Rayna's Sacrifice (The Katori Chronicles Book 3) by A. Lombardo (intellectual books to read .TXT) 📗

a series of tiny individual trunks that thicken over time, and the vines help hold them together while they mature. Without the trees, the flowers that grow along the vines would wilt in the sun. Even the young vines can burn in the sun until they turn woody. The dense shady canopy benefits the climbing plants. The two species need each other to reach their potential.”

Skeptical, Kai questioned, “How do the branches form into pods?”

Simone chuckled. “It is a mystery to me how it is done, but the Kodama actually guides the tree and vines into the shapes they want. A group of Kodama can grow a tree to full size in a day. They work long hours, rotating off and on. Once the process starts, the tree must be completed, or you’ll end up with a shorter, lopsided specimen. Although some people like the squattier versions. Closer to the coast, shorter is better because of the high winds.”

“Fascinating,” Rayna interjected. “How do we get the flowers to turn off?” She reached her hand to trace the vine above her head. It beamed brighter with her touch.

Simone giggled. “The flowers glow because they are attracted to your movement and touch. Once you settle into bed, their light will fade and then go out for the night. The vines bloom at dusk and will be closed by morning.”

Simone hugged Rayna. “This will be your room. Kai, you will be in the next pod. Haygan I have the larger one, nestled near the top.” She offered the couple a slight nod and left with Haygan.

Nervous, Kai put his hands in his pockets. He clinked his nails against his crystal. “I guess this is where we say good night.”

A pink blush colored Rayna’s cheeks. “Yes, I suppose it is.” She stepped closer and nestled against his chest. “See you in the morning.” She kissed him lightly and turned him toward the stairs.

“Goodnight, Rayna,” he grinned, glancing backward as he continued up the spiral stairwell to the next pod.

As promised, there was another bed in a nest similar to Rayna’s. Simone had left additional bedding and a few pillows on the sizeable round bed. Once Kai slipped under the covers, he thought of Smoke. He hoped all was well with him and Ryker. If what Ryker told him was true, they would be reunited in a day or so. Exhausted, he let sleep take him.

Chapter 10

Pineapple Sage

Lost in a dream, Kai watched dawn’s rays dance across the white snow. The bitter cold wind burned his face. Squinting into a blinding snowstorm, he held his white crystal. It offered no warmth, but it reminded him why he was there. He searched for a man named Benmar, his grandfather. The snow-covered peaks of the Katori Mountains scraped at the sky. The shadow of a man preceded him in the storm.

Kai tripped over a rock and fell into the snow. When he stood up, he was alone. Through a cluster of ice-covered trees, he found a large cave opening. Inside the nothingness, something waited. Heat pulsed within the walls. Hot breath blew into his face. The walls came alive with ambient blue light, and he came face to face with two enormous amber eyes.

Startled awake, he sat up in his pod. His motion woke the flowers above his head and they bloomed with a faint glow. He looked near the doorway, searching for Smoke, but his wolf was not with him. Awake and restless he took a walk.

Up before dawn, Kai walked through the sprawling gardens deeper into the city. Crickets sang in the night. The occasional owl hoot echoed in the trees. While he meandered, he gleaned Haygan’s tree. Everyone was fast asleep. Across the way, he saw a figure.

She waved.

“Senina. You’re up early.” Kai clutched his hands behind his back.

He caught the scent of pineapple. The full moon shone down from above, its ambient blue light caressing her face. Her bent frame hovered over a bush. Again, the breeze carried the smell of pineapple. He sniffed the air. The aroma was undeniable. Senina’s long delicate fingers stroked the plant.

“Glean,” she instructed. “See its growth.”

Kai watched streams of energy pour into a small but growing bush. Dust particles of power fell from her hand. Light from the soil infused the plants roots. Only the tiniest bits of energy trickled from stones around the plant. Her green heart-shaped crystal glowed as it dangled from her neck.

Amazed, Kai watched. Stems lengthened. New leaves unfurled. Around the tips of the tallest stalks, tubular scarlet-red flowers bloomed. Captivated by the smell and the mystical growth, he found himself crouched beside Senina. He blinked away the magic of gleaning. His eyes beheld the new plant.

Senina curved her graceful neck around to address Kai. “Smells wonderful, don’t you think?” She stood and leaned into his shoulder.

“Smells like pineapple. Doesn’t look like a pineapple, but the scent...” He paused to stroke the leaves as she had done. The aroma bloomed anew.

“It is a very versatile herb, but its fragrance is the most surprising. The vibrant red flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. They grow all summer long and bloom come fall. We cannot always wait for the plant to be ready. I need to collect some for my mother. Can you help me?” she asked.

“I suppose I can help for a moment,” Kai said, feeling uncomfortable with her closeness.

Senina opened a green velvet pouch. “Pinch off the flowers and a few of the top leaves like this.” She demonstrated.

He plucked the flowers and dropped them into her bag. The pineapple smell drifted around them. After picking a few leaves, he took one and waved it under his nose. “I can’t get over the scent. Pineapple, from this little plant.”

“Here, take some with you.” She plucked a cluster of leaves near the end of a stem.

He gladly accepted the offered leaves and tucked them into his pocket. Over his shoulder, he caught beams of sunlight crawling across the