Page 20

Chapter

Nineteen

“I’ll see you at dinner,” I said, turning towards my room, my voice lighter than I felt.

Since the second trial, our days had morphed into a quick breakfast, a choice of exercise, and lectures.

Illerium had granted us afternoons off, presumably for research.

I had a date with the library.

Kadian often teased me for my unyielding love for study, something he shared no affinity for.

Despite that, he’d always accompanied me when I’d asked or had waited at the library when it was pitch black outside to walk me home.

He was always there when I needed him, but this was something I would be doing on my own.

When I entered my room, I saw a sealed envelope lying on the floor.

My heart sank a little as I picked it up, recognizing the handwriting.

I broke the seal and unfolded the letter.

Brida,

I wanted to write to you to let you know that your father has been quite ill the past few days.

I’ve been following the instructions you sent for the teas and will continue to administer them to him.

Vager has come by, and we hope he’ll be feeling better soon.

It’s possible he’s just recovering from heat exhaustion.

I caught him gardening a few days ago.

When I asked him why, he said, ‘The flowers out back are Brida’s favorite.

’

Enclosed is a pressed flower he wanted you to have.

Tell my brother to write home too.

Mom is wondering how he’s doing.

I’ll write if anything changes.

Be safe.

Flora

I pressed the letter to my chest, trying to draw comfort from its words, wishing I could feel closer to home.

I sank into the desk chair, placing the flower next to the portrait of my parents.

It was my mother’s favorite flower, and now, it seemed, my favorite too.

I needed to focus.

“Dear Flora…” I began, my pen moving over the paper.

???

After dropping the letter at the courier chamber, I made my way to the library, clutching the records from Addie.

The quiet here was my refuge.

I found a table at the back, bathed in a gentle green light from a stained glass window.

It dawned on me that this was where Dainan had sat the night before.

I shook my head, trying to banish the memory.

I laid out the records, simple but crucial: names, dates, and gifts.

The list was a puzzle, and I was determined to find the pattern.

Jadia Kemer, 124 AC, Blood pearls, Denied

Alister Althorne, 323 AC, Geode, Accepted

Ithanny Traver, 444 AC, Information, Accepted

Donnal Ladier, 444 AC, Gold, Denied

Hours passed with no clear pattern emerging.

Just as frustration began to settle in, a thud broke the silence.

I looked up to see Marsh, clad in a deep purple suit.

“I thought I might find you here,” he said, leaning casually against the table.

“Someone dressed up,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

“What brings you here?” My smile was genuine despite my distraction.

“I’m sorry I missed you this morning,” he said, setting a book down in front of me.

“I wanted to make it up to you.”

I had grown accustomed to Marsh’s company on our morning runs.

On the days he was absent, I found myself missing him more than I cared to admit.

The book he’d placed on the table was exquisite: leather-bound with gold gilding.

“What’s this?” I asked, picking it up and reading the cover: The Trials of Thale .

My favorite. My cheeks flushed as I looked at him, realizing he had listened to my ramblings about it.

I brought the book to my nose, savoring its faint, sweet scent.

“It’s beautiful,” I said.

“But I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”

“It’s yours.”

His hand brushed against my hair, tucking a stray strand behind my ear, and I felt a jolt of warmth.

I leaned into his touch, the sweetness of his scent enveloping me.

“You’re quite forward today, Mr. Reed Marsh,” I teased, though my voice was softer than usual.

“I think,” he said, his thumb tracing slow circles on my jaw, “if you were opposed, you’d have pulled away by now.”

“Well,” I leaned in a bit closer, my heart racing, “if you’re sticking around…” I placed my hand on the table, creating a soft echo.

“You could help me figure out what to give Giaxia so I don’t end up blacklisted by the Eternal Court.”

His grin widened as he pulled back.

“I have no doubt you’ll be chosen by the right court.”

I rolled my eyes, trying to regain my composure.

“Look at these names.” I pointed to the records.

“It’s clear there’s some connection to the court or maybe Hadash with the accepted gifts.”

His smile turned wicked.

“I’m sure you know all about that.”

He raised his hands in mock innocence as he laughed.

“Now that you’ve got this information, what’s your plan?”

I knew he was teasing, but my thoughts were still tangled in the closeness we’d shared.

I forced myself to focus.

“Are we allowed to leave the premises?”

He looked at me, puzzled.

“You know that’s not allowed.”

“Yes, but…” I hesitated, then pressed on, “If you accompanied me, would I be allowed to leave?”

His grin grew.

“You’re trying to charm your way out of here, aren’t you?”

I gave him a mischievous smile, feeling a flutter of excitement at the thought of spending more time with him outside these walls.

???

I braced myself for the journey ahead.

“It won’t be as bad as the first time, I promise,” Marsh said as we prepared for our night out.

We planned to meet at the fountain outside my room, and I had kept my secret from Kad and Lil, knowing their concerns and insistence on joining us would complicate things.

I needed to face this on my own.

I selected my long-sleeved Eternal Court fighting leathers, a symbol of our destination.

“It can fall below freezing in the evenings,” Marsh had reminded me.

I slipped an empty vial into my pocket—a small but essential item—and stepped out into the cool night.

Marsh was already at the fountain, his gaze lost in the rippling water.

“Grow tired of waiting for me?” I teased.

“Grow tired of waiting for you?” His violet eyes, reminiscent of twilight skies, met mine.

“I don’t think I could tire of such a thing, Brida Larrow.”

I couldn’t suppress a smile.

“Are you sure about this?” Marsh asked, his voice low as I approached.

I had wrestled with this decision all week.

Fortune favors the daring, my father’s voice echoed in my mind.

I hoped his wisdom would hold true.

“Don’t try to talk me out of it now. You helped come up with this plan,” I said, attempting to steady my nerves.

Success would mean acceptance and standing with the Eternal Court.

Failure would have to be dealt with later.

“I’m not,” he said, offering his hand.

“I just want to make sure this is your choice.”

“It is.”

“Remember how to do this?” He moved closer, his breath warm against my skin.

“Wrap your arms around me, and I will you. If you want to close your eyes, go ahead. It will be a bit longer than last time since Hadash is farther than Escalia, but it shouldn’t be as disorienting.” I leaned into him, feeling the firm outline of his chest. His breath caught as I moved closer.

The effect I had on him made me smile.

Tilting my head up, I murmured, “Ready.”

His dimpled smile appeared as he grinned back at me.

And then, we were gone.

The sensation of wind-walking was still unnerving, but less so than before.

The feeling of being pulled apart by the wind was something I doubted I’d ever get used to.

I kept my eyes shut, the low rumble of Marsh’s laughter vibrating through me.

“Don’t you dare laugh at me,” I shouted over the wind, to which his laughter only grew.

Moments later, I opened my eyes.

“I didn’t want to take us directly into the crater in case someone was down there. It’ll be a short hike,” Marsh said as he released me, his voice quiet in the stillness.

The sunlight filtered through the jagged peaks of the distant mountains, casting long, golden rays across the barren landscape.

The ground beneath us was cracked and dry, jagged rocks jutting up from the earth like the bones of some long-dead creature.

Dust stirred in the faint breeze, swirling lazily around our feet, the only movement in an otherwise silent, lifeless world.

I stood there, captivated by the emptiness.

The air was thin, sharp in my lungs, carrying no scent of life—only the dry, metallic tang of stone.

There were no animals, no signs of movement at all.

Just the stark contrast between the light spilling over the mountains and the cold, unforgiving ground that stretched endlessly before us.

“It’s…breathtaking,” I whispered, my voice swallowed by the vast, quiet space around us.

Despite the desolation, there was a strange beauty to it—the way the landscape stretched out in every direction, untouched and wild.

The jagged cliffs on the horizon were bathed in a golden glow as if the sun itself was trying to soften the harsh edges of the world.

Marsh leaned in closer, his warmth grounding me in the middle of the emptiness.

For a moment, it felt like we were the only two people left in existence, standing on the edge of something ancient and forgotten.

Marsh’s amethyst eyes sparkled with a tender glimmer.

“We need to get moving before the light fades.” He offered me his hand.

“The crater and entrance to the caves are down this path.” He gestured ahead.

“Don’t wander off. I’ve seen how you are with directions.”

“I knew I brought you for a reason. You’re not just an easy ride,” I teased, patting his shoulder as I walked past.

“Oh, I see,” he laughed, matching my pace with a grin.

Descending the mountain was starkly different from my usual hikes with Kad.

The vast landscape stretched before us, painted in shades of tan and terracotta, stark and desolate.

Only the rocks, dirt, and the tall, handsome figure beside me broke the monotony.

“Have you traveled this far west before?” Marsh asked, guiding me around a steep corner.

“I’ve done a few shorter trips,” I said.

“Dad and I used to camp in the Eridian district every summer, and Kadian and I explored nearby towns and villages, but nothing more than a few days away.”

“The first time I visited Hadash,” Marsh said, guiding me over a boulder, “was for a trial. The Eternal Court resolves disputes at the very heart of where they believe life began.”

“Why were you here for that?” I asked.

“Well,” he said, “a member of the Court of Whispers was on trial for espionage. My father wanted me to witness how other courts administer justice. Anyone connected to those Courts may attend.”

“What happened to him?” I asked, trying to maintain my balance.

“He was found guilty. They strung him up in the cave entryway and left him to die. It was horrifying.” We walked in silence until we reached the crater’s base.

It stretched wide and deep, the entrance to the cave a simple cutout in the rock face.

“They store lanterns and flint here for the festival. We’ll grab one inside.” Marsh said.

As I made my way to enter, he placed his hand on my arm, stopping me.

“Brida, before we do this, I need to tell you something.” He said, removing his arm from me.

His hands began to fidget with each other.

“Marsh, you’re making me nervous.”

He pulled away from me before clapping his hands together, “I know you lied about your invitation.”

My pulse began to quicken.

Gods, did he bring me here to accuse me, like the man from the story?

I started to back up, staring around me to see if anyone or anything was close by.

How am I going to get out of here?

“Gods, Brida, I’m sorry, I worded this wrong. It’s okay; I know what you did, and it’s okay. It’s more than okay.”

My brow began to furrow as I continued to put some distance between the two of us.

“Brida, please. Shit, I’ve really gone about this the wrong way.” He ran a hand through his violet-streaked hair.

“I know you lied, and it’s okay because I lied too.”

I stopped moving.

“What do you mean you lied too?”

“The story about the man, he was strung up, right here.” He pointed to the entryway of the cave.

“It left an impression on me. I thought this could not possibly be justice. The man was convicted. It was unjust, we all knew it, and yet nothing was done. No one in a position of power chose to step in and do anything. At that moment, I decided I would never let anything like that happen again, at least, I would do my best to prevent it.”

I folded my arms as I made my way to a rock and sat down, encouraging him to continue his story.

“Year after year, I waited for my invitation. Each passing Courting without being given the opportunity, the chance to prove my worth, until I took matters into my own hands.” He sighed as he made his way over and sat down in front of me.

“My father is a court member, and I asked to accompany him on a trip to Azmeer. I snuck off and made my way into the scribes’quarters. I managed to steal an invitation.”

The pained expression that befell Marsh’s face told me he understood my struggle.

“I waited until the invitations were sent out and revealed mine to my father. He’d never been more proud of me. Well, other than the day I was granted entry to the Court of Whispers.” Marsh looked at me as if yearning for something to hold onto.

“I knew your invitation was a fake, but when I saw you, I thought that maybe you too were doing it for a reason, and I wanted to give you the same chance, the same opportunity, no matter what it was you were fighting for.”

After I reflected on his words, I rose and extended my hand to him.

Moments later, he grabbed it, and we found ourselves pressed together.

“Thank you,” I whispered as I pressed a kiss to his cheek.

It was cool, like the breeze on a crisp morning.

“I’ll ask you once more, are you sure you want to do this?” Marsh said as his hands began to graze my arms.

“You were right,” I said as I moved in closer to him.

“I am here for a reason. For my father.” And as I told him everything, a weight that had been suffocating me was lifted.

“So yes, I’m sure.”

Marsh nodded and I hoped I wasn’t making a grave mistake.

At the cave entrance, lanterns of various sizes were scattered around.

“You grab a lantern,” Marsh said, lighting the flint to start a flame.

“Are you okay if I lead?”

“Oh, are you sure?” I teased.

“I’m a natural compass.”

“If that’s what you wish,” he said, handing me the lantern.

“But I’m happy to lead us.”

I smiled and followed him into the cave.

The instant we crossed the cave's threshold, I sensed the unmistakable presence of magic. A soft, humming energy filled the air, surging through my veins with a vitality and potency I hadn't imagined possible, igniting a newfound sense of life and power within me.

It was a challenge not to be overwhelmed and swept away by its currents.

It felt as though I was being pulled in every direction at once, but Marsh kept us on course.

As all light from the outside faded away, save for the dim glow of our lantern, we found ourselves enveloped in darkness.

“Don’t worry,” Marsh said, “we’ll have more light soon.” Marsh guided us around several twists and turns before I saw a faint shimmer in the distance.

Rounding the corner, stalagmites rose from the cavern floor like ancient sentinels, their surfaces adorned with crystals that cast a soft, ethereal light.

Unlike the barren exterior, the cave was teeming with life.

Each step we took was cushioned by lush moss, and the air was filled with the delicate crunch of fungi beneath our feet.

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder.

In the span of a few months, I’d gone from living a sheltered life to walking in the place where the world was said to be born.

My reverence and awe only continued to grow with each tunnel of the cave.

The humming had turned into a soothing melody luring me deeper into the cavern.

Percussion and strings echoed in my mind.

What’s that song? It’s beautiful .

“Do you hear that?” I asked Marsh.

“Hear what?” He looked back at me.

“It…It sounds like singing,” I said.

A steady rhythm of melodies began to envelop my senses, and it felt like it was guiding me to the very heart of the cave.

“Sorry, what did you say?” He stopped for a moment and raised his hand to my face.

“Be sure to look where you’re stepping. It’s easy to get distracted while here.”

I nodded as he led us down a path lined with purple and green fungi that had the slightest luminescent sheen.

“This way,” Marsh told me as he continued to hold my hand.

I’d never noticed how much larger his hand was than mine.

His fingers and hands were soft, not calloused.

Something that would have differentiated him from those of the Eternal Court.

I hadn't witnessed Marsh fight yet, and while I'd heard he was skilled, it didn't quite match his demeanor. Dainan and his brothers seemed the type to seek physical confrontation, whereas Marsh struck me as more contemplative.

“Not much longer,” Marsh said, glancing back at me. Just as he spoke, he missed a root growing out of the moss and tripped, releasing my hand to catch himself. As his grip loosened, I lost my balance and tumbled backward. It hadn’t dawned on me that we were standing on a ledge until I was already plummeting. When I hit the ground, my hand bore the brunt of the fall, pain slicing through. The stalagmites, I thought. With so little light down here, it was hard to make out anything.

“Shit,” Marsh yelled, “shit, are you okay Brida? Please tell me you’re okay.”

I hadn’t hit my head, and no bones felt broken. Other than my hand, somehow, I seemed okay. “I’m fine,” I croaked. Maybe not that fine .

Groaning, I forced myself to stand, brushing myself off. As I took a step forward, a strange sensation washed over me. My whole body started vibrating. A pulsing shockwave ran through me, starting at my feet, traveling up my spine. It took all my strength to remain standing.

With a sinking feeling, I realized my feet were wet.

It can’t be. This can’t be it . That would be too easy.

I lowered my hand to the water and halted when I swore I heard it hiss. It took my eyes a minute to readjust without the flame from the lantern, but what I saw was beautiful.

I looked upon a pool of starlight that shimmered with each ripple. An ethereal glow that carried with it whispers of mystery that hinted at the depths of the void from where all life sprang. It was a place of profound tranquility and cosmic resonance, where the boundaries between worlds blurred, and time itself seemed to stand still. My heart stuttered in my chest, and I pulled back. But as I listened closer, I realized it wasn’t a hiss at all—more like a soft exhale, like the pool itself was alive, breathing under my touch.

And then I heard it again—music, faint at first but growing in intensity, like the pool itself was humming. The sound wasn’t like anything I’d heard before. It was delicate, like the distant chime of crystal bells, but underneath was a steady, deep pulse—almost like a heartbeat, vibrating through my chest. It felt ancient, a sound that had been playing since before the world began. Each note echoed in my bones, making the air around me feel thicker, charged with something I couldn’t name.

The longer I listened, the more the melody filled the space around me, weaving into my mind until it was the only thing I could focus on. It wasn’t just music anymore—it was emotion, raw and untamed, flowing through the air and into me. Awe. Wonder. Fear. It felt like standing at the edge of the universe and gazing into eternity, knowing I was only a fragment in the grand design but somehow connected to it all.

The pool seemed to call to me, the music swelling as if it were pleading for me to touch it, to dive deeper into its mystery.

I hesitated for only a second before giving in. My fingertips grazed the surface, and the moment they did, the symphony exploded.

A surge of sound and light rushed through me, so powerful it almost knocked me backward. The water hummed beneath my touch, warm and welcoming, but with a pulse that felt alive, like I was touching something sacred. The music swirled around me, no longer distant but inside me, in my veins, pulsing with the rhythm of my heartbeat. Each note was a burst of color in my mind’s eye, vibrant and glowing. I felt connected to the very essence of creation, as if time had unraveled, leaving only this moment, this melody, and the weight of the universe pressing into me.

I wasn’t just listening anymore—I was a part of it.

“ Your music is beautiful ,” I whispered.

“Holy shit, Bri,” Marsh came running around the corner moments later. He froze when he saw me, a look of complete shock upon his face. He came closer, bringing the light with him. As he approached, the pool went dark. “You’re bleeding,” Marsh reached out to look at my hand. “We need to get this cleaned and wrapped up.”

“Not before I get what I came for,” I declared, retrieving the vial I’d stowed in my pocket. It remained intact despite my fall. I opened the lid and carefully filled the glass with the water from the pool. After sealing it shut, I turned to Marsh, “Can you get us out of here?”

Rather than answer me, he pulled a cloth from his pocket, wrapping it around my wound. “Better?”

I nodded. Lowering his face to mine, his breath grazed my lips, “Are you ready?”

I held my breath as the gusts of wind enveloped us.

???

“Thank you for helping me with my plan,” I smiled at Marsh as he walked me back to my room, “I couldn’t have done it without you.” He’d been quiet since the cave. It was mirrored by the silence of the palace.

We’d been gone several hours and the majority of Azmeer lay sound asleep. “What’s wrong?” I asked as we arrived in front of my door. He said nothing until I laid my hand on his arm, “Please tell me.”

“For a moment tonight,” his voice just above a whisper, “I feared something terrible had happened to you. Parts of that cave system are hundreds of feet deep, and I had no idea because of the lack of light. I should’ve had a firmer grip on you the entire time.” He glanced at my wrapped hand. “I'm sorry.”

“It’s not your fault that I have poor balance,” I smiled at him, “besides, everything turned out okay, and if I have a scar, well,” I paused, “it’ll serve as a reminder of a great evening.”

Marsh’s gaze softened, his eyes searching mine as if trying to understand the depths of what I had just shared. He reached out slowly, his cool hand trembling as he cupped my face. “Thank you for sharing that with me, about your father,” he murmured, his voice filled with a tenderness that made my heart ache.

For a moment, time seemed to pause. Cool air brushed against my skin, but all I could focus on was Marsh, standing so close that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. His thumb gently stroked my cheek, and I closed my eyes, leaning into his palm.

Before I could find the words to respond, he leaned in, closing the distance between us. His lips met mine in a kiss that was soft and delicate yet brimming with unspoken emotion. It was as though he was pouring all the understanding, the compassion, and the unspoken feelings between us into that single, tender moment. My heart fluttered, and I found myself returning the kiss, a spark of something profound igniting within me, something deep and meaningful that I hadn’t expected.

When he pulled back, his forehead rested gently against mine, his breath mingling with my own. “I should go,” he whispered, his voice laced with hesitation, as if he, too, was reluctant to break the connection.

I nodded, unable to speak, my heart racing in the quiet aftermath of our kiss. Even as he stepped away, I could still feel the cool touch of his lips on mine, a lingering reminder of the brief but intense moment we had shared.

As I entered my room, I undressed and unwrapped my hand. The cut was clean and not as deep as I’d thought. It would need to be monitored the next few days. After washing and wrapping it once more, I curled up in bed and pulled my covers around me. That night, I dreamt of diamond speckled water and the world’s first lullaby.