Page 21 of Dryad’s Treasure

The pulsing in my chest grew and happily warmed until a sense of contentment filled me. I was standing outside a carved, wooden door. A stately oak tree stood in relief. The wood didn’t appear weathered, but it did appear old. It had a solid, respectable presence that screamed dependability. Will-o’-the-wisps weren’t exactly known for that particular trait. We tended to go where treasure called. We wandered here and there, happily drifting along the tide of treasure’s song.

Inhaling, I raised my arm, ready to knock when the door opened. Martin stood there, shoulders squared, his broad form taller than mine. I considered Henry’s words and had the fleeting thought that I should ask Martin if the oxygen really was lower where his nose rested.

My lips parted. I had no idea what I planned to say. Most likely something sarcastic and inane. Martin beat me to the verbal punch. “I wondered when you’d show.”

It took every bit of willpower not to flinch. “Am I later or sooner than you thought?” Resting my hand on a cocked hip, I defiantly stared up into Martin’s deep brown eyes. Just like the rest of him, those eyes screamed strength and stability.

Martin’s lip twitched. “Are you planning on standing in the hall, or would you like to come in?” he asked, ignoring my earlier comment. Graciously stepping to the side, Martin made a grand sweeping gesture with his arm.

Batting my eyelashes, I touched my fingers to my chest and purred, “How can I say no to such a gentlemanly offer?”

An eye roll was my answer, along with a poorly hidden grin. At least it looked like Martin was warming up to me. Or at least he was warming to my humor.

Stepping through that oaken door was like entering a different realm. Considering it had been a few days since I’d seen the light of day, the wall of windows centrally located was welcome and instantly drew me. That little spark of Martin’s magic pulsed with pleasure.

“You can go outside if you’d like. It’s a beautiful day.”

Sliding the door open, I stepped into the pale light. Head tilted to the sky, I inhaled the fresh air. The cacophony of noise constantly humming in the back of my head stilled until there was a single, soothing melody. Cool, blue fire danced along my fingertips, rippling up my forearms. There was treasure here, but it didn’t feel like something Tenzen had left behind. For lack of a better word, this treasure felt pure and anything but neglected.

“What are you hiding?” I half-whispered.

Martin’s solid body slid past me. I wasn’t sure if he’d been barefoot when he answered the door, but he was now. I stood there, eyes wide as I watched Martin’s toes elongate, forming roots that dug deep into the soil. Eyes slipping closed, Martin’s facial features relaxed, making him appear younger than I’d previously thought.

Understanding hit me like a sledgehammer. “This is your birth soil.” I wasn’t certain that was the correct term. Regardless, Martin understood well enough.

“It is.” A happy hum filled those two words. “Your earlier words were accurate enough. There is nothing in my life that I treasure more than the dirt within this small plot of land.”

Small was right, at least on initial inspection. The courtyard, for lack of a better word, was maybe fifteen feet square with walls on all sides. Windows were on two of those sides, leading to what I assumed was Martin’s private quarters. The walls extended at least two, maybe three stories high.

As if reading my mind, Martin said, “When I was young and little more than a sapling, my branches couldn’t reach higher than the sides. During nice weather, I lamented the fact. Winter proved the layout fortunate. The bitter winds couldn’t touch me like the sun. Those walls protected me.”

“And now?”

Martin’s smile bloomed across his face. “Now, my branches reach high, my canopy full and free.” Head tilting down, Martin wiggled his rooted toes. “But this is where it all starts. Without this soil, I would be nothing. I would…”

I understood enough about dryad nature to fill in that blank. “Die.”

Martin gave a slow nod. “I would. It is the blessing and curse of all dryads.” Martin’s eyes narrowed and his muscles tightened as he stared me down.

Swallowing hard, I knew what that look was for. “And now I know.” It was no small thing to be trusted with the knowledge of where a dryad’s birth soil was.

“And now you know.” Martin’s words were crisp with meaning.

Rubbing my chest, I felt that spark of Martin’s magic pulse again. My own wisp magic rushed to it, soothing its concern. “I would not betray that knowledge.” I wasn’t certain if Martin was truly afraid of that or not. Did he have enemies? Was there anyone out there that meant Martin true harm? I didn’t like the thought that there might be. Typically, dryads weren’t high on anyone’s hit list, but there were times they truly were in danger. Most of those incidents came when their land was in the way of a new development. Fairy law had given dryads legal means to counteract these incursions, but they still happened.

“I know.” Martin’s lips twisted as if he were confused by that statement. Tapping his chest, Martin said, “I feel it. In here.” Shaking his head, Martin pulled his roots back into himself, his humanoid toes reforming. “It’s strange, but I have no doubts. Your magic seems very certain of this fact.”

“Yeah, I…” I wasn’t really sure what to say. Finally, I settled on “that’s how I found your quarters.” I tapped my own chest. “Your magic led me here.”

“Huh.” Martin didn’t sound upset, but more intrigued or maybe curious. “We should keep a journal. Our observations might help future anchor pairings.”

“Oh, I hadn’t really thought of that.” I probably should have. Some previously known written knowledge would be mighty helpful right about now.

That odd smirk was back on Martin’s face, as if he couldn’t decide if he found me entertaining or annoying. I decided to be kind to myself and think it was the former instead of the latter.

“Do you want to stay out here, or would you like to come inside?”

Rubbing the back of my neck, I immediately realized my preference. “Here, if that’s okay.” I’d forgotten how much I missed the fresh air.