Next came the phrase about the silver light. Moonlight? Starlight, perhaps? If so, which stars could it be referring to? If not moonlight or starlight, could it mean a magical light? If that were the case, then finding it with the magic fading wouldn’t be easy.
Last was the phrase about the stars of the mirror-white sand. That phrase confused me the most. How could stars be mixed with sand? It was scientifically impossible, which meant it was some sort of riddle, and riddles had never been my forte. Hopefully, my books would give me some sort of clue. Of course, none of this would do any good unless I actually found the bloom to begin with. And I couldn’t do that here.
I zipped my pack and slung it over my shoulder. Through the open window, I watched as twilight descended over the dragon’s forest. A sinking feeling settled in my stomach as I stared at the ice-encrusted trees. The forest looked so strange and alien with the sinking sun illuminating frozen leaves. Usually a bright red, the trees’ leaves now looked white, a lifeless color, devoid of the lushness I had become so used to. I wasn’t sure why, but I felt as if I would never again see Faythander the way I remembered it. Taking a deep breath, I let my worries drive me forward as I left my room and headed through the caves toward the forest.
Kull and Rolf met me in the hallway. Rolf gave me a strained smile, while Kull’s face remained unreadable.
“Did you find out what you needed from my stepfather?” I asked Kull.
He cleared his throat. “Yes. I’m afraid so.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Afraid so? What did you talk about?”
He cast a sidelong glance at Rolf.
The boy gave me quick smile. “I’ll wait in the dining hall,” he said before dashing off.
“What’s going on?” I asked Kull.
He stuck his hands in his pockets before answering. “I cannot travel with you to Earth Kingdom.”
“What? Why not?”
“Your stepfather was able to locate my sister’s presence in the Caxon’s camp. I must find her in the goblin lands, and I fear she will not stay for much longer. Now may be my only chance to save her. I am sorry, Olive, but I fear I must rescue her before it is too late.”
Forcing a smile, I said, “Honestly, it’s probably for the best. The crossing will be dangerous without magic. Plus, after the last time, I swore you would never come with me to Earth again.”
A half-smile lit his face. “Were my advances too forward for your comfort?”
“After we came back, you couldn’t remember your advances, which is something I don’t care to repeat.”
He grabbed my fingers and kissed my knuckles slowly, his eyes not leaving mine. My stomach gave its usual flutter. “Then I will make amends a hundred times over.”
I couldn’t answer. His eyes, his words, his lips, held me spellbound.
“I will begin my penance by escorting you through the dragons’ forest.”
I tried to make some sort of answer, but my fluttering heart won out. All I could do was mumble an okay and let him lead me through the fortress, down the spiral stairs, and into the forest. I tried reminding myself that this was for the best, yet I knew how I would feel once he was gone. Like half a person. Like part of my soul was missing.
The cold air came as a shock as we emerged from the mountain. I stumbled over the ice-slicked rocks, and my breath came out like puffs of smoke. I pulled my cloak tighter, but the chill still seeped through.
Kull remained quiet as we traded rock-strewn ground for the leaf-covered forest floor.
Except for our feet crunching over the ice, silence shrouded the forest like a thick blanket.
After crossing through the cover of trees, we stopped at the edge of a cliff, where the bluish moonlight made the few stray wisps of clouds look like thin shreds of lace tacked onto the sky. I debated opening my mirror case but thought better of it. I wasn’t sure I would get another moment like this—just me and Kull alone, looking over a gorgeous view.
“I don’t want to leave you,” I finally admitted.
“I understand. I am a hard man to leave.”
I playfully jabbed his shoulder. “Why are you always so conceited? And what happens if I come back and completely forget you? What will you do then?”
“I am also a hard man to forget.”
I rolled my eyes. Despite his teasing, I couldn’t push my fear aside. My insecurities had always been an issue. “I’m serious. What if I come back and you’ve found someone else? It’s not an absurd concept. There are many women out there much prettier and smarter, and with better bloodlines and—”
He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me against him. “Enough,” he whispered. His mouth tickled my ear. “I have chosen you. That is all you need worry about.”
My hand rested on his chest, and I felt the steady thump of his heartbeat beneath my fingers. As he held me, his warmth calmed my frantic thoughts. I decided to take his advice. Worrying about the future would do nothing but cause me pain. I would enjoy my last moments with him.
“When will you travel to the Caxon’s camp?” I asked.
“Soon. I fear Heidel will not last much longer under the goblins’ influence. She is not weak, but I fear her feelings for Geth have clouded her judgment.”
“I wish you luck,” I said.
“And I wish the same for you.”
He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. The gentle strength of his fingers caressed my cheeks, making my heart leap into my throat.
I let him hold me until the moonlight shone bright over the Rheic Sea far in the distance. My elven senses brought the sound of the crashing waves to me, a sound that
