Book 4: Spirit Heart

By CC Rose

The fourth instalment of the Rehema Series brings to light the unknown and the unthinkable. It will take on more turns then Rehema can possibly imagine. Tainge charge of another Mentor’s tutelage isn’t the best way to start her morning. Rehema is trying to stay strong, even with Dawn constantly arguing her decisions and the fear that she might have lost Creston through her own anger, deeper and unknown thoughts start to trouble her. She turns her trouble thoughts to her mother’s journal, discovering the path of love; lust and betrayal are never far. With the hidden secrets and the unknown fate her mother has stumbled into, Nerah continues her journey north to find her egg. Is Toran really going to help her? Or is there more troubling his past that she is yet to discover? Meeting Gen a shifter opens many questions for Nerah, between escaping scavators, mountain trolls and delgori, she will put her trust in the one Ryder she should never trust. Discovering the secrets to Dy’Monian magic will leave Rehema with more questions than answers.
Will she find away to accept Creston as more than just the double? And how will she be able to face him, knowing how far she stepped the line. With the echoed call of Connor’s plea tormenting her dreams, she will have to choose between the right thing to do, and what she as the only Dy’Monian Ryder can do.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CC Rose
• Release date: Jul 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311420633

CC Rose

C C Rose lives in Queensland Australia.Inspired by all things magical, mystical and other worldly, creatures, fantasy and dragons most of all.Aim for the stars, and you’ll land on the moon.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Wake up! Dawn’s irritated voice broke through my dreams as her booted foot struck my ribs.

Owh! Gasping awake and away from the contact of a foot being slammed in my side for the second time. What was that for? I glared at Dawn. A sweet sixteen year old Sapherian Ryder who was too afraid to speak up—usually. Today she was ready to fight.

Master Creston said to kick you. Dawn walked a few paces folding her arms in annoyance. They’re not back and it’s your fault.

I glanced around the camp. The lush brush of Stone Heart Valley. Trees of various ages, height, and base thickness summed up most our view. Maybe they got turned around.

NO. They didn’t. You made him leave and now they have left. Just like you wanted, they’re both gone!

Don’t blame me for your whining. I rolled my eyes, too tired for this conversation.

That’s not fair. You did this. And I’m going after them. She retrieved her pack.

No. You’re not. I leaped to my feet, grabbing her by the shoulders. I was surprised to find the tent packed away and all her things gathered. She did want to go after Creston. I did too. Karson said to go east. To the other stone bay.

I don’t care what Master Karson said. She pulled from my touch. Tugging on her pack in defiance. "I want Master Creston. He is my mentor." She stomped her foot.

Well, he walked off on you. Since he handed you over to me, I’m your mentor. I lifted my chin spitefully.

"No you’re not. You’re nothing but a finder. Not a keeper." Dawn’s features flickered with malice.

I wanted to laugh, but thought better of it. La’Kera saw as I did. She is hurting that Creston isn’t back yet. And worried.

That makes two of us.

You shouldn’t piss me off. I turned my attention to my sleeping bag, rolling it up and stuffing it into my pack.

I don’t care what I do to you.

My Bond might disagree with you.

Yeah right. Dawn scoffed. I know she is too nice to let me suffer. You’re the one that wouldn’t heal me. She put her hands on her hips, tapping her foot. The royalness was shining through.

La’Kera rumbled with her words, too nice. La’Kera was far too understanding.

Tugh.

Fine. Believe that then. But it was pointless, you’re knee was nothing but grazed. It’s all better now, right? I said, eyeing her over, knowing that she was healed—Ryders heal fast.

She rolled her eyes and stormed a few paces, shuffling her pack firmly in place. Last nights argument tumbled to me, damn. Karson had gone after Creston in hopes to talk him into returning to camp, but they were not back. That wasn’t good.

Why did I have to yell at him like that?

You were hurting also, offered La’Kera.

Are you ready yet? snapped Dawn.

Yeah, yeah. Bugger me dead. Can I wake first? I grumbled.

"All Ryders can be on their feet as soon as they wake. No—not can—should. She glanced left and right. All Ryders should be on their feet as soon as they wake."

I followed the direction of her eye line. There was nothing here, no danger, but Dawn looked as though we were in the middle of a delgori infestation.

Right. And this is what—a lesson Creston gave you. I raised a brow.

Yes. He will stay. I will make him stay. Her head bobbed with agreement to her words, the tight curls bouncing. She was ready to take me on if I disagreed.

He will, I said with depth. I didn’t mean all that stuff last night, Dawn. You know that.

Yes you did. You hate me. You hate him. All because he looks like Connor.

No. I don’t hate you or him.

He use to talk about Connor all the time. He’d tell me where he was, if he’d killed vipers, or delgori. Said his brother was the real champion when it came to fighting the darkness. But … when Lady Tora came to visit. He … he never talks about him any more. She trailed off.

I swallowed hard with what she was saying. Connor affected so many lives. My former boyfriend, Creston’s twin brother, Tora’s son—second or first wasn’t known since she hadn’t told them who was born first, which had made the brothers bet about everything trying to take first place—use to. Connor was gone, Creston remained. And he will stay and mentor Dawn.

"I want to go after them. Now." She stomped her foot again.

No. We’ll head east. Find the platform and head to Draeos.

Who knows where they are. They might be stuck somewhere.

No they won’t. Karson said to go east. That’s where we’re going.

I shouldered my pack, kicked soil onto the fire ambers; making sure it was completely out before turning away. I glanced to the spot Karson and Creston had sat at last night. Only Karson’s bow remained. Odd. I shouldered it, and headed east.

It was moments before Dawn caught up. She was too frightened by the wilderness without the others. I smiled because she wasn’t whining. She was alert and ready to keep moving. For a good fifteen minutes, she resembled a rat. Darting her eyes here and there, her head jerking, as to her arms. The snap of a twig, the call of a bird, the hum of an insect or maybe the death of one in a spider’s web.

It’s just the bush, Dawn. Nothing is out there.

Is too. There are bears and wolves and trolls too.

They’re leagues from us.

Dark pixies live in the bushlands. Goblins and dark gnomes too. How can you be so calm?

It saves energy to start with, you should try it. I glanced at her. We’re perfectly safe, Dawn. Trolls don’t bother you if you keep quite, wolves usually run the other way because they don’t like us and goblins only show up if you have misdoings on your mind.

That shut her up—for ten minutes.

Silently walking through the brush, around a large tree base as the wildlife made chatter, it doubled Dawn’s alertness since mine was filled with hope it was Creston and Karson; but for Dawn, it was fear that a hidden viper was lurking in the depths, which was pointless. They’re too far north to even consider themselves a threat in this lush valley.

You don’t even know where you’re going? she snapped after I glanced to the sky for the sixth time.

Yeah I do. East. See, sun rises in the east.

Ha, it would have been smarter to go the other way.

Nope. The Shuttle Bay might be closer this way. Why would Karson send us on the wrong path?

That’s if you’re even taking the right path, she grumbled.

Karson and Creston have probably caught up to each other, stayed wherever they were last night and are now possibly on their way to us.

They would be back if that were true. Creston was so upset. The last time I saw him that upset was the day he was going to leave, to find Connor. He was so close to leaving then. And this. You made him so angry. Why do you hate him?

I glanced at her ready to say: I don’t hate him.

She spoke before I could answer. I see you watching him. I see you staring at him at the Dinner Hall. Everyone sees it. And when combats on, or when we have change of classes and he has to talk to me, you stare at him. I met Connor when I was first chosen. He was funny … and Creston was happy. He hasn’t been happy in so long. The last couple of weeks he started to talk more, he even started to smile too. Why do you have to stare all the time? It’s kinda creepy.

I shrugged. It’s his looks.

Hmm … I think you like him. She relaxed in that one line, teasing with a raised brow. That’s why you made him leave last night.

"I didn’t make him leave, Dawn. He was being Creston, the one that walks away."

Huh?

Never mind. I don’t know how far it is to this stone bay, but you shouldn’t drink so much water. I glanced to the smaller trees and bushes, finding berries on a shrub near by. They were not the poisonous ones; good ones were always less brighter. Here. This will help your thirst.

Hmmm … Creston said that a lot. She popped a berry in to her mouth as we walked.

Eat berries?

No … The water one.

Always walk away with a full skin of water. I offered as I chewed several berries.

Um … yeah. The other one. If you sip it every hour, then that will give you enough to last all day.

Huh. That’s a good one.

Yeah. It is.

So some of what he tells you does sink in then? I side glanced her as we walked beyond the thick trees to taller, thinner trees.

Still don’t know why I have to fill my water skin with stream water. I’m a Sapherian. I can summon water for hours and not feel the effects.

And it’s not advisable to do that. Summoning water to drink isn’t the answer, Dawn. You’d be taking from two places. Your Bond, and the land—why do that, when you can walk there.

Why do you hate me so much?

Her question had me puzzling her words, I frowned, too slow to answer. I don’t.

"Okay fine. Dislike. Why?"

I couldn’t even come up with a possible answer. Did I dislike or hate her? annoyed with her, yes. But hate and dislike? She wasn’t my friend, but I wasn’t about to feed her to wolves if they did show up.

You hate that I tried to date Xavier.

You tried to take him from Alyssa. Right in front of her too.

No. I didn’t do that. It’s not like he didn’t like me. He just didn’t realise he was liking me.

He was completely unaware of what he was doing, males are funny like that.

I didn’t think it was funny. She frowned.

No. Guess not.

But why do you hate me? Is it because I know more dragon lore and history? Or because I’m older as a Ryder? Or is it because Creston is here?

Her ramblings had too many truths and I couldn’t answer any of them. I don’t hate you.

Is it because I’m a Royal? You’re one too.

"But I don’t pretend to be a Ryder, Dawn."

I don’t either, she scoffed.

Please. You were on debate half the day if taking you to a cliff top to scream would be heard from the dragon’s den.

Her mouth opened in shock, closed and opened. That’s not true, you’re lying, she whined.

You’re the one who wouldn’t stop whining.

I wasn’t use to walking. When we came from Rila we had the shuttle. You know, privy on board, shower too, and beds. We didn’t have to sleep outside. Creston tried to get me to sleep outside a few times. I just didn’t want to. I was the only girl Ryder in Rila. You know how hard that is. All the boys stare. She blushed, glancing her body to stare off at the trees uncomfortable for a few moments. Some of them stayed with their Bond’s. But … I couldn’t. I just don’t like sleeping on the dirt, not when a perfectly good bed was a few feet away.

You’d be surprise what we can do. Ryders are made tough. Faster, stronger, and magical. You shouldn’t tune it out.

I don’t.

Right. So having a pretty blue dragon and some cool powers let’s you sit around and collect the gold, the clothes and the fancy foods from the people who work tirelessly to save your ass, is the better way then?

You’re not very nice.

Just pointing it out, Dawn. Seems being nice to you is all anyone is. No one tells you the way it is. The way it’s going to be. The pain, the suffering. You need to be ready. Not soft.

And I’m not like you, Rehema.

You keep saying it, but you are. You’re a girl chosen to be a Ryder. To protect the lands from darkness. Zad’Eka saw something in you that no other girl in Rila had. Don’t you see?

I’m born from Ryders. It was going to happen anyway. And everyone knows Ryders get handed a payment, just for being a Ryder.

We get handed a payment for aiding Dangora. Not sitting around and watching. We save the lands, the crops, the villagers. We escort them safely across the lands without incident, without fights or devastation. And we protect all of Dangora from the delgori, vipers and the vragons. Look at your clothes.

What about them? She glanced at her leggings, blue pleated skirt and deep blue vest with a hint of anger and puzzlement that I would say something about them. They’re fine.

My point. They’re nice clothes, Dawn. Made with fine cottons, leathers and silks that most don’t even know about. Someone made that top, that skirt. Someone had a crop that needed protecting and all the workers who took on the transporting of the clothes. And your foods, your shoes, everything that you have and own. These things aren’t done for free, Dawn.

And your point.

How many people made that one top and how many lives were protected while it came to EzRah for you to buy, to have your hands filled with crowns and jewels and think nothing of it. Just because you’re a Ryder. We’re Ryders. We live longer, capable of walking forever, though not advisable. And we have mânã, to will with all that is needed in a battle, not to mention our Bond’s. I paused waiting for it to sink in for her.

So. Being a Ryder isn’t just about aiding, but helping more than just the one man in the field.

That’s right. I walked on with a smile.

Least she was starting to understand something.

And not whining either, mused La’Kera

It was several moments of silence before Dawn pointed out that it was my fault that Creston left. It was, and I needed to keep my worries low. My emotions were easy enough to hide, as long as I didn’t think too long.

It will be fine. We’ll work it out. He isn’t leaving. He will be there to train her as usual, right?

I had no comfort from La’Kera. On the fact Rae’Nar and Blade’Dur were no where she could find them. She’d seen his aura. She’d seen the truth in his words as I replayed them. You think I’m a shit mentor, then here’s one that’s leaving. You will never see me again.

I just had to make it to Draeos.

It will work itself out, she offered some hope. If you can catch him before he leaves.

Dawn stayed focused keeping pace. She didn’t whine, she didn’t grumble and she didn’t even sigh. But she did talk non-stop about Creston. She held him high, possibly as high as I held Karson. She hated me for sending both mentors away, constantly reminding me at the end of every sentence or length of rambling, making sure I didn’t forget.

Heading east was the only option, and the best I could do for my focus. Just head east. East is where we will have the peace that is needed. Telling myself that was simple, hoping that it was possible was nagging my deeper thoughts. It was tricky, since she liked to rub it in my face about them not being here. She wanted him to return, and held hope on several moments when we thought we could hear foot steps only to discover it was a deer or a rabbit running off into the brush. Disappointment laced our features and we kept heading east.

Replaying the argument in my head repeatedly wasn’t helping my thoughts. Your brother died not telling anyone about you. He wasn’t proud of you anymore than she will be, that’s what you get. You’re nothing! The longer I simmered on the argument, the more I realised. It was my fault. It was my fault he left. He didn’t need me making comments about Connor like that. I hurt him in ways I didn’t know I could hurt anyone, as bad as I was hurting for Connor. Connor would have told me about Creston, and he had his own reasons for not telling me when he was here. There was only Creston now. The pain I caused, the knowledge of what I said weighed on my heart; I had made him leave and not just this camping trip, his mentoring position. NO. I won’t let him give up his position. With luck, Karson found him and they had their manly talk, or something along those lines. All would be forgiven. I pondered on the hope of finding them, finding away to make it up to Creston. Making him stay and making sure he knew I was sorry. He was adamant I’d never see him again. Two months ago, I would have loved the idea, or at least not bothered that he was leaving … even if it was my fault two months ago. Right now, it was wrong. He might be a moving painting of Connor, but he was Creston. A mentor to Dawn, a sort of friend to me, least someone I didn’t want to lose.

Do you think we should rest here? Dawn’s voice broke my thoughts. Looks safe enough, right?

Yeah, I shrugged, glancing the area. Taking in the dense forest, tall pines were mostly all around us. Few willows and oaks. La’Kera flew over head; searching for the stone bay that Karson said was east. How far, wasn’t clear.

There is one to the south and one to the north … but nothing in the east for a good two days at your speed.

There was no way I was walking all the way. So why did Karson say head east, did he think it would take that long to find Creston, to talk to him. Had they left already? Maybe Dawn was right. Should have headed the way we came.

I heaved a deep breath, choosing the north bay would take us another day’s walk; the south was further and far rockier in terrain. Either way, we would have to make camp.

Telling Dawn this news had her frown, and she had Zad’Eka on the Shuttle Bay hunt. It wasn’t long after refilling our water skins, picking fresh fruit from a grape vine, that she realised the same thing I did.

I can’t find Rayn’Nar, she said.

I creased my brow, stuffing my water skin into my pack.

Creston’s Bond, she added when I didn’t say anything, her head bobbed with the annoyed tone.

I know who she is, I scoffed.

Well, I can’t find her. She isn’t in the dens, Zad’Eka is close with her and he can’t even find her in the castle grounds. Last he saw her she was heading towards us. Zad’Eka is positive no shuttles have come in. Karson and Creston haven’t returned to the grounds. Worry was visible.

I’m sure it’s fine, Dawn. Maybe she went off to the south, check out the dens on offer for the bulls challenge.

I don’t know. What if she found Creston, what if they left? And Karson is out there by himself. She turned her wide eyes to the direction we had come as if it was the darkest place one could possibly be lost in. What if he’s lost?

He wouldn’t be lost. Blade’Dur would have found him, I said with strength. That’s the main thing. It will be find, Dawn. We’ll head to the stone bay, catch the shuttle and find Creston and Karson, and all will be good.

Three hours ago I believed you. Not now. Now You’re worried. She eyed me over, capping off her water skin before shoving it into her pack. You’re worried he has gone.

He hasn’t. I’m sure he is fine. Both of them. Found themselves a cave—

They’re grown men, Rehema. Not boys who hide in caves. She stood, shouldering her pack. I’m going back. Heading east is pointless.

Dawn. We’re not going back. We’re better off heading north, to the Shuttle Bay.

North? Karson said east. Why would you change plans?

He was distracted, I’m sure that’s all it was. We’re not going after them, Dawn.

I’m not sitting here. She took several steps and I leaped towards her. I want to find Creston and make him stay … somehow. He can’t leave me. He’s my mentor. He’s my friend.

I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that to him last night. I’m sorry I said that. I’m sorry, Dawn. My guilt and fear were cracking at the edges, my emotions were unable to be controlled.

She was right, hell, even Creston was right.

I thought I was better than him at this. It’s hard trying to keep positive when all I wanted was my room, my window view and maybe the running track. It’s my fault.

Darn right. She lifted her chin, with a raised brow. He didn’t do anything he hasn’t always done. But … It’s me too. I make it hard. Pretending I can’t do any more. I want to talk with Gemma about hair styles and clothes. I don’t bother with all the other stuff. She was gloomy, glancing to the stream and close to slumping right there on the embankment.

Why would you do that, not bother? You’re a Ryder. You have all the speed and strengths like any other Ryder chosen.

I know. I just don’t like fighting and hitting. I don’t like walking, I don’t like pain, she said airily. He use to joke a lot, before Connor died. Use to say that if a delgori came out at me, I would be dead. It’s true, she heaved. I can’t even hold a staff for more than a few minutes without getting sore arms.

What could I say to that. The girl was venting, tears were not far away either.

My mother said I didn’t have to fight, that was why there were men Ryders, us ladies didn’t have to hold swords, or kill the delgori. We were for the council.

You know the council members are chosen on the amount of honour they have achieved. Not just their skill in writing and speaking different languages.

I know. She hated when I had to move here. Said, I shouldn’t be taken closer to the danger, that I was best to stay in Mildura. But, the school wouldn’t allow us in. Said they were too crowded as it was and that most the dragons preferred the Em’Adels region. I know since moving here that Zad’Eka is starting to relax more. He loves the valley, the open space and the grand trees. He spends hours in them. Says it’s welcoming and the waterfalls in the south east. She released another heavy breath, relaxing herself. And Creston too, he likes it here. He said it helps with Connor’s passing, to be where he was last. I can’t lose him. I just can’t.

If you want Creston to stay, and I know you do, you need to be more than just a Royal Ryder, Dawn. Tell him how you feel about these things. He’s no different to anyone else. He isn’t a mind reader. He is a good mentor and I know he is proud of you. Even if you play your feelings on him.

I don’t play my feelings, she blushed.

Dawn. You can’t fool me. I can tell you have a crush on him, hey, not going to argue. Sides, he does have his brother’s good looks. I smirked.

You never say his name.

Whose?

Connor’s.

I blinked several times at the sound of it.

Oh, sure I do. Come on. We better keep moving.

I shouldered my pack, with a nod. Rested as we were, it was better to keep the breaks small. With luck we’ll camp tonight and get the shuttle to Draeos before lunch tomorrow. La’Kera was hopeful, though the concern was clear. She too couldn’t find Rayn’Nar, not that she had met the dam. She’d seen her and spoken only this once yesterday when the six-way communicator was required. Now as she soared around the grounds to land on the high dragon roost in the south, La’Kera was a good Sixty feet high, and she couldn’t see her in any of the other roost.

I can’t find Blade’Dur either. Do you think they have left. That perhaps Karson had to fly after him.

I hope not, La’Kera. You sure you didn’t see them leave last night?

I wish I could say no, I didn’t think to keep a closer eye on either of them. If they have left and Karson has joined Creston to talk him out from leaving, I would have thought they would have informed you some how, least returned for you and Dawn.

I would have thought the same thing. Maybe Creston is too upset … I did go too far, I hate what I said. Oh, why did I have to be so cruel to him?

You both hurt and wish not to, yet hurting one another takes the hurt away, for moments … but it wasn’t wise to speak boldly to him. Dawn is his tutelage and with luck, will remain his, but even I know you could never be a teacher … we are too far behind still.

I know. I just … I need to apologise to him. The pain I caused, I know what he said hurt me. But it was nothing, Nothing compared to what I said to him. Connor wouldn’t be disappointed in him … he wouldn’t; even if he didn’t talk about Creston in the time I knew him. I exhaled a shaky breath, fighting the pain inside; the threat of tears were for a different reason. This was pain I caused, and it was my doing.

Chapter 2

By late afternoon we stopped by a large willow tree, set up camp. Dawn didn’t even look at her tent; my unspoken question was read well.

If I need to leave in a hurry, it is best to take what I can without wasting time.

Not that there was any hurry or danger, but she did have a point. I smiled to another lesson of Creston’s and hopefully not the last. I watched as she made the fire—for the first time in her dragon Ryder life—and the way Creston had shown her. With a few pointers from me, she conjured a fire ball, and ignited the dry leaves. I glanced at Karson’s bow beside me, thankful he left it behind.

I should tell Lady Darcia. Her tone was unsure as she sat watching the flame.

Why.

Well, Blade’Dur and Rayn’Nar are both missing and we’re lost. Maybe Zad’Eka can let her know what’s going on.

Er … no. We’re not lost. If we get hurt or something bad happens, I guess, but we’re fine. We’ll get to the stone bay tomorrow and we’ll be home in a few hours after that.

But if they’re not back when we return, I’m telling Darcia the truth.

What truth?

Dawn narrowed her eyes, with a spiteful tilt of her head. That you refused to heal me and you started a fight with my mentor. Speaking back like that, is cause for a lashing.

I wanted to argue it wasn’t fair punishment.

La’Kera rumbled with knowing truth. I would tell Darcia and Da’Vora when you return … only if you wish it. She just wants to bicker.

I had to agree. She wasn’t standing down, clearly wanting to gain leadership in this camping trip. Even if it wasn’t going her way. I bit my lip and decided not to bite.

Okay then. But as I said, it was La’Kera not me.

Yeah right! hissed Dawn. "La’Kera wouldn’t let anyone suffer. She is far too elegant for that. It was you. I saw you hesitate and then you convinced Karson to do the same thing."

Fine then. I rolled my eyes. La’Kera was delighted with Dawn’s compliment, but amused she still found things to whine about, now it wasn’t about the woods, but me.

I hope Creston is okay. Another night without him here. And Karson left his bow. What will they eat?

I smirked at her lost thoughts; she was capable of leaping from one emotion to another. I hoped they were fine, and Karson and Creston could hunt with make shift bows if they had to.

I’ll go hunt. Will you be okay here?

Yeah … sure. She glanced to a meadow some distance away. The woods were not as thick and scary as they were last night. She didn’t want to hunt. I nodded with the promise I won’t be long.

Ten minutes later, I stepped through the far side of the clearing, with my new found dragon sight, I knotted an arrow. Pulling taut on the string, I aimed for the greenish hue around the rabbit. Ah. I love dragon eye sight at night. Hitting it dead on with my shot; I frowned as the soul shimmered into view. Death was quick for the animal, and the soul stayed close by until I skinned its fur away with the arrow tip. It was harder this way, and took twice as long as it did last night with Karson’s knife. But I didn’t have a blade. With the meat ready for the flame, I shouldered the bow, held to the carcass and headed to camp. Darkness had settled in, if I had to guess, it was around seven at night.

Here we go, one fresh rab— I stopped dead in my words.

The camp