Page 88 of Beneath the Flames
I had spent my entire life on a farm, in good seasons with plentiful harvests as well as bad ones.I called on patience every day to put up with my father’s abuse and keep my siblings safe.I knew a thing or two about being patient and taking care of things.
“Don’t worry, Rhydian.If anyone can get a flower to grow in a place where nothing grows, it’s me.I’m sure of it.”
Nico arrived at my chambers an hour later, blue eyes shining bright, and a determined smile on his face.
“Rhydian said you had a mission for me.”
“I do,” I replied, waving him into the room and shutting the door.We took a seat next to the roaring fire, which barely put a dent in the chill of the room.“I need volcanic ash.A lot of it.”
If he was surprised by my request, he kept it hidden well.“What for?”
“Rhydian wants me to grow a flower, but the soil here is dead.I’m hoping putting some of the ash into the soil will help bring it back to life enough for the flower to grow.”
Most young boys would ask an endless string of questions about how ash would help the soil, but Nico simply nodded.
“There’s a volcano a couple hours’ walk from here.I should be able to find some there.”
“You’ll need a bucket or something,” I explained.“I need as much ash as you can carry.”
“I’ll leave shortly and be back before moon set.”He got up from the chair and headed for the door.
“Is this going to be dangerous for you?”I called after him.I couldn’t bear the thought of putting his life in danger, even if it was for a good cause.He reminded me too much of my brother, Joey.
He stilled, those piercing blue eyes meeting mine.“Everything is dangerous in Eroth, Maren.Ever since the curse was laid.”
“But you’re not scared to go?”I couldn’t understand how he was so brave, unafraid to face a brutal winter tundra all by himself.
He seemed to think about it for a second before answering.“My mother always said you can find fear in anything,” he replied.“Your choice is whether to accept it or not.This is my home.I refuse to be afraid of it.”
His words took my breath away.
He spun on his heel to leave.
“Hey, Nico?”
He paused, looking over his shoulder.“Yes?”
“Can I come with you?”
His brows flew up his forehead.I expected him to protest, to say it was too dangerous for a human, but he barely hesitated before saying, “Dress warm.Meet you at the gate.”
***
The cold bit beneath my coat, gloves, and boots as if we were walking naked through Eroth.It was somehow even colder than before, which seemed impossible.I wondered if the looming death of the Magmara was causing the temperaturesto continue falling.My nose felt like it was swollen shut, and I couldn’t seem to find enough air to fill my lungs.I probably should have stayed in my room and slept off the journey from Mount Kharos, but I couldn’t stand the thought of Nico doing this errand and putting himself in danger because of me.
Even though I was probably the only one in danger now, being human and all.
Nico, likely sensing my discomfort and wanting to distract me from my misery, chattered away about random things, but I wasn’t paying attention.My mind wandered over this task, wondering how I’d ever get a flower to grow from dead soil.It spun over what the last task could possibly be, and what would happen if I didn’t complete them all.
It twisted through Carrow’s threats, of his promise to send me home if I did as he asked and purposely failed, and stopped helping Rhydian break the curse.
He had claimed that Rhydian would destroy Avalea if the curse was broken, but seeing how he’d saved my life, seeing how kind he was to Nico and how he took care of him, I couldn’t see how that was possible.
Maybe Carrow was the true monster, and Rhydian being free was the only way to stophimfrom destroying Avalea himself.
I hated that I couldn’t tell who was lying to me.I thought about asking Nico about it, but I had a feeling he was deeply loyal to Rhydian and would defend him to the death.
“Can I ask you something, Maren?”Nico asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
