Notes

Her chest was tight, agony strangling her heart with greedy hands. Anahita shook her head as tears fell from swollen eyes that had witnessed her brother, Jeremiah, go through so much hell by drowning and her being unable to save him.

Darkness enveloped her. The water closed in around her, filling her with a deep dread. She held her breath as long as she could, too long in fact. No longer did she struggle to reach the surface. The cold shards which pricked her skin felt peaceful and soothed her, it made her feel the more alive.

Closing her tired lids, she tilted her head back in the water and softly pleaded. "Please be safe little brother." The corner of her lips trembled when she sucked in a shaky breath. Desperation clawed its way into her core, controlling her every thought and emotion.



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CHAPTER SIX: The Attack


Nadine struggled to steady her voice. “Shideh just sent me a message. “Prince Cyrus has advanced toward the Astyages of Medes and is in the midst of war with them. Octavian needs us.”

Uliana tied her hair back and commanded her sister to message her father. “Tell him we’ll be home soon, and to prepare a horse for three.”

“Wait—what are we going to do about Lady Anahita and the children?” Nadia asked.

“As long as they stay in the den. They’re fine. But first we must tell her about the situation.”

Nadia lifted her head from the tablet and shook her head. “No, do not tell. It would only worry her and we don’t know her personally so we cannot predict what she’ll do.”

Anahita followed the children around and got to know more about the den. It was quite simple. The long columns which kept the levels stable had roots growing around it.. Blankets of various colors draped from the ceilings. Most were in linen red. Outside of the den there are horse stables and small houses which she guessed were both vacant.

“I’ve never seen a horse in person before.” She told Omid.

The little girl looked up with big eyes. “Where have you been doing all your life!” She gasped. With a tug, they ran towards a bare area and toward the stables. Entering it, she looked for any horses that were left behind.

There was one. It was standing on its hind legs neighing loudly and swinging its hooves. The shrouding black horse pinned his ears up, narrowing his eyes at her. It slapped the wooden walls with its swishing tail.

It was so dark one cannot see—but the feeling of helplessness and isolation was emitting from the horse. Anahita raised her arms and reaches for his snout. Grabbing hold of it, gently she rubbed its snout and stroked its mane. "Shhh, it's okay." She reassured to the frightened horse.


“Where did you guys get him?” She asks, her attention still on the horse.

Omid shrugged. “Uncle Octavian came home one day with this horse. It was and still is awfully mean, he doesn’t let anyone ride him.”