“Let’s just say the last few days have been difficult,” he said. “And the less time I need to spend in enemy territory, the better.”
Quye’s expression softened, her mouth bowing sympathetically. “I’m sorry,” she said, pulling Leap into a hug. “I know coming back to Angtun and having to face Ryker was horrible for you, and that you did it for me, so thank you, and let’s get out of here.”
She didn’t have to tell them twice.
Quye stripped off her robe, revealing the far more practical brown tunic, leggings, and boots she’d donned in preparation for their escape. She also fished out a small pack of supplies from beneath the couch, then swung it over her shoulder and crept out of her rooms with them. Mavlyn wondered how Quye had gotten hold of such items while being imprisoned, but she had a feeling she already knew the answer. The oracle was as charming as Leap was resourceful, and she’d probably sweet-talked her guards into sneaking her the items she needed under some pretext or other.
“Wow,” Quye said when they’d climbed out of the ventilation shaft and out from underneath the rocky outcropping. She crossed her arms as the winter winds whipped around her, catching at the ribbons of her hair so they rippled out from behind her head like a banner. “You guys crawled through this claustrophobic tunnel so you could bypass the guards, even though you had no clue what was down here? I’m not sure if I should be impressed or horrified.”
“I was a bit of both,” Leap admitted as he climbed out after her. “Mavlyn was the one who came up with the idea.”
“Was she?” Quye’s eyes gleamed as she gave Mavlyn a once over. “Well, I shouldn’t be surprised you’re the real brains of this operation. It’s like I said before—smartandbeautiful.”
Mavlyn blushed from head to toe. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Leap,” she demurred, looking at the air fae boy so she wouldn’t have to meet Quye’s eyes. She had a feeling that if she stared into them for too long, she’d melt straight into a puddle and slide off the mountainside. “His wind magic allowed us both to descend safely.”
“Maybe,” Quye said knowingly. “But as far as I’m concerned, you’re the hero of this tale.”
She winked, and Mavlyn gave her a helpless grin. “You’re incorrigible,” she said, laughing.
“Yes. But that’s what you love about me.”
Mavlyn knew Quye meant that casually, but her heart still skipped a beat. She was saved by having to respond when Cirra pulled up, and the three of them hopped on, grateful to get off the mountain. The cloud familiar expanded to make room for the three of them, but even so, Quye’s knee brushed against Mavlyn’s as they settled in. Mavlyn tried to ignore the warm, fuzzy feeling that spread through her at the contact, but it was hard, especially when Quye shifted, leaning her body more fully against her.
She didn’t know why being in the oracle’s presence made her heart beat faster, her head feel lighter, her body tingle with warmth and… other things. The two of them hardly knew each other—they’d only met once before, and had only exchanged a few words.
But Mavlyn couldn’t deny she’d never felt like this about anyone before. She wanted to spend more time with Quye, and find out what lay behind those laughing eyes and mischievous smiles.
“All right,” Leap said when they were well away from the mountain. “Where are we off to now? Back to Usciete, to help Adara?”
“Nope.” Quye looked off into the distance, her sparkling gaze gone hazy as she beheld something neither of the others could see. “We’ve got an important stop to make first.”
33
Adara
Irose with the dawn the morning after the feast, my mind sharp and clear, my hunger pangs all but gone. Sitting through the feast and watching everyone eat plate after plate of mouth-watering food had been torturous, though not as insufferable as watching the clan sons perform their various feats of water magic for me.
They’d all been vying for my hand, and had been roundly disappointed when instead of choosing one to be my husband, I’d crafted an ice laurel and crowned Lady Ria’s son as the winner, then left the feast. But what could I say? His display of water swans sailing through the air had been impressive, but not impressive enough to marry him.
Padding to the window on bare feet, I opened the glass pane to let in some fresh air. The crisp morning air invigorated me, and as I stood there, scrunching my toes into the carpet, I realized I felt more clear-headed than I had in ages. The doubts and anxieties that had been plaguing me ever since I’d killed Aolis and taken on the burden of eradicating the shadow creatures had disappeared, leaving me with a sense of calmness and certainty.
It didn’t matter whether I agreed to marry Prentis, or whether I loved Einar, or whether the others believed me about Nox and the persisting shadow creature threat.
The only thing that mattered was carrying out the mission the Radiants had given me. All these other problems and worries were distractions that Nox and Slaugh were counting on slowing me down so they could complete their plan to take over the realm.
If they succeeded, it wouldn’t matter whether I’d promised to marry Prentis, or mated myself to Einar. Because the world as we knew it would end.
I turned and glanced at the dream lily, still floating in its bowl by my bedside. Its moonlit luster was only a third of what it had been when Einar gifted it to me, and I knew I only had maybe one more good night of use out of it. Smiling, I traced a finger down one of its soft petals, marveling at the thoughtfulness of the gift. I knew this flower and the sweet dreams it gave were a large part of the reason I felt so content and at peace with myself this morning.
A soft knock at the door jarred me from my thoughts. “Adara?” Prentis called, his voice pitched low so as not to disturb the other residents of this wing. “Can I come in?”
I shrugged my dressing gown over my pajamas, then crossed the room to let Prentis in. “You look like you’re dressed for another undersea adventure,” I noted, taking in the armored wetsuit covering Prentis’s lithe form. My eyebrows rose as I caught sight of the second suit slung over his arm. “Are we going somewhere?”
“Yes.” Prentis held out the garment to me, grinning. “We’re going to the royal water park.”
“Water park?” I echoed. “What’s that?”
“A pet project of my mother’s that’s turned into something of an attraction for the city,” Prentis said. “I can’t explain more than that without ruining the surprise.”
