Title: Snake Singer
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, but the plot belongs to me.
Rei took me to a maze of immense caves located on the outskirts of serpiente land; I suppose no one would think that the royal family would hide in such a desolate place. Walking through the caves was tricky, and I tried to memorize the way but I quickly got lost and confused in the many twists and turns. Rei held a long torch, with a blazing flame up high so we both could see but the small light was no match for the hole of darkness that we tried to make our way through.
When we got to the center of the structure of caves I saw light up ahead. It brought a smile to my face thinking that I wouldn't be so alone here. As I stepped closer I entered a long cave; my shadow folding high up on the walls next to me as I tried to get to the source of light.
Finally I entered a large bio-dome-like structure to find Irene-Zane's sister-and her husband close by. I quickly ran to embrace them, wanting my arms to feel something familiar again. As I held Irene I felt her swollen belly, and couldn't help but smile when thinking of the new life that was growing inside. When I turned around I felt a warm hand on my shoulder, my first thought was that it was Zane but I soon realized that it was not, as I saw my mother's face beaming at me. I could tell by the lines of moisture on her otherwise dry face that she had been crying; had she been worried, or fearful? I had no idea.
"Mother!" I exclaimed throwing my arms around her shoulders, desperate for the comfort that I could get from her. My mother held me softly, yet I could feel her deep love for me in her gesture. "Has Zane arrived?" I asked pulling away form my mother's embrace. I looked to each person in the room for an answer, but all that I found was bowed faces and somber expressions. With the silence that came from my question I too lowered my head. What could be happening at the Keep? I asked myself grimly. I, like everyone else there knew that if Zane didn't return soon, then he never would.
Morning came to our secluded cave hide out sooner then I would have expected. Everyone else took comfort in sleep, or just blank rest. Irene curled herself against her husband, who rested his own hand on her swollen belly gently. I longed to have such a feeling for myself; to have Zane's ever comforting hands around me, to feel his warmth and strength so near by.
I, unlike the rest, couldn't even sit down. My feet ached and blistered under the hard leather of my laced up boots but I couldn't bring myself to sit down, at least not until Zane was here, and in my arms.
I paced absently near the entrance to the dome shaped cave, back and forth, constantly. And though I could see nothing ahead of me I waited. My eyes desperately seeking the red blaze of torches, or the hustling footsteps of the royal guard escorting my serpiente husband to our secret hiding place.
I continued to wait, hours passed, but still nothing, until finally I heard footsteps echo through the cave walls. Rei immediately grabbed me from the sides and pushed me to the side of the wide opening where I stood. He put his hand over my mouth and instructed me to be silent. Why would he want me to be quiet, it was Zane who was coming, or was it?