But soon, she wouldn’t.
Chapter Twenty
Avari
‘So you think this is the leaf-encrusted dome from the prophecy? Not to sound pessimistic, but this is a spruce forest. No leaves here…’ I questioned him, watching as his ears retracted faintly when he observed our surroundings. Always looking out for signs of trouble.
The birds whistled their eager morning songs, creating a lively atmosphere that tickled my witchly senses, and I couldn’t understand where he suspected danger. The surroundings… I felt at peace.
Diligent or paranoid, labelling the King of Fogoya was a difficult task.
‘It’s a mixed forest. One of many that fit the description. We’re looking for one with beasts that pose danger at night, right? I thought we might start with the mildest option.’
My blood pressure spiked at his suggestion. Was he sheltering me from the big bad ones? ‘Is that why we started with the second prophecy? The first Crone was supposed to dwellin sultry lands, where every breath is airless and every step unsteady.’
His amber eyes assessed me like whatever I said troubled him. ‘I’ve sent my soldiers to search some of these lands. They’re… intense.’
‘For you or for me?’
The silence stretched uncomfortably before he pleaded, ‘Let’s just allow them to search these lands before we go there, okay? They’re intense for everyone; that’s why barely anyone lives there.’
Light rain started to tap against the thick branches above us, creating a precious lullaby, and my tired body demanded a nap.
The rollercoaster of emotions the past few weeks was taking its toll, even if, against better judgement, my body appreciated having him near last night and allowed me to get some rest. Having my mind let up was a welcome reprieve.
A yawn escaped me, and River’s intense mood eased up instantly.
‘Intense for everyone except for the Crone, apparently. Why they would choose such odd places to live is beyond me. Are these sultry lands like Volcano Lands?’
‘People live around volcanoes, where my grandparents live,’ he explained, gesturing toward a small hill that didn’t resemble one at all. ‘I think the Crone might live in one of the inactive ones on the east side of the kingdom. It’s more secluded.’
‘In an inactive volcano?’ I raised my voice in surprise, and he grinned.
Shaking a nearby branch to drench me in soft droplets, he eventually admitted his worry, ‘I hope it’s one of the inactive ones, Ava. For all of our sake.’
We walked ahead, and I admired the moment the coniferous forest turned mixed, and massive oak trees fought forspace among the spruce. Scattered around, the scenery looked like a beautiful oil painting I could analyse for hours.
Giving myself a moment, I stopped by a thick tree and allowed my energy to mingle with the place’s essence. It was benevolent but remained wary, like it had been mistreated before. My green whined, but I wouldn’t pressure these creatures into something they didn’t care for.
‘Wouldn’t it be a little too convenient for us if both of them lived in Fogoya?’ I voiced what he surely must have considered already.
River nodded absentmindedly. ‘I’m pretty sure the sultry lands refer to our kingdom. As for the leaf-encrusted dome with beasts, it very well might be the Earth Kingdom.’
This was where the matters complicated. ‘You’re political allies with the Earth, right? Will you ask the king to let us search there?’
The way I phrased the question bothered me the second it left my mouth. It was like I expected him to join me in the search permanently when we only agreed to work together in Fogoya.
Spending time with him like this, it was becoming too easy to think beyond his betrayal. It was too easy to trust him again when it already proved a grave mistake—and I hated myself for it.
‘Otis is a friend. We don’t need to ask permission,’ River claimed, observing me with curiosity.
Could he sense my inner turmoil? Or did he assume I found him unlikely to have friends? There were an awful lot of assumptions between us, but I decided to play along, making my tone stunned when I asked, ‘A friend?’
‘You know, when you find someone you like to talk to and relate to,’ River laughed at my perplexed expression.
‘It’s just difficult to believe that monarchs can actually be pals,’ I said, referring to my mother’s behaviour and psychopathic tendencies.
But upon further consideration, I decided the man before me had some too, only a different brand.
