Page 17 of Tale of the Heart Queen

CHAPTER 8

LOR

ALLUVION—THE CRYSTAL PALACE

Linden continues to glare at me throughout dinner, alternating between stony silence and the occasional verbal jab to remind me she doesn’t buy a word of my shit. I had expected this. I knew there would be people who wouldn’t forgive or forget my grandmother’s mistakes. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t sting.

Dinner feels like it lasts forever, but mercifully, I’m finally escorted through the Crystal Palace by Linden and Cyan, who flank me on either side. While Cyan has been hospitable, it’s obvious he doesn’t trust me. I should commend him for his instincts, except this is very inconvenient for me.

Open windows set high in the walls let in the crisp ocean air and the sound of waves crashing against the shore. The hallways made of rippling glass tiles, marble, and paint feels almost like we’re walking underwater.

We pass through a tall arch and into a massive oval room. At one end sit two thrones made of the same glassy material as the palace. Surrounding them are dozens of small tide pools cut right into the marble floor. They churn with small creatures, bioluminescent stones, colorful plants, and waving tendrils of translucent seaweed.

But what really catches my attention sits at the far end of the room. A massive aquarium stretched across a wide arch opens to the outside. The curved glass wall towers at least three times my height and is filled with multi-hued schools of fish—most of which I’ve never seen before—along with orange and red flowers and waving plants that shift lazily in a current.

In the center sits a massive branching piece of shimmering white coral, reaching almost to the vessel’s height.

This can be only one thing.

The Alluvion Coral and this kingdom’s Artefact.

Cyan and Linden have stopped walking, watching me as I stare at the Coral.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathe.

It shimmers in the water like the rarest pearl, surrounded by waltzing fish.

“Thank you,” Cyan says.

“May I take a closer look?” He purses his lips together. I think he’s about to refuse but must decide it’s a harmless enough request because he nods. I move towards it, my bare feet soft against the marble floors.

An idea is already forming in my head. Three different Artefacts have spoken to me now. I don’t know why or what makes them do so, but the Coral might have the information I’m seeking. What if it knows where the ark is?

As I draw closer, I sense its presence. It has an energy that draws me in. Is it calling to me? Does it want to speak with me too?

The tank opens to the sky, with the back half perched on a cliff. Due to the perspective, I can’t tell how far it stretches. I place a hand on the glass, flattening my palm against it.

“Can you hear me?” I whisper softly under my breath, conscious of Cyan and Linden watching me. I can’t give them any more reasons to suspect I’m up to something.

“Hello?” I try to cast the message through my thoughts.

I wait for it to answer—it always seems to take a few moments before they notice me—but it remains silent. I need to get closer and touch it. But how am I supposed to do that when it’s surrounded by water?

“It’s Lor. Will you talk to me too? I spoke with your . . . friends.”

“What are you doing?” Linden demands, coming up next to me. “Why are you whispering?”

I jump at the intrusion and whip my hand away.

“I wasn’t whispering,” I say.

“You were,” she replies, still not buying my shit.

I shrug. “Sometimes I talk to myself. I don’t even notice I’m doing it.”

Linden glares at me, and I do my best to look innocent.

“Linden,” Cyan says, his tone bordering on threadbare, as though he’s tiring of her attitude as well. “I think we can allow the girl her thoughts.”