Page 153 of Crown of the Courtesan

Lir doesn’t move.

“Time to check on the ship, Captain.”

Lir nods, but his defiant silence speaks more than any words could. The door slams behind him.

Ashland mutters something and then stops himself before he quickly says, “Tabitha, will you take a walk with me?”

My eyes widen in growing outrage because I know what’s on his mind.

Marriage.

But this time I can’t run away. I’ve backed myself into a corner with so many foolish mistakes. I’ll be forced into honoring my commitment to marry Rett whether I want to or not.

* * *

Wrapped in the healer’s fur cloak and wearing borrowed boots, I step out of the doorway as Ashland follows me. I’m still weak, and my gait is slow, but Ashland doesn’t rush me as we stroll into a village of ivory cottages. This unusual settlement nestles in a wooded clearing overlooking the icebergs resting in the distant ocean. The air is icy and crisp as we silently proceed through a dazzling world of white, all while fat clumps of snow fall on us.

“I want to show you something,” he says, giving me a hesitant smile and pulling me toward the village center, a place where children run and throw snowballs at each other.

My eyes widen as we become surrounded by a circle of tall stones where a single, glorious tree sits in the middle—but it’s no ordinary tree. It resembles a mix between a giant oak and a willow, but its bark is ivory, and hundreds of gleaming iridescent jewels appear as hanging fruit on branches that arch and spread wide.

Ashland’s voice is almost reverent as he says, “This is the Alexra source—or mother, if you will. Her roots spread saplings in all directions until she feels her safety threatened. She has a natural boundary, choosing where to replicate and where to stop.”

Taking in the splendid sight, I cover my mouth, wondering how my circlet came from it.

“You haven’t seen the special part yet…” He holds open the bejeweled curtain of silver leaves and motions for me to join him in what can only be described as a cavernous tree alcove. I duck under his arm into the secluded enclosure.

The sun, peeking through the clouds, catches the jewels at the right angle, sending us into a shimmering dome of brilliance and fractals. A matching jewel glints on the pommel of his sword, and I gasp, ashamed I hadn’t already put the pieces together.

“Your mother bestowed this jewel upon me the night she disappeared.”

“I haven’t forgotten.” A knot lodges in my chest.

“She pleaded with me to take her tiara—the Ashland Jewel, an heirloom that came into Metalla possession many hundreds of years ago.” My eyes widen as I remember the same tiara written about in Cliodna’s diary. “But in return, she made me promise⁠—”

“Promise what?”

“—to protect you with it.”

My palms burn hot. “You’re a liar. You were raised to kill me.”

“You’re not wrong. You see, it was easy to make a bargain that I didn’t fully understand or intend to keep. She was delirious, and as far as I knew, she didn’t have any children. So I hid the tiara and never told my parents what she had truly said. They continued their lessons, preparing me for revenge, never realizing I had your mother’s voice in the back of my mind⁠—”

My heart begins to race. “Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?”

“Your pity isn’t necessary. I need only for you to understand.” He takes a step closer, and my stomach drops. “Please.”

He meets my eyes, his chest rising.

Shocked by his earnest plea, I inhale deeply for a long moment and soften my tone. “My mother’s tiara came from here? What about my circlet?”

Ashland nods. “All Devana Trees have magical properties. They were once a gift from the Spirit Goddess before she closed the Fae Realm. And as such, we’re able to harvest their inner rings for the ore that becomes Alexra. Not only that, but their wood provides the planks for our ships that can never be struck down by fire or torn by the jagged shoal rocks lurking beneath the waves.”

“Then why have I only ever seen one white ship?”

“Because we keep them hidden in the north. They protect our forests from the Spirit-Fae Cathedral and anyone else who wants to destroy or manipulate them. We also can’t risk our ships being commandeered and used against us.”

“That’s why you didn’t want to tell me about them at the hot springs…”