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 safe slumber 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 recommend not doing 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’s me as 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 someone else.
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.
“Vera, take the front.” It pains me to order the next part. “Darvy, beside her. Rhosse and I will man the oars.”
I stand on the dock and rein in the tendrils of magic that excite when Vera looks up and our gazes hold for an extended moment as she places her hand in mine to step into the boat.
She lowers her eyes and slips her hand from mine as quickly as I do from hers.
Darvy jumps in next. Adara watches Rhosse with unguarded attraction as he steps in.
I grin at his reddening face as he gets comfortable on the small bench. Then there’s only me.
I turn to Odella. “Thank you for your help. With it, we will hopefully return with a black tulip.”
She nods with a soft smile, and then with a whisper meant only for me, she says, “All depends upon your worthiness, hm?”
I stare at her for a moment, attempting to discern if she’s trying to tell me something. She says nothing else, and her expression gives no other indication it was anything more than a reminder—a reminder that I don’t need.
I nod sharply and jump into the boat.
Adara slips into the water behind us, her blue hands locking around the smooth handles. “Hold tightly. You won’t be needing those oars until the border.” Her voice is as clear and sparkly as the Lucent River.
Vera hurriedly tucks Rupi into her pocket, where she chirps indignantly, before she holds to the side of the boat.
I grip the wood edge, and then, with no further warning, we’re off.
We travel so quickly it feels as if we skim across the water.
The river’s shimmers turn into one continuous bright flash on either side of our boat, and cool wind rushes through my hair and tugs almost violently at my clothing.
Rhosse and I look at each other, brows raised in surprise.
This is much, much faster than we’ve ever seen a boat safely travel the Lucent River.
The greenery and forest on either side of us is a blur.
I see the flash of a large bear on the river bank, but it’s gone just as quickly.
And then, the color of the forests disappears, replaced with the brown color of two steep canyon walls.
Then we stop so suddenly we’re almost spilled from our leaf boat, causing Rhosse to curse loudly while Vera yelps as she goes half over the edge at the front and Darvy grabs her waist to pull her back in.
Adara speaks from the water behind us, her blue eyes still rushing, and her voice so pure it almost hurts my ears.
Her skin shimmers with exuberance, and her long hair is carried behind her like a dark stain in the river.
“Use the oars to travel until you see three gold arrows embedded in a tree. Tie the boat there and make the rest of the way on foot. There is a path that leads to the Field of Tulips, but I can’t say what condition it’s in after all this time.
Whether you retrieve the flower or not, be back within these canyon walls before two days pass, or the border will close and following this river will no longer take you to the nymphs. ”
I incline my head with gratitude. “Thank you, Adara.”
She waits for us to ready the oars, then she releases the handles and disappears beneath the gentle rush of the river. As soon as she lets go, our boat is carried forward, and Rhosse and I push the oars through the water at intervals to stay on a straight course.
“And there’s the boundary,” Darvy says grimly, his voice low and his hand on his weapon.
We watch as a clear line of healthy magic river ends and the poisoned, gloam-infested river begins. The murky, muddy water is a stark contrast to the shimmering, clear magical river we’ve experienced this past day, and I dread navigating it.