Violet Amethyst's Arc

Chapter 5 of 9

The prince had agreed to meet again, but the conservatory was no place for it. Glass walls hid nothing. Kai could stand outside and watch every word. Violet needed somewhere safe, somewhere the prince could speak without a guard's eyes on him. She left the dead roses behind and started walking, no plan yet, just the cold and the need. April caught up with her, sneakers slapping the frost. She hugged her book to her chest, the way she always did when she was nervous. "I found something else," she said. "In the old records. A fairy cottage. Empty for years. Nobody goes there." She flipped to a page and pointed. "It's close. Aquamarine crystal. Built to hide fairies who didn't want to be found." Violet grabbed her hand. "Show me." They found it past a stand of frost-white trees. The cottage shimmered pale blue, its porch dusted with sparkle. The little door stood shut. Violet pushed it open. Inside sat a stone fire pit ringed by wooden chairs, cold ashes in the center. A tiny polar bear lifted its head from the hearth. White fur, bright purple eyes. It blinked at Violet and did not run. "It lives here," April whispered. "See? Nobody's been here in ages." The bear padded to Violet and pressed against her leg. She knelt and touched its soft head. Sparkles drifted from its fur. This place was hidden. This place was warm. No glass. No one to watch. The door creaked. Kai filled the frame, jaw set. He'd followed. "You can't be serious," he said. "You'd meet him here? Alone? Where I can't reach you?" "That's the point," Violet said. She stood. "He won't open up with you at the wall. I know you're scared for me. But I need this one thing." Kai stared at the fire pit, the little bear, the crystal walls. "If he hurts you—" "He won't," she said. "And if I'm wrong, I have my dust. I stay full. You taught me to protect myself. Let me use it." Kai's shoulders dropped. He crossed to the pit and crouched. He struck a spark and fed the kindling until flames caught. "Then I light your fire before I go," he said, not looking up. "So it's warm when he comes." It was the closest he'd come to yes. Violet knelt beside him. The bear curled between them. Firelight moved on the crystal walls, and for the first time she had a door she could close. "Tell him where it is," April said softly. "Tonight." Violet nodded. She had her private place now. No exposed glass. No hovering guard. Just a warm hearth and a secret only three of them knew. The next meeting would be hers to shape. All she had to do was invite him in.