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They wore clothes without wrinkles, their bodies free from blemish or scars or bruising. They crowded the edge of the street with smiles on their faces. Smiles for her. She should be happy to find one small space in the world devoid of hardship.

But resentment flooded through her instead.

The male’s excited voice penetrated her dark thoughts only to drown and die. He spoke of their history, but for some reason she didn’t care how long it had taken to build the structures or how they maintained them to near perfection. She didn’t care where or how they obtained their riches or what foreign lands traded in strange jewels.

The only thing she could think about were the citizens below and how different the wooden homes and dirt streets looked compared to the glittering city above it. Did the citizens of this city care anything for the village below them? Would they offer them sanctuary should war break out, or food if they faced starvation?

“My Lady?” The male must have addressed her more than once because when she turned, his brow had knitted with worry. “Are you not pleased?”

Pleased. No, she wasn’t pleased. She was disgusted by their behavior, but—Arianna glanced around. This used to be her life, too.

She’d lived among the wealthy. She’d always gone to bed with a full stomach and fresh clothes and she’d never questioned the wellbeing of those beyond Levea’s gates. What had she ever done in sixteen years that actually mattered?

These people lived in ignorance just as she’d once done. It wasn’t that they were cruel and unkind, they were simply unaware. And maybe that’s exactly why she was here. To bring awareness to the masses and change everything. Maybe that’s what peace truly meant.

Arianna shook her head and did her best to smile. “I’m just a bit tired.”

“Oh,” the male’s eyes brightened before turning apologetic. “Of course, forgive me, the council discussed giving you a tour later and I must have gotten carried away. Please, come this way and we’ll get you settled in the manor.”

She followed, trying not to stare at everyone who shouted praise and threw petals on the ground at their feet. She tried to avoid Talon’s look of worry as well and the way her sister’s face had lost its smile.

They turned right once and Arianna gawked at the structure looming before them. Hedges surrounded the property, each bush cut to perfection. They rose above her head by a foot and domed into arches that led into the courtyard.

The courtyard. She gasped at the near pristine lawn. Twisted and balled topiaries decorated the yard with flowers surrounding the greenery in a multitude of colors. Only magic could make so much beauty bloom all at once.

The sentinels at the gate bowed low, one even dropping to his knees. Those escorting her nodded in greeting.

The sun bleached stones shifted to a dark burgundy once they stepped inside the gate. Another fountain stood in the center of the path, the stones splitting to surround the carvings of a giant tree-like creature with the Fairy Folk dancing at its feet.

The Dark Fae.

Did they realize what stood before them? Did they know stories she didn’t? Surprise flew down the bond telling her Rion felt the same. She’d be sure to ask about it at some point, though she’d keep the details of their time in the mountain to herself.

The manor itself, with large open windows, gray walls, and dark brown trim, stood four stories tall with gardens wrapping around either side. The hedges seemed to call out, beckoning her to follow their mysterious paths.

She grimaced. It was too perfect and neat. A monument of wealth and abundance.

She followed the council up the large stone steps and another set of guards opened the doors. Everyone stopped, forcing Arianna and those accompanying her to do the same.

The male from the council bowed low. “We didn’t expect to see you, my lord.”

A voice smooth as silk answered as a male stepped from the shadows of the manor and into the light. “I wouldn’t dream of keeping our queen waiting.” He wore a midnight black long sleeve coat with gold buttons that ran down the front. Smoky eyes drank her in, studying her frame, her clothes, her weapons. His sandy blond hair shifted with the cool breeze and a warm smile broke across his angular face.

Territorial anger flared down the bond aimed directly at the new male. No, not anger. Rage. It bubbled and simmered and Arianna wondered if they were about to have another incident like the one between him and Talon back in Levea. She certainly hoped not.

Six warriors flanked the male, fanning out once he crossed the threshold. Their clothes were also pristine, not a wrinkle or speck in sight, as they stood with their shoulders squared and hands on their weapons.

The new male’s calculating gaze ran over Talon. It was only now that she realized Talon had closed the distance between them, his hand on the sword at his belt.

The male’s smile didn’t fade. He floated down the stairs and the council bowed lower before backing away.

Her throat went dry when she scented the air, and realization had fear lodging itself in her throat.

The council bowing. The raw power rippling from his windswept scent.

“My Lady,” he said in an easy seductive tone. She’d frozen in place. He closed the distance and gently took her hand. She should have yanked it away but something in his gaze wouldn’t let her. Those eyes held her as if she were a captive all over again. “It is an absolute pleasure to meet you.”

She wished she had worn the gloves. His eyes drank her in as he lifted her hand, but before his lips could make contact, a vicious snarl ripped through the air, echoing off the manor walls.