Page 19

19

ROWAN

“This isn’t the way to my chamber?”

“No, it’s not.”

Unlike the keeps that dominated Estmere’s landscape, like the one in which I was raised, which were built in perfect squares and rectangles, the palace was a mass of twists and turns that made little sense architecturally.

Nerys walked briskly ahead of me. Neither of us spoke as we descended a set of stairs and turned at least four more corners.

“This way.”

As we approached a curtain of cascading sea vines, Nerys twisted her hand, fingers outstretched, and the vines parted. I froze at the sight before me. It was the vision I’d had in the market, a place I hadn’t known even existed then.

The grove hummed with the energy of Elydor’s magic. It was a sanctuary of gently swaying flora that cast a soft glow into pools of water in hues of gold and green. Tiny, luminescent creatures darted between branches of trees that could only be found in Thalassaria. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen above the surface, a sanctuary that felt alive.

“The Garden of Luminous Tides,” Nerys said, urging me forward. With another twist of her hand, the vines closed behind me. “It was created by King Aldrion, a Thalassari ruler known for his diplomacy and magical expertise. Reading about his feats, I have no doubt he was one of the strongest Thalassarians that ever lived.”

“I’ve heard of him before. He was king during the War of the Abyss?”

“He was,” she said, sitting on a stone bench at the edge of the water.

I wasn’t ready to sit yet. The shock of seeing this place for the second time, realizing my visions were at least partially accurate, and the beauty of this grove…

“It’s remarkable.”

“This is my favorite place in the palace. There are few of us that are able to enter, and no silencing mist is needed here.”

“I don’t understand.” Kneeling, I tried to get a better look at one of the tiny creatures that left a trail of light in its wake but it darted past me too quickly.

“The king, wanting a sanctuary where he could not be disturbed, made it accessible only to those who could unlock its magic. He was killed, as you likely know already, in the war. With him, knowledge of how to enter was lost until it was rediscovered by the man we dined with this eve.”

That this place had gone unused for so many centuries was sad, and surprising. “Why did King Aldrion not give others access? How did it thrive for so long unattended? And what are these tiny creatures?” I stood, giving up. They apparently did not want to be truly seen.

“The king was a deeply private ruler and apparently created the garden as a private sanctuary. The magic he used on it was extraordinary by any standards, its balance protected by the elemental spirits.” She smiled. “Or as you call them, tiny creatures. As to why they are elusive, I cannot say.”

This felt like a more important question: “How were you able to enter?”

Moving to the edge of the pool, about to dip my finger into the water, I looked up, realizing perhaps I should not contaminate it. But in my vision, I was crouched down at the water’s edge, my hand wading through the water.

“Go ahead,” she said, Nery’s expression telling me something would indeed happen. With the first swipe, a light appeared beneath my fingers. Moving it back and forth, light trailed behind in the water’s wake.

I glanced up.

“When I first discovered that I was able to come inside, I spent many hours as you are right now. There is nothing quite like it in all of Elydor.”

I suddenly wanted to know more about this king.

“I was in the Deep Archives, not long after I began working at the palace, when Thalon also happened to be there. He apparently stumbled on a passage that offered a clue about the ancient incantation the king used to protect the garden from intruders. From that day forward, we were able to enter, although Thalon does not come here as often as me.”

“Surely others know as well by now?” I thought of the vines on the other side of the door. “It isn’t very well hidden.”

“They do. But thus far, only Thalon and I have been able to enter. I sometimes wonder if the king’s magic allows Thalon entry because he found the scroll that contained its secrets, though I’m uncertain why entry extends to me.”

“And the queen?”

“As you can imagine, is displeased at her inability to come inside, though both Thalon and I have downplayed its beauty.”

“Why doesn’t she come in as your guest? Or his? Surely, you’re able to bring anyone inside, as you did me.”

The way Nerys looked at me then… she was about to say something important. I stood, holding her gaze and slowly walked toward the bench.

“Nerys,” I said softly, sitting too far away to touch her knowing what would happen otherwise.

“I had no notion if you would be able to enter with me. I’ve tried many times, as Thalon has, to bring the queen here. I’ve long wondered if she suspects I, or both of us, deliberately misuse the spell necessary for entry. But the same thing happens each time either of us attempts to separate the vines while we’re in the company of others. Nothing.”

“Why me?”

I wanted to tell her about my vision. About all of it. My family’s history, the Keepers, my role as The Keeper… but I was sworn not to do so unless we were wed.

“The pelagor,” she said, folding her hands neatly onto her lap, as if unsure where to put them. I understood. My own wanted to wrap around her, pulling Nerys into me.

“The pelagor?” So much had happened since, I nearly forgot about a ride that, had it been any other day in my life, I’d have thought of little else. The feeling of freedom, and acceptance, riding with Nerys atop such an intimidating but awe-inspiring creature had been unrivaled.

“Do you remember how rare I told you it was to see one? Never mind actually ride a pelagor, as we did?”

“I do.”

“Long before the rise of King Aldrion, the waters of Thalassaria were ruled by an ancient, primal force known only as the Pelagor . It’s said the creature is an embodiment of the oceans themselves, a living force of both creation and destruction. Its body, composed of shifting waves, its eyes glowing like the stars in the darkest part of the night sky, and its voice resonating like the echoes of the ocean floor… all evidence of such a myth, if legend is to be believed. It is said that the pelagor only reveals itself to those destined to be its successors.”

Destined to be its successors.

My heart beat wildly as I thought of that first vision. If only I could have seen the outcome and not just the battle itself.

“I did not know,” she continued, “if you could enter with me. But when the pelagor not only appeared but allowed you to ride him, I wondered… I’d have taken you here directly if we were not summoned by the queen.”

Was it somehow related to my being The Keeper? “What does it mean, do you think?”

“As I said on the beach, I believe that we are meant to work together.”

Could it mean more than that? I left the question unasked, guessing the answer already.

“I feel honored, both for today’s ride and being allowed in here.”

“You are clearly worthy of both.”

Wanting to lighten the mood that had been much too heavy since we were summoned by the queen, I teased her. “You believe so, do you?”

Nerys rolled her eyes. “You don’t fool me with that false modesty, Rowan. I’ve gotten to know you better than that.”

“I am your humble servant,” I pushed back. “Modest in all things.”

“Hmm. If you are modest, then Marek is painfully shy.”

An untruth if ever I heard one. “I’m surprised to find myself liking him more than I’d have expected to do so.”

“Please speak to Aneri on his behalf, and mine. Even after all these years, he’s been unable to fully charm her.”

“I would have to meet her to do so,” I hedged.

“We will go to her tomorrow, so I can tell her of my plans to challenge the queen.”

“Good.” I adjusted myself on the bench, closing a bit of the distance between us. “Speaking of the queen…”

Nerys sighed. “I can only guess she wished for Carys to question me. Or you. Or both.”

“I thought the same. Do you believe she suspects your intentions?”

“I’m uncertain. I’ve attempted to keep the strength of my skills somewhat hidden, but over the years…”

“Word of sea serpents tend to spread?”

“Something like that, aye.”

Our eyes met. It suddenly seemed ridiculous not to mention it. “That kiss,” I began, unsure where to go from there.

Twas incredible. Let’s do it again. If Marek hadn’t come along, I’d have wanted to take you on that damn beach.

“I do not wish to dishonor you,” I said instead.

Her eyes fell to my lips.

I want it as much as you, dear Nerys. Maybe more.

“You could never dishonor me, Rowan.”

It warmed me to hear her say as much with surety.

“I would never willingly do so. Now tell me something of yourself I do not know.”

Nerys hesitated, but then seemed to make up her mind. “There’s something I’ve told very few about my past… not even Marek. But now seems like it might be the right time to share it.”