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Excerpt from Asidian Lore: A Tale of the Gods
Holy gods. Had Jude been about to kiss me?
This was the singular thought that consumed me as I ran through a meadow crafted by magic and hopeful dreams. Instead of noting every lush plant and diamond-encrusted red rose or purple-and-glistening-yellow bud, I replayed the last minute on an infinite loop.
I still thought about the too-brief kiss we’d shared when I’d worked to distract him and gain the upper hand. Never had I experienced such fire in a single brush of lips, such intensity. I wondered what it might feel like should we give in and completely let go.
There were so many other things to think aboutbesideswondering if Jude had been about to kiss me. Mainly the inescapable panic that hadn’t left me since the forest attack. Since I’d lost consciousness.
Snap out of it, Ki, you’re in a fantastical garden from a damn fairy tale.
Still, it was difficult to wrap my head around such a place existing in a world of nightmares. Even the stones glistened like tiny trapped raindrops.
Unreal.
All of it.
The sea of colorful blooms and emerald leaves gave way to a mighty oak, its dense branches towering over a quarter of the clearing. A small bubbling stream ran through it, the waters clear and welcoming. And not a hint of white or blue haze, though it still surrounded the glade like an unwelcome hug. I felt like I was in one of the snow globes sold in Cila’s marketplace, the ones Mother never let me buy.
“This is incredible.” Jude moved to stand at my side, his shoulder pressing against mine, his eyes tapering into a squint while he adjusted to the brightness.
Ever since I’d stopped breathing, the commander had been sticking to me like glue. Not that it was necessarily a bad thing.
In truth, I’dwantedhim to kiss me earlier. And not as a ploy.
“Kiara?”
“Huh?” I lifted my chin to Jude, whose face scrunched with confusion. Even uncertainty looked good on him. Damn him.
“I said your name three times.”
Oh.
“Sorry, I was a little distracted.” I waved a hand around our surroundings to make my point. “If you haven’t noticed, this is a little mind-boggling.”And I was thinking about you and your pretty lips.
“Then why are you blushing?” Jude’s lips quirked, seeming to read my traitorous thoughts. Whatever he was seeing on my face pleased him.
“I am not blushing,” I protested. Even to my own ears, it sounded weak. “It’s just chilly, and I have very sensitive skin.” Not a lie.
“Uh-huh.” His smirk grew impish.
Who was this man, and what had he done with my resigned commander?
Maybe the Mist was to blame yet again.
“There is no way wearen’tspending the evening here.” Bounding to the mighty oak, I rose onto my tiptoes and plucked a leaf from a low branch. Tiny veins shot out from the stem, crinkling the thin membrane. The color was so green. So vibrant and rich.
“I wonder…” Jude murmured, rubbing at his growing scruff. “This shouldn’t be here. Not in this place.”
And he was right.
There had to be an explanation for why a paradise flourished in the Mist. Paranoia prickled at my chest as ice dripped into my veins. The logical thing would be to ignore the beauty and focus on reality. Uncle Micah had often told me that things were never as they appeared. That sometimes even the most beautiful things could be poisonous. I supposed that applied to people as well.
“You’re right,” I asserted. Jude’s brow lifted. He was clearly stunned at my easy acceptance. “Let’s investigate some more.”
Jude let out a whistle. “And here I thought I was going to get scolded for being too cynical. Not that I’m complaining,” he added, with a whisper-soft chuckle. The sound went straight to my core.
I cleared my throat. “All right, let’s split up and see what we can find. There has to be something out of the ordinary.” I paused mid-step. “Aside fromeverythinghere, that is.”
