Page 117 of Florescentia

Just the force of my demand made the illusion shatter around us, and we were back in the water, his huge, monstrous figure hunched over me like he was ready to swallow me whole. The endless night hung above as the glowing flora spectated.

My chest heaved, but no breaths were satisfying my body. My hands shook, the clamminess building, as was the heat in my face.

“You can’t charm your way into getting what you want. You can’t just turn to human pleasures to get your way with whatever soul you ruin! Your touch is chaos, and you know it!” I screamed at him. My temple was pulsing from the building headache.

I was tired and frustrated, and now I was just angry to finish it off.

“Consider my offer before you sever any ties.” An unearthly hiss. “And don’t take long. There are things much less kind than me living in this world.”

His form became less clear, then translucent, before the last thing left were the three eyes, and those turned to far-off stars. The perfect camouflage.

Then my only company were those twinklings above, the mud between my feet, and the unmistakable burn in the back of my head that I was in a grave, vicious kind of danger.

Chapter Thirty-Five

The Nova

I couldn’t accept my fate before I’d exhausted every possible escape.

Amid the whispering flowers, I’d found a place to think. The herbage conversed, or rather, mimicked the sound of talking. With mouths dusted with pollen, they shared secrets among themselves above me. My toes dug into the cool dirt, my knees pulled to my chest.

Small blades of grass brushed back and forth over my legs, some reaching for my hand as I let them weave between my fingers.

The first option would be to find willing Peculiars to bring me back, but they didn’t seem to be as responsive as the wild ones from my world. It seemed like my only option was to exercise my will and open my own door, possibly through the water—but so far, whenever I’d reached through and chanted, I’d only come up with a fistful of mud. The energy in this place seemed to be too potent, drowning out anything I could demand of it, just like the mishap with the flowers last time I was in this twilight state.

Even if I could make progress, I couldn’t predict how Altair might destroy my methods.

The other option would be to pass. I might have considered it before I knew what I’d done, but Dorian was gone, and soon I would be as well. The thought was more frightening than I imagined, especially when that option seemed to be easily accessible. To just be no more, no matter or mind, just cease to exist. Even when I’d felt that pull to the void, it hadn’t overcome the nagging that succumbing would mean I’d lose myself, both to the world and to my own consciousness.

The very last thing I’d do would be to entertain Altair’s bargain. I was no fool. But even the wisest may be blinded by a deal that sounds superficially good. Whatever I chose, he would make sure it benefited him. But it may have been my only way to any sort of safety. There was no guarantee he would make good on his promise. For all I knew, I could’ve been one in a collection of millions he’d snatched throughout his existence.

Negotiating was off the table. Even with the chance to counter and make my own plans known, I could lose my way out altogether.

A sudden wave of nausea, and the squelching of my stomach.

It was hard to tell how much time had passed in a world trapped in a shroud of night, but at least my appetite could keep the time. Nothing here looked edible, and even if it was, I had no way to tell if it was safe unless I took a gamble and ate it.

I looked down at my hands, the white patches of vitiligo a steady glow, a nearly white-tinted blue like the plankton in the biolights.

Could my father’s bargain be the reason for my marks? That would explain how they reacted to the darkness. Or Altair’s infatuation with them. Marked by the stars, my dad would say. I was starting to believe he was being honest instead of attempting to romanticize them.

My gut curdled even more.

Nothing made sense. The stories of genies and other folk magic spoke of laws, especially around wishing for someone’s love, their right to say no, their autonomy. I didn’t believe my father was capable of such a selfish request. There had to be more.

I supposed they were only stories. The world was lawless by design, after all.

One wish, two lives traded, and the proof of their contract a permanent seal on my skin.

My mouth was dry. At least the water was safe. I’d already taken in a mouthful when I arrived. Scooting closer to the edge of the pond, I scooped it into my palms. There were no particles, no critters. Crystal clear, as far as I could see under the moon. Then I brought it to my lips.

It was cool like fresh mountain water. I took another handful, another gulp. My stomach settled, but not for long. If I didn’t figure out an escape soon, I’d have to find something edible. The water being safe was a good sign, but it was about the only thing I could trust.

I lay back in the grass, curled up on my side. My petticoat was filthy, dirt on my arms and foliage getting lost in my hair. The curls had only gotten bigger from being exposed to the elements for so long. For obvious reasons, my normal care was not possible in this place.

I was not spoiled; I was not a stranger to having not. I just had to transport myself back to when I was young and naive to material luxuries, when I believed bread was naturally tough and shaved ice with honey was the most decadent treat at the end of the day. When I didn’t realize that all our money was going to schooling for Maxim and me.

My stomach churned again.