Rayna's Sacrifice (The Katori Chronicles Book 3) by A. Lombardo (good non fiction books to read txt) 📕

Tearful, Rayna tilted her head. “When they said you two were meeting in secret, that you did not have the heart to tell me it was over, I scoffed at the idea. But when I saw her wrap her arms around you, it looked like she kissed you. I didn’t want to believe it. Senina’s gleeful smile walking into the Agora broke my heart. I knew she had been chasing you.” She wrapped her arms around him.

Relieved, Kai held her close. “It is not you who should apologize. Senina owes you an explanation. If I could marry you here and now I would, but we are not eighteen yet. My heart is yours, it always has been, since the day we met.”

“Oh, Kai.” Rayna pulled her head off his shoulder. His blue eyes blended into a dark green. “I believe you. Your eyes always reveal the truth.” She kissed him, and he held her in a tight embrace.

Chapter 13

Rayna’s Awakening

The house felt empty without Simone and Haygan, gone almost a month now, but the pleasure of daily tasks filled Rayna with joy. A delicate breeze blew through the large window and caressed her cheek. Preparing their morning meal, she cut up red peppers, apple slices, and cheese and placed everything on the table.

Across from her, she watched Kai poke at his plate. It wasn’t difficult to see he was contemplating something. Finished with her bite, she placed her hand on his. “You know, if you talk about what is bothering you, I might be able to help… Or at least it will no longer be a burden you carry alone.”

Kai held his breath and pushed his plate away. “I have been searching for the way to ask you.” He held his breath, then blurted it out. “I need to search for Benmar. I have made up my mind, or rather my dreams continue to show me climbing a mountain. I must go. I would also like to go to Albey. I need to ensure everything is well and get any letters from Shane.”

This was news to Rayna—she was sure he had selected Basil as his teacher. Kai had spent nearly every evening with the man. “Really? I thought you picked Basil.”

“He is a wise man, and he answered many questions about being a Beastmaster. Mostly about how one goes about selecting an animal to emulate. He said I should feel a kinship with my choice. He also told me that I may not have the ability to change, only bond with animals as I do with Smoke. He said that the more I practice, the easier and quicker it happens. Kind of how Ryker and Smoke seemed to take to one another instantly. He also has taught me several peaceful fighting techniques.”

Listening to Kai talk made it hard to understand why he wanted to search for Benmar. Basil was knowledgeable, and the man had offered to mentor Kai. Rayna could not imagine a better teacher. And if she were honest, she couldn’t help but wonder what Keegan’s father might be like. “What can Benmar offer that Basil cannot?”

The heavy sigh that came out of Kai startled her.

“You’ve made up your mind. Haven’t you?”

“I am sorry, Rayna, I have.” His expression was determined. “I know this is sudden, and I know I thought Basil would make a great teacher, but my dreams pound on me each night. I must do this. It is Alenga’s will, and I am tired of trying to deny what I know I need to do. I think I am meant to find him now.”

Unsure what this meant for her, Rayna nodded. “Don’t be sorry. When do we leave?”

“Well, you see, that is my dilemma. I need to go alone. My dreams urge me to climb the Katori Mountains, south of the falls, but I think I need to go alone.” He waited for Rayna to respond.

The idea of staying behind caught in Rayna’s throat, and she stepped away from the table. “What am I to do here without you? Haygan and Simone left, now you are leaving me?” Rayna pouted.

Kai came to her side and lifted her face to look at him. She could see the look of guilt on his face. She could not fight what she felt. In a sense, he was abandoning her in a strange land. While she had made friends, she would still be alone. Kai reached for her hand. “I know leaving you here is a lot to ask.”

The pressure in her chest made it difficult to breathe. Two opposing voices rattled her soul. You’ve never been alone. Don’t be afraid, this will give you the chance to grow. Find your own purpose.

She continued to stare out the window as if the answer to her situation would fly in through the window. In all of this, she had never really asked herself what she wanted beyond finding her family.

Her contemplation must have taken too long because Kai interrupted her internal conversation. “Maybe you could stay with one of your friends from the garden—Jayla, maybe. Have you thought of finding Imani?”

The mention of Jayla gave Rayna some confidence. She had spent nearly every day with Jayla, and they had become rather close. She reminded her of Julia, her best friend from Diu, now Shane’s wife. “Jayla may be willing to let me stay with her and her mother. She is to marry soon and could use help making her dress.”

The name Imani swelled her heart. The thought of this girl being her sister battled within her soul. “I don’t know if I am ready to see my sister. Finding out why my parents, our parents, abandoned me hurts too much to face. What if they are here? Living with her…no, I am not ready to learn why they did not want me.”

Kai touched her cheek and pulled her