CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE #2
Cupping it in my hands, I detected a faint trace of magic emanating from the flower.
Could it hold one more secret after all?
I removed the oval moonstone attached to the flower’s pistil, rubbing a thumb over its smooth milky-white surface in case it was to blame.
But no, it wasn’t just my sensitivity to the moonstone; there was definitely something magical about the petals of the flower if my intuition could be trusted.
Pocketing the moonstone within, I concocted a plan to investigate the flower’s remaining magic.
Perhaps I could crush the petals to release their powers.
Or prepare a simple brew from them if that didn’t work.
For taste testing. A witch from Adrasea would probably roll over in her grave at the thought of testing the flower in such a manner.
But unlike a trained witch, I had no experience using the bounties of the land for spellwork.
Grinding it up might be an unsophisticated solution, but at least it was a step above lick it and see what happens!
My mind made up, I plucked a few more flowers, then retreated back inside to prepare the moonflower brew.
On my way inside, moonstone heavy in my pocket, I passed by the ceremonial basin.
Halting, I backtracked a few steps as another idea hit me.
I was certain the moonstone Terani offered me made me feel stronger, more powerful.
Maybe I could place the moonstone in my pocket in the basin—enhance my strength all on my own.
Tickled by my own cleverness, I placed the moonstone deep within the basin.
The foundation of the cottage started to rattle and shake, wood dust billowing from the rafters.
Hastily, I snatched the moonstone back out of the basin.
“Sorry!” I yelped aloud as if the cottage could understand.
“So that’s a no on putting my own moonstone in the basin then.
Got it—makes sense. Won’t happen again.” Surreptitiously, I scanned the foyer—no sign of Nix.
At least he hadn’t been around to witness the mistake; I was sure I’d never hear the end of it if he had been.
Apparently, I would have to be patient, my powers growing as I helped the people of the realm.
As they trusted me with their troubles. That was alright by me.
I was used to putting in the work. If I didn’t do something, there was no one else to get it done.
Finding more moonstones was essential if it meant more visitors would seek me out and successfully navigate to my island.
In the kitchen, I located my mortar and pestle, grinding up one moonflower to start until it was a fine powder.
Nothing happened. Heating some water over the fireplace, I placed the crushed petals in a mug so that they could steep once it was ready.
A while later, I poured the water and took a tiny, tentative sip of the brew.
Still, nothing. Just a delicate, floral flavor coating my tongue.
A wave of drowsiness crashed over me.
So potent I stumbled, plopping right down into the kitchen chair nearest to me.
My eyelids drooped. My breathing slowed.
My mind calmed. My head bobbed—all signs my body was demanding sleep.
I fought to stay awake. The petals of the moonflower did possess magic, potent enough to lull me into a deep, peaceful sleep.
The Green Man’s gift was even more special than I’d realized.
Now the question became—could I draw forth that same magic from the petals on command? Contemplating my breakthrough, I trudged to bed, now too sleepy to make it to midnight. I could use the extra sleep anyway since Nix and I were planning to leave for Uvrakar at first light.
I slept incredibly peacefully, the moonflower’s magic flowing through my veins.
Nix supervised as I packed everything we needed for the trip.
I was wearing sturdy boots like he’d suggested so I could more easily traverse the mountainside leading up to the abandoned dragon hoard.
A long length of rope had also been added to my pack.
A few of the preparations were less intuitive.
Like the log of wood Nix demanded I bring along, collected from a fallen tree in the cemetery yard.
The cemetery was a sacred place. Its importance to our trip, however, was a mystery Nix didn’t yet care to reveal.
For my final preparation, I tucked a few of the remaining moonflowers, plucked the night before, into my long, thick braid.
A pretty touch with a practical purpose, given their sleep-inducing magic.
“Are we ready?” I asked Nix, pushing open the front door.
A golden envelope, bearing my name, lay on the ground in front of the cottage.
I squinted at the letter, thoroughly bewildered.
Nobody had ever written me a letter before.
I looked around for any sign of who might have delivered it to my doorstep.
A golden bird with a long curly feather crowning its head flashed across my vision, flying away from the island.
Rubbing my chin, perplexed by the letter’s presence, I slipped a fingernail underneath the official-looking wax seal on the envelope, peeling it slowly open, so I could read its message.
King Filvendor formally invites you to an audience at the Summer Palace in Solaris.
A carriage shall be provided for transportation from your island.
Please be reassured, should you choose to accept this invitation, that you would be treated as an esteemed guest during your visit and thereby extended the king’s full protection.
We look forward to hearing back from you at your earliest convenience.
— By order of our shining sun, King Filvendor, long may he reign
I read the short letter over and over again. King Filvendor wanted to meet…with me?
“What does it say?” Nix asked impatiently, having exited the cottage to find me enthralled with its contents. “It’s an invitation—from King Filvendor of Solaris. He wants to meet me. I’ve been invited to the palace.”
The hackles on his back rose up. “I don’t think you should go.”
I finally pulled my eyes away from the letter. “Didn’t you tell me just a few days ago that I should get to know the Fae courts?”
Nix looked nonplussed. “The timing is odd. Why would he ask to meet with you now? Before your inauguration? I don’t like it.”
“Maybe he’s just reaching out because I’ve been leaving the island more than Kaylin ever did.
I was born in Solaris, you know. An opportunity to meet the king.
I might even be able to ask him about my parents.
If he knows who they were.” There was no way I could refuse the invitation.
It held too much promise. Fae were old enough to respect the things the Midnight Sovereign had once been, and wise enough to foresee what I could become again.
Perhaps it was a form of validation. That I was on the right track.
That somebody thought I was doing a good job with my office.
Nix’s expression softened. “He might know. Bloodline is very important to the Fae.”
King Filvendor was old—so old he’d lived through the Fae Wars.
The oldest living monarch in the realm. There was no way I could pass up the opportunity to meet him.
And he was offering me his hospitality. The Fae took such offers seriously.
Nix’s intuition aside, I didn’t think he intended me harm.
Otherwise, why bother to send an invitation?
An esteemed guest. The land held its rulers to their vows.
There would be consequences if he neglected his word.
“I trust you, Nix. But if there’s a chance to learn more about my past…
” I grabbed a writing utensil and jotted my reply.
Regrettably, I am currently otherwise disposed. However, I would gladly accept King Filvendor’s invitation to visit upon my return. I will wait for the aforementioned carriage in three weeks’ time at the riverhead from Solaris closest to my island.
— Respectfully, The Midnight Sovereign
Finished writing, I wandered into the trees, locating the large bundles of sticks and twigs wedged into the nooks of the tallest conifers, upon which the island ravens built their nests.
“Hello!” I called, my voice conjuring an answering rustle of wings.
Several ravens popped up out of their nest, peering down at me.
“Could you take this envelope to the Summer Palace in Solaris please?” I inquired, holding the envelope out.
It was remarkable really—that the ravens could deliver a message and still find their way home afterward.
“Solaris,” croaked one of the ravens in agreement, swooping down from its nest and accepting the envelope in its beak, before flying away from the island.
“Thank you!” I called after the bird, uncertain whether or not it understood me.
If not my words, then I figured the ravens at least understood my gratitude by the fish I made sure to occasionally leave out for them.
Having taken care of that, I hoisted my pack squarely over my shoulder and placed a hand against the cottage wall, wishing it a fond farewell.
As Nix and I made our way to the boat, excitement rushed through me at the prospect of a new adventure—so unlike the fear and trepidation that reared their ugly heads those first few times I left the island behind.
Uvrakar was calling. There were moonstones to find. And I was no longer alone.