And managed to fall right into the river with a big splash.
Spitting out a mouthful of water, I crawled back up the hippocampus’s flank, but its skin was so, so slick. All too quickly, I slipped back into the water, losing my hold. I tried again, and the hippocampus snorted loudly. Was it…laughing at me? Imade another grab for its mane, failing to secure a foothold once again. Taking mercy on me, the hippocampus ceased its braying and sunk below the surface of the water, rising up below me, such that I finally found a seat upon its back. I gripped its soft, silvery mane tightly in both of my hands, settling more firmly into place.
I shivered, my water-clogged clothes causing my body temperature to rapidly plummet. Though the moisture on my face was from more than just falling into the water. “Thank you for coming for me,” I told the hippocampus, my voice heavy with gratitude. So, there were still those who kept their promises.
The hippocampus slapped the water with its fin, and I could practically hear it asking me:Where are we swimming next?“There’s a lake in the very center of the realm. Do you know it? Could you take me there? To the Midnight Sovereign’s island?” With a soft nicker of affirmation, the hippocampus began to plunge us through the water, taking us swiftly away from the Summer Palace.
Home. I was going home. A home that may be imperfect, but belonged to me nonetheless. A home worth nurturing. A home worth protecting. A home that would become whatever I put in the work to make it. As we swam down the river, I never once looked backward.
King Filvendor’s betrayal only strengthened my resolve.
I wasn’t going to let anybody take the island from me—not for as long as I lived.
I sank to my knees in front of the cottage, drawing Nix into my arms.
“You’re soaking wet,” he complained, but he flattened his head against my palm, demanding more pets all the same. Iburied my face in his soft fur, holding on to him, to convince myself I was really home. “You were right about Solaris,” I told him as I gave him another squeeze. “King Filvendor is no friend of the Midnight Sovereign. He told me I should give up, tried to control me, but I’m not going to stop fighting. I’ve chosen my path now, and nobody will deter me from it.”
“For you I walk the moonlit path at midnight,” Nix purred. “We will walk this path together, Little Moon.”
“That means more to me than you know.” I released a dry chuckle, the sound lacking any sincere humor, thinking about my daunting experience at the Summer Palace. “At least somebody wants to see me make it to the inauguration.”
“The inauguration is fast approaching. Just over a week away. And King Filvendor is not the only threat you face. I think it would be wise for you to remain on the island until the Winter Solstice. You will be safe here, protected by the island’s magic.”
“Trust me—I don’t plan on going anywhere dangerous anytime soon. Just to meet up with Corvin in a few days to show a local jeweler some moonstones. But that’s all. After that, I’ll stick close to home. I want to make sure I’m here to step through the gateway when it appears for me.”
“I want to come along too,” Nix said, nuzzling my hand. “To help keep you out of trouble.”
“Yes, that would be nice. I think we all could use a peaceful day together. I’ll let Corvin know. Hopefully I’ll be able to reach him in the mirror.”
Trudging into the cottage, I located a towel to dry myself off and changed into a fresh pair of clothes. My new cloak went straight into the top drawer of my armoire, at least until the memory of my visit faded enough that I could bear to look at it without being reminded of the king’s betrayal. All his so-called gifts were only ever meant to entrap me.
After getting settled, I plopped myself down in front of the study mirror, planning to confirm my market day plans with Corvin. As his image materialized within the glass, I forced a smile onto my face, intending to downplay the seriousness of my visit to Solaris, but as soon as he saw me, Corvin’s face became a mask of concern. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” he asked, looking me over intently, his insightful eyes evidently finding some clue as to my true emotional state.
I relaxed my features, the sad half-smile that had plagued me since my return slipping back into place. “I will be. Turns out King Filvendor didn’t just want to meet the Midnight Sovereign. He wanted me to abdicate my position. Leave my island and permanently live at the Summer Palace.”
“Live with him?” Corvin’s voice rose sharply. “Tell me you aren’t considering his offer?”
“No. Though I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about it. He knew things about my family. Told me I have a grandmother living somewhere in his kingdom. And he prepared the most beautiful bedchamber for me.” Corvin raised his eyebrows, but didn’t interrupt. “But it was all part of a larger plan to try and end the Midnight Sovereign once and for all. He wanted to control me, and when I refused, he used his magic to try and bind my will.”
Corvin’s voice dropped to a low growl. “That bastard.How did you escape?”
“I resisted his control, broke the magical hold he was trying to weave around me. It…it helped that I was able to claim a few names he’d never heard spoken before. I wanted to thank you actually, because your support, well, in that moment, it meant everything to me. Thank you for believing in me, Corvin. From the very first day we met, you’ve done nothing but encourage me.”
Corvin’s expression softened. “You deserve nothing less.”
Even though we were separated by the mirror, our eyes locked in a soft embrace.
“Do you think he’s the one who sent that archer after us?” Corvin asked.
I slowly shook my head. “I overheard him say he hoped to succeed where the Spring Court has failed. I think that means whoever is targeting me must live there. It fits with the assassins who tried to bribe Edwin to harm me—his daughter Adriel said they smelled like fresh rain. And it fits with a haunting dream I had awhile back, a dream featuring a living oak throne, its green leaves a perfect match for the season.”
“What do you plan to do with that knowledge?” he asked.
“I don’t know yet,” I replied darkly. “All I know for sure is no more royalty for me.”
An undecipherable expression flickered across Corvin’s face. “Do you still want to meet up at the market in a few days? I would understand if you needed some time alone after—”
“Yes!I still want to meet up.”
