Page 5

T he journey to Ryntook took just over seven days. Seven long days of staring out of a carriage window, watching endless lines of trees rolling past. And seven long nights spent staying up as late as possible, making sure to rise long before the sun.

Thankfully the little sleep I’d managed had been free from any amber-eyed faeries. Although a few times, late at night, I could’ve sworn I felt something soothing pulse from the crystals on my arm. The feeling sent tingles down my wrist and made the ache from the thorns fade slightly. I wasn’t sure if it was Arenn’s doing, but even if it was, I wouldn’t be thanking him.

His wordless apologies meant nothing when he was the one who put the scars there.

On the seventh morning, Lukas met me outside of my tent and guided me to a horse instead of our usual gilded carriage. Erik and Raena had joined us for the journey and while Lukas insisted he’d appreciated their company in the royal carriage, he also declared that if he heard Raena utter the words ‘positively magical’ one more time, he’d be throwing himself in front of the horses.

By now, I could tell we were close to the seaside kingdom’s palace. The huge oak trees and sycamores that had once filled the dense forests, were now outnumbered by much taller palms with huge jagged leaves. The air had changed too – replaced by an intense heat that made my clothes stick to my skin. Even the forest floor had been covered in a layer of sand, with shells and pebbles lining the road where tufts of grass used to be.

After another hour had passed, Lukas steered our horse down a sandy path that opened out to a vast manicured lawn. Impressive marble statues of fish and other sea creatures decorated the grass while a long peach-coloured road split the lawn in two.

And at the end of that road, was the most magnificent palace I’d ever seen.

Huge towers of white stone stretched up to the bright afternoon sky. The walls, decorated with shells and thousands of pebbles, were circled by a grand moat that seemed to flow directly into the sea – the endless line of blue stretching on for miles beyond the palace.

I couldn’t help but gasp at the sight of it all. Coming from a forest village to the Steel Palace may have been a change, but this was like entering a whole different world.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Lukas said from behind me. His arms were still wrapped around my waist as our horse trotted closer to the palace.

“Yes,” I whispered. And terrifying too. Because beyond that sand-coloured drawbridge would be my first opportunity to actually advocate for my people. And I’d been too worried about a certain faery prince to plan anything to say to the very real kings and queens waiting behind those walls.

“You’ll be alright,” Lukas said, as if sensing my nerves. “You won’t be alone in there, and I won’t let any of the other kingdoms bully you.”

The harsh creak of the lowering drawbridge rang in my ears while I glanced over my shoulder at Lukas. Worry tugged at his brow and his shoulders were stiff. For a moment, I wondered if he was perhaps more nervous than I was, but then a sharp voice stole my attention away.

“King Lukas of Drothmore and Princess Naria of Corlixir?” a well-dressed guard called out from the palace entrance.

Lukas promptly dismounted before helping me down to the ground. “We’re here,” he replied in a strong voice. Keeping his hand on the small of my back, he led me towards the guard.

The guard in his ocean blue tunic looked us up and down. “The other royals have already gathered in the meeting hall,” he said in a dry tone. “I was told to bring you to the hall as soon as you arrived.”

Lukas scowled. “They’re meeting now?”

“I’m to take you straight to the hall,” the guard repeated.

“But we’ve been travelling for a week,” Lukas argued. “Are we not even granted a few hours rest before such an important meeting?”

The guard only frowned in response before reaching for a pocket watch buried in his tunic and glancing at it pointedly.

“It’s alright,” I said, reaching for Lukas’s arm. “Maybe it’s better to get this over with now?”

The young king narrowed his eyes before drawing close to my ear to mutter, “This was planned. I’m certain of it. Be on your guard.”

I nodded as he pulled away. Then Lukas tucked my arm under his and gestured for the guard to lead the way.

The inside of the palace was just as grand as its impressive exterior. More marble statues decorated the hallways, along with ocean-themed paintings and tapestries, while warm light spilled in from huge windows and open balconies that faced the crashing waves below. Even the sand-coloured moulding featured delicate carvings of sea creatures and plants.

I could’ve spent hours taking it all in had we not been constantly hurried along by our guard escort.

“I should’ve liked to have discussed more of what you’ll need to say in this meeting.” Lukas spoke in a rushed voice. So far he’d spent the entire walk making suggestions for how I should hold myself and which topics to avoid with the other royals.

I’d tried my best to listen. Really, I had. But with every step against the glossy floor, I felt further from home, and the crashing waves outside were growing louder and louder.

“Naria?” he prompted. “Are you listening? This is very important.”

“Yes. Sorry,” I stammered, rubbing circles into the fabric of my skirt. I was really going to need some time to myself soon. A dark room, ideally. With a soft pillow, and a soundproof door, and—

“You’ll need to be separate from here.” The guard’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“What?” I rasped.

“No. Naria stays with me.” Lukas’s arm slipped around my waist almost protectively. “The other rulers will understand.”

“I do apologise, Your Majesty, but I’ve been given strict instructions that you are to each enter your own kingdom’s boxes,” the guard explained in a tone that suggested he really wasn’t sorry at all.

My breath quickened. “But I can’t—”

“She stays with me,” Lukas growled, cutting me off. “I’ll go in with her kingdom if I have to. I have advisors who can represent Drothmore.”

“I’m afraid that’s not an option.” The guard shook his head. “Now please cooperate or I shall have to use force.” He whistled through his teeth at a pair of nearby guards dressed in identical blue tunics.

Smirking, the pair stepped forward just as Lukas drew his sword and shoved me behind him.

My chest seized.

“If you lay a single finger on her you’ll lose more than just your hands,” he snarled, raising his weapon.

One of the guards chuckled before drawing his own sword. “I was told this might happen.” He grinned eagerly, marching straight for us.

My stomach dipped. This couldn’t be happening. Ahead of me, Lukas braced, preparing to swing while the two guards did the same. I knew my fiancé was strong, but there were two of them and one of him, not to mention the murderous glint in their eyes. This was so unnecessary, and all because of me! If only I was stronger. If only I could actually lead my people—

“I’ll go in alone!” I cried, out of breath.

The guards paused, and one of them let out a disappointed groan.

“Naria…” Lukas lowered his weapon. “No. You shouldn’t have to do this. I’m here to support you and I’m not going to let them force us apart.”

“It’s alright.” I steadied my voice. “If I can’t manage a simple meeting, then what sort of queen would I be?”

He studied me for a moment while I tried my hardest to mask the fear that was churning in my stomach.

Eventually, he sheathed his sword and nodded with a scowl. “Fine,” he seethed. “But I won’t let them get away with how they’ve been treating us.” He glared at the guard who’d originally met us at the gate. “Your king and queen will have me to answer to later.”

“Oh I’m certain of that,” the guard taunted with a foul grin. “Now please,” he turned to address me, “if you could follow my friend to the Corlixin box, and oh! I almost forgot to say…” He grinned again cruelly as Lukas was escorted off down another corridor. “Welcome to Ryntook, Princess Naria.”