While Erik struggled to calm her down, I turned to Lukas, tilting my head. “What news?”
He sighed. “Word has spread about the rebuilding efforts of your kingdom. The other rulers are requesting aformal meeting as soon as possible.” Pausing briefly, he added, “We’re leaving for Ryntook tomorrow afternoon.”
“Ryntook? Tomorrow?” I repeated, just as a crash sounded across the table.
“You’re going to Ryntook?” Raena squealed. She’d pushed herself up, her tankard now laying in a puddle of ale. “Oh my Oceans, Naria. This is wonderful! How exciting!” She swayed in place, ignoring Erik’s attempts to sit her back down again. “When do we leave? I can’t wait to introduce you to my family. And oh! The beaches! Wehaveto visit the beaches!”
“Well actually,” Lukas started. “This trip was supposed to be just for royals—”
“Did she just say Ryntook?” Ivy cut him off. “Naria, you have to take us with you! I’ve always wanted to see the ocean. And think of all the different plants we could find for our medicines!”
“The wildlife there is so beautiful,” Raena sighed, stumbling back into her seat as Erik finally managed to force her down. “There are creatures that swing from the trees and birds in so many wondrous colours. Oh, it’s a dream, and I miss it dearly.” She clutched her chest, and for once, Erik didn’t flinch as she leaned against his shoulder.
Grinning, I turned to Lukas. “How long must we all pack for?”
His lips flattened, but to my surprise, he didn’t bother to argue. “A few weeks, most likely. Could be longer or shorter depending on how negotiations proceed.”
“How wonderful!” Raena chimed. “Plenty of time to see the beaches then.”
“Of course,” Lukas said to his tankard before downingthe rest of his drink.
After listening to another ten minutes of Raena marvelling about her home kingdom, a bell sounded from the bar to signal last orders. My eyelids felt heavy, but I hadn’t noticed until we all funnelled through the doorway that dawn had crested over the horizon. Winter morning sun filtered through the leafless trees. It melted frost from the cobblestone walls of the tavern as I hugged my Corlixin friends goodbye.
“Thank you for such a wonderful night,” I said, stepping out of a group hug. “I’ll make sure a carriage is sent to your homes so we can meet you along the journey.”
Ivy grinned while clinging onto Theo’s arm. The ale had turned her cheeks the colour of rosebuds, but somehow she stayed standing. “May I steal your precious knight?” Her green eyes remained fixed on Theo. “The journey to Ryntook is long and I’m afraid Marius and Terr aren’t the best swordsmen.” Cheeks heating, she blinked. “And well… there might be wolves or goblins or—”
“I’ll go wherever my fair lady needs me,” Theo replied, kissing the back of her hand.
I left the four of them in a fit of blushing laughter as Lukas guided me away from the group and towards his horse. The grey stallion huffed impatiently while Lukas untied its rope from a tree.
“You should try and get some sleep once we return,” he suggested, helping me up into the saddle. “I’ll wake you up when it’s time to leave.”
Yawning, I nodded, determined to stay awake at least until we reached the palace. But there was something else, too. A tiny, rather panicked voice insisting that I should stay awakeeven after we reached the palace. At least until the moon rises. At least until—
A hiccup burst from my throat as I giggled without meaning to. With all the ale sloshing around my mind, it was very easy to ignore any silly little voices.
The moment I was seated upon the horse and Lukas’s chest was flat against my back, I couldn’t resist the drunken urge to nuzzle into him, my eyes fluttering shut as the horse trotted along beneath us.
CHAPTER 3
The twinkling grass felt like honey cakes beneath my feet. I’d never noticed grass glittering before, nor did I think it was supposed to feel like baked goods against my skin, but for some reason, I didn’t seem to care. My only concern at that moment was digging my toes deep enough into the sparkly grass to kick off and swing back on my garden chair.
Success!
I smiled as I relaxed into the pillows of the swinging willow seat. Above me, crystal-like stars painted the night sky, while the creak of the chair’s frame was a lullaby to my ears.
This was a dream. I was certain of that. There were nohidden gardens like this in the palace grounds, and even if there were, the guards would never allow me to explore them this late at night. Still, I lounged in my rocking seat even as a soft haze began to fill my vision. A strange calmness crept over me, sending tingles down my spine.
For a brief moment, I felt oddly complete. Until that soft haze darkened to a tall male figure standing just inches away.
“I knew you’d come back to me.”
I screamed. Leaping back, I almost tipped the chair over as I tumbled to the grass. Suddenly, every part of me was desperate to run. Every part except for the crystals embedded in my wrist, which ached more intensely the further I scrambled away.
Chuckling, the man gripped the side of the chair to stop it swinging. “You know, I was expecting our reunion to be filled with a different sort of screaming.” His blurry face became clear the moment he touched the willow frame. Crow-black hair. Golden amber eyes set above sharp faery features.
“Prince Arenn,” I said warily.
