Page 144 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

“No,” Samkiel interjected, and both Orym and I looked at him. “Orym, you head back and let Roccurem know, but I want to show Dianna something.”

Orym rolled his eyes and scoffed in disgust but nodded. “I’ll let you know if I find anything, and I’ll be sure to knock very loudly.”

Samkiel glared at him in annoyance and lifted his hand. A small portal opened to the library where Reggie usually stayed. Orym waved before stepping inside and leaving us alone.

My smile was soft and warm, unlike how I felt last night. “What did you want to show me?”

Samkiel’s head tilted ever so slightly. “It’s a surprise.”

“A FLOWER FOR MY LADY.” SAMKIEL HELD THE STEM OF A BEAUTIFUL white flower, the center a bright yellow. I smiled as the lady selling them beamed at us. She had been standing out here without a single customer until we walked up. Samkiel had bought them all, yelling for the patrons nearby to come. A small crowd soon formed, and they collected the beautiful blooms one by one. I didn’t say anything as he handed her enough coins that she almost burst into tears.

I feigned a gasp. “Thank you ever so kindly.” I tossed a lock of my hair behind my shoulders. “How will I ever repay you?”

Samkiel’s grin was pure joy. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.” He stepped closer, placing the stem behind my ear, the flower resting against the side of my head. “Let’s hurry. I don’t want you to miss it.”

I nodded, and he grabbed my hand. Samkiel’s smile was downright smug as we walked down the narrow stone road at the edge of town. I kept catching him looking at me, his eyes drawn to my dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a wide-flowing skirt that ended a little above my knees. It wasn’t lust that burned in his eyes but pure astonishment. For once, I wasn’t wearing black or red but a soft white.

“I would never in my wildest dreams have thought to see you in such a dress,” he said, sweeping his gaze over me again.

My smile widened as I walked beside him. “I have to keep you on your toes. Never let you know my next move, you know?”

His laugh was infectious. “That you do.”

We walked hand in hand as we neared the lower part of town, a display of affection I was still unfamiliar with. A few lights hung from branches, leading away from the buildings and toward the source of the laughter floating through the air. It seemed that after the events of the auction and all the chaos that followed, the city wished to forget and have some fun.

“Besides, you said something cute for tonight, and I couldn’t resist.”

His hand squeezed mine. “I am not complaining in the slightest. You simply surprised me, akrai.”

Samkiel let go of my hand as we approached a small dock. He placed his hand at the small of my back, and we got in line behind a few other couples. A lean man stood near a tall barrel, handing out what looked like thin sticks. After each person received their stick, they took them to the end of the dock. Long, thin boats pulled up, and another couple got out, making way for those waiting. I watched the exchange as we moved up in line, excitement bubbling inside me.

We reached the man handing out the sticks, and he spoke to Samkiel in a language I hadn’t learned yet. They exchanged smiles and money before Samkiel was handed two. He passed one to me.

“What is this?” I asked.

“You’ll see.”

“So mysterious,” I joked as his hand splayed on my lower back and urged me forward. A boat landed near the dock, and a man helped the couple out. They were all giggles and sweet smiles as they passed us.

Another man held on to the boat, speaking to Samkiel. He nodded and gave us a brilliant smile before walking away. Samkiel stepped into the rocky boat, placing his feet wide to stabilize it before he held his hand out to me. I grasped it without hesitation, and he helped me in. I giggled as we wobbled and quickly sat on the small wooden bench, wrapping my dress under me.

Samkiel pushed us away from the dock and sat, grabbing the oars. I watched as he steered us into deeper water, the powerful muscles on his arms and chest bunching beneath his shirt. I tipped my head back, enjoying the cool breeze on my skin. The branches of the trees dipped and draped in ringlets, teasing at the surface of the lake. Small glowing bugs darted between the tall grasses along the shore before we entered a far more open space. Several boats were spread out on the water, separated by a few feet. Samkiel maneuvered us into an open space, and we came to a stop.

I watched a girl lift her stick thing and press it against her partner’s. They sparked and started to glow, both of them burning at the ends. The lake lit up as more couples did the same, and I turned toward Samkiel, who was already waiting. He was always waiting for me.

I raised mine, touching the ends together. Sparks flew between us, a wash of gold illuminating our faces.

“You said you wanted a date amongst all the chaos, so I thought this would suffice.” Samkiel smiled. “Here, look.”

He leaned closer to the side of the boat, holding the sparkler out over the water. I shifted closer to him, leaning my stick against the side, letting it bounce next to his.

“What are we looking for?”

“So impatient.” He smiled. “Just wait.”

So I did. The water was a clear, shimmering blue, and I could see the bottom even in the dark. Then I saw movement between the thick oval rocks at the bottom. I held my sparking stick a bit closer to the water, hoping to see better. They weren’t overly large, about the size of my foot, and strangely wispy. The pair rose from below, swimming toward the surface. They had no eyes from what I could see, just beautiful scales of cream and pink. Their diaphanous tails trailed behind them in sweeping paths as they twined around their partners. They followed the lights, Samkiel showing me how to move them. I smiled and followed his lead, watching mesmerized as the small water creatures danced.

“They are called moonkrest, and they are very rare. Only two planets in the whole universe have them, and they mate for life.”

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