We sat outside on a fallen log, both of us with a cup of tea provided by Serentha. She might not want us there, but after refusing to explain further what dangers awaited us at night, she had made tea, offered some biscuits, and kicked us out so she could take a nap.
Although, I was pretty sure she wasn’t taking a nap in there. I could hear pots and pans clattering, and cupboards slamming.
Crispin’s eyes were on the setting sun, the soft light bathing Serentha’s garden in hues of pink and purple. There were mainly flowers in the garden. Flowers and berries. She didn’t seem to care for much else.
“It really would have been more useful to end up at court. They would have a better understanding of dangers across the countryside. We would know for sure if the darkness is here, and how much of it. Plus, we could have delivered our message to the queen.”
According to Serentha, King Francis’ first love still ruled over the land and had never taken a new king. I was glad we wouldn’t be returning to Francis with bad news, though I wasn’t sure how the queen would feel about him taking a second wife and having a daughter. He was no longer romantically entangled with Elena’s mother, and had mostly married to provide his people with a sense of stability after the pathways were severed, but his first wife might not see it that way.
I removed one hand from my teacup to put it on Crispin’s knee. “Maybe we came here because this is where you needed to be.” I nodded back toward the house.
He inhaled deeply, then let it out, startling a butterfly that had come to check out the honey mixed into his tea. “There is no peace to be had here. No closure.”
“You know, it made a difference for me finally understanding why my mom did what she did. Why she not only left, but took my memories. I hated her for a long time.”
Crispin gripped my hand over his knee. “I don’t think we’ll find any noble reasons behind my mother’s actions. She simply wanted the coin, and wanted rid of me.”
“Even if that’s the case, she might feel some remorse now. Shedidfeed us.” I glanced over at the empty biscuit plate, wishing there’d been more. And maybe if the new ones could be a little less bland. “And even if she doesn’t have a proper explanation,” I continued, “knowing that for sure and accepting it could help you to let it go. I think it’s the not knowing that really gets us. Spiraling about why someone did what they did, and hoping they had a better reason than what we think.”
Crispin lifted a brow, lowering his teacup to his other knee. “And you believe I’ve been spiraling?”
I laughed. “Okay, maybe not spiraling, but you haven’t let it go either. And it colors your perception of people.”
“You’re thinking of my reluctance to join your little harem.” He smirked at his choice of words.
“It’s not a harem!” I bumped him with my shoulder. “And I’m more referring to your doubt that I wanted you to be part of it. I know it’s strange. And it’s not like I could ever ask you to not see other girls. But I care about you just as much as any of the other guys, whatever you choose to do.”
“You do?” His sudden shift in tone made me meet his eyes, seeing a rare hint of vulnerability there.
“And this is exactly why I think you should talk to your mother.”
He huffed a laugh. “Perhaps you are right. You should go inside where it’s safer though. I’ll ask my mother to step outside with me.”
I shook my head. “You go. I promise to stay right here. And if I see any shadows…” I removed my hand from his knee, turning my wrist and flipping my palm upward with a flourish. “Vortex time, baby.”
“Or the big sword strapped across your back,” he joked. “You promise to stay right here?” He looked at the house, probably assessing how well he could see me from the window.
“Promise.”
“I won’t be long.” He stood, but hesitated.
“Go,” I repeated. “I’m almost feeling good enough to travel again. I’ll be fine.” That latter part was kind of a lie, but I was at least good enough to run away from danger.
He sighed. “All right, all right.”
I returned my other hand to my teacup, settling in to wait. The colors of the sunset had faded into the cool purplesand blues that hit just before nightfall. It was peaceful, and I hoped the other guys weren’t freaking out too much. I hoped they trusted Crispin enough to look out for me, and trusted me enough to get us back to Emerald Heights. I was drained currently, but with the Realm Breaker, I was pretty sure I could make it after I’d had a nap.
My eyes drifted to movement amidst Serentha’s flowers, tall blooms that looked a little like snapdragons. Something was weaving its way amongst the stalks, and I realized with a start that it was a wisp of darkness. Had it sensed my arrival like the other mass, following us all the way here?
Remembering how the mass in the goblin realm had swarmed up Crispin without really hurting him, I remained perfectly still. It slunk toward me with the vibes of a curious cat, stopping to circle my boot like it was trying to figure out what I was. After several circles and a few testing prods, it streaked away like an arrow flying impossibly close to the ground.
Afraid to move, I gripped my teacup so tight my knuckles turned white. “Well, that can’t be good.”
Still clutching my tea,I remained perfectly still, waiting for another shadow sighting, but nothing moved. Was this the danger Serentha mentioned? In the goblin realm there were occasional strange events and people going missing, but there was no way to prove it had been that mass of darkness we’d encountered. For all we knew, it had been lying dormant, waiting for a pathway to open. And maybe the wisp I’d spotted had been doing the same.
I waited until darkness—natural darkness—crept in around me, making my task futile. I wouldn’t be able to see any extralittle shadows even if another one crept up on me. It hadn’t seemed hostile, but I couldn’t help but wonder why it had sped off so quickly after examining my boot.
I stiffened at the sound of shouting, made louder once the front door opened.
