Page 44 of Synodic

He paused for the briefest of moments. “I’m quite proficient when it comes to nailing my targets…in any capacity. Something you’ll thankfully never be troubled with.”

“Good thing for that,” I muttered loud enough for him to hear before I dove beneath the water with a splash. Even though I had goaded him, his words were loud and clear. He had no interest in me whatsoever, and I was better off for it. The way he roused and quelled my blood made me seasick, and the rolling waves of his emotions were a distraction I couldn’t afford.

Resurfacing, I laid my body back, letting the liquid hold me as I floated on its gleaming wake. Tilting my chin, I looked to the heavens that could never be dimmed and marveled at their swirling splendor.

The billions of stars sparkled like silver, blue, and purple glitter on a swatch of midnight. It reminded me of the Milky Way—if it had been placed on top of itself several times over. Lavender auras inked the sky, comets arced through the atmosphere, and galaxies spiraled with ethereal grace.

Astronomers and scientists would give their right arm for this view, and it felt like it was all mine. This world devoid of pollution, smog, and city lights made the night sky glimmer like the inside of the crystal geode Ven had shown me earlier today.

It was so gorgeous and freeing here; I found I didn’t even miss my phone, computer, or any other conveniences that supposedly made life easier. I was charged here, brought to life by the moon, stars, and plant life.

The feeling appeared mutual as the glowing blossoms pulsed and hummed in my presence.

Where I used to jolt uncomfortably against my cage, I now thrashed against it, pleading for the room my body so desperately needed but had long been deprived of.

I couldn’t believe this part of my life had remained hidden from me for so long. I wanted to lie here forever, make up for lost time, forget myself and melt into the everlasting glow of space, but then I remembered the Summit. They wanted to see me tonight, and somehow not showing up for a second time seemed like a bad idea.

I wrung out my hair and stepped out of the flowing pool. I pulled on the woven robe hanging from a tree and wrapped it around my bare, shivering body. Once dry, I changed into the fresh clothes laid out for me and nibbled at the tray of flavorful fruits, breads, and cheeses. I silently thanked whoever had been selecting my wardrobe and supplying me with mouth-watering sustenance. They were lifesavers.

Feeling somewhat replenished, I gazed into the mirror above the vanity. I hoped to see a lively appearance, but the light purple smudges under my eyes spoke to my exhaustion and lethargy dulled my complexion. I was far from an impressive sight for the Summit.

I kept my hair down in damp tendrils, hoping it would mask my fatigue. I popped in a toothpaste tablet before exiting the dreamy bathing area and found Rowen just where he said he’d be. He sat at the base of a tree, his strong hands expertly sharpening his blade with a whetstone. The moment his mindful eyes snapped to mine, he stood and secured his small ax at his hip. “The Summit will be wondering where we are. You certainly stayed in there long enough.”

“You said you wanted me clean.”

“Clean, not pruned.”

Ignoring his gripe, I asked, “Who makes up the Summit? Is there anything I should know about them?”

Rowen led the way back to the village, drawing in a breath. “Nepta, our Elven-head, is the overseer of the Summit. The other members include Takoda, our healer, as you’ve seen with his mending. And Alvar, the war captain of the Wyn warriors. Then there is Driskell, second in command and reader of the stars. If anything were to happen to Nepta, he would step into the role of Elven-head. It is he who cast the failed prophecy, and between you and me, he holds the stars a little too accountable. He is desperately seeking a way to redeem himself amongst the people. Best to always be on your guard when near him.”

“And you, are you on the Summit?”

“I am when it comes to all matters concerning you,” he said, not breaking his brisk stride as he turned to look at me, “I am the one who found you after all, and I feel a sense of responsibility towards you.” There was something in his voice I couldn’t place. Did he regret finding me?

“It sounds like you wish the burden belonged to someone else.”

“I would lay down my life for those I’ve sworn to protect—for you. Make no mistake of that,” he said, and seeing the hard look on his face, I knew he meant it.

Rowen rushed a few paces ahead, and despite my questions that still burned to be answered, I knew I would get no more out of him tonight.

We made the rest of the way back to the village without another word, nothing but the crunch of our footsteps to fill the silence. Rowen’s broad-shouldered form continued to walk ahead of me without so much as a backward glance. He may have offered to protect me, but it was clear he didn’t have to like me.

As he plowed on, the strong planes of his body moved and shifted beneath the fabric of his shirt, and I couldn’t help my eyes as they trailed downward. But no matter where my enthralled gaze landed, he was all hard contracting muscle and burgeoning strength—no doubt the result of endless hours spent at the training grounds.

I remembered back to Weir Falls when he’d shielded me with his whole body and I’d felt every rigid line of that power against me. I may have been in a lust-induced state at the time, but some part of me knew his body alone could be wielded as a deadly weapon.

The village came into view, snapping me out of my admiring stare. The domed buildings and flourishing wildlife were lit by the floating luminorbs that lackadaisically ascended and descended like wine-drunk fireflies.

Even though I knew where we were headed, it didn’t stop my heart from ratcheting up into my throat. Who was I to meet with the Summit? I was a nobody. At any moment I expected someone to jump out and admit this was all a horrible mistake, that I was free to go. But Rowen led me right to the watery pathway without so much as a slight interruption from anyone.

This was happening.

I held my breath in anticipation as Rowen and I walked across the moon-kissed stepping stones towards the Sacred Vale. We rounded the rippling sapphire walkway and entered a clearing hovering in midair. The ground dropped away around us, creating an island surrounded by sheer rock walls thick with foliage and waterfalls that fell into dark, misty chasms.

I was only vaguely aware of the Summit as my gaze immediately shot skyward. A massive multifaceted crystal hovered above the ground. The smooth surface swirled in milky waves of molten luminescence with veins of orchid matter. The crystalline light spiraled and churned like a galaxy of mist and jewels, and I was utterly captivated.

Almost too bright and beautiful to look at, I blinked, and the celestial light vanished.

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