Iryth’s warmth radiates around our circle. “You are brave, Meli. We thank you for what you are willing to do.”
Melisa looks up at her, and then her eyes drop to the baby tied to Iryth’s chest, squirming as Abi and Paoli wrap their arms around Melisa and squeeze. “You all are too good to be true.”
Arlet smiles. “You get used to it.”
Looking at the redhead, I say, “You adjusted better than most.”
She smiles and squeezes my shoulder as she pulls back. When we turn around, Mother Liana waits for us.
The time has come. I grab Melisa’s hand, and I pull her along with the wise women. Simple conversation is made as we walk up to the tunnels.
When we reach the gate leading out of Enduvida, Liana alsooffers Melisa a few words of encouragement while we wait for the men to return.
When the very human-looking Ra’Salore walks back up, Melisa tenses.
“These are speaking stones, I have prepared as many as you could take,” Liana says, holding out a pouch. “Try to only send the most important information.”
Ra’Salore takes the bag and stuffs it into his pack. They won’t take anyglacialmarasbecause of the risk of discovery.
As we say one last goodbye, my heart hangs heavy. I savor Melisa’s wide eyes as she looks back at me.
The giant golden doors shut tight just as Teo’s large hand slips into mine. I suck in a breath and look up at him.
“You look like you could use a drink,” he says.
I let out a long breath and nod. I don’t drink often, but I think this moment calls for it.
He pulls me along, past the golden carvings and faint pump and press of metal in the distance. It is calming and familiar.
When we reach the palace, he grabs something from one of the tables in the royal library. Saying goodbye to Melisa still hangs heavily on my heart as we continue walking in utter silence.
It isn’t until I see the faint glow of spongy fungi that I freeze. The royal bathing pools. Their familiar, muggy warmth assaults me as the air around me goes cold.
“Wait,” I say just as Teo uncorks the bottle to my left.
“Tomorrow, we will leave in those crystal suits. You, my queen, have insisted on coming. Hell, you even made your own damned suit,” he starts, gesturing to the other side of the cavern. I see them, laid out carefully on the other side of the cavern. “I have just finished trying them with Thorne and Vann, and there were no problems. You need to practice, too, but I thought you would appreciate some privacy.”
I purse my lips, still hardly breathing as I pick up the clothing-shaped crystal.
“Mi amor?2, you wanted to come. Tomorrow, we will be diving underwater for who knows how long—ideally less than three days. I won’t take you if you don’t feel ready. There is still time to back out.”
The thought of water all around me, with just the thickness of the enchanted crystal keeping it out of my mouth and lungs, makes my chest tighten.
Strong arms draw me in, and a tail wraps around my hips, pushing our bodies flush. The instantaneous calming effect is almost unnerving. My heartbeat slows, and my breath comes back.
“Oh, my star, how can we continue like this if you are still having difficulty near a few pools of water?”
I push off of him. “I can do it.”
He releases my body and hands me the bottle. “Prove it.”
“Do I need to put on one of the suits?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Not yet. I’ll settle for you getting in the water first.”
I grab the bottle and take a swig. Wiping the excess mead from my lips, I hand it back, and then clutch at the hem of my tunic. In one swift motion, I pull it over my head. His eyes darken as I push off my pants, leaving nothing more than the silken undergarments around my hips.
There’s a moment of power as I look at him, knowing that my almost nudity continues to entrance him whenever he looks upon me.
