Page 55 of Queen of the Night
The room is furnished simply, but it only adds to its natural charm. A soft hammock hangs from the branches above with a cozy blanket slung over its side. I draw my fingers along its edge, admiring the texture. Nearby, the other curtain of flowers hints at a balcony beyond. There’s a small chair with a seat and back made of tightly woven vines and a small wood table with a variety of nuts, seeds, and fruit.
I gently set my pack on the ground near the hammock, afraid to disturb the perfection and simplicity of this space. I can hardly wait to grab my things and rush down to that tantalizing bathing pool, but before I do, I take a moment to part the flowers that curtain the back door and peek through. A small balcony, shared between the two rooms, is surrounded by a fragile railing made of smooth wood that twists and curls into shapes of intricate flowers. It appears more for looks than use, so I keep my distance, but what I see beyond draws me the rest of the way out. Peachy skies fromthe two suns already set are beginning to spread across and tinge the forest with added warmth and color. The last sun and its dim rays dip below the horizon, accentuating the deepening orange glow. The Lucent River weaves through the forest below, and the sun reflects off its surface in shimmering rainbow hues. I think if I could stay here forever, I would.
Rhosse ducks through the flower curtain of their room, and I grin a little as petals cling to his shoulders after he steps out. I return my gaze to the view before us as he leans lightly against the rail to my left.
“The river is magnificent,” I breathe.
I continue to stare at it, completely mesmerized. I’ve always been terrified of the river and its ability to take me where it wants if I touch it, not to mention all the monsters that lurk beneath its surface. But here… it looks like a dream.
Rhosse nods. “It is. Can you imagine our kingdom returned to this? Being able to travel the Lucent River as Lucentia intended?”
“You believe it can be? Truly? After so many years?” I can’t help the doubtful tone in my voice. This is the only way I’ve ever known it to be.
He smiles wryly. “That’s the goal. Why else would we be tramping through a poisoned forest?” He looks out over the forest. “I assume you know the entire plan by now.”
“What matters of it, at least,” I mutter softly.
He looks at me with a compassionate eye and, for some reason, I dread what he’s about to say. “Then you know Ikar searches for a Black Tulip, a Queen of the Night, to marry and bridge with.”
My lungs tighten. He’s warning me off. I know it. I feel like a girl being scolded by her father, except it’s worse because it’sRhosse. Doall threeof them know I struggle with my feelings for Ikar? So awkward.
“Yeah, I’ve been told. What about it?” I ask, feigning nonchalance.
He continues to look my way, and I force myself to hold his gaze. “He’ll follow through, no matter if his heart feels otherwise.”
Do I spy a sprinkle ofpityin his eyes? Gah.
“I’m not after him,” I grind out through my teeth.
The opposite, in fact, but I keep that to myself.
“I apologize if I’ve botched this… it’s just…” He grips the rail tightly, and I get the sense he’s as uncomfortable as I am. Rhosse is usually so calm and collected that I can almost forgive him for bringing this up. Then Darvy swaggers from the flower curtain and plops his forearms on the rail on my other side.
“What he’stryingto say is that Ikar’s magic busted a few days ago, and it’s still acting strange. Don’t take it personally if it has done anything…untoward.”Darvy clears his throat.
I nearly laugh out loud with relief, but I can’t let them see that. Ikar already told me he believes his magic is broken, and I have roguishly allowed him to believe it. I feel a rush of guilt and stamp it out—I have no choice.
“But he will also kill us if he finds out we’ve said something.” Rhosse speaks from my left, drawing my attention back to him.
“Undoubtedly,” Darvy agrees, more serious than I’ve ever seen him.
I pat their broad shoulders on either side of me. “I won’t say a word.”
Finally, a promise I can keep.
I spin around before they can spot the wide smile on my face, more than pleased with how the situation is panning out.Maybe, just maybe, I’ll get my bracelet and anonymity back with Ikar none the wiser.
I pause, carefully wipe the smile from my face, and turn back. “Where is Ikar, anyway? I thought he was with you.” I direct my gaze to Darvy since he was with him last.
“He’s speaking with Odella.”
How nice.I force myself to smile as if the thought doesn’t bother me like a sharp pebble in my boot. I escape to my room, listening to the deep tones of conversation between Rhosse and Darvy as I snack on some of the fresh fruit and nuts. By now, the sparkling sky is lit by the first of the three moons, and its dim light reaches into my room between the strands of the flower curtain. But I can’t sleep with Ikar still alone with Odella, wondering what they might be talking about all this time—and also, I need to clean up worse than ever.
I don’t ask one of the men to come with me, but Rhosse pokes his head out as soon as I exit my room.
He gestures me forward. “I’ll walk with you.”
“It’s safe enough here, isn’t it?” I frown, looking around as we head toward the main path through the trees that brought us here. “Did I miss something?”
