Page 122 of Earthbound

‘No.’ Yeeran was firm, and Furi could tell she would not change her mind.

‘Well…I could at least watch?’

Yeeran’s gaze turned molten and Furi felt an aftershock shudder through her. But then Yeeran shook her head.

‘No. We were lucky no one walked past, we’re not exactly in the most private of places.’

‘Pah! You elves and your prudish ways. No one would care.’ But she let Yeeran help her up. When she tried to walk unaided, she stumbled. Yeeran caught her and picked her up.

Then she whispered, her voice hot against Furi’s ear, ‘I tell you what, when you’ve done three weeks of training, I’ll let you do whatever you want with me, wherever you want.’

If Furi had had the strength she would have pushed Yeeran against the tree and made her regret ever saying no.

‘I knew you were a good negotiator when I made you ambassador,’ she said with a chuckle.

Yeeran went quiet and Furi felt foolish for bringing up the war.

‘I’m sorry,’ Yeeran said after a time. ‘I’m sorry for failing you.’

Furi slipped from Yeeran’s arms and grasped her chin. ‘Look at me,’ and when Yeeran did, she said, ‘You didn’t fail, Malak betrayed us.’

Yeeran rubbed her brow. ‘I don’t know how I fell for his ruse. I genuinely believed he wanted peace.’

‘If there is one thing I’ve learned as queen, it’s that everyone has their own agenda,’ Furi said.

Yeeran was looking at her with wide eyes.

‘My words weren’t that profound,’ Furi said.

‘Look down.’

Furi did, and slowly it dawned on her. ‘I’m standing.’

‘You’re standing on your own.’ Yeeran all but bounced with delight. ‘I knew you’d walk again.’

‘It’s not exactly walking,’ she said, but she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.

‘I think I know what cured me,’ Furi said, and she brought Yeeran’s fingers up to her lips and kissed them.

It would have been more romantic if she hadn’t then tumbled sideways.

‘Furi!’

‘I’m fine, just a mouth full of dirt. I guess we know my limits now.’ She sat up and realised where she was. Daisies surrounded her.

‘Of all the things the locusts ate, they left behind every flower that grew up from Motogo’s grave.’

Yeeran lifted her up from the daisies. ‘An unwelcome reminder, to be sure.’

Furi’s gaze lingered on the white petals. ‘I don’t regret it, you know.’

‘I know,’ Yeeran said.

‘I’d do it again.’

‘I know that too.’

They made their way past the Tree of Souls, whose magical leaves had remained untouched from the locusts.