Aventurine

  “But you’re his brother. Doesn’t that also make you a prince?” I asked. That was a good enough rationale for me. I wanted to keep Kye talking. What was Logan hiding now?

  Kye’s eyes raised a bit and he shook his head. “I’m nothing more than a personal guard to the prince here in this time. To the people around us, Logan is from this time. I was never raised here as a prince. I’m just a peasant he picked up somewhere.”

  “You can’t be related to him? No one thinks that?” I asked. It was more than easy to see that they were brothers. The odd eye color alone should have made people wonder.

  “Or because Logan doesn’t want people to think we’re related,” Kye replied with a shrug. He didn’t really seem to care much that he wasn’t a prince as well.

  “Like that’s possible,” I replied. Kye shrugged again. He had to see the resemblance.

  “Any other reasons we can’t talk?” I asked, continuing the conversation even though his shrugs were a good indication that he wanted it ended for us.

  “Oh yeah, the second reason is worse than the first,” Kye answered. “Logan said if I told you anything he didn’t want you to know, he’d send me home.” Punishment was going home. Where did I have to sign up for that? I’d do just about anything to get sent back to my time. I couldn’t wait to go home.

  “To the future?” I looked at Kye, and could clearly see that he wasn’t excited about the prospect of going home. Was his time that bad? Where did he come from? Logan was turning back to us. Kye was already staring straight ahead with his lips barely moving when he talked, and I tried to do the same.

  “Yes, and away from you,” Kye replied, pointing forward so that I was looking at Logan.

  Logan looked over at us again, and I tried not to gape up at Kye. He had spoken quietly and for only me to hear. What did he mean by away from me? We had just met. It was hard to not look at Kye as he talked, but I understood the game we were playing with Logan. Logan was assured we were just waiting and continued to attend to whatever he was needed for. I wanted to know more from Kye. What was going on, and what wasn’t I to know? Who was Kye to me, and why was Logan afraid of us talking?

  “You don’t even know me. Why would you care if you’re sent home?” I stared hard at Logan, but wanted to turn and read Kye’s expression.

  “If I am sent home, there’s no one left here to help you, and we would all be doomed,” Kye said quietly. His reply was too foreboding. A small, involuntary shiver went down my spine.

  “What do I need help doing?” I asked in barely even a whisper. This was all getting too strange again.

  “Putting the future right after Logan went and messed it up again. He plans to keep you here indefinitely, and I need to make sure you still do what needs to be done.” My heart skipped a beat. Indefinitely.

  I opened my mouth to continue talking, but this time Kye stopped and turned from me. I couldn’t even see his face now even if I looked up at him. I glanced at him and understood that he was done talking. He was scanning the area around us and avoiding my gaze. Did he tell me too much? Did Logan see us talking?

  My heart felt like it sank into my stomach. I wanted to pretend Logan was still the good guy I remembered, that he would take me home, but Kye had just confirmed what I kind of already knew. Something was going on with Logan, and I didn’t want to stick around and find out what. Logan turned back to us, smiling at me. I had a good feeling that I didn’t want to spend any more time in the past with Logan than I had to. He began to weave between people over to where I stood with Kye, and I quickly stole a glance down at my arm. The lines were almost full. I was going to leave as soon as I could, with or without Logan. Kye caught my glance and shook his head. I didn’t know anything about Logan’s half-brother, but I was sure he was more trustworthy than Logan. He might just be the only ally I had left in the past.

  “Ready to go see the palace?” Logan asked, tossing his blond hair out of his face. He was being so Logan-like that I could almost forget he wasn’t the person I remembered and dated for two years. I couldn’t deny how cute Logan was, but I wasn’t about to fall for him again. There was much more behind his gorgeous smile. I didn’t want to stick around and find out what game was going on now.

  “Can I walk?” I asked, eying the chariot. I really didn’t want to get back on that thing.

  “Come on, Mari. You lived through riding one to the ships. You’ll be fine.” Logan took my hand in his.

  I looked dubiously at the cart that wasn’t attached very tightly to the horses.

  “Trust me. I’ll keep you safe.” He knew exactly what I was thinking. I wished that superpower went both ways. What was Logan Jones thinking?

  We made it to Logan’s palace unharmed, which seemed impossible with Logan’s charioteering tricks. I think he found it fun to watch my reaction as my heart leapt into my throat at his repeated daredevil antics. I decided chariots were just not for me, at least with Logan’s driving. I remembered that riding in a car with him had left me gripping the seat at times, but I guess it was how he drove anything. My tour of the city was minimal as buildings and people zoomed by at dizzying speeds, and the bouncing of the chariot was enough to make anyone want to puke. Surprisingly we made it in one piece, and no one was hit on our crazy drive through town. I was guessing the citizens were used to his driving also, as everyone moved quickly out of his way, even if they were a block away.

  I tried to catch more than a glimpse of Logan’s city as we drove through it to compare to the one we left early that morning, but Logan was having nothing of that. Every time I had a chance to look around, he’d hit another stone and the chariot would bounce. I swore, if he hit one more stone or pothole, the whole chariot would explode into pieces. I didn’t understand how it was even being held together after our trip, or how it was in one piece with his driving. After a few failed attempts to look around, I didn’t dare move my head, even if I wanted to look more. I needed to concentrate on watching the road and holding on for dear life. While Logan laughed behind me, he was just being Logan. I wish I had the chance to see more. What was his city like? Who were its people? But, alas, nothing for me to see! Even when we finally slowed down, and I hoped to look around, Logan paused only a minute before going through ornate gates to the palace. I barely had time to glance around before they closed behind us.

  Logan stopped his chariot just within the doors and hopped down. I was finally able to look up and have more than a glimpse of my surroundings. Off to the side of us were two rows of men identically dressed in the same guard uniform as Kye. They parted as Logan waited for me to join him, his hand outstretched for me to take. I wanted to refuse his hand and climb down myself, but my legs were a bit wobbly from the hectic ride. Logan grinned as I took his hand out of necessity. Before we moved through the rows of men waiting for us, Logan paused and pulled the scarf around my neck up to cover most of my hair. The gentle movement was in stark contrast to the wild ride we just had.

  Logan turned and brought me with him to walk through the silent line of men. They extended as far as I could see, which wasn’t far since the building was in the way. The walkway between the men turned as we passed the corner of the entrance gate. I had no clue why we were walking through rows of guards until that point. I finally noticed that hundreds of people were packed into the open courtyard we walked into. The people were as silent as the guards while we made our way toward an ornate palace entryway. I couldn’t help but grip Logan’s hand a bit tighter. It was actually very unnerving to have all those people staring at me. There wasn’t a sound to distract anyone, including me. I wanted to look at the faces, but didn’t dare to not look where we were walking. I could feel hundreds of eyes upon me, and knew why they were looking at me. Logan was proudly parading me for his people to see. This was all new to me: royalty, and new time period and all. I would had given just about anything to have the lines on my arm full, and be able to just poof and be back home.

  Logan didn’t seem to be faze
d, and kept his head held high as he walked. I tried to not look around. I wanted to make sure Kye was with us. I still wanted to know more about him and felt safer with his presence, but I followed Logan’s lead and kept my head up and facing forward. Logan didn’t even pause for the audience as we entered the large, two-story tall doors of the palace. He kept silent as his people watched us walk into the palace and the doors shut behind us. The clank of the doors was the first sound I heard since I had stepped off the chariot and made my nerve-wracking walk into the palace, and it wasn’t a pleasant sound. I couldn’t help but feel like I was being locked into someplace I didn’t want to be.

  The entryway to the palace was dark and cold once the doors were shut. I had no clue what was going on, but let Logan lead the way. He remained noiseless as we walked further into his palace. He was very excited to show it off to me before, but now he was silent. He wasn’t acting normal in my eyes, and I was wary of what was to come next. Everything about the situation screamed to me that I needed to get out of there. Something deep down told me that I wasn’t supposed to be here. Our steps echoed off the stone floors, and I finally realized we weren’t alone. Several people trailed behind us. I couldn’t turn to look without being obvious, and had no clue how many people even followed. I hoped one of them was Kye.

  After leading me, and the people behind us, into the palace through the maze of hallways, Logan finally stopped at a room that I couldn’t have found if I tried. He paused as the doors were opened for us.

  “Kye will stay here with you. I have business to attend to,” Logan told me before ushering me into the room. I jumped at his voice because I hadn’t been expecting him to talk, he had been silent for so long. His voice was amplified in the quiet palace.

  Logan paused beside me, leaning down close to me. His lips brushed my forehead, and he quickly turned and walked back to the open doors. I hadn’t been expecting that, but that was life with Logan Jones. Just when you thought something was a certain way, he would do something you didn’t expect. I wanted to ask what was going on, but saw the reason Logan was quiet. Several large men were standing next to more guards. They immediately started talking to him, and glancing back to me at every other word. I had no clue who they were, but Logan was anxious to deal with them. It looked like traveling me back to my home wasn’t on his to-do list at the moment. Logan looked at me one last time before he turned and walked away with the men. The doors shut behind them, and I was left alone with Kye.

  “So I take it Logan isn’t ready to leave?” I asked what I already knew.

  Kye shrugged and held out his arm to indicate I should go further into the room. I sighed and walked ahead. He was being the dutiful soldier again, and it was a bit exasperating. We were alone, and I needed answers.

  I really didn’t want to be stuck in the past, and it was annoying that Logan wasn’t concerned about leaving. My mother was in the future. Seth was in the future. Ty and Dee were in the future. I wanted to get back to them. I wanted to get back to my real life. My mother had told me my father’s name, and I was sure Seth knew who he was. I wanted to know more. I needed to know more. Answers to questions were just within my grasp, if I could only get home. I had seen enough of the past, and wanted to go home. I had an agreement with Logan, and he was taking his time to get it done. Kye also didn’t seem too concerned, but I got the distinct feeling Kye didn’t get a say in much of anything. I sighed and moved further into the room.

  Just within the entryway was a large, open room. It was empty, but I could see it was used for entertaining. Seating and lounging spaces dotted the floors in small groups, but what drew me was the open columns in front of me on the far wall. Instead of windows, there were just columns spaced far enough to let in loads of light. The whole area was brightly lit, and in the setting sunlight, it made the stone floors and walls sparkle. I walked over to the pillars and found they were far enough apart I could fit between them. I sat down on the railing and looked out. I hadn’t realized it during our walk, because there were no stairs, but we were up about two stories high. From the railing between the columns, I looked down and could see the whole palace beneath me and the city on the horizon. It was a beautiful sight.

  “I need to double-check the rooms,” Kye informed me, pointing to the various hallways that left the room in all the directions. I nodded to him. It wasn’t like I couldn’t be left alone. I was perfectly capable and all. Kye waited a moment and then walked away.

  I touched the stone pillar beside me. The polished stone was as smooth as the granite countertops at home. IT felt so real even though I knew I was thousands of years away from my own time. Again, reconciling this past with the past I knew was a bit hard. I guess I’d never look at ancient ruins the same way again!

  The sun set on the horizon. The golden rays lit the city as it faded. The buildings dotted the horizon as far as I could see from my vantage point. Logan’s city was as large as the one we had left this morning. I had no clue where that put Logan on the power scale, but I guessed he held some importance. I couldn’t even imagine his life. He had lived three lifetimes within the three times he grew up in. Back home he was just a college student spending his father’s money and playing all day, but here he was a prince. Where in one time he had no responsibility, here he was a leader, a ruler, and the person people turned to. He didn’t seem excited at all to be called away on the ship, or even now by the men that met us, but that was his life here. It was such a contrast from his other life. I had to wonder about his third life. What was that one like?

  The city became engulfed in darkness. I didn’t move from my spot as someone walked around the room lighting the torches for me. I glanced down at my arm and saw the lines. There was enough there for me to leave, at least out of the palace or the time period, but probably not enough to get home or any time I would want to be stuck in. I had to wonder--between the two lines on my arm, was there was enough power for me to get home? Could they be combined? If Logan took much longer, it was worth a try. I was sure that he wasn’t planning to return to the future soon, and if I stuck around I had no clue what my fate in this past would be. I kind of got the feeling Logan wanted everything to play out. He had dragged me off to his city to marry him, and I had no intention of marrying anyone but Seth.

  I felt the hands around my neck before I registered what was happening. I quickly figured out that the person lighting the torches around the room wasn’t just a servant. His large hands squeezed tighter, and spots appeared in my vision. I could only make out the man slightly, and I couldn’t even get a croak out to alert Kye what was happening.

  I didn’t have much time to think or plan, but I needed to use my time travel powers immediately. I kind of understood why Logan was taking his time to get me home as he needed to keep up appearances, but I couldn’t wait for him. I’d be unconscious, or even dead soon. I had to travel at least out of the grasp of whoever the man was holding onto me.

  I pictured myself across the room. Escape first, and then recover enough to find a time to travel to. Good enough plan for me. I thought of the space across the room even though I couldn’t see it now. Nothing happened. Maybe the lack of oxygen made it hard for me to travel to new places. I had to try to travel home directly, if I could concentrate enough. That was familiar. I didn’t know if I had enough power in my stone, but I hope the two stones combined would be enough. My life depended on it. Closing my eyes, which wasn’t hard now as I was getting lightheaded, I pictured home and my room where I sent my mother and Seth. I pictured them all waiting for me. In one flash I’d be right back there if I could use the power of the two stones combined. I waited and hoped. I wanted to get home. I needed to get home. They were all waiting for me. I wouldn’t last much longer with this man choking the life out of me. Still, nothing happened. The stones couldn’t be combined, and it sucked that my life was hanging on that one detail. I had very little time left as my thoughts began to fade. There had to be another option.

  Knocked to
the floor, I gasped for breath as the man’s hands released me. I didn’t see much as I tried to regain my focus and look around the room. There were too many black spots in my vision to know what was going on. I had to use my other senses. There were a few grunts and then silence.

  “Are you okay?” Kye asked, coming into my field of vision. I was still lying on the ground.

  “I think so,” I replied, trying to stand. Kye bent down and stopped me from standing up.

  “Are you sure?” Kye was full of concern. I nodded, trying my best to give him a smile and not a grimace, to reassure him I had survived. I could still feel the man’s hands at my neck, but it was just left over feelings. I was safe now. Kye had saved me.

  “What happened?” he asked, pulling my hands down from my neck and examining me. He nodded and searched my eyes, waiting for an answer.

  “I was just looking outside when I think that man started choking me.” I rubbed my neck. I was feeling better now, but could still feel it.

  “I think it would be more accurate to say he was trying to kill you.” After examining me, Kye now was satisfied I was safe, and helped me stand. He kept his arms around me to hold my weight as I stood. Everything seemed to be fine, and my body wasn’t as weak as it was a moment ago.

  “Where is he?” I asked. The large room was empty of everyone but me and him.

  Kye pointed over the railing. I moved to peek over it and see if he was telling me the truth. He had to be as there was no other way the man could be gone, but I still wanted to see. Did Kye just kill a man? I understood it was a different time, but it seemed too unreal for me. Not even when I was attacked back on my campus did I imagine the two men being killed. Kye stopped me.

  “No use looking,” Kye explained. Yes, it was normal for him. It didn’t even faze him.

  “Who was he?” I asked, sitting back down to catch my breath. I guess I wasn’t as better as I thought.

  Kye shrugged. “Beats me,” he replied.