Page 29 of DaR (Darverius, House of DaR #1)

The large forest looms below us; the darkness surrounding it seems to suck the very light out of the sky.

“ Wow , I didn’t know the forest next to the house was so large.”

“ At one time it covered the entire mountain range.

Once the cliffs started crumbling, it seemed to move backwards on its own away from the edge.

I used to love to fly past it with Father when I was small.

He would make up stories about a princess being held by the shadows that lingered there. He was a wonderful storyteller.

The market you had so much ‘fun’ in is only held for a few days each lunar rotation.

It is known for its unique gifts, crafts, and people.

A few of the elders asked me to find a place on neutral ground for our people to show off their talents.

The other side of the mountain made for the perfect spot.

It is easily monitored and the location is accessible for all vehicles and aircraft.

Besides SAGE , this is the only thing on the mountain, as you can see the rest is all forest.”

I’m glued to the glass as he takes off through the air toward what I call the floating city.

“ Solanar is where the city government, libraries, and most major houses are located. Most of them are situated on its highest peaks; also anything judicial is handled there as well.”

“ Why is it so black? ”

“ The buildings are covered in panels that absorb the suns and moons’ rays.

That is what powers the thrusters that keep it afloat and the atmospheric dome in place around it.

It was originally designed as a defense portal, but as things with the alliance settled down, it became a place for education and the elite.

I have a whole floor up there at the very top, but very seldom ever use it. ”

“ Are you talking about the big spiral building?”

“ Yes .”

“ Why do you live down here then?”

“ There were times it felt like the walls were going to crush me. I have never enjoyed crowds. I can handle the men on Falcor with no problem because everyone has a job to do and we are not piled on top of each other. But Solanar is too loud and tightly packed … Hold on to me, it is time for you to see the real beauty of Darverius .”

I can feel the g-force as he turns abruptly heading downward. I scream like I would at an amusement park, and I feel DaR’s legs jerk under me at the sound of my voice.

“ Are you in distress?” He pulls me back against him tightly.

“ Hold your hands up, DaR , it’s a rollercoaster ride.”

I hold my arms up and wave them back and forth like I’m on an actual rollercoaster. He laughs so hard I feel him shaking behind me .

“ Woman , I never know what to expect out of you. The Lord of Light could not have blessed me anymore than the day he put you in my arms.”

I feel him kiss the top of my head and I don’t know what to think about that at first. This is the second time DaR has touched me in that way.

Another shuttle shoots past us and I jump backwards, almost crawling onto his chest. “ Damn , that was close.”

His arm is under my butt, and he holds me up until I’m eye level. “ I did not know you startled so easily.”

“ Apparently , it only happens when we’re in the air riding jet skis. But hey, they need to stay in their own dance space out there. I could have reached out and touched the wing on that thing.”

“ Are you alright now, or do you want to stay in the crook of my arm? You act like Ickis crawling all over me, not that I am complaining.”

“ Quit it! I can’t help it that you’re as big as a mountain and easy to climb.

Ohh Lord , did that just come out of my mouth?

Forget that you ever heard that.” I’m so damn embarrassed.

“ Would you looky there, is that a waterfall?” I refuse to look back at DaR because I know my face is blood red right now.

He flies over what he calls the lower level.

It’s like looking at Earth through a kaleidoscope.

Trees , flowers and even the water seem the same, but still so different.

It’s like you gave a kid a coloring book and they made everything the color they wanted it to be.

You know, like a purple cow or pink water.

The houses are built in every shape but square, that is.

It’s like there were no limits to the builder’s imagination.

If they could think it up, then it could be built.

DaR flies past the home that XuL now resides in and where he raised his boys.

It’s much larger than what I’d pictured in my head.

It has an old-world feel about it too. The stone walls and columns look like something you would’ve seen in Greece or Rome .

A large, round garden is situated in the middle and I swear the design looks so familiar to me.

DaR has made a great tour guide, pointing out landmarks and telling me the history of his planet.

We’ve been flying around for what feels like hours when my belly rumbles.

“ Come on, let us head back home and get you fed. I have been told a hungry woman can be dangerous and I do not want to push my luck. You have behaved for most of the day.”

I elbow him in the ribs, and he acts like I actually hurt him.

DaR flies the shuttle with the confidence of many years’ experience, and we land effortlessly. He goes down the steps first, waiting for me on the ground. I fight this skirt with each step as I try not to flash him on the way down .

He lifts me off the last rung and before I can take a step away, I hear what sounds like an alarm. DaR stops mid-step and starts talking to Tordan .

He looks down at me and the fun, laughing man is gone, replaced by the Commander . “ I have to go; SAGE , we are in a stage three. I want solid shields up immediately.”

“ Yes , Master DaR .”

I hear what sounds like large metal plates being closed all around us.

He leans down and kisses me on the forehead.

“ I do not know when I will return. One of the outer moons is being attacked. SAGE is connected with Falcor at all times and she will be able to keep you updated. I will contact RaZ and have him keep an eye on things over here too. I do not like leaving you alone, so promise me you will stay within the barrier at all times. Frack , do you understand me, Kira ?”

“ Yes DaR . Don’t worry about me, but please be careful. I can’t … I don’t know if I can live through losing you, too.”

I can tell he wants to say something else to me, but there isn’t time.

“ Go do your thing. I’ll be here waiting for you when you get back. ”

I have to clench my jaw to keep from crying as I watch him climb back into the shuttle. I step back as the engines fire up and he looks down at me with a sad smile on his face.

I turn and run for the back entrance of the house because I can’t watch him fly away. As much as I didn’t want to, I’ve become attached to him, and that scares the hell out of me.

The moment I step inside the garden, Ickis jumps from the wall onto my shoulder. He can tell I’m upset, and he rubs his little head against my chin. He wraps his tail, which I swear has grown a couple of inches a day, around my waist like he’s hugging me. “ Love you too, little guy,” I whisper.