A Kingdom of Ruin (Deliciously Dark Fairytales 3)

“They’re all incredibly pleasant,” Jade, the green-eyed dragon, replied.

Hadriel pointed at her. “You just can’t see it because you’re as crazy as they are.”

“You’re just being paranoid,” Leala said, smiling and shaking her head.

“You don’t have to go, Hannon,” I said, pushing in my chair. “Micah made it very clear that we’re safe here.”

My brother shrugged. “You can find trouble at the best of times.”

I rolled my eyes but waited for him to come around the table before walking out.

“Just find me when you’re ready to learn that sword,” Tamara called after me.

I definitely needed to, but I just didn’t feel like sucking at something right now. I wanted a distraction. A bit of comfort, even if it was fleeting.

Hannon didn’t say a word as we walked through the center of town. We got smiles and nods and more than one stare, especially as people got close enough to smell me. No one said anything, though.

“He’s trying to forget me,” I said softly, knowing exactly where I was going. I’d spotted a large everlass field at the very edge of the village yesterday. There’d been an enticing fragrance piping from it. Someone was making elixirs, I just knew it. If I really wanted a distraction, that was where I would find it. “He’s trying to distance himself from me.”

“He won’t move on,” Hannon replied, his voice just as subdued. “He won’t ever forget you, Finley. You know that. And we won’t be gone long enough for him to do something stupid, like get himself killed. Keep thinking of him. Keep trying to emotionally connect with him however you can manage it. He’ll catch on that you’re not gone forever.”

I let out a breath, my heart aching. “I just don’t know, Hannon.”

“I do. I feel it. This is a necessary stop, and then we’ll go back and finish this.”

Once we reached the outskirts of the village, I immediately spotted the everlass. Without a word, we skirted around the trees and emerged in the field, which was almost an extension of someone’s backyard. In the distance, I could just make out an herb garden and a couple of rosebushes, vibrant and healthy. It made me wonder if the ones Hadriel and I had tended in the castle were still flourishing, or if Nyfain had let them grow wild, distancing himself from them because they reminded him of me.

A large pot hung over a smoldering fire, releasing ash-gray smoke into the clear sky above. Beside it, two smaller pots sat on a little stove, although I couldn’t tell if there was any heat beneath those.

“They are set up to work the plants,” I murmured, wandering into the everlass field. “These are well tended.” I stopped beside a crowded plant, pointing at it for no reason. Hannon knew better than to mess around in the garden unless he was expressly asked for something.

“Micah mentioned the women who helped the infirmary.” Hannon put his hand up to block the glare of the sun as he looked at the house. “Maybe they live there?”

“Hello?” A middle-aged woman with brown skin and shiny jet-black hair emerged from the wood with a basket tucked under her arm and an apron tied around her middle. She was very pretty and had an air of confidence and command about her, like she was picking plants today but might waltz into battle tomorrow.

Her expression creased into one of puzzlement as she looked from me to Hannon.

“I don’t think I know you…” She walked within the plants as though she’d been tending this field all her life. Maybe she had.

“Is that your house?” I pointed at the backyard.

“No, but I help out there. Can I help you?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but I really wasn’t sure what to say. Hi, I would like to invite myself into your world, take over your operation, and not get any grief from you about it. That cool?

Hannon came to the rescue.

“We’re delayed in the village for a time. We came with Micah…”

He waited for the name to register and wasn’t disappointed.

“Oh,” she said on a release of breath, peering a little closer at our faces. “You were imprisoned with him? What village are you from?”

“We’re from…a forgotten kingdom,” Hannon said softly. “You probably haven’t heard of it.”

Her shapely eyebrows pinched together. “Try me.”

“We’re from Wyvern,” I replied. “It has a curse—”

“Wyvern?” She went back to studying my face for a long moment, then Hannon’s. “I’ve heard of it. Forgotten is right. All I know is the name at this point.”

Hannon nodded. “If it isn’t too much trouble, my sister would like to work the plants. Maybe I can help inside the house if you need assistance. We’re not used to being idle.”

“Well.” She hesitated as though weighing the pros and cons. Finally, she said, “You better come in, then.” She passed us, taking the lead back toward the house. “Do you have any experience tending a garden or working with everlass?”