13. Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Aliya

L indir led them to their lodgings.

"I'll return later with more food, maybe some venison if there's any leftover from breakfast," he said. Pausing, he opened his mouth as if he wanted to say more. Shaking his head, he snapped his jaw closed and turned away, leaving them to their own devices. His footsteps faded.

"I've never seen a tree this huge, Elessan." Aliya stood in the door, staring at the ceiling many feet above, trying not to gape. Inside, the trunk was hollow. It seemed like the wood grew that way, rather than being carved out. The graceful lines of the interior walls gave way to several flat surfaces, either at seat or table height, spaced around the room. Oversized pillows lay about for any who didn't want to use the wooden chairs. Two smaller rooms branched off in the back, large enough to serve as sleeping quarters.

"Both the sun and the moon elves utilize buildings constructed in this manner," Elessan said, sitting on one of the seats and leaning back against the wall. He rubbed his hand where the bench seamlessly blended with the rest. "It takes centuries for the landscape architects to shape wood like this. The process must be started when the tree is a sapling, or it'll die."

Aliya glanced back at the curtain of ivy covering the doorway, and the luxurious carpet of moss. Nothing appeared to be in danger of dying anytime soon. Everything around Filathas was green, thick, and lush. The city's architecture put her father's immaculate gardens to shame.

"Wow." She ran her hand over the door frame. "Is this magic?"

Elessan shrugged. "Possibly. Not every elf possesses the skill. Or the patience."

Zadé chortled and took a deep swig from her flask. "At least the beds are more comfortable than the humans'." She took a few staggering steps toward one of the bedrooms.

Surely, she couldn't be drunk already? Aliya shook her head. Who was she kidding? If she wasn't still drunk from the night before, then she was probably just pretending. Either way… "Zadé, it's not even noon."

"Can't help it," Zadé answered, turning her unfocused gaze in their direction. "My aunt brings out th' worst ‘n me." She tripped into one of the cubbies. "Don't worry—I'll sleep the booze off." Moments later, heavy snores echoed from the bedroom.

Aliya raised an eyebrow.

"Her flask must be enchanted to stay full," Elessan said. "I don't think she's had the chance to refill it for the last two weeks, but she still drinks freely."

Aliya bit her lip. The contents weren't her secret to reveal. "A magical canteen? Is such a thing possible?" If that was the case, it may very well still be Stephen's Pálinka.

She'd kill for one she could keep filled with water. Then, she could change shape whenever she wished.

"Many feats are achievable with enough magic." He paused. "Including your freedom. If you decide to fight for it."

She frowned as the change in topic chilled her stomach. "Fight? You mean, kill Malkov?"

Elessan shrugged. "You know him better than I. Would anything less convince him to leave you in peace?"

She sighed. No…it wouldn't. Plus, she'd made an Irrevocable Vow, and if she didn't fulfill it by the summer solstice, both of their lives would be forfeit. Her arm throbbed as she thought back to her dream this morning. "No. I don't think I can, though—murder another person. Even one as evil as him. I'd freeze up at the last second."

"You're not alone. I'll help you. So will Lady Brightleaf. The Mage Underground also pledged their support. We all have a vested interest in ending this war and having someone reasonable on the human throne." His hand settled on her shoulder and squeezed. "And I'd rather he dies than you."

She flinched at the sharp ache from her bruise. She tried to pull away, but he caught her elbow.

Widening his eyes, Elessan slid her sleeve up. His nostrils flared at the discolored skin, and he bared his teeth and growled, "Valek! Who did that to you?"

She jerked out of his grip and smoothed the fabric down over her arm. "I told you, I was dreaming."

He paled. "The king did this? In your dreams?"

Well, at least she couldn't fault him for not believing her.

He clasped her shoulders, careful to avoid the sore spot, and turned her to face him squarely.

"How many times has this happened?"

She stepped out of his grip. "Twice." Telling him about her bruised wrist from the first dream wouldn't accomplish anything except upsetting him further.

"Valek." He covered his eyes before dragging his hand down his face.

"I'm sorry. I should have told you. But I didn't want to…" She swallowed. Seem like a whiny baby who can't handle her own problems? Make him panic about something he couldn't control? "... worry you."

He tilted his head to the ceiling and sighed. Taking a few deep breaths, he turned to her. "Please, Aliya. Worry me. I can't help you if I don't know what we're facing."

"I know." She stared at the ground and traced a circular pattern in the grass with her foot. "It's just that you've done so much already. I'm afraid to drag you down with more." Meeting his gaze, she rested her hand on his bicep. The warmth of his skin radiated into her and something in her core settled. "I would never forgive myself if you got hurt because of me."

He glanced at her hand on his arm, covering it with his as the silence lingered between them. "I'll protect you as long as you need protecting. Regardless of the cost." He winked and smiled, lightening the mood. "Besides, I'm not so easy to kill." His focus drifted to her lips.

Someone cleared their throat behind them.

They both took an involuntary step backward.

Lindir stood in the doorway, a platter of food in his hands. His face flushed. "I, um, thought you might want some lunch. Then, I'd be happy to show you around. If you want?" With a clatter, he set the tray on one of the "tables" growing out from the wall. He frowned at Elessan. "Assuming I'm not interrupting anything?"

Aliya swallowed to keep from drooling. A personal tour? Yes, please. She eyed Elessan.

He waved at her. "Go ahead, you may as well enjoy the sights. But eat something before you leave."

"Are you sure you don't want to come along?"

He glanced at Lindir and shook his head. "No, thank you. I have some things I need to attend to here."

She raised her eyebrow. What could he possibly have to do in a city where he wouldn't be allowed if not for her?

He turned his back to them, heading for the second cubby.

Well, if that was how he was going to be, then fine. With a shrug, she walked to Lindir and his food tray. More of the starfruit and fizzleberries from earlier tempted her. "What's this," she asked, pointing at a red-skinned orb with green scales.

"Dragon fruit," he said.

Taking the scaly globe, she snagged a fistful of the other items and followed him out of the room.

The sun warmed her back, just enough to be pleasant without her needing to worry about overheating. A cool breeze that smelled of petrichor tickled the tiny hairs on her arms and tugged at her hair.

He turned left. The white-tiled path drifted downhill, weaving around colossal trees whose leaves scattered dappled shade across the road.

"Where are we going?"

"I thought we might start at the gardens in the Glade of Shadows." He peeked at her and glanced away as a flush crept across his cheeks. "Lady Brightleaf says you're not an elf?"

She shook her head as he studied the pointed tips of her ears.

"Then you've never been to an elven settlement before? They're quite stunning."

A flash of guilt cut through her chest. "I'm sorry I lied to you. Zadé said if I didn't look like an elf, I wouldn't be allowed into Filathas."

The edges of Lindir's mouth tightened. "She was right. But now you're here, and my aunt pulled some strings so you can stay as long as you need to train."

"Lady Brightleaf's your aunt?"

He nodded.

"That would make Zadé your cousin?"

He swallowed and focused to his left. "Technically, second cousins. We don't like to talk about her."

Tilting her head to the side, she peeked at him from the corner of her eyes. "Why not? What did Zadé do that was so terrible?"

He opened his mouth, then hesitated. "I think that's something she should answer."

Aliya sighed. Zadé had made it plenty clear she wasn't going to discuss it any more than Lindir seemed willing to.

Ahead of them, the tree-lined path gave way to a clearing. Water burbled from a fountain and a carpet of soft moss spread under Aliya's feet. Rectangular boxes of white sand broke up the green, with intricate patterns drawn in several of them. Fountains at all four corners of the glade trickled streams into crystalline channels and over artificial waterfalls, making pleasant background noise. Colored fish the size of her arm swam in the troughs. The midday sunlight danced between the leaves of the trees overhead, reflecting off the liquid's surface. It was like a fairy godmother had waved a magic wand over her mother's beloved Zen Garden.

"Wow."

Lindir peeked over his shoulder at her and smiled. He reached back and guided her forward. "I thought you might like it. This is our place for meditation and relaxation." He showed her to one of the boxes. Picking up a small broom, he swept the design away, replacing it with one he drew using a pole.

She knelt, drawing a finger through the soft sand. The granules parted before her, caressing her skin in a mild tickling sensation. Standing, she picked a few grains from underneath her nails, letting them fall back into the sandbox.

He ran his fingers through his hair. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"You and the mountain elf." He swallowed. "You're not… together , are you?"

"What? No." She paused. Were they? They hadn't had any time alone to talk about it. "Well…I don't think so?"

He chuckled. "Are you asking me?"

"No, of course not."

Pink and blue fins flashed through a beam of sunlight. She turned, glad for the distraction. "Giant goldfish!"

"Close. This one's a Shubunkin—it's like a koi, but with an indigo base color."

She blinked. Fish breeds had never been her strength or interest, but these were beautiful. She reached out and brushed it as it swam by.

Lindir stood and offered his hand. "Come with me."

She allowed him to pull her to her feet, but he held onto her hand when she would have let go.

He led her over a bridge covered with ivy and little blue flowers. The white stone of the footpath arched over the water and ended at a wall of weeping willows. Brushing the dangling branches out of her way, he stepped aside, letting her pass.

"Oh, wow!" A waterfall tall enough for her to walk under fed a pristine pond within the protective circle of vegetation. Two fish bigger than her arm circled each other in the middle. Aliya fell to her knees at the water's edge.

Lindir sat beside her. "This is my favorite part of the garden." He nodded to the pool. "Their names are Ilthian and Anora."

"Moon and Sun." Appropriate, with their white and orange coloring.

"Most people come to the gardens in the early morning or late evening. But no one ever sits here. I figured I'd show you. As Lady Brightleaf's new apprentice, I think you might need a place to unwind at the end of the day." He gave her a knowing look.

Her gut chilled. "Uh, oh. What am I in for?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, really. She hasn't taken a pupil in my lifetime. But based on how she runs our family, I suspect she'll be a demanding taskmaster."

Great . Well, nothing worth doing came easily. She would put in as much work as required to master her magic. She flashed him a quick grin. "Thanks for the warning."

Her gaze caught his and he grinned.

She waited for the telltale butterflies to start fluttering in her gut, like they did when Elessan smiled at her. She held back a frown when they remained still.

It wasn't that he was unattractive, or not a good guy. Lindir was really sweet, with an innocence about him that reminded Aliya of herself before she'd married a serial killer.

He just lacked the chemistry that sparked between her and Elessan.

"You know, when you complete your training, you could stay, with us."

She blinked. "Here?" She had to admit, the offer was tempting—to live in a town full of untouched beauty and serenity, where she could eat exotic foods all day and not worry about Malkov finding her or killing everyone she loved. A light feeling spread through her chest, bringing a smile to her face.

At least until the summer solstice, when not completing her Irrevocable Vow would kill both her and Elessan. She shook her head as the warmth evaporated, leaving ice crystals in its place. "Thanks for the offer. I'd love to. But I have responsibilities to my people back home."

Lindir dropped his head as his shoulders slumped. "I understand. Still, think on it?" The hope in his expression shattered her heart. If only…

She nodded. The proposition would probably be in her thoughts constantly, driving an invisible blade between her ribs as summer approached. "I will."

Pushing himself up to stand, Lindir held out his hand. "Would you like a tour of the market?"

Aliya let him pull her to her feet. "You have a market?"

He laughed. "Of course. It's by the river, to make it easy for the merchants to unload. Come on, I'll show you."