Part 1 (1/2)

The Connected Series.

EXILED.

RaSh.e.l.le Workman.

DEDICATION.

To James, my awesome husband, for his tireless patience and love. And, to E, K & J, my three amazing children, and biggest fans.

. . . Is love so light, sweet boy, and may it be That thou should think it heavy unto thee . . .

Venus and Adonis.

by: William Shakespeare.

1. End Of The Innocence.

Venus escaped her party. It'd been hailed, *The Celebration of the Century.' Had they asked her opinion, she would've called it, *The Motley, Molten Party of the Month.'

No one did.

Still, there'd been cake.

A decadent piece balanced on a plate in one hand as she hurried down the enormous, column-filled hall toward her bedroom. Her faint footsteps bounced and echoed around her, the only sound.

At the entrance, she waved a hand over the Carania family crest. The door s.h.i.+mmered and vanished. She paused and peered inside. Everything looked in order.

There's nothing dead in there.

It was the unknown she didn't like. Doors kept out help and could hide secrets. They allowed evil.

”When I'm queen, I'll banish all doorways,” she whispered fiercely. Holding her breath (for she believed that by doing so, the bad stuff, whatever that might be, would disappear before she saw it), she rushed through, moving past her bed to her vanity, where she placed the cake on top, and fell onto her overstuffed green chair.

”Happy birthday to me.”

There'd been presents at her party, too. One in particular she'd been most excited about.

The Kelvieri's Boots.

To receive her own pair meant she'd reached the age where age no longer mattered.

They were black as a starless night, soft as feathers, yet stronger than any metal ever discovered.

Thrantum. That's what the G.o.ds called the material. None of her people knew where the boots came from. The shaman would pray and they'd appear for the kelphi child. The word meant permanent, which fit perfectly. The boots would last as long as she would, after her transformation-forever.

Inside the clear wedged heels were symbols of her imperfections. The symbols were unique only to her and would be a guide as she crossed into immortality.

Of more significance, at least to Venus, the boots represented change. She could hardly wait. Venus was sick of looking like every other kelarian under the age of sixteen. White hair, silver eyes and metallic white skin. When she completed her metamorphosis into a kelvieri, her physical features would transform as well. No more same, same, same.

”Hey doof! You weren't supposed to leave. What will the guests think of their perfect princess? So un-queenly of you.” Amberlee had entered Venus's bedroom without permission. The brat!

”Yeah, well I'm not the queen yet. What do you want?” Venus studied her little sister, annoyed at how much they looked alike.

Today, Amberlee had spiked her short hair. Around her white lashes, she wore thick, black eyeliner, which made her skin pasty. On her right cheek a star had been drawn and she'd chosen a short, black coverlette. She reminded Venus of a beautiful but bad-mannered banshee.

”I brought you a present.”

”You did?” Venus worked hard to hide the surprise from showing on her face. Normally, the only things Bratterlee gave her were bruises and scratches.

Amberlee reached into her pocket and held up a necklace. Silver in color, its chain hung fine and thin. From the center dangled a gleaming black irrihunter charm.

”It's beautiful.” Venus bent forward to get a closer look. Worry twisted within her, like a tornado. What's wrong with it? Immediately after that thought, came another. She's trying to be nice. Still, Venus wasn't sure. With a careful hand, she touched it. The charm radiated warmth.

”It won't bite. Cret, sis! Don't be so dramatic. It's no secret you have a thing for the animals. You fly one every day. Besides, you only turn sixteen once. Here, take it.” Amberlee flung it into her outstretched hand. She'd sounded harsh, but a touch of rosy orange spread over her sister's cheeks.

Without thinking, Venus hugged her. ”Thank you.”

Amberlee pushed Venus away. ”Back the helker up. Now's not the time to start getting mushy.”

She sat back, the words like a slap in the face.

It wasn't that Venus couldn't show emotion. She could, if she tried, but feelings weren't necessary. Encouraged? Sure. She found the whole concept to be a waste of time. As the one day queen, those around her had groomed her to be concerned for the majority. If she let sentiment rule, she wouldn't be able to make the big decisions for the good of the kingdom. She had to care for everyone, not anyone. Amberlee hadn't been taught to understand. She didn't need to.

”Will you put it on?” Venus asked, holding the necklace out.

”Okaaaay.” Amberlee took it from her hands.

Venus stood and turned, pulling her long hair out of the way. When Amberlee swung the chain around her neck her sleeve tugged up. About halfway up Amberlee's inner forearm was a black tattoo. The skin looked irritated, as though she'd recently had it done.

Resisting the urge to comment, Venus studied it, the circular shapes, like a sun and a half-moon. Or an eye . . . the pupil contained a strange symbol. Venus knew some of the younger kels inked up their skin before becoming kelvieri, as a way of expressing themselves. After the change, the art would disappear anyway. But she hadn't expected to see one on her sister.

”What does your ink mean?” she finally asked when Amberlee stepped away.

A look of horror crossed her face. ”Oh! None of your business. Some friends and I got it done together.” She yanked her sleeve over the symbol and cleared her throat. With a trembling smile, she pleaded, ”You won't tell Mom?”

”No. Of course not.” She touched the charm that rested below her collarbones. A jolt shot through her fingers. ”Ouch!”

Unease crossed Amberlee's face. ”What's your problem?”

Venus let out a laugh. The pain had vanished as quickly as it'd come. ”N-Nothing.” She glanced at her fingers. There wasn't a mark.

”Swear you won't tell?”