Page 92 of Blood of the Stars

“Does Enla know why you wanted to explore Lovers’ Falls?”

Gaeren flinched, both at his sister’s name back on Riveran’s tongue and the half-truth he’d had to tell Enla. “Initially I told her I wanted to ask the sprites for support even though I meant to ask them to find Daisy. Once I had Orra to track Daisy, I didn’t need their help. But then Orra told me about the cutlass, and it seemed like an opportunity I shouldn’t pass up. Not when we were so close to it.”

“But Enla didn’t mention anything about a sword,” Riveran said slowly. “She would have seen and known, which means you probably don’t find it.”

“Or that she doesn’t want me finding it.” Gaeren groaned and rubbed his hands over his face. “Why can’t her visions be more absolute?”

“But Orra told you the sword was here?”

“She wrote it in that book you gave me. And hinted at it in her story about Lady Redwood and Captain Moss.”

Riveran shook his head slowly. “That peddler must have lied. He said the book had been in his possession since he was a boy. Close to fifty years. Unless—is it possible Orra’s been setting you up?”

Gaeren frowned. “Setting me up for what?”

“Well, your sister didn’t want you coming to Lovers’ Falls, which means there’s nothing good in her visions here. What if Orra knows what the sprites will do, and she wants you, her competition for the starbridge, out of the way?”

Riveran’s words left Gaeren tense, itching to tune in to his surroundings, which suddenly seemed sinister once more.

“I mean, it’s not like the sprites are known for their hospitality,” Riveran added with a laugh.

Just as Gaeren sensed their heat, the weight of them in the room, one spoke, the words echoing through Gaeren’s mind more than the cavern.

Such harsh words. We can be quite hospitable to guests.

Riveran and Gaeren jumped to their feet, hands on hilts. A creature moved from the shadows, its fluttering wings glowing green in the light of the algae, but Gaeren suspected they might be a golden yellow in different light. No mouth moved, but the room reverberated with the creature’s words.

You, however, have come uninvited.

CHAPTER 38

Despite the sprite’s veiled threat, Gaeren still didn’t unsheathe his sword. Thankfully Riveran took his cue from Gaeren, maintaining a defensive stance. Sprites weren’t known for being combative, just…tricky. He tried not to grimace at the creature’s oddly human form, limbs all curled in like a corpse’s. It blinked down at him, leaving behind a sticky-looking residue over its large black eyes.

“We apologize for intruding.” Gaeren inclined his head. “We’ll take our leave.”

Leave? But you just got here. The sprite’s tone held a childlike pout. You haven’t even made a request.

Gaeren hesitated. At one time he’d wanted their help finding Daisy. A part of him still did. It burned to have so many obstacles when he was so close to finding her. Maybe they could help the process along, guarantee his success.

I thought so. What is it you seek?

“No, Gaeren.” Riveran backed away toward the cave entrance, beckoning for Gaeren to follow.

The sprite glanced at Riveran, taking in the X on his forehead with mild curiosity. Then it turned more fully toward Gaeren, as if Riveran no longer mattered. Go on. Tell me.

Gaeren’s mind raced, visions of both Daisy and the cutlass warring with common sense. Sprites couldn’t be trusted. He reached out, tuning in to the sprite’s memories, hoping for a hint of what happened to Daisy when she was here, but he met a wall as blank as the one in Orra’s mind.

The sprites had power. Power to give him Daisy or the cutlass.

If he was being honest, he wanted to cross the barriers. To see the world. To make it bigger like Orra had suggested. Enla wanted to unite the Vendarans, but what if they could connect with the Lorvandans or Sayhleens? What if they could learn from the Ahmranans and Dehvlonians? What if they could unite all of Rhystahn?

He let his request roll around in his head, dissecting it until he felt sure the sprites couldn’t turn it against him.

“I want to cross the barriers with Daisy,” he said.

The sprite blinked again, the residue disappearing. It studied him for so long he wondered if it hadn’t heard. Or if he hadn’t heard its reply. Finally, the sprite cocked its head. Unless you also seek an early grave, you will take her across a barrier in your lifetime.

A rush of elation swept through Gaeren, but he held it in, waiting for the catch, for details—for the cost. But nothing more came. “That’s it?”

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