“What…” My voice trembles as I try to understand why they would burn their skin. “What is this?”
“Scorched by fire. Each mark tells a story of the future in the language of the flames by the oracles.” His eyes glance from mine then back to his arm. “Magic always comes with a price.And in order to see what is to come, the fire marks us so those who see the symbols, know we went to the Darklands. Which isforbidden.”
“But the Queen—” I go to speak.
“The Queen rules all the Realms, she is capable of moving in and out of the Realms within seconds with the Light Stone. She can walk the forbidden lands, others cannot.” His jaw clenches.
“Then why go? Why risk it?” I step forward, gazing into his eyes that soften.
“Reasons I cannot share.” His eyes flicker from my lips to my eyes. “But, the oracle never showed me you. It showed me everything up to this moment and past this moment, but I never sawyou. Why?”
“Because I am not from your world, Koen.” I touch his arm hesitantly before holding it with a tender touch as I stare at the markings. A rush of sadness rushes over me. “Believe me. I swear to you, I am telling the truth. That is the only reason why the oracles couldn’t see me.”
His head shakes, the waves falling over his emerald eyes. “The oracles see all.”
“Maybe not everything.” My hands let go of his arm. “The Queen might have seen my sister and I need to find her. But—”
And then it hits me. If the oracles couldn’t see me… how would they be able to see my sister?
“You are wondering how they could have seen her? And not you?” His eyes soften. “There is a possibility… I can help.”
I lift my chin, searching his eyes for any hidden agenda that might be hiding but I see none. Only, sincerity.
“How?”
“You and Florian were going to go to the archive in the Ice Nation, weren’t you?” He takes a step forward.
He is too close.
I can feel the heat from his breath.
“Seems like you know everything now, don’t you?” I cock my head to the side, letting my braid fall over my chest.
He exhales sharply. “Do you realize they could have had you killed for that? The elder is one of the rare few who knows about the archives. However…” He pauses deliberately before leaning in, his words dropping to a deep whisper that brushes against my ear. “The answers you seek, especially regarding your sister, are almost certainly hidden within that frozen cave.”
I pull away, our eyes meeting with an intense gaze. “Then take me.”
“What’s in it for me?” His dimple deepens into his cheek, creating a shadow that highlights his mischievous grin.
“Oh, I thought you were making up for being indecent to me?” I lean forward, almost brushing against his chest as I glare up at him with spiteful eyes.
He shakes his head. “No fun.”
“Take me tonight,” I growl, pointing my finger into his chest. “For being an ass to me since the moment you met me. This will make me forgive you.”
“That’s all I have wanted.” His voice drops to a whisper, his breath tickling against my lips. “For you to forgive me.”
He smirks, revealing his teeth that beautifully,yet annoyingly, pop against his tanned skin. With a casual, almost dismissive, step, he circles around me, his shoulder grazing mine with a forceful nudge that sends me stumbling backward.
I grunt, biting my bottom lip with aggravation before turning towards him. He stands by the door, his hand on the doorknob.
“You cannot tell Florian.” He glares over his shoulder. “You will tell no one. The Queen will throw you into the games if she finds out, or she will have your head. Do you understand?”
“Why can’t I tell Florian?” I step forward.
“If he is caught with treason, they will kill him.” His throat bulges as he swallows, almost in pain with the thought of losinghis brother. “We have a few hours before the bridge melts into the water. It's cooling off as we speak, and we will have time if you meet me once the sun sets by the bridge.”
I tuck a loose strand that slips from my messy braid behind my ear. “I don’t want to bring any more pain to Florian.”
