“What about it?”
“My lord said he enjoyed himself. He said he thought you enjoyed yourself, too.”
Though I raise my hand in answer to Zephyrus, my thoughts veer toward this information. I did enjoy myself, but I didn’t think the king had noticed. I’d believed him to be immune to it. “When did he say that?”
“Yesterday, my lady. You smiled. He said that, too.”
And he is far too observant for my liking. Going forward, I will need to guard myself of the things I say around him, my reactions. But… he noticed my smile.
“You’ll be safe here,” I tell her, forcing myself to focus on the situation at hand. “Just stay put and keep watch for anything that might appear.”
“Darkwalkers, my lady?”
I sincerely hope no darkwalkers lurk in the vicinity.
“Keep low, and keep quiet.” I squeeze her shoulder and dart to where Zephyrus stands, the roselight pulsing softly in my grip. Taking my hand, he guides us into the dark where Sleep dwells.
Moments later, we stop. Zephyrus nudges me into a recess with a softly uttered, “Stay here until I come for you.” There is a knock, and I hear the rush of the river to my right. Not even the vivid hue of the water can penetrate this lightless place.
The sound of an opening door. Still, that gulf of endless night.
“Cousin!” Zephyrus’ warm greeting rings out. I can’t see his smile, but I can imagine it, a hungry white grin beneath laughing clover eyes.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, Zephyrus?” The voice is so resonant my ears vibrate. Sleep, the deity who owns half of mortals’ lives.
“Can’t a god visit family? You know I missed you, S.”
A moment of silence. “I told you not to call me that.”
“Yes, well, my memory is not as good as it once was. Can I come in? I’d rather discuss things where I cansee, you know.”
“This better be quick.” Shuffling footsteps, as though Sleep has stepped back to allow Zephyrus entrance into his home. The heavy tread fades with distance, and I startle as Zephyrus returns, snagging my hand with a murmured, “Quickly now.” I trail him quietly, taking care to lift my feet so I don’t trip over any cracks or wayward rocks.
“I always preferred you over your brother, you know,” the West Wind calls to his cousin.
Sleep rumbles, “I will be sure to tell him that.”
The door shuts, and Zephyrus lets go of my hand, his voice growing faint as he draws his cousin into another part of the cave. I wait until his voice fades completely before lifting the roselight, only to realize I have no idea how to make it glow.
“Um… light?”
Not even a flicker. I strain my ears, open my senses to this environment, though I swear the darkness seems to mute sound as well.
“Please?”
The glass warms in my palm, as if sensing my desperation. And then it is aglow, emanating a soft pink light onto the surrounding area.
This is no cave. This is a stronghold, a manor hewn from the black, glittering quartz of the mountain. Mnemenos curves through the rock in a flat ebony band. Around me are great, pointed arches cut from the walls, tunnels leading into distant depths. Zephyrus said to follow the river, so that is what I do, lifting the roselight high to reveal the way. Every so often, a drop of water pings somewhere beyond sight and echoes in shallow waves of sound. I quicken my footsteps; the sooner I find the garden, the sooner I can leave.
After an indeterminable amount of time, I notice the darkness shifting ahead of me. The tunnel widens. Moonlight pours from a hole in the cavern ceiling to reveal a myriad of plants growing in rich soil. Red poppies flash like small, hungry mouths with dark centers. The air is warmer here, as though the Frost King’s power doesn’t completely penetrate Sleep’s abode.
Light footsteps bring me to the plot’s edge. While the poppies are most plentiful, I also spot chamomile and lavender, among other flowers. Crouching, I pick a handful of poppies and tuck them into my pocket.
The air seems to thicken, pushing against my limbs as though curious of the intruder. My ears prick in a silence that suddenly feels so much more alive as, from out of the darkness, a voice trembles in the walls.
“Who dares pick from the Garden of Slumber?”
21
