Chapter 15 – Sera
Chapter Fifteen
SERA
Reaching up and bending slightly backward, I groan at the tightness and stretch of my muscles.
Gods, sitting hunched over books for hours on end is doing absolutely nothing for my posture.
My entire body aches from inactivity, so used to the physical labor of my work.
While mending might also put a crick in my neck, I don’t usually mend for nine hours straight.
My vision is blurry from staring at the faded print.
Alex catches my eye from across the table and smiles. “Would you like to go for a quick walk around the gardens? I could use some fresh air.”
I glance at Rae. The yawn that stretches her face is contagious, and I find myself answering in kind. “You know I love a good walk,” she says, “but I think I’m going to take a nap. I’m exhausted.”
Kian is off doing princely things, so that leaves me and Alex to go. Alone. This is probably a terrible idea, but I really do need to stretch my body.
“Sure, sounds good,” I finally reply, smoothing the wrinkles out of my borrowed dress. Rae insisted I take a break from my role as lady’s maid so we could focus on finding answers. Being dressed like one of the courtiers, no one has blinked twice. It’s strange not wearing my uniform.
“Learned anything interesting?” Alex asks, escorting me down the hall like the fake lady I’m posing as.
“Not particularly,” I admit. “It’s only making me miss home more.”
“I really hope we find answers soon. I’m sure you’re tired of turning into a swan every night.”
“Shhh!” I look around, double-checking no one is close enough to overhear.
Alex chuckles. “No need to be so tense, Spitfire. If anyone did hear, they’d never think I meant it literally.”
I can’t help but elbow him in the ribs. “Don’t be so sure. Some people still believe in magic.”
“Ow.” Alex rubs his side. “You’ve got a mean jab there, but I’m sorry. You’re right.”
“You’re admitting I’m right? Hells, I must be dreaming.”
Alex’s answering laugh floods warmth through my body and my cheeks heat. I knew this was a terrible idea.
We finally make it out to the gardens, and I blink as my eyes adjust to the brightness. The heat is already sweltering, but I’m grateful for the longer hours of daylight. Flowers are in full bloom and there are groups of lords and ladies promenading.
“There’s nothing quite like the sun on your skin after being trapped indoors all day,” Alex says with a grin before holding out his arm. “My lady?” When I hesitate, he adds, “Please don’t reject me in front of all these people.”
The sad pathetic look he gives me reminds me of a puppy dog, and I sigh before relenting. “If you insist.”
Alex immediately brightens, his smile lighting up the gardens more than the sun.
“Have you found anything more about ley lines?” he asks.
“The book I’m reading says we need to look for places where the magic is closer to the surface.
Often, temples are built on ley lines, and ley lines can also be found near bodies of water or places where significant amounts of magic have been expelled.
” Something clicks in my mind, and Alex must have the same revelation as he stops in his tracks and we both say, “The lake.”
“Do you really think it’s possible?” he asks.
“If we can find a map of all the known temple sites and the lines match up, perhaps we’re on to something?” I’m almost afraid to get my hopes up. Again. After so many barriers and setbacks these past months, the discouragement has been soul crushing, but now . . .
“Aren’t you glad we went on this walk?” Alex winks.
“What, you’re going to take all the credit?” I tease.
“It’s nice to feel useful.”
“Well, here’s hoping this theory pans out,” I say with a grin. I’m unable to stop myself from spinning around in celebration, turning my face up toward the sun.
“Beautiful,” Alex says, almost under his breath.
“What?” I ask, slowing to a stop.
“Um, it’s beautiful out here.”
“Oh, uh, yes, it really is,” I say, twisting the violet fabric of my dress between my fingers and focusing on an extremely interesting rock on the ground.
“Shit. No, wait.” Alex’s feet move closer, and I dart a glance up and take in his adorably uncomfortable expression that changes into something softer.
“I said beautiful because there is nothing more beautiful than seeing you experience a moment of joy. Your movements are so graceful, and the way the sun lit your hair on fire took my breath away.”
My cheeks heat and I look down, unable to handle the compliment or the way he lights me on fire.
“Eyes on me, Spitfire.” The utter tenderness in his tone leaves me completely undone, and when I look up and see the longing in his stare . . .
No. I can’t allow this to happen. I can’t allow him any closer.
“Alex—”
“It won’t kill you to accept a compliment. You know that, right?” he says, the light teasing in his tone putting me just a little more at ease.
“Fine,” I huff. “Thank you.”
“That’s twice now.”
“What?” I raise a brow.
“This is the second time you’ve basically admitted I’m right.”
“Gods, you’re insufferable.” I give his chest the slightest shove.
Alex laughs, and I can’t help but grin.
“We should probably head back,” I say. “I want to find the map with all the temples and holy places here and see if our theory holds some weight.”
With a nod, he offers his arm and I accept, trying to ignore the slight zing of energy that races up mine at the contact.
“Sera.” Alex clears his throat. “I’ve been meaning to apologize for how you found me when you returned.”
I almost stumble but catch my footing. “You have nothing to apologize for,” I say stiffly, hating the flare of jealousy at the reminder.
“No, please. I really do,” he insists. “I was in a dark place, and I made some bad decisions . . . the vespira root being the worst of them.”
“As much as I’ve hated seeing you struggle, you didn’t do it to hurt me, so why the apology?”
Alex blows out a breath, as if grappling to find the words. I’m glad we’re walking side by side so I don’t have to stare into his damned hazel eyes and witness all the pain I hear in his voice.
“No, it wasn’t done to hurt you, but you know, or should know, how I feel about you. Kian told me you thought I was betrothed, but I never agreed to that nor went through with it, and I’d just hate for you to think I’m the kind of man who would cheat. But even then, nothing happened between us.”
I stare up at the vibrant blue sky, trying to unsee that delicate hand reaching for him, the blonde strands of hair splayed out on his pillow. “As I said before I left, there can never be anything between us. You don’t owe me an explanation.”
“I still feel I do,” he says, sounding almost forlorn. “You have been the only one in my thoughts, in my heart. As much as I’ve tried to rip you out, I’m afraid you’ve imprinted yourself there permanently.”
“Alex—”
“I know,” he interrupts. “I know you’re leaving and that’s it for us, but I just needed you to know I’m sorry for anything I’ve done that has caused you pain, and while fate clearly doesn’t want us together, I hope we can remain friends.”
Tears prick my eyes, but I blink them back as fast as I can. Alex is suffering the effects of a bond he knows nothing about, and here I am, making it worse with our proximity. I owe him the apology. “You have a good heart. Thank you.”
When we get back to the library, I make sure to sit as far from him as possible. I really need to be better at keeping my distance. Rae and Kian join us, and the librarian helps us find the map we’ve been looking for.
“Is there any tracing paper we can use?” I ask, and the librarian gives me a suspicious look.
“Are you sure you know how to use it properly?”
“I would never dream of marking up this map,” I say, trying to smile sweetly. “We’ll be careful.”
She frowns but then harrumphs. “I’ll be right back.”
“She’s lovely,” Kian snarks.
“Oh hush,” Rae replies, giving him a behave look. “She’s been more than helpful and generous to let us take over the library for so long.”
The librarian returns and holds out a rolled-up piece of vellum. “Do not mark my map or there will be hells to pay.”
“We’ll be careful, I promise.” I hold my hands up in a sign of deference.
She nods before leaving, and I pretend not to notice the way she glances over her shoulder at us, as if expecting us to start coloring on this aged parchment.
“Do you have a ruler?” I ask Rae.
“Yup!”
“Great.” I lay the transparent paper over top of the map, and Alex weighs it down with smaller books on each corner to keep it from slipping. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
He’s far too intuitive to my needs, and I keep reminding myself that it’s only the damned bond.
After making small circles to mark the locations of the temples and known holy places, I grab the ruler and begin drawing lines, connecting them.
“Remind me how this will help?” Kian asks.
“Rae’s research on portals said they open easiest on convergences of ley lines, and because she is still newer to her power—no offense, Rae—”
“None taken,” she chirps. “I know I’m a baby goddess as you like to call me.”
“You’re my little goddess,” Kian purrs, and I roll my eyes.
“As I was saying, finding a convergence will give her the best possible chance at opening a portal between realms, especially if there is a possibility there was one there before.”
“And you think it might be near the lake?” Kian taps the table.
“It’s only a hunch, but Rae’s powers were unusually strong for a demi-god when she fought off that beast.”
“Forgive me for asking, but why in the hells would you hope the convergence is there? I’d think you’d never want to return to that lake,” Kian says.
Trying to ignore the roiling in my gut at the mention of that cursed place, I roll my shoulders back and meet his gaze. “I need to get home.”
He gives me a nod. “I commend your bravery.”
“Well let’s see if there’s even a need to be brave,” I grumble, completing the last few lines.
Rae gasps, and Alex leans in closer.
“Well, shit, Spitfire. You were right.”
I take a shaky breath as I let the image in front of me sink in. All the lines in Rakveren meet directly in the center of that deadly lake.