53. Diar
Diar
Agendra had whisked us from Nazumi in the thick of night, before news could spread of my attack on the commander’s manor.
Traveling hadn’t been easy with Ferris’ wound. He’d spent the ride slumped against my back, which I didn’t entirely mind.
I wasn’t sure why I didn’t mind anymore.
The Paragon of Terishal rode a towering black horse with an unusually shaped snout, long and thin. A Terishal breed, I supposed. He pushed us at a quick pace, guiding us back to the village of Paragon’s reach.
Ferris had done the math—we would never reach the wedding in time. Agendra had promised a solution could be found in Tur Isaevlair.
I didn’t have hopes for this gathering of nobles—everyone thus far had denied me. They would, too. Instead, I focused on the promise of seeing inside the Paragons’ ancient tower.
And being welcomed through its doors.
Or so I hoped.
Ferris wrapped his arms around my waist and laid his chin on my shoulder. “There she is,” he murmured.
The black tower pierced the cloudy heavens, rising far above the lake and fishing village. Silver water lapped against black sands, choppy beneath a growing storm. Holding my breath, I directed Arrow to follow Agendra to the shore.
Agendra dismounted and led his horse to the water. He motioned for me to do the same. Slipping off Arrow, I offered Ferris a hand down. He grimaced, hand pressed to his side.
“Getting into the tower is easy,” Agendra said. “But it only works for Paragons. Listen closely.” He turned toward the tower. “Cimnich, de ar vaile.”
The words were unfamiliar, from a language I did not know. I felt a thrum on my back, and the lake’s water rushed upward in a great geyser.
Ferris shielded his face with his arm as water sprayed over us. A bridge rose from the lake and settled into place against the island with a groan. Water poured off its surface and plunged back into the sea, like a waterfall.
“Watch your step,” Agendra warned, leading his horse up the bridge.
Grabbing Arrow’s reins, I stepped onto the bridge, expecting my foot to meet stone. The dull gray material beneath my foot was slippery, frigid. Ice?
Pausing, I reached for Ferris and pulled him to my side. “You’re going to fall and die,” I said.
“Not with you so lovingly holding me.” He batted his eyelashes at me.
Shrugging, I released him, and he slid backward. Grabbing onto my sleeve, he scowled at me.
Chuckling, I took his hand. I didn’t want the Stormborn prince to die.
Yet.
The bridge sloped up toward the island. Its every shore was sheer rock wall, plunging into the icy waters. Once we all stood safely in its bed of silver grass, the bridge shuddered and lowered back into the drink.
Ferris leaned forward, watching it sink. He winced, pressing a hand to his side.
Agendra slapped him on the shoulder. “Reese can patch that up for you. Not much longer.”
“Right.” Ferris stared up at the tower as we approached its doors. “I’m curious what exactly you mean.”
Grabbing the door’s handles, Agendra glanced back at him. “It's one of the Paragons’ oldest secrets.”
The stone doors dragged across the ground as Agendra pushed them open. Dusting his hands off, he beckoned us inside.
Holding my breath, I stepped through the doors. Arrow’s hooves clattered against the tiled floor, echoing throughout the massive room.
Inside the obsidian walls, I found a cozy sitting room.
A great mantle burned with fire across from me, and several white-cushioned seats gathered around it.
Stands of armor and display cases filled with daggers and blades of various makes circled the room.
I stepped forward and looked up at the chandelier, hanging a dizzying height above.
Something moved out of the corner of my eye. A tail flicked across the couch’s back, and a cat rose and stretched, eyeing me with pale gold eyes.
“That’s Pumpkin." Agendra dropped his horse’s reins and walked to the fire. “I’m debating bringing him with us. Reese probably misses him.”
“Pumpkin,” Ferris cooed. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
The fat orange cat rolled over for the prince, presenting himself for belly rubs. I’d never had a pet before. Tilting my head, I reached out and ran my fingers through its fur.
It purred, content.
“He's too trusting,” I observed.
“Reese spoils him.” Agendra gestured to the western wall. “There’s an elevator there for the horses. But we have time to explore, if you like.”
“Mm.” Ferris grabbed my arm. “Do you keep clothing here?"
The Paragon nodded. “There’s a surprisingly extensive closet on the third floor. Old clothes from Paragons past and their attendants.”
“Good. Because Diar cannot go to a royal wedding looking like that.”
I peered down at myself—I still wore the fisherwoman’s robes. They had a few tears and bloodstains, now.
Agendra arched an eyebrow. “You can’t go looking like that.”
Wincing, Ferris observed his torn, stained clothes and the bandages peeking out from his tunic’s bloody hole. “Diar,” he said. “Do you promise not to stab me while I turn you into a princess?”
Wrinkling my brow, I raised my arms, trying to imagine myself dressed for a royal ball. All I’d worn were the long, trailing gowns my mother had tailored for me. I hated them.
“On one condition,” I said. “No Muirashin gowns.”
Reese’s cat had followed us through the tower, padding up the stone steps. The second floor contained a spacious dining room and kitchen. The Paragons’ personal chambers rested on the third. Agendra had guided me to the room Ishii had used.
I supposed it was mine, now.
Ishii had kept his room neat and simple—a reflection of his home. A dark blue quilt lay over the mattress, and the oak furniture was bereft of clutter. A single decoration rested on the dresser: a model ship.
Curious, I ran a hand along its dust-covered edge. What had this little thing meant to Ishii?
Sudden sorrow washed over me. I swallowed the emotions.
The door creaked open as Ferris entered, carrying a bundle of fabric. He pressed it into my hands. “Change into this. But don’t look in the mirror yet.”
“Why?”
“Because it's more fun to reveal the final look all at once, that’s why,” he said, backing through the door with a wink and a grin.
Sighing, I waited until I heard the door click closed before shimmying out of my robes. I dropped them on the floor and touched Siotha, drawing water from within its magical well to fill the washbasin in the corner.
I scrubbed the dirt and blood from my skin and unfolded the garment Ferris had given me.
It was not a dress. These were shatterblade robes.
A smile threatened to cross my lips. That annoying rogue was trying to worm his way into my good graces.
And it was working.
I pulled on the soft white pants and dark blue robes before tying my sword belt around my waist. A knock sounded at my door, and I called for them to enter.
Ferris stepped inside, already changed into a prince’s garb. He wore a silver doublet embroidered with patterns of leaves, and a forest green cloak with a high collar—the colors of Aenir.
“Surprised?” He smirked, brushing back a stray curl.
“Admittedly.” I stepped in front of the mirror. “I’m not sure it’s appropriate for a royal wedding, though.”
“That’s where I come in,” he said. He stood behind me and gathered my hair into his hands.
I shivered and clenched my fists.
“Something wrong?” He breathed.
I couldn’t be sure, but it sounded like he was flirting with me again.
“I can do my own hair,” I said.
“I’ve seen what you can do, and it leaves much to be desired.” Ferris tutted, twisting my hair into a braid.
Twisting my neck, I tried to fight off the tingling sensation that danced where he touched me. I might have known nothing of romance, but I knew why my heart had thundered the night he’d comforted me after my nightmare.
Why I felt so nervous, now.
No, no, no. What was wrong with me?
Ferris tied off the braid and tucked a deep blue flower through the strands. He laid it over my shoulder and regarded my appearance in the mirror.
“Perfect.” He smiled.
Gritting my teeth, I forced myself not to look back at him. His hand slowly slipped from my hair and lingered on my shoulder. My breath caught as he traced his hands toward my bare neck. If our skin brushed . . .
Reese’s cat plodded through the door, bringing a Paragon with him. Agendra tapped on the doorframe, knocking. “Are you two ready?”
“Yes,” I blurted out, ripping away from Ferris to follow Agendra.
The Paragon glanced between us, but said nothing. He led me through the dark halls to the spiral stairs wrapping around the building. We ascended to the final level, where our horses were waiting, already sent up by the elevator.
I expected another lavish hall, but there was only a barren room up here. Black stone walls set with wide mirrors peered down onto the lake and village, reminding me of the dizzying height we stood at.
Four archways were mounted to the southern wall, but they seemed pointless. Each looked onto black stone, leading nowhere. I approached one and passed a hand through the wooden arch to see if a hidden wall lay behind it.
My fingers touched stone.
“What are these?” I asked.
Agendra nodded at the tips of the arches. “See those? That’s our ride to the wedding.”
A gem was mounted into each arch—a sapphire, ruby, emerald, and topaz stone.
“We’re headed to northern Aenir.” Agendra guided his horse to the arch set with the emerald. “We’ll be taking this one.” He straightened his back. “Cimnich de ar vaile,” his voice boomed.
The emerald glowed, and light rippled within the arch. Wind tore through the room, throwing our cloaks wild. Raising my hand, I shielded my eyes from the sudden gale. Glowing light peered between my fingers.
This was a portal. The archway peered out onto a plain of golden grass, tipped with violet flowers. They blew ceaselessly, beneath a stormy sky.
“Shit,” Ferris breathed.
“Stick close,” Agendra ordered. “Hold tight to Arrow.” Nodding at me, he led his horse through the portal. Light enveloped him as he stepped through the arch.
Excitement thrummed in my heart. Grabbing Arrow’s reins, I followed him through.
I felt it—the world changing around me. The air shifted, growing warmer and wetter. Light rain drizzled from black clouds, and thunder rolled in the heavens. A flash of lightning lit up the distant sky.
I took two steps forward, guiding a nervous Arrow, and realized the peril surrounding us.
This ‘plain’ was no more than a mere island—three paces to my right and left a sheer cliff tumbled into . . .
Into the sky. Black clouds covered not just the sky above but the whole world around, above, and below.
Arrow whinnied, pulling against my grip. Agendra called from ahead. “Keep close!”
Powerful wind tore across the plain. Gritting my teeth, I held fast to Arrow and strode forward—toward the archway I could see anchored on the island’s opposite side.
I glanced over my shoulder, checking to make sure Ferris was behind me. He’d stopped dead in his tracks, staring at the world around him. A strange look had entered his eye.
“Ferris!” I shouted above the thunder.
Snapping from his trance, he caught up and placed a hand on Arrow’s flank to help keep him calm.
A few steps forward, and we passed through the second arch. Light wrapped around us, and the world changed again.
The wind calmed and stilled, and the air grew colder. Black heavens stretched above us, dotted with stars and twin moons. Everywhere I looked, there were mountains—black silhouettes on the horizon.
We stood on a forest road, surrounded by trees sprouting spring’s first leaves.
Agendra rubbed his neck. “That one is by far my least favorite. It's impressive though, isn’t it? Whoever built it knew magic we’ve long forgotten.”
“It was incredible,” I breathed, glancing over my shoulder.
The archway had vanished.
“Let’s get going.” Agendra placed a foot in his stirrup. “It's not far, now.”
Turning to Ferris, I offered him a hand. He stared past me, hand pressed to his chest. Pained.
“Are you alright?” I asked.
“Fine.” He blinked, and shook his head. “When we reach the wedding . . . my family will be there.” A crooked smile tore across his face. “They’re going to be furious.”
“You’re injured. Can’t you play for sympathy?”
“Not with them.” He flinched.
My eyes fell to his chest, remembering his scar.
Facing his father would be difficult. I couldn’t lie, couldn’t hide my emotions. The king of Aenir would see that I wanted him dead.
“Diar,” Ferris said carefully. “You’re getting that murdery look in your eye.”
I exhaled. “If you don’t want him dead, keep me away from him.”
“I don’t get the impression any man can control you. But I’ll try.”
Placing a foot in the stirrup, I gazed north, toward the distant mountains.
Forlaith had one last chance to accept me before I became their enemy, too.