Chapter 21
Chapter
I know exactly how many paces to keep between us.
My heart has measured each step a thousand times.
Istir from my slumber, drawn out by the deep timbre of hushed voices. Merrek and Myrrdin must be at it again. I yawn, rubbing my eyes as they adjust to the brightened interior of the carriage.
Huh. We must have moved while I was asleep. I sit up on the bench, stretching my limbs before me, ready to start the day when it hits me—
We moved.
I freeze, my limbs still sticking straight out. My eyes narrow on the warm glow of pinkish-purple light shining through the rips in the curtains.
Is that—
No. There’s no way that’s sunlight from the Kingdom of Riches peeking through.
Right? Is pink even a color cast by the sun?
It’s been ages since I’ve seen one of Father’s maps, but I could have sworn the sun-cursed kingdom was a lot farther than this.
I thought I might have a few weeks. A few more days at the very least.
Crunch. Crunch.
Heavy footfalls of boots on gravel are audible just outside the door.
Oh, God. What if that’s him? The prince come to claim the one part of me I vowed to never let him have.
My stomach bottoms out as I scramble on all fours to the curtains hanging opposite the carriage door. With trembling fingers I slowly draw the thin material back, bracing myself for—stars?
They’re…stars. I exhale, relaxing my shoulders as I stare up at the twinkling night sky. I’ve never seen a night quite like this one. All of ours back in Kingdom Ruin were littered with clouds and rain, the only bright spots from where the lightning strikes the mountains, or the moon peeks through.
Though, that isn’t the only difference from the gray and gold landscape of home. For just below the distant white lights lies an open field of rolling blue grass, stretching for miles all around us, its cobalt blue waves filled with flitting blade-like wings that glow a fluorescent pink.
“Butterflies,” I breathe. “They’re butterflies!”
I can hardly contain the excitement stirring in my chest as I scramble to my feet. God, Myrrdin must be thrilled! I can picture his face already, stretched wide with a pearly white grin.
“Are you seeing this Myrrdin?” I call out, working the heels of my feet into my slippers before tightening the ruby red ribbon around my neck. “I’ve never seen so many before.”
At least not alive. I think back to Gally’s collection of bubbling pink poisons and chase away the shiver racing down my spine as I slip into the freshly cleaned, and very warm, glittery gown.
Oh, Rhidland you spoil me.
Elated, I reach for the door. “There must be hundreds. I would absolutely love to know more about their wings. Maybe we could—”
I stop just short of the carriage threshold, letting the door swing free from my hand as I stare, blinking, at the hooded knight pacing a path into the earth just below me.
“I was wondering if…maybe you’d—” Frog breaks off, still facing away from me, dragging his hands down his mask. He seems entirely unaware that I’m watching him. “If maybe you’d like to…to frolic near a field of deadly butterflies,” he finishes weakly, shoulders wilting beneath his cloak.
My brow arches above my good eye as I lean out of the carriage. Is this pre-rehearsed speech for me? I wonder.
No. Nope. Do not even entertain such an idea.
I should return to the carriage. Leave the knight to his private thoughts. That would be the respectful thing to do. And for the best, really…
“I would love to,” I blurt instead.
Frog’s head snaps up, his eyes wide as he turns toward the sound of my voice.
For as lethal as he’s rumored to be, he certainly does spook easily. Or maybe there really is something about me that puts the man on edge. If only I could help him to relax a little—to see that I’m a friend.
Wait. Yes, that’s a brilliant idea!
Without waiting for Frog to right himself, I hop out of the carriage and onto the blue, brittle path with newfound determination.
I can’t change the course of the path we’re headed on, but I can make it more enjoyable for those walking it with me. And right now, that means showing one painfully shy knight how to have a little fun.
“Are you just going to stand there or are you going to take me?” I ask, rocking on my heels just beneath his chin.
“I, uh.” He swallows hard, stumbling back a step so that our torsos no longer touch. “Take you?” he asks, his gaze holding mine.
“Mm-hmm.” I tilt my chin, daring him to hold my gaze. “Take me to frolic through the field of butterflies.”
“Through?” His eyes linger on the playful lilt of my lips before shuddering closed. “We shouldn’t—”
“Oh, but we should. It’ll be fun!” I promise, catching my lower lip between my teeth as I bring my palms to his chest.
“Wait—” his eyes fix on where my fingers spread across his thin gray tunic. His pulse hammers beneath them.
“And let you win? Not a chance.” A slow smirk curves my lips as his breath hitches beneath my palms. He gives ground with another step back.
“Miss Sunday.” My name falls from his lips in a breathless whisper, but his eyes…Oh, his eyes. There isn’t a single trace of fear.
Finally.
I take another step forward.
Then another.
He gives ground to each, his racing heart all but in my hand. Until his foot catches, and I close the distance so we are but a breath’s width away. Somewhere between the soft glow of pink wings and the gentle brush of tall blue grass, we stand, caught in a moment I swear we’ve lived before.
And then his boot lifts, ever so slightly, and I bolt.