I’ll need to collect many more necklaces to build a fishing rod like the one I wove from long grass to hook Lore out of that ravine. Sure, the grass snapped, but I did succeed in snaring the arrow and dislodging it. Which is my goal today.
I travel down the ledge and pick up another necklace. I knot it with the pearls. Serpents approach and watch me collecting jewels. I suddenly worry they’ll think I’m stealing from them. After all, these are their treasures. When a turquoise serpent swims fast toward me, head inclined, tusk aimed straight at my chest, my fingers slacken on the necklaces. Both drift to the fan.
He stops a millimeter away from me, a long chain shimmering around his tusk. He nudges my hand, and I suddenly understand that he didn’t come to gore me but to gift me another necklace.
My heart warms for these extraordinary beings. I roll it off his tusk and he swims away. And then I pluck the ones I’d released and tie all three together.
Another serpent nudges my shoulder with a diamond bracelet. I take it and add it to my line.
If a trunk-load of jewels is what you desire, Fallon, I will have the most magnificent ones crafted for you out of stones that have never touched another person’s skin, but please, let’s go before your air supply fails.
My heart pulses out a deep beat that he remembers my silly longing to possess new things.My air supply is fine. Besides, there are so many pretty things down here, and they’re all free for the taking.
My mother shoulders past two other serpents who’ve carried riches up for me. Around her tusk is hooked an old anchor chain, minus the anchor. I grin at her offering.Way to one-up everyone else, Mamma.
After I’ve relieved her of the rusted chain, she tilts her head up almost haughtily, and a close-lipped laugh bubbles through me.
As I bind the necklaces to the anchorless chain, I hear Lore curse. I’m guessing he’s realized a desperate need to accessorize my outfits isn’t at the root of my gem-picking.
Before you shriek at me, Your Highness, think back on the ravine and how my deviousness paid off.I hear him count.Calculating the length of my chain?I ask sweetly,entirely aware that the reason behind his low tally has nothing to do with measurements and everything to do with his attempt at easing his temper before he snaps my head off.
I swear, Little Bird . . .
To love and to cherish me, according to the Cauldron’s holy ordinance—or Mórrígan’s—for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in iron, shadows or flesh, till the end of time?
What?
Sorry. Thought you were practicing your vows for our upcoming nuptials.
His golden eyes vanish before reappearing in a very narrowed form.
Unless you no longer care to marry me?
I may not have any mate left to marry if you toss yourself on an underwater pyre.
I snort at his dramatics.You do realize I’ll be tossing this superb chain, not my body, down to your crow.
He goes back to his slow counting.Your father’s asking what’s taking so long. Should I inform him of your half-baked plan?
Half-baked?Gods, the male can be surly when things don’t gohisway.I suggest you tell him Daya is giving me a tour of her lair. Unless you want me fishinghisimmobilized crow out of the trench after I’m done gathering yours.
Thanks to my army of obliging serpents, I’m soon equipped with the longest, sturdiest, and prettiest fishing line in the history of fishing lines. I hold it up, admiring my handiwork.Long enough, Lore, or should I add to it?
He grunts.
I press my lips together at his mulishness.You’re being very unhelpful right now.
It’ll forever be too short for my taste.
I sigh and begin to shape a reassurance but he cuts me off.
If this doesn’t work, Little Bird, I’ll be swimming you straight up.
It’ll work.I toss the chain to the next ledge and let it drag me down, then repeat the process three more times.You must start manifesting what you want instead of miring yourself in negativity.My self-help suggestion is met with such booming silence that a smile hooks my lips.Are you contemplating begging the Cauldron to find you a new mate?
I don’t beg.
I roll my eyes and toss my rod to the next coral-coated ledge.Let me rephrase myself: will youappealto the Cauldron for a new mate once this is over?
