Page 4 of Lightlark
Isla smiled. So, the Skyling liked jewels. She slipped the ring right off her own hand and onto Azul’s longest finger without missing a beat. “It compliments you much more than it does me.”
Azul looked like he might object—but didn’t.
Someone else appeared, stepping easily past them, as if walking through portals was as seamless as the tide coming in. She turned to Isla. Her frown seemed to come as easily as most people’s smiles. “So, this is the new pet?”
An ember lit in Isla’s chest. The rest of the realms viewed the women warriors as savage temptresses, predators that lured lovers, then feasted on their hearts.
And Isla really couldn’t blame them. Because that was very nearly the truth.
But Wildlings were so much more. At least, they had been. And still could be.
Though part of her wanted to say something she would likely regret, Isla knew the rulerwantedher to bite back. She was trying to tempt the monster out of Isla, to show the rest of them she was nothing more than a bloodthirsty beast. Instead, Isla bowed. “An honor to meet you, Cleo,” she said, nodding her head in slight reverence. Cleo was the oldest among them, even older than the king of Lightlark, who also ruled over all Sunlings. Her age was at odds with her perfectly smooth, youthful face. Though most of the rulers were hundreds of years older, it was almost difficult to tell the difference between them and Isla. Almost.
Instead of making another insult, Cleo simply raised her chin at Isla and sneered, looking at her green dress as if she had stepped onto the island naked. Compared to the Moonling’s clothing, she might aswell have. Cleo’s white gown had long sleeves like milky beams of moonlight, a neckline that reached her chin, and a cape that completely covered three-fourths of her body. The skin Islacouldsee was so fair, her veins shined through, blue streaks on a slab of white marble. She was not only many shades lighter than Isla but also far taller. Her face was long and pointed in three places, cheekbones and chin, sculpted like a diamond.
The insignia glowed a final time, and a girl stepped forward, stumbling ever so slightly. She was the silver of stars, from her long, straight sheet of hair to her twinkling dress to her gloves, which reached her elbows. She smiled sheepishly at them, heart-shaped face going wide, then stood tall. “I suppose I’m the last to arrive?”
Cleo channeled her distaste right at the girl. The ruler of Starling, like Isla, was new. Starling’s curse had been one of the cruelest. No one in their realm lived past the age of twenty-five.
Isla stepped forward and offered her hand. “Celeste, is it?”
The Starling smiled warmly. “Hello, Isla.”
“Enchanted,” Grim said, offering a bow that seemed to mock the one that Azul had given just moments before.
The Skyling frowned for just a moment before he offered Celeste his own fingers, now glimmering with Isla’s diamond. “More new blood. I have a good feeling about this Centennial.”
Cleo raised an eyebrow at him. “She better hope so,” she said, nodding at Celeste. “She won’t be here for the next one.”
The Starling’s face fell. And the Moonling simply turned around, her white cape floating slightly behind her.
“Don’t feel too special,” Azul said with a wink. “She’s this unpleasant to everyone.”
The rulers began the path to the palace, and Isla’s heart tripped in anticipation. She had been so focused on them, she hadn’t gotten a chance to truly take in her surroundings. The rest of the century, the island was encased in its storm. But now the clouds had cleared.
Lightlark was a shining, cliffy thing. Its bluffs were white as bone, and sunlight rained down in sheets of misted gold. One of the original sources of power, its ground still thrummed with it, singing to Isla in a humming siren song. She could feel its force with each step, each breath. She drank the island in greedily, like the wine she was never allowed to touch. Equally addictive and dangerous.
Poppy’s lessons ran through her head, facts on paper that were now real and solid before her.
Thousands of years ago, the island was cut into several pieces, so each realm could claim a shard. Nightshades left the island shortly afterward to form their own land. Wildlings left after the curses. The pieces that remained were Star Isle for the Starlings, Sky Isle for the Skylings, Moon Isle for the Moonlings, and Sun Isle for the Sunlings. Then, there was the Mainland, where all the realms had traditionally gathered together. It was the Centennial’s base.
It was also historically home to Lightlark royalty.
The Mainland castle loomed nearby, set high on a cliff like a crown jewel, jutting precariously out over the sea. Large enough to be its own city. Which was good, considering its main inhabitant could not leave it.
Not during the day, at least.
Isla must have been staring at it, because Celeste sighed next to her. “Do you think he’s watching us?” she said quietly.
He.The Sunling ruler and king of Lightlark. The last remaining Origin, with blood from each of the four realms that still had a presence on the island. He could wield each of the four Lightlark powers.
And, by all accounts, he was insufferable.
On Lightlark and beyond, love had a price. Falling deeply and truly in love meant forming a bond that gave a beloved complete access to one’s abilities. They could do whatever they wished with it. Wield it, reject it. Even steal it.
Knowing very well how many people wanted access to his endless stream of power, the Lightlark ruler was untrusting. Paranoid. Cold.Isla dreaded meeting him. Especially given the first step of Poppy and Terra’s plan for her.
She stared back at the castle and resisted the urge to flinch. Instead, she broke through her mask of charm and made an obscene gesture at the palace.
