Page 27

The transport slows as Raiz steers us into a cave in the black cliffs. He lands the transport on a large slab of rock where a dozen Zeahirians wait in a line. They all wear the same uniform and curious look as I step off the transport behind Hyva.

“I’ll see you later,” the male calls over his shoulder as he walks off into one of the three tunnels.

“Neev,” Raiz puts his hand on my back, ushering me forward. “This is my house staff. Uzold, my house manager, will handle anything you need.”

The male steps forward and lifts a hand so I can attach a name to the face.

“Breval,” a beautiful female steps forward, “is my chef. She’s been researching human dietary needs and will be able to make nearly anything you wish while you’re my guest.”

He introduces everyone else, and I’m sure I’ll eventually memorize their names, but right now I’m overwhelmed by the sound of water lapping against the rock I stand on. The way the briny scent of saltwater and wet rock fills my nostrils. It takes all my will power not to walk over to the water and run my hand through it.

“Shall I show her to her room, Lord Asterean?” Uzold asks.

“No. I’ll give her a quick tour.” He turns to me, sweeping his hand forward toward a staircase. “This way.”

I follow him up a torch-lit, spiraling staircase carved into the blackest stone I’ve ever seen. In the places where light from the torches dances, I can see the faintest hint of silver and blue veins of another form of rock moving through the black. It’s beautiful, and I swear the stone hums under my fingers as they brush along the wall.

The last thing I expect to see when we reach the top of the steps is a wide corridor with the tallest ceilings I’ve ever walked beneath. Pillars of stone are carved along the walls, each supporting an arch with a chandelier of crystal beneath it. The light from the lit sconces and candles throws rainbows throughout the long corridor.

“This is my office.” Raiz points to a door as we walk past. “The library.” He points at the next door. “The entertaining rooms. The kitchen. The dining room.” He points to each as we walk past. Then we turn down another corridor. “This is where all the sleeping quarters are. Your suite will be right beside mine at the end.”

He opens the door to the largest bedroom I’ve ever seen. The first thing my eyes are drawn to are the double doors overlooking the water. I don’t bother to look at anything else and practically run to the doors, throwing them open and squealing with delight at the large terrace beyond. I walk right to the edge looking down at the churning water as it breaks against the rocks below. The sky is crimson and full of thousands of twinkling stars.

I turn at the sound of his footsteps behind me. “This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Tears fill my eyes as I look at him, the beauty overwhelming me.

“It truly is,” he says as he looks at me. “Can you swim?” he asks, coming to the railing beside me.

“Yes, they taught me how to swim on Oculus Nine when I was a child. Truthfully, I think my energy grated on the sisters in charge of my upbringing.” I look back over the water. “But I’ve never swum in anything other than a pool.”

“We have tech that will allow you to breathe underwater if you want to join me someday for a swim.”

“Really? I’d love that.”

“I’ll have Uzold take care of it.” He turns his back to the water and points to a set of doors further down the balcony. “That’s my room. I’m right next door if you need anything. Our rooms are the only ones connected to this balcony, so security won’t be an issue.”

That makes my brows scrunch. “Is security something I should be worried about?”

“No. You’re protected here, but there are people on Zeahiri who would feel threatened to find out what we’re doing. I don’t want you to leave the property without me, Altis, Vynia, or Hyva.”

“Are they staying here, too?”

“No, but as high-ranking members of House Aste, they have properties connected to my home. I’ll explain more over dinner, but there are a few things I need to take care of first. I’ll get you in two hours?”

“Okay.”

I watch as he walks into his room and then take one more look at the view before going into check out my own room. A large bed is set against the wall opposite the door with two panels of gorgeous, plush midnight blue material swooped on either side, framing the cushioned headboard. Matching bedding covers the bed. Curtains of the same color and material line the wall with the doors leading outside. Sconces bookend every door in the room to provide light.

The bathroom puts what I had on Oculus Nine to shame. A huge standalone tub sits in one corner with a walk-in shower next to it. There might not be electricity, but at least they have plumbing. I walk around a corner to find the toilet hidden away in the corner for added privacy. Each wall has two to three sconces, and upon closer inspection, I see a knob that controls how much light they give off. At full strength it has a similar brightness to daylight on Calindrea.

Abandoning the bathroom, I wander back into the bedroom and crawl onto the bed. I untie my boots and let them drop beside the bed. The mound of pillows beckons me, so I lay down, deciding to take a few minutes to rest but soon find myself completely drifting off.

* * *

The sound of someone knocking on the door pulls me from my dreamless slumber. It takes me a few seconds to reorient myself and remember where I am before my feet hit the floor. I cross the space between the bed and the door, opening it to the sight of Raiz in a type of clothing I’ve not yet seen him wear.

“Ready for dinner?” he asks.

“Yeah.” I run a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry, I fell asleep.” I’m about to tell him I’ll just need a minute to change but then realize I don’t really have anything but the clothes he’s given me so this will have to do.