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She loosed a breath, then crossed the room and opened the door to their not-so-normal world.

Arianna had hoped the female might have taken a stroll, but she sat on the little bench at the end of the hall with her legs crossed and hands folded neatly in her lap. The female jumped to her feet when the door clicked shut.

Heat flooded Arianna’s cheeks and she wrung her hands together. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

The female, Victoria, bowed and gave Arianna a sweet smile. “Not at all. We’re here to serve you, My Lady. Please, follow me.”

They walked down the decorated halls and Arianna found herself gazing out the tall windows.

All manner of Fae walked the grounds. Some weaved through the gardens, disappearing and reappearing around the thick hedges. They wore beautiful pastel colored silks, exposing much of their skin to the sunshine as if they could shake away the remnants of winter’s chill.

Inside, she continued observing the art spread across tables and hanging from the walls. She wondered if she’d ever be able to take it all in.

So many plants and colors and life. Arianna found herself envying those in Brónach. She knew they crafted their homes from the trees and lived among the landscape as if they were part of it.

“Does Brónach look like this?” she asked.

Rion was studying the area too, though she doubted he was taking in the lace beneath the vases or the pictures hanging along the walls. She imagined him counting dark corners and planning a number of escape routes.

“The finery is a bit extreme, but if you’re referring to the nature aspect, then yes.”

“It must be beautiful.”

“It is,” he admitted and she thought it was the nicest thing he’d ever said about Brónach. “Though Levea’s waterfalls are a sight to behold as well.”

“I wonder if the other cities are just as grand.”

“Fiadh’s cavernous halls are.”

Her brows rose. “You’ve been there?”

Rion chuckled. “I’m over ninety years old, I’ve visited a fair number of places.” His brow furrowed. “Though Púróg has always been as mysterious as Ruadhán.” Púróg. Pádraigín’s capital city. Arianna tilted her head. “They don’t allow outsiders in.”

Right, she’d forgotten. Although clearly its residents could leave. She’d scented a number from Pádraigín yesterday. “I wonder why?”

Rion shrugged and they continued down the hall, taking the same staircase from yesterday that led them to the first floor. “They claim it’s for their safety. They’re a small country with little in the way of resources aside from their trading port.”

“You don’t sound like you believe them.”

“I take very few people at their word.” She gave him a wan smile, remembering everything he’d told her after she’d saved him from her father. All the pain and haunting memories.

The female led them through a pair of familiar doors, but the sight was quite different from last night. In the early afternoon hours, the long tables sat empty and no one played music in the corners. The hall seemed too large a place for just her and Rion to dine.

“Please, have a seat. Your breakfast will be brought out shortly.”

Arianna glanced around for a clock but didn’t find one. She was certain they’d missed breakfast by a few hours. “Don’t you mean lunch?” She smiled and had meant it to be lighthearted, perhaps elicit a laugh from Victoria.

But the female’s face paled. “O-Of course, I can have them bring whatever you wish.”

Arianna waved her hands frantically. “No, I was only—”

“Whatever you have prepared will be acceptable,” Rion cut in. Victoria’s concerned gaze darted between Arianna and Rion a moment, then Arianna nodded and the female disappeared through a side door.

Arianna sighed. “Thanks for that. I didn’t realize everyone would be so serious.”

Rion scooted out the same chair she’d sat in the night before. “You’re the queen. It’ll take a while for them to feel you out, but I doubt anyone will ever throw caution to the wind.”

“Any tips?”