“Root caves?” I did not like the sound of that.
“Underground passages formed by the massive root systems,” Vashael explained. “Dark, cramped, and occasionally inhabited by things that prefer not to be disturbed.”
“Sounds delightful.”
“Better than Crown custody,” Peeble pointed out from my shoulder.
We moved on foot, leaving the bees who were too large for what came next. The entrance to the root caves was hidden beneath a curtain of phosphorescent moss, barely visible even when you knew where to look. The opening was just large enough for a person to squeeze through.
“I’ll go first,” Nimor said, his form becoming more shadow than substance. “I can scout ahead.”
One by one, we entered the caves. The moment I crossed the threshold, the world changed. It was darker than dark—not just absence of light but presence of shadow. The air was thick, humid, tasting of earth and age and growing things. My marks provided a faint golden glow, just enough to see the person ahead of me.
The passages were formed by roots thicker than tree trunks, twisting and weaving through the earth. Some sections we could walk upright; others required crawling. The roots were warm to the touch, pulsing faintly with life.
“This is actually kind of amazing,” I whispered, running my hand along a root that was probably older than human civilization.
“Quiet,” Kaelren warned from behind me. “Sound carries strangely here.”
As if to prove his point, I heard something in the distance—a sound like breathing, but too big to be human. We all froze.
“Keep moving,” Nimor’s voice drifted back, barely audible. “Slowly. It’s sleeping.”
We crept past whatever it was, and I tried very hard not to imagine what could make breathing sounds that deep. The passage opened into a small chamber where bioluminescent fungi provided dim blue light. We paused to rest, everyone checking equipment and catching breath.
“How did you know about this place?” I asked Kaelren quietly.
“I’ve had to evade Crown patrols before,” he said, not meeting my eyes. “When you’re labeled a failed prince, you learn the hidden paths quickly.”
There was more to that story, but now wasn’t the time to push.
We continued through the caves for what felt like hours but was probably less. Time moved strangely underground, each moment stretching liketaffy. Finally, I saw light ahead—real sunlight, not fungal glow.
We emerged on the far side of the river, the Crown blockade visible in the distance but facing the wrong direction. We’d bypassed them completely.
“That was too easy,” Sarnyx said what we were all thinking.
“They wanted us to go this way,” Kaelren agreed, studying the forest ahead. “The question is why.”
Before anyone could speculate, a figure stepped out from behind a massive tree. Not Crown, but not exactly friendly either. She was tall, willowy in that fae way, with bark-textured skin and eyes like amber. Her clothes seemed to be made of autumn leaves, constantly shifting between gold and brown. She was beautiful, even ethereal.
“Kaelren,” she said, and there was history in that single word. “It’s been a long time.”
“Thessaly.” His voice was carefully neutral. “I thought you were dead.”
“The Crown thought so too. It was convenient to let them.” Her eyes found me. “So this is the human causing all the fuss. She’s smaller than expected.”
“I’m getting really tired of people commenting on my size,” I muttered.
Thessaly laughed, a sound like wind through leaves. “Fair enough. I’m here with an offer.”
“We’re not interested,” Kaelren said immediately.
“You haven’t heard it yet.” She pulled out a scroll sealed with wax that seemed to move. “Safe passage through the Autumn Court’s territory. Protection from Crown patrols. All we ask in return is one night’s hospitality.”
“The Autumn Court doesn’t offer hospitality without price,” Vashael said suspiciously.
“True. But the price isn’t yours to pay.” Thessaly looked directly at me. “The Court wants to meet the human who talks to trees. My mother is particularly interested.”
