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As the moonflower’s bloom reached its peak, it seemed to glow even brighter. Kaga motioned to it. You need to pick it now. I didn’t last time, since I only came to observe. The Luminaes warned that wishes have prices. Besides, I didn’t want anything enough to wish for it.
Hesitantly, my hand trembled as I reached for the magical plant. I grasped the stem, and taking a steadying breath, plucked it out of the ground.
The flower continued to glow, and as I brought it closer to my face, a pearl started forming in the center. It grew and grew, forming a ball the size of my palm. It rolled into my hand and I closed my fingers around it. “Is this it?”
I believe so.
I handed the pearl to Squiggles, and he wrapped it up, hiding it at the base of one of his tentacles. The flower dulled in my hand, and I laid it to rest on the ground. “What now?” I asked. “We could either trade the pearl to Cordelia, or the sea witch.”
Neither is guaranteed to get my voice back, he said with a sigh, pushing the hair out of his face.
I shook my head. “Look, Kaga. I don’t want to give it to the evil sea witch. What the river showed me?” I paused, wiping the sweat off my face. “I can’t let her do that to my ocean. To the realm. We could keep it, but I’m sure now the creatures attacking us were sent by the sea witch. I refuse to be forever chased down in the ocean.”
Cordelia, then?
I nodded. “I think that’s our only choice.”
Let’s rest tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll start back to Cordelia’s cave.
Chapter 28
The next morning, we packed our camp up and headed to the river. I gasped in surprise when instead of having to step back into the river, there was now a stone bridge across it. “Why wasn’t this here before?”
It only appears after the moonflower blooms. It disappears when the first shoot comes out of the ground again.
“What happens if no one plucks the flower?”
The Luminae takes it. They use the magic to protect their village from the jungle beasts and natural disasters.
Instantly, guilt overcame me. “Oh no, are they going to be okay if they don’t have this?”
Kaga grinned. Oh yes. They’ve stored excess magic for years. They’ll be fine.
I sighed in relief. I didn’t want to think of having to choose between Kaga’s voice and the safety of an entire village. Even if it did harbor nasty little inhabitants.
At the other end of the bridge floated the Luminae. Caleb flew to us and bowed. “We are glad you made it.”
I grinned slyly at Elysia. “As easy as buttering bread.”
Caleb cleared his throat, bringing my attention back to him. “We will lead you back to the trail. From there, you are on your own. We wish you luck on your journey.”
Thank you, Caleb. I hope to see you all again, Kaga said.
I related what he said to the Luminae, who smiled. They flew off, heading back to their village, leaving only Elysia floating there. “Goodbye, Kaga,” she said, her voice wistful. “You’re always welcome here. Come visit me again?”
He lifted a hand and smiled, and she fluttered over, planting a kiss on his cheek before leaving toward her home.
I glared at Kaga. He grinned cheekily at me, then lifted his palms into the air. What can I say? I’m a favorite with the ladies.
A snort slipped out of me. Kaga winked at me, then took my hand. Come on, he said. Let’s get out of here.
The jungle was already damp and sticky. Now that a storm was right by the island, it was a million times worse. My clothes clung to me as I swatted another bug landing on my skin. At least in the ocean, we didn’t have these nasty little bloodsuckers.
Thunder continued to boom as dark clouds rolled in, closer than they had been on our entire trip. Kaga looked up and motioned for me to come closer. “We’re going to need to stop, aren’t we?” I asked with an annoyed exhale.
He grinned and led me back a few steps to a clearing we had just walked through. Instead of answering, he started setting up a tent.
I wanted a warm dinner, so I got to work setting up the fire and food. Kaga cooked, thankfully. No one wanted to eat burned rice. Right in the middle of dinner, a strange glow settled across us. I glanced around, wondering what was causing it.
