Scooting inside, Meena tucked her feet underneath her so Sol could join them as well.
Celesta’s mouth had completely fallen open as she spun around to view the entire space. She was perfectly sized to stand up in the wide hollow of the tree and Meena remembered wishing she could have lived here as a child.
Celesta turned back to the opening, her hands moving seamlessly as she stared up at Sol.
“Not sure if you can see that,” Meena called loudly. “She says to come in.”
Sol dropped to his knees in the doorway, blocking most of their light. “It’s dark,” he said, leaning back to exit the tree before he’d even come inside it.
Celesta grabbed his upper arm, encouraging him into the space.
Sol crawled in, immediately positioning his back against the inner bark of the tree so he could have a clear view of the opening.
Slouching forward, she indicated some long cracks on the opposite wall of bark. Celesta followed her movements, pressing her face up against the cracks. Like slotted windows in a battle tower, the cracks offered a perfect and protected view of the road leading up the hill to the palace.
Celesta pulled back, looking up at Meena with her mouth in a rounded shape of excitement and fascination.
Meena’s chest once again filled with happiness. It was so much fun to share her favorite things with someone who appreciated them. Following Celesta’s lead, she pressed her face back against one of the cracks. The view of the road offered the perfect place to see anyone coming up the hill toward the castle, and the shadows and folds of the old tree completely hid the fact that someone was peering through cracks in the bark. It was the perfect place to spy. They used to come here and pretend they were guarding the kingdom from a Majis invasion.
Meena exhaled. Her lungs remained compressed and empty.
She had forgotten about that particular childhood game. She and her brothers had always known the evil Majis would return to wreak vengeance on the five kingdoms in their lifetime. Even as children, she had taken great pride in preparing herself to defend Iseldis. Ian often bragged that he would never let the cruel, powerful magic-wielders oppress the ordinary quotidian people.
Meena shook her head.
None of it was true. Rather, some of it was true, but it was all inside out from what she had always believed.
Her world was crumbling around her, and she didn’t know when she would stop tumbling. Still struggling to breathe, Meena felt a light sweat break out on her face and arms, despite the chill that shivered down her spine.
She could not free fall forever while the crumbling world inhaled people she loved into its cracks.
Gareth would surely retaliate soon, and he would target Iseldis—the kingdom who knew he’d tried to murder their princes and who harbored his fugitives. He would strike soon.
Her father needed to get Sol to Falqri. Immediately. She would talk to him. Not that she could make a difference. Her father knew the urgency of this matter more than she did. But she had to talk to someone about it.
Meena finally inhaled, breathing deeply into her lungs. She would do what little she could. At the moment, she could keep Celesta entertained and happy despite the heavy air that lingered throughout the castle.
Forcing a smile, she turned back to her young friend.
Celesta pushed her fingers through one of the cracks in the bark, trying to find out how far her hand could fit through.
Picking up a stick, Meena started absently scraping away at the soft dirt at her feet.
Sol instantly noticed her actions.
Meena felt her mouth twist into an awkward smile she couldn’t stop whenever she had a secret.
Sol reached forward, scraping at the dirt with his hand.
“She has no idea,” Meena whispered.
“She will,” Sol mouthed back.
After a few more moments, Celesta turned back to face them.
Meena watched the surprise, comprehension, and excitement that ran through the girl’s eyes as she looked from the ground, to the map lying just outside the tree, then to each of their faces.
“Do you want to find a treasure?” Meena almost squealed in excitement.
