“What did you have in mind?”
He jumped off the bed. “Follow me into the study. There’s something I think you should take with you.”
Setting another pile of clothes down, I walked out the door and into the hallway, following Nix toward the study entrance. I stepped through the door to find him lying on one of the bookshelves. “Reach up here and grab this flute,” he instructed. “Your predecessor Melarue left it there. She was rather inept at tidying things, always throwing them around the study instead and leaving messes behind like her life depended upon it.”
Raising my heels off the ground, I stood on the tips of my toes, blindly running my hand along the top of the bookshelf until I located the object Nix wanted me to find. My hand closed around something wooden and cylindrical just as he promised it would. I brought the instrument down to my level, inspecting the swirling blue design painted upon it, like a river flowing tumultuously down the length of the flute. “Try playing a note,” Nix suggested.
Slowly, I raised the flute to my lips. Before I could exhale, a large black spider came scuttling out of the furthest hole. With a shrill scream, I flung the flute away from my mouth, sending it flying across the room in my surprise. “Yes, throw the priceless artifact at the wall,” Nix intoned dryly, tracking its flight with his amber eyes. “Sorry,” I said sheepishly, walking over to where it landed and inspecting it for any obvious signs of damage, careful to roll it once more before touching it in the event it contained a whole family of spiders. I held it up. “I don’t think it’s damaged.”
“Are you going to test it out?”
“Eww, no—not when it’s full ofspiders!I think I’ll pass. What does it even do?”
“If you’re standing by water, it summons a hippocampus.”
“It summonswhat?”
“An aquatic horse. That flute was gifted to us by a thankful shepherd after your predecessor Vella saved his herd from a mysterious illness. Turns out his rival was feeding them poison. He vowed if the Midnight Sovereign was ever in need within theSummer Court, a hippocampus would come when called for as long as he lived to fulfill that promise.”
“Are all of the artifacts in the study from people we’ve helped?”
“Many. Not all. The Midnight Sovereign does not ask for payment. But it’s always wise to accept a gift.”
“No payment besides a moonstone, you mean.”
“The moonstone is both payment and protection, helping guard those who travel to our island.”
“I think Terani’s offering, her moonstone, helped strengthen my ability to call upon the moon.”
Nix nodded. “Yes, I anticipate your powers will only continue to grow from here.”
“And what do you think about where I am now?” I half jokingly asked.
Nix gave me a long look. “I believe in your potential. You should too.”
I flushed under the weight of his gaze. “Yes, well, I’ll still bring the flute with me. Thank you.”
“Return safely, Little Moon,” he replied, his voice solemn.
The river was calm, unlike my racing heart. Arriving at the riverhead, I sent my small vessel back toward the island lake behind me, my nerves nearly getting the best of me. I fiddled with one of the moonflowers tucked into my braid, waiting to see if King Filvendor would keep his word and send a carriage. Part of me doubted that he could really deem it worth his time to meet with me. Perhaps the carriage he promised would never materialize. Perhaps his invitation was a mistake or a cruel joke. Perhaps—
A golden carriage appeared on the horizon, pulled by six majestic horses galloping at breakneck speed.
When it reached the river, the carriage rolled to a standstill, rocking slightly as the driver jumped down to greet me. His long golden hair was sleeked into a ponytail behind his pointed ears. “Elvira Hallwell,” he said with a small bow. “Welcome back home.” He opened the side door of the carriage, then offered me a gloved hand.
I wavered where I stood a moment, his words bouncing around my head.Was Solaris my home?I’d been born and raised here for a formative part of my childhood. But so many of those memories had faded. I was only ten years old when Kaylin found me. When I reflected on my childhood, I didn’t picture the orphanage anymore. I pictured her teaching me to read in the study. Afternoons spent outside in the dirt, learning how to garden. Telling ghost stories in the cemetery. History lessons and the smell of parchment. Accompanying Kaylin into Dewwick Village, sure, helping her deliver another baby, but always returning to the island afterward. The island was my home. Solaris was my birthplace. But I didn’t correct the coachman. I politely thanked him instead as I took his hand and ascended into the carriage.
Taking a seat, I sank into the throw cushions, resisting the urge to touch my cheek to their soft silk.
I was alone in the carriage. Alone except for the beautifully wrapped gift box sitting on the seat across from me. I looked around. Was the box for me? The carriage started to roll forward as the horses began a slow trot that quickly became a steady gallop.
Once our movement became smooth again, I moved closer to inspect the box. A tag on the box had my name written on it in a beautiful script. Itwasfor me. I lifted the lid, peering inside.Momentarily breathless, I withdrew the cloak folded neatly inside.
It was stunning, embroidered all over with a floral design, evoking the bright colors and carefree attitude of summertime. Tall yellow sunflowers, cheerful white daisies, delicate red roses—their likeness each perfectly captured by a talented seamstress, who must have spent hours laboring over the garment. Immediately, I threw the cloak around my shoulders, reveling in its soft, cool fabric. Nixdidsay it was always wise to accept a gift. I settled back against the cushions, a wide smile spreading across my face. This visit was off to averypleasant start.
Presumably, they were taking me to the Summer Palace, located in Solaris. There was no longer an Archlord of the Summer Court after all. Rather, King Filvendor was now a ruling monarch in the five kingdoms, his territory separated from the other Fae courts. I pressed my face to the window, close enough to smudge the glass, not wishing to miss a single glimpse of the scenery. Sunlight streamed into the carriage, illuminating my view. His magic must have moved with him, because Solaris was locked into an eternal summer, unlike the other kingdoms which still experienced all four seasons.
Everything was bright and happy and thriving. I gawked at the landscape as we passed a meadow of vibrant wildflowers. Then again, when we skirted a lake, its crystalline waters the purest blue I’d ever laid eyes upon, water droplets exploding in a prism of color, as a horse-like creature dove in and out of the water, its sleek body flawlessly transitioning into fins and tail.Could that be one of the hippocampi Nix described?A flock of golden songbirds drew my attention away from the water, soaring by the carriage window while trilling a joyful tune.
