“Would you like to touch it?” Kole asked and unsheathed his sword with such fluid precision that it was apparent he’d done such an act thousands of times.
Vasper and Vordem went slack-jawed, and I couldn’t help but giggle, but Valeena merely rolled her eyes. “Males, seriously. They never grow up.”
After many touchesand caresses to Kole’s sword, we were finally in their carriage on our way to the nearby village where Varkin’s business was located.
The entire way, Vasper and Vordem listened avidly as Kole recounted a few of his previous assignments with the Imperial Council, and each of my cousins asked for more details and wanted to know exactly what Kole felt and saw in each battle.
Valeena, on the other hand, was the perfect tour guide as she pointed out every landmark and estate that we passed along the way.
My uncle’s business was situated inland on one of the many rivers that drained into the Nelive Sea. Valeena kept up her commentary while Kole appeased the males, and it helped pass the time until the carriage stopped outside of a two-story facility by the river.
Obviously having received word from the dillemsill that we would be arriving soon, Varkin was waiting outside.
He was exactly as I remembered him. Light-brown skin, green Lochen eyes, and small canines that were visible in his grin.
“What a pleasant surprise.” He opened the carriage door for us. “Although, I’m still a bit confused about what’s occurred. Something about a temple?”
We all got out of the carriage, and Valeena blew a strand of hair out of her eyes. “Yes, Father, a temple is right. Primelle and her Imperial Warrior are in need of one. Quite quickly, too, from the sounds of it. I told them you were our best bet at finding one and contacting a priestess to aid them.”
Varkin canted his head. “May I ask why?”
I glanced at Kole, but he answered for me, “We need to contact Goddess Nuleef. My life depends on it.”
Varkin’s eyebrows shot to his hairline, and I peered up at him with anxious eyes. “Can you help us? Please? If we can’t find a way to contact the goddess, my mate will either die or suffer a fate worse than death.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
It felt as though the stars and moons aligned with Varkin on our side. As a son of Drachu, the Lochen fae king, Varkin was privy to information and access to the sacred Lochen temples that many other Lochens wouldn’t have had access to.
With Varkin’s help and instruction, Kole and I mistphased to a temple atop a high mountain on a small Lochen island, located in the southern hemisphere of the realm. We had to consult a map in order to know where to go, and the second the mistphase ended, I froze in surprise.
The island’s mountainous terrain made our landing spot precarious. Fierce wind blew around us, whipping my hair across my face. We stood on a narrow trail, no more than a body length wide. Steep terrain plunged to the bottom of the island on both sides, and far below, waves from the Nelive Sea crashed against its shores.
“Nice job in landing us here.” Kole bumped my arm. “You even got us on the trail.”
I shuffled my feet, and the pebbly sand shifted beneath my toes. “You’re right, it could have been worse.”
The sheen of a fever coated his brow, but he still snickered, and I knew he was determined to act healthy for as long aspossible. “Better here than in that tree.” He pointed to a broad-leafed tree growing along the steep mountainside. If we’d landed on its branches, they surely would have snapped, and we would have plummeted down the hillside.
I cocked my head and studied the tree more, then said in a delighted voice, “That’s aspimenaltree, only found in the southern regions of our realm. I’ve never seen one before. I’ve only read of them.” My eyesight sharpened on the leaves’ details, taking in the spiderweb of veins shimmering a rainbow color in the bright sunshine. “They only grow on mountains on their north side, and at night, they react to starlight. Their leaves turn from blue to bright orange, and if you touch one, it leaves a temporary sprinkle of magic on your skin that causes pleasant hallucinations. Never nefarious.”
Entirely deadpan, Kole replied, “Should we try it?”
I chuckled. “Ensnaring a leaf in terrain like this can be challenging.”
“Speaking of our location...” He gestured behind me, and I turned around to see a temple made of white stone that rose from the mountain’s highest point.
I entirely stilled. I’d been so tickled by seeing a tree I’d only read of that I hadn’t even noticed the temple.
The structure was very similar in design to the temple Arnel had constructed. The only difference being that one had to climb to access it. Rock steps had been cut up the mountain’s peak, leading to the temple, and like Arnel’s, it also had a circular design, domed ceiling, and columns supporting it.
“It’s just like my uncle’s,” I breathed.
Open air swirled through the columns, and I had a feeling that carved into its floor would be the same symbol I’d seen at his estate: the supreme symbol that united all of the gods and goddesses—a circle with an array of connecting swirls and stars.
No sooner had I uttered the words than a Lochen fairy appeared at the temple’s edge, right at the top of the stairs.
“Who goes there?” she called sharply. “This island is property of the Lochen fae. Trespassers are not allowed.” She narrowed her eyes at us.
