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“It’s remarkable.”

“This is my favorite place in the palace. There are few of us that are able to enter, and no silencing mist is needed here.”

“I don’t understand.” Kneeling, I tried to get a better look at one of the tiny creatures that left a trail of light in its wake but it darted past me too quickly.

“The king, wanting a sanctuary where he could not be disturbed, made it accessible only to those who could unlock its magic. He was killed, as you likely know already, in the war. With him, knowledge of how to enter was lost until it was rediscovered by the man we dined with this eve.”

That this place had gone unused for so many centuries was sad, and surprising. “Why did King Aldrion not give others access? How did it thrive for so long unattended? And what are these tiny creatures?” I stood, giving up. They apparently did not want to be truly seen.

“The king was a deeply private ruler and apparently created the garden as a private sanctuary. The magic he used on it was extraordinary by any standards, its balance protected by the elemental spirits.” She smiled. “Or as you call them, tiny creatures. As to why they are elusive, I cannot say.”

This felt like a more important question: “How were you able to enter?”

Moving to the edge of the pool, about to dip my finger into the water, I looked up, realizing perhaps I should not contaminate it. But in my vision, I was crouched down at the water’s edge, my hand wading through the water.

“Go ahead,” she said, Nery’s expression telling me something would indeed happen. With the first swipe, a light appeared beneath my fingers. Moving it back and forth, light trailed behind in the water’s wake.

I glanced up.

“When I first discovered that I was able to come inside, I spent many hours as you are right now. There is nothing quite like it in all of Elydor.”

I suddenly wanted to know more about this king.

“I was in the Deep Archives, not long after I began working at the palace, when Thalon also happened to be there. He apparently stumbled on a passage that offered a clue about the ancient incantation the king used to protect the garden from intruders. From that day forward, we were able to enter, although Thalon does not come here as often as me.”

“Surely others know as well by now?” I thought of the vines on the other side of the door. “It isn’t very well hidden.”

“They do. But thus far, only Thalon and I have been able to enter. I sometimes wonder if the king’s magic allows Thalon entry because he found the scroll that contained its secrets, though I’m uncertain why entry extends to me.”

“And the queen?”

“As you can imagine, is displeased at her inability to come inside, though both Thalon and I have downplayed its beauty.”

“Why doesn’t she come in as your guest? Or his? Surely, you’re able to bring anyone inside, as you did me.”

The way Nerys looked at me then… she was about to say something important. I stood, holding her gaze and slowly walked toward the bench.

“Nerys,” I said softly, sitting too far away to touch her knowing what would happen otherwise.

“I had no notion if you would be able to enter with me. I’ve tried many times, as Thalon has, to bring the queen here. I’ve long wondered if she suspects I, or both of us, deliberately misuse the spell necessary for entry. But the same thing happens each time either of us attempts to separate the vines while we’re in the company of others. Nothing.”

“Why me?”

I wanted to tell her about my vision. About all of it. My family’s history, the Keepers, my role as The Keeper… but I was sworn not to do so unless we were wed.

“The pelagor,” she said, folding her hands neatly onto her lap, as if unsure where to put them. I understood. My own wanted to wrap around her, pulling Nerys into me.

“The pelagor?” So much had happened since, I nearly forgot about a ride that, had it been any other day in my life, I’d have thought of little else. The feeling of freedom, and acceptance, riding with Nerys atop such an intimidating but awe-inspiring creature had been unrivaled.

“Do you remember how rare I told you it was to see one? Never mind actually ride a pelagor, as we did?”

“I do.”

“Long before the rise of King Aldrion, the waters of Thalassaria were ruled by an ancient, primal force known only as thePelagor. It’s said the creature is an embodiment of the oceans themselves, a living force of both creation and destruction. Its body, composed of shifting waves, its eyes glowing like the stars in the darkest part of the night sky, and its voice resonating like the echoes of the ocean floor… all evidence of such a myth, if legend is to be believed. It is said that the pelagor only reveals itself to those destined to be its successors.”

Destined to be its successors.

My heart beat wildly as I thought of that first vision. If only I could have seen the outcome and not just the battle itself.