“What do you do to amuse yourself around here?” I asked Narcissus.
Trevor and Kirill looked at me in surprise.
“There's nothing more we can do,” I said. “And I have no intention of sitting around worrying; that will only add negative energy to this volatile situation. I think we'd do far better to treat this as a vacation.”
Trevor laughed. “Leave it to you to find imprisonment relaxing.”
“Hey, we may not be able to get out, but no one is getting in either,” I pointed out. “We're safe here. Let's try and make the best of it.”
“I think that's a wonderful idea!” Narcissus exclaimed. “Turn a bad situation into a good one. And if this is going to be my last few days here, I think I'd like to enjoy the Mirror too.”
“Where shall we start?” I asked.
“Do you like to swim?” Narcissus countered.
“I'm assuming you mean somewhere indoors?” I asked cautiously.
“Of course.” Narcissus smirked. “Unless you wanted something more brisk.”
“I'm good with warm and indoors, thanks.” I looked at my husbands. “Up for a swim?”
The men shrugged and nodded, and Narcissus clapped in delight. With his clapping, our clothes changed into swimsuits. I flinched a little when I saw the string bikini he gave me while the men got to wear swimming trunks.
“Um, can I have a little more coverage here?” I asked.
“Oh, of course.” Narcissus waved a hand at me and the bikini turned into a one-piece.
“Thank you.” I smiled but inside my head, I was taking a tally; this was yet another piece of evidence that proved Narcissus had recent visitors. There were no bikinis a hundred years ago.
“Come on, the pool is this way,” Narcissus said with a grin.
Narcissus led us through the maze of mirror corridors—they stayed steady for him this time—and then opened a pair of silver doors nearly as detailed and as sparkly as the sleigh had been. He swept us into an enormous conservatory. The moisture level shot up as soon as we stepped inside but it was comfortable for me; reminding me of Hawaii. It was the perfect balance of heat and humidity for the plethora of plants in the glass-ceilinged room.
“It's a jungle in here,” Trevor said with wonder.
“It reminds me a little of Moonshine,” I said. “Except lusher and completely real. Well, I suppose it's all illusion so it's completely unreal, but you know what I mean.”
Trevor had gotten it right; it was indeed a jungle contained within the palace. Trees grew all the way up to the three-story-high ceiling; reaching languorously for the wintry sunlight. Large-leafed plants bowed before more delicate, frothy varieties and flowers blossomed everywhere; perfuming the air with a subtle sweetness. Vibrantly green grass grew over the ground, creating a narrow path through the jungle. It led from where we stood to a pool at the far end of the conservatory. And there wasn't just a pool; a river angled in front of us, cutting through our path, but it was spanned by a small, stone bridge.
We strolled over the bridge and headed toward the pool through the tunnel of foliage. A rock feature as high as the trees dominated the end of the room behind the pool; sleek black stone studded with billowing plants in lime, sage, and emerald green. Water rushed down a central, slick channel into a roughly circular pool that expanded out toward the center of the room. The churning water created mist but it shouldn't have made so much of it. The mist hung in places over the water's surface and reached up with spectral fingers for the sunshine. It collected above us but also clung to the treetops thickly.
“Is the water heated?” I asked as we approached the grassy bank.
“Yes, but I can turn it down if it gets too warm,” Narcissus offered.
“Vervain likes it hot,” Kirill said with a smirk.
“So, do I.” Narcissus winked at me. “The waterfall is a slide; there are steps along the side there if any of you would like to try it.”
The guys grinned at each other and went running for the rocks. I chuckled as I watched them push at each other to get at the slide first. Shaking my head, I wandered down the gradual incline and into the pool. The water was the perfect temperature; easing my aches without being too stifling.
“Don't you want to try the slide?” Narcissus asked as he strolled in beside me.
“Maybe later,” I said. “I don't want to get in the way of that.” I pointed at the men who had finally reached the top of the mountain.
Trevor had beat Kirill and gave a whoop as he slid down the slick runnel and splashed into the water like a werewolf torpedo. He barely had time to swim out of the way before Kirill plummeted in after him.
“This is great; the perfect distraction,” I said to Narcissus. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” he said. “The pool feeds the river we crossed, and the river circles the room. It's nice if you want a long swim and it also has lovely little areas to explore. Would you like to go for a swim around the room with me? I'll show you the best spots. You may wish to bring your husbands back for a romantic interlude.”
“That's rather generous,” I said in surprise. “You don't mind us making out in your garden?”
Narcissus laughed. “I'd be ecstatic that it was being put to good use for once. Come on, I think your husbands are going to be sliding awhile.”
He nodded back at the men and, sure enough, they were running back for another round. I chuckled as I waded deeper with Narcissus.
“That's my boys.” I shook my head. Then I called to them. “Narcissus is going to show me the river that circles the room; we'll be back in a few.”
“Have fun!” Trevor called just before he slid down into the water.
“The entrance is over here,”
