Page 118 of Born Savage

Almost instantly, I realized how much I craved being with Star. She was my rock, my vision. The reason I continued on. She’d inadvertently crawled under my skin, infusing my blood as if drinking from it.

She’d also been my challenge, pushing me to be better when the long, dark nights seemed to consume my mind, playing tricks of taking my own life. But the mental difficulties were all about testing my strength.

And my resolve.

The dream had been so real, as if my father had been sitting next to me instead of wavering images that would forever haunt my mind. Whether by curse or by design, the memory had remained in the darkest reaches until I’d been ready to understand I wasn’t going crazy. I was finally beginning to accept who and what I was.

Did that make the comprehension of how much weight had been placed on my shoulders any easier? Of course not. The burden was even heavier. Yet I wasn’t alone.

Only at this moment, I couldn’t find her. My queen of a kingdom that stood in name only. A king. The thought was as disturbing as being unable to locate Eden. Even our equipment had malfunctioned, leaving us going in circles. Or so it seemed.

As usual, in not being able to find Star, I was starting to panic. She did that to me, especially when she went off on her own. I threw on my coat, walking over the men still asleep and braving the elements.

Only what I found was a pleasant surprise. The storm had passed, the bright sun at a level that not only surprised me but required me to shade my eyes from the glare. Strangely enough, the typical orange haze hadn’t rolled over the horizon. That didn’t mean it wouldn’t with the heat from the day.

I found her near some type of equipment that looked remarkably like a tractor. She was kneeling, leaning over as if in pain.

“Star. What’s wrong?” When I walked closer, I realized she’d been digging in the snow.

“You’re always so anxious. Nothing is wrong. Look what I found. Look.” She rose to her feet, holding out whatever she had in her hand. “It’s a sign. We’re close.”

There was a sparkle in her eyes, her face flushed and I could sense hope where we’d all felt as if it had been lost somewhere along the way.

“It’s okay. It’s a flower, not only buried under the snow, but protected by it. We are almost there. We are almost to Eden. I can feel it. We need to get going. The harshest of storms are on the horizon.”

“How do you know, sweet princess?”

In the weeks of travel, our closeness had been an anchor.

“I know. I do so love when you call me princess.”

“Uh-huh.” I fingered the flower, hoping she was right. “You used to draw your sword against my throat when I used the term.”

“I still might. Depends on my mood.”

Her smile faded even as I chuckled.

“What’s wrong, Rage?” When she cupped my face, I could feel her energy soaring through me.

“I had a dream about my father in which he told me I had a destiny that must be fulfilled. I don’t know what to believe any longer.” I glanced over her head toward the land that I imagined had once been pristine. She gripped my chin, forcing me to look at her. “Our destiny.”

“Yes, our destiny. What are the chances the prophecy is correct?”

“Do you mean that Eden does exist?”

“Yeah.”

“We were brought together for a reason. You were sent to provide protection for me, not once but twice. That isn’t a coincidence. I think your dreams appeared when you needed them the most.”

“Like yours.”

“Yes,” she said wistfully, her hand slipping free. “Only I don’t know who killed my mother. There were several people in the room. She’d told me to hide before they burst in.”

“Perhaps the details aren’t important. Her precognitive abilities, which are much like yours, kept you safe. Now, it’s my turn.”

Her smile was wry, as if she’d been waiting for the dream and final acceptance. “You do keep me safe. Your father told you about the god of light? The Revelator?”

“You’ve been holding out on me.” Since she’d told me she’d been there on the day her mother had been murdered, her dying breath ushering her through a tunnel that had been her only way of escape had haunted me.