First, I had to come back from the dead.
***
Blazing sunlight reflected off the wrought-iron framework and glass walls of the once grand conservatory. I shielded my gaze with the palm of my hand and took in the domed-ceiling, vine-covered panels, and creeping moss that clung to the tarnished metal.
Cass lives in that?
I wasn’t thrown by the building itself. The exotic plants, fragrant blooms, and wild aesthetic suited her. More so than her brother's Gothic mansion looming in the distance, nearly shrouded by dense trees. The Moreland residence was austere, even bathed in the warm rays of the sun.
What surprised me was that she was here at all. I’d always imagined Cass living off the land, exploring uncharted jungles in search of new plant species to name. Maybe she’d be married to a handsome botanist. One who’d mastered the art of carefully strewn rose petals.
Cass used to laugh at my romantic notions, teasing me for dreaming in a trade where men prized gold over a woman's heart. And I'd had plenty of proof she was right. Yet we'd still sit around the campfire, and she’d listen with bated breath as I recited another fairytale from memory. I think part of her wanted to believe, too.
But she’d been right to laugh.
Love—the kind I used to dream about—didn't exist. And life wasn’t fair or kind, evidenced by the rumors that ran rampant about the young woman who hid among her plants. Though maybe Cass had the right idea. Plants never lie. Theycan't break your heart. Not like people.
A pleasant tune flowed on the wind, and Cass appeared, strolling along a winding path of leafy ferns and lavish blooms. She tipped a watering can toward the base of a giant sunflower, then reached up to brush the vibrant yellow petals.
I had the sudden urge to duck behind the conservatory. It was foolish of me to come here, but the luxury of time and supplies hadn’t washed ashore with me. I needed help. And if anyone knew where to find magic seeds that granted access to the realm in the sky, it was Cass.
She resumed her song, tucking a long section of blonde hair behind her ear. Cass looked the same as when I last saw her aboard the ship. She wore a comfortable linen dress with worn boots peeking from beneath the hemline.
I flexed my fingers, nerves making them tingle. There was still time to run. But unfortunately, no time to waste. I blew out a breath and cleared my throat.
“Nice place you've got here. I bet you can see the stars through the domed ceiling.”
Cass gasped and nearly tripped over a rock in the path. Her watering jug slipped from her fingers and crashed to the ground, water spilling at her feet.
“Marin?”
My throat closed so tightly at the awe in her voice that I couldn’t speak. I nodded instead, taking an instinctive step back when she took one closer.
Then she choked on a sob and leapt over the watering can, almost knocking me down as she dragged me into a fierce hug.
Panic raced up my spine, and my arms locked at my sides. I tried to tame it, breathing deeply through my nose, but it wasn’t enough. This was too much. Too soon. The glare of thesun, the thick fragrant air, and the warmth of human touch overwhelmed my senses.
Suddenly, I was drowning again; the air trapped inside my lungs. But Cass was crying. Her tears soaked my skin, and I forced myself to stay still. She reared back, asking a million questions at once.
“Where have you been? We thought you were dead. What happened?” She paused, and her gaze traveled over the colored length of my hair. “It’s blue,” she said with surprise, before her eyes landed on the kelp wrapped around my chest and the sheer fabric clinging to my waist. Her brow creased. “What in the world are you wearing?”
I laughed despite myself. The answer to that question was as unbelievable as all the rest. Squinting against the sun, I felt my energy evaporating faster than the water she’d spilled on the path.
“Can we talk inside?”
“Of course! I can’t believe you’re really here.” She squeezed my shoulders as if to double-check. “Have you seen the others? Gavin—”
“No.” My jaw clenched. “I haven’t seen anyone else. I’ll explain everything inside.”
Cass tugged my arm and made a tsking sound with her tongue. “You were smart to come to me first. Don’t think I didn’t notice your hands. I have some salve that will help with those cuts.”
I pressed my palms into the fabric around my waist. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing! You’re bruised all over. And you look dead on your feet.” Cass sucked in a breath. “Sorry. That came out weird. You don't look dead. You look—”
I shrugged. “I’ve looked worse.”
Cass flattened her lips, probably afraid to say anything else, and led me into the conservatory through an iron door. It creaked on its hinges, then settled heavily back into place. The scent of flowers and earth assailed my senses, and humidity thickened the air. I followed her into a cooler section of the building where a giant stone fountain spilled water from the mouth of a cherub statue perched on a lily pad.
