “Look. I like you. You’re smart. You’re nice. You smell good. But ever since I met you I’ve been trying to figure out why I don’t think of you as anything more than a friend. I’ve wanted to, but I don’t.”

  Burgeoning relief swept through William. “Then you’re not mad?”

  Serena chuckled. “No. Are you?”

  “No.” He smiled in relief. “Then we’re good.”

  “We’re good.” Serena stepped away from him. “I think the others had the right idea, though. Why don’t we go for a walk and clear our heads.”

  “Yeah. I’d like that.”

  “Any place you want to go?”

  “Let’s go where our feet take us,” William suggested.

  They laced up their hiking boots and stepped outside. On an impulse, William grabbed the keys to the Scout. “Wouldn’t want anyone stealing our ride,” he joked.

  “Lead the way,” Serena said as they stepped off the porch.

  The wind had died down, but the weather remained cold, and William slapped on his gloves.

  “Wimp,” Serena said.

  William shrugged. He didn’t like the cold.

  They headed down a well-marked dirt path leading into the woods from directly behind their cabin.

  “This way,” William said.

  The trail they followed rose into the nearby hills before slowly descending into a narrow valley. It paralleled the course of a tumbling stream that emptied into a small pond. There they came upon a red fox. William couldn’t tell who was more surprised, Serena or the fox.

  “Shit!” Serena exclaimed as she came to a lurching halt.

  The red-furred fox took one startled glance at Serena before darting off into the underbrush.

  Serena clung close to William. “You think there are any other animals out here?” she asked, sounding worried.

  “Nothing that can hurt us,” William replied. “No wolves or anything. Maybe some coyotes, but the bears should be hibernating.”

  Nonetheless, he picked up a stout stick and swung it experimentally a few times before giving a grunt of satisfaction. Better safe than sorry.

  Serena found one as well and they pressed on, following the meandering trail with staffs in hand. They bypassed a fork that seemed to lead deeper into the woods, and took the one that ascended out of the valley. Serena cast occasional nervous glances at the surrounding forest, but they came across no more wildlife.

  “I could use a drink,” Serena said as they crested a final rise and reached the end of the trail.

  They stood on the far side of the meadow from their cabin, and Serena took William’s hand, tugging him forward. She led him toward the meadow, the shortest course back to their lodge.

  William hesitated. The meadow contained the saha’asra, and it would change him if he set foot in it. Then again, he had the locket to keep him safe, and he mentally shrugged before following after Serena.

  The field lay barren, its wildflowers wilted with bent, brown stems. A solitary oak soared up and out from the center of the meadow and stood silent sentinel. The tree’s bare, brown branches rattled in a stiff wind beneath a gloomy sky.

  William stepped into the meadow . . .

  The field came to life as the clouds seemed to part and warm, golden sunlight poured down, flavored with a taste of dandelions in summer. Birdsong carried the promise of a day as sweet as lemonade, and green, vibrant leaves filled out the oak. Butterflies flitted about with neon-bright colors, and the sweet fragrance of honeysuckle in bloom suffused the air. All of the sensations were an im
perfect echo of a singing light that called from faraway, but was as near as William’s truest desire.

  The meadow. This was the touch of a saha’asra.

  William spun around in a full circle with his arms held out, and laughed, a deep, belly-laugh that rose from his heart and his soul. He hadn’t laughed so truly, so purely, so fully in his entire life.

  “What is it?” Serena asked.

  William laughed again. There was nothing he could say or do to explain what he felt. He took Serena into his arms. She squealed when he spun her about in a circle.

  Serena likely thought him mad, but he didn’t care. When he looked at her, a silver halo surrounded her and her raven hair winged about, floating as if buoyed by water. The ringing of bells seemed to jingle from her lovely lips when she laughed.

  How could he have not desired a woman so beautiful?

  “William Wilde,” she said, sounding breathless when he put her down, “what has gotten into you?”

  He silenced her with a kiss. A spell had captured him. He wanted to stay in this perfect place forever. He wanted to drown in this moment, to make time stand still.

  A bellow rose from the nearby forest. Deep-throated and powerful, the roar captured the tenor of a bell tolling doom.

  Serena broke from William and her head swiveled to the woods. Her face held utmost horror. “Lord save us,” she whispered.

  “Run!” Mr. Zeus came tumbling out of the trees near where William and Serena had just exited. On his heels sprinted Daniel, Jason, and Lien, all clearly terrified. They tumbled onto the far side of the meadow, beyond the oak. “Run!” Mr. Zeus repeated. He appeared to throw something into the air. A golden nimbus extended along the perimeter of the meadow. “It won’t hold him for long.”

  William stared about in confusion and fear. “What the hell’s going on?”

  “I have it,” Mr. Zeus said. A doorway opening onto a bridge that seemed to disappear into infinity split the air before him. It swirled with all the colors of a rainbow. “Tether to it,” he instructed Jason, Daniel, and Lien. “I’ll bring William and Serena.”

  Another bellow came from the woods, this time much closer. From the edge of the forest, trees swayed. Something big lumbered swiftly through the brush.