Falling Skyward

Chapter Forty: Deep Inside the Earth

"We're here," Taren murmured, his voice low and husky. It was the evening of the following day. Pink and purple faded across the sky, concentrating near the horizon.

"I don't see anything." The land before Lana was nothing but ashen volcanic sand, streaked occasionally with a sheen of purple or iridescent black. The carcass of a huge, skeletal tree interrupted the landscape. Scorched fingers of black in the soft, white bark suggested the tree had once been the victim of lightning.

Taren nudged his horse forward, and Lana sighed. She dreaded reliving the awkwardness of the past twenty hours. After the kiss, Taren had become unnaturally polite to the point of aloofness, afraid to even meet Lana's eyes.

Though years older, Lana couldn't help but see the resemblance she shared with the girl in Taren's memories. Is that the reason he had kissed her? Had he been confused by the memories? Did Taren stay with Lana because she reminded him of the girl he had once loved and lost? Was he now ashamed for kissing her, realizing she would never be Atearia?

These questions were confusing enough to keep Lana's mind occupied for hours of riding—but more persistent and dominating was the realization she craved that moment that had made everything so duplicitous. Effervescent anticipation fluttered in her stomach, making her steal sidelong glances at Taren any moment she thought he was not paying attention.

Taren dismounted, circling the massive tree until he came to a black knot in its bark. Lana followed, watching curiously. Taren reached out his hand, knocking on the hollow wood three times slowly, followed by two quick knocks. He repeated the pattern twice, then stepped back. He pulled Lana back from the tree, nearer to him. Her stomach churned.

A thin slit appeared in the tree's wood as a door swung open forcefully, nearly hitting the two of them. A sword came next, copper in color. The man who held it had dark skin, his eyes honey-colored. The door slid shut immediately behind him.

He didn't speak, didn't ask questions—just went straight for Taren's throat. But before he could fully get into position, he froze—a smile creasing his lips even as confusion wrinkled his forehead.

"Taren? Taren, what on Caelis are you doing back here, brother?" Taren laughed, pulling this stranger into a bear hug. Brother? The two couldn't look more unalike, and Lana couldn't mistake the man's percussive, lilting accent as belonging to the same region as Zoram's.

"It's good to see you again Drayer. How are you doing, brother?"

"Well, you know better than anyone. Life with Soren is nafta, but at least it has its interesting moments. What about you? Where have you been?"

"I've been spending most of my time in the outer limits or in-between, capturing star ether when I'm not with my mum getting fat off her cooking."

"Oh, what I wouldn't give for a week of eating something other than Squish's cooking. I see you haven't done too bad for yourself either," Drayer added, motioning to Lana and winking.

"Oh yeah, Drayer, this is Lana. She's my . . . I've been helping her find her cousin," Taren blustered.

"Find her cousin, eh? Is that what they're calling it on the outside these days?" Lana's dark skin and the flush from the heat hid the red blooming across her cheeks.

"Anoway, beautiful lady," Drayer said, bowing over Lana's hand to give it a long, drawn-out kiss. "Have no fear. You're with civilized men now. No need for his dreary company anymore." He tossed his head at Taren before giving her another wink.