Page 78 of A Kingdom of Magic and Rain

“Hello there,” I said as I cracked open the balcony door, careful not to spook my little visitor. A flutter of wings followed, and for a moment I thought that the bird was going to fly away, but it only moved from the floor to the balcony railing, perching on the wide stone ledge. “What are you doing here?” I asked as I stepped closer to the grayish-brown creature with a thin white patch on its wings. It cooed in reply, angling its head with curiosity. A small piece of rolled-up parchment was tied to one of its legs with a green thread. Excitement sparked in my chest. “Is that a note for me?” The dove sat still as I untied the note and rolled it out to read it.

A little birdie told me that you’ve been cooped up in your room all day. Do you want to get out? Mark ‘yes’ or ‘no’ was scribbled on the parchment.

Under that, two options were listed. Yes—free me from my gilded cage and No. I’m allergic to fun.

“Don’t go anywhere,” I told the bird before I dashed inside the room.

At the writing desk, I dipped the pen in the ink and marked ‘Yes’ on the note. To my relief, the dove was still outside when I returned, and I carefully attached the rolled-up parchment back to its leg. When the feathered messenger took off, a sense of adventure rose, filling my veins with restless energy. Though the note was not signed, I had a feeling I knew who had sent it. A few minutes later, my suspicion was confirmed to be true.

Good answer, my Queen. Since I can’t come and get you because of the wards (sigh), meet me by the fountain. Here’s how to get to it from your rooms. A miniature map was sketched below.

“Thank you for delivering the message.” I gently ran my pointer finger over the bird’s head. It cooed in response before flying away.

Grinning in anticipation, I strode inside and closed the balcony doors before drawing the curtains to cover them. When I whirled around, I froze, peering down the dark hallway that connected my room to Adrian’s.

Can I get away with it? I thought to myself. Free me from my gilded cage. I recalled what the note had said. But I wasn’t a prisoner, and my room wasn’t a cage. I shouldn’t have to worry about getting away with anything. I had the right to leave and do what I wanted. But then why was a strange, oily feeling stirring, tamping down my excitement? I wouldn’t let it, I decided, as I switched on the bedside lamp and headed toward the bathing chamber. After quickly freshening up, I went to the dressing room and changed into a light-pink, flowery dress and white sandals. Back in the bedroom, I dragged the brush through my hair, ignoring the crown sitting on the vanity.

Tonight, I don’t have to be the queen; I can just be me. I set the brush down and headed for the door. Stopping before it, I reached for the handle and turned it slowly, holding my breath, trying to make as little noise as possible. Then it dawned on me that trying to be sneaky would draw more attention than behaving naturally. I pulled my shoulders back and lifted my chin before calmly exiting the bedroom. Closing the door softly behind me, I set off down the long hallway, past the stone-faced guards lining the walls. I made sure to keep a steady pace but not seem in a hurry as I navigated the quiet castle that was empty save for the guards. To my relief, they didn’t try to stop me or question me about my whereabouts as I walked, referring to the map sketched on the parchment.

Down the hallway, turn right, down another hallway, left, down the staircase to the first floor. When I finally reached the doors that led outside and burst through them, breathing instantly became easier because I was closer to nature. My gaze swept over the majestic gardens that lay ahead of me before it lowered to the note. I weaved through the trees aglow with fireflies, following the winding trail indicated on the map until I arrived at the three-tier fountain that I had discovered the night before. A beam of moonlight cutting through the trees illuminated the fountain and the one waiting for me beside it.

“I was beginning to wonder if you changed your mind,” Finn said as he stood up from where he had been sitting on the basin ledge. The top half of his chestnut hair was pulled back, exposing his arched ears pierced with gold hoops of various sizes. His amber gaze flicked over me. “But seeing you in that dress makes the wait more than worth it.”

My heartbeat quickened, but I wasn’t sure if that was because of the man standing before me or because of the unsettling feeling that I was doing something wrong.

“Thanks for the map.” I smiled as I held up the note. “How did you know about the wards around my chambers? And the layout of the castle?”

“The wards were a given since you’re a royal, and the layout wasn’t that difficult to find out with so many servants going in and out at all times.”

“You’re very resourceful,” I observed.

“That I am.” He stepped closer and took the note from me. It caught aflame in his hand, and I watched in awe as the map burned down until only a few specs of ash remained in his uncharred palm. “So, how are you doing, my Queen?” He wiped the remnants of the note from his hand.

“Please, call me Emelin.” I was quick to correct him.

“Not very fond of the new title, are we? All right, Emelin”—my name was a velvet caress on his lips—“how are you?”

I was caught off guard by the question. Even Thea hadn’t asked me that when she had visited me in the morning. Such a simple thing, yet it brought forth tears.

Finn’s eyes widened. “You know what, don’t answer that. What do you say we get a bite to eat? Are you hungry?” I suddenly realized that I was as my stomach unceremoniously growled in confirmation. He chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes. I know just the place. It’s in my province. Will you let me glimmer you there?”

I chuckled, too, quickly swiping the tear that had escaped. “Yes, I will.”

“Perfect! Oh, first, you need to drink this.” He produced a small vial from his pants pocket.

“What is it?” I reared back.

“I can’t just show up at the tavern with the queen by my side now, can I? The potion will alter your appearance for a short time, so no one will know you’re the gorgeous female accompanying me tonight.” I eyed the vial with suspicion. “I know what you’re thinking. It’s not poisoned. I would take a sip to prove it to you, but then the potion would change my appearance, and let’s be honest, who would want to mess with this?” He made a circular motion around his face. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Can I trust you?” I asked.

He sighed dramatically. “Not going to lie, my Queen, I mean Emelin, I’m not the most trustworthy, but you’re safe with me. At least, for tonight.”

His candid response should have made my suspicion grow, but it had the opposite effect. He wasn’t trying to diminish his shortcomings, and I found that disarming. I grabbed the vial and poured the contents into my mouth.

“That’s what I like to see! Bottoms up!” Finn laughed, the sound smooth and pleasant like the rest of him. “It should take only a few seconds for the spell to work.”

When I gave him back the vial, my gaze snagged on the gold pendant hanging around his neck.