Once through town, they arrived at a bridge leading to a large island, the castle sitting proudly in its center. The bridge swayed under their feet and Ava tried not to look down as they crossed.
A woven golden archway framed the entrance to the castle grounds. On their left was a dense forest full of pink flowering trees and bright green grass, wrapping around the side and back of the castle.
“The animals may stay there,” a guard said.
I’m going to go explore,Luna said.Contact me if you need anything.
Ava gave her a quick pet on the head before they took off in search of food.
“You know they will likely kill any native creatures you have in order to feed, right?” Quinn cocked her head at the guard.
“We brought in a flock of sheep for them,” he said. “And there are plenty of rodents for the owl.”
“Oh,” Ava said, surprised. “That was very kind of you.”
“Not everyone here dislikes the other kingdoms,” he responded quietly.
Taking a chance, Ava asked, “Does that mean you believe your army should help in the war?”
He was quiet for a moment, eyes scanning as if checking for eavesdroppers. “It doesn’t matter what I think. I’m not the one you must convince.”
She nodded, getting the hint it wasn’t appropriate to push any further. But it was a nice surprise some of the astral fae disagreed with Orion’s lack of urgency about assisting.
After walking through a courtyard filled with blush pink and pale yellow roses encircling a golden fountain, they arrived at the steps of the castle. Carved with the same white stone as the rest of the structures in town, the palace boasted monumental spires reaching toward the sky. Columns framed the marble doors carved with a sun on the left and a moon on the right.
The doors opened into a massive foyer, a glass roof welcoming in the sunlight, casting everything with a warm glow. And there was so much gold. The corbels shining in the eaves. The trim on the walls, displaying dozens of portraits of astral royalty. The veins swirling in the marble floor beneath their feet. On every door handle. In the sentries’ armor.
Though beautiful, Ava found it a little…ostentatious. Not warm and cozy like her castle, but almost too sophisticated; too elaborate. Though she supposed it matched the arrogance of the astral royalty.
Two more guards approached, stopping before them. “Please remove your weapons. They are not allowed in the castle.” Ava hesitated, glancing at Casimir. He nodded. “I assure you, they will be kept safe and returned to you when you depart.”
Ava removed her sword, dagger, bow and quiver of arrows, handing them off. Casimir and Jorrar followed suit. The guard standing in front of Quinn held out his hand, waiting.
“Quinn,” Casimir urged.
With a roll of her eyes, she began to unsheathe her many daggers, muttering under her breath. The guard raised his brows as she handed him the fifth, turning away. “Don’t be in such a hurry,” Quinn snapped. “There are more.”
He paused, extending his arms again. Undoing snaps and buckles, Quinn continued pulling out blade after blade.
“How many weapons did you bring?” Ava whispered harshly.
“You can never be too prepared. You could learn from me, you know.”
Glancing at the man holding the weapons, Ava pressed her lips together to hold in her laugh at his incredulous expression, his arms so full he could barely keep from dropping them.
“Is she always this armed?” Ava asked.
“Yes,” Jorrar and Casimir responded in tandem.
With a big sigh, the sentry asked, “Is that it?”
Quinn was bent over, digging in her boots. “Hang on.”
She pulled out two small throwing daggers from each, setting them on the top of the pile. “Do I have everything now?” he asked.
“Nope.”
The man groaned.
