“Norivun said to go to the central floating meadow, the largest one. He said we can’t miss it.” Jax issued another command, and the carpet began to rise, lifting into the sky but staying horizontal. We went up and up and up, like a floating platform that levitated effortlessly.
My vision swayed when the ground disappeared beneath us, and the floating meadows grew closer.
Cold atmospheric wind blew around us. We rose higher and higher, and the floating meadows grew more apparent. The one nearest us came into focus, and I was able to make out its pointy underside better. The meadow was constructed of solid rock. Harsh angles of its stony exterior looked like an upside-down cone, yet at the very top, the meadow’s surface appeared flat and had bits of grass dangling from the edge.
“How peculiar,” Lars whispered.
Out of nowhere, a Solis fairy dipped around one of the floating meadows above us, his huge leathery black wings flapping. He held a weapon in his hands, and a uniform covered his frame. My breath sucked in when another Solis fairy careened around the meadow behind him, dressed exactly the same.
Another appeared, darting between two smaller meadows that were suspended in the air only a few paces apart from one another.
And then more fae flew toward us, their numbers growing with each breath I took.
All of them had flapping wings, holding them aloft as their weapons trained on us. And a quick look at all of their identical clothing told me who they were. Guards.
“Do you think they’re here to greet us?” Bowan muttered sardonically.
Jax sighed. “I was worried this would happen. Norivun said he would send word of our arrival, but he wasn’t sure if his message would get here in time. He warned me that Solis guards patrolled the floating meadows.”
“Which means...what?” Phillen shifted on the carpet, his hand going to his sword.
Jax scowled. “Which means, we may have some explaining to do.”
“Is that before or after they try to kill us?” Lander’s eyes narrowed when one of the Solis fae, who was rapidly approaching us, aimed his weapon.
“You’re trespassing on sacred Solis land!” the guard yelled, and his finger tightened on his crossbow. “That’s against Solis law and punishable by death!”
A swell of magic emitted from Jax. “Apparently after.”
CHAPTER 4
The Solis fae guards flew toward us, weapons aimed to shoot. A huge rush of magic shot from Jax, exploding into the air around us.
Jax’s magic hit the Solis fairy closest to us first. He shrieked, his movements suddenly turning erratic and uncoordinated.
“I’m blind!” the male yelled.
Jax’s magic continued its outward ascent, and each Solis fairy stopped their forward momentum. Their wings held them aloft, but their limbs began to thrash, and more than one scrubbed at their eyes.
“They’ve blinded all of us!” a female shouted. “Call for reinforcements!”
Jax cursed beneath his breath, then issued a command to the carpet that had us flying upward at an accelerated rate.
Cold wind rushed over my cheeks, and Phillen and Lars both crouched and placed their hands on Bastian to keep him from rolling to the side.
When the carpet was close enough for the Solis fae to hear us more clearly, Jax shouted, “My name is Prince Adarian Willip Jackson Stagthorn, crown prince of Stonewild Kingdom and heir to one of the mighty four thrones on the Silten continent. I gained permission from the Solis royal family to venture here today with my friends. Your royal family, specifically Norivun Deema Melustral Achul, has sent a message to your commander that grants us permission to visit here today.”
A few of the fae nearest us swung their heads from side to side, as though trying to see. Snow began to fly in the air, swirling around everyone, making it even harder to read facial expressions.
Heart beating erratically, I stood stiffly, but one fleeting thought registered. Jax’s full name was Adarian WillipJacksonStagthorn. I was guessing Jax’s nickname had come from his second middle name, but as soon as that epiphany struck me, I returned my attention to our surroundings.
The first fairy who had flown at us, likely the leader of their group, huffed. “We’ll have to verify that information before you can proceed farther.” His nostrils flared. “Is it you who’s blinded us?”
“Yes, it was me, and I apologize, but I couldn’t have you harming us.” Jax sighed heavily, his hands fisting. “I will return your eyesight to you, but if you threaten me, my mate, or my friends again, I will take it again just as fast.”
The Solis male seethed but dipped his head. “Understood. If you’re indeed who you say you are, I apologize for our aggression today. Had we known a foreign royal was visiting with permission from the Solis royal family, this wouldn’t have occurred.”
“Thank you.” Jax dipped his head even though none of them could see it. “I shall return your sight now, and we’ll wait here until you grant us permission to go farther.”
