“We never spoke about children.”
Marcus’s eyebrows rose. “Don’t you want them?”
“I never thought about it.”
As they followed the rest of the group, their feet rustling through the fallen leaves, an uncomfortable silence filled the air. He knew she would eventually want a family. Her own was too important not to have one. But now was not the time to discuss it.
Sage took a deep breath. “I can’t understand why so many people are chasing us. What do they think we have?”
“Christian said his father thinks he is still in possession of the book of maps,” Marcus explained, watching his boots crush the leaves.
“Why would he want that? Surely, he can get maps anywhere.”
“Maybe he thinks it’s the book we burned. The one you decoded.”
Sage tapped her chin, deep in thought. After a few moments, she said, “Maybe. Christian was the first one in possession of the book.”
“Have you considered what these directions lead to?” Marcus asked.
Sage shook her head and lifted her hands, palm out. “I don’t think I want to know until we get there. There’s no use speculating.”
Marcus grinned as he looked at her, amused by her insistence on facts. At the same time, he felt a chill run down his spine. He had an idea of what was at the end of these directions, and though he hoped that he was wrong, deep down, he was afraid that he was right.
Sage expertly pulled her horse’s reins to the side and ducked beneath an overhanging branch. Ahead of her, Willow’s horse navigated around bushes and branches and over fallen logs. They had decided to ride in a single line, so it would be harder for their pursuers to track their progress.
“I don’t see any plants,” Raven stated.
They had found the pond easily enough, right where the woman had instructed. Sun filtered through the branches, creating a dappled pattern of light and shadow across its surface. The waterline was low, and a thin stream of water trickled down a steep incline. Sage scanned the area for the plant.
“Let’s rest the horses and spread out,” Landyn suggested. “We’ll find them.”
Raven hesitated. Finally, she nodded and ordered, “Stay within eyesight.”
Sage dismounted, guided her horse to the pond, and tied his reins around a gnarled tree branch near the pond. She backed away from the water and narrowed her gaze, scanning the forest for any sign of the plant. The area was covered in a thick layer of red and brown leaves that crunched beneath her boots. She searched diligently for the deep green foliage.
She walked forward. The sound of crickets chirping and frogs croaking enveloped her. She kicked up a few dried leaves as she examined the ground, grass poking through the mix. As she rounded a small tree, the terrain began to angle upward.
“Here!” Christian called.
Sage’s head snapped up, and she hurried toward him. They all met around a tall, stalked bush about two feet high with green leaves.
“Are you sure that’s it?” Raven asked dubiously.
“I’m not a plant expert,” Christian replied, shrugging. “But it looks like the one we saw at the apothecary.”
“Look,” Willow said and pointed at the sloping forest ground.
The lush green stalked bushes were arranged diagonally, continuing up and over the top of the hill in an almost perfect line.
Tingles of excitement danced up Sage’s spine.
They had found it.
Chapter Twelve
They reached the crest of the hill, where the lush green plant abruptly ended, giving way to two winding roads snaking down the slope in opposite directions. A bright orange sun hung low in the sky, and Marcus knew they would have to find a place to rest before nightfall.
“What’s the next direction?” Raven asked.
