Page 51 of Burning Crowns

‘Surely we must be nearly there,’ said Celeste.

‘We’re close,’ Rose confirmed, just as the sand began to tremble.

‘Rose?’ said Celeste, voice rising in a panic. ‘Is that supposed to happen?’

‘Stay on your horse!’ said Rose, frantically looking around to see the source of the upheaval. Was it a blood beetle? Some other kind of desert beast?

The dunes in the distance were shaking, sand pouring down their sides, as if something were trying to punch up through the earth. A sickening crack appeared before them, rivers of sand tumbling down inside it.

Then, as quickly as it had come on, the shaking stopped.

‘It was an earthquake,’ breathed Rose, eyeing the chasm that had opened up before them. It was long and jagged, but not wide enough to stop them. She hoped. ‘Come on, Starlight. Jump!’

Rose gripped the reins tight, as the horse leaped over the gaping crack in the earth, clearing it with almost a foot to spare. Celeste and Lady landed a heartbeat later, and Rose smiled at her best friend, relief and triumph rushing through her.

They rode on, quicker now.

‘Eana has never had an earthquake before,’ said Celeste, once she had caught her breath. ‘Or at least not one that I know of.’

‘Nor I,’ said Rose, uneasily. ‘I’ve felt the sands move, but never like that.’

‘Is it … ?’ Celeste trailed off and Rose knew she was afraid to even say Oonagh’s name, as if it would summon her.

Rose would not allow Oonagh to have that power over them.

‘If it is Oonagh’s doing, we will find out soon enough,’ she said, firmly. ‘Come. We must hurry!’ Her search for a weapon felt more urgent than ever, as if Oonagh herself might rise out of the chasm in the desert and snatch her.

At last, they spied the Sunkissed Kingdom, glittering in the distance. The small but mighty city was entirely contained behind high sandstone walls that shimmered under the rising moon. To Rose’s surprise, the towering scarlet gates were flung wide open. Not closed, as she had expected.

Strange.

And stranger still, where moments ago, there had been only the song of the shifting sands,now she could hear music. A low pounding of drums, then the familiar twang of string instruments.

Was the Sunkissed Kingdom having a celebration of some kind? Certainly Rose would have been invited, wouldn’t she? Just as Shen had been invited to her own spring celebration.

Rose felt a prickle of unease. Well. She supposed it was none of her business what kind of events went on in the Sunkissed Kingdom. And never mind if Shen was having a party – she was here with a purpose.

‘Are they expecting us?’ said Celeste, uncertainly. ‘Or are the gates usually open?’

‘I’m not sure,’ admitted Rose. ‘Come, let’s investigate.’

As they drew closer, Rose saw that there were two footmen at the entrance, both dressed in red and black silk tunics. The first approached her and Celeste, bowing low.

Rose thought he must have recognized her as queen of Eana, until he spoke. ‘Welcome to the Sunkissed Kingdom, ladies. We are glad you found us, and hope the journey here was not too arduous.’ The speech sounded … rehearsed. Rose wanted to interrupt, to tell this oblivious footman that she had, in fact, been to the Sunkissed Kingdom before, that she’d been with Shen and Kai when they’d found it under the sand, for stars’ sake, but she let him go on. ‘Unfortunately, you’ve missed our formal welcome banquet but not to worry, there is still plenty of food to be had. We can take your horses for you, and if you hurry, you’ll be able to join in the talent display. Everyone has gathered in the square. It’s in the heart of the city – just follow the sand statues to the main promenade, and you can’t miss it.’

Rose frowned. What on earth was he talking about?

‘Talent display?’ said Celeste, mirroring her confusion. ‘Whatever for?’

The two footmen exchanged a look. ‘Of course, a talent is not required,’ said the other one, delicately, as if he were trying to spare her feelings. ‘If you would rather wait to be presented to King Shen during the ceremonial dancing, that can also be arranged. We need only your names, and of course, your home country.’

‘Presented?’ repeated Celeste.

‘Ournames?’ Rose choked out. ‘This must be a joke.’

But the footmen were stone-faced.

From somewhere inside the walls, a thunder of applause rang out.

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