Page 22

Chapter twenty-two

Not the Mines

W orking on the potion felt more important than ever. Before, everything had been a trial and experiment, a giant maybe-but-probably-not-going-to-work moment, a held breath, but now that the potion was effective and safe, and Uncle Koll was thriving—and without yellow spots—we pushed to produce as much potion as we could. Since we could stop experimenting, we needed fewer racerbristles, and they began to recover nicely between their trimmings. The Shade—ever the menacing botanist—found a way to keep the cloudy mossweed alive around the cavern the spyrings had used to break through, and it soon covered every inch of the cavern entrance. Several of the animals worked with me all the time, constantly bustling through, watering, weeding, and cleaning up the dead leaves. The baby skunks rolled through our work regularly, bringing us a bit of laughter.

Uncle Koll had felt so good that he was always outside now and had taken over the landscaping. The rooms shook periodically when he used his earthen magic to reform stone, lift a rise, or carve a statue for the gardens. He made a stone pergola with intricate carvings from the red stone around us. For someone I first thought frail and weak, Uncle Koll was proving himself to be quite the loamer powerhouse. Every time the windows rattled, the Shade and I would just look at each other and laugh. His relief flooded through me. As he pinched off a leaf, he thought, “I worried I was killing him by staying this close to the castle and the mountains…now he’s full of power again.” He laughed aloud. “Though he is so raucous as he plays, I hope he doesn’t bring down the manor.”

Jamison and I settled into a truce of sorts. He glared and stood watch when he wasn’t out catching dinner, and periodically, I heard him mutter something about smiling and propriety. But when he flitted around Uncle Koll in the evenings as the man danced through the dinner preparations, I knew the bat was as happy as we were that Uncle Koll was hale again.

Finally, we had finished creating a three-month supply box of potions—one for every five days—and a box of glass cubes, with instructions and dollops of sugar. The box was signed “Ever yours, the Shade.” His amusement still flickered every time he pointed it out to me.

The final day came, and the Shade started us off with an evening feast. “It is a long journey through the earth to the castle,” he touted as his reason.

“Through the earth? Why not go directly through the forest?”

“The forests are watched, and the gates are guarded,” Jamison chirped. “Unless you’re trying to get Master’s head on a platter instead of your own.”

I cast him a glare before stirring my peas. “Through then.” I shuddered at the memory of our last expedition. “Doesn’t mean I look forward to the dark and narrow.”

“Thankfully, the mine tunnels are bigger and wider, and the monsters have likely fled the area.”

“Or were killed by the soldiers,” Jamison added. The Shade nodded grimly .

I hugged myself. “You know I don’t like the dark.”

The Shade sipped his tea. “But why, though?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Being alone in the storms. Monsters under the bed. The howls of scary wolves and…once I was left in a well.” The lone gray mother wolf that had wandered up gave me a concerned look. I petted the top of her head, my fingers threading through the fur right behind her ears. “Back at my first home. A group of boys told me I was the only one small enough to go down and save a cat that had fallen in, and of course, I said yes. After they lowered me down, they pulled up the bucket. I was there for hours and hours before someone found me.” The room was still; the Shade’s anger boiled in my chest, and even Jamison’s jaw dropped with horror. “But I got out.” I shrugged, trying to move everyone forward. “The dark is also full of beasts and ghosts.”

“I admit, not even I would leave you in a well.” Jamison rewrapped himself with his wings. “Probably.”

The Shade set down his glass and looked out the window. The twilight sky was pricked with the earliest stars as the clouds reflected the last of the sunlight in pinks and purples. “Darkness isn’t evil. Darkness is a cozy blanket, a safe place to rest. It’s peace and quietness. It’s cool water when the world grows too hot. Without the darkness, you cannot see the stars. Without the darkness, you wouldn’t see half our friends.” He glanced at me. “And every beautiful portrait uses the darkness as a stunning contrast to add depth.”

“Some darkness is evil,” I whispered. But I no longer pictured the Shade when I spoke the words. I saw a broken glass, dark amber liquid, and a deep red face that had been out too late, drowning too deep. Boys jeering and throwing stones at a girl in a well. Bloodlust in the eyes of a seer .

His face twisted in momentary pain as I shared my thoughts. “Evil is evil. But I promise, Dayspring, you never have to be afraid of me. I will protect you.”

“From yourself?”

“From the prince. From the monsters. From everything.”

“Your magic at full force can be a little scary.” I picked at a button in front of me.

He reached across the table, his fingers tipped my head back to meet his gaze. “It can be used in this way, yes. But it will never, ever be used to hurt you. You are mine. Mine to safeguard. Mine to—”

His throat bobbed again as his eyes dropped to my lips. His gaze was a touch, a brand searing my skin. Mine to what? His thumb was soft as down as it touched my jawline. My heart ached with the blossoming feelings of—

A throat cleared. The Shade let his hand slip as he sat back. I busied my hands brushing off invisible crumbs from my skirt. The Shade leaned his elbows on top of the table, the picture of professional interest. “Yes, Uncle.”

“The owls.”

The Shade waved a hand of permission, and five owls flew into the room.

“ Fourteen to the north.”

“Ten in the ravine. And the dogs.”

“A regiment at the temple.”

Their thoughts bombarded me simultaneously. Placing a hand on my head, I turned to the Shade. “What are they talking about?”

“I asked them to double-check the surface path. But as you heard, it would be impossible.”

He had sent them for me. Gratitude warred with fear as I took in the box of potions at the end of the table. I was a coward. “Can you fly?” I gestured at his ethereal shadows that hung on his chair. “With shadow wings?”

He only chuckled. “Sadly, not quite.” He closed his eyes with a deep inhale. “We go under then.” He made plans for travel rations with Uncle Koll and sent the raccoons to pack up the potions before turning back to me. “Dayspring, go get some rest. We’ll plan to leave in a few hours.”

I nodded as Jamison flitted grumpily back to my room. I bathed quickly in the glorious water, locking the Shade’s door and bathing in my sleep clothes, before I wrapping myself in a robe and leaving the hot springs.

My thoughts whirled with fears of the unknown beasties underground. I worried over what would happen if we were caught at the castle or if the queen was too far gone. I chewed on my inner lip as I dreaded more caverns, even though this time I had his box of light. His box of light. He was someone I had feared my whole life. I had avoided and hated him, even cursed him while doing my washing. And yet, my current thoughts of him were completely altered. He was nothing like the seers had described, he was nowhere near the menace the king regent had claimed. He was wounded and powerful, but he was also tender toward me and protective of his manor and all the creatures in it. And though I hesitated to admit it even to myself, I thrilled thinking of the Shade and his touch. I shivered in pleasure at the thought of his fingertips on my cheek and the warmth of his embrace. I pressed my eyes shut with the backs of my hands as I sat on the chair by the fire. I wouldn’t think of his kisses. I would not recount in slow detail the brilliance of his eyes when he was mere inches from my face. I would not relive every soft embrace. I would not ache for his hands on mine. I wouldn’t think of what they could mean .

“I never think of these things either. Only with every other breath.” His thoughts were a deep lullaby.

I ran my hand along the beauty mark on my neck. The markings had lasted too long for it to be an irritated beauty mark, as much as I’d wanted to believe it. The rest of me had healed, but the tiny twisting swirls remained, black and as big as a teaspoon. Regret twisted in my chest for a moment before I tried to remind myself why bonding was bad, and besides, the Shade didn’t have a matching mark. Perhaps, we could have a love match instead.

It was warm by the fire and I fell asleep.

Jamison called my name, then with a thump, he landed on my face, his wings splayed wide and grasped my ears. His beady eyes blinked at me. “ Lady, it’s time .”

I sat up with a yelp, his long finely-clawed fingers grasped at the movement and pulled the hair on my temples as his feet pinched slightly on my lips. “Jamison!” He flew off before I could bat him away and snorted with a chirpy cackle.

“Do not land on my face!” I rubbed at my nose, still tickled from his fuzzy belly. “Say my name, squawk or squeak. But do not land on my face!”

He settled upside down on the lamp, looking wholly too pleased with himself. “ I only aim to be an effective servant of my master. And he bid me to wake you up.”

“I bid you to wake me differently.”

“The master didn’t specify. And I was effective. You are awake.”

I tossed a nearby throw pillow at him before the reality of the next journey froze my chest.

Jamison shuffled his wings . “You’re afraid. ”

I strode to the wardrobe. Afraid of getting caught, afraid of the caves, afraid to see my father, afraid to be seen by anyone. What if I had been utterly forgotten?

“Good,” the bat said. “ You should be afraid.”

Debating which gown one should wear to climb through mines—and ultimately to see the queen again—I pulled out a black dress. Jamison snorted. I rolled my eyes. “Fine. You pick.”

With a flap, the bat maneuvered over my shoulder. “There. On the far right.”

A thick leather and canvas ensemble pressed against the wood. I removed it from its hook. “Jamison, these are pants. ”

“They are.”

“I’m a girl!”

“Girls have legs. Legs can wear pants.”

“What would my father say?” I glanced at the outfit again. The elbows and knees were reinforced, and a thicker boned vest would protect my middle. It did look utterly practical. “Who cares what my father would say.”

“Attagirl. Get dressed. I’ll go ready the team.” Jamison flapped away.

My shaky hands got the job done, and I was pleased with what I saw in the mirror. The warm tunic hung long over my thighs, and the gloves came with gauntlets and buckles. I also found tall leather boots that covered the front of my knee. I looked daring and courageous—and more things I would never have described myself with before. I turned to the side and eyed my legs. If Prince Leon could only see me now, he might kick me out of his court for the embarrassment. The lack of encumberment of my stride, however, traveled to my heart and I felt…giddy. Uncomfortable, perhaps, but—dare I say—unhindered. I gr inned wickedly.

I nearly pranced my way to the entryway which buzzed with activity. The hallway was lined with two groups of animals—both day and night creatures on each side. The Shade sat in the middle, reviewing a parchment on the table as his shadow idly stirred his tea.

“Is everyone coming with us?” I asked as I sat beside him.

He glanced up. “Some will come, but most will stay. They are deciding amongst themselves who is going.”

The wolves were engaged in a growling debate, the crows cawed and strutted away from each other in groups of five, and the snow leopard slumped in a lazy stretch before the kitchen door. I opened a mental window a small amount to try to understand their discussion, but it was too much. I slammed it shut, barraged by the cacophony. They could sort that out themselves. The table held three leather bags: the pink solution in one, and a mix of the other healing and toxic potions in the other two. A small pouch beside them contained the sleeping potions. Uncle Koll burst from the kitchen and set bags of food on the table. An owl dragged a carafe of hot water, and a small hawk grabbed Uncle Koll a mug of his own. The older man was also clad in leather gear.

“You’re coming with us?”

His dark eyes gleamed. “Don’t sound so astonished, young lady. I’m not dead yet.”

My cheeks burned. “I didn’t mean—”

“Ha! I tease, I tease. I’ve got to keep these old bones moving. Plus, you’ll need my skill with the earth, as you all plan to be surrounded by it.”

I shuddered.

“We’ll go down the spyring path, I think. Jamison has reported that it connects with one of the larger mine shafts on this side.” The Shade slid the map toward me. The three mountains reached to the top of the parchment, and various lines connected up and down and across the space beneath them. Three lines went to the surface of the mountain near the Shade’s home.

“What are those?” I asked, pointing to the lines.

“Those are the tunnels that release the most of the smoke and acid I get blamed for.” He pointed to a large green-shaded circle. “They mine for luz on the other side, but they must burn it near me to filter out the particulates that make it so bright.” He cleared his throat. “I’d be glad if that would stop.”

“We’ll connect here,” he continued, running his finger along the path. “Sneak past this section of the mine and slip up to the castle. There are two entrances on this side, near the back entrance of the dungeon.”

I cleared my throat. “Where did you get this map?”

A snowy barn owl fluffed her feathers. “I obtained it from the very chambers of the traitor king regent myself.”

“The traitor king regent?”

The Shade glared daggers at the owl, who clacked her beak twice irritably, and flew out the door.

“What did she mean about King Harold?” I asked the Shade.

Rolling up the scroll, he tucked it into his outer garment. “Pay her no mind, Dayspring. We must eat and run. I do not wish to be underground for long.”

I could agree with that sentiment. I double-checked my bags to be sure I had the queen’s potions, the snacks, the attack and sleep potions, and a carrier for my light box as I spoke. “Run to the castle. Drop off the potions. Race back home.” I stood and grabbed my tea saucer before the pangolin could take it from me, then pushed in my chair. I paused. “I’m sure there’s no way I can see her when we arrive, right? I know that’s foolish and dangerous, but…” My nail scratched on my palm. “Maybe we could make sure she’s okay?”

The Shade took a slow drink before setting his cup into the waiting racoon’s paws. Those who were going gathered their items and made their way through. “It is dangerous.” I nodded, my eyes burning even though I had known the answer. “But it isn’t foolish. It’s kindness.”

My throat clogged, and I swallowed past the ache.

“I cannot promise we can stop, Dayspring.”

I waved a hand airily, casting about for a look of indifference. “But if we can…”

He stopped in the hall and took my hand in his, tails of leather from his bracelet tickling my wrist. The backs of my fingers could feel the warmth through his shirt and the beat of his heart. My eyes traced the fine tailored vest to his towering neck before fixing upon his chin. It was too frightening to look as high as his lips…or his eyes. When he lifted my hand and pressed his lips to my palm, I looked away, the mark on my neck burning as hot as an iron brand. I wished he could feel the same. My cheeks flushed, and tingles ran up my arm.

“I promise. If we can stop, we will.”

His hand lingered, and he tugged on my fingertips as I stepped back. Mine. The word rumbled through me, possessive and hungry, but also safe and…well, it was nice to be wanted. I almost worried if he would want me when I was no longer helpful to him. But I knew better…or at least hoped…maybe he actually wanted me for me.

“I know what I want, Dayspring.” His green gaze penetrated too deep.

I was afraid of what I wanted. Afraid of the attraction. Afraid of what it would mean to commit to one person. Even if he didn’t have a matching bond mark, and even if that thing on my neck was mine, I was afraid because I liked him so very much. That kind of vulnerability was terrifying.

We made our way up the stairs. Three wolves, two raccoons, three bats, a honey badger, and a pangolin all waited by the gaping maw of the spyring tunnel. Uncle Koll and the Shade donned their packs, and a smaller bear with a white face and black rings around its eyes helped me into the mine. A pangolin passed me a lit lantern; her long claws patted my hand gently before she bumbled away on all fours. The family of skunks clustered under the racerbristles, and the room became uneasy and quiet. Even clearing the nerves from my throat seemed to startle everyone.

“I shall remain here to protect the manor, Master.” Jamison bowed his head to his chest, as the Shade bowed back.

“Be sure you do.”

He passed me the precious bag of potions, which I strapped over my shoulder. I’d already tied a bag of sleeping draughts and one of sleeping potions around my waist. He looked about the room, smiled at the lot, then climbed through the opening.

“Alright, Lady A, after you, if you please.” Uncle Koll gently tugged at my elbow, guiding me forward.

The cavern was entirely too dark. “Perhaps you and the Shade should just go ahead without me.”

“And let you miss the excitement? Perish the thought, young one.”

“Boring is nice too.”

He smiled warmly at me. “Mankind was not made for boredom but for risks. The right risk at the right time is worth all the stars in the skies.”

I stepped onto the rocky earth, clutching the glass square of light like a lifeline. My heart pounded against my ribcage, desperate to return to my safe room and my safe bed. I wasn’t brave or courageous .

A cool shadow wrapped around my hand and tugged gently. “You do have a choice, Aelia. But I know you can do this. And I’m here with you.” The shadow tugged again. “One step, Aelia. That is the key. One step, and then another.”

“It’s dark ,” I whined, embarrassed at my whimper.

“I am the dark ,” he whispered back. A shiver threaded up my spine. “You do not need to fear me. Together.”

One step. Then another. Down the tunnel. Into the gloom and darkness and rot and webs. One step and a thousand more. And then, we would save the queen. Together.