by Vella Wolf
Raest flicked a strand of hair from his face before he spoke again. “I’m glad they are gone, the gods. The world might be dying, but at least we have our freedom now. I know you must feel differently, I hope you don’t hold it against me,” he said quietly.
“I never knew Arndell’s touch, but his absence has caused much suffering. However, I don’t think I would wish him back if it meant that Circae came with him,” I sighed.
Raest smiled warmly at my response, relief flickered in his eyes. I felt a tinge of sadness inside me, it had only been a day since my world had been shattered. This morning I would have said I hated this man but now, being able to speak like this with his fairer qualities in full view, I wouldn’t be able to. As we neared the city gates, he pointed to a large, black castle situated some distance behind the arena. It was too far to see any detail.
“That is our home,” Raest said.
Gigantic darksteel gates loomed before us, set in the thick stone wall. Their design was as elaborate as it was threatening with whorls of metal and spikes interwoven, a large umbral moon sigil at the centre of the piece. The guards waved us in with warm, welcoming smiles as the gates heaved open. I waved back hesitant, unsure of their social protocols. Besides my family, no one ever really waved or greeted me at home. I noticed Raest smiling at me oddly as he turned to wave at them too.
“You don’t need to look so worried, the Illyd are friendlier than we look. If it’s the social status you’re worried about, it mostly hasn’t stopped basic civility here,” he smirked.
It was bothersome how easily he seemed to pick up on my emotions. I was so used to keeping them happily hidden, but now at any moment, he could lay me bare.
The carriage thudded as it moved from the rough stone road to cobble. I turned from Raest to take in the new sights. Lavish apartments sat above varied stores. The streets were filled with people going about their business under the moonlight. Horns, animal ears, fur, scales, and tails, the diversity of the Illyd people in full display. Many of them turned to the carriage to wave at us, Raest always returning their greeting. Torsen and Elren had never received this welcome from our people.
As we headed through what looked like a large market square, Illyd children ran after the carriage frantically waving and cheering behind us. With a warm smile, Raest leaned out the window next to him and waved to them. With a flick of his hand, butterflies, the colours of fluorescent blue flew from his fingertips. They flew through the air towards the children, dancing through their hands as they leapt to catch them. These people, his people, they really loved him.
We continued on at a slow pace through the marketplace, eventually diverting to a large road on the right. The carriages rolled past a few fancy houses on either side till the road widened further, part of it branching to the left. This road led to the entry of the arena, we passed its walls and columns on our way. I felt sick being up so close. So many people had died there.
“The arena. Do you still use it?” I asked. A little bit of dread sat in my gut.
Raest grinned devilishly, “Yes but not for anything violent. I host most of our peaceful festivals there and things like flower arranging competitions, pet shows, and birthdays. All sorts of things that would piss Circae off.”
I put my hand over my mouth, trying to stifle my laughter. “Well, I suppose I have to hope Circae doesn’t come back or we’ll have him smashing through our living room,” I chuckled.
My laughter appeared to please him as he continued to smile. Brash enough to try to piss off a god. It was as worrying as it was admirable.
“You really don’t care what people think of you, do you?” I scoffed at him.
He moved to rest his head on his hand that was perched on the window sill.
“I wouldn’t say that. I just try to do what I think is best.” His eyes flicked to me, “But. I do care what you think,” he said.
I felt uncomfortable in my skin under his gaze. Too soon. Far too soon for this sentiment. In a matter of a day, he’d hurt his friend and forced my life to change, all because he thought it was best. How much more damage would he do to me and those around him, because it was for the best?
Without an answer, we fell back into silence. The carriage continued its gentle rocking as the ikander began to ease their pace. I leaned out of the window to see why we had slowed. I held my mouth agape at the sight before me. Behind a dark metal ornate fence, a huge palace made of obsidian stone loomed before me. Morning glory weaved through the rocks, their buds closed in the night.
The building's core spanned up four stories, a single-story wing extending out from the right and the left. Multiple balconies were built out from the walls, flower boxes hung from their rails. Tall spires sat on each corner, reaching up into the night sky. Atop the roof of the main building, a large glass structure sat. It was similar to a greenhouse, but the glass was coloured a dark shade of grey. I was unable to see anything behind it.
The gardens built around the castle spread far and wide, many of the trees I had passed in the forest filled the grounds. Shaped hedges edged some of the paths, lilac, jasmine, and hyacinth filled the garden beds. Grass, a bluish-green, covered the ground in a lush carpet. A single large fountain stood before the castle's entry, its sculpture a twisted mass of metal forming some sort of vicious fanged beast. Water flowed out of its maw back into the lotus filled pond below it. Red and silver carp swam through its waters as we passed.
“Welcome to our home,” Raest said as the carriage eased to a stop before the silverwood doors of the palace. One of the guards escorting our carriage opened our doors. Raest stepped out first, turning to offer me his hand. I took it, giving a gentle smile as he helped me down. We were in Naedis now, and I was to be their new queen. Regardless of the emotions that raged inside, I needed to play my part, the smiling, blushing bride. I breathed in deeply as I took my first step on Naedis soil, this really was my home now.
To the right of me, Verona and Ophelia exited their carriage and began to fiddle with their luggage. Nyx however lingered in his seat, staring off into the distance. I looked away from him as Raest took my hand to lead me up the grey stone steps. Two sets of guards stood before the ornate entry. A pair moved to the doors, pulling them open. With a low groan, they heaved open, revealing a large entrance hall.
The hall was mostly open, the roof was as high as the fourth story. Unlike the outside, the stone here was a light grey marble cut into smooth even blocks. Elaborate chandeliers and candelabras lit up the room with white light. A long wide carpet, black with silver threads, ran down the middle of the hall and a few matching lounges sat along the sides. Paintings of rulers past covered most of the walls; at the far back, five rows of steps led to a large flat surface. Atop it, two equal thrones crafted from silverwood. The natural curves and grain of the wood were evident in their design and the colour contrasted perfectly with the dark purple, velvet upholstery. This was Xerai’s version of our great hall. While beautiful it was, it was cold and lifeless, nothing like my home.
“Raest, it is good to see that you have returned in a timely manner,” a smooth but stern feminine voice sounded to my left.
I swivelled to meet its owner only to be graced by not one, but two strangers. A woman and a man at about my height, they eyed me as I watched them. Humanoid in form, their skin was covered in a thin, rich cream fur. Two rabbit-like ears extended from their heads, the female’s raised, while the males hung limp. They both wore black and silver vests buttoned up to their necks. Dark grey pants ran down to bare feet. Their feet were as flat and long as a human's but ended in four large rabbit toes, a large claw protruded from each one. Five furry digits also bore small claws on the end of each. Though their face was mostly human, their noses curved into rabbit features. These two were Raphin.
“Eed, Julis. It is good to be home!” Raest called with his arms outstretched.
The two stepped closer, the female continued to examine me.
“Is this her?” she a
sked, her chocolate coloured curls cut just below her nose, bobbed as she moved.
Turning to me, Raest said, “Yes. This is Sabyr Feros, my bride. Sabyr, meet Eed and Julis Ross.”
Eed’s face looked to be laced with disapproval, her honey-coloured eyes, piercing. But Julis smiled at me, his earthy green eyes, serene and warm. His hair was as curly as Eed’s, but longer and woven into a bun, tied atop his crown. I gulped down my nerves, giving a polite nod in greeting.
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” I said.
Gesturing to the both of them Raest continued, “Eed and Julis are head of staff for the castle. Julis serves as my personal assistant, and Eed will now be yours.”
I looked at him surprised, he let his servants do away with formalities as well? Once again, he sensed my apprehension.
“I’m not fond of formalities and titles with anyone. Eed, Julis, and their family have been serving mine for many years. It wouldn't feel right hearing them call me lord or king. Is this a problem for you?” he said.
I put up my hands defensively. “No! Of course not. I would rather it that way.” I noticed the censure on Eed’s face ease a little. I couldn’t believe this terrifying woman was going to be my personal servant. I certainly didn’t have one at home and rarely relied on anyone for assistance. I was used to taking care of myself.
“Speaking of formalities, where is Esu?” Raest asked, his brows furrowed with concern.
“Don’t fret, he's been managing just fine in your absence. He should be here any moment,” Eed replied.
Raest looked at me a little nervous. “Esu is another member of my circle. Besides managing the health of our family, he is the head of the caster academies. He is growing old in his age, and I’ve been a little worried about handing him my responsibilities as well,” he admitted.
“I am not that old! I managed just fine,” a kindly voice called across the hall. Standing upright on the legs of a cat, a small man padded towards us dressed in caster robes of dark green. His face was just like that of an ordinary house cat but two small horns poked through the fur on his head. The fur was a silky blue-grey, covering the entirety of his body, thick and lush. He smiled a wide, toothy cat grin while a fluffy tail followed gently behind him. Eyes like emeralds matched his robes, his pupils forming slits as he entered the light. This man might have been the most adorable thing I had ever seen.
“Esu Delmarr, meet Sabyr Feros, my soon to be wife,” Raest said, presenting me again proudly.
Esu’s eyes wandered over me, his smile growing as he took me in. “You are lovely! Radiant! You are strong too, I can see it in your eyes,” he said as he reached out and took my hand.
I flinched at the touch, and he let go, clearly embarrassed.
“My deepest apologies, my lady! I should have asked,” Esu said, bowing over and over again.
“No, it is alright. I didn’t flinch at that, I’m just not used to feeling… the fur,” I admitted with a blush.
Esu looked utterly relieved and began to beam. “But of course, my mistake,” he said, looking over me once more, his eyes snagging at my ears. I shifted under his gaze as he leaned in a little closer. “You are human and something else. May I ask what? Wait, no. That would be rude, and it doesn’t really matter. Welcome to Xerai! I am so happy to have you here,” Esu continued to babble as he turned to Raest, “Lord Nightsong, I am so pleased for you!”
Raest smiled at him warmly before looking to me. “Yes, Esu is the only one who refuses to listen to my formalities rule,” he said, amused.
Esu shrugged. “Old habits die hard. Now I’d love to be able to chat for longer, but you must be exhausted! Besides, Raest and I have much to talk about, especially with the wedding tomorrow.”
The words burned my ears.
“It’s tomorrow?” I said, trying to hide my panic.
“Yes. Why wait?” Raest replied.
My panic withered, sadness growing in its place. He was right. What did it matter? It was inevitable.
“Eed will take you to your room to freshen up while I attend to this,” he said to me before turning to Eed. “I assume Fye and Ora must have already arrived? Can you take Sabyr to see them?”
Eed gave a shallow bow, “Of course.”
“Who are they?” I asked.
I had only just arrived, and the information I was being fed already felt overwhelming.
“Old and close family friends. They make up the last two members of our circle. Fye is the one performing the ceremony rites,” he said, his affection for them as clear as day. “I may not be able to see you before tomorrow. Do not hesitate to ask Eed, Julis, or anyone for help. Tomorrow will be magical,” Raest grinned.
I muttered a thank you and like that he was off, Esu and Julis in tow. Without another word, Eed beckoned me to follow.
Chapter 23
Turning left at the entry hall, Eed led me through the lower tier of the castle. She pointed out a few of the doors as we passed, one a communal bath, the second a concert hall, and the third a lounging area.
“The left of the estate is set aside for guests while the right houses castle guards and staff. While you are free to explore these places, it would be advisable to avoid them,” she said as we continued down the wide corridor.
The stone and decor in here continued the design from the entry, and as we neared the end of the hallway, it opened up into a larger space, a staircase to the left and right.
“The left leads up to the higher levels and eventually your room. The right leads into the dining hall, kitchens, and the central gardens,” Eed continued, beckoning me to follow her to the right. I followed her down the small set of stairs into a sunken room about half the entry hall's size. A long, wide, heavy wood table sat in the centre. It was large enough to fit forty diners, its colour a rich dark red matching the high back chairs tucked alongside it. The lighting in here continued the theme, a few scenic paintings dotted the walls. To the left side, there was a small entry to what could have been the kitchen.
“This is where you and the rest of the circle take their meals. I can also provide them to your room if you wish,” Eed explained, gesturing to the table.
At the end of the dining hall was a series of wood-framed doors, about seven feet tall; beyond them, the central garden. Eed led me to the other side of the room and began to pull back the doors. They folded off to one side, opening up the hall to the garden. The breeze came rushing in, cool and fresh. I stepped down the few steps, landing on the lush lawn that extended far and wide into the garden. Just like the front gardens, hedges lined paths leading left and right. More lilacs and night lilies bloomed here and off in the distance I could spy a small greenhouse.
Near the end of the lawn, a high gazebo sat before a thick weald of trees. Jasmine ran over its silver wood and black tiled roof. As I stepped closer, I noticed black and purple ribbon had been wound around some of the pillars, and tall candelabras sat ready for lighting.
“Is this where I am to be married?” I asked.
“Yes.”
I had always imagined that, if I did wed, it would be in a forest surrounded by the serenity of the trees and the few that I loved. At least this garden was beautiful.
Eed coughed, bringing my attention back to her. “It is time to show you the rest,” she said, walking back towards the house. She led me back up the stairs, reaching the second floor. An infirmary, healing rooms, a laboratory, and Esu’s room were located on this floor. The third floor held the rooms of the other circle members, some spare rooms, and their library. We made our way up to the fourth floor, passing a few doors before stopping at one in the middle.
“Most of these rooms are empty; they are reserved for royal family members such as your future children,” she explained, a sickness rising at the word children.
It felt too soon to be talking about that. Eed placed her clawed hand on the silver handle, pushing the door open. She stood aside to let me enter. I took a few steps into the room, it was twice th
e size of the one at home. The walls in here were not grey stone, every inch was painted. A mural of the forest was etched onto the right wall, the rest of the room a rich purple laced with silver and gold. Black, silver carpet covered most of the stone floor.
An enormous blackwood bed sat across from the covered windows. Four posts arched and spiralled up to a dark transparent canopy, fabric trailing down either side. I moved to the window, and as I pulled back the shadowed curtains, I realised the wall facing the garden was made entirely of glass. The view was spectacular.
“This will be your room. This room is outfitted with everything you need, but can be changed if you desire. A balcony opens up from these windows and overlooks the central garden, and there is a bathroom through the left door,” Eed said, pointing out the room's features. My mind ran over Eed’s words. A single detail stood out.
“I do not share a room with Raest?” I said, turning back to her.
“All partners receive their own room. If you wish to sleep in Raest’s room, that is your business. It is located at the end,” she replied bluntly.
I felt a rush of relief flow over me. Having this option was going to make things easier.
Eed walked over to a large set of wood doors on the left wall. “Before we run any later, we need to get you dressed for our guests.”
“Isn’t what I’m wearing alright?” I asked.
She eyed my travelling clothes and made a disgusted face accompanied by a noise. She walked right up to me and began to pull at my buttons and instantly I shied away.
“I can get dressed myself!” I shrieked at her.
Eed just rolled her eyes at me, growling under her breath, “Nonsense, this is what I am here for.”
To my great discomfort, she continued to pull until my shirt was off, revealing my breast bindings. She clicked her tongue in disapproval and gestured towards the cupboards.
“You will need something better than that. Would you like me to choose something? Or would you prefer to?” she asked.