“Huh?” I hastily swallowed and looked over at him. “No to what?”
“No, we aren't stopping for you to collect plants.”
I gaped at him. “How did you know?”
“I know you, Sebastian.” He sat back in a very satisfied manner. “And you'll have the opportunity to dig around in the dirt later. I had them pack your satchel.” He waved at the trunk before us.
“You did?” I grinned at him. “Thank you. That was really thoughtful.”
“You're welcome.”
Several minutes later, after we turned off the main road and traveled down a beaten-earth path for a while, the carriage stopped. Trees hung over the road and there was a coolness to the air that whispered of water. In the distance was a telltale roaring.
“A waterfall?” I asked.
“You'll see.” Shale climbed out of the carriage.
I fetched my satchel from the trunk, then jumped down after him.
“You don't have to carry that.” Shale took the satchel from me and tossed it back in the trunk. “My men will bring it.”
Sure enough, one of the knights—the one who wasn't Hanro—closed the trunk and hefted it onto his shoulder before following the King and me down a well-trod path into the jungle. Holding Shale's hand, I let him lead me so I could lose myself in the beauty around me. I trailed my hand over rubbery leavesand velvety blossoms, then lifted it to my nose to inhale the transferred fragrance. The air was so fresh and yet thick with heady scents that wafted around us in waves.
Then the path opened to a vast space.
It wasn't a single waterfall but dozens of them. A series of black rock ledges ran like steps, starting from a height of about thirty feet on our right, with each progressive drop getting shorter. Water cascaded in multiple falls from each cliff, pooling on the ledges before moving along. Mist rose from each collection of falls, but through them, I could see that things eventually evened out into a river on our left.
“What do you think?” Shale asked.
“I think it's amazing,” I whispered. Then I tore my gaze away from the water to look at him. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“You're welcome. Now, come along, my doll.” He navigated us off the jungle path and onto the closest ledge.
A path was worn there too, skirting numerous pools. The surfaces of the pools rippled, their water overflowing and coasting over the ledge in ribbons that eventually gathered and became the next series of falls. But there was such stillness beneath those ripples. I wanted nothing more than to shuck off my clothes and slip into one of the pools.
The Dragon knight carrying our trunk followed us across the wet rocks to a dry area in the center of the shelf. A few plants had managed to take root in the crevices there, creating a little island among the pools and ribbons. After a motion from the King, the knight set the trunk down, then pulled out a blanket to spread over the dry rock. Next came a bottle of wine, two glasses,and another of those pretty boxes of food. The knight bowed, then headed across the shelf to guard us from the opposite bank. Sir Hanro had already started scanning the area from his spot on the shore behind us.
“Wine?” I asked Shale. “We just had breakfast. I mean, not that I haven't had wine for breakfast before, but I'm kind of full.”
“It's for later.” Shale undid the sash at his waist, then motioned at me. “Don't you want to go in?”
“Absolutely!” I stripped down to my undershorts faster than Shale did, shucking my clothes in the trunk, then went to the nearest pool.
“Careful,” Shale warned me. “The sides are slick. Sit down on the edge, then slide in.”
“All right.” I crouched and then sat on the rim of the pool.
Shale joined me, and we slid down the sides together. The curve of the pool angled us into each other, and we collided. I burst out laughing as water splashed over us and my hands went to Shale's chest.
He grinned and steadied me. “It's not exactly swimming, but the water is nice.”
“It's wonderful!” I declared. “This heat is a nice change from Sken, but it can get oppressive.”
“The price of eternal summer is eternal summer.”
“Yeah.” I nestled into Shale's side and wound my leg around one of his. “I'll get used to it.”
“You must. This is your home now.”
