Page 99 of Treasured

I got the impression she was humoring me, but true to form, my mouth had a mind of its own. “It’s not normal, you know. Most plants require sunlight to thrive. I’d never heard of a plant that grows in the darkness. Evidently, it requires more study, but I was shocked when it adapted well to the conditions—”

A hand landed on my arm, and I jolted, my words drying up on my tongue.

Isvana chuckled. “It is a very interesting plant,” she admitted. “But I did not summon you here to discuss its biological attributes.”

Of course not. That would be foolish. Why would a goddess want to talk about science?

“Apologies, Isvana.” I wrung my hands in front of me.

She chuckled. “No need to apologize, my child. But time is short, and we have much to discuss.”

Of course, we did.

“What would you like to talk about?” I asked.

Isvana smiled and waved her hand. “Not here.”

Before I could ask what she meant, golden specks filled the air, and the clearing shimmered. The ground shifted beneath my feet, my stomach lurched, and I stumbled back a step.

By the time I straightened, everything was different. The sunlit forest was gone, replaced by a massive space as dark as the night. Black tiles were cold beneath my bare feet, inlaid with squiggling lines of moonlight. Obsidian walls rose high above my head, and the roof…

There was none. Not really. The walls rose and rose and rose, and above them was the night sky. But it wasn’t my night. The stars were different. They glowed brighter, as though we were close enough to touch them, and several constellations were completely new to me.

Isvana stepped into my field of vision. She’d swapped her nudity for a silver gown that hung off one shoulder, draping artfully over her form. It shimmered as though it was made of starlight, as did the black crown resting atop her hair of the same color. The raven sat on her shoulder, and she held an obsidian scepter. Most impressive were the two wings fanned out behind the goddess.

They looked just like mine.

Instinct had me releasing my own wings. The weight was comforting in this strange place, and I dropped to my knees. Something told me standing in this place was wrong.

Isvana smiled, dipping her head. “Welcome to Moonlight Palace, daughter of mine.” She extended her hands. “This is my home.”

What was I doing here? I had no words, which was strange for me. This was so far beyond anything I had ever experienced. Science would say this was not real, yet the cold tiles beneath my knees would argue differently. What was one supposed to do when their lived experiences did not align with what they’d been taught?

This was the world-changing, life-altering moment that most people dreamed of. Not only had I met a goddess—twice—but she’d brought me to her home. It sounded far-fetched, and yet, here I was.

Seeming to realize I was tongue-tied, Isvana laughed. “Come,” she said. “Sit.”

Before I could point out the obvious—there were no chairs—she waved her hand, and two appeared in the middle of the room. That was convenient.

The goddess sat, and I slowly stood, walking over and sitting beside her. I desperately wanted to know what this was about, but I didn’t ask.

It turned out there were moments when I was capable of holding my tongue, after all.

Luckily, I didn’t have to wait long to find out why I was here. The goddess tapped her scepter on her knees, and glowing moonlight filled the room.

“The path you follow is difficult,” Isvana said after a moment.

“My entire life since I’ve arrived in Eleyta has been difficult,” was my probably ill-timed retort.

Internally, I sighed. There went my newfound ability to hold my tongue. That was remarkably short-lived. Still, there was no other way to describe my experiences. Between my family and Julieta’s deaths, being abducted, Made, and then being thrown into a deadly tournament, my life hadn’t exactly been easy.

Rather than being insulted, Isvana smiled. “That is true. It has. Keep your head up high, Luna. The end is near, and the Black Rose cannot stand for much longer. Already, she is descending into absolute madness.”

Descending? I was fairly certain the queen had lost her mental capabilities long ago.

Instead of saying that, however, I nodded. “What do we need to do?”

Isvana smiled and placed her hand on top of mine. “Seek the red moon, Luna. There are those near you who can help. Look for friendship, and you will uncover the information you need.”

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