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“Sometimes pain is necessary for growth,” the voice said.

Could she…

“Read your mind? Yes. Just breathe. It will come to you.”

Ysara. She’d done something to me.

“Yes. It’s time for you tosee.”

Oh, I planned to see. I would see my dagger slam into her throat at the first opportunity.

A long pause. “Your thoughts are rather…murderous.”

Was she laughing at me?

“Just a little. That wrath is agoodthing. Your rage must be nurtured until you become exactly who you should be.”

Oh, my rage was being nurtured. But she wasn’t going to like the result.

“Enough, Nelayra. Look down.”

Perhaps if I did what she wanted, she would let me out of this nightmare. I tilted my head, and a gasp left my throat.

The kingdom stretched across a diverse landscape. Past the coastline, rolling hills, shimmering lakes, and dense forests spread toward the northeast, where rugged mountains took watch, their snowcapped peaks jutting above a low layer of clouds.

Rivers and streams wound from those mountains, fed by the melting snow, meandering through the valleys and nourishing the land. In the south, a carpet of verdant plains unfurled, dotted with crops and wild flowers. To the west, ancient trees stood tall and proud, the woodlands teeming with life.

Ysara moved us past the plains of wild flowers, until we hovered over expansive wetlands overrun by strange creatures that popped their heads out of the water.

She lowered us, sweeping us north, until I could see villages dotting the landscape, turning to towns and cities closer to the center of the kingdom. When we were near the eastern coast, she dropped us closer to the buildings.

“The hybrid kingdom was known as Lyrinore,” Ysara murmured. “And this was the capital city.”

I blinked, and we were hovering above cobbled streets. It was dusk in the city, and thousands of tiny silver creatures flitted to and fro, peeking out of baskets of flowers and slipping inside baskets of fruit.

Intricate mosaics adorned the city walls, showcasing fierce battles, breathtaking scenery, and faces I didn’t know.

“The city was named Celestara.”

We lowered farther, and I could see the hybrids. They looked human, except there were no blue marks on their temples. They gathered in teahouses, sitting at tables outside, faces tipped up to the sun. In the marketplace, vendors and merchants set up their stalls, displaying handcrafted goods, exotic spices, fresh produce. Children ran in packs, laughing and playing, while somewhere, a bell rang, announcing the hour.

Ysara swept us above the city, until I had to close my eyes, dizzy. When I opened them once more, I was gazing down at the castle. Sculpted from ivory stone, it was almost as if it had been designed from pieces of the clouds. Vines and flowers draped over its walls, while the grand entrance was guarded by a pair of intricately carved statues that looked suspiciously like the Drakoryx.

The towering silver gates were opened to reveal the courtyard. Carriages arrived, carrying nobles and visitors—the ladies in gauzy, glittering gowns, the man in cloaks of ermine and velvet. The massive silver gates slid open, allowing another carriage entrance, and I peered closer.

A blink, and I was inside the castle. Vaulted ceilings adorned with frescoes rose high above the polished marble floors. At the heart of the castle, a magnificent throne room sprawled—currently empty. Rows of tall, stately columns ran the length of the room, their surfaces covered in ornate carvings of mythical creatures. The high ceiling was painted with a lifelike mural of ancient gods among a night sky, while tapestries hanging along one wall depicted the history of the kingdom. The floor was a vast expanse of polished marble, speckled with silver and pearl, which glowed gently beneath the golden light orbs hovering throughout the grand space. At the end of the room, two thrones sat, side by side. Crafted from some strange pearl-like material, the back of each throne formed wings, flaring outward.

My heart stuttered in my chest, but we were already moving again. My mouth went dry, and I instantly knew we were in the royal quarters.

Because that was my mother standing next to the window, my father behind her.

All I could see were their backs. But I knew instinctively it was them. My mother had my blond curls. And my father nuzzled one of them aside, leaning down to lay a kiss on her cheek.

We began moving again, and I choked out a sob.

“No, please!”

“There is more to see, Nelayra. You cannot linger here.”