Page 9

EMBEDDED STONES

A grand set of obsidian staircases hugging the center of the foyer greeted us. They curved along the moonstone walls on either side. A landing connected them at the top, an undulating balcony overlooking the vestibule below.

On either side of me, a long hallway stretched, its black stone floors leaking into the shadows. All of the shiny doors were adorned with intricate etchings like someone had dragged the tip of their finger through a still silver pond, the ripples freezing in place.

Movement caught my eye, swinging my attention toward the landing above. I could have sworn wispy smoke slithered away from view. I blinked twice. Perhaps I was still seeing things.

I shook out my hands, releasing a shaky breath. Kaden stepped closer to me, putting his arm around my back and rubbing a soothing pattern along my shoulder. I rested my head against his warm, solid chest.

A breathtaking chandelier made of hundreds of pristine, star-shaped crystals dangled over the foyer, sprinkling sweeps of refracted rainbows over every stony surface they could reach. The vaulted quartz ceiling hovered above us, giving us views of the roof’s gemmy spires.

“Ahead is the Great Hall, where we’ll meet later.” Gavrel turned to the left. “Follow me, please. Your rooms are this way.”

“Have Seryn and I stayed here before, Gav?” Kaden asked.

“You’ve always stayed in the barracks.” Gavrel dipped his head, pushing forward.

“So, you remember everything when the Dormancy is over?” Breena questioned, her voice an octave higher and her eyebrows flying to the ceiling.

Upon reaching the end of the long hallway, Gavrel stopped, opening the door to a sprawling bedroom. “This is you, Ms. Caddell.”

“Why, thank you, handsome. You can call me Breena,” she purred, giving him a jaunty wink. “But you didn’t answer my question.”

“Yes, I remember everything,” he admitted hesitantly, his voice low.

“Very interesting.” She twirled around, sauntering into her room. “Catch you later.” She closed the door with a sharp click. Kaden and I stood side by side, gawking at Gavrel.

He shrugged one shoulder and pushed a hand through his thick hair. “Everyone has three days, in Stygian Murk time, to find the arch. Once they get close enough, guards on-duty from my unit help them through. If a person doesn’t make it, they’re trapped in limbo. Whether they successfully return to the mortal plane after the Dormancy is another issue.” His brow furrowed as his teeth clenched together.

Was that what happened to Mama? I thought, my insides churning.

“That’s … amazing, brother. You being some elite Order leader, I mean. Being trapped in the nightmare place, not so much.” Kaden wrapped Gavrel in a hug, thumping him on the back a few times. Gavrel’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but then his body seemed to melt, and he embraced his brother. They stepped apart, Kaden’s hands on his brother’s shoulders. “So, I’m guessing a benefit of you being the big boss of your fancy unit is …”

Gavrel nodded once. “Remembering everything. Yes. To be honest, I think it’s so the Elders don’t have to reeducate us every turn.”

“Wow. Just wow, Gav,” I murmured. That responsibility seemed overwhelming. Deep within the shadowy pockets of my mind, I buried the image of my mother shriveling in the Murk, my molars gnawing the inside of my cheek. “How long have you been doing this?”

“Five turns now. Luckily, you’ve all been in Surrelia for the last five cycles, except for your father.” He grimaced, anticipating my dismay.

My heart crawled into my throat. “I understand.” I rubbed his arm briefly. “If he’s been trapped in limbo, at least he wouldn’t remember his time there, and he has found his way home every turn.”

“Indeed.” His brows knitted together.

I blew out a puff of air. “Maybe I can find more answers while I’m here. Not that I’ll recall them when we’re home.” A halfhearted chuckle fell to the stones as I shrugged.

Kaden gave me a side hug, then asked, “Are we in any of these rooms, Gav?”

“No, let’s head upstairs.”

Kaden let out a whistle and smirked. “The mysteries never end in this place. Here’s one more: Where do the Elders stay?”

Gavrel’s eyes look upward, probably asking the Ancients for patience. “Their quarters are in the opposite wing near the Great Hall.”

Kaden nodded, his shoulders slumping a little. Gavrel rolled his shoulders back, adjusted his scabbard, and then strode to the wall, marking the end of the wing. I thought he would barge right through it until a metallic door rippled into view, his tattoo glowing faintly in response. That section of the wall had been a mirage. As he approached, the embedded door slid into the wall. When we entered, it slipped back into place behind us soundlessly.

We climbed a winding silver staircase. We reached the landing for the second floor, and another door appeared and slid open, shutting as we exited. Gavrel led us to each of our rooms. Kaden’s was a few doors down from mine, and my room was close to the foyer balcony.

“If you need me, my room is next door. My team also has rooms throughout the palace; they’ll have runes like mine.” Gavrel lifted his hand. “Someone will bring you fresh clothing soon.” He hesitated, lips parting as he sucked in a breath and sealed any further words behind the firm line of his mouth. Tipping his head once, Gavrel turned toward his room.

“Thank you,” I called after him, entering my room when he didn’t turn around.

My eyes widened at the sight of my quarters. My whole cottage at home would have fit inside it. Light trickled in through the vaulted quartz ceiling. Sparkling rainbows bounced off decorative metal beams that arched delicately below the gems. I ambled over to three large, circular windows, which lined the wall.

The Insomnis Sea stretched into the horizon, its watery crests rolling and sparkling. Looking down, cerulean waves pounded into the side of the craggy precipice. Glossy black shards crept up the moonstone under my window. The back of the palace burrowed higher into the cliff than the front.

Glancing to my left, an enormous plush bed beckoned me. A sweeping canopy sloped over it. The sheer silvery material caressed the corner posts as it flowed to the floor beneath. A sigh escaped my lips, and I brushed my hand over the pewter bedding, its velvet caressing my fingertips.

I needed a bath before I could snuggle into the bed. A pout pulled down the corners of my mouth. Turning reluctantly, I noticed a semi-circular glass tub built into the opposite wall. Sunbeams melted into its golden glass.

A quick knock startled me, making my shoulders jump and the crunchy fabric of my kirtle rustle. I moved to the door, opening it to a petite, older woman. Her bluish-gray strands swept into a neat braid down her back. Her mouth tipped into a bright smile, crinkling the lines around her eyes and forehead.

“Hello, Miss. I have some clean clothes for you. I’m sure you’ll be wanting a bath right quick!” Her voice was lyrical, words swift. She swooped past me and placed the fresh clothes on the bed.

She rushed to the tub and turned the faucets on with a flick of her hand, a soft teal aura simmering around her. Steamy, bubbly water poured into the transparent basin, and the scent of lavender floated through the room. She spun toward me, her blue dress twirling around her legs.

“Thank you, Miss …” I paused, slightly dazed from her quick movements and casual display of ember. She was a busy little bluebird flitting about.

“Oh, call me Derya. Derya Atwater. And you are Seryn Vawn, you are,” she chirped without allowing breaths to interrupt her. “Isn’t the bath just lovely? I thought of the scented bubbles myself! I do love making concoctions. I can manipulate water … well, small bits of it. Things in it, around it … if you couldn’t tell,” she tittered as she swept toward the door.

“That’s fantastic. Are you from Haadra?” I asked, recalling Magister Barden’s lessons once again. If I wasn’t mistaken, water-based powers originated there.

“Why, yes, I am! I miss my homeland, as I’m sure you do, but you’ll be back in no time.” She clapped her hands twice in front of her. “If you’ll be needing anything, touch that sapphire by the door and I’ll be right up.”

There was indeed a sparkling blue gem embedded in the wall. My head bobbed in understanding as she swished her hand above her head. The water stopped flowing from the faucet as the metal door clicked behind her.

In disbelief, a brief laugh escaped me as I undressed and immersed my aching body in the basin. The heat soaked into my tired muscles, the steam drifting around me in a dreamy mist. A faint giggle dove from my lips as I skimmed my fingers over lavender-scented bubbles.

I couldn’t believe I was here. That I was a Druik. I’d always wondered what it would be like to have ember. What would happen once the Dormancy was over? Would my gift resurface … or stay hidden until the next cycle?

Breathing in, my unrequited thoughts tucked into the recesses of my mind. I dunked my head under the water and scrubbed the grime and dried blood from my curls and face.

As my head broke the water, another knock sounded on my door. “Come in!” I shouted, swiping some errant bubbles from my brow.

The door swung open and closed. Those don’t look like Derya’s slippers, I mused before my eyes jolted up to see Kaden’s smirking face. A loud squeak escaped me as I wrapped one arm around my breasts and used the other to hug more bubbles around me. “Kaden, what the void?! Can’t you see I’m bathing?!”

“Absolutely … but need I remind you, you bade me come in?” He chuckled and walked over to the basin.

“I thought you were Derya!” My cheeks blazed, matching the temperature of the water.

“Ah, don’t fret, Ser. I can’t see anything interesting through the bubbles and steam.” He pouted as I glowered at him. “Besides, I wanted to check on your neck wound.”

I huffed, relenting. “All right. Thank you.” I flicked my soapy hand at him, splashing droplets onto his white tunic. “Don’t make me regret this.”

“I would never.” He grinned; one dimple visible on his now clean-shaven face. I wanted to poke him right in it. He swiped his wet, shaggy hair from his forehead as he squatted beside the tub.

I pulled my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around my shins. The frothy bubbles covered my skin as my eyelids closed.

My initial embarrassment washed away as Kaden massaged my head with gentle fingers, untangling the auburn knots. A soft purr vibrated through my throat.

I wondered if it was peculiar that I wasn’t more concerned about etiquette … but this was Kaden. We’d grown up together, seen each other at our best, and held each other in our lowest moments. The last several days had been terrifying, but in this moment, I felt safe and cared for.

He carefully scooped water over my hair, brushing his hand down my curls and back. Goosebumps rippled over my skin, chasing his touch. A warmth spread from my chest and rippled through my limbs. My purr morphed into a soft groan.

Kaden’s hand stilled under my shoulder blades. “Your hair, it’s untangled. Let me, uh …” He paused and cleared his throat, shifting on his knees.

I opened my eyes, gazing at him with a dreamy smile. “Huh?”

His eyes looked darker, as if they were glazed in steam. His thumb drew tiny circles on my back, sending a shiver down my spine into the water below. He licked his bottom lip and continued, “Your neck … lean forward so I can take a look.”

I did as he asked. Slowly, his warm palm slid up my slick skin, pushing wet strands of hair over my shoulder. I trembled despite the warm steam still draped around my skin.

He cleansed my neck with the soapy water. I could tell he was being as gentle as he could be, his fingers feathering over my skin. Still, a sharp sting of pain ran across the bite wound as he worked.

I whimpered as he touched a particularly sore area. He let out a hiss of air and growled, “Damn the shades to the void!”

He took a deep, deliberate breath and asked, “Are you all right? I can patch this wound up, but something is embedded in your scar.”

“What?!” I yelped and reached along my nape. My finger slid along something razor-thin protruding from the scarred tissue. “What the Ancients is it? Get it out!”

“I’m not sure, hold still,” he commanded, nudging my hand away. His face moved closer, his warm breath gliding over my skin, leaving goosebumps behind.

Locking my muscles in place, I held my breath, attempting to ignore the discomfort as he worked. My breath whooshed from me as my scar released its grasp on the object—a sharp burn burrowed in its place. Kaden’s eyebrows scrunched as he handed it to me. “It looks like a pebble.”

I took the tiny object from him and cleaned it in the water, running my thumb over its flat surface. “It looks like the pods when they’re inactive. Look, there are markings etched into it.”

His eyebrows flew up toward his hairline. “Uh, looks like an ember talisman. I saw something similar once.”

“What are you talking about, Kaden? You seem to know much more about ember than you’ve let on. Not to mention why you looked so guilty in the Stygian Murk.”

“What are you talking about?”

“When I asked about us all glowing. Don’t play the dunce with me. Start talking.”

He sighed, “All right, but let me heal your wound first.”

Kaden closed his eyes, concentration coating his features. A green light encircled his hand, his skin glowing like smoldering pieces of coal. He moved my hair from my nape again and covered it with his palm. A tingling warmth skittered over my skin, knitting the edges of my wound together.

After he finished, I touched my neck, gliding over it. My now sealed starburst scar remained, the dense skin pressing into my fingertip.

“What the bloody void!?” I cried.

“Ah, come on. Get dressed, and we’ll chat. Unless you want me to get in there with you?” He laughed as I thrust my finger toward the door. He turned with that annoying grin still pasted on his face, swaggering out of my room.

My body lurched out of the tub, water and bubbles splashing to the floor, too distracted to care about the mess I made. I clutched the obsidian stone in my hand as I threw on the soft undergarments and dress Derya had left for me. My palm slid over the clean white fabric. It was the softest material I’d ever felt.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep, calming breath. There was too much information tumbling around my skull. The Stygian Murk. Surrelia. My best friend keeping secrets. This damned talisman.

I studied the delicate sliver in my palm, prodding the engraved rune. The pebble was no bigger than my pointer finger’s nail bed. The etching was a simple eye shape with a slanted X -mark through it.

I set it on the small table beside the bed and went to the door. “Come back in and spill all of your lies,” I ordered, sweeping my arm out. Kaden blushed and lowered his chin, sighing. He walked to the side of my bed and sat on the edge, the velvet crushing under his solid weight.

“I never lied to you, Seryn.”

“Help me understand then.”

Kaden fidgeted on the bed a bit as I sat next to him. “In the months before the culling, I caught Ma in the woods one night. I couldn’t sleep and went for a walk. There was this light shining in the trees … It was her. Her body sparkled all over as she focused on a dying grymwood. The colors were amazing. Like honey-colored stars and caramel swirling together.” He rubbed his hand across his forehead, then rested it on his muscular thigh. The fabric of his tunic and breeches rustled against his movements.

“She wasn’t even ashamed or frightened, Ser. She told me right away she was a Druik. I was only thirteen, so she wasn’t sure if I’d inherit any abilities, but I think she suspected I would. I’ve always felt connected to the woods, and I’ve always healed quickly.” He shrugged, shifting to face me.

“In those months, she tried to prepare me the best she could in case any ember manifested when I turned twenty-one. She was proud of hers and said it was nothing to be ashamed of, but I needed to be safe. She wanted to teach me more … but she didn’t get the chance.” He looked down, his mouth dipping.

“She made me promise not to tell anyone, not Gavrel nor Pa. Not even you.” He grabbed my hand, his eyes pleading. “Please understand. I wanted to tell you, but then she was … gone. I didn’t want to break my promise to her. I didn’t want to put you, or anyone else, in danger.”

“Thank you for being honest with me. I …” I paused, squeezing his hand. “I understand. It’ll take a moment for me to work through all of this. It’s all happening so quickly. I’ll always be here for you, Kade. Even if you are trying to protect me, you should know by now I can handle whatever you share with me.”

“I see that now. Forgive me?”

“All right, I’ll forgive you … for now.” I smirked. We both shifted on the bed and laid back on the pillows facing each other. “So, what else is there to tell? Why didn’t she register?”

“Well, she made it sound like registered Druiks were in more danger than those in hiding. She said if the Elders knew you had powerful ember abilities, which I think she did, you’d be given an ultimatum. Join their Akridai force or—I don’t know—disappear or be culled. Maybe they leave Druiks who aren’t formidable alone.” One shoulder shrugged. He twirled his hand in the air. “I can heal small wounds. Before your wound, I tried it on myself earlier this turn, but I couldn’t get it right. Maybe you were the motivation I needed. I’d call that a success.” A grin split his face.

“Happy to be your test subject.”

He chuckled, then went on, his eyes alight. “I also can sometimes help plants grow, but only small ones. As in, I once grew a leaf back on a clover. Not enough to help Evergryn or be a threat to the Elders, I’d say.” His smile wilted.

“Well, I blew up a shade. I’m not sure that’s very useful in Midst Fall either.” He snorted at my comment. A small smile flitted across my face before settling in a line. “After hearing about Hestia … let’s keep our abilities to ourselves as much as possible. Just to be safe.” He nodded in agreement. I reached for the stone sliver on the side table. “So, tell me about talismans.”

“Ah, yes. Ma showed me some runes she had etched into rocks once. Said they were talismans for protection. Don’t know what happened to them, but this reminds me of Ma’s. Different symbol, though.” He plucked the pebble from my fingers, studying it. His other hand itched the side of his jaw. “If I had to guess, this has been in there the whole time.”

“I think you’re right,” I agreed, taking the stone from him and putting it in my pocket. “Someone put it there on purpose. It must have been when I was too young to remember. From what Mama told me, I’ve had that scar since I was a baby. The shade’s bite forced it out.” I sighed heavily, sinking further into the plush comforter.

Kaden picked up my hand, enveloping it in his larger one, wrapping my ragged spirit in unspoken comfort. We lay like that for a while, processing what we had been through in the past several days, listing all the questions we needed answers for.

I wasn’t sure what I would do without Kaden. He was a solid rock beneath my feet, keeping me stable on unsteady ground. We grew weary as the moments ticked on, and soon, our energy ran dry—finally depleted from days of panic and confusion. We drifted asleep, our hands still embracing one another. The clouded bath water remained forgotten on the floor, mingling with our spilled secrets.