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“Don’t you want to wait until you make an announcement to your people before I start strutting around with a tiara on my head?”
She gives a small shrug that somehow still looks regal. “They’ll wonder, and then when they hear the wonderful news, it’ll make sense. But Sahra, I don’t want you to have to hide another day of your life. We’ve lost too much time already.”
I sigh and pull the tiara from my braids, careful not to mess up any of the hard work Faleene put in. “I’m here, whether I’m wearing jewels atop my head or not. But it’s going to take me some time to get used to being a princess. Up until recently, I was just a criminal trying to survive.”
My mother takes the tiara from me and hands it to a sulking Faleene.
“You have never been just a criminal,” my mother says taking my hand in hers. “Whether you knew it or not, you’ve always been much, much more, but if you need time to adjust, I can respect that. We’ll hold off on the tiaras.”
“And maybe the announcement for a little while, too?” People are more forthcoming when they think you’re a nobody. And I want to discover as much as I can about the people of Crystal Falls.
Faleene scoffs and my mother’s brows come together. “The people will wonder at the fae who suddenly showed up at Crystal Falls and spends her time with the queen and Daimis.”
I shrug. “Let them wonder, and if anyone asks, tell them my name is Sky. It’s an alias I go by sometimes.” My heart hurts a little when the memory of how I got the nickname comes to mind. “It won’t be forever. Maybe just a few weeks. I’d like to discover the city without everyone’s eyes on me, and to get to know others without them thinking they’re talking to a princess.”
My mother nods. “I understand. We will make the announcement when you are ready. Faleene is a trusted friend, she might not agree, but she won’t let anyone know until you’re ready.”
Faleene nods her head, and her eyes are sincere.
“Thank you,” I say to them both.
My mother and I leave the beautiful room into a long hallway where Daimis awaits us, leaning against the wall casually with his arms crossed over his large chest. He’s wearing a deep, midnight blue suit that hugs his muscles in a way that makes me want to rip the clothes right off him. He’s clean-shaven, accentuating his chiseled jawline, and his dark curls are still a little damp from bathing. A simple silver circlet sits on his head, which makes me wonder if he’s a prince here as well, as Laneya’s adopted son. A smirk plays on his generous lips as his green eyes roam over my body. Heat climbs up my neck at his hungry gaze, one that promises so much more. His earlier words come back to me.So I can thoroughly and properly worship every inch of your body.This wound better heal fast.
I lean in close to him. “Call me Sky when we’re in public,” I say.
His brow creases. “Why, I thought you would be happy to not have to hide your identity anymore.”
“In Thaaryn, I hid who I was for survival because I didn’t have a choice. But here, I’m hiding my identity on my own terms. I want to get to know this place, and these people without the pressures of my royal status.”
He still looks a little bothered, but nods. “Very well, Lady Sky.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m no lady.”
“It’s either that or princess.”
I sigh. “Okay, but don’t expect me to act like a lady.”
“I wouldn’t have you any other way.” He offers his arm to me, and I take it.
We walk down a hallway that is open to the elements on one side through giant archways with flowering vines climbing up them. The sound of falling water is louder out here. As we come up to the first archway, I stop us and look out onto Crystal Falls for the first time.
As nightfall approaches, lamps are being lit everywhere, but there is still enough natural light that I can see the incredible beauty the fae have created here. The entire city is built into magnificent, jagged mountains where giant waterfalls cascade all around us. The buildings are all white with golden wood accents and beautiful crystal windows everywhere. Bright flowers and green plants decorate pots and planters as if the bitter cold weather hasn’t touched this sacred place. Other than a damp chill in the evening air, it’s rather warm for this time of year. I look up. Snow is falling high above us, but it seems to hit an invisible shield where it instantly evaporates.
“Fae magic keeps the weather temperate all year long,” my mother says.
“It’s amazing,” I say.
Almost as beautiful as the architecture, cascading waterfalls, carved details, and amazing bridges, are the people. Everywhere I look I see the exquisite fae. They all have that unworldly beauty to them, no matter their size, height, or age, they are all magnificent. Even the few I see with wrinkles and all gray hair are naturally beautiful and majestic, like a hundred-year-old maple trees. Only I’m sure they’ve lived far longer than that. Some stroll arm in arm looking at the wares in shop windows, while others dine on patios at restaurants nearby, children run around playing games their imaginations thought up, their laughter ringing through the air. Someone somewhere is playing string music. The ethereal notes carry through the street in a lilting tune that lifts my heart.
The entire city is alive and vibrant. Heads are held high, no one hides under hoods, or avoids eyesight. There’s no lower district, no fear in weary eyes, no bent postures. I gawk at it all, taking everything in like a child discovering her world for the first time, utterly fascinated that a place like this can exist. I’ve only ever known how things are in Thaaryn and Hydenglen. It’s certainly better in the latter, but that’s mostly because the races all stick to themselves. My heart aches for my younger self for being robbed of this upbringing, and for everyone in Thaaryn for not knowing there is a better way to live.
We walk out from the partially arched hallway onto one of the white, cobble-stone walkways. As the residents of Crystal Falls spot my mother, they smile and wave at her. She occasionally pauses to ask after a sick family member or to congratulate someone on a birthday or an anniversary. It’s so different from how the Regent was with the people of Thaaryn. He would never stop to talk to the residents, not unless he wanted something from them, and it was never a question, but a demand.
What’s more, is how everyone is with Daimis. They call him by his first name and welcome him home. The males look at him with mutual respect and the females, with a little too much fondness for my liking. A few shoot curious and even jealous glances my way.
That’s when I realize that for the first time since I’ve known him, Daimis isn’t trying to hide in the shadows. He gives back full smiles. His head is held high and his stride is full and purposeful, showcasing his six-foot-three height.
This is where he’s comfortable. The Thaaryn kingdom has become a stranger to him, and now that I see the stark differences between the two, I can understand why. Crystal Falls is light, where Thaaryn is dark. Fear drives the Thaaryn people. They are scared of the Steel Guard and magic users. And the magic users cower in hiding from the Steel Guard and the humans who fear them.
