Page 40 of When the Wicked Sing (The Leruna Sea #1)
Dax called Mari’s name again for the fifth time, and she gasped awake.
“Finally.” He chuckled. “You were stuck so far in your dream, I thought I might have to drag you out.”
Mari shook her head and cleared her throat. “Are we almost there?” she asked, glancing around. Dawn had finally graced the sky.
“Yeah, we’re here.”
Mari groaned, gripping her hips.
“Sore?”
She nodded, then let out a soft gasp as Aurelia’s glinting gates came into view.
The gates were magnificent. The copper and gold motif depicted a large sun shining from high above the mountains, shrouded in swirling clouds.
A single person holding a sword pointed straight toward the heavens, with a billowing cape in the center.
Just below, three figures knelt before the fae with the sword .
General Magnus. Pronouncing his victory over the fae realm when he established the kingdom of Aurelia. The other three kneeling figures must’ve been the other Generals.
Dax didn’t pay much attention to it, whereas Mari peered at it in amazement. Instead, he met the curious eyes of all the fae guards opening the gates for them.
Cyrus held his head high as he entered first, then glanced back at Dax with a smug grin. “Keep up, Dax. I’d hate for you to get lost without me to guide you.”
Dax was tempted to throw one of his daggers at the male’s cocky face. Gods, he wanted to kill him. But knew what would happen if he did. Gripping the reins tighter, he guided the horse through the cobblestone streets.
People dressed in colorful clothing and adorned with jewelry haggled with the merchants or chatted away as they sipped morning spirits at eateries with enticing, delicious smells.
They passed the city center, where a prominent statue, three or four stories tall and carved from a single piece of marble, stood. It depicted a male with long hair shouting up at the sky. The robes along his form seemed to ripple in an imaginary wind.
“Who is that?” Mari asked him.
Dax shrugged. “It’s not clear. Some believe it to be a symbol of contempt for the gods who left. Others believe the gods cursed this male to stare up at them forever.”
No one knew who made it, but it felt God-given, especially after it had withstood the Infernal Wars. Thus, General Magnus declared the capital city of Aurelia to be built around it.
“Why are they praying to it if they have no idea who it is? ”
“Everyone needs someone to pray to,” he murmured, watching the few Aurelians placing their hands on the statue’s base as they whispered their greatest fears, wishes, and dreams. They believed someone was listening.
“Even you?”
The question startled him. When he glanced down at Mari, who had turned slightly to glance sidelong at him over her shoulder, he saw the underlying curiosity swirling in her ocean eyes.
Dax shook his head. The gods wouldn’t listen. They never had, and they never would.
Mari didn’t say anything, but her eyes told him she had questions. He was thankful when she turned back to stare ahead.
“Wow,” he heard Mari breathe, and a corner of his mouth lifted.
He followed her gaze to the mansions lining this side of the city.
Some of the large buildings had sculpted marble columns carved with depictions of the Gods and Generals of war.
Stunning motifs glowed with lights along the walls of several establishments as the wealthy flaunted their prosperity.
They crossed the long stone bridge leading to another gate—this one a solid piece of pure white crystal, enchanted with deadly spells for those who tried to climb it unbidden.
Mari’s breath hitched, head tilted to gaze up at the dominating height of the palace.
Dax took a steadying breath as the gate opened to a large, manicured courtyard with a glittering fountain. He’d stared into that mosaic fountain before, wondering what in the Seven Seas he was doing with his life .
And now he was thinking the same as the approaching guards ordered him and Mari off the horse.
Dax held Mari’s arm as she struggled to stand straight after being on the horse for so long. But when she glanced up, he heard her murmur, “ Beautiful .”
He had to admit, it was true. The grounds surrounding the palace were meticulously maintained, with paths winding through beds of vibrant winter flowers that thrived in the cold morning air.
Statues of mythical creatures and legendary figures spread around the landscape, adding to the sense of wonder.
“Ahh, friends! This is where I leave you,” Cyrus called from atop his horse, making Dax grit his teeth.
“It was not a pleasure escorting you. However, I have a feeling we’ll see each other again.
Perhaps next time, it will be a pleasure!
” He smiled down at them, but Mari promptly ignored him, absorbed in the serene landscaping, while Dax glared up at him.
“Perhaps next time, I’ll get the chance to punch those pearly whites into your skull.”
Cyrus winced and tsked . “You’re very violent. You really should talk to someone about that,” he said nonchalantly, making Dax growl.
Cyrus glanced down at Mari, who finally met his serious gaze. “Be careful around this one,” he said in a low voice before nudging his horse and galloping toward the royal stables.
Mari turned and glanced between Dax’s tight fists and the angry look on his face. “Wow, he really got to you, huh?”
Ignoring the question, he nudged her toward the tall bronze doors. Six guards trailed behind them, and three more guided the way .
“What a welcoming party,” Mari muttered, and Dax felt his eyebrows lift briefly in agreement.
The doors opened inward. Two sentinels dressed in gleaming, spotless armor stepped aside to hold the massive doors. Their entourage of guards led them into the garden. Somehow, it was even more extravagant than the courtyard.
Spring was just beginning to whisper its presence, and the garden responded with an almost ethereal beauty.
Closed, colorful flower buds dotted the edge of a pond, awaiting the breath of warmth to reveal their hidden beauty.
The pond rippled slightly, and Dax’s eyes caught on the vibrant hues of colorful fish darting beneath.
Fish that enjoyed eating warm flesh. He kept that little fact to himself as Mari gazed around in wonder.
The garden was a marvel, a sanctuary amidst the stone and grandeur, where every flower, every statue, and every path seemed to whisper secrets of beauty and power. But Dax knew those whispers were laced with danger.
“I’m glad to see you finally made it,” a songbird voice called from the second-story balcony. Dax gritted his teeth as he dragged his eyes up. There, high above the rest, stood the princess in all her golden fucking glory.