Shadow Heir

And yet, morning came uneventfully. I didn’t know if our presence had gone undetected or if the Mimosa residents really weren’t as dangerous as the Beech captain had claimed. Since this land didn’t seem to border any of the blighted ones, maybe there wasn’t such a need to protect against refugees. Regardless, we deemed ourselves reasonably safe enough to finally take our full break and get in some serious bathing in a nearby lagoon. We took the baths in gender shifts—something most of the gentry found silly—while the other half of the group gathered food. The Mimosa Land didn’t have fruit immediately growing on the road, but in this climate, one didn’t have to search far for sustenance.

Once I was stripped and in the water, I was able to get the first good look at my body that I’d had in a while. All of my residual pregnancy weight was gone. Unfortunately, this was largely because of the stringent diet I’d been on these last couple weeks. I wasn’t showing quite as many ribs as the others, but it was clear gym time would have been a much healthier way to get my figure back than near-starvation. Still, provided we survived this adventure, I could hope for nutrition soon and some return to my former state. The scar from my C-section was still obvious, but that would be the case for the rest of my life. For now, it was enough to have a moment’s peace and the luxury of submerging myself in water.

“Eugenie.”

There was an odd note to Jasmine’s voice as I emerged from underwater and tossed my soaking hair back. Blinking, I glanced over at her and saw that she and Keeli were focused on something off on the shore. I followed their gazes and saw nothing at first. Then, a slight movement revealed a lithe, female figure. I hadn’t noticed her because she literally blended into her surroundings.

Ostensibly, she had the same features as any pretty gentry or human woman. It was her coloring that was remarkable. Her hair and eyes were a vivid emerald green, her skin tanned to a shade of nut brown. Her only garment was a short dress made of leaves and flowers. She watched us nervously, like a doe ready to flee.

“Dryad,” said Keeli matter-of-factly. “Usually harmless.”

Dryads were rare in the human world, though sometimes they made it over. I’d never encountered one myself but knew “usually harmless” was an accurate statement. Dryads were tree nymphs who preferred to be left alone in their woods. When threatened, they could get aggressive. Otherwise, they tended to be shy and were often in more danger from passing men who were attracted by that Otherworldly beauty. Dryads allegedly didn’t welcome those advances and could be quite hostile to the opposite sex.

“I wonder if she could give us information about this place,” Jasmine remarked. I raised an eyebrow. It was a good idea and a surprising one from Jasmine, who tended to run to extremes.

“She probably won’t know much. It’s unlikely she’d have any loyalty to Varia,” added Keeli. “Dryads usually stay out of our affairs.”

We were using “usually” a lot here, but it was worth a try. I attempted what I hoped was a friendly smile at the dryad as I took a few steps toward the shore. “Hi there,” I said. “We aren’t going to hurt you. We’re just passing through.”

Jasmine decided to help as well. “Nice, um, trees you’ve got around here.”

The dryad regarded us thoughtfully with her long-lashed eyes. “You’re human,” she said in a voice that put one in mind of babbling brooks. She tilted her head. “Somewhat.”

I gestured to Jasmine and me. “Half human.”

“I’ve never met any human at all,” said the dryad.

“We’re harmless. I promise. What’s your name? I’m Eugenie. This is Jasmine and Keeli.”

Again, the dryad considered her words. “Astakana.” It was a big name for someone so delicate, but at the same time, it suited her.

“Leave her be,” murmured Keeli. “She’ll come to us on her own. Or won’t.”

So, with a few more friendly smiles, we returned to our swim and ignored Astakana. Travel in the Otherworld had prepared me to carry a few essential toiletries, and once I was sufficiently scrubbed clean, I sat on a rock and began untangling my hair with a plastic comb. I felt rather mer-maidlike. Also, considering I was sitting here naked with three other women around, I also kind of felt like something from a Penthouse letter.

“You have lovely hair.”

I’d been so intent on playing casual that I had almost forgotten the dryad’s presence. Glancing up, I was surprised to see she’d come closer to me. I hadn’t noticed her moving. Keeli hadn’t either, and even if she thought Astakana was “usually harmless,” the guardswoman still swam over to stay near me. Jasmine soon followed.

“Uh, thanks,” I said. “So do you.”

“Can I braid it?” asked Astakana.

I glanced around at the others. They shrugged. Braiding? That was unexpected. I guessed we were now moving into slumber-party territory. Still, the dryad looked so hopeful that I held out the comb. “Knock yourself out.”