Chapter 33 Ariah
ARIAH
Iwake on a hard floor— my body uncomfortably face down on what feels like polished wood or perhaps ceramic.
Lifting myself up, my hand slips in a puddle and I fall back down, my face smacking into the ground. It’s another minute, maybe an hour—who really knows—before I try again. Time feels irrelevant and my mind drifts in and out of consciousness.
When I try again, I’m able to push up on my forearms, holding my head up off the floor. My blurry vision is corrected with a few blinks. That’s when I notice my right hand is coated in red. There is a strong scent of iron that churns my stomach and brings about a feeling of nausea. It’s blood.
The image of a body next to me becomes clear.
It’s Chana. Eyes wide open, but no soul inside.
Scrambling to my feet I find myself surrounded by more bodies. I spot Vera and Sky. Luna and Morren. My parents aren’t far off either. All are dead, lying in the ballroom of the castle.
My heart falls along with my knees when I see Iann lying there soaked in blood.
“Think you can escape our deal by dying?” I don’t need to look to know whose voice it is.
Morrena walks closer. “If you’re dead then who will be able to see my precious flower?
I suppose I could always threaten that sister and know-it-all father of yours into doing it.
” She kneels beside me as her face closes in on mine.
“The island may look like a blissful paradise, but trust me when I say, something darker resides there. Get me my flower and leave. Now”—her lips move to my ear—“wake up.” Her words fling me back to reality.
My eyes flutter open to Iann. His beautiful smile calms the nightmare I’ve been trapped in.
“Are you real?” My voice is hoarse and I’m not even sure the words come out until people start laughing.
“Very much so.” Iann traces a finger along the curves of my face and I never want him to stop. “I told you, I wouldn’t allow anything to happen to you.”
Vera comes over with a canteen and makes me take a drink before I say anymore.
Chana kneels beside her. “You scared us.”
“Scared myself.” I get up before Vera can shove more water down my throat and find Deean amongst the group. “Nearly killed by a Saden prince,” I tease and see a smile tug on his lips.
Standing up, I rise to the prettiest view. “We made it,” I say with awe.
“You see it?” Chana looks around.
“I do.”
“We thought it was here.” Nico comes into view with the map tucked into the pocket of his top. “But it’s like there is an invisible force field or something.”
“Can you not see the gate around it?”
They all turn their head towards the tree. “It’s just an empty field,” Vera answers for them all.
Feeling suddenly normal again, I take a step forward. Iann holds on to me, but I assure him I’m okay.
Glowing like a worm in a deep, darkened cave, the tree emits a hypnotic turquoise light. Through the slits of iron bars, I catch glimpses of white petals dusted with a purple sheen. The Ivian Flower.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up. A perplexing force shifts around the area. One that makes me both want to run screaming and draw closer to the tree.
I wonder if this fence appeared as part of Morrena’s enchantment or if it was originally part of the isle’s foundation? It’s out of place and makes me a tad worrisome.
Moving along the tall iron posts that protrude from the ground and circle the tree, I search for a way in and feel the others follow. They don’t ask questions or insert opinions, they simply watch and allow me to explore.
Within minutes of searching, I come to a bolted section within the gate that forms an opening. My fingers trail over the lock, tracing the keyhole. It’s not a regular keyhole, this one requires a specific shape—that of an anchor.
“I think I found the way in.” Like a magnet I’m pulled to Iann instantly. His eyes are eager, hungry to see the legend we’ve been chasing. “I need the anchor.”
Deean dumps the contents of his bag on the ground.
The anchor is the last item to fall out and he swoops it up so fast I don’t think it even has a chance to hit the ground.
He walks it over like it’s the most precious thing in the world.
My hand dips when he places it in my palm.
I nearly forgot how much weight it carries.
Aligning the anchor to the keyhole I confirm it is a perfect fit, and then I insert and turn it, until the clicking noises come to an end.
A ripple runs along the gate, as a gust of air rushes through my hair, and I see nearby trees bend to its power.
“What was that?” Deean shouts as everyone shields their eyes.
“Magnificent,” Benny says, “I can see it now.”
The wind stops and the gate opens. Whatever enchantment Morrena put on the perimeter is broken or temporarily interrupted. Who knows how much magic that woman used.
“I thought only you could see it?” Iann is at my side, his eyes locked on the tree that’s finally within his grasp.
My head shakes in bewilderment. “That’s what she said. But maybe only until we unlocked the gate?” I rub his arm. “We found it. We can save your mom.”
There is no hesitation, no disturbances, no issues as we walk through the gate. The only difference is a shift in the land surrounding the tree.
While the tree stands tall, thriving in its stance, the field around it is dry and nearly dying. I assume it’s another thing the enchantment was concealing.
“The ship,” Chana says, her finger pointing towards the shore.
“He must have seen the powder Deean and Sky set off.” Iann holds a new reassurance in his voice. “Let’s get this flower and go.”
The petals shine brighter as we approach, the vibrant allure carries us closer. The flowers’ scent is a sweet intoxication, like the smell wants us to devour them all.
There are hundreds of flowers on the tree, some hang low enough to pluck off and others are at the tippy top, out of reach.
No one takes the chance of reaching for one first, so I do.
Like velvet slipping into my hands, the petals are there waiting to be plucked, and with one quick movement that’s exactly what I do.
You’d think after being cut from its life support it would dim, but the bloom only glows brighter and there is an urge to shove it in my mouth and consume immortality.
“Are you okay?” Once Iann touches me my mind drifts back. The urge to eat it falls away.
“Yes,” I whisper. “Someone else should try.” If the flower I just picked can be sent back to Morrena then Iann can keep one for his mother, meaning we won’t have to choose between the two.
Iann releases a steady breath and takes a flower next. His eyes lighting up like he’s holding the most precious thing in his hands.
We give it a few minutes. Waiting for the island to swallow us whole and punish us for stealing, but nothing happens.
With no disaster having ensued, everyone takes a turn selecting a flower. Whether it will be something they consume, keep, or trade is a discussion for another time.
“Imagine how great this could make Saden.” Deean reaches for another flower. “We’d be an unstoppable kingdom.”
“And who wants that?” Vera places hers and Sky’s flower in his bag. “The rules are clear. One flower each.”
Iann grips his brother’s hand. “She’s right. Whatever you’re feeling is the flower talking, and I would not like to find out what Kialeric has in store for a punishment.”
Deean holds up both hands, surrendering. “Fine.”
“Sallen is waiting,” Iann shouts to us all. “Let’s meet him at the shore and get the hell off Farella Isle, before Queen Cayleen or Morrena sends people after us.”
He leans in close, his arm brushing mine. “Are you ready to see my home?”
My heart flutters from the idea of it all, his touch alone is enough to send me spiraling, but knowing I’ll be on a new adventure after just experiencing this one has me thinking my heart might explode.
“I’m ready to follow you anywhere.” I lock my hand in his and don’t let go until we reach Sallen’s ship.