Kyara's Journey (Kyara Book 2) [CURRENTLY ON HOLD]

Chapter 2

As always, Kyara paused at the edge of the kelp. After a while, she moved forward again, knowing that there was no one about now. She made her way to the side door, and slipped inside, leaving it open. Her sharp eyes picked out everyone who was there, and she relaxed a little. It was only the grooms. Ace looked up, and he nodded to her in greeting. She graced him with a small smile, and swam in a little more, still staying close to the door. The other grooms looked up, and they couldn’t contain their delight.

“Kyara! You came!”

“Of course I did,” she told them. “Why wouldn’t I?”

They just laughed, and urged her to take a seat. She refused, though, and they seemed to understand, for they didn’t press her. She looked at them curiously.

“Where is he, then?”

They shrugged. “Finishing up with one of the colts, we think. He shouldn’t be too long.”

She nodded, and swam to the filly’s stall. The young horse was awake, and when she saw Kyara, she nickered in greeting. Kyara slipped inside, and patted the filly’s neck.

“You ready for this?” she murmured. The filly nickered again, and stuck her head over the door, ears pricked. Kyara looked out as well, and joy spread through her. Luka was coming through the door, leading a colt – a yearling, by the looks of it. He put the colt away, and joined the rest of the grooms, and Kyara heard his voice clearly.

“She’s not here?”

Just as clearly, she heard the laughter, and stifled her own. He had swum past her twice. She let herself out of the stall, and crept up behind him, before she dropped a heavy hand on his shoulder.

“And what’s all this?” She imitated Ace’s gruff voice perfectly, and then almost ruined it with laughing. Luka had nearly jumped out of his skin with fright, and then spun around so fast he’d fallen off his seat. He was pale with shock. Then, when he realised that it was only her, he let himself relax, and he began laughing, joining in with his friends.

“Kyara! I thought it was Ace! You scared me!”

“I know,” she said mischievously. “You nearly hit the roof, you jumped so high.” To her amusement, he went bright red.

“What’s all this?”

Luka’s yelp nearly wasn’t heard over the laughter, as he jumped with shock at Ace’s voice. Kyara slid onto a seat, eyes dancing. Luka glared at them both.

“You’re both mean,” he told them, but his eyes were also dancing. “It’s my hatchday!”

Kyara inclined her head to him. “That’s right! I wondered why we were all gathered here!”

As he gaped at her, and the others laughed, she rose, beckoning to him. “Come, Luka.”

Bemused, he followed her to the filly’s stall. Kyara began patting her gently.

“What is it?”

She gave him one of her rare smiles. “She wants you to pat her, Luka. Will you oblige her?”

He stared at her. “But…she’s afraid of us all! I don’t understand.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Trust me.”

He didn’t move for a long moment, and then he nodded. Slowly, he reached out a hand, letting the filly decide whether she wanted to be touched or not. The little horse watched with bright eyes, and then bumped the boy’s hand. Kyara knew she’d been right then. The pair stayed like that for a long moment, seemingly frozen. Then, Luka moved his hand down the filly’s neck, not taking it off her.

“You chose me, little one?” he asked. “Why? There’s nothing special about me.”

Kyara shrugged. She’d let her hand fall as soon as Luka had reached out with his own, and was watching them. “What’s her name, Luka?”

He glanced at her, startled. “I…I don’t know,” he stammered. He looked at his partner again, with wide eyes. He nodded, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Yes,” he murmured. “That’s perfect.”

Kyara tilted her head, curious, but she wasn’t going to ask. It was up to them if they wanted to tell her or not. Luka looked back to her. “She likes Fiery,” he said, almost shyly. “She wants to keep it.”

Kyara felt tears come to her eyes, and she blinked them away before they were seen. “It is a good name,” she whispered. “You are both lucky to have each other.” She turned and swam back to the door, the first feelings of unease coming to her. She nodded to the grooms, who grinned at her, and said their goodbyes. Luka followed her to the door. She paused just outside it, looking at him. “You be good to her,” he murmured. “And she will be good to you.”

He nodded. “I will,” he promised, and his tail knocked the door closed. She glanced at it, but didn’t worry about it. She met Luka’s eyes again, waiting. Hesitantly, clearly unsure if she would do anything to him for it, he lowered his lips onto hers, tenderly kissing her. She returned it gently, and then broke away, shaking.

“Happy hatchday, Luka,” she told him, and swam off, not looking back. Later, she wished that she had. Ropes flew out at her, catching her by the wrists and tail. She fought them, but it didn’t work – there were too many. The manservants drew closer together, holding her in place as she fought, and eventually managed to turn her around. When they had, she caught sight of him. He hadn’t moved, and her connection to him abruptly broke.

“Luka! How could you!” She collapsed into the ropes, tears streaming down her face, as she closed her eyes. The door behind him was flung open, and she opened them again to see Ace race out, closely followed by the other grooms. They skidded to a stop at the sight that met their eyes. She had always hidden her emotions form them, and now they were astonished to see her crying. She strained against her bonds, straining to reach Luka. Perhaps her captors recognised that – she never knew – but they let her. Holding Luka’s eyes the whole time, she slapped him across the face with all her strength, crumpling into the ropes once again. She closed her eyes, tears still falling.

“I trusted you,” she whispered, and allowed herself to be led to the house. She refused to look back, not caring what he was doing, or how he felt. All she heard was Ace’s cold words.

“I hope you’re happy with what you’ve done. She’s never going to go near you again now.”