Page 35 of A Court So Dark
I took a deep breath, finding enough strength inside me to face my situation in its entirety. Maybe I didn’t grow up expecting to be stabbed in the back at every turn, but I was made of stronger stuff than I gave myself credit for. All of my siblings were fighters, and even they would bet on me last because I’d always been the nurturing kind, I had Sunder steel in me. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have survived Mount Ruin or an attack from the most powerful thunderlord in the realm.
Never doubt yourself, Dani. Those days are over.
“Can I ask you for a favor, Larina?” I said.
“Anything.”
“If I ever doubt myself, remind me that I’m a Sunder.”
She frowned, looking confused, but in the end, she just shrugged and gave me a strong nod. “I shall.”
“Thank you.” I paused and considered. “Do you think you can find Shadow?”
“Of course.”
“Okay. I’ll go back to my chamber since that’s what Cardian expects. That crystal bird is there, so I’m sure he’ll be watching me. When you find Shadow, bring her over if it seems safe. Warn her not to say anything, though. We’ll find somewhere to talk.”
“Very well.” She started to fly away.
I put a hand out. “Larina.”
She glanced back.
“Be safe?”
She nodded. “I doubt Cardian has noticed me. I’m just a servant, after all.”
“I think when it’s all said and done, he will know exactly who you are.” I don’t know what made me say that, but it sounded right. Someone like Larina should never be ignored. People like Cardian, on the other hand, no one should ever listen to them.
Larina disappeared through one of those tiny doors located close to the ceiling. The palace had them everywhere, it seemed, a convenient way for small, winged servants to go in and out between rooms, but also a callous custom that made it easier for those in power to ignore some of the minor folk.
Keep ignoring us, Cardian, and when you least expect it, we’ll be your downfall.
I’d only been in my chamber for about ten minutes when Larina and Shadow floated through the small hole above the main door. They hovered in midair, waiting expectantly.
I pressed a finger to my mouth and went into the closet, humming tunelessly as if I didn’t have a care in the world. I changed clothes quickly, selecting one of the flowing Jovinian dresses Cardian would expect me to wear. I much preferred the tunics and leggings, but I needed to play my part to perfection.
When I was done, I rejoined the pixie and the sprite, and we left the chamber together. Once in the corridor, I glanced longingly toward the garden exit, wishing we could exit that way. I wanted to get out of this godforsaken palace at least for a moment, but I was sure the exit would be locked.
I started to turn in the opposite direction, but Larina waved a hand, urging us to take the stairs to the left.
Once we had descended a few steps, she whispered, “King Kalyll had the door fitted to your touch?”
“He did? When? Why?”
“When you were asleep. He said you liked the garden, said he saw you heal a trampled flower once. It’s the same reason he had me keep them fresh by your side.”
I had done that for Valeriana, the sweet little druid girl we’d found in Mid Crosswood what felt like a lifetime ago. I had no idea he’d seen me do that. From that simple act, he’d realized I liked flowers and unwittingly saved me from an eternity of frozen rest.
My heart constricted at the thought of Kalyll’s pain while I lay there immobile. He must have felt so hopeless. What must he be going through right now not knowing I was awake? But in the same way he’d afforded me a way out of my death-like prison, I would do the same for him.
When we reached the large wooden door, I pressed a hand to the handle. A little shock of awareness went up my fingers, as if the metal recognized me, and the lock gave. I pulled and let us out into the beautiful Eastside garden.
It was a relief to feel fresh air on my face and stand under the open sky. I was starting to hate the Vine Tower—same as Silver—and if it was to be my home in the near future, maybe I needed to spend more time in the gardens rather than inside.
My future home, I mused. What an impossibility!
I walked to a bush replete with red roses. I cradled one in my hand. The silk-soft petals caressed my fingers. A sweetness that unleashed a thousand memories filled my nostrils. I recalled the rose Kalyll had given me in Imbermore, the one I’d left behind when Valeriana freaked out because I wasn’t there when she woke up. I still wished I had kept it and pressed it between the pages of a beloved book. At least I had the brooch, my desire to keep it had caused me to get separated from the others, but in the end, it might be the thing that would lead me to Kalyll.
