A subtle, persistent tingling washes over me, and whatever it is that lies beyond the castle curtain wall—I feel it.The sensation races up my spine and settles into the base of my skull.
It’s ancient, powerful, andcold.
Stepping into the courtyard, a dozen Royal Guard stand motionless and silent. Their faces fixed in the same direction. My head swivels and I freeze.
Green.
So muchgreen.
“It’s a sign from the gods,” one male guard says and despite his quiet voice, the words ring loud.
“But which god?” a woman retorts, her tone curt.
A sea of emerald vines twist and climb over the temple. Barbed ropes braid themselves around the high rising spires, winding tight. The gleaming white structure is no longer the bright standing icon visible from the farthest reaches of the capitol city.
It’s been ensnared.
And the vines threaten to crush it.
They snake across the courtyard, stretching in every direction in a slow, intentional crawl. Broad, heart-shaped leaves unfurl and tapered, tight buds emerge along the vines. I’m reminded of the moonflowers that once graced the structure. And slipping my hand from Ryc’s, my feet carry me forward with cautious steps.
They’rebeautiful.
Whether it be the darkness or the thrill of the magic, something in my blood sings as I draw closer. Stopping before a single tendril, its curled end unfurls toward me, as if in greeting.
“Be careful, little love,” Ryc says beside me, his voice low. “We don’t know what this is.”
He’s not wrong.
But I ignore his warning.
Reaching, fingers outstretched, I graze the curling tendril.
It’s nothing short of frigid.
A sharp, icy shock rushes up my arm and settles in my heart. The closest bud bursts open, revealing an indigo bloom. As it begins to emit a faint blue light, other buds along the vine do the same. In a wave-like race and in a matter of seconds, the center courtyard is bathed in blue.
The shimmering field I saw moments ago flashes in my head.
As does the first time I ventured into the veil.
I’ve seen these flowers before.
But it’s been centuries since I’ve seen them last.
“Veilflowers,” I whisper, drawing my hand to my chest.
Ryc pulls me against him, securing an arm around my waist. He half drags me away from the vines and flowers.
“A ward. Now!” he orders in a bellowing voice over his shoulder. “Seal off the courtyard. Stop the vines from spreading.”
The guards stream forth, their fingers dancing in unison and a blue-silver ward shimmers into existence. It domes over the courtyard and Moon Temple, sealing itself against the ground, trapping the vines.
A barkingcawdraws every pair of eyes skyward. The white raven glides through the ward as if it didn’t exist, the ward simply glimmering with the intrusion. It lands upon a tall vine near the Moon Temple entrance and tucks its wings away.
Figures it would appearnow.
“Is the creature dead or not?” I ask, brows creasing as I stare.
