Page 58 of Queen of the Night
As I walk away, I hear another giant splash and whoops joining with the roar of the waterfall, and I can’t help but smile. The three of them are as close as brothers by blood, and their boyish energy tonight leaves me smiling… until I remember how Ikar looks without a shirt on, and it’s definitely not boyish.Stop it.
I trip up a few steps and wipe all thoughts of Ikar from my mind so I can keep my promise to safely reach my room.
“They’ll be so pleased to see I made it here alive,” I mutter to Rupi sarcastically as I scoop her from my shoulder and place her on the table. She picks through the tray of food that was left there, chittering to herself as I ready for bed. I take time to rebraid my clean hair, and fall into the surprisingly comfortable hammock. It swings gently beneath me and cocoons me in its center. I snatch the cozy blanket and easily begin to drift off. I’m not sure if I dream in the night that Ikar ensures I sleep soundly, or if the scent of him always hovers around me, but I feel safe.
I sleep better than I have in days.
Chapter 34
Ikar
Though the room is barely lit from the first of the three suns rising, I clamber out of the swinging hammock and shove my boots on, my movements waking Darvy and Rhosse. Though the hammock was unusually comfortable, my thoughts were not.
I blink my dry, fatigued eyes and rub a hand down my face. Worry over the Field of Tulips consumes my mind. So far, the journey itself has kept my thoughts busy with our safety and navigating our way through the Lucent Mountains—not to mention fighting for control over my misbehaving magic—but now that we’re safe within the land of the nymphs and haven’t had to worry over the next fight or our next meal, I’ve had too much time to think, and the reality of the situation sinks in.
I duck through the curtain of flowers with my pack on, ready to get on with things. I lean near Vera’s curtain and call through the flowers, “Vera. It’s time to go.”
She responds with a muffled curse and a groan, and I smile. I hear the soft thump of her feet hitting the wood floor a few moments later. Guilt for pulling my companions from safeslumber and comfort nags at me, but we have a journey to complete and a kingdom to save.
I breathe in the fresh, cool air, and try to enjoy the sounds of the forest waking as I wait. I should be overjoyed that we’ve made progress, that we’ve traversed a good portion of the Lucent Mountains and survived—an admirable feat in itself. And now we’ve found the nymphs who can help us find the Field of Tulips. I might even have one of the flowers in my possession this very day. That is,if I’m worthy. My most significant concern from the beginning.
How does Lucentia determine if a king is worthy? Does she have a way to measure his care for his people? His willingness to sacrifice for them? His honor and the goodness of his heart? Even then, I’m likely still too selfish, and if it’s merely based on the amount of gold left in my mark, then I’ll find myself tulipless and begging Lucentia to take my life in exchange for my kingdom’s magic out of desperation—not a comfortable thought.
Rhosse steps out first, placing a hand on my shoulder with a firm, brotherly grip. “You’ll be holding a black tulip in your hands soon. It’ll be worth it.”
Apparently, even a hammock can’t mask the sounds of restlessness from him.
“If I’m worthy,” I mutter.
“You’re the only one who doubts it.”
It’s always easier to say that about someone other than yourself, but I don’t say it aloud because I’m not looking to argue. Instead, I laugh, but it lacks the genuine ring of humor. “Have you asked Vera her opinion on that?”
He inclines his head in agreement with a wry grin. “I’d recommendnotdoing that.”
Vera steps from her room, her hair in a neat, loose braid.She brushes loose petals from her shoulder and firmly plucks one from the tight grasp of Rupi’s tiny beak. “You need my opinion? It’s free of charge today.” She looks up with a teasing glint in her eyes and a saucy tilt to her mouth that draws my gaze, tempting forbidden feelings to grow.
How is it that every morning she’s more beautiful than the last? She’s a siren made specifically to be the woman of my dreams to tempt me from my duty. It’s been a long time since I kissed those perfect lips, traced the curve of her jaw with my finger… and the way she’s smiling right now… It feels as if we’re back to criminal and bounty hunter. I blink, and anger flares. It’s not just my magic that’s misbehaving; it’smeas well. Another mark against my worthiness for my wayward thoughts. I feel as if I’m betraying my future bride.
“Free of charge? I’ll take advantage of that.” Darvy exits the room and joins us on the small platform. “Tell me honestly, Vera, do you like this jacket?” He holds the seams out wide and turns a little to show it off. But really, it just reveals more of his broad, armor-clad chest.
Vera laughs. “It’s very nice.” Her cheeks pink prettily, and I feel a rush of annoyance.
“Odella will be waiting,” I interrupt. “Let’s go.”
I catch Vera’s eye before I turn and try not to make more of it than I should. So what if Darvy wants to court her? He deserves someone kind and beautiful, funny and resilient. Someone like Vera. But the thought of them together is too painful to consider. I’d see her constantly… I’d be at their wedding and probably godfather to the children they make together.
I resist the urge to retch over the side of the path. I feel as if I was stabbed with my own enchanted sword.No.Darvy can find someoneelse.
Another strike against my worthiness as I wallow in selfishness.
It’s not long before we reach the dock, where Odella awaits us. She’s just as beautiful and serene as yesterday, though flowers have bloomed in different places along her dress of vines and in her hair. I try not to stare at the woman beside her, who I assume is the Naiad Odella mentioned would help us. Her skin is light blue, and shimmers the same as the water that rushes beneath the dock. She’s clothed in a delicate sleeveless dress of what appears to be spider silk—similar to how I’ve seen the fae use it—but hers has fish, plants, and other designs woven into the fabric. Her eyes are captivating, the color within her irises moving like rushing water, and her dark hair hangs long and wet down her back.
“This is Adara. She will speed your journey and help you to our border. Remember, I’ll leave it open for two days. If you’re late, you’ll need to find another way around.”
I nod. Two days. Odella seems to think it will be enough time.
Beside the dock, there is a leaf-shaped boat constructed of gleaming wood with two solid benches that span its width. Two oars rest on the sides, and at the rear of the boat there are two curved handles. Adara motions to the boat, her eyes gleaming with eager excitement. It makes me nervous.
