Page 75 of A Queen’s Betrayal (Legends of Worldbinders #1)
She remembered the small print on the map of Vlazias indicating a place between mountains with that name.
“It’s where our younglings learn about their powers. They discover them, then are trained by the Elders on how to wield, summon, and control everything you are currently learning,” Bramnen explained.
“Like a school, then.”
“Exactly right,” Bramnen replied. “But tonight is different. Three-thousand, nine-hundred and forty-six years ago today, the Draka, Fae, and Medryds made their last stand against humans.”
Each step suddenly felt heavy, and Arenna had to consciously think about walking.
There was a weight within her she hadn’t noticed before.
“ The Fall of the Triad ,” she added. During her long hours studying ancient texts with Kayson, she had learned precisely which battle Bramnen was referring to.
The remnants of the three species stood tall together, yet they ultimately lost to the humans.
When the casualties began to mount, the First King of Worden had severed the continents.
“This day symbolizes much more than you know, Firewielder.” Wylder seemed to blend into the night itself, a walking shadow of grief. “You are the hope that the prophecy is not merely text written into ancient stone. You are a vision of what this continent could be again.”
Arenna remained silent as they ventured deeper into the night, crossing the pale-stone bridge that connected the castle to the earth.
“I understand what you have endured in Varios with the Rot and the devastation,” Bramnen said, his voice barely above a whisper, straining her heart. “Though we are fortunate to have never witnessed its effects firsthand, we have faced tribulations of our own.”
Wylder’s hand rested on the hilt of his sword.
“The threat from Brookworth increases daily. More and more of our kind go missing, and Kayson can only hold off the Rot for so long. Our people suffer through wars and battles, facing a world that will do anything to make them submit as our ancestors did. But you and Kayson, and eventually Wind and Water, will be the change everyone needs.”
A knot formed in her stomach. “And if I fail?”
Bramnen smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Then at least our people died with hope, rather than fear.” He pulled two capsules from his pocket.
Arenna was at a loss for words, overwhelmed by the pressure in her chest. She stepped into Wylder’s outstretched arms, letting him wrap an arm around her waist as he slipped a rippler beneath his tongue.
The world she knew melted away, a wave of darkness crashing into her vision.
Flashes of light, bodies, and stars swirled around her until her feet hit the ground with a thud.
They landed in the heart of the mountains, so high that Arenna could hardly tell if they stood in fog or a cloud. She clutched her stomach, willing her dinner to stay where it belonged. Do not throw up. Do not throw up.
Slowly, she was growing accustomed to rippling, but the disorienting sensation of the world tearing apart was hard to shake, leaving her stomach in turmoil afterward.
“Are you sure we landed in the right place?” she asked, still clutching her midsection.
All around her were only massive trees and jagged rocks—no palace, no crystal, no sign of Fae life.
Wylder and Bramnen both chuckled. “Yes, Arenna, we’re in the right place,” the Hand assured her. They walked toward two distant figures and a sudden waft of comfort washed over her.
Kayson’s strong build emerged through the darkest of the night.
“Glad you found the place.” He turned from them to the mountain behind him.
Lifting a hand in a half-circle motion, the world distorted as it passed.
Like an invisible door melting away, the mountains and sky rippled, twisting into one—until a giant crystal palace stood majestically between two mountains.
Fitting name .
Emerald-colored towers and turrets jetted into the sky, their crystal surfaces shimmering under the pale moonlight.
Kayson stood before the sparkling doors, his hands folded.
He wore a finely tailored jacket accented with gold, and a flowing cape of shadows cascaded to the floor.
Though his chestnut hair was neatly styled, a few strands fell into his eyes, curling at the collar of his jacket.
Breathtaking. He was simply, utterly , breathtaking.
Even the rugged handsomeness he embodied couldn’t mask the strength of his physique or the lethal gleam in his eyes. Though she saw no weapons, Arenna knew he was armed. He was as beautiful as he was deadly, and she wasn’t sure which intrigued her more.
“Welcome to the Crystal Palace, Arenna.” Kayson’s eyes flared as she drew closer to the light, slowly closing the distance between them.
She pretended not to notice his eyes trailing over every inch of her, lingering in certain areas.
She especially pretended not to feel the fluttering in her stomach.
“Impressive trick, Kayson Valor.” Subtle as it may have been, Arenna couldn’t miss the flash of emotion that crossed his features when she uttered his full name. “Glamouring the palace to keep it hidden might be my favorite one yet.”
Kayson held out his arm. “Happy to impress,” he said with a wink, guiding her into the foyer, with Marea, Bramnen, and Wylder following closely behind.
His jacket featured similar designs—flames embroidered in black thread along the cuffs and lapels.
“We match,” Arenna said softly, running her fingers over the stitching. Her touch lingered on the curves of the dancing fire.
“Purposefully, of course.” Kayson’s lips tugged into a smile. “Fire is starting to become my new favorite element.”
Her stomach twisted in a way that had nothing to do with nerves. “It looks good on you,” she whispered.
A tender silence bloomed between them, weighted with things unsaid. Then, Kayson’s voice broke the stillness—gentle and sincere. “I wanted to honor you. And your power.”
“Why?” she asked, her voice barely above a breath.
His eyes found the scar that cut across her face. “Because you are worth celebrating.”