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I was different, but how?
I still felt the same on the inside, but I had yet to see what I looked like. There was little water here, except for one fast-running stream, so I had no idea what had changed when I’d stepped through that portal.
But from Em’s reaction, everything had.
For one, my ears were pointed. I’d spent the first night tracing the new shape, until I rubbed them raw. My face was leaner, but touch only told me so much. Soon enough, I’d see the changes for myself, but at the same time, it was nice to pretend I was still the same.
“Okay, but I’ll have to be quiet.” I tugged the cape tighter around us, keeping an eye on Solok, leaned against a tree, and the Mistress, curled in a ball on the forest floor.
“No one knows who built the original city Tempeste sprang from, but the books claim the catacombs below the city are older than anything in the known world, perhaps made by the Old Gods themselves.”
Ember waved her hand in the air. “That’s boring history stuff. I want to know aboutthe city, Anaria.”
“Tempeste is built into the side of Mount Sylvan, the tallest peak in the Montium Mountains, which protects the Fae lands from the Deadlands...”
“And I don’t care about geography, either.” Ember groaned and I rolled my eyes at her impatience.
“Fine, I’ll stick to the exciting stuff, though you should learn as much as possible about where we’re headed. Tempeste is built into the side of a mountain, in four tiers, with the Citadelle, the king’s palace at the summit. His highest tower looks east, to where Caladrius meets Solarys, where the Shadow King rules.”
She shivered, then leaned closer. “Will we see the Citadelle?”
“I hope so.” I snuck another glance at Solok’s unmoving silhouette. “If what Solok said was true, about the king wanting to meet me.”
“Tell me about the palace.” Her excitement was so contagious, I couldn’t help smiling. Right now, I was just Anaria and she was just Ember, huddled beneath the covers, telling stories of faraway lands we never imagined we’d see.
“The Citadelle houses the Fae King, his court, and his royal guard. The building is twelve stories tall, has enormous cut crystal windows that collect energy from the sun and feeds power through every floor. There’s hot water and lights, and heat, even on the coldest nights.” I reached out, brushed a dark red curl away from her face, and for the first time in two days, she didn’t flinch away.
“The Fae King’s throne is carved from moonstone, set with diamonds as big as your head. His throne room is bigger than all of Ravenshade Castle, the ceiling higher than the duke’s reading tower.”
“Where will we stay?” her voice was breathless. “In the top floors, or with the slaves?”
“There are no slaves in Caladrius.” I told her gently. “There are servants, and butlers, and ladies’ maids, all the things the Descendants had, but no slaves.”
At least, I’d never seen mention of slaves in the books.
She propped her face on her hands. “I hope we stay in the tower, so I can see the entire world, for once in my life. That would be amazing.” Some of the light faded from her eyes. “Is he truly terrifying?”
I chose my words carefully. If the Fae King was like Solok, he’d be beyond terrifying. “Carex Centaria has ruled these lands for a thousand years, Ember.” I lowered my voice. “Solok said something, right before he killed Berenger and the others, which made me…” I froze, goosebumps springing up all over me.
I wasn’t sure how I knew we weren’t alone.
Maybe instinct, or a shift in the air, but Solok and his sister were gone, replaced by a tall figure in black, a hood pulled over his head, pale eyes shining from his shadowed face.
For a moment I stared in frozen confusion, unsure if this was my imagination…or if he was real. In that moment, I couldn’t remember where I was, who I was…why we were here.
Only those eyes, glowing from the shadow of the hood.
Ember whimpered deep in her throat, the same sound Berenger made, just before he was slaughtered.
“She’s over here.” The male called softly, drawing his blade. “We’re here to take you to safety, princess. But we can only bring one of you, I’m afraid.” He glanced between the two of us, took a single step toward Ember, raising the point of his sword level with her heart.
She’d stopped breathing—we both had—her eyes so wide I only saw whites. “Please.” She pleaded quietly. “Please. I just want to see the palace.”
“I’m sorry, lass. I truly am. But trust me, I’m saving you from a gruesome death at the hands of demons. I’ll make this quick.” That was true regret in the male’s deep voice, but there was resolve, too. He meant to kill my friend and take me away.
Not happening.
Not tonight, or any night.
