Page 52 of Queen of the Night
Odella didn’t appear to make enough space at her table for the height of these men. I attempt to move to the left toward Rhosse, but it only bumps my chair into his awkwardly, and Irealize if I attempt to scootch anywhere else, I’ll be drawing attention. I finally give up and slide back in my chair until my back is straight against it, leaving my knee a whisper from Ikar’s leg, and sigh, causing all the fly-aways to float out around my face. I accept that this isn’t my best moment.
Ikar shifts just then, relaxing into his seat and allowing his long legs to stretch out, appearing without care as his thigh presses more firmly against my knee now—with nowhere for me to go. I see the smallest hint of a grin on his lips, but he turns his attention to Odella when she says his name in a magically soft way that makes me tense.
I direct my gaze to the edge of the balcony so I don’t do something ridiculous, like leap over the table and throttle her. It’s then I realize there is no edge or railing to this balcony; it just simply… ends, offering a full and unimpeded view of the healthy, vast forest beyond. I admit, it’s incredible in a way I can’t describe. I even spot a waterfall in the distance that I would love to investigate.
Rupi flutters to the edge, perching alongside a flock of vibrantly-colored birds in hues of red, blue, and purple. She hops excitedly amongst the bunch, appearing to have made friends easily enough. For a moment, she meets my eye, and I can’t help but smile at the way her fluff blows in the gentle breeze and how relaxed she seems. It makes visiting the nymph queen worth it, even though it makes me feel like a raggedy pauper.
Rupi and her gang take flight a moment later, and once again I’m left staring at the blunt edge of the fancy wood floor beneath us. If this woman wanted to kill us, would she simply tilt the floor and slide us off? It’s a morbid thought. But better to think of that than the heat I feel from Ikar’s thigh still pressed to my knee. I try not to move. At all.
A nymph dressed in similar petals to the first sets food before me. What looks to be fresh roots, seeds, perfectly ripened fruit, and fresh-caught fish lay within a large vein-covered, green leaf. I sigh in relief. No bugs—this, I can handle. The fae eat in a similar way, but they do enjoy their insects. I think of my teenage years with Mama Tina and the variety of insect dishes she served at her fancy parties: sides of queen-ant eggs, salted grasshoppers with a dash of lime, cocktails garnished with worm salt among others. I gag just thinking of it.
I lift a crunchy root to my mouth and chew, but when Odella lowers her voice, I wish I’d chosen something softer so I can listen better.
“Your mark is black,” she says bluntly, her vivid blue eyes flashing.
Ikar smiles in a self-deprecating way. “Your guards told you.”
A fiery urge to defend him rises to my lips. She should know how much weight and guilt he carries, how he worries about his people… but I keep quiet. What am I going to say? He’s doing everything he can, and I care about him… except I also want him to fail, and I hate him? I cringe as I realize that’s the truth of my feelings. It doesn’t sit well. I’ve never been more emotionally confused in my life.
“They don’t have to tell me,” she says softly. “I’m connected to everything here.”
“Then you know it’s not completely black.”
She nods. “Which means we still have time, short though it is. The shadows have been devouring my nymphs, sucking the life from them as it spreads. It’s only this small portion of the mountain left.” She looks out over the forest that spreads before us. It’s difficult to think that this part of the forest is struggling when it appears so vibrant and full, but apparently sheconsiders thissmall, and it makes me wonder what it used to be like.
“I can’t maintain it forever.” The tone of her voice tells me she has accepted her fate as she turns her wrist over, and my eyes widen with shock at the black that darkens her veins and crawls up her arm.
Chapter 32
Ikar
Ieye the black streaks traveling up her lower arm with concern. “That’s why we’re here. We search for the Field of Tulips.”
“Have you found a Queen of the Night?” Odella asks.
I force calm into my voice. “Not yet.”
Her eyes hook on Vera, curious.
“That’s our originator,” I add, clearing up any confusion.
Vera looks up, and Odella tilts her head to the side, meeting her gaze.
“Your hand?” Odella gracefully extends one light-green hand midway across the table toward Vera, who looks at me, unsure.
I offer an encouraging nod. She hesitantly stretches her hand out. I watch with interest as Odella folds her fingers around Vera’s. I’d mentioned that Odella is a seer, but it is rare to receive knowledge from one. Seer visions can’t be requested—only offered. I wonder if Vera understands the gravity of the moment.
The vines that are settled in a fancy crown on Odella’s silkyhair loosen and glide down her arm, twining around both their hands, then traveling up Vera’s arm and around her neck. I can hear her heart pounding from here as she watches, but I know Odella won’t hurt her. Vera stiffens when they reach the back of her neck, fear pronounced in her gray eyes.
I’m about to call Odella off, but suddenly she speaks, her eyes flashing gold. “Lucentia favors you greatly. Out of many who are weak, you are strong. Do your duty, and you will help in restoring lucent to our kingdom. Beware of one whom you’re inclined to trust…”
Her gold eyes hold Vera’s as if silently communicating with her, and I clench my jaw in frustration that I don’t know what’s being said.
The vines retract, and Vera sits back against her chair almost violently, fear lighting her eyes.
Lucentia favors her? Her duty? It makes sense, I guess. She is a gifted originator—the best I’ve ever seen, if I’m honest. Her help on this journeywillhelp in restoring lucent if I retrieve the flower. Which it sounds like I might from Odella’s revelation—that thought brings a hint of relief. But what else did she share with Vera?
Odella stares with open curiosity at Vera from across the table. “You have secrets.”
