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“Gods, you look like a kid on Yule,” Allison said and jumped down next to me.
“It’s been ages. I’ve missed this place,” I said, linking my arm through hers as Kira landed next to us.
“Wait.” Kira put her arm through mine and pulled us back as we stepped toward the dark veil. “While we’re on the subject of secrets, there’s one you guys have to keep if you’re coming in.”
“Oooh, dish,” Allison said.
“You’ll know it when you see it, but don’t say a word to anyone, okay?” Kira said. “Or I can’t invite you back.”
I mimicked zipping my lips shut.
Satisfied, Kira pulled us through the black wall.
We stepped into a bioluminescent wonderland.
The pitch blackness was lit up by the all-encompassing Tree of Life, its luminous branches stretching through the canopy and sprouting vivid, multicoloured leaves that shimmered with iridescent light. Thick veins of white light snaked through the bark, beaming ethereal brilliance into its surroundings.
“I’ll never get sick of this.” I took in a breath that almost felt laced with magic.
Everywhere we stepped, light blossomed beneath our feet.
“I forget you haven’t been here in forever. I am kinda sick of it,” Kira said. “Gives me a headache sometimes.”
“Ungrateful.” I elbowed her in the ribs.
We walked among the luminous brush and around the giant trunk.
Its beauty had me awestruck, but it sometimes left a bitter taste in my mouth. The tree was how the Arrowood and Everhart curse had begun.
On the other side of the tree, many wooden houses stood, picturesque murals painted onto their walls with bioluminescent tree sap.
Fae flitted about, holding baskets of food or wrangling bored children. The streets were paved with huge radiant leaves, bursting into glaring light if anyone brushed against them.
“Come on, this way.” Kira pulled us down the mossy street toward the tree trunk.
Between two buildings, a few fae herded a group of children away from the tree. We waited for them to pass before Kira yanked us through the gap.
My mouth fell open.
Nesting in a small hollow in the Tree of Life was a bird. Tiny flames flickered at the end of its red plumage, but the feathers on its wings shone with multicoloured splendor. A peak of feathers on the top of its head had the look of a tiny blue flame that appeared to dance in the forest’s spectacular bioluminescence.
It didn’t stir as we approached, resting its head on its wing, fast asleep.
“Is that a phoenix?” Allison whispered.
“Not to brag, but I saved her.” Kira beamed. “She showed up on the island injured last week, and now she’s roosting here.”
I spluttered.
The arrival of a phoenix was good luck in some cultures and bad luck in others. But why would anything, phoenix or not, have its offspring in a place it intended to magically spread bad luck? Although, in all likelihood, the whole concept was superstition.
“Anyway, I just wanted to show you guys. No telling anyone!” Kira waggled a finger at us.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the phoenix until Kira had dragged us both away.
“Aw, five more minutes?” Allison pouted.
“Are you telling me you can wait five minutes longer to hear about Maeve’s night?” Kira asked.
