Chapter 6
A brisk walk around the garden was just what I needed to clear my head.
After saying goodbye to Adrian in the courtyard and assuring him I was all right alone, I went to the library for some light reading, and now I’ve found myself strolling around aimlessly, thinking about what I’ll do when I finally figure out the last piece of the puzzle.
The castle garden is one of my favorite places to be.
While elves with the power of verdancy can create any living thing that normally grows from the soil, this particular garden is naturally grown, containing many of the plants native to our area.
Those with verdancy do maintain it with a touch of magic in the cold season though.
There’s a light dusting of snow on the ground right now, so most of them shouldn’t be thriving as they are.
I know things have changed drastically over the years, and most of these probably weren’t here before the curse, but I find a lot of beauty in the ‘cursed’ plants and flowers.
Out here you’ll find tall plants with gigantic purple and blue leaves, bright blue flowers that seem to glow, though they’re not sentient like Lemakis, and dark crimson vines that make their way up stone columns.
Those are poisonous. If you poke your finger on a tiny thorn, you’ll be sick for weeks.
And in the pitch black of night, a lot of them glow even more, creating a breathtaking scene of lights and vivid colors.
I should have been gifted with the power of verdancy like my mother. I don’t know why I ended up with power over water.
Most places on the continent, it’s not wise to wander alone, especially after dark.
And especially in the wild. You don’t know what manner of beast you may come across in the pitch black of the night.
But inside the incredibly high castle walls made of ice that are also heavily lit and guarded, it’s a lot safer.
As I pass a particularly tall dark purple plant, I reach into my bodice under my coat, grab my dagger, and spin with it in hand.
I’m too slow.
Cold, dark blue eyes of flame focus on me, sending my pulse racing even higher. I hear my knife clatter to the ground as his forearm pins me by the chest against a stone pillar.
“Nice try,” he says coldly, his face showing no emotion.
I pull my head back, readying to spit in his face, when he reaches out a massive hand and covers my mouth.
“Don’t even think about it,” he says, this time a touch lighter. His eyes linger on mine for another breath before he slowly lowers his hand from my mouth.
“Why are you still following me? Do you know how many opportunities I’ve had to tell someone? Have I said anything? I thought you’d given up by now,” I say breathlessly.
“Why would you think that? I’m nothing if not persistent,” he deadpans.
I narrow my eyes at him. “You must have let something really bad slip. Maybe I’m the one who should be following you around. You obviously have some big secrets that would probably get you into a lot of trouble if anyone were to find out.”
His expression reveals nothing as he continues to stare into my eyes. “And what would you be able to do? You’re clearly a helpless little thing.”
I stare back, refusing to respond, and I realize there might be the smallest hint of cruel amusement in those eyes. I feel a blush creeping in when I realize he’s probably been following me for a while, and I didn’t catch it until just a moment ago.
“What are you doing carrying a knife around in your pretty purple dress anyway?”
I smell it again. That subtle smoky scent with the mix of something almost…
pleasant. I have no idea what it is. My heart is racing.
With fear, or something else. Curiosity?
He’s never once shown me a single bit of kindness.
I suppose the closest thing was him not murdering me on sight that first day when I overheard his plans that could have him hanged.
“Oh, you know. Just in case some asshole decides to hold me down with a knife again.”
“If you don’t know how to use the damn thing, it’s just another weapon that can be used against you.
You’re more likely to get hurt by it than do any damage to someone else.
” He pulls his arm back, releasing me, but I remain planted with my back against the pillar.
“Does no one teach you anything around here?”
He shakes his head, running his hand through his unruly hair.
“I know how to use it, thank you very much.”
“It’s almost too easy. You’re like a pathetic little creature. I almost…” He shakes his head again. “Never mind,” he finishes with a sigh.
“Oh just say it. By all means, don’t dance around my feelings.”
“I almost feel bad. Like a bully picking on someone half their size and completely helpless. But then I remember…”
I fold my arms and raise my eyebrows, waiting for him to go on.
He picks my dagger up off the ground, then straightens, towering over me. He holds it out to me by the blade while holding my gaze, but I ignore it. “I remember that I loathe your people and everything that you stand for,” he says with a low, even tone.
A coldness washes through me at the admission.
It wasn’t a secret, but seeing the truth of it in his eyes causes a reaction in me nonetheless.
He’s never going to be an ally. Even if I laid my plan out for him, he won’t see past what I am.
An elf. The people who forever imprisoned his people in their current forms. I wonder if it’s a torturous feeling, not being able to embrace that other half of yourself.
Does the dragon in him itch to break free every single day?
He narrows his eyes at me, seeming to fill with more anger. I must be emoting the pity I was feeling. Males with a heaping dose of pride don’t like being pitied. That much I know. But screw him, he’s been making me feel on edge and small since he got here. Who cares if I hurt his ego a little.
I finally grab the knife and step away from the wall.
“Why are you out by yourself at night? It’s not exactly safe. Or smart.”
“I come here at night because it’s beautiful. And magical.” I look around me at all the glowing colors, and he follows my gaze. “I’m perfectly fine out here at night. I’ve been coming since I was a child. We’re safe within the border walls, and the path leading here is lit the whole way.”
“And no one accompanies you?”
“No. I don’t need an escort. Nor do I want one.”
He steps back and looks me up and down. “You’re strange.”
“Save it, dickhead. I’ve heard enough of your lowly opinions of me for today.”
He pulls his lips in tightly and glances away, nodding his head in thought. If I didn’t know any better, I’d almost think he was suppressing a smirk. “Okay.”
“Why ice walls?”
“Why not?”
“Seems impractical. Nowhere else does it. Only Ellyar.”
“It takes elf magic to maintain them. They can’t just do that everywhere. And it’s not always cold enough here for them to stay solid on their own.”
“So, again… why? Wouldn’t a terra wielder building a stone or metal wall make more sense?”
I shrug. “The king has water magic. As did the three monarchs before him. Hence the river that flows along the outside of the walls too.”
“Got it. Another show of power.”
It’s true, most territories have stone walls for borders, and that is more practical, but we don’t do anything here based off practicality. Besides, I like the ice walls. They’re three stories high, an icy blueish-gray color, and they’re beautiful. I feel safe inside of them.
I step past him, done with this conversation and ready to head back to the castle.
“Hey, Daegan,” I say, turning back around. “Sneak up on me again and I’ll rip that stupid stud out of your face and shove it up your piss hole, okay?”
The corner of his lip twitches as I turn and walk away.