Page 25 of The Shadowed Throne (Midlife Fairy Tale #4)

R o, Gabriel, Uldamar, and the two royal guards, now carrying the gifts Ro had brought, followed Illesha and her lantern deeper into the cave.

For the first few yards, the ground, walls, and ceiling remained as roughhewn as the entrance.

The pale gray stone was shot through with darker veins.

Here and there, a line of glittering white material broke through.

But it was as rough and jagged as if it had been that way for the age of the realm.

Then the appearance abruptly changed.

The rock smoothed. The walls and ceiling still bore some texture, but the floor became highly polished. A pattern had been carved into it, making some sections smooth and leaving some parts rough. The pattern flowed with a sinuous nature that might have represented vines. Or branches.

Wide swaths of what appeared to be living bioluminescent material covered the walls, providing a soft, white light.

Ro called out to the woman leading them. “Illesha?”

Illesha slowed and looked over her shoulder. “Yes, your highness?”

“What is that on the walls? Is that a living thing, or is it fabric?” Ro honestly couldn’t tell.

“It’s cave moss. It’s been around as long as the neph.”

“And it just fluoresces like that?”

“It does. For about half a day. Then it rests. We tend to it by sponging it with water every few days, trimming it when needed, but that’s about it.”

“And that’s all it takes? Amazing. And quite beautiful. We have a few varieties of bioluminescent plants and insects in the royal gardens, but this cave moss is especially lovely.”

“Thank you.” Illesha gestured ahead of her. “Just a little bit farther.”

Indeed, the passageway they were in soon widened into a large space. In a small way, it reminded Ro of the Wyvern’s cave city, but there was no opening allowing sunlight in, no pool of water. Just a lot of connecting passageways and plenty of neph living their lives.

But then she saw water. A wide, phosphorescent river gently flowing through the space. Small rafts with no more than four people floated along.

Adding to the light were enormous stone pillars holding metal-reinforced glass globes filled with the same glowing water. Black vinelike supports crawled up the stone pillars and continued on to the globes.

Ro’s gaze went all the way up to ceiling. There were smallish holes at regular intervals, slanted shafts that had to be airways, both to let smoke out and fresh air in. But because of the slant, no sun.

Beyond the river were seating areas, most of which were located around one of the big globes.

Neph filled the seats. Some were reading, some talking; some looked like they were teaching others.

A few, closer to the river, were painting.

One man played a stringed instrument that seemed to perfectly accompany the sound of the river.

All of it lit with the blue-white glow of the water.

There was no sign of anything that looked like residences. Ro had to wonder where those were.

Illesha stopped and gestured before her. “This is one of our many common areas. As you can see, it’s a well-used space.”

“And the river?” Ro asked.

“It’s a water source, a food source, and one of the ways we travel from cave to cave.”

“How many caves are connected by the river?” Gabriel asked.

Illesha smiled. “Some questions I am not authorized to answered.”

“I understand,” Gabriel said.

Her smile vanished, but her expression remained pleasant. “You must also understand that you’ve been given unprecedented access to the Wild Court. Access that can be revoked at any time.”

Ro put on her most appeasing smile and stepped in front of Gabriel.

“We understand that very well. We’re simply curious.

Your world is new to us, and because we want to get to know you as a people, it’s in our nature to ask questions.

I promise, we mean no harm.” And thankfully, her dagger told her that, so far, neither did the neph.

Illesha nodded. “Thank you for being so forthcoming. This is new ground for all of us. We will endeavor to remember that. Please, we need to continue on.”

Illesha led them to the right and through a corridor flanked by guards. The passage was just as beautifully refined as the first one they’d come through, but the pattern carved into the floor was different. It was much more organic and featured animals like bats, wolves, cats, birds, and even mice.

The walls still held panels of moss, but there were smaller water globes hanging overhead, as well. Ahead of them was a set of ornate wood and metal doors, the first pair Ro had seen. The silhouette of a howling wolf adorned one door; on the other, a swooping bat.

Guards stood on either side. They came to attention as Ro and her people approached. Illesha held her hand up. “These are the Radiant fae. All is well.”

The guards bowed and opened the doors, revealing a room that nearly took Ro’s breath away.

“Please,” Illesha said. “King Khamsin awaits.”

With a nod, Ro followed, Gabriel at her side. They walked through into what was obviously a throne room, based on the enormous chair that sat in the center on a dais. The throne was formed of black branches woven through one another as though grown that way.

Behind the dais was a wall of stained glass panels, lit from behind in such a way that made Ro believe there was more glowing river water at work. The stained glass filled the room with shafts of light in shades of pink, purple, and blue.

“Welcome to the Caer Wyld.”

They all turned in the direction of the masculine voice. A bearded man in regal dress walked toward them, a woman at his side, also royally attired. “I am King Khamsin, and this is my wife, Queen Perza.”

Before Ro could move or speak, Gabriel stepped forward and gave a short bow. “King Khamsin, Queen Perza, may I present Queen Sparrow Meadowcroft of Summerton.”

Ro stepped forward and gave them both a nod. “It is my pleasure to meet you both. Thank you so much for receiving us.”

King Khamsin looked amused. “Thank you for coming. And for showing us your empathy and mercy.”

For a moment, Ro wasn’t sure what he meant, but it quickly came to her. “Do you give such a test to all your neighbors?”

Queen Perza frowned. “I am sorry if that offended you. He insisted on it.”

Ro smiled. “No, it’s fine. I understand wanting to know what your visitors are made of. I might have to implement something like that myself.” She had no intention of doing such a thing, but she wanted the queen to feel better about it.

Ro gestured back toward the throne and the windows. “This room is stunning. What I’ve seen of your kingdom is impressive.”

“Thank you,” King Khamsin said. “I must ask—have you really come in hopes of an alliance?”

“I have,” Ro said. “But it’s not the only reason.

The kingdom of Summerton is on the brink of war with the kingdom of Malveaux.

It seems every day a new threat from them emerges.

Because of historical bad blood, Queen Anyka would like very much to remove me from power and take Summerton for herself.

If that happens, I believe she won’t stop there. ”

He nodded. “Which is how you came to join forces with the Hythians.”

“Yes.” Ro rested her hand on the hilt of Merediem without thinking about it. “That alliance has been important for both of us. They’re wonderful people I am now pleased to call friends. They have already proved themselves to be valuable allies.”

“They are changelings like us,” Queen Perza said. “Although more limited.”

“In that regard, you both have the Radiant beat.” Ro didn’t mind admitting such a thing, especially if it might gain her points.

“But you have magic,” Khamsin said. “Ancient and powerful.” His gaze shifted to Uldamar.

Illesha spoke up. “Their sorcerer has neph blood, my lord.”

Khamsin’s brows rose. “Is that so?”

Uldamar bowed his head. “It is, your highness. Some kin removed, but yes.”

Khamsin smiled as he seemed to consider that. “Come. Let us sit and talk some more in a room more suited for conversation than ceremony.”

Gabriel glanced at Ro. She gave him a quick smile. Looked like they weren’t getting kicked out just yet.