Page 245 of The Queen’s Shadow

“Good luck, slut.”

I didn’t give her a chance to change her mind.

I ran.

Raven

The villa was gorgeous, and the closer we got the calmer I began to feel. The near constant ache in my chest where Amon was meant to be seemed to recede with each step I took. The balmy air of the island wafted through the open air home, mixing the salty scent of the nearby ocean with tropical fruit scents and a warm, damp humidity.

The villa was filled with cozy bean bag pouffes, macrame plant hangers, floating hammocks and basket chairs for relaxing. It was elevated, but somehow homey and comfortable, and made you feel like you could get comfortable no matter where you decided to rest your feet.

Princess Niahmara wasted no time taking us out the side door, where there was a large garden cultivated next to the mansion, overlooking the ocean. Someone had cut back the lush rainforest enough to make room for a fertile plot that was filled with fruit trees and bushes. Many of the plants I had never seen before. I smiled. Meredith would have loved to have had a chance to explore this garden.

“Here’s our voidseed trees.” Niahmara said with a smile. There were four, meticulously groomed trees filled with fat, round purple fruits the size of grapefruits. “Please, help yourself to as many as you need.”

I exchanged a look with Jeremy and Conrad. The instructions Meredith had given us had said we only needed a small amount, and I didn’t want to be wasteful and take more than we needed.

“Just one, is fine.” I said, and Niahmara nodded, plucking one from the nearest tree and handing it to me. I expected to feel something, but it just sat in my hand, an innocent fruit. I frowned.

“Shouldn’t I feel it trying to pull on my magick or something?” I asked, and Niahmara shook her head.

“Not necessarily. It should feel like nothing. It is a voidseed after all.”

That felt vague and cryptic. “Uh-huh.” I said dubiously. How was I going to get this thing’s juices into a capsule?

“Allow me to show you to your rooms. You can settle in and relax for a bit. I would be honored if you would join me for a meal.” Our host said kindly, her eyes hopeful.

I realized suddenly, she had been avoiding asking, because she was hoping I would free her while I was here. I cursed myself for being so selfish.

“Of course, and if you like, I can free you before we eat!” I grinned, and her eyes welled with tears.

“I would like that… very much.” She whispered, and I patted her arm gently.

“Let me just put some of this stuff away and we can get started.” I said with a smile and she grinned.

“Great, let’s go.”

Our rooms were as gorgeous as the rest of the villa. The light of the twin moons lit up the island so much that I could see the rolling beaches from my room, even in the dark.

I understood now why Conrad had been so excited to visit this court. There was a deep, aching sense of peace that came with an environment like this. The rustle of the palm trees in the ocean breeze, the lullabic sound of the salty waves that rushed up on the sandy shore. It all came together and melted away the stress and the worries of real life.

I took in another deep breath before allowing myself to smile quietly. I wasn’t sure why, but for the first time in weeks, I was feeling optimistic. I had this strange sense that Amon was close, and I was going to find him soon. It was like I knew it in my bones.

“Hey gyaal, ready to go?” Conrad asked, tapping gently on the door to my room. The room itself was large and clean with a king size bed and an adjoining ensuite. There was a desk, a large balcony and a hammock next to the coffee nook. I felt like I was in a resort on vacation.

“Yeah,” I said smiling. “I just want to hide Bond Breaker, I feel like two blades and a sword for dinner is overkill, especially when she’s been so nice and hospitable.”

Conrad nodded, grinning. “Want mi tuh cast a no-see me spell?” He asked and I beamed at him.

“Yeah, that would be perfect.” I trusted Princess Niahmara, but Bond Breaker was a high profile, powerful weapon. It wouldn’t be wise to leave it unguarded anywhere. Especially when we knew The Siren was likely stalking us. She could break into the villa and steal it.

Conrad cast the spell, hiding the sword from prying eyes and I slipped into the ensuite to shower and change. Instead of wearing my armor, I put on a white linen button up shirt and a pair of comfortable black lambskin pants. The shirt was long sleeved and covered the blades on my wrists. I needed them to free Niahmara, but didn’t like the idea of flashing weapons at the dinner table. It felt rude.

I emerged to find that Jeremy had joined us as well. He had also changed, and opted to leave his gun behind. He was wearing jeans and an OPP T-shirt. Conrad was in a backward ball cap with a short sleeve collared shirt. He wore it open over a black tank and cargo shorts. I smiled. We just looked like normal people, going to a normal dinner, on a normal night. Something about it made my heart tight.

I wished Amon was here, so he could be a part of my version of normal too.

“Alright, let’s go free the Princess of Envy.” I said with a smile, and both Conrad and Jeremy nodded, gesturing for me to lead the way.