Page 78 of Mortal Queens

With each moment I waited, the options grew, and my odds of choosing the right one slimmed. A clever thought came. If I didn’t know where I wanted to go, I couldn’t choose the wrong way. Any path could take me somewhere, and I would rather be anywhere than here. Every direction could give me that.

I’d worry about finding Gaia later. For now, I willed the desire to be somewhere, avoiding all thoughts of a real destination, and stepped forward.

A strong hand tugged at my arm.

Thorn pulled me away from the road. His eyes flashed. “Artru?” He scanned the area until the man with the cart, his head bent reluctantly, stepped from the shadows. Thorn’s tone was curt. “No.”

The man’s shoulders sagged. He plunged a hand into his deep pockets to pull out a handful of silver dust and tossed it into the sky like a million twinkling stars that settled over my face.

With my next blink, the island righted itself.

“Any path you chose, he would claim was the wrong one,” Thorn said, looking after the man who had now gone. “You couldn’t win that.”

I rubbed the dust from my forehead. “That doesn’t seem fair.”

“Lucky for you, I’m here.” He smiled.

Suspicion edged my mind, and I pulled back to examine him. Why was he here? How did he know I was in trouble? Was this only a deception to appear as my hero?

His smile faltered. “What is it?”

“Nothing.” I glanced back to the roads. “Actually, I’m searching for Gaia.”

He stood stone still before letting out a low whistle. “The queen has returned.” His eyes roamed over the island. “It isn’t ready for what she can do.”

“I don’t think she’s ready,” I replied. “She’s in hysterics. I followed her here but then”—I waved my hand—“the dust and the splitting roads.”

“Understandable. My business here is done, and I’ll gladly help you search. It should be an interesting night.”

I noted the twinkle in his eyes, begging me to ask him why. I humored him. “Why?”

He looked around then leaned close. “All the kings are here at the same time, save one.”

My brows raised.

“Yours.” My cheeks heated at that, but he went on. “He doesn’t care for this island. I haven’t seen him here in fifteen years, until he showed up two days ago.”

For me.

“What of the missing king?” I asked.

Thorn sighed. “Alright. All the kings are here except the stuck-up one and the missing one. But now both our queens are here too.” He lifted his hands gleefully. “This island is practically trembling with possibilities.”

I tried not to think of what that could mean. I had to find Gaia before she did something rash. “She went that direction,” I pointed.

“After you,” Thorn said, still giddy.

We searched through narrow, winding streets and into shops both rundown and pristine. We checked alleys and taverns and more. We even stopped by Rola’s Rolls, where we purchased some tartlets. Thorn offered to pay for me again.

“It’s alright.” I stuck out my finger and she hungrily stole a drop of blood. It was worth it for the impressed look on Thorn’s face, and I buried my unease deep inside. I squeezed my thumb against my finger.

“Let’s go. She’s clearly not here.” I took my wrapped tartlet.

Madame Rola’s teeth bared in a knowing smile. “Lost a queen, eh?”

I stiffened. “What do you know of it?”

She clicked her tongue. “You don’t have enough blood in your body to know.”