Page 56

Bria

T he forest is breathtaking. From the moment we set foot inside, I understand why it was graced with the name.

The trees drip with gold as if they had been carved from the precious metal and laid there, tree after tree, to form a sea of beautifully crafted statues.

When we first enter, I raise a hand to brush my fingers over one of the glinting leaves, needing to touch it to see if it’s real, to see if it’s hard like the stone it resembles.

But the leaf feels as any other would—soft, with slender grooves where the veins splinter it and ridges curving along the edges.

Legends say that Kiara died in this forest. That she attempted peace with the old king despite Lilith’s insistence that she not.

Kiara was light and love and wanted to see Azudora righted, wanted to see the world at peace—for those with magic and those without to live side by side in equilibrium, just as the rebels do now.

She had traveled to the castle to speak with the king, leaving her family behind.

And after her visit where he assured her things would change, she fell ill in the forest. Knowing he couldn’t outright kill her without bringing down the wrath of Lilith, the king had poisoned her.

Kiara was made by a god, but that didn’t mean she was immortal, and she never made it out of the forest and back to her family.

It’s said that the trees wept gold for the sun that was lost that day.

Though the forest is thoroughly exquisite, the expanse of trees is dense, and that makes trekking through on horseback a bit tedious.

The tightly packed trees are the reason it will take us a full day to get to the other side—we have to move at a slow pace to allow the horses ample time to maneuver around the roots.

There are no paths, no roads through. So, we pick our way across the forest floor, bit by bit.

Wildlife is present in abundance. There are so many places for animals to live and survive, to thrive here with no sign of human life having etched its way into the forest. Evander explained to me that few pass through for fear of the king’s wrath.

He has promised to punish those who try to obtain the magic of Kiara that so clearly still possesses these woods.

The wildlife is different too. I’m used to seeing rabbits and squirrels everywhere, as well as the occasional mountain lion, or wolf, in the mountainside town where we dwell.

But here, there are tawny and cream deer, flocks of multicolored birds that nest in the golden trees, foxes with glimmering red coats, and striped wild cats. All beautiful in their own right.

“What is that?” I ask when we happen upon a majestic bird whose feathers look as if they are carved from the most precious gemstones. Sapphire and emerald glisten along the golden backdrop.It’s large, and feathers fan out behind it as it strides over knotted roots.

“Oh, that’s a peacock,” Evander answers, as if the bird were a common occurrence everywhere. But I’ve never seen such an arresting creature and I stare, wanting desperately to stop and touch it.

Evander leans in to whisper in my ear.

“They were Kiara’s favorite bird. Supposedly, she had dozens of them at her southern home, including ones that shone white like they were encrusted with diamonds.

The forest changed when she died. Not only did the trees turn to gold, but the peacocks arrived.

Pretty good reason, if you ask me, for why the king wants his subjects to steer clear of the place. ”

Pretty good reason indeed. This forest screams of magic.

I lean in, pressing my cheek against his as he speaks and breathing in the lingering sage that scents his skin.

He shaved this morning, leaving his face smooth against mine.

He was likely trying to look presentable before we made our way to the capital.

Though I have to admit, he was dashing with the beginnings of a beard.

It had been a rugged change that made him all the more endearing.

“How do you know so much about her?” I query.

He always seems to have the answers when it comes to the old ways, old magic. I feel him swallow before speaking, his jaw clenching against me.

“My mother,” he responds, his voice low.

Of course. His mother had shared so much of the history with him.

His father knew of her bloodline, knew Olaphina’s veins ran hot with magic.

But he insisted she keep her magic and beliefs to herself.

She obliged, keeping some semblance of a normal life and leaving her history behind her, at least when her husband was around.

I knew that much from what Evander had told us since his return.

His love for his mother was apparent. And watching her be tortured at the hands of his father had broken him.

Quinn helped to pick of the pieces when Ev fled the capital, as had Ash.

And it caused me grief to know that my own hatred of his father, of the people he spent those four years with, had kept me from being at his side during that time, had kept me from being a friend to him, and maybe more.

But going back there now, I’m overly concerned what memories might be stirred for him. Whatever happened to her must have been horrific, given his refusal to speak of it.

I turn my face to him and brush a soft kiss along the smooth skin of his cheek, wanting him to know I see the torment he feels, the mental suffering he endures when he talks about her.

It makes me think of my own mother and how much I hope she still lives.

It’s a hard spot I find myself in—wishing she made it out alive and also wishing she were in the dungeons with Nimai so neither is alone.

The day wears on and we never leave the horses, with Quinn insisting that we eat while on horseback to keep moving.

Anxiety increases in my bones as we travel, and I fidget constantly with the edges of my tunic.

I notice when the sun moves from its perch high in the sky and dips back behind us, sensing the impending night.

As the daylight wanes, though, the forest comes alive.

When I notice it, I suck in a breath and lean forward, eyes wide to take in as much of it as I can.

The glittering gold that emanates from the trees when the evening sun is barely peeking through is breathtaking.

Ev tightens his grip around my waist, pulling me back into his warmth.

“Enchanting, isn’t it?” he remarks as though reading my thoughts.

“Yes, it truly is.”

“I used to ride out here whenever I could,” he whispers, his mouth close to me. “I would sit here and think...think about all of you.”

I reach my hand back to touch his face and feel the curve of his smile.

Ev had tried for years to find out where we were.

It made my heart ache to think of him out here, in this forest of gold, by himself.

He’d risked coming here, knowing it could get him killed, just for some solace from the capital and the monsters who reside there.

“I’m sorry.” The apology leaves my lips before I fully register why I say it.

I was sorry for his time alone, sorry for the horrors he faced, sorry that I had not been there for him when he needed me most, and sorry that I was dragging him into all of this.

Dragging him down with me when we both know the fate that awaits me.

And as if he understands all the apologies that lie within that one, he presses his face to kiss my palm.

Evander moves our horse toward Quinn, getting closer to his friend who has been riding in front of us.

“We’re close now,” he tells Quinn, who nods in response.

“Right, let’s find a place for me to make camp.” Quinn trots off, searching for an acceptable area to hunker down for a few days.

After a bit of searching, he finds a cluster of golden trees whose branches are almost woven together, providing some shelter and privacy from anyone who may be risking the king’s orders and passing through. Dismounting the horses, Quinn ties them together to let them graze.

The webbing of interlocking branches is a masterpiece of nature, or possibly of magic, given the history of the forest. I run my hand along it and when I pull it back, I half expect to see a glimmering of gold dust from the bark, but my fingers remain clean.

The gold emanates from within the trees, pure sunlight radiating out of them, not just a mere coating of gold.

The roots below my boots bulge in swells and peaks, crowding the ground.

Quinn will have a hard time finding a comfortable position for sleeping.

The thought makes me feel a bit guilty, knowing I’ll be staying in a lush room, likely with a huge bed, covered in silky pillows and luxurious sheets.

Though surrounded by people who want to kill me and suck the life out of me, still—I’m the reason he’ll be stuck out here.

Had I not gone off gallivanting into the night on my own, he wouldn’t be camping in a forest alone.

I can only hope we make it out in a few days, and he’s not left to suffer too long.

We help Quinn settle in, moving some downed branches in a few areas nearby to make it less likely for anyone who braves the woods to happen upon him. Not that they would survive if they did.There’s no chance Quinn would let someone find him and live to tell the king.

Beads of sweat form along my hairline and I brush them away with the back of my bandaged hand.

It took quite a bit of exertion back at the camp for me to sweat, but here, the air is warmer, and there’s more than a hint of moisture to it.

Even with the sun dipping below the horizon, the temperature has not cooled.

Both Quinn and Evander have rolled up the sleeves of their tunics, revealing the sun-kissed skin of warriors.

I dropped my cloak during the ride and am grateful for the short sleeves Rayna brought me back at the inn.