Her eyes have filled with tears, and she’s shaking her head. “I’ve lost so much. I thought you’d understand. Evander does.”
I leap off the bed to grab my cloak and boots, unable to listen to this any longer. “Meredy, it’s not him! I’m sorry I ever bought the damn thing.” Before I can consider the words coming out of my mouth, I add, “Evander, the real Evander, would never have fallen for a trick like that. And he would never have chosen a stupid rock over me.”
Meredy crosses her arms as I pull on my boots. “Firiel warned me you’d react like this if you found out,” she says softly. The words hit me like a slap to the face. “She told me your selfishness and your temper would be the end of us—that, or the way you look at Jax sometimes, or the way you’re always comparing me to my brother. And I’m sure she’s right. No one understands me like she does.”
I take a deep breath, trying to clear my head, and let my cloak drop from my hands. I can’t just storm out of here. Meredy needs me, the way I needed her when I wasn’t sure what was real and what wasn’t anymore. Until now, looking at her, I don’t think I ever realized how close I’d come to losing my sanity because of those potions.
“Will you show me where the crystal is?” I ask gently, approaching the bed.
Her eyes harden, and she shakes her head. “No. I can’t do that. I won’t let you come between me and—”
Something bumps against our door, a dull, heavy thud that startles her into silence.
“Who’s there?” Meredy asks sharply as she grabs a knife, and I grab my sword.
The doorknob rattles, and there’s a shuffling of feet just outside.
Someone wants in.
Together, Meredy and I tiptoe to the door. When I nod to give the go-ahead, she unbolts the lock with one hand, raising her knife with the other.
Tensed and ready to strike, I lunge forward as the door swings open to reveal Karston. He slumps to his knees across the threshold, his eyes closed, but he jolts awake just a moment later as I set my sword down.
“Karston?” I whisper, dropping to my knees on one side of him, Meredy on the other. “What in Death’s name is going on?” Recoiling slightly at an unpleasant thought, and motioning for Meredy to do the same, I ask, “Do you have chills?” Maybe he contracted the fever during his move to the palace earlier today, though why he’d come to me, I have no idea.
Then I remember: He’s a sleepwalker. One of the other students at the school was teasing him about it the day I met him.
It takes him a moment to orient himself, gazing around the unfamiliar lantern-lit room. Finally, he pushes himself to a sitting position and rubs the sleep from his eyes, murmuring, “I’m sorry, Odessa. I guess I should’ve warned everyone about my sleepwalking.” He shakes his head, plainly annoyed at himself. “It never got me into much trouble at home, because I couldn’t figure out how to get past the cows’ paddock in my sleep.”
“One of the nuns who raised me used to sleepwalk,” I share as I climb to my feet and then help Karston to his. “Don’t worry, you can’t die of embarrassment. But you should try to get some more rest.” I point him toward the open door with a sympathetic smile. “You’ve got a lot of work ahead of you, from the sound of things.”
“Can we get you anything before you go?” Meredy adds, carefully avoiding my gaze. “A glass of water?”
Karston shakes his head. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine. I’m just lucky that out of all the doors in this place, I wound up at yours.” Grimacing, he adds, “Jax would’ve been so pissed if I’d woken him up instead!”
XIX
The bed is cold in the morning, the sun too bright and intrusive, with Meredy no longer curled against my back.
Remembering the fight we had last night—a fight that would’ve gotten worse if Karston hadn’t showed up—a wave of dread washes over me, anchoring me to the bed. I’d like nothing more than to hide in here all day, but I’m supposed to have another secret sparring session with Jax and some of the other volunteers. More importantly, I have to help Meredy. I doubt she’ll willingly show me where the crystal is, but if I can somehow prove to her that it’s fake, maybe I can convince her to destroy it herself.
The trouble is, I don’t have any idea how to do that. But I know someone who might. Someone who always has an answer for everything: Valoria.
As I climb out of bed, something clatters against the wood floor, followed by a thump. Leaning over the side of the bed, I realize Nipper’s trying to get something from underneath. The basket of food I’d planned to send to Elibeth by way of the guards tending to the sick. The dragon closes her teeth around the handle, picking up the basket, and I smile.
“Think you can deliver that for me, girl?” I ask hopefully.
Nipper chirps once, tugs open the unlocked door by wrapping her long tail around the handle, and bounds away.
I hurry out after her. If I’m quick enough, I should be able to get Valoria’s advice on what to do to help Meredy before it’s time to meet Jax, Freckles, and Sunshine for training.
Bryn and Sarika, I correct myself, pretty sure I’ve finally gotten their names right.
After rushing past the warmth of the already-bustling kitchen, I jog up a spiral staircase that leads into a long hallway full of windows, with a beautiful view of the palace gardens. I’ve gotten to know this path well, because at the end of the hallway is another staircase, this one even taller and twistier, leading to Valoria’s private tower room.
As I near the steps, where a group of guards awaits—meaning Valoria is surely up there right now—I slow my pace. There’s a familiar figure standing on the opposite side of the guards, lingering in the shadows like he’s not quite sure how to approach them.
“Karston! Hey!” I wave him over.
He raises his head, giving me a hesitant smile but not coming any closer—and who could blame him, after last night’s incident? I’d be beyond embarrassed if I stumbled into someone else’s bedroom in my sleep.
Finally, he seems to decide I’m not about to tease him and strides past the guards to join me by the windows overlooking the garden. “I . . . I’m so sorry about last night,” he says as he reaches me. “I hope I didn’t interrupt—”
I throw my arms around him and pull him against me for a hug, shocking the rest of his words right out of him. “Honestly? I’m glad you did. Let’s just say you saved me from saying a lot of things I would’ve regretted this morning. I owe you, big time.”
He studies me with mild concern—and, perhaps, understanding—as we break apart. “Girl trouble?” he asks. Judging by his tone, he knows something about that.
“Girl trouble,” I confirm, pressing my lips together in a firm line to keep from frowning when I think of the way Meredy and I went to bed after Karston left last night—with neither of us saying a word to the other, only curling up against each other for warmth at some point during the quietest hours of the morning. “That’s why I’m here,” I add, gesturing up the stairs that lead to Valoria’s tower room. “For some advice. What about you?”
Karston scuffs the toe of his boot against the floor. “I . . . well . . .” Forcing his gaze up to meet mine, he confesses, “Girl trouble, too, believe it or not.”
Having seen the way he looks at Noranna, I sure can.
“She tells Valoria everything,” Karston continues, as if he’s certain I already know who the she in question is. “I figure Her Majesty might have some advice for me on how to get Noranna to finally notice me. Really notice me, I mean. But it can wait. I still can’t decide what I’m going to say, and your situation sounds more pressing, besides. You should go up there first.” He gestures to the stairs.
“I haven’t even told you what happened!” I say, shaking my head but smiling. “Thanks, though. I promise I won’t take up too much of our queen’s time. I’m in a hurry this morning. Oh, and Karston?”
He meets my eyes again as I turn back to him. “You can talk to me about your girl trouble, too. Not that I’m in any position to give advice, but . . .” I shrug. “I’m always happy to listen.”
“You know, I just might take you up on that. Thanks, Odessa. It’s too bad we can’t be partners. You make me wish I’d turned out to be a necromancer after all.” He gives me a smile so bright and unexpected that I can’t help returning the gesture.
“You should have supper with us tonight,” I call as I hurry on my way. “All of us. Me, Jax, Simeon, Danial, Meredy, Valoria . . . think about it, at least.”
“I’ll be there!” His voice follows me up the stairs.
Even though it’s fairly early, I find Valoria already dressed for the day in a gown of rose gold, her hair pinned up in a braided crown and decorated with sprigs of dried lavender. Her head is bent over a piece of parchment on her workbench, but she quickly looks up as I enter.
“The flowers were Bryn’s idea. She’s always thinking of things like that,” Valoria says when she notices my gaze traveling over her braids. She swipes at her cheek, leaving a smear of grease across her pale skin. “Now, what brings you up here this morning? Not that I’m complaining.”
“Here.” I pull a handkerchief from my cloak pocket and offer it to her so she can wipe her face clean. It’s one that Meredy gave me, with colorful leaves sewn on the edges. As Valoria uses it, I feel something tighten in my chest.
“Oh, Sparrow . . .” Valoria frowns, her bright brown eyes telling her more than I could convey in a single sentence as they sweep over my face. “Tell me everything.”
We sit together on a rug near the pile of wires and gears Valoria is always intending to sort through, and she takes my hands as she listens. I don’t spare her any detail—not even the nasty things I said. Confessing them to anyone else, my face would be burning by now, but with Valoria I always feel safe to be honest.
“So your current theory is that this crystal takes a person’s private thoughts and somehow plays them aloud to a room in the voices of dead loved ones?” she asks thoughtfully when I’ve finished. There’s a darkness in her gaze as she adds, “I’d like to meet the person who invented such a thing and ask them what they were thinking, deliberately tampering with people’s minds! They should be forbidden from ever using magic again.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know who invented it—I doubt it was the man who sold it to me, though.” Gently gripping Valoria’s forearm, I ask, “What should we do? I’m so worried about her. And not just her burns.”
“Me too. But all we can do right now is try to find the crystal,” Valoria says. “Once I have it, I can study it, see how it works, and hopefully come up with a cure for Meredy. She needs a clear head—we all do—if we’re going to survive the challenges to come. There are so many dangers in Karthia now, and I’m afraid this unknown magic could—sort of like when you were taking the potions—”
“I know,” I cut in as Valoria’s lower lip trembles. “I’m afraid for her, too.”
“While we’re trying to find out where she’s hidden the crystal, we can at least do something for her burns. Ask Danial for his orange salve. It really helped my leg—as much as anything could, anyway.” Valoria gives me a weak smile, and when I return it, she seems to take heart and casts a quick glance at the parchment she was reading when I arrived. “I should get back to work now, but you’ll come see me again soon, won’t you? And let me know how Meredy’s doing?”
Stepping up behind Valoria, I wrap my arms around her and assure her, “Not even a pack of hungry wolves could keep me from you, Majesty.”
“Don’t call me—” She whirls around to see my teasing look and relaxes. “Say, I have an idea. Why don’t you and Meredy help me test out my air balloon some night soon? I’m going to ask Devran to come along as well, to show him how exciting some of my inventions can be, and on the slim chance he agrees . . . I know I shouldn’t be alone with him.” When I nod fervently at that last part, Valoria beams, taking it as agreement that I’ll get in her balloon. “Maybe that’ll take your mind off the crystal for a while—yours and Meredy’s.”
“I don’t doubt it,” I mutter dryly, thinking of how much I don’t want to be off the ground in a basket held up by a canvas sail and a fickle flame. I especially don’t want to go anywhere with a man I don’t know, a man who’s already caused so many problems for Valoria with his rebellion—even if he swears he and his people aren’t the ones who’ve been trying to have her killed.
“Say—any more news from Empress Evaria?” I ask, as I now do every time I see Valoria. She shakes her head regretfully. At least Valoria has contacts willing to report on the Ezorans’ activities, even if news travels slowly and sparsely.
As I head back down the stairs, visions of plummeting into the sea in a wicker basket have me so preoccupied that I don’t notice Azelie striding urgently through the hall until we collide.
The protective eye goggles perched in her hair fall down over her eyes as we bump heads.
“Whoa!” I grab her shoulders to steady her. “Zee, what are you doing here?”
Azelie blinks, jarred from her own thoughts. The small army of several different herbs and plants following behind her like a herd of ducklings chasing after their mother all stop and fall over, no longer able to move without her magic guiding them. I spot a few of the spirit orchids she loves so much, cushioned by a leafy green I don’t recognize.
“Oh. Hi, Odessa!” She gives me her usual warm smile, but there’s a hint of exhaustion lingering beneath it—and something else, too, some emotion I can’t quite place. She runs her hands over her earth-stained apron, trying to brush some of the dirt off it. “I’m just on my way to . . . I mean, I wish I could talk, but there’s something I’ve got to—”
“Girl trouble?” I guess automatically. I don’t even know if she likes girls, but after my chat with Karston earlier, it seems everyone has these problems lately.
Azelie shakes her head. “Er, no. There’s something important I’ve got to do, but I can’t say more just yet . . .” She falls silent, looking uncomfortable. Before I can reply, she adds, “I’ll see you later, all right?”
“All right, but—is everything okay, Zee? You do like this place, don’t you?” After all, if she doesn’t, it’s my responsibility to make it right. I brought her here.
She smiles broadly, and I’m immediately relieved, even before she exclaims, “Are you kidding? I’m going to have my own greenhouse soon! This place is amazing!”
“Have you had any word from Sarral?” I ask quickly, knowing she’s in a hurry. “Valoria told you the Ezorans retreated from the border, right?”
“She did. I haven’t heard anything myself, though I did send a letter to Uncle Halmar a few days ago.” Grinning slightly, she adds, “I had a dream the other night that the Ezorans all drowned. Hopefully it’ll come true!”
With that, she hurries down the hall toward Valoria’s staircase, her plants following dutifully in her wake again.
* * *
* * *
Practice is already under way at the unofficial training grounds across from the deserted market by the time I show up. The dull clash of wooden swords and the occasional curse or excited shout fills the cool salt air, doing little in the way of keeping this meeting secret.
As I slog through the sea of waist-high golden grass that surrounds the practice area, I try to leave behind every troubling thought: the black fever, the rebellion and Valoria’s many enemies, all the bad things that could happen to Meredy if she keeps using the crystal. I still don’t know how I’m going to make things right between us, but hopefully sparring will help clear my head and give me an idea.
Jax is already here, practicing with Bryn and Sarika at the same time. I’m pleased to note that all three of them are wearing their scarves and gloves today. With a sword in each hand, Jax is working up a
sweat blocking every one of their attacks. That is, until Sarika sneaks in a low jab and taps him on the thigh.
“That’s a point for me!” She bounces on her heels, unable to contain her excitement.
Jax puts his wooden blade to her throat as she celebrates.
“What—?” she splutters, her eyes widening.
“If this were a real fight, I’d have all your points now, because you’d be dead,” Jax says matter-of-factly. Then he winks. “Never let your guard down, even when you think you’ve got the upper hand.”
Bryn notices me watching first and waves. Her long raven hair is tied back for practice, revealing the tips of her very pointed ears—catlike ears. I quickly avert my gaze, not wanting to be rude, but fascinated by what must be the price of her magic.
“Mind if I cut in?” I ask Jax, bumping his shoulder in greeting. He’s so sweaty that his black shirt clings to him like a second skin. “Go get some water,” I urge, gently pushing him away. “And lose the shirt. I can handle these two for a bit.”
Gazing between Bryn and Sarika, I muster a grin before realizing they can’t see it through my scarf. Still, they must sense it, because Sarika’s eyes crinkle as though she’s smiling back. Bryn, always more guarded, just nods and raises her sword.
A girl of few words. I like that.
“Let’s go, Freckles,” I call, issuing a challenge. She doesn’t need to know I’ve stopped using her nickname in my head.
Bryn and I face each other and raise our swords. She gains a little ground on me, so I don’t hold back with any of my swings. As we spar, Sarika watches from the sidelines, turning her hair from brown to blue and commenting on everything from the weather to shirtless Jax to the new metal soldiers.
“Who told you about them?” I pant, blocking a jab to my right side from Bryn.
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