Chapter 16 Grave #2
My jaw ticked. “Don’t you mean your father’s home?
” Ryder was acting as if his father were already dead and returning his magic to the land.
“And I don’t intend to insult you in here any further when doing so outside of these walls works just as well.
” I pushed my chair out and leisurely stood. “I believe our business here is done.”
Amalee stood next to me, unhurried, but no doubt enraged by my behavior.
If there was any hope of striking a deal, she’d probably thought I’d ruined it.
But Kuroden needed leverage, and if it meant pushing the prince to his limits, I’d do it.
There was nothing I wouldn’t do for our people.
I turned to leave, but paused the moment Leanna’s voice hit the air.
“I’m sure you both are weary from travel, one night of rest certainly cannot be enough for either of you. It would be lovely if you stayed and we could pick this conversation up once everyone has rested,” Leanna said, far too sweet for her true nature.
My sister and I had no intention of spending any more time in Rivale than was necessary. But with my newfound interest in the woman who wielded life into the ground from death itself, I could be easily convinced.
“Ryder is courting several women, and it would be wonderful for you to attend a formal dinner we have planned at the end of the week,” she continued. “Our future queen is sitting within these walls as we speak and you might be one of the first to meet her.”
I turned and laggardly walked across the room to the window. Pulling back the billowing curtain, I looked out at the blue sea. “I suppose it would be a shame to travel all this way and leave without first enjoying the view.”
“Yes!” Leanna rushed across the room and fluttered her hand up to the back of my neck. “Rodrick has been quite busy, and I’m sure I could find several ways to entertain you during your stay.”
I stepped to the side, forcing her hand to drop, and turned to face the room. Ryder had drained his second cup of wine and was pouring a third.
She clasped her hands together in front of her. “Perhaps a tour is in order.”
“Yes, a tour was exactly what you had in mind with Grave, I’m sure.” Ryder rolled his eyes before setting his sights on me. “Shall we plan to meet at the end of the week?”
“I don’t see how it could hurt,” I offered, with no intent of agreeing, no matter when we met again.
“My sister will arrange your accommodations,” Ryder said nonchalantly, before walking out of the room with the others in tow.
An hour later, Amalee and I settled into our rooms with a shared bathing room between them. The space was better than what we had initially been given. Fluffy bedding, thick as clouds, sat atop my bed.
“What was that shit you pulled?” Amalee bit out. “We need them as much as they need us. More so, maybe.”
“Patience has never been your best quality.” I shook my head and looked out the window. The second floor offered a lavish backdrop, not only of a field of blue flowers but also of cliffs dropping off into the roaring sea.
My eyes caught on the woman seated on a stone bench peering into the navy waves.
Finding her in the garden the night before had taken me by surprise; I somehow lost my words in her presence.
But when her hazel eyes met mine, I practically lost my breath altogether.
The green globes flecked with brown were what poems were written about.
She was every small moment that made your breath catch in the back of your throat. The thing that made your heart flutter inside your chest. It took everything in me to ask her about the flower instead of learning more about her.
“Hello?” Amalee pushed. “You still here?”
The woman’s tan dress shifted around her as she made her way down to lie among the variety of blue flowers. “She looks sad.” I contemplated.
Amalee moved to my side and peered out the window. “Who?”
The woman lay engulfed by the foliage surrounding her, and if I hadn’t seen her move, I might’ve missed her. I ignored my sister’s question and continued my observation.
“Last night I ran into a woman in the gardens. She was digging in the dirt,” I said, chuckling.
“How delightful,” Amalee mocked with a raised brow. “Can’t wait to hear where this is headed.”
“She grew a flower right before my eyes, as if it was something she’d done every day since the moment she was born.” I pulled the tie from my hair, letting my strands fall to my shoulders.
“Am I supposed to be impressed by magic that comes naturally to the Rivale fae? Will you tell me she has two eyes and pointed ears next? Shocking.”
I shook my head. “No, you didn’t see the ground—it was dead. It wasn’t like she expanded an already established vine or tree. She created something out of nothing. She created life from broken land.”
Out of my periphery, my sister’s eyes narrowed as the pieces clicked with one another. “Did you ask her how she did it or if she knows anyone who could help us?”
I shook my head. “I didn’t, but I do have something in mind.”