Chapter 14
Ididn’t really like the idea of sticking around to see how dangerous nighttime was, but we needed to be sure before we returned to the others to repair the pathway.
But that wasn’t the only reason I’d convinced Crispin to wait.
We could always explore further with the other guys along, but right now, Crispin clearly needed to work things out with his mother.
Even if it was only to part ways for good, there was something within him that brought us here.
He might not want to see it through, but I would.
We sat outside on a fallen log, both of us with a cup of tea provided by Serentha. She might not want us there, but after refusing to explain further what dangers awaited us at night, she had made tea, offered some biscuits, and kicked us out so she could take a nap.
Although, I was pretty sure she wasn’t taking a nap in there. I could hear pots and pans clattering, and cupboards slamming.
Crispin’s eyes were on the setting sun, the soft light bathing Serentha’s garden in hues of pink and purple. There were mainly flowers in the garden. Flowers and berries. She didn’t seem to care for much else.
“It really would have been more useful to end up at court. They would have a better understanding of dangers across the countryside. We would know for sure if the darkness is here, and how much of it. Plus, we could have delivered our message to the queen.”
According to Serentha, King Francis’ first love still ruled over the land and had never taken a new king.
I was glad we wouldn’t be returning to Francis with bad news, though I wasn’t sure how the queen would feel about him taking a second wife and having a daughter.
He was no longer romantically entangled with Elena’s mother, and had mostly married to provide his people with a sense of stability after the pathways were severed, but his first wife might not see it that way.
I removed one hand from my teacup to put it on Crispin’s knee. “Maybe we came here because this is where you needed to be.” I nodded back toward the house.
He inhaled deeply, then let it out, startling a butterfly that had come to check out the honey mixed into his tea. “There is no peace to be had here. No closure.”
“You know, it made a difference for me finally understanding why my mom did what she did. Why she not only left, but took my memories. I hated her for a long time.”
Crispin gripped my hand over his knee. “I don’t think we’ll find any noble reasons behind my mother’s actions. She simply wanted the coin, and wanted rid of me.”
“Even if that’s the case, she might feel some remorse now.
She did feed us.” I glanced over at the empty biscuit plate, wishing there’d been more.
And maybe if the new ones could be a little less bland.
“And even if she doesn’t have a proper explanation,” I continued, “knowing that for sure and accepting it could help you to let it go. I think it’s the not knowing that really gets us.
Spiraling about why someone did what they did, and hoping they had a better reason than what we think. ”
Crispin lifted a brow, lowering his teacup to his other knee. “And you believe I’ve been spiraling?”
I laughed. “Okay, maybe not spiraling, but you haven’t let it go either. And it colors your perception of people.”
“You’re thinking of my reluctance to join your little harem.” He smirked at his choice of words.
“It’s not a harem!” I bumped him with my shoulder. “And I’m more referring to your doubt that I wanted you to be part of it. I know it’s strange. And it’s not like I could ever ask you to not see other girls. But I care about you just as much as any of the other guys, whatever you choose to do.”
“You do?” His sudden shift in tone made me meet his eyes, seeing a rare hint of vulnerability there.
“And this is exactly why I think you should talk to your mother.”
He huffed a laugh. “Perhaps you are right. You should go inside where it’s safer though. I’ll ask my mother to step outside with me.”
I shook my head. “You go. I promise to stay right here. And if I see any shadows…” I removed my hand from his knee, turning my wrist and flipping my palm upward with a flourish. “Vortex time, baby.”
“Or the big sword strapped across your back,” he joked. “You promise to stay right here?” He looked at the house, probably assessing how well he could see me from the window.
“Promise.”
“I won’t be long.” He stood, but hesitated.
“Go,” I repeated. “I’m almost feeling good enough to travel again. I’ll be fine.” That latter part was kind of a lie, but I was at least good enough to run away from danger.
He sighed. “All right, all right.”
I returned my other hand to my teacup, settling in to wait.
The colors of the sunset had faded into the cool purples and blues that hit just before nightfall.
It was peaceful, and I hoped the other guys weren’t freaking out too much.
I hoped they trusted Crispin enough to look out for me, and trusted me enough to get us back to Emerald Heights.
I was drained currently, but with the Realm Breaker, I was pretty sure I could make it after I’d had a nap.
My eyes drifted to movement amidst Serentha’s flowers, tall blooms that looked a little like snapdragons. Something was weaving its way amongst the stalks, and I realized with a start that it was a wisp of darkness. Had it sensed my arrival like the other mass, following us all the way here?
Remembering how the mass in the goblin realm had swarmed up Crispin without really hurting him, I remained perfectly still.
It slunk toward me with the vibes of a curious cat, stopping to circle my boot like it was trying to figure out what I was.
After several circles and a few testing prods, it streaked away like an arrow flying impossibly close to the ground.
Afraid to move, I gripped my teacup so tight my knuckles turned white. “Well, that can’t be good.”
Still clutching my tea, I remained perfectly still, waiting for another shadow sighting, but nothing moved.
Was this the danger Serentha mentioned? In the goblin realm there were occasional strange events and people going missing, but there was no way to prove it had been that mass of darkness we’d encountered.
For all we knew, it had been lying dormant, waiting for a pathway to open.
And maybe the wisp I’d spotted had been doing the same.
I waited until darkness—natural darkness—crept in around me, making my task futile. I wouldn’t be able to see any extra little shadows even if another one crept up on me. It hadn’t seemed hostile, but I couldn’t help but wonder why it had sped off so quickly after examining my boot.
I stiffened at the sound of shouting, made louder once the front door opened.
“You have no right to speak to me that way.” Serentha’s tone was strong, but cold. No hint of motherly emotion.
“And you have no right to dictate what I do.” Crispin’s words were so soft, I wasn’t sure if he was speaking them to his mother, or to himself.
Then his footfalls lightly crunched behind me and I could pretend no longer that I wasn’t listening. I looked back at him.
“We are going,” he said. “We’ll find somewhere else to sleep.”
“No you don’t.” Serentha marched right past us, but didn't spare either of us so much as a glance. “If Allistair learns I lost our first celestial since they all disappeared, I’ll never hear the end of it.” She stopped a few paces down the path leading toward her gate, but still didn't look back.
“We will speak further of your mission in the morning.”
“And of only our mission,” Crispin clarified.
“Very well.” Serentha walked off into the darkness.
Crispin offered me his hand, but he wasn’t looking at me either. “We should get some rest. In the morning we’ll question the other elves about the darkness. If they haven’t seen anything strange, we’ll see about returning to the others to heal the pathway.”
Bothered that he wasn’t looking at me, I stood without his help. “I saw a shadow. It was a little one, but it sniffed around my boot for a while before darting off.”
His eyes, wide now instead of narrowed in irritation, finally lowered to my face. “Why didn’t you come to me immediately?”
“Because it darted off,” I repeated. “What would you have done?”
He shook his head, still clearly distracted. “Never mind. Let’s just get some rest.” His eyes were now peering out into the darkness. And there was only one word for his expression.
Haunted.
But not by anything we could fight.