Page 7 of Dark Shaman: Eternal Hope
Somewhere in the world, Darien was living a life she could never have given him. The joy of that possibility was overwhelming, but a profound sense of betrayal tainted it.
Areana should have told her.
If she knew that Kalugal had taken Darien, she should have told her.
"Tamira?" Eluheed walked up to her. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
She couldn't speak at first, couldn't find the words to explain the storm of emotions tearing through her. Instead, she grabbed his hand and pulled him further down the beach, away from the others, away from the guards, even though she shouldn't be alone with him or show that he meant anything to her.
After a moment, she dropped his hand. "The guard who brought me the towel said that he knew my son. He served under him."
Eluheed's eyes widened. "How did he know that he was your son?"
"He said the resemblance was unmistakable. And..." She had to stop, take a breath, force the words out. "He said his name was still Darien. The name I gave him. Navuh never changed it."
"Tamira, that's wonderful?—"
"Supposedly, he's dead." The words came out flat, emotionless, because if she let herself feel them, she would shatter. "Officially killed in World War II. But the guard said there are rumors that Darien's entire unit defected, led by another of Navuh's sons." She met Eluheed's eyes. "Areana's younger son, Kalugal."
Understanding dawned on his face. "You think Areana knew?"
"How could she not know?" The betrayal burned in Tamara's chest like acid. "You think Navuh wouldn't have told her that their son had defected with his entire unit?"
"Maybe he told her that they were dead."
Tamira shook her head. "I would have seen Areana grieve. She didn't. She must have known. And if she knew about Kalugal's fate, she must have known about Darien's too. Navuh would have told her."
"Tamira—"
"I trusted her!" The words exploded out of her. "She's been like a sister to me. How could she keep this from me?"
"Maybe she wanted to protect you," he said. "Think about it. If she told you that your son had defected, that he was possibly alive and free, what would you have done?"
"I would have—" She stopped. What would she have done? Tried to escape? Demanded answers from Navuh?
"Maybe Areana thought it was kinder to let you believe he was just serving in Navuh's army like all the other adopted sons. You couldn't have done anything, anyway, so why cause you heartache?"
Tamira wanted to argue, to hold on to her anger, because it was easier than facing the complex tangle of hope, loss, and uncertainty. But Areana was wise and cautious, and she must have weighed her options and decided that it was better to say nothing.
"You are right." She let out a breath.
"Are you okay?" Eluheed dipped his head to look into her eyes.
She nodded. "We should go back. The guards trailing behind us are burning holes in my back."
He chuckled. "You feel it too?"
As they returned to the others, Areana regarded her with worried eyes.
"Is everything all right?" she asked, her blue eyes full of worry.
For a moment, Tamira couldn't speak. Had this goddess, who had been her anchor for millennia, been lying to her for years?
"I'm fine," Tamira managed, though her voice sounded strange even to her own ears.
Areana studied her face, and Tamira saw the moment she realized something had changed between them. The lady's expression shifted, becoming neutral, as the mask she wore when navigating dangerous waters slid into place.
"We should head back soon," Areana said. "The sun is setting, and Lord Navuh is expecting us for dinner."
