Page 96 of Serpent In White

Why, my King?My fingers trail his jaw while he breathes softly into the pillow, muscled arm draped over my waist.What happened to you?

His eyelids flutter, and I shift to press a soft kiss on his stubbled jaw, before lifting his heavy arm gently off myself. Trying not to wake him, I slink out of the bed as quietly as possible, dressing in the dark, the only light from the partially drawn curtains of the lounge, the moon’s glow reflecting off the lake.

I’m glad I didn’t go home after what we did in the woods. Darian was almost falling down, he was so tired. I wasn’t sure he’d even notice me sleeping next to him, but his mind pleaded with me to stay, though his mouth would never allow him to speak the words.

I know it’s killing him to let me go on this journey, and I’m still not sure why. He and Drake say the mountain is dangerous, but it can’t be that bad if Drake lives up there. I’m only marginally afraid of what I might find, but I know I need to go, regardless. Even if Darian feels that me leaving could result in the end of us…

I don’t know why he feels this way. I couldn’t get a straight answer out of his thoughts, but I heard him thinking it, for just a split second, when I told him all I wanted was to make this journey.

He thinks whatever I find up there will make me stop loving him. And I just can’t comprehend it.

Giving one last glance to his large form, deep in dreamland, my heart aches as I leave the lounge, creeping out the back door and sneaking around the Den toward my trailer. I have a bag already packed with clothes, my tent and sleeping bag, and enough food to last me four days, just in case. I don’t plan on being up there more than a couple, but if I get stuck, I want to make sure I’m prepared. Not that I’m incapable of making my own food in the forest. We learn how to do that at a young age. Still, I’ve grown accustomed to my bacon, egg, and honey sandwiches.

I’ve left a note for Gina and Paul. I’m sure they’ll be confused at first, but Darian and Drake will intercept them if, for whatever reason, they feel like coming after me. I’m sure they won’t, though. I have to assume they want answers about what happened to my parents almost as much as I do.

Lacing up my good hiking boots and grabbing my bag, I leave the trailer determined. There are still people mulling about, but most of them seem a little incapacitated, not exactly paying me any mind. The Regnum knows how to party, and there was no shortage of booze and things to smoke tonight. When I saw Jordan last, a few hours ago, he had just eaten some mushrooms and was waiting for them to kick in. I’m sure he had a great night. Oris still havinga great night.

Darian offered me his ATV, but I assured him I would rather walk. The four-wheelers are obviously faster, but this journey isn’t about speed, it’s about following the signs from Mother.

She’ll guide me, I know it. I just have to listen.

And so off I set, walking through housing, past the farms, up to the Field. The Tribe is on patrol, but the guys barely even notice me in between their activities, also known as girls in their underwear on their laps, astride their ATVs. I can’t help the smirk on my face as I walk right past, shaking my head as the girls’ giggles echo over the entrance to the mountain.

I keep going on the walking path at the other side of the Field, the one that leads up the mountain rather than toward the lab. I can still see the lab, though, from afar. It’s dark and quiet, naturally, since no one’s working right now. Still, just seeing it reminds me of that first day, in Drake’s office.

To I’m sure his chagrin, I’m not as afraid of him as I was then, although he still makes me very nervous. But I sort of trust him, which is an odd notion. He seems like the last person anyone should trust, but underneath that intentionally cold facade, the one he gives off to keep people at a distance, he has more heart than most others. He really cares for people. I know he does.

It makes me sad to think of him living up on this mountain all alone. As I walk and walk, already an hour into my journey, I approach a cabin that I just know is Drake’s. No question.

Not only is he the only person who lives on the mountain, so this must be his house, but it also screams Drake. Small, not overly fancy, but rigged with any comfort he could need and the most elaborate outdoor garden I’ve ever seen.

Walking around back, I notice he has a greenhouse too, though not as large as the one outside the Den. Peering inside, I see some very interesting-looking plants. It makes me smile.He’s so damn smart…

I wish he knew how much of a gift it is to know him.

I shouldn’t be snooping around his place, but I can’t help it. I don’t think many of the Regnum have seen this place, and I feel special even being near it. Coming through the trees past the greenhouse, I almost gasp out loud.

My eyes widen. The cabin is located right at an overlook. I hadn’t realized how high I was already…

There’s a perfect view of the lake from up here. And the Den.

My heart lurches as I gaze down over the calm waters, and the elaborate home which looks much smaller from this height. Drake built his house so he could always watch over Darian…

He loves him so deeply in secret.

My limbs twitch with the desire to bang their heads together. I wish they could just get it through their thick skulls that they need each other, but I know it’s much more complicated than that. Still, I hurt for them. I really hope I’m not coming in between them, or complicating things even more.

Wandering back around toward the path, I hear something in my head. It’s like a voice, and it’s startling.

It’s yelling something at me, so faint yet clear enough that I stop short.

Watch out!

Frozen, I glance around, and when my eyes land on the ground, I curse, my heart leaping into my throat.

There’s a bear trap, nestled into the dirt, grass, and leaves, two inches from my foot. One more step and I might’ve lost it.

“What the fuck…” I breathe, my pulse racing inside me as I back up slowly, eyes scanning the surrounding area to see if I can locate more.