Page 126 of What Blooms from Death

I tried for another polite smile, even as my heart sank at the thought of that sword of legend. It remained in its chamber, alongside Luminor. Safe. Protected. And it was so incredibly tempting tokeepit there.

My brother had assured me I could take it out and practice with it whenever I was ready to do so. But, despite his insistence and Eamon’s endless votes of confidence, I didn’t feel anywhere near ready.

I wasn’t sure I ever would.

Eamon went to his little sister and swooped her up in his arms. They looked incredibly similar; the same stunningly green eyes; the lean, bordering on lanky, frame; the same slightly lopsided grin. His hair was more blond than red, but just as unruly. Brynn gave me one of her shy waves, and Eamon mirrored her, offering one last smile before turning away for good.

As they left, Brynn happily perched on her brother’s shoulders, Phantom trotted over to me, settling down at my feet. (He likes you a lot, doesn’t he?)

“He’s merely grateful to me for bringing his sister back, he’s said.”

(It seems like more than that.)

“He’s not really my type. Much too cheerful—even for me.”

(You prefer grumpy types?)

“Yes; it’s why I’m so fond of you,” I replied, patting him on the head.

He growled, yet nuzzled his head more completely into my palm. (How many times has he asked you to lunch, now?)

I exhaled a slow breath. Eamon seemed sweet. Harmless enough, too—his dangerously impressive command of dark energies aside. But I wasn’t interested; I was still too busy trying to get a certain Light King out of my mind.

My jaw clenched, my hand stilled, and Phantom cocked his head to the side and asked, (Do you want me to bite his legs off?)

I snorted. “What is it with you and wanting to bite the legs off of the people in this palace?”

(I don’t know,) he replied, dropping to his stomach and rolling back and forth in the dirt. (I’m getting bored here.)

“Would you like to venture back out into the unprotected Deadlands instead?”

He whined at the suggestion.

“Exactly. Personally, I think we’re overdue for a little boredom in our lives.”

He didn’t disagree.

“Although, somehow, I don’t think we’re going to get it,” I added—and, right on cue, I noticed Thalia approaching us.

We’d worked together enough over the last few days that I felt as though she was starting to warm up to me—as much as I’d seen her warm up to anybody, anyway. Her scowl was less intimidating, somehow, and there was even a hint of concern in her eyes as she looked me over.

“Still in one piece?” she asked.

“Despite Eamon’s best efforts to ensure otherwise.”

The comment made the corners of her mouth twitch, maybe with the beginnings of a smile. “Good,” she said. “Because I have a plan for us this afternoon, if you’re up for it.”

I sat up a little straighter on the bench, trying not to reveal my true exhaustion to her.

“Your brother suggested I show you more of our kingdom,” she told me. “There’s one place in particular I wanted to take you—one that we’ll have to navigate on the day of Equinox and…well, it will be easier to explain at the location itself.”

Despite my tiredness, I couldn’t help but perk up at the thought of learning more about the world I was apparently destined to save. So, I agreed, heading to my room to change and otherwise clean myself up.

When I opened the door, Aveline was there, busily directing servants to change linens, dust furniture, and fluff pillows. Everything had already seemed perfectly clean when I’d left this morning, but I’d learned not to question her about these things.

She wrapped me in a bone-crushing hug. I didn’t mind; her embraces always felt genuine. She smelled like a comforting blend of rosewater and freshly-pressed linens, with an occasional hint of spice and sugar if she’d been baking—which was the case today. Warmth radiated from her soft, plump body, and I felt as if I could have melted into her and been entirely safe…like I’d known her for much longer than a week.

As soon as I told her of my plans for the afternoon, she helped me change, conjuring up a beautiful outfit consisting of a knee-length, dark blue dress made of the softest fabric imaginable, paired with a gold-trimmed coat and comfortable walking boots. It was a far different kind of magic than anything I possessed, this ability of hers to always put me in such perfect, flattering attire.

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