(An excerpt from the novel, The Raven's Call, written by J. Flessa circa. April 2021)
Lying on the chilled marble floor of the open air pavilion, Nix came to, cold and alone. Wisteria swayed in the gentle breeze under the night sky. Shadows cascaded across the space in the moonlight, the stars absent and the forest beyond black.
She sat up, wrapping her arms around herself. She pushed herself to her feet, a child amongst the darkness. Glancing down at her chest, the blazing dark nova shimmered faintly, pulsing like a beating heart just under her collarbone. She looked out beyond the pavilion, the one side leading into the forest, and the opposing dropping off into the void.
Nix walked to the edge of the void, staring down into the abyss.
"It’s good to see you standing,” Najdraži’s voice chimed from behind her. She turned as he walked into the pavilion from the forest. He had to be no more than a year older than her, but his glowing white eyes held eons. His hands were tucked into the pockets of his dark pants, tapered just below where his knees would be on his cat-like legs. His darkly feathered wings fluttered behind him as he tucked them close.
The wind picked up causing Najdraži’s dress shirt to ripple, and Nix’s pale blue short sleeved dress to ruffle. Najdraži came to a stop a few feet in front of her, eyes downcast.
"What’s wrong?” Nix asked. The breeze blew through again, tussling their hair. Najdraži’s fluffy white curls danced around his sweeping horns.
"My mother spoke with me today,” he said. He met Nix’s gaze. “Cadere is beginning to call out to the mortals of the Material Realm.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” Nix said. Najdraži shook his head.
“The Pantheons are watching, waiting to see what happens. If things turn out for the worst, they plan on releasing their Keepers.” Najdraži worried at his bottom lip, eyes blinking away tears.
“Najdraži,” Nix prompted. “What’s wrong?”
“My mother wants you to be her Keeper,” he stated.
Nix moved closer, reaching up to cup Najdraži’s face. Tears spilled down his cheeks like liquid starlight. She brushed them away with her thumbs. “Why are you crying?”
“Because I’m scared for you,” he sobbed. “Of all the children, Nix, I feel like you’re the most breakable.” He pulled her into a hug.
Nix wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hands threading through his hair.
“I don’t want you to leave,” he mumbled into her shoulder.
“I have a feeling I don’t have a choice, do I?”
He shook his head.
“I’m sure, I’ll be fine.”
“Damn it, Nix.”
She pulled back, looking up at Najdraži. He brushed her hair behind her ear.
“I’ll see you again, won’t I?” Nix said. Najdraži choked back a sob, nodding.
“Yes, at the end,” he hiccuped. “You’ll see me at the very end.”
He bumped his forehead against hers. They reveled in each other’s presence as the world seemed to take a moment of silence. Nix watched as Najdraži mouthed something unreadable. They parted the way dancers would when twirling out their partner.
He held her arm, fingers digging into her forearm like a lifeline. His face screwed up, a sob escaping him as starlight tears painted his cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” he choked.
And he let go.
And she fell back.
The abyss below welcomed her with open arms as the garden above faded into nothingness. Wisteria swaying in the gentle breeze.
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I've been working on a series. One story turned into two, and now it's becoming three, possibly four.
I've spent the last 8 months weaving the threads of this little fantasy world that I've begun to fall in love with. It has been by far the most extensive writing I've ever done in my entire life, and I have high hopes for the future. For the world that I've held in my hands, and the characters I've torn from my heart.
It's still in the rough stages of being edited, but I've been far to excited to share it with people. I shared Lillian and Kyna with you a couple months ago at this point when I was still unsure as to if this would fully become something. Now I give you another duo that has felt like a breath of hope although their story is a heart wrenching one.
I hope you enjoy.
- Your Captain
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