Read Online Dianthe's Awakening by J.B. Miller - Free Book Online Page A

down, grabbed my hands, and pulled me up. Nightmare ambled over and stood patiently beside us. My evil friend cupped her hands once more and knelt to give me a leg up. "You have got to be kidding me," I exclaimed. "I just fell off. I'm broken," I whined.
    "You need to get back in the saddle, as they say," she smirked. No remorse and a little glee were evident in that look. "Do not whine. It is unbecoming of a lady and you are the daughter of a god. Others will look to you as an example. You need to learn to comport yourself benefiting your station."
    She had to be joking. I had great manners. My mother and Mara made sure of it. The look in her eyes told me that whining wouldn’t be tolerated. "Fine," I sighed and climbed back into Nightmare’s saddle. "Let the torture begin," I grumbled.
    "You will get there, Dianthe, just wait and see. You will make a remarkable huntress." The look in Brónach's eyes told me she would make sure of it.
    *****
    "Did you know that time has very little meaning in the wild wood? I mean how long have I been here? Days come and go and there are times I don’t even notice it, Caomhnóir. I've lost track of the days and weeks."
    I was lying by the river with Caomhnóir. His great wiry body lay close to mine. I was on my belly, fingers trailing in the water, watching the day go by. Today was a rest day. We had them once a week from what I could work out.
    Everyone was allowed to do what he or she wanted once their chores were done. The only time a rest day was cancelled was in a state of emergency or a Hunt. Neither had happened since I have been here.
    People have left a couple times. Cernunnos disappeared every now and again. Once he slipped out in the night and I wondered if he had went to have a tryst. He hadn’t shown any interest in the females of the Hunt and when I asked Brónach about it, she changed the subject. The most I got out of her was that it was none of our business what the lord did with his free time.
    "So did you see me today, Caomhnóir? Nightmare and I were jumping fences; it was exhilarating. I never thought I would sit on a horse much less be doing cross country," I paused.
    "I don’t know how to explain it, boy. I don’t even think of you in the sense of being animals. You're not just a dog and he's not just a horse." He snorted at that. Seriously, for a dog he was easily offended.
    "No, I'm not explaining it right," I tried again. "You two are like a part of me. I do not understand it myself. I'm happy here. I miss my family and my guys but it's muted. I have tried to bring the feelings to the surface but I just cannot.
    “It's almost like everything before was a dream and then I woke up here. I know they are real and that I have to get back to them eventually, but just not today. Robin told me time moves differently here," my voice faltered and I rolled over.
    I stared into the sky. Lavender hues tinted the blue and wisps of clouds filtered the sun. I closed my eyes and let the warmth of the day seep into my bones. A few moments later, I continued where I left off. “Robin took Kale to Faery, did you know that, boy?"
    Caomhnóir raised his head lazily and shook it. "Well he did. They were gone for about three weeks in this realm. In mine, it was only a few hours. I know that and it comforts me. I'm not concerned in the way I feel I should be. Does that even make sense?" I asked him.
    "Ughhh, there's too many questions and not enough answers, boy. You know what my mum always said when that happened?" Caomhnóir cocked his ear waiting patiently for me to tell him. "I wish you could talk to me," I sighed. "I know you understand what I'm saying but it would be nice if you could talk back."
    A thoughtful look crossed his doggy face but I carried on. "Anyway, mum always said and I quote," I added finger quotations. "Girly, take it to the lord. If we cannot find the answers ourselves then ask God. Even if he doesn't answer you, a problem shared is a problem halved. His