Bastian shot her a concerned look, a finger drifting down her shoulder as he murmured, "Are you alright, pet?"
She met the vampire’s scarlet eyes, a new sort of trepidation welling in the wake of Vale’s proclamation. "I will be."
With Bastian behind her and Az before her, she sat on the boat, staring into the dark waves. The moon peeked through the clouds, a thin sliver reflected upon the ocean’s surface.
And then, they arrived at the other palace, smaller and much more private. Filled with trees and those swinging bridges.
Her wings shivered at the sight. What would it be like to fly among them?
The walk up the steps was solemn, and, unwilling to break the silence, she couldn’t help but send a thought to Bastian,Why did we leave?
Behind her, fingers danced over the nape of her neck. He spoke into her mind.For answers.
No sooner did he say it than they crested the top of the stairs and entered the open archway of the palace. The vines curling around the stone rippled in the breeze.
There, among the lounges, stood a breathtaking female.
Her hair was black as night, sleek as silk, and cut in a harsh line around her chin. Her slanted eyes were darkened by kohl. She was shorter, nearly the same height as Luella.
And it was Luella that her deep brown eyes found first.
"My gods," said the female. Her voice was firm yet soft. A dichotomy—just as the strength in her movements stood at odds with her deceptively graceful appearance. "You look just like her."
Vale turned to stare at Luella and held out a hand. Luella’s eyes dipped to it, then traveled back up to his face. "Take my hand," the King said lowly.
Her heart raced. She knew who this was. But as she took Vale’s hand and stepped away from Bastian and Az, into the dragon shifter’s side and let him pull her deeper into the room, she asked:
"Who are you?"
"Luella, this is Emarelia," Vale said. He opened his mouth to speak more, but he was cut off.
"I was your mother’s close friend. My gods, forgive me. It’s like looking at her twin." Emarelia shook her head, her thin, rouged lips parting with shock. Pointed ears poked free from her black, straight hair. "Your wings."
In answer, Luella’s wings fluttered behind her.
Something shifted at her back, and Emarelia’s eyes jerked away from Luella, turning dark and angry as she spat, "Why the fuck did you bring her here, Tharen?"
Luella turned, too, watching as Tharen stepped closer. "To get answers, Emarelia," he said.
Emarelia shook her head, her hair brushing her chin. "You should know better than coming to find me, Prima. I don’t have any answers for you. How did you find me here?"
"That’s a lie. You do have answers for us," Vale announced. "Merath told us where to find you."
Emarelia’s lips curled, eyes darting back to Luella as she cursed, "Shit."
Somehow, they found themselves sitting around in a strange circle amongst the lounges.
Luella sat with Vale on her right and Tharen on her left. There was a small, low table before her, and that was where Az knelt, on the ground before it, his fingers hooking around her ankle. Bastian had reclaimed the plush bed-like lounge, resting on his back. He seemed entirely at ease, but Luella spied the tension in his shoulders, the way he did not relax fully.
Graves was alone. His dark wings draped over the back of the lounge as he perched on the edge of the seat.
She kept her face turned away from him, even though it caused her neck slight discomfort.
And before them, sat Emarelia. She had barely looked away from Luella since they’d entered the room.
Emarelia’s eyes burned on Luella’s wings, taking in the males scattered around her with protective intent as she said, "You are loved."
Luella was glad her mouth was dry; otherwise, she would’ve spluttered. As it was, she coughed weakly, pressing a hand over her mouth.
