Elyria could feel every set of eyes in the carriage turn toward her. She refused to meet any of them, not even when Thraigg coughed loudly, as if covering a laugh.
Elyria simply let her gaze linger on the Walk as they flew overhead,toward the castle where King Callum and his court awaited. Toward the next phase in this game.
Though the Walkand the outer boroughs had been a sad sight—tarnished silver, indeed—it was clear as they flew farther into the heart of Kingshelm what the crown jewel was. The city was laid out in a sprawling ring, every road leading to the shining palace at its center. King’s Keep was pristine, a beacon of pale stone that towered over the rest of the city. Impeccably groomed gardens stretched across the grounds, creating elegant, symmetrical pathways that led out from what Elyria assumed was the main part of the keep. Glittering mosaics were inlaid in the massive front doors, on the roofs—tiles of gold and silver, arranged in concentric patterns. Twin ivory towers reached into the sky, gilded spires winding toward the sun as though they might catch its light between them.
The opulence was nearly offensive given the contrasting state of the city they’d just flown over. Elyria suspected the ornate tiles that decorated the large doors of the primary building were worth enough to feed every child of the Walk for the rest of their lives. Between the grounds and the palace itself, there was surely—Noctis take me, was that apeacock?
Elyria folded her arms over her chest. “I’m relieved to see they have their priorities in place.”
“Doesn’t appear as though the humans do subtlety particularly well, does it?” said Ollie.
“Impressive, though, ye must admit,” Thraigg added, his typically jovial voice laced with something sharper.
Elyria huffed. “The citizens of Kingshelm live in squalor, yet the crown drowns in excess.”
“The priorities of kings are rarely so noble as they might claim,” said Dentarius from across the carriage.
Elyria snorted. “Bold words coming from someone at the right hand of one of those kings.”
The royal advisor sniffed, flattening his hair. “You know very wellHis Majesty isnotthe king I refer to.”
“I won’t tell my uncle, promise.” Kit grinned and made anXover her heart with her finger. “I’m with Thraigg anyway. If we’re to spend the next few weeks in the humans’ company, I can think of worse places to do so. It is quite beautiful.”
“In a self-aggrandizing, entirely tone-deaf, thoroughly human sort of way, I suppose,” added Nox, eliciting a soft laugh from Kit.
“A beautiful stage,” grumbled Elyria, trying not to fixate on the “next few weeks” part of Kit’s statement. Stars-willing, Elyria would remain at King’s Keep less than half that time. She had a dark sorcerer to hunt and a crown to find, after all. Kit and Dentarius could tackle the delicate dance of diplomacy. Elyria would smile and wave and be the dutifulVictor of Nyrundellefor only so long.
“This is all just for show,” she finished with a sigh.
“And not even a show of strength, at that,” Dentarius agreed, smoothing his lapel. “But of wealth. Though, I suppose that, for humans, they are one and the same.”
The castle courtyard just beyond the main gatehouse was a flurry of activity. Elyria’s heightened sight tracked the servants hurrying about, their arms laden with bundles and crates, preparations for the welcome celebration already dutifully underway. One maid dropped the pile of linens she was carrying when she caught sight of the carriage overhead, kicking off a series of surprised yells and squeals as others caught on, their gazes turning to the sky.
Elyria fastidiously ignored the lurch she felt in her stomach at the sight of a row of knights in polished armor standing to one side. The knights broke their attention from their commander, pointing their gauntlet-clad hands at the carriage above them, and finally, Elyria pulled her gaze back. No point in inspecting them further. He wouldn’t be among them.
The gryphons circled a second time before tilting their wings up, catching the wind and drifting down to the rapidly emptying courtyard. The carriage jolted as the magnificent beasts touched down, claws clicking against stone before finally coming to a stop.
The carriage door swung open. Dentarius was first to his feet, masking his dark wings with a wave of his hand and pulling his cloak uptight around the back of his neck, the collar brushing the ends of his hair.
“Oh, very good, Dentarius,” Elyria said, clucking her tongue. “You look downright human. Nobody would eversuspectyou’re secretly a scary stormbending fae.”
Ollie released a choked sound. Kit rolled her mismatched eyes.
“Yes, well.” Dentarius cleared his throat. “I’m quite aware of your feelings on the subject, but His Majesty made it clear that?—”
“We aren’t to rub our magic in the humans’ faces. Yes, I know.” Elyria folded her arms across her chest. “Doesn’t mean I don’t think it’s a stupid fucking plan.”
Dentarius lifted his chin. “I suppose it’s a good thing, then, that you are not the king.”
“Settle down, you two,” Kit said tiredly.
“They know exactly who and what we are,” Elyria said. “What is the point in hiding our wings and ears and hair and magic from them?”
“Ye keep yer wings hidden anyway,” Thraigg piped in. “So, what does it matter, lass?”
Elyria glared across the carriage at the dwarf. “It’s theprinciple.”
Ollie’s gaze darted nervously between Dentarius and Elyria before giving her an apologetic shrug. “Sorry, Elle. Orders are orders.” He banished his own pale blue wings with a wisp of magic and followed Dentarius out of the carriage, Jocelyn and Young Shep—the other two guards assigned to escort them—on his heels.
