Page 33 of Daughter of the Dark Sun
Therat did not hear their words. Some strange sensation took hold. An image flashed across his mind—a woman of unearthly beauty, her silvery-purple skin glistening as if the stars themselves danced upon her fair form. Tears fell from her violet eyes, but neither sadness nor elation filled her gaze. Then, with his next breath, the woman faded. Her voice, barely a whisper, called out to him.
Ahh… you found me… can you hear it yet?
The world faded until Therat could only focus on the haunting song that seemed to flow through his very bones. An ache took root in the depths of his soul, a grief to rival the loss of his parents. A million cracked hearts, all crying for the same lost soul.
As if lured by a siren song, Therat turned until his gaze settled on two women seated at a table under a small palm. Blue doves and flaming suns seemed to sparkle in the sunlight as their hands moved, laughter thundering in Therat’s ears. The bitter taste of jealousy crept into his mouth at the sight of Ninann. The woman from behind the Wall his brother loved, and would marry on her twenty-fifth nameday. His gaze lingered on the woman’s neck richly decorated with gold and jewels. Oh, how easy it would be to strangle the life out of her.
Therat hated everything she represented in his life. Loss, heartache, loneliness; the endless black maw devouring hopes and dreams. Ninann was too beautiful for his world. Smooth deep ocher skin unmarred from a life of luxury and shiny black curls were a perfect complement to green eyes that lit up whenAdon spoke. The woman caught his gaze and smiled. A beautiful, innocent, pure smile. It made the bile rise in Therat’s throat.
Would she offer her innocence to protect you, brother?
Therat looked away in disgust. Next to Ninann sat a woman nearly identical except for dark brown eyes and a long line of black curved scars racing down her cheek.
It washer.
Mireithren.
The woman walking with shadows in the Market over a year ago. The one he never saw again.
Theevranenithfrom behind the Wall. The little siren who would lure him to his doom.
Therat would not be able to mistake the woman if he tried. She grew thin over the year and half since he first saw her—more waif than the once-plump rich girl—but he could never forget that face. The one that drove him to madness, that unlocked the vile urges that ruined his life.
Mireithren. The woman with the sun in her eyes and Death in her heart.
The woman who tormented him was Ninann’s twin this whole time? Adon’s reaction when Therat questioned what a Named House would do with anevranenithsuddenly became clear. Therat stared at Mireithren, unable to tear his gaze away from the maiden. Her eyes, once as barren as the desert, now glittered with life.
Thick black wings framed her deep, muddy brown eyes, a red sheen painted across each eyelid. The woman looked up and locked eyes with Therat. Mireithren’s gaze reeled him in with each passing beat of his heart. Bewilderment and intrigue colored his thoughts. It was a feeling entirely foreign to the man.
The gold detailing on her deep green dress, which hung low off her bony shoulders, flashed in the sunlight when she moved. It blinded Therat and rendered his thoughts incomprehensible.An invisible force seemed to compel him forward, urging the man to let go and get lost in Mireithren’s eyes. Therat took a step toward the vision in green when Adon’s voice called out.
The trance broke, and Therat freed himself from the siren song. He turned and saw his brother holding a small monkey, laughing as the creature drank from a coconut in its hand. Therat shook his head and forced a smile through the fog.
“Do you think she would like him, Therat? Pashi says they cannot keep him, the baby is scared of the thing. Silly, he’s a delight!” Adon laughed as he spoke, running tattooed fingers over the monkey’s red-brown back. It cooed in response, nuzzling into his chest.
Therat blinked, trying to chase away the lingering vision of Mireithren. Irritation at Adon’s meaningless question rose through the mire of confused thoughts. Why would he know anything about Ninann? Adon already kept his share of secrets about the raven-haired woman he loved.
“Well, the monkey certainly likes you, if nothing else. She’s your friend, Adon. For all I know, she hates monkeys and would want the creature dead.” Therat winced as he spoke, wishing he could eat the words as they hung in the air before anyone could hear them. “Not that anyone would wish to see such a thing…” he added quickly.
The twist of Adon’s smile into a scowl pulled at Therat’s heart. The elder twin shook his head and walked past with the monkey, still happily crawling over the man. Therat grabbed Adon’s hand as he passed and twisted him with ease, barely straining against his brother’s slight frame.
“I’m sorry, I-I’m sorry,” he choked out the words, bitter on his tongue. He did it again, made a fool of himself and angered his brother. Maybe Adon had his reasons for not saying anything. Maybe he didn’t know who Mireithren truly was. “Maí soerl. Can you forgive me? I have not been myself this past year.It grows worse with time. We need to leave. See the world again, feel the wind on our backs.”
“Wedon’t need to do anything,” Adon retorted. “Are you bodyguard or brother? It is suffocating me—youare suffocating me. I had a long time to think while you were away, Therat. I… I’m sorry, but I am going with her. You know it is the best future I could ask for. I’d offer you the same, but your heart lies elsewhere, I know.”
Therat opened his mouth to speak but thought better of it. Adon sighed before continuing.
“Who knows, this could be good for you. Maybe holding onto me is holding you back, too. You are allowed to be happy, brother. What would Mama and Da say?”
The exasperation and love mixed in Adon’s words tore through Therat. A twinge of guilt tugged at his core, gnawing at what little remained of his tender heart buried deep inside its rotting shell. He set his jaw, grinding his molars until a dull ache pulled his focus, drowning out emotions he dared not acknowledge. Therat closed his eyes and pushed away the half-remembered faces of his parents. Their features had morphed and shifted over time as the years dulled his memories. Another reason he had to fight to preserve what he could. Adon would never understand.
Therat sighed and let his twin go, turning back toward the black-haired women waiting for them.
“Yes…” he said, choosing each word with care. “Yes, you are right. This will be good for me,”It won’t, it won’t, you are the only thing keeping this heart alive!“I owe this to you, to your future. I have always sacrificed for you. I always will. If you are happy, I will find my peace. Now, there is a monkey to gift and a woman to cheer.” Therat smiled at his brother but felt it end at his eyes, the empty blackness growing in his chest a little more with each lie.
All too soon, the brothers stood at the table across from Ninann and Mireithren. Adon burst into conversation, eager to show Ninann the monkey. Therat envied how easily their conversations flowed, how they spoke as if they had been friends for millennia. Every burden seemed to lessen in the other’s presence. A shower of giggles erupted from Ninann; a shiver crawled down Therat’s spine. He cleared his throat, and the two friends paused to look at him.
“Oh, Therat! You startled me, I’m sorry!” Ninann exclaimed. With each word, Therat’s hateful jealousy rose. Urges he tried—and often failed—to control wormed their way into his head. He grimaced, forcing his attention back to the woman. “Adon knows how I so adore the little creatures here, it’s like everyone else fades away. Oh, well, not likethat, I don’t mean to say you aren’t interesting. You know how the heart gets…”
