The Drifting by L. Filloon Read Free Book Online Page B

I did.”
    Ziri swallows , “Yeah, and I belie ve there are such things as man- made trees.”
    “Jackass. ” I glare at him.
    “Lunontha,” he shoots back , still chewing his food.
    “Ziri!  She is not only your future queen, but also your brother’s betrothed.  Y ou will not disrespect her , ” reprimands Sema sternly.  Ziri glances at her and shrugs his shoulder.
    “What did you just call me?” I ask, holding my fork threateningly.  Suddenly, I remember how scared I was at the thought of him actually killing Cessa and the panicked fear I felt when he threatened Tharin’s life.  I picture Cessa in my mind , and while I focus my anger at the big elf I call out , “Cessa!”
    “Lily, no!” Sema’s angry cry startles me and I’m taken a back by her anger . 
    I find out too late why.  Cessa appears at the opposite end of the table from Ziri.  Her hackles are up, fangs bare d and her eyes are slit with angry intent.  She leaps over the table with such ferocity that I’m momentarily frozen in fear.  Ziri reacts instantly and rolls from his seat to one side.  Cessa comes to a sliding halt , and as she adjusts out of her turn, Ziri is already up and moving.  He ends up beside an angry Sema, grabs hold of her shoulders while still in her chair and spins her around to face the pissed off cat .  As Cessa leaps to clear the top of Sema’s head to take down Ziri, Sema gives a wave of her h and stopping the big cat in mid air. The angry cat roars in her ani mated state, seething with rage as s he bares her fangs at Ziri.  She then looks down at Sema , growling a low guttural sound from the back of her throat.
    “Peace , beast of Malainisi.  We are all on the same side.  She doesn’t realize the strength of her connection with you.  And we both know that’s the fault of your master.  He should have not given you to her without fully disclosing everything.  Now, peace , and please don’t eat Ziri.  I still need him.  When all is done, you can have him then.”
    “What?” pipes Ziri from behind the old woman .
    Cessa looks my way showing her fangs and growling as if angry with me instead of my kidnapper .  I swallow hard, but even that doesn’t stop my heart from beating wildly.  I have forgotten that the beautiful beast I’ve come to love is a predator by nature.
    “Yes, I know,” remarks Sema to Cessa as she gently puts Cessa down.  The old woman t urns to face me, her face angry. “You wi ll never call Cess a when angry with an innocent! ”
    Taking a deep breath, Sema finds control and sits back in her seat.  I’m still standing as I watch Cessa find the shadow s near the cooking area and disappear .  I can feel her here, just hiding within the shadows and still seething with anger.  What have I done? 
    Confused by what just happen ed , I move away from the table and try to head for the sleeping area when I find Ziri in my path.  I try to step around him, but he blocks my way until I ’m staring at his chest.  I get what Sema said , but I’ve made Cessa angry with me.  Without the others here, I had believed that I at least had her.  That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. 
    “I’m sorry.”  His voice is deep, but the sincerity of his apology forces me to look up at him.  With an effort , I hold my emotions at bay, remaining quiet and just stare at him.
    “I shouldn’t have pushed you so far.  And I’m sorry for this.”  He lifts my wrist and turns it to show the small woun d from the prick earlier.  “And for her,” he indicates toward the shadows.  “I know what it’s like to be taken away from everything you know and have no control of what’s going on around you.  I’d like to start over.  My name is Ziri.”  He lifts his large hand , palm facing up.  I look at it curiously , then he says, “Isn’t this how you greet each other in your realm?”
    I choke out a small laugh, shaking my head.  I take his hand and face it sideways so that I