Page 163 of To Scale the Emerald Mountain

“Fucking Mother,” I curse under my breath as I run my fingers through the delicate pleats.

It’s customary for people to don elaborate costumes and masks for the holiday, but I hadn’t considered one for myself. The dress screams Alec. I’m noticing a pattern where he leaves exquisite gifts for me while I sleep, not sticking around to see my reaction.

I love it.

Bouncing into my bathing chamber, I get freshened up for the day. I’m excited to take a break from training after decimating what little remained of the abandoned village in one hit, veins of electricity coursing through the ground and snaking off in at least fifty different directions, imploding just as many targets.

It’s no longer necessary to place a hand to the ground, or channel my power through the emerald in my staff. I’m now able to call my electric threads to my fingertips and extend them through the air. I’m also able to throw strikes and balls of electric flames, but the damage of sending my currents through the ground is much morecatastrophic and satisfying. If I’m able to manipulate the fierce winds that come when I use my power, I haven’t learned how yet.

After I’ve changed, I make my way to find something to eat and am instantly met by two guards stationed at the stair landing—the strange sight sending an unpleasant tingle up my spine. I’ve never seen any guards other than Kraeston inside of our residence. Mulling over possibilities for their presence, nothing immediately comes to me. I walk past them, brow wrinkled, and they bow deep.

I attempt to shake off my sudden unease as I pass two more on the second floor landing on my way downstairs, but when I reach the first floor, there are four more stationed throughout the hall. Glancing into the sitting room, I see through the arched windows that the courtyard is lined with them, and my gut squeezes.

Something isn’t right.

I assume that the staggering increase in guards has something to do with Alec not informing me of his departure this morning. The idea of breakfast suddenly turns my stomach leaden, and I abandon it in favor of finding Alec to demand to know what’s happening.

Pulling on our tether, I find that he’s near.

“Is the king in the palace?” I ask one of the guards.

“I believe he is in the council room, Princess.”

Giving my thanks, I head towards the corridor beginning the winding maze to the official walls of the palace.

My feet stop short when two guards begin following me. “What are you doing?” I ask with a suspicious bite.

“We were instructed to see you anywhere you wish to go.”

“Why?” I bark, my irritation growing.

“I do not know, Princess. I don’t question my king, I only do as he commands.”

“Fine. Come on.”

Their armor clinks as we walk, echoing through the empty halls and corridors, making it impossible to ignore them. The constant reminder of their presence rattles my nerves further.

We make it to the cavernous entrance hall of the palace, decorated lavishly for the holiday, the already colorful building popping with vibrant florals and lanterns. The large doors to the throne room open, and Alec exits followed by the council, his mother, and all his siblings.

All with faces drawn; all incredibly tense.

Alec wears the golden crown with silver suns and moons that I’ve only seen on his head once before, complimenting his dark hair magnificently—absolutely regal. His head turns to meet my gaze, and he conveys a hint of fear before the emotion shifts to the gleam he usually carries when he sees me.

He strides to me, hands clasped behind his back and head held high. When he reaches me, he frees his hands and takes one of mine, hooking it into the crook of his arm.

“I will accompany her now,” Alec says in dismissal to the guards behind me.

“What’s going on?” Alarm rings clear in my tone.

“I received word last night that Rahleigh was seen in The Capital only a week ago. And one of Locane’s guards was found removing his iron chains when the morning rotation came to relieve the others today. The rest of the group is missing.”

Alec begins leading me back in the direction I just came from as hurried footsteps retreat behind us. “The guard freeing him was muttering, mostly incoherently, about chasing destiny. Cescily woke me early this morning to inform me.”

“What happened to the others that were guarding him?”

“I do not know. I scoured the mind of the one who nearly freed Locane, and he had no memories at all to sift through before he began undoing the iron chains.”

Alec’s shoulders tighten. “I do not wish to alarm you, Ellya, but there will be no more secrets. The group that is missing is a highly powerful and capable bunch of people. We fear they may be in the same state as the one that was left. Locane is more heavily guarded now, and he has also now been gagged with iron. His execution will take place in two days.”