Page 113 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

I notice he doesn’t say the council lives there.

A trumpet blows, pulling our attention back to the front. The guard bows, but it’s the kind of bow that acknowledges power, not allegiance. Behind him, the gates unfold.

We’re led into the tallest building—the main palace. The hall beyond steals my breath. Unlike the exterior of the palace, which is made of shimmering glass and ethereal light, this is somber. Dark stone walls shimmer with the reflection of stars, and the arched cathedral ceiling above is a mirror to the heavens. It’s so perfectly clear I can’t tell where the world ends and eternity begins.

The moment Raea’s foot crosses the threshold, the silence is shattered. The runes scream with recognition, a wave of soft gold light surging through the dark stone like a heartbeat. I watch the guards’ composure slip—the first crack in their perfect performance. They called her Harbinger of Light, and for the first time, I see the weight of that title settle on her shoulders. She isn’t a guest here—she’s the arrival of the war they’ve been sheltered from.

“Do you feel that?” she whispers, her fingers brushing mine.

I nod, unable to look away from the light now pulsing around her. “You are incredible.”

Our party is silent as we make our way down the halls. We’re brought into what appears to be a waiting room, the sofas comfortable and food decorating the tables, but we’re left here as Carys and Brynna disappear through one door, Riven and Finn through another.

I don’t mind. I’ve needed a moment to catch up with Raea anyway. She sits on the edge of a sofa, her eyes wide as she takes in the simple room. From everything we’ve seen today, this feels the most like home. Completely and utterly normal.

“You okay?” I ask, pulling her into my side.

She exhales slowly. “It’s just a lot. I knew this was going to be hard, but this…” She blows out another breath. “I’m exhausted, and we haven’t even started. I just want to go back to our friends, have a normal meal, and work through all of this.”

I mutter an agreement before offering to get her something to eat. She shakes her head, but I make her a small plate of buttered bread and a chocolate dessert of sorts. I grab her a cup of tea before sitting beside her once more.

She gives me a sidelong glance, then grins. “Fine, but you need to eat too,” she says before popping a piece of the bread in her mouth.

I smile and grab myself a plate. For long minutes, neither one of us speaks, too lost in our own thoughts before Finn enters with Riven. They’ve both changed into something more formal.

Finn looks uncomfortable, pulling at the too-tight jacket. “Once we are done here, we will head back and have dinner. Your friends have been given a tour today and are caught up on everything regarding the war, our system, gateway magic, and any other relevant information that might be needed.”

Raea sits straighter. “Can we open gateways?”

“In time, yes. You both have powerful magic, so it should be something you can do,” Riven responds. A knowing smile crosses his face as if predicting her next question. “Not everyone can open them. For everyone else, there are permanent gateways scattered across the planets. It allows them to move throughout the system, but sometimes requires travel to reach them. For us—” He shrugs. “—it’s much quicker.”

“Do you use transports?” Raea asks eagerly.

Finn’s brows scrunch in confusion.

Riven shakes his head. “No. All the technology you have in your system comes from the humans on Helix. In Auralan, we rely on our magic.”

I have a thousand more questions, but Carys and Brynna step into the room. Brynna has changed out of her leather get-up and into a formal gown, but it’s the two tiaras atop their heads that give me pause.

“Ready?” Carys asks.

Carys and Brynna lead our group into a chamber that I can only assume is the council room. Much like the Elven Council, this room has arches and thrones, but instead of five, there are seven, each with a unique symbol etched into the backs of their seat.

The ceilings here reveal the night sky, and the chamber itself is lit with thousands of candles and sconces evenly placed around the rectangular room. Beyond the far wall is a glittering river that flows into the city, surrounding the palace.

A door to our right opens, and a tall man enters, a crown atop his head, dressed in white, flowing robes with intricate silver details. He has long silver hair, bright blue eyes, and pointed ears. He smiles as he greets his daughters. Then he looks to Raea and me, extending a hand. “I’m King Ariyan.”

There’s something harsh about him. Maybe it’s the cold and calculating eyes, or the stern set of his jaw, but I extend my hand, gripping his forearm as he does with mine.

To Raea, he bows as he studies her. “So young. And already carrying more power than she understands.” His gaze lingers as if he’s seeing her and finding her unworthy before tsking. He spins, his robes billowing out behind him as he heads to the center throne, the one etched with a sword.

He nods to someone in the corner, and the other council members enter. Unceremoniously, the other six file in, talking in hushed tones and dressed in finery, each taking their seats.

Once they settle, Carys steps forward to introduce us. “Council members, I bring Prince Anders Rykerson of the Okenen Kingdom and Princess Raea Tierson of the Treon Kingdom in Caelestis.”

Raea and I both bow our heads in acknowledgment.

I swear I see the king’s jaw tick as he glares at Raea. My fists clench, but I keep them hidden.