Valista (The Valista Trilogy Book 1) by B. Lynn Harris

Author:B. Lynn Harris [Harris, B. Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-12-05T06:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-NINE

The water dripping in the cave drowned out the crackle of Lavecchia’s fire, as if it wept for her change of fortune. Regin and Sirena together, determined to transform their world.

Yet the witch smiled at the opportunity in the circumstances.

Swirling her concoction with her staff, Lavecchia stared into the darkness. “Regin, what have you done? Valista is so much more than you think—it reflects your emotions tenfold. Feeling annoyed? So many more irritations will come your way.”

The witch ran her tongue over her lips in anticipation of the feasts she would enjoy. “My sweet prince, you are soft, pampered, untried. I will make each day more difficult than the last, compounding your frustration until you snap like a dry twig.”

Lavecchia narrowed her eyes. “And Sirena, you stupid girl. Your resolve is already breaking down, evidenced by the scaly patch on your belly. The slightest hostility from your prince, and I’ll have you back in fishtail where you belong.”

Holding her staff to her chest, the witch sorted through the images flooding her Sight. “But how shall I start, hmm?”

She plumbed the recesses of Regin’s mind, sifting his anxieties and insecurities, and located something suitable. “Oh, my precious prince, how adept you are with your subjects, but you fear the animals in the wild. Let’s start with the lower life forms, the peskiest of insects, and work our way up, shall we?”

∞∞∞

It tickled a little, causing Regin to stir. It buzzed by again and landed on his earlobe. His hand flailed at the nuisance as he awoke.

Whoo-ip, whoo-ip. His eyes popped open. What the—?

Valista.

Whoo-ip. A striking crimson bird with emerald wings fluttered by, calling its unique sound. Warm, stagnant fog lay heavy on him, stifling the urge to move, but the ground was hard and damp, a fact he’d cursed as he’d tossed all night. He stretched sore muscles and rubbed the crust from his eyes. Sitting up, he peered into the mist for any sign of the river.

The tree canopy soared above him, and the sun broke through in selected places, creating shafts of shimmering vapor. Verdant moss clung to massive tree trunks. Hanging vines laced with flowers dangled between the hardwoods, and their sweet scent competed with the smell of plant decomposition. Shorter stalks with enormous green leaves strained toward what little sunlight reached the forest floor.

He felt a sting and smacked his neck. Pulling back his hand, he examined the remnants of an insect and blood.

A few feet away Sirena lay on her side with her arm under her head. Her face was soft, her lips parted. She looked tranquil, as if no cares disturbed her sleep. He envied her that. Beyond her, Remis lay flat on his back, arms and legs splayed, and snores gurgled from his open mouth.

Regin stood and tied the walking stick to his belt. Sirena stirred and stretched. She shook Remis, who rolled away from her and curled, knees to nose, into a tight ball.

“Disturb me not. I slumber deep.

A bit more time. I need to sleep.

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