The Seelie's Mirror

Chapter 13 Right Behind You

Chapter 13 

I let out a long, dragging sigh while hugging my knees to my chest. "Do we really have to ride that?" My gaze narrows when I observe Klovis trying to push a small boat into the water. The moment we left the second stage, we found ourselves on a small island surrounded by water.

Looking for the door to the next level isn't a problem because we have already spotted it. The only problem is, we have to sail to get there. I don't think that I need to explain why that would be a bad idea. The water looks dangerously deep, and who knows what kind of creature lies within?

I may be crazy, but that does not mean that I have to be suicidal crazy!

"Livia, you know that we really don't have a choice but to move forward." Klovis takes a break from pushing the boat to look at me. He looks disheveled and tired. His clothes are like tattered rags, completely different from the regal black and white attire that he was wearing before we left the palace.

Actually, I know I look worse than him because he had to take off his coat and place it over me. He said nothing at the time, but from how flustered he looked, I can only imagine.

I know that Klovis is right. We have to keep going because we definitely can't go back the way that we came. I stare at my palm, where a giant red feather lies. I did not even notice that I was holding on to Dadi's feather until we managed to pass through the door. Looking at it gives me a tightening feeling in my chest. The floor guardian and I have only met each other briefly, and yet the thought that he's going weighs heavily on me. It's weird. The other creatures from the previous floor have gone back after a few minutes of waiting on the island with us. A special door appears before them, as if the realm were trying to convey the idea that this is not their true home. Just as it was about to leave, the purple tiger, Lexus, locked eyes with me. His look is one of longing and melancholy. The most surprising thing to me is the way he bows his head in deference and then turns around to go back to pass through the door.

I pocketed the feather before looking at Klovis stubbornly. "I don't think that I have to tell you that there's definitely going to be something in the water when we attempt to cross it."

Klovis laughs nervously. "Yeah. That's pretty much a given." His posture and the way that he hesitantly places his hands on the boat tell me that he would really rather not cross the waters as well. God knows how much luck we've used up in the last two floors. "Come on, Livia. We've got Jade with us now, so it should probably be alright." He points to Jade, who has assumed its larger size, to help Klovis move the boat.

"I wish you had not added the word 'probably' to that statement."

"Hey. I can't lie if you have forgotten."

"Sure." I sigh, getting up and dusting my pants before moving towards the boat. It's not small, and it's not big. The size seems to be good enough to fit the three of us inside. "No life vests. Go figure."

"Life vests don't exist in this realm."

I let out a groan. "I can already feel it. This might be the floor where I will actually die."

"Hey, don't say that. Jade and I will protect you."

I stare at him and move my lips doubtfully. "Mmhm. Sure, your highness."

"I was under the influence of a coward on the last floor!" Klovis starts to get defensive when he realizes why I gave him that look.

I look away from him and focus my attention on the boat. "I didn't even say anything."

We soon managed to push the boat into the water. The ripple that it sends on the water is making me nervous, not to mention the creepy creek that the boat makes as soon as the three of us are on it.