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I’ve turned into a monster, and I can’t undo it.
I can’t believe this is happening.
Thesethingshave grown from my hands. Branches and roots, twisting and knotting together to form a massive tree trunk that’s so big it would take a dozen men to encircle it with their arms fully extended.
I’m attached to the damn thing. My outstretched arms have turned into branches that are joined to the whole. My back is against the mass of the trunk. It’s grown out of the inner garden, upwards and upwards, reaching higher than the buildings; higher than the rooftops, soaring over the Imperial Palace itself.
I can see everything from up here. The pale greenish-grey roof tiles of the palace. The ponds and manicured gardens. Spires and rooftops; walls, statues, courtyards…
People scurrying about.
Some notice. They look up in astonishment and fear. I don’t think they can see me—it’s still dark, after all—but they would see the shadow of this massive tree, blocking out the stars and the moon in the night sky.
Eventually, when the sun comes up, theywillsee me.
What am I supposed to do then?
All I can think is that Corvan had better hurry up and get his beautiful ass back here.
Corvan, I hope you’re safe. Come back to me soon.
I’m consumed with dread and worry. Thenot knowingaspect of it is pure torture.
But it’sCorvan.He’s the most capable and formidable person I know.
I just have to believe he’ll be fine.
And…
My chest tightens with hope.
“My lady!” A deep, slightly strained voice reaches me from below. I look down and see Tarron, surrounded by his men—all heavily armed and looking terribly nonplussed. “What…?”
He shakes his head in disbelief. I get the feeling it’s very rare for the Commander of the Imperial Elite Guard to be rendered speechless like this.
There are at least half a dozen men down there; big, burly, armed to the teeth, and staring up at me in the darkness as if they’ve just seen a ghost.
I sigh. “Tarron, I am fine. This is but a…temporarysituation.”I hope.“When Corvan returns, he’ll know what to do. Until then, I’ll just have to wait up here.”
It isn’t so bad. A slight breeze is blowing, but I don’t feel cold. The tree has wrapped itself around me, and it exudes gentle warmth.
“Er, right. Ordinarily, I’d go seek out someone from the Magical Research Tower to try and help us make sense of this, but His Highness has ordered us to keep the situation here contained until he returns. Tell you what…” he glances at the guard closest to him, a small, wiry man with long golden hair tied in a ponytail. “Rhylin here is pretty good at climbing. I’ll get him to go up there with an axe and cut you down.”
Rhylin looks askance at his commander. “Me?”
“You’rethe lunatic that scaled Hindra’s Peak. Go on, then.”
“A mountain’s a bit different to a bloody tree, isn’t it?”
“You’re not cutting me down,” I cry, suddenly fearing they might do something rash. It probably isn’t a good idea to try and hack at a tree that’s crushed two undead bodies in its writhing branches. “For now, just leave me be. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. The tree isn’t out to harm me. It’sofme.”
Tarron’s bearded face is illuminated by the soft light from the inside. “I’d tell you stranger things have happened, but I’d be lying. Can we at least get you something? Must be cold up there. You need a shawl? Something to eat or drink?”
“No,” I call, raising my voice as the wind picks up. The tree has formed a protective little cove of branches around me. The wind doesn’t touch me. I can see the glittering lights of Lukiria, and the faintest blush of dawn on the horizon. “I thank you for your concern, but I’m fine, Tarron.”
“My lady.” He drops to one knee and lowers his head. “Please accept my apology.”
“Whatever for?”
