Page 12 of Queen of the Night
Jethonan waves that question off with his hand. “I’ve been breathing it all week, and I’m still alive.”
I look toward Ikar with concern, but he’s busy making himself comfortable in a cushy armchair near a bookshelf, settling into its back with his legs spread wide and relaxed. He sighs so deeply that it causes the blue air to billow around his face temporarily. He doesn’t appear too worried.
Finally Jethonan finishes tinkering with a glass contraption I have no name for and calls me over, proceeding to give me a short tour of the many projects he has in progress. They’re interesting, to be sure, but I’m more entertained by Jethonan’s antics and the passion in his expression as he explains details I’ll never actually understand. When he’s finished, he leaves me to browse while he speaks with Ikar about someone’s journal. Rupi joins me on my shoulder, and I stroke her soft white fluff as I tune out their voices and return to one project that caught my eye during his short tour.
I lean down until my eyes are level with a glass vase-like container with a lid that contains a portion of misty gloam. Rupi leans forward, same as I, as I reach a finger up and tap it. It reacts by swirling furiously, and swiftly begins to form the shape of a tiny deathstalker. I tap it again, and it viciously attempts to attack me against the glass, snarling and clawing. Deathstalkers are terrifying creatures. But feeling brave with that wall of glass between us, I touch it again. It feels cold as ice now, and frosty. I’ve never actually tried to attack gloam—I merely defend myself while sending magic to whatever hunter I’m currently working for—but my lucent orbs have deterred gloam creatures before, and I’m curious what this little guy will do.
The protection of the glass jar between us boosts my confidence as I bend closer, come a little nearer, and align my nose with its face. I lift an inquisitive finger and pull lucent, tapping where the tiny deathstalker snarls against the glass. The moment my lucent finger and its snarling form meet against the glass, the miniature deathstalker implodes, and I instinctively jerk away. All that’s left are shreds and bits of gloam that are already fading.
I look at my finger, then back at the now-emptyjar. That was unexpected. I look at Rupi who stares at me with wide eyes. I silently curse and spin around with the jar behind my back, instantly becoming the epitome of innocence.I ruined Jethonan’s project.
I bite my lip, trying to decide what to do.Act normal. I sidestep and hurry to another project I’d seen that looked interesting, promising myself I won’t mess with this one.
From the corner of my eye, I see Jethonan grabbing a glass vial filled with what looks like purple sand. “Here is the weapon I’ve been preparing for you. It appears small, but I assure you it is quite powerful.” He begins walking toward this side of the room, and I stand, clasping my hands behind my back like I should have been doing all along.
Jethonan stops before the vase-jar and motions for Ikar to join him. “Come, I’ll show you how it works.”
Ikar stands and makes his way over while panic builds.
No. Not that one.I cringe a little as he bends down to inspect it and finds the gloam gone. He taps it, just like I did. But this time, nothing happens.
I killed it.
“Very strange, but my gloam specimen is missing.” Jethonan inspects the lid and finds it secure, then leans down to search the glass again, tapping here and there. He stands, and now he’s tilted his head to the side and looks at me likeI’ma project. He looks at me so long that I start to fidget with the fabric of my dress.
“Everything okay?” Ikar asks.
Jethonan startles as if the deepest of thoughts were interrupted. “Yes… Yes, fine.” He speculatively eyes me once more.
I will myself to stay calm. He can’t know. That would be crazy. No one can justknowwhat I am like that. I didn’t even tell him I’m the one that killed it. But I know when it’s time totake my leave, and that time isnow. Before anything else weird happens.
“Well, I’ll be going. Need to get plenty of rest before we leave tomorrow. Meet at the stables, right?” I smile gingerly.
Ikar nods with one brow raised as if he’s confused by my abrupt departure. I bow awkwardly and rush for the door.
Chapter 8
Ikar
Vera fairly runs from the room, and I look Jethonan in the eye when the door shuts behind her. He smiles like a smug cat.
“What was that about?” I ask, perturbed at his behavior.
“You should thank me for producing such an astounding plan to save the kingdom. It’s going better than I ever imagined.” He bends to inspect the empty jar again, tapping the glass twice before he stands with a gleeful smile.
I lift an eyebrow. “I’ll give you credit for finding the information, but until I’ve accomplished the mission—to find the floweranda Black Tulip—I don’t think we should bask in our success.”
“Oh, we’ll be successful,” Jethonan says, as if it’s a known fact, as he tosses me the vial of purple sand. “It pains me to say that I don’t know if you’ll need that. It’s one of the best weapons I’ve come up with to fight gloam to date, but I think theoriginatoryou found just might be better.”
“Is there something I should know…?” I ask, frowning over his antics.
“No, no. Press on, Your Majesty.”
It’s not the first time I’ve been left confused by his behavior, so I let it go. “How do I use this?” I shake the bottle a little.
“A few pinches thrown at gloam creatures should obliterate them.”
“And have you created anything to make me aworthy king?” I ask somewhat sarcastically to hide the actual doubt and fear I feel as I walk toward the door. It’s the one thing that could ruin this entire plan. If Lucentia doesn’t deem me worthy, no matter how long and far we search, no matter if we find the Field of Tulips… no flower will be given to me. I was raised to be a king. Confidence isn’t something I lack when it comes to my knowledge of the kingdom, weaponry, or even how to rule my people. But my worthiness has been in question since my mark began to turn black years ago, and I can’t seem to get past the constant visual reminder.
